The L.A. Maybe has just released the official music video for their new song, "Down To Fight". Directed by Ace Blankenship, it's available to view below.





Download / stream "Down To Fight" at this location.







Catch The L.A. Maybe live in The UK next month. Confirmed dates are as listed:


December
2 - The Corporation - Sheffield
4 - The Patriot - Newport
5 - Hope & Anchor - London
7 - Waterloo Bar - Blackpool
8 - Nightrain - Bradford
9 - The Brickyard, Carlisle
12 - Bannermans Bar - Edinburgh
13 - B2 Venue - Norwich
14 - Canvas - Bournemouth
16 - The Cobblestones - Bridgwater





 

The Poor will release High Price Deed, their first full album in over a decade, on February 3, 2023.


It will feature all three singles "Let Me Go", "Cry Out" and "Payback's A Bitch", plus some other tunes written along with newby (hardly) and lead guitar boy wonder Daniel Cox. The cover art for High Price Deed can be seen below.







"Let Me Go":





"Cry Out":





"Payback's A Bitch":





The Poor started out playing the pub circuit in Darwin nearly two decades ago. The plan was simple -, hard rockin’ hard drinkin’ and world domination. In 1992 the band cut their debut release, the EP Rude, Crude & Tattooed, produced by Rick Brewster and Bob Spencer from The Angels and from the opening line you knew it was going to be something great; Aussie pub rock, in your face, no bullsh*t, straight to the point, rock’n’f%&k’n’roll.


In mid 1993, the band recorded their debut album, Who Cares, which spawned their most notable single, “More Wine Waiter Please”. An unrelenting couple of decades followed where they toured relentlessly, drank hard and rocked harder touring Australia, Europe and Japan, sharing stages with the likes of Suicidal Tendencies, The Scorpions, Alice In Chains and Van Halen.


In 2000 the band went into hibernation until an invitation to tour with W.A.S.P. was too good to refuse. It didn’t take long for them to get back into the rock’n’roll groove they cut so deeply in previous years. Round 1 and Round 2 albums followed in 2009 and 2010 respectively.


After 12 years of touring their supercharged ‘NO BS Aussie Rock’ show with local and international rock bands including AC/DC, The Screaming Jets, Rose Tattoo and The Angels, cut to the present day and The Poor are ready to release new music on their old and new fans. Original members Anthony (Skenie) Skene, Matt Whitby and (almost original drummer) Gavin Hansen are joined by relative newcomer and lead guitarist Daniel Cox.


For further details, visit ThePoorBand.com.


 

Heavy blues rock band Bourbon House has filmed a video for their new single, "Blue Magic". Directed and edited by Jocelyne Berumen at Cyclops Girl Productions LLC, the clip was filmed in Chicago, IL and features performances by Lauren Leonesio and Nick Ng.





Stream / download "Blue Magic" at this location.







Bourbon House recently announced a lineup change with the following statement:


"Bourbonites, please welcome Alec Martin to the Bourbon House family! He’s an incredibly gifted drummer we’ve been writing new songs with behind the scenes. Can’t wait to get him in the studio in December. You best believe these will be the best songs we’ve ever written."


For further details, visit BourbonHouseRocks.com.


 

Jackyl vocalist Jesse James Dupree and Run DMC rapper Darryl McDaniels have collaborated on a new song called "Just As God Made Me". The pair have also released a video for the track, which can be seen below.





This isn't the first time Jesse James Dupree and Darryl McDaniels have worked together, as McDaniels made a guest appearance on "Just Like A Negro", which appears on Jackyl's 2010 album, When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide. 







In live news, Jackyl will resume their 30th Anniversary Tour later this month. Confirmed shows are listed in the official poster.





For further details, visit Jackyl.com.


 

Canada's Untimely Demise have released their fifth album, Maverick, on digital platforms found here. Physical copies will be available as of November 26th.





Tracklist:




"Throes of Inebriation"
"Orchestration of Misinformation"
"Maverick"
"Ring of Steel"
"Melodies Inside"
"They Left Nothing"
"Living Skies"
"Neptune"
"Tomorrow's Mirror"

NAZARETH's co-founding singer Dan McCafferty has died at the age of 76.

NAZARETH bassist Pete Agnew confirmed McCafferty's passing in a statement earlier today.

He wrote: "Dan died at 12:40 today.

"This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make. Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived.

"Too upset to say anything more at this time."

There are only a very few classic rock vocalists, whose voices can be recognized on the first notes. One of these voices is McCafferty.

After nearly fifty years of NAZARETH, Dan unfortunately had to retire from stage due to health reasons. But he never gave up on his passion to express feelings through music.

In October 2019, McCafferty released his first ever solo album, "Last Testament".

After McCafferty's decision to step away from NAZARETH, the band continued to tour and record under the leadership of sole remaining founder member Agnew, with McCafferty's blessing.

McCafferty stated about his retirement from NAZARETH: "If you can't do the job, you shouldn't be there. NAZARETH's too big for that."

Nearly a decade ago, McCafferty elaborated on the specifics of the health issues and the state of his situation in an interview with U.K. magazine Classic Rock. He stated that he had not suffered a stroke as had been reported in the press. He said that a case of C.O.P.D. that has "worsened in recent years" had made him leave the stage in Switzerland in late August 2013 after only three songs, indicating that, "You don't know when it's going to come on, but suddenly you can't breathe." McCafferty also revealed that another health problem was responsible for his onstage collapse at a concert in Canada in July 2013 — a burst stomach ulcer. He stated reflecting back on the incident, "I thought I'd be fine, but you lose so much blood when that happens."

Dan died at 12:40 today.

Posted by Nazareth on Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Very sad to hear of the passing of Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty today. I was honored to be his company on the Rock Meets Classic Tour in 2016. My thoughts and condolences to his family and close friends.

Posted by Ricky Warwick on Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Very sad news. The world lost one of the greatest singers in Rock History, my friend and Rock Meets Classic family member Dan McCafferty 😢

Posted by Mat Sinner on Tuesday, November 8, 2022

The world has lost one of the greatest singers ever alive and one of the loveliest, funniest chaps I ever had the honor...

Posted by Alexander Beyrodt on Tuesday, November 8, 2022

LAMB OF GOD and KREATOR have postponed their "State Of Unrest" European co-headlining tour to early 2023.

KREATOR and LAMB OF GOD's "State Of Unrest" European tour was originally scheduled to take place in 2020, but ended up getting postponed, first to 2021 and then to 2022, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, the trek was supposed to launch on November 18 in Copenhagen, Denmark and conclude on December 21 in Zurich, Switzerland.

LAMB OF GOD said in a statement: "Europe — we regrettably announce that due to unforeseen circumstances we have to postpone the 'State Of Unrest' tour with KREATOR to February / March 2023. Support for the new dates will be announced soon."

KREATOR commented: "Hordes, we deeply regret having to move the 'State Of Unrest' tour to February 2023, due to factors outside of KREATOR's control.

"To those 50,000 people who have held tickets since 2020, thank you for your continued support and excitement for these shows! Fortunately, you won't have to wait too long. We hope that your already amazing patience can hold out for another two months, we promise it will be worth the wait.

"To those who are unable to attend the new dates, refunds are available to you — please contact your point of purchase. See you soon!"

"State Of Unrest" 2023 tour dates:

Feb. 15 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
Feb. 17 - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola
Feb. 18 - Riga, Latvia - Palladium (new show)
Feb. 19 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall Black Box
Feb. 21 - Stockholm, Sweden - Annexet (new venue)
Feb. 22 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Forum Black Box
Feb. 24 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
Feb. 25 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - MHP Arena
Feb. 27 - Paris, France - Olympia Paris
Feb. 28 - Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
Mar. 02 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 Poppodium
Mar. 03 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
Mar. 04 - Essen, Germany - Grugahalle
Mar. 05 - Hamburg, Germany - Edel Optics Arena
Mar. 07 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Academy
Mar. 08 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 10 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
Mar. 11 - London, UK - O2 Brixton Academy
Mar. 14 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 1
Mar. 15 - Madrid, Spain - Riviera
Mar. 17 - Zürich, Switzerland - The Hall
Mar. 18 - Saarbrücken, Germany - E-Werk (new venue)
Mar. 19 - Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle

In a July 2022 interview with Sakis Fragos of Greece's Rock Hard magazine, KREATOR frontman Mille Petrozza revealed that his band and LAMB OF GOD have collaborated on a new original song, "State Of Unrest", to be released prior to the launch of the two groups' European tour of the same name.

"We did a song together — LAMB OF GOD and KREATOR," he said. "That's gonna be cool. And I think that's totally different because it's [a mixture of] the European [approach] and the U.S. [style]."

He added: "It's a song that we've written for the tour, to kick it off. I think that's gonna be a cool song. That's a cool collaboration that I did."

LAMB OF GOD's new album, "Omens", was released on October 7 via Epic Records. The band tracked the effort with longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur (KORN, MEGADETH) live in the room together at Henson Recording Studios (formerly A&M Studios) in Los Angeles, California, a location that birthed classics from THE DOORS, PINK FLOYD, RAMONES and SOUNDGARDEN, among others.

"Omens" is the follow-up to LAMB OF GOD's self-titled album, which was released in June 2020 via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. That LP marked LAMB OF GOD's first recordings with Art Cruz, who joined the band in July 2019 as the replacement for the group's founding drummer, Chris Adler.

KREATOR's fifteenth studio album, "Hate Über Alles", was released in June 10. The follow-up to 2017's "Gods Of Violence" was recorded at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany. Helming the sessions was Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, CODE ORANGE, POWER TRIP and SOULFLY, among others.

The "Hate Über Alles" cover artwork was created by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH and SODOM, among others.

"Hate Über Alles" marks KREATOR's first album with bassist Frédéric Leclercq, who joined the group in 2019.

In March 2020, KREATOR surprise-released a new single, "666 - World Divided". The song was produced by Andy Sneap and Markus Ganter and was recorded at Hansa Tonstudios.

The music video for "666 - World Divided" was created under the direction of Jörn Heitmann, who was responsible for the music videos for "Radio" and "Ausländer" by RAMMSTEIN.

KREATOR played its first show with Leclercq in October 2019 in Santiago, Chile.

Before joining KREATOR, Leclercq rose to fame with U.K.-based extreme power metallers DRAGONFORCE for whom he handled bass duties from 2005 until August 2019.

ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell has released the official Zoe Katz-directed music video for the song "Prism Of Doubt". The track is taken from Jerry's latest solo album, "Brighten", which came out in October 2021. The LP has received praise from critics, including Kerrang!, which called it a "vivid, contemporary self-portrait of one of the most distinctive voices in hard rock. A long-overdue show of individual brilliance." Classic Rock proclaimed it "his best yet. The work of a songwriter who is happy within his life, it spans a broad arc of styles." The Sun commented: "A rich, organic album... 'Brighten' is brilliant."

"Brighten" is Jerry's first project without ALICE IN CHAINS in 19 years. Co-produced with film composer Tyler Bates and Paul Fig (longtime engineer),the LP got its beginnings just before the pandemic hit. They welcomed a dynamic cast of supporting players, including Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES) on select bass tracks, Greg Puciato contributing to backing vocals and drummers Gil Sharone and Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney). Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) handled the mixing of "Brighten".

This past spring, Cantrell completed the "Brighten" U.S. tour. Jerry's band for the trek consisted of Bates (guitar),Puciato (backing vocals),Sharone (drums),George Adrian (bass),Michael Rozon (pedal steel) and Jason Achilles (keyboards). The set includes songs from Cantrell's latest solo album, "Brighten", along with favorite hits from Jerry's catalog.

Jerry's new effort marks his first full-length release since "Degradation Trip", the epic solo album he made in 2002 with future METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo and FAITH NO MORE drummer Mike Bordin.

Jerry's career outside of ALICE IN CHAINS has consisted of two previous solo albums and contributions to major film soundtracks. Cantrell's first solo album, "Boggy Depot", was released in 1998, followed by his second album, the aforementioned "Degradation Trip". In addition to his solo artist work, Jerry has released music on soundtracks for several films, including "Spider-Man", "The Cable Guy", "John Wick 2", "Last Action Hero" and "The Punisher".

ALICE IN CHAINS regrouped in 2006 with William DuVall joining the band, and released its third LP with DuVall in the lineup, "Rainier Fog", in August 2018.

Sabaton have released a new lyric video for the Carolus Rex album track, "The Carolean's Prayer". Watch below.


Historical fact: During his reign, King Charles XI reorganised the Swedish army. The Caroleans were looked upon as the elite warriors of Europe due to their innovative and superior tactics.







Following the release of their tenth studio album, The War To End All Wars, Sabaton announced that spring 2023 will see the band touring across Europe on the eagerly awaited re-scheduled tour: The Tour To End All Tours.


Starting in Leeds on April 14, the tour will bring Sabaton to 21 cities in 14 countries. They will present their biggest and most spectacular show to date in Europe's largest arenas. Fans can be assured that the band will write history with the ground-breaking live shows on The Tour To End All Tours.


The band has now confirmed that Japanese dance metal sensation Babymetal will appear as very special guests, marking their first international shows in over three years. Finnish Eurovision winners Lordi will open all shows.


"We are extremely happy to welcome Babymetal to our already much anticipated tour in Europe 2023,” says bass player Pär Sundström. “The energy and power of this band will for sure make each night something special."


“If there ever was a band that would break all the rules, it’s Babymetal with the power and precision to deliver a full on heavy metal show!” echoes frontman Joakim Brodén. “It’s not our first rodeo together, expect nothing but excellence from Babymetal!”


Joakim participated as a guest on “Oh! Majinai (feat. Joakim Brodén)" on Babymetal’s third album, Metal Galaxy, released on October 11th, 2018. He also made a guest appearance at Babymetal’s headline show in October 2018, Babymetal World Tour 2018 in Japan Extra Show Dark Night Carnival.


Tickets for European shows are available here. Tickets for the UK shows on sale here.





Tour dates:


April
14 - Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
15 - London, UK - OVO Arena Wembley
16 - Cardiff, UK – Motorpoint Arena
18 - Glasgow, UK – The OVO Hydro
21 - Paris, France – Zenith
24 - Hamburg, Germany – Barclays Arena
25 - Esch / Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
28 - Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
29 - Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
30 - Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena


May
2 - Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena
3 - Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
5 - Berlin, Germany – Mercedes Benz Arena
6 - Leipzig, Germany – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
7 - Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle
12 - Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
13 - Antwerp, Belgium – Sportpaleis
15 - Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
18 - Tallinn, Estonia – Saku Arena
19 - Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall
20 - Kuopio, Finland – Kuopio Hall


With their fascination for the stories of World War I and two dedicated studio albums filled to the brim with stories from this conflict, the band from Falun have decided to dive even deeper into this topic with their newest release: The EP trilogy entitled Echoes Of The Great War.


This new EP trilogy features new songs specifically about World War I, coupled with topically related catalogue music. You read that right; Sabaton has been busy in the studio recording some new music for their fans. With this WWI collection, the band aims to present this music in a different way, enabling the listener to familiarise themselves with these incredible war stories, while simultaneously quenching the thirst for metal music.


Commenting on the new project, Pär Sundström states: “This trilogy complements our two studio albums The Great War and The War To End All Wars. We were definitely not ready to close our World War I chapter. We wanted to continue the journey and let it echo a little longer in the hearts and minds of our fans."


The first in the series, Weapons Of The Modern Age, is out now. In times of conflict, science is very much linked to the war system. The First World War witnessed some of the biggest leaps in scientific evolution, weaponizing land, sea and skies in ways never witnessed before. This EP sheds light on the powerful and devastating tactics used to fight the war, and kicking off this release is SABATON's new track, "Father".


Sharing his insight on the track, Joakim Broden declares: “Our new song, 'Father', is a dark track about a very controversial person. Fritz Haber, the man who weaponized lethal gas, is responsible for about 4 billion people being alive today thanks to the Haber-Bosch process that he won a Nobel Prize for. It takes some serious thought to wrap your head around his story. Things aren’t always easy to understand or simply black and white, but rather all shades of grey. 'Father' really forces you to think a bit more than the average song you hear on the radio."


Weapons Of The Modern Age is available at all streaming platforms found here. Watch the "Father" lyric video below.





Tracklist:


"Father"
"The Red Baron"
"Dreadnought"
"The Attack of the Dead Men"
"The Future of Warfare"
"Stormtroopers"

Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his solo performance of Gary Moore's "Empty Rooms", taken from the Victims Of The Future album, reelased in 1983. Check it out below.


Johansson: "This version is based on the live version from Live At Isstadion 1987 during the Wild Frontier Tour."







Johansson previously shared his solo performance of Gary Moore's 1986 classic "Over The Hills And Far Away".

Finnish metallers Oceanhoarse checked in at the end of October with the following update and video:


”Ozztober is here again! This year we picked a true pinnacle of Ozzy’s extensive catalog of songs: 'No More Tears'! To make an epic song choice even more special, we had a privilege to join forces with not just one, but two true masters of their craft – the keyboard wizard Suvimarja Halmetoja (Humavoid) and the living legend of Finnish metal: Jari Mäenpää (Wintersun). Shout out to Suvimarja for arranging all the orchestra-parts and playing ’em live – sounding just like on the record, and Jari for nailing Ozzy’s sinister lyrics and feeling 100% on his vocals!”


Jari Mäenpää comments:




“Ozzy’s music has played a big part in my life, especially albums like Bark At The Moon, No Rest For The Wicked and No More Tears. We chose the title track from the last mentioned, 'No More Tears'! This song has always been my favourite Ozzy song. It's a monster! Mysterious, dark and epic. Ozzy's legendary vocals and melody lines in this song are simply brilliant. It was an absolute pleasure singing it with such great musicians!” 

Last week (November 4), The Offering released their sophomore album, Seeing The Elephant, via Century Media Records. For a preview of the record, a video for the new single "My Heroine" - a tragic love song that utilizes huge metal riffs, atmospheric eastern Indian rhythms and melodies, power chorus rock vocals and classic guitar solos - can be viewed below.


"My Heroine" was directed by the band's own Nishad George (guitar), who commented on the clip as follows: "The band and I have always wanted to have a music video with something more cinematic. James (co-director, and director of our other recent video, 'Wasp') and I ended up concluding that we as the musicians would just be B-roll over great acting. There's a beautiful, personal, colorfully written story told in Alex's lyrics, and we spent a lot of time together dissecting his concept and how to best display it.


The result was something more of a sensory driven visualizer, like a screen that runs in parallel with the music's emotion. We had two great actors come in and get into the dirt of all the emotions, blood, crying, anxiety - they did a phenomenal job. The entire crew even got a little teary watching them act out the final scene of the video together."




Alexander Richichi (vocals) adds: "'My Heroine' is an archetypal tale of love and tragedy. Set in the backdrop of today's stresses and temptations. When we lose the ones we love, what else do we have to live for? This song explores that kind of dependency, that pain, that need for love, and the reality of losing it."





Seeing The Elephant is available in the following formats:


- 300x transp. red LP available at CM Distro Wholesale EU and cmdistro.de
- Black LP
- Standard CD Jewelcase
- Digital album


Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Wasp"
"Ghost Mother"
"Tipless"
"Rose Fire"
"Seeing the Elephant"
"My Heroine"
"Flower Children"
"Tiny Disappointments"
"With Consent"
"Esther Weeps"


“Tiny Disappointments” visualizer:





(Photo – Rossetti Photography)

British hard rock legends URIAH HEEP will release their 25th studio album, "Chaos & Colour", on January 27, 2023 via Silver Lining Music.

The official Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz-directed music video for the LP's first single, the buoyant and blistering "Save Me Tonight", can be seen below.

URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box commented: "'Save Me Tonight' is another powerful melodic rock track which we have chosen to be the first single as well as the opening track of the album. It is made for rock radio and will surely be included on our new setlist in 2023."

Adds bassist Dave Rimmer: "'Save Me Tonight' comes from a place of frustration and helplessness, living through these unprecedented past couple of years but hanging on to this raging hope that we would all meet again. Once again, collaborating with Jeff Scott Soto has been a natural and very creative experience and the perfect platform for me to express these feelings and to carry on the HEEP legacy."

"Chaos & Colour" is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and HEEP's famously generous keyboard foundation. It is, unsurprisingly, an album that found its extra thrust during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was as bizarre for URIAH HEEP as it was for humanity in general.

"The album title reflects that we were in chaotic times with being locked down, tours being cancelled, businesses folding, and all the chaos that was thrown into the world," explains Box, "and as far as I could see it, the only color people had was through music. It helped so many people get through those difficult years, using that strength and power which music has, to make those bad times not quite so bad."

There were still the looming specter of protocols and rules to follow in the middle of 2021, as the world tried to find its feet. HEEP slowly found their way into Chapel Studios in London during the summer of 2021 as restrictions were tentatively lifted, working once again with Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, COREY TAYLOR, BLACK STAR RIDERS).

"Jay was completely on board with what we are trying to achieve in the studio," says Box. "We're a band that has a fantastic heritage and to carry on that tradition it was vitally important that the band recorded in the studio all playing at the same time. Jay understood that and he pulled out the best of us as a band, as well as individual players, while getting us some amazing sounds."

Led by Box, it is no surprise that themes of light, love and, ultimately, positivity are constant through the album eleven tracks. "One Nation, One Sun" is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, "Fly Like An Eagle" takes the listener on a journey of meditation, while "Closer To Your Dreams" is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that "So many have tried but slipped away/Now it's time for you to have your say." During the entire album, Bernie Shaw's timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band's phenomenal artistry, rounding out exceptional performances throughout.

Produced by Ruston and engineered by Pieter Rietkerk, "Chaos & Colour" is a superb album of quality hard rock from the pioneers of the genre who continue to create top class material. Old fans will be reinvigorated whilst new fans will surely find "Chaos & Colour" an exceptional discovery.

Following the intense disruption to live music caused by the pandemic, URIAH HEEP is ecstatic to be back on the road and continue to bring its live show across Europe this winter.

"Chaos & Colour" will be available to pre-order from November 8, in black and colored vinyl configurations, as a standard CD digipak, a deluxe CD packaged in a hardcover book with URIAH HEEP's "Chaos & Colour" signature patch and in digital formats.

"Chaos & Colour" track listing:

01. Save Me Tonight
02. Silver Sunlight
03. Hail The Sunrise
04. Age Of Changes*
05. Hurricane
06. One Nation, One Sun
07. Golden Light
08. You'll Never Be Alone
09. Fly Like An Eagle
10. Freedom To Be Free
11. Closer To Your Dreams*
12. Save Me Tonight (Demo)**

* CD and digital only
** Deluxe CD only

Great American Ghost has unleashed their fiery new video for “Torture World.” The track comes by way of the EP of the same name, released early this year via MNRK Heavy.





Produced by Will Putney (A Day To Remember, Knocked Loose, The Amity Affliction), who handled the band’s critically-adored 2019 Power Through Terror full-length, with Torture World, Great American Ghost directs old-school death metal wrath at hypocrisy, apathy, and self-loathing, delivered in a dark cloud of relentlessly bludgeoning riffs.




Of the “Torture World” video, vocalist Ethan Harrison notes, "This video is a vision that we have had for a while and we are so glad that we could bring it to life with our longtime friend, Chris Klump. The song isn't as literal as the video implies -- the things that we go through as people can be harder than you could ever imagine and going through them alone can be truly torturous."


Torture World is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats.


Great American Ghost’s first ever US headlining tour is currently underway. The trek, which commenced on October 27 in Rochester, New York, will wind its way through 24 cities, coming to a close November 20 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Support is being provided by 156/Silence and Hazing Over.





Tracklisting:


November
4 – Dallas, TX – Cheapsteaks
5 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
6 – Lubbock, TX – Jake’s
8 – Phoenix, AZ – Nile Underground
9 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720
10 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield
11 – Portland, OR – Mano Oculta
12 – Seattle, WA – Funhouse @ El Corazon
13 – Spokane, WA – The Big Dipper
14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
15 – Thornton, CO – Trailside
16 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s
17 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge
18 – Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary
19 – Cincinnati, OH – Legends
20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground 


(Photo – Oli Duncanson) 

FLYLEAF has reunited with singer Lacey Sturm.

Earlier today (Monday, November 7), the long-running hard rock act, which has been active for much of the last decade, shared an old FLYLEAF photo with Sturm and changed its profile photo to an image that reads "Flyleaf With Lacey Sturm."

The reactivated FLYLEAF is one of the bands appearing at Sick New World, a nu-metal destination festival set for May 13, 2023 in Las Vegas. Also scheduled to perform at the event are SYSTEM OF A DOWN, KORN, DEFTONES, EVANESCENCE, INCUBUS and CHEVELLE, along many others. The festival is set to go down at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, with ticket sales going on sale on Friday, November 11.

Sturm left FLYLEAF in October 2012. She was replaced by Kristen May, who recorded one album with the group, 2014's "Between The Stars", before exiting.

Lacey opened up about her reasons for her departure from FLYLEAF in a video promoting her 2014 memoir "The Reason: How I Discovered A Life Worth Living". At the time, she said: "We were on our second album when I got married. And the album was called 'Memento Mori'. And 'memento mori' means remember you're mortal, remember that you'll die and remember that your life is short and precious and so are the lives of those around you.

"For two years, I toured with my husband and it was really amazing, and then after those two years, we ended up getting pregnant with my son," she continued. "And I recognized that my priorities were gonna change even more and that message of 'memento mori' and remembering how short your life is was really weighing on my heart.

"We toured for ten years. I mean, we weren't home for more than a month, probably, a year. So, for me, I just felt really blessed to be pregnant and to be in a place where I could stay home if I wanted to, and really ask that question: how is this gonna change my priorities? How is this gonna look? We had a few things happen that really brought that message home, but the one that hit the hardest was the death of our sound engineer [Rich Caldwell]. We did one last show with FLYLEAF as a benefit for his wife Katy and their son Kirby. And it was really hard to do a show without him, and it was really hard to think it could be our last show. So I remember looking at my son after Rich had passed and just wondering to myself, if this was the last year I had with my son, how would I spend it?

"It was really amazing to recognize this season changing in my life and the freedom that I was gonna be able to focus on my family. And I'm so thankful for that time. And although it was really hard, I'm thankful. And that's the reason I stepped down from FLYLEAF."

Back in 2016, Sturm was asked in an interview with RockRevolt Magazine if there was chance that she could reunite with her former bandmates after they had parted ways with May. She responded: "Well, you know, I feel like I'm the kind of person that I think so much happened that I never in a million years thought would happen, so I've learned to quit saying 'never.' But at the same time, I'm a really present person."

She added at the time: "I don't have any plans for that, but then again, you never know. I don't know… [Laughs] They haven't called me. And I don't have any plans [to go back]."

At several shows earlier this year, Sturm joined SEETHER on stage to perform the FLYLEAF song "I'm So Sick".

Last December, Sturm released the official music video for her latest solo single, "Awaken Love". The track followed the previously released "The Decree" and "State Of Me".
Arise and be all that you dream. pic.twitter.com/o0vUAnC9tB

— FLYLEAF (@flyleafmusic) November 7, 2022


What’s this? 🔥 https://t.co/HX6mhMcyDL

— FLYLEAF (@flyleafmusic) November 5, 2022


👀💥 -Team Lacey

— Lacey Sturm (@LaceySturm) November 5, 2022

Los Angeles rock band 96 Bitter Beings make their return today with the release of their sophomore album, Synergy Restored. Available now from Nuclear Blast, the riff-heavy record from revered vocalist/guitarist Deron Miller (ex-CKY) and crew is a non-stop thrill-ride of raucous guitars and magnetic melody that pull listeners further in with each play. 


Commenting on the record's release, Miller says: 


“We’re gnawing off our fingers waiting for this album to finally be released after years of prep! The first three singles were so well received, and the 'Vaudeville’s Revenge' video is streaming so much more and faster than any video I’ve been in for over 17 years!  We are lucky to have such an intimate relationship with our incredible fans, and personally I’m overexcited and nervous. Releasing music is the best feeling in the world especially when you’re so proud of it!”




Upon the album's release, the band has also shared its latest single, "Bloodrock Mania."





Miller adds about the song: 


“'Bloodrock Mania' was the song where we all said “ok, this track has taken this album to a whole new level”. What is it about? It’s about what this band and possibly every other up and coming rock and metal hopes and prays for. The mainstream return of bands. Actual groups of people that get together and write and perform music that has an edge. I’d like to see some kind of mainstream resurgence on all the major socials, for all heavier music. What’s out there is not what kids want and they don’t even know it. 'Bloodrock' is anthemic. It’s fun, genre defying and will be a highlight on all future 96BB tours.”


Years in the making, 96 Bitter Beings' Synergy Restored is 11 songs of relentless power and vibe. Four-on-the-floor, fuzzy and visceral, proper rock n’ roll made by an actual band, rather than a bunch of over-processed samples and otherwise stale shenanigans. Songs like “Vaudeville’s Revenge,” “90 Car Pile-Up,” and “Wish Me Dead” offer vivid reminders of the truth-telling prowess of guitars, bass, and drums. Miller is on fire, weaponizing the same knack for memorable musical epiphanies behind projects like Foreign Objects, World Under Blood and CKY.  


Order the new album here.





Synergy Restored tracklisting:


"Vaudeville's Revenge"
"Wish Me Dead"
"Fire Skyline"
"Throw Yourself Inside"
"90 Car Pile Up"
"Bedtime Story"
"Bloodrock Mania"
"Slither Away"
"Taken By Surprise"
"Adios Amigo"
"Conditioned Or Unconditional"


"Fire Skyline" visualizer:





"Wish Me Dead" visualizer:





"Vaudeville's Revenge" video:





96 Bitter Beings will hit the road this summer with Howling Giant in support of the new record. Details and tickets here.


Deron Miller gives his life to the riff. Unrestrained by industry expectations and genre limitations, the boundlessly prolific guitarist and voice behind multiple beloved projects is best known as the founder, frontman, and songwriter in CKY. His authentic and effortlessly hooky heavy rock obsession returns with 96 Bitter Beings. Reinvigorated and ready to rumble all over again, Miller roars back with the same reverence for riffage that made underground hits out of CKY anthems like “Flesh Into Gear,” “Escape From Hellview,” and “Disengage the Simulator” from 1998 till 2011.  


The familiar warmth, feel, groove, and unapologetic honesty which drove the song “96 Quite Bitter Beings” to 54 million streams (on Spotify alone) permeates the pair of albums unleashed by 96BB.


A successful crowdfunding campaign saw Miller, guitarist Kenneth Hunter, bassist Shaun Luera and Shaun’s brother, drummer Tim, conjure up 2018’s "Camp Pain" in limited release. North American touring followed, wrapping up shortly before the COVID-19 shutdowns.


“After CKY and a short break, I decided to continue, without changing the sound,” Miller explains. “Because that’s what I do. It’s what I love to do and what people say I do well. All of the guys who got in the band with me are great musicians. And each of them is hungry. They have priorities and ambitions about being in a rock band, no matter the grim state of pop music out there. If we can bring rock and metal back to the mainstream, in some way, that’s the dream.”


96 Bitter Beings lineup:


Deron Miller - Vocals/Guitar
Kenneth Hunter - Guitar
Shaun Luera - Bass
Tim Luera - Drums

In a new interview with BBC Radio 6 Music's Mary Anne Hobbs, SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor was asked if he is happy with his life right now. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm probably the happiest I've ever been. And obviously for, whether it's my wife, my kids, my career right now, everything seems to be cresting. Which is good, because for a long time, the work was great but my personal life was just in shambles. Right now is probably the best that I've ever felt — ironically, because I'm starting to get up there. And I'm starting to learn that life doesn't end after a certain age; it just gets a little sweeter. You appreciate the things that you have a little stronger. And honestly, that's a great metaphor for where we are with SLIPKNOT as well, because we've all gotten to the point where it's, like, we're still here; after this many years professionally, we're still here. And it's great to be able to look back and go, 'Man, we did something really special.' So, am I happy? Today? Yeah. That could change tomorrow. But as of today, I'm incredibly happy."

Two years ago, Corey told Clash that he had a lot to smile about.

"It's interesting, man. Before all of this, actually about five years ago, I was going through one of the darkest times of my life," he said at the time. "My life was in upheaval. I was getting toward the end of a really toxic marriage and was taking the steps to get out of that. My health was really bad; I'd had spinal surgery and was unable to work out and exercise like usual. I gained some weight through that and was depressed with everything. I was in a really dark spot, man, I was in a bad way. Trying to focus and stay through that was tough. But the changes and decisions that I made over the next four years really got me to where I am now."

He added: "I'm happier than I have ever been, I'm not satisfied — but I'm pretty content with everything. My kids are fine, my wife is amazing, my career is doing really well. I mean, this is as close to the best time of my life that I have ever been, man. It's good to feel. Sometimes I feel suspect and I'm, like, 'Hmmm, what is going on here?' It's weird, your brain keeps doing crazy shit like that and you've gotta take a step back and be, like, 'It's cool, dude. Just chill. Not everybody is trying to get you.'"

Taylor recently revealed that he will enter the studio in January and February 2023 to record his second solo album. "About 15 songs" will be tracked for the follow-up to 2020's "CMFT", which will showcase "a darker edge" but will still be "very melodic," he told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". "And it's less an homage of the stuff that I grew up on and more of what people are used to hearing from me — but still a solo album," he explained. "So there's still great rock and roll on it. There's some heavier stuff, but there's some really great slower stuff. It's gonna be really rad."

This past February, Corey released a solo album of covers and acoustic recordings, titled "CMFB…Sides", via Roadrunner Records. The collection comprised nine previously unreleased B-sides, covers of tunes that inspired Taylor, acoustic renditions, and live versions.

The four members of COAL CHAMBER have commented on today's announcement that they will reunite for an appearance at next year's Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band, which hasn't performed live since 2015, will join SYSTEM OF A DOWN, INCUBUS, KORN, EVANESCENCEDEFTONES and many others at the one-day event, which will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

Singer Dez Fafara took to his Twitter to write simply: "#coalchamber is back #thatisall".

Guitarist Miguel "Meegs" Rascón wrote: "My brothers and sister. Back together, w all the love in the world. Cant wait to play for all the fans who have been there for us and loyal. We love u all! #coalchamber #sicknewworld".

Added bassist Nadja Peulen: "Excited to share the stage with my brothers again! COAL CHAMBER live in Las Vegas 2023 @sicknewworld festival. Register now for Presale that starts Friday November 11th 10am PT. @coalchamberofficial @dezfafara @meegsrascon @mikeycoxofficial @nadjapeulen #coalchamber".

Drummer Mike Cox wrote: "GOOD LORD what a line up!!!

"Well this is definitely something I thought I would never post again in my life!!! I am rarely on social media anymore as it is…..

"Quick recap as it will be therapeutic for me !!! After our last tours in 2015 I was coming off stage very depressed and wanting to be home with my young son. I was missing a lot and it started to really get to me. I made the decision , that if we stop again it was my last time ever playing again. After our last show ,it was over … and that's what I did. I completely retired from music and began focusing on my family life and raising our son . With the tremendous support and encouragement from my wife we moved to a new city …..Bought a new house ,and my construction company is booming…. Everything was exactly where we wanted it to be . After YEARS of hard work , therapy, sobriety , 2 elbow surgeries, I found extreme peace with not being a musician anymore.

"Over the years I kept in contact with @dezfafara and I feel like for the first time in 25 years we actually became real friends . Both our families went through A LOT over the past years and we were actually there for each other . We actually listen to each other and that means more than any band at this point in my life . That slowly changed the conversation of starting to play again… and here we are!!!

"I really thought about this decision for a long time with my family and what it meant to jump back in and this was a family decision. Our son is older now and always asks about what I used to do… now I can just show him all the crazy hardcore COAL CHAMBER fans we have out there!!!. It's an exciting time for us all the future looks bright!

"As for @meegsrascon ….. I think I have talked to him almost everyday of my life for the past 25 years….can't get rid of this fool!!!

"I want to thank everyone who helped me with this decision as it was not a easy one to make. Thank you to @theoraclemgmt for all of the extremely hard work and putting things in black and white and not bullshitting me like the music industry is so famous for. Also thanks to @nadjapeulen for being a part of this whacky journey we have put her through. I love all of you!!!!"

COAL CHAMBER existed for ten years before disbanding in 2003 to pursue other musical projects. They reunited in 2011 for touring purposes but it wasn't until 2014 that the band began work on a new studio album of original material, the aforementioned critically acclaimed "Rivals". Several months of touring activity followed before Dez returned to DEVILDRIVER to make a new record, 2016's "Trust No One".

DEVILDRIVER's 2019 co-headlining tour with STATIC-X saw the Fafara-fronted outfit performing material from COAL CHAMBER for the first time.

In an interview with KCAL 96.7's "Wired In The Empire" radio show, Dez stated about his decision to perform COAL CHAMBER songs with DEVILDRIVER: "I've kept those things separate for so many years, man. It's just time for me to embrace everything that I've done."

He continued: "COAL CHAMBER's not coming back. It is what it is. And I'm not gonna wait another 15-20 years to sing the songs that gave me gold records and allowed me a career. And I say it every night, 'Look, this song gave me gold records on my walls and you people out here gave me a career. Thank you for both of them. Let's get loco.'"

Fafara painted a bleak picture of COAL CHAMBER's future during a 2016 interview with Revolver magazine. He stated at the time: "I had a lot of fun doing that record and playing shows with them again. But there were some circumstances that were not ideal and that's why that thing is not continuing as of right now. If something comes up and I have time and want to make a record and the members have their shit together, I'll do it. But as of now, there's some deep-seated shit that certain dudes in the band still need to work out. And if they work it out and want to tour or make another record, they can come back and give me a call. But right now, everyone in DEVILDRIVER is stoked. No one's fighting. And I feel lucky to be where I am."

Dez had stated in previous interviews that COAL CHAMBER's original split happened because "I did not want to be around the band's hard drug use and I realized that going onstage every night that the money was feeding their habit, so I walked to save my friends." He added that his COAL CHAMBER bandmates were "clean" as of 2012, which made him realize that "it was the right thing to walk [away from the group back in 2003]."
#coalchamber is back #thatisall

— Dez Fafara (@evilriver) November 7, 2022



Excited to share the stage with my brothers again!
COAL CHAMBER live in Las Vegas 2023 @sicknewworld festival.
Register...

Posted by Nadja Peulen on Monday, November 7, 2022

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A post shared by Meegs Rascon (@meegsrascon)



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Power metallers, Highlord, have released a lyric video for "Eyes Open Wide", the first single from their upcoming new album, Freakin' Out Of Hell, out on December 9 via Rockshots Records. Watch the clip below.


The band explains the track: "Starting with a state-of-the-art heavy riff and guitar solo, it slows down with clean guitars for the vocal parts, quickly regaining territory on the fast and heavy side, culminating with the chorus. The following section is quite progressive-fashioned, followed by back-and-forth guitar and keyboard solos. The final chorus concludes the song. The topic of the lyrics is basically the same as Off the Beaten Path, we must keep our eyes well open to detect a long list of deceits."







Infusing heavy-power metal with progressive and symphonic influences was formed in Turin Italy in 1997, over the span of their career they have released eight albums, contributed to two tribute albums for Manowar and Helloween, have toured all over Europe and performed with Zak Steven’s Circle II Circle, Dark Moor, Freedom Call, Pino Scotto, Vision Divine, Elvenking, Sacred Steel, Seventh Wonder and more along with music featured on movie soundtracks for 'The Werewolf Chronicles' and 'Blood Of The Werewolf'.


For their ninth album Freakin’ Out Of Hell, the band began recording it between May 2020 and December 2021. The album includes 11 tracks of pure power-metal in perfect Highlord style, but with a much more aggressive sound and a touch of prog-metal. Again the album has been recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced in-house by bass player Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studio (Italy). The album’s artwork was created by Harley Velasquez on a concept by Highlord.


The band adds about the ninth offering: "Freakin’ Out Of Hell is a solid work from every point of view. Not only the songs are all potential singles, but they have more or less the same average length of 4/5 minutes; we avoided recording the classic long suite just as much as the hit-and-run happier song because in this album we have found the perfect balance between all the elements of our sound. We have also set the average level of heaviness and aggression a bit higher; this is not a happy metal record, it’s a heavy metal piece that fully deserves this definition."


Pre-order at the Rockshots Records webshop.





Tracklisting:


“Prelude To Hell”
“Soul Sucker”
“Freakin’ Out Of Hell”
“Sweet Unknown”
“Off The Beaten Path”
“Hollow Space”
“If You Say Yes”
“Eyes Open Wide”
“The Devil’s Doorbell”
“Fallen From Grace”
“One Eyed Jack”

Richie Faulkner says that performing with Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing at last night's (Saturday, November 5) Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles was an experience he will "never forget."

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

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

Earlier today (Sunday, November 6),Faulkner shared a photo from last night's event, and he included the following message: "One life, I'm gonna live it up!! What a night!

"I'm sure it was a flood of emotions for everybody involved and for all the fans, but to be up there with both GT and KK as part of a guitar TRIO with @judaspriest was an experience I'll never forget.

"A HUGE congrats to all the guys and to all the amazing artists who got inducted last night. It was truly surreal to be there."

Faulkner, nearly three decades Downing's junior, joined PRIEST after K.K. left in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance.

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.

Back in 2019, Faulkner dismissed the criticism he received for supposedly trying to look too much like Downing. "Obviously, you get the [haters] — the 'clone' comments," Richie told the "Let There Be Talk" podcast. "I've got long blond hair, playing a flying V [guitar]… [Michael] Schenker, Zakk [Wylde], K.K., Randy Rhoads — all those guys. To say I was a Ken clone was fairly narrow-minded. There's tons of guys who have flying Vs and long hair.

"The thing is if I had dyed my hair black to be different, I would have been shot down," he continued. "You've gotta be real; you've gotta be who you are. And I grew up on Ken, I grew up on Glenn [Tipton, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist] and the guys that I mentioned. So you've just gotta be who you are. And I grew up with those guys, and I'm not ashamed. I wear it on my sleeve — they're all my influences, and I'm not afraid of that… There's no point in trying to hide it. But it's gotta be natural as well. And I think somehow it worked out organically. I didn't try to copy him. And as it goes on, you always try to do your own thing and make your own statement."

Four years ago, Downing said that he felt like he was "being cloned" when he first found out he was being replaced by Faulkner.

Downing, who announced his retirement from PRIEST in April 2011 after nearly 42 years in the job, admitted to the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast that he was taken aback when he first saw his replacement.

"Richie, as far as I know, is a nice guy and obviously an excellent player," Downing said. "I was a bit disappointed when, basically… I think the idea was to replace me [with a lookalike], so I did feel as though I was kind of being cloned. But I'm not sure that was exactly fair to Richie. I mean, I could be off the mark here, but I think Richie had the right to bring himself to the stage with his own… portray his own image and ability to play the instrument the way that he does. But it is what it is."

He continued: "When Glenn retired from touring [in early 2018], the same didn't happen — obviously, [Tipton's replacement] Andy [Sneap] doesn't look anything like Glenn; he doesn't wear the same clothes, the red pants, guitars or anything like that. So I don't really know what's going on. But it is what it is."

In a 2011 interview with the Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Halford stated about Faulkner's physical resemblance to a younger Downing: "People are saying, 'It's a clone. You've got some of K.K.'s DNA.' It's just the way it turned out. We made, like, a secret search. When we knew K.K. was not gonna be making the tour, we did a lot of secret, kind of, searching for another player. And Richie just happened to be the guy. And he just happens to look a little bit of the K.K. image, you know?! I think it would be silly to say, 'We looked for a guitar player that looks like Ken.' What we want is a very good metal guitar player, and that's what Richie Faulkner is."

The 2022 Rock Hall induction ceremony will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max.

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Judas Priest - You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Posted by Shawn McCullough on Sunday, November 6, 2022

Judas Priest Enters the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame FINALLY! 👑🤘🔥 #RockHall2022 #DefendersofTheFaith #Metal

Posted by John Arakaki on Saturday, November 5, 2022



Judas Priest live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and nduction ceremony. with Al-x

Posted by Alan Katz on Saturday, November 5, 2022

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A post shared by KK Downing official (@kkdowningofficial)

POISON drummer Rikki Rockett has lamented the fact that social media platforms are breeding grounds for the spread of fake news and misinformation, which also contributes to the political divide in the United States Of America.

Earlier today (Sunday, November 6),two days before the midterm elections, the 61-year-old musician shared a photo of an American flag on his Instagram and he included the following message: "I don't like talking politics, but it's all the rage these days I suppose!

"When I was growing up, my Moms side of the family were republicans and my Dads side were Democrats. We all shared holidays, birthdays and events. Did they argue? Sure, they did. What East coast family doesn't? But, at the end of the day there was a level of respect that we have lost today.

"The pot shots today are insane! Back then, the most divisive thing was probably Rock vs Disco! Lol! Now, people want a civil war if they don't get their way. Maybe DEVO was right about the future… Ju DeEvolution? Don't get me wrong, it can be healthy to be spirited about your beliefs. However, I now see people adopting beliefs simply based on the party they have chosen.

"I have gone from Republican to Libertarian to Independent in just a few short years. I care about policies, not parties.

"The current situation is insane and I blame social media. Social media has helped to create a culture war. At the heart of what people think is political is more a culture jam. Social media is the new propaganda machine.

"I personally don't care if someone in Iowa is out back shooting bottles and cans with their AR anymore than I care if some person in Chicago decides to identify as a different sex. Who gives a crap?! It's a problem when it's weaponized and used to hurt someone. That's when I think we as people should care.

"I hear both sides lash out statistics to support whatever thing they are trying to get across and I get that, but remember that figures don't lie, but liars figure! Let me say that again for the people in the back… Figures don't lie, but liars figure!

"All this election stuff has me thinking… Do we have a Democracy anymore?"

Two years ago, Rikki decried the divisive nature of today's political scene in America after he was criticized for comments he made when it was announced the then-president-elect Joe Biden had won the White House. Rockett wrote: "I never speak of politics in interviews, onstage or at meet 'n greets. I keep it away from POISON. However, as an individual, I do have personal views and opinions. Don't want to know anything other than the man behind the drums? Fine, but this is MY page.

"I am a person who's job is playing drums, I am not going to hide who I am from you so that you don't have to see me as a real person. Read that again... I am not going to hide who I am from you so that you don't have to see me as a real person.

"If we were all sitting at a table having coffee, I doubt most of you would get up and walk away or if I was just a random friend, tell me to fuck off and would never deal with me again. If you did, you wouldn't be my friend or share my table in the first place and I wouldn't want to be at yours. Same goes here. If you don't like me as a person, I have no idea why you are here. I'll me and you do you. I am open minded, but I won't be bullied because you think since you bought a ticket or a record that I have to mute myself on my own social media pages so you don 't have to deal with a difference of opinion.

"I am not shoving my opinion down anyone's throat. This is my page and I have my views. I will not try and tweak my likes and dislikes to appeal to my possible 'demographic' so that I maximize my social media. Do you really want that from me? Do you want me to be that fake?"

Rockett's words were met with support from his social media followers, one of who said that she did not vote for Biden but that she thought it was "cool" that we will finally have a female vice president. Rikki replied: "I understand. It's why I voted for Trump in 2016. However, my taxes were worse! I am not a Democrat only because of taxes and Government interference too much. Socially... I am pretty liberal. I'm in a glam band for fucks sake! Lol".

This past September, POISON completed "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS. The was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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KING'S X frontman Doug "Dug" Pinnick has weighed in on the news that PANTERA's surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) will unite with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

Anselmo and Brown, along with Wylde and Benante, will headline a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and stage some of their own headline concerts.

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.

Pinnick, who has known the members of PANTERA since 1988, discussed his views on the band's comeback in a recent interview with Full In Bloom. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have not talked to anybody since this has been announced, even with Charlie and Zakk, and I know everybody. And I don't want to. It's none of my business. And I really feel that. Even if I had an opinion, it doesn't matter. It's almost like it's just something for everybody to gossip about. And actually, it's great publicity — for sure. But I'm not there. I wasn't in the room when they talked about it. I'm not around any of them in that capacity, on the business side of it. That's the way I look at it — I just take the fifth," he added, invoking the expression commonly used in order to tell someone you are not going to answer a question.

PANTERA will play its first shows in over 20 years in December 2022, starting with a co-headlining slot at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest and Monterrey Metal Fest, followed by appearances at three Knotfest festivals in South America. There will also be a one-off show with JUDAS PRIEST in São Paulo, Brazil and a headlining concert in Santiago.

Next year, PANTERA will appear at Germany's Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, two simultaneous rock festivals, which will take place June 2-4 in Nürburgring and Nürnberg, respectively.

Confirmed PANTERA shows so far:

Dec. 02 - Texicoco, Mexico - Hell & Heaven Metal Fest
Dec. 06 - Monterrey, Mexico – Monterrey Metal Fest
Dec. 09 - Bogotá, Colombia – Knotfest Colombia
Dec. 11 - Santiago, Chile - Knotfest Chile
Dec. 12 - Santiago, Chile - Movistar Arena
Dec. 15 - São Paulo, Brazil – Vibra São Paulo (with JUDAS PRIEST)
Dec. 18 - São Paulo, Brazil – Knotfest Brazil
Jun. 2-4 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
Jun. 2-4 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock Im Park

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

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

A year ago, Anselmo said that he was up for reuniting with Brown for a special tour celebrating the music of PANTERA. The 54-year-old singer, who has spent the past few years playing a PANTERA-centric set with his solo band, THE ILLEGALS, discussed the possibility of re-teaming with his former PANTERA bandmate during an interview with Brazil's Inside With Paulo Baron. Asked if he and Rex would be open to playing some shows in celebration of PANTERA's legacy, Anselmo said: "If Rex and I had a show to play, or we were ever gonna be on stage again together, I would welcome it with open arms. I love Rex. And he'd be the same way. We're brothers forever. So playing on stage together, or doing some shows together, is not out of the question. It could happen."

In April 2021, Rex told Eonmusic that he and Philip still get offers for a PANTERA tribute tour. "But if you don't have the other guys in the band, it's not going to sound the same," he said. "If we were ever to do something like that, it would have to be spot-on, or I wouldn't do it. It would be a tribute."

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

Up until his passing, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.

PANTERA is managed by Scott McGhee of 1 Degree Music Entertainment. The band's legal representative is Nick Ferrara And Associates. PANTERA is booked internationally by Rod MacSween at ITB. Artist Group International will book PANTERA's North American dates, with Dennis Arfa and Peter Pappalardo as the responsible agents.

After playing two "secret rehearsal shows" in June and another "tryout" concert on November 2, the new DELAIN lineup performed its first official Dutch gig last night (Friday, November 4) at Hedon in Zwolle.

Joining keyboardist, founder and main songwriter Martijn Westerholt in DELAIN's current lineup are new singer Diana Leah, original guitarist Ronald Landa and original drummer Sander Zoer, along with bassist Ludovico Cioffi.

Earlier today, DELAIN shared a few photos from last night's concert and included the following message: "No words can describe what happened yesterday at Hedon… it was pure magic!

"DELAIN is back in business, and this SOLD OUT show is the ultimate proof! Pure energy and enthusiasm it's what we breathed during our set, and all we needed.

"Thanks to all of you who took part of this unforgettable event. Thanks to HAWXX for partying with us and to our very special guests Ivar de Graaf and Paolo Ribaldini who joined us on stage for such an epic moment! (By the way, exciting news about it very soon)

"Once again, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Until next time, Delainers!"

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Hands Of Gold
02. Suckerpunch
03. Burning Bridges
04. Invidia
05. The Quest And The Curse
06. April Rain
07. Masters Of Destiny
08. The Hurricane
09. Cordell (THE CRANBERRIES cover) (with Ivar de Graaf)
10. What Lies Beneath (with Paolo Ribaldini)
11. Your Body Is A Battleground (with Paolo Ribaldini)
12. Sing To Me (with Paolo Ribaldini)
13. The Gathering (with Paolo Ribaldini)
14. Don't Let Go
15. Fire With Fire
16. Not Enough

Encore:

17. Mother Machine
18. Control The Storm (with Paolo Ribaldini)
19. We Are the Others

The new DELAIN lineup made its official live debut on August 27 at the Riverside festival in Aarburg, Switzerland.

Leah answered a few fan-submitted questions via the band's YouTube channel, including how she joined the long-running Dutch metal act. She said: "It's really simple, actually. I knew they were looking for a singer so I just left a comment on their Instagram page. So a couple of days later I received an e-mail from Martijn, and we talked a bit about how I could audition and he sent me some material that I could sing on. And the rest is history."

Asked how she decided to sing in a metal band, the 32-year-old Diana said: "Well, I've always wanted to sing in a metal band. It was really my desire to do it. In fact, I did sing in a couple of rock bands, but it wasn't really heavy music, which I loved at the time. It was really hard to find the right people to form a band with and also to get along together and all that. But I've always wanted to be in a metal band. Always."

Leah also talked a bit about her background, saying: "I was born in Romania, in a city called Alba Iulia. It's in the middle of Transylvania. And then I moved to Italy when I was 15, and I lived in Italy for, I think, 10 years or something. And then I moved to Canada, in Ottawa, and I lived there for five years. And then I came back to Italy. And now I currently live in Italy, near Torino, so up north."

This past August, DELAIN released a new single, "The Quest And The Curse", featuring the band's trademark bombastic riffs, lush orchestrations, elements from film music, metal, pop, electronic, and much more mark an amalgamation of the old and new, and build the next chapter of DELAIN's history.

Westerholt stated: "The future of DELAIN looks bright!"

DELAIN is:

Martijn Westerholt - keyboards
Diana Leah - vocals
Ronald Landa - guitars and backing vocals
Ludovico Cioffi - bass and backing vocals
Sander Zoer - drums

In February 2021, Westerholt announced the dissolution of DELAIN's previous lineup. At the time, he explained: "For the last year or so, the collaboration within the band ceased to work as well as it once had. Some of us were no longer happy with the current roles in the band. We all tried very hard to find a solution for over a year, but sadly we were unable to find one. As a result, we will all be going our own ways and pursuing our own endeavors.

"I am very sad our cooperation has come to end, but at the same time I am very grateful for all the years we were able to work together. Together we toured the world, shared highs and lows, and met with many successes as well as times that pushed us to learn and grow. We all enjoyed meeting our fans and making new friends all over the globe."

Singer Charlotte Wessels said about her departure: "I know that you might have questions about the 'why' in all of this. I fully understand and respect that. Simply put, it is the sad conclusion of more than a year of trying to find solutions to built up grievances. Part of me feels like I'm letting all of you down, I'd like you to know that this decision was not taken lightly and I apologise to those of you who had high hopes of seeing all of us together live on stage again after lockdown. Until recently, I thought this might still be in the cards for us as well."

This past September, Charlotte was asked in an interview with Spain's The Metal Circus TV how she felt about the fact that DELAIN recently made a comeback with a new lineup. Wessels said: "I'm trying not to engage with it too much, honestly. I've seen positive responses about it, which I think is good. But I do try to keep some distance and just focus on what I'm doing rather than checking that out, because I still don't feel like that will make me happier per se."

DELAIN's sixth full-length album, the Westerholt-produced "Apocalypse & Chill", was released in February 2020 via Napalm Records.

No words can describe what happened yesterday at Hedon… it was pure magic!

Delain is back in business, and this SOLD...

Posted by Delain on Saturday, November 5, 2022

- Delain
4-11-2022 Hedon-Zwolle

Delain with new and returned band members in a sold out Hedon.

Wow! That was a great...

Posted by Paul van der Meulen on Saturday, November 5, 2022

Last night I went to Hedon in Zwolle, Netherlands to see the reformed Delain. I did wonder if I’d ever hear their music...

Posted by Paul Wilson on Saturday, November 5, 2022

4 nov 2022 Delain in Hedon, Zwolle
We moesten er even op wachten maar Delain is terug. En hoe!
De verwachtingen waren...

Posted by Steef Peters on Saturday, November 5, 2022

KISS frontman Paul Stanley has paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins, saying "nobody loved music like" the late FOO FIGHTERS drummer did.

Stanley spoke about Hawkins during the "On This Day In KISStory" activity aboard this year's "Kiss Kruise" where Paul and the other members of KISS looked at some photos and give their memories and stories about the event they were taken at.

After being shown a photo of him with Hawkins and FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl, Paul said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That was Dave's birthday. And he invited me to come play with him at the Forum in L.A., and, of course, Taylor.

"The beauty of a great band is the chemistry between at least of the people. And FOO FIGHTERS, that's Dave and Taylor. Taylor was as close to Dave as a brother. And Taylor, besides being a phenomenal drummer… I remember when I saw him with Alanis Morissette, I was, like, 'Jesus. Who is this guy?' And he was also a super, super guy — one of those people that really, really loved music. And it's a tragedy; it's a terrible loss.

"I will remember that forever. We did a couple of things together. We did 'Do You Love Me?' and we did 'Detroit Rock City'. And Taylor kicked it in the ass.

"Taylor was a big fan [of KISS]. And again, nobody loved music like he did."

Added KISS drummer Eric Singer: "I met [Taylor] before he played with anybody. He was a young kid in Orange County. I went to this drum shop — I think it was called Orange County Percussion — and I went down to get some drums fixed. And the guy that owned the shop said, 'Eric, I'm gonna introduce you to this kid.' And Taylor was in the room practicing. He was about to audition for [singer] Sass Jordan. And Taylor came by. He was just like this fresh-faced kid; he was about 18 or 19. The same way he was when you met him now, after he'd been really famous, he always was that way."

Hawkins was found dead on March 25 at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel in Bogota.

An official cause of death for Hawkins hasn't yet been released. But on March 26, Colombia's attorney general's office released a preliminary toxicology report, saying that medical examiners found evidence of 10 types of substances in Hawkins's body, including opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana and antidepressants.

Hawkins joined FOO FIGHTERS in 1997. Prior to that, he played with the Orange County band SYLVIA and was also in the backing band for Sass Jordan. He also toured with Alanis Morissette as her drummer.

Hawkins was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of the FOO FIGHTERS.

Hawkins's most recent work with FOO FIGHTERS included last year's "Medicine At Midnight" album, a collection of BEE GEES covers and FOO FIGHTERS' horror film "Studio 666".

Steven Tyler joined Eminem on stage last night (Saturday, November 5) at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

The rapper brought out the AEROSMITH legend to sing the "Dream On" hook which Eminem sampled for his 2002 "The Eminem Show" track "Sing For The Moment". Also joining Eminem during the performance was Ed Sheeran, who played guitar and sang the hook for "Stan" (the original song samples Dido's "Thank You").

The fourth single released from "The Eminem Show", "Sing For The Moment" recently became Eminem's 24th song to earn 300 million streams on Spotify.
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry re-recorded his original "Dream On" guitar part for the Eminem track, which reached the Top 10 in 20 countries, and has been certified platinum in the U.S., U.K. and Australia.

AEROSMITH's original version of "Dream On" appeared on the band's 1973 debut album. Written by Tyler, it was AEROSMITH's first major hit and became a classic rock radio staple. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song at number 172 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs Of All Time." In 2007, AEROSMITH re-recorded the tune, along with some of the band's other songs, for the game "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" as the master track was missing during the game's development. In 2018, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.