On October 7, Austrian death metal icons Mastic Scum will release their long-awaited sixth album Icon via MDD Records as CD in jewel case, limited DigiPak in box set and as strictly limited transparent-red vinyl edition. 


With the opener "Digital Dementia", a first musical sample is now available. The concept behind Icon is about humans and their beliefs ... the constant struggle between good and evil, faith and distrust, humanity and industry, analog and digital. Mankind was and will always be searching for the missing link, the lost piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Icon is now available for preorder in the MDD Shop, from the band and from various retailers.







Tracklisting:


“Digital Dementia”
“Room 23”
“Slavebreed”
“Front Toward Enemy”
“Doomsayer”
“Virtual Irreality 3.0”
“Twice The Pain”
“Negation”
“Create And Destroy”
“Retribution”


“Digital Dementia”:

Two years after the release of his solo debut album, Supernova Kill Road, Finnish bass player Samer Elnahhal, whom also served as a bass player for Lordi from 2005 until 2019, has announced the release of his sophomore record, entitled Dystopian Rose, which is due to be out later this fall.


The cover artwork was done by Juulia Tokola:







First single will be released on September 20. Look out for more information in the coming weeks.

Fan-filmed video of SCORPIONS' September 5 concert at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey can be seen below.

The setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:

01. Gas In The Tank
02. Make It Real
03. The Zoo
04. Coast To Coast
05. Seventh Sun
06. Peacemaker
07. Bad Boys Running Wild
08. Delicate Dance
09. Send Me An Angel
10. Wind Of Change
11. Tease Me Please Me
12. Rock Believer
13. New Vision
14. Blackout
15. Big City Nights

Encore:

16. No One Like You
17. Rock You Like A Hurricane

Last month, WHITESNAKE pulled out of the North American tour with SCORPIONS due to singer David Coverdale's "continued treatment for a persistent upper respiratory infection."

The SCORPIONS tour is scheduled to end on October 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SCORPIONS's latest album, "Rock Believer", was released in February. The LP was recorded primarily at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany and was mixed at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany with engineer Michael Ilbert, who has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his mix work with producer Max Martin on albums by Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, some of the initial work was done with Greg remotely, after which SCORPIONS opted to helm the recordings themselves with the help of their engineer Hans-Martin Buff.

SCORPIONS' new album marks their first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of new and classic material.

SCORPIONS' previous full-length collection of new recordings was "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Mikkey Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.

Former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate says that he is "doing great" after recently undergoing an unspecified heart procedure.

The 63-year-old musician discussed his health in an interview with Ritchie Birnie before performing QUEENSRŸCHE's "Promised Land" album in its entirety for the first time ever on August 28 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Geoff said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET),"I had open-heart surgery. I've got a nice scar here," he added before laughing and pointing at his chest.

Tate said that he is "doing great" despite the fact that it had only been several weeks since he went under the knife. "It's been a couple of months now since I got out of the hospital," he said. "And I've just been exercising and getting back in the saddle, basically. And I feel really good."

Asked if his singing voice had returned in full since the operation, Tate said: "It took about a month before I could make a sound. [Laughs]

"I'd never been in a hospital before in my life, or I'd never had anything wrong with me, and this was the first experience for me," he explained. "And I was just amazed at how much it took out of me. I've always been a pretty physical, pretty strong person, but, man, when I came out of the hospital, I was weak. I could barely walk."

On July 3, Tate took to his Facebook page to share a photo of him with Dr. Sami Kueri from the department of cardiovascular surgery at the Universitäts-Herzzentrum Freiburg-Bad Krozingen (University Heart Center Freiburg) in Bad Krozingen, Germany, and he included the following message: "All my gratitude to the talented Dr. Sami Kueri for giving me a healthy heart!! Feeling so much better each day!"

In June, Tate said that he would take a few months off the road as he recovered from a medical procedure.

On June 13, Geoff, who fronted QUEENSRŸCHE for 30 years — from the band's inception through 2012 — took to his social media to write: "I am having a medical procedure and my health professionals want me to recover over the Summer. I will be back and rocking South America in January. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the road."

Tate's recent tour celebrated the 30th anniversary of QUEENSRŸCHE's "Empire" and "Rage For Order" albums.

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012. Fellow original QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton (guitar),Scott Rockenfield (drums) and Eddie Jackson (bass) responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.

Tate was replaced in QUEENSRŸCHE by former CRIMSON GLORY singer Todd La Torre.

Geoff recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Operation: Mindcrime" on European and U.S. tours.

Photo courtesy of Geoff Tate's Facebook page

The Offering has released a new visualizer video for “Tiny Disappointments” today.


“Tiny Disappointments” is off of the band’s forthcoming new album Seeing The Elephant out November 4 via Century Media Records. Preorders available starting today here.







With Seeing The Elephant, The Offering have woven together a record as rich, adventurous and heartfelt as anything you’re bound to hear anytime soon. Conceived during the chaos of the 2020 protests and the ensuing warzone of cultural upheaval, Seeing The Elephant is a challenging (and ultimately rewarding) record for extreme times.


“Even on my most wonderful days, I can find myself feeling strangled by my own expectations and find myself disappointed in little facets of the world, in everyone, and everything,” states Alex Richichi (vocals). “I have found life is made up of ‘Tiny Disappointments’, where overcoming and coping with these ultimately becomes the hardest thing we do every day. This song addresses those feelings of drowning, which I believe is universal in the human experience - albeit on different scales.”


Nishad George (guitar) adds, "During the writing process for Seeing The Elephant, my dad's cancer diagnosis had gotten much worse, and I had felt this pressure knowing this would be my last album that he could listen to. Living up to my own expectations for making that special was strenuous. I eventually stumbled upon the opening chord to ‘Tiny Disappointments’, and I just let go - I blinked and 12 hours of euphoria later, the song was complete. It was a massive turning point in the writing process for the album.  Less than a month before he passed away, my dad finally got to listen to the album, and singled out this song as the best we've ever done. I couldn't agree more."





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


Vocalist Alex Richichi and guitarist Nishad George construct a new framework from past work with the help of mixer Zach Weeks (Kvelertak, The Armed) at the Salem, Massachusetts’ renowned God City Studios, proving The Offering as a band that not only challenges the norm but one that will refine and redefine them.


In the past, the foursome have warmed crowds for diverse acts such as Primal Fear, Rhapsody of Fire, Prong, Genitorturers, 36 Crazyfists, and have been a fan-favorite at the main stage of the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival. Right before the release of HOME they played European festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Fezen Festival and Gefle Metal Festival.


(Photo – Rossetti Photography)

Defacing God have released a drum playthrough video for "Echoes From Fulda", featured on their new album, The Resurrection Of Lilith, out now via Napalm Records. Watch below:





Rooted in occultism and witchcraft, Defacing God strives on ancient stories and grandiose soundscapes conjuring their worthy representation of opulent Scandinavian metal traditions. Echoing styles of artists such as Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth. The band continues the legacy of unconventional extreme metal, taking their rightful place in the garden of Eden and ready to deface God.







The Resurrection Of Lilith is available in the following formats:


- Digisleeve
- 1LP Gatefold Red Vinyl
- Digital Album


Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Black Moon"
"The Invocation Part I "Lilith"
"The Resurrection"
"The Invocation Part II "Jezebel"
"The Invocation Part III "Abyzou"
"Rise Of The Trinity"
"The End Of Times"
"Echoes From Fulda"
"Death Followed Like A Plague"
"Enslaved"
"In The Land Of Rain And Sorrow"
"Into The Mist Of Memories"


“The Resurrection” lyric video:





"The End Of Times” video:





"Rise Of The Trinity" video:





Lineup:


Sandie Gjørtz - Vocals
Signar Petersen - Lead Guitar
Christian Snapholt Nielsen - Rhythm Guitar
Michael Olsson - Drums
Rasmus "Kalke" Nielsen - Bass


(Photo - Nikolaj Bransholm/Bransholm Photography)

Kalamity Kills have debuted their first single, "Sinners Welcome", produced by Jamey Perrenot, who has worked with Taylor Swift, Leann Rimes, Joey Belladonna and Guardian. Kalamity Kills is Jamie Rowe with a revolving cast of musicians who will remain anonymous and wear masks while performing.  





Jamie Rowe shares "I strongly believe in God but am aware that God's 'fan club' aren't necessarily the most welcoming folks on the planet. 'Sinners Welcome' is a commentary on that. I want my music to be heard by lovers of hard rock. That's my goal: find those who will tune into what I'm doing. If anything, maybe someone just needs to hear the riff cranked up in the car after a long day at work."







Jamie Rowe is best known as the vocalist for Christian hard rockers Guardian. He also has recorded many albums with Bronx-based melodic hard rock band AdrianGale. With a touring history of over 35 countries, Kalamity Kills is sure to appeal globally to those who loved his previous work, as his trademark vocals are well represented here.


(Photo - Amber Rowe)

Swedish vocalist Erik Grönwall, who joined SKID ROW earlier this year, spoke to Australia's The Rockpit about how he manages to stay focused in the wake of constant calls for a reunion of the band's classic lineup. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I come from a fan perspective as well, and I realize and I know — I understand the perspective of people wanting the original lineup. I mean, obviously, I understand the band's history, so I can see that. I prefer the Bon Scott era [of AC/DC] compared to [the Brian Johnson] era. And Brian Johnson isn't a new singer; he's been around since 1980. But that's how it is.

"That being said, I've had people contact me on Instagram and apologizing for… At first, they were, like, 'Oh, another singer?' — you know, just the regular comments that you used to see," he explained. "But they've actually apologized and pretty much said, 'I'm sorry for hating on you when I first found out. But now I just have to say I love it. I love you. And I was wrong.' [Laughs]"

He added: "That's the ultimate compliment for me, obviously — that you can turn haters into believers and followers. And that makes everything worth it — everything. All the hard work you put in."

SKID ROW's new studio album, "The Gang's All Here", will arrive on October 14 via earMUSIC. The group recorded most of the LP in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with FOO FIGHTERS, STONE SOUR, HALESTORM, EVANESCENCE, RUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS, among many others.

Grönwall joined SKID ROW in January as the replacement for ZP Theart, who had been in the group for more than six years. Theart played his final gig with SKID ROW in February before being officially given the boot.

Grönwall was a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T. with whom he recorded four studio albums — "Address The Nation" (2012),"Tearing Down The Walls" (2014),"Into The Great Unknown" (2017) and "H.E.A.T II" (2020) — before exiting the group in October 2020.

Grönwall was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021. Six months later, he announced that he was cancer free after receiving a bone marrow transplant in August. "Some anonymous wonderful human being somewhere in the world donated his/her blood cells so that I could get a second chance at life," he told Headbangers Lifestyle in January. "Sometimes I can just get tears in my eyes when I think about it. It's so beautiful that one person who is not connected to me in any way wanted to do that for me. He/she doesn't know that the blood cells were for me. It's completely anonymous."

In September 2021, Grönwall released his cover version of "18 And Life" via all streaming platforms.

In 2018, Grönwall debuted in the U.S. for 10 million viewers in NBC's live broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". Along with John Legend, Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles and others, Erik played the key role of Simon Zealotes.

SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan recently told Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station about Grönwall's addition to the band: "Just the way he does things and his work ethic is one I've never seen other than the four of us that are already in the band. He just doesn't stop until he gets things absolutely right. Whether it's his version, what he thinks is right, or what we think is right, he works hard — he works hard. And you can see why he had the success he did overseas because he's a really, really hard-working singer that takes care of his instrument and that takes pride in his craft."

Rachel also reflected on SKID ROW's first live performance with Grönwall, saying: "Honestly, dude, from the minute he opened his mouth… His timing is impeccable. We knew it was gonna be cool. And each show has gotten even better, 'cause we're learning each other's rhythm on stage. When I walked away from that show, I said to Erik, I go, 'This was show one. I cannot wait for show one hundred. It's gonna be amazing.'"

Bolan previously talked about how Erik came to join SKID ROW during an appearance on an episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation L.A. Invasion", recorded just hours before SKID ROW's first performance with the Swedish singer. "We toured together. H.E.A.T. was on tour with SKID ROW. What year was that? '18? And we'd hear him every night from the dressing room," he said. "And a couple of times, I was, like, 'Man, listen to this guy sing. He's phenomenal.' And then, I forget who told me, someone that was with us, 'Yeah, he won 'Idol' in Sweden.' And I was, like, 'Man, he's got pipes.' And I was listening. Then I went behind the monitor board a couple of times. And in my head, I'm, like, 'Wow! When SKID ROW has some downtime, I'm gonna get in touch with this dude and start a side project with him.' And obviously, that never happened. But as time went on and we got to the point to where we were with ZP and stuff, Erik was our first… I told Snake, I go, 'We've gotta check this guy out.' And along with Snake and the rest of the guys, and Nick, our producer, Nick Raskulinecz, were, like, 'He's the guy, man. Send him some songs.' So we sent him some songs that we were recording, just with a guide vocal on it, and it came back about 24 hours later, and we were, like, 'All right. He's the guy. Get him on a plane. Let's do this.'"

During an appearance this past Tuesday (August 30) on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor was asked what he thought of METALLICA's breakthrough self-titled album when he first heard it more than three decades ago. The Iowa-born musician, who was 17 at the time of the LP's release, said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was weird, because it was actually in two stages. I remember studying [the album's first single] 'Enter Sandman' like it was Zapruder film [referring to Abraham Zapruder, who recorded a tragic moment in history when he captured the U.S. president John F. Kennedy's assassination in full color in November 1963]. For real. Me and my friends, we were blown away by the production — just how good it sounded and yet so thick. We were just, like, 'How did they do this? What is this?' And I can remember us just… We taped it off the radio just so we could hear it — before the full album came out. I can remember us trying to tape it off of MTV off the video, just holding a ghetto blaster up to [the TV]. We were, like, 'It sounds like garbage. We've gotta get it off the radio.' So we were sitting there with the 'record' hit and then the 'pause,' and as soon as they cued it up, we were, like, 'Oh, go.' We were waiting all day, 'cause that's what you did back then."

He continued: "We were losing our minds on this song. People have to realize, this was before it became our generation's 'Stairway To Heaven'. We'd never heard anything like it. We were just blown away. And then the album came out, and I was, like, 'Okay. It sounds great. But where's the heavy stuff?' There were songs that definitely came close, like 'Holier Than Thou', which that's one of the reasons why I wanted to cover that when they asked me to a part of 'The [Metallica] BlackList' [a 2021 collection featuring covers of every track off of METALLICA's self-titled album]. … But I was looking for stuff like that [from the rest of the 'Metallica' album], and I wasn't getting that 'Master [Of Puppets]' vibe or that '[…And] Justice [For All]' vibe. I was, like, 'Where is it?' And it took me a long time to really appreciate that album. And I think a lot of people would agree that it probably took the 'Load' albums ['Load' and 'Reload'] coming out for us to go back and go, 'God. What was I thinking? How good does this album sound now?' And that's not knocking those two albums because at the time that was such a departure."

Taylor added: "I remember the first time I heard 'Nothing Else Matters'. The look on my face — my friend went, 'Jesus, you really don't like this song, do you?' 'Cause I had the 'suck' face. I was just, like, 'What the hell is this?' But, of course, over time, man, a good song is a good song, and you can't deny that. And it taught me a very valuable lesson, that you have to force change on people. I mean, nobody likes stuff that's different right away. You have to drag them kicking and screaming into where you need to go, 'cause that's the only way you're gonna get anybody there. Assuming that people are gonna change with you is a lesson in insanity, because there's no way it's going to happen. You have to make the change and just drag the people along with you."

Taylor previously discussed his cover of "Holier Than Thou" and the enduring impact of METALLICA's self-titled LP last September in an interview with Knotfest.com's Ryan J. Downey.

"For me, I was so shocked by the 'Black Album' at first," Corey said. "I was one of those kids that I was expecting something more like '…And Justice For All'. And I can remember listening to 'Sandman' because it was fucking everywhere.

"In retrospect, we were blown away by the single, but we were expecting more from the album," he continued. "And it has grown on me over the years to the point where I can listen to it now and I appreciate that album just as much as I appreciate the first four albums. You can see the evolution. And maybe that's maturity. 'Cause we were young and we were fucking dicks back then. 'This doesn't sound like 'Creeping Death'' or anything like that. It was one of those things where it was different, and we didn't know how to feel about 'different' at the time, especially for a band like this. And then the more attention they got, the less they felt like 'ours' — they were being taken from us. And I think that's why there was such an anti-METALLICA thing for a while amongst us as metal fans. I never turned my back on them but I definitely looked for other things. Because it didn't seem as special and as specifically ours. But that was just me being a kid. They were one of my favorite bands, so I was gonna judge them as such. But it wasn't until I got a little older that I really went back and I started listening to that album again. And I was, like, 'Fuck, man. This thing is really good.' And not even the singles, because those singles got played ad nauseam; they were fucking everywhere. 'Holier Than Thou' is my favorite song on that album. 'The Struggle Within' held up… And I think that once you put that in perspective with where they were going, it all makes sense; that was the missing piece. And they've earned every drop of their success."

Corey previously told Downey that "Enter Sandman" was one of the first songs he ever learned how to play on guitar. "Because that was kind of our generation's 'Stairway To Heaven' or 'Smoke On The Water'," he said. "It's one of those riffs that… I like to call if the Guitar Center virus. Anybody who comes in [at a Guitar Center location] is either playing 'Sandman', 'Crazy Train', 'Smoke On The Water' or 'Stairway' or 'Whole Lotta Love'… You have those gateway riffs where you go, 'Oh, I figured it out.'

"I sat down one day, as I got better at guitar, and I went back and listened to the first four METALLICA albums and just started woodshedding and learning all these riffs. And it became a sort of language that you could speak to other musicians when you're jamming for the first time. If you kicked into 'Blitzkrieg' or something, or if you kicked into 'Ride The Lightning' and just started [playing the opening riffs of the song], and they kicked in with you, you knew you were off to the races, because you don't just learn that riff; you learn the whole tune and you just go for it. So it was almost like an initiation in a weird way; you knew how to do it. So I played METALLICA in almost every band that I've been in; it's always just been there. I mean, from my first sort-of-real band CRIMINAL MISCHIEF all the way up to my solo band."

Taylor's cover version of "Holier Than Thou" is included on the aforementioned "The Metallica Blacklist", a four-hour, 53-song collection of the "Black Album" covers spanning an unbelievably vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more, with each artist contributing a unique interpretation of their favorite "Metallica" LP cut.

In 2020, Taylor told Apple Music's Zane Lowe that METALLICA's longevity and career success have offered a "blueprint" that SLIPKNOT will continue to follow in the years to come.

"If there's any band that we absolutely respect… there are a handful of bands, but METALLICA was definitely, they were the high-water mark, man, they were the band to achieve," he said. "That was our [SLIPKNOT's] blueprint, basically. But we took so much from so many different bands as well that it would be unfair to say it was just METALLICA that really guided us. Obviously, they [METALLICA] were… still finding ways to challenge themselves. That's the key. And that's where METALLICA, I really feel, is the blueprint, because they keep finding ways to break new ground, play every continent. They'll be the first band to play Mars, I'm convinced of that."

STONE SOUR's version of METALLICA's "Creeping Death" was featured on the former band's "Meanwhile In Burbank…", a five-song covers EP which was released in 2015.

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine has commented on his decision to hire bass player James LoMenzo as a permanent member of the band. LoMenzo was MEGADETH's bass player in the mid-2000s and recently stepped back in as a touring member for "The Metal Tour Of The Year". Lomenzo officially rejoined the MEGADETH family in May.

Speaking to Revolver magazine, Mustaine stated about why he enlisted TESTAMENT's Steve DiGiorgio to play on MEGADETH's upcoming album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!": "We parted ways with David Ellefson [in May 2021], and the idea to get Steve basically was… In the end, it's always gonna be my decision. But there were a couple of guys we looked at. We were trying to finish the record, so the criteria for someone to be a session player and finish the record versus be a guy that's gonna be a bandmember that we can find right now that's gonna make a commitment and leave what they're doing to come join us, we just didn't have the time. So we sought out for a guy that would just help us finish the album, and that was Steve.

"I'm not a guy that likes to poach people from other bands," Mustaine explained. "I hated when [METALLICA] did that with Cliff Burton. I mean, granted TRAUMA wasn't a great band. But I think it just sets you up for resentment from people when you go and take their bandmembers. If the guy quits and wants to join your band, that's cool. But if I would have went to TESTAMENT and said, 'Hey, I want Steve,' or I would have just went to Steve and said, 'Hey, I'll give you a gazillion dollars' and [he] quit [TESTAMENT], you know what would happen? I would lose my friendship with [TESTAMENT guitarist] Alex [Skolnick] and with Chuck [Billy, TESTAMENT singer]. And it's not the way to go."

Regarding LoMenzo's addition to MEGADETH, Mustaine said: "We welcomed James with open arms, and everybody loves him. He's just such a great, great guy. So it wasn't a hard decision at all to make. It was basically calling him, seeing what he was doing. Everybody is really, really happy with him. I haven't really seen that much pushback from the fans. I know that the two people that matter the most, besides me, Dirk [Verbeuren, drums] and Kiko [Loureiro, guitar], love him. It's what I wanted. I wanted to have the four of us playing together and all being comfortable with one another and knowing that there was no weirdness going on or any double dealing or anything like that, because those are the things that always ruin bands. We've had this closeness, the four of us, since James came. They're always together somewhere — always, always. James is down at the bar having a glass of wine with Kiko, or James is in the gym working out with Dirk. They are always doing something wonderful together."

LoMenzo joined MEGADETH in 2006 and appeared on two of the group's studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame". He was fired from the band in 2010 and replaced with returning original MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson.

In addition to MEGADETH, LoMenzo has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and WHITE LION. For nine years, LoMenzo also performed with iconic rocker John Fogerty.

LoMenzo played his first show with MEGADETH in nearly 12 years in August 2021 in Austin, Texas. The concert took place three months following Ellefson's dismissal from MEGADETH after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving him were posted on Twitter.

Ellefson laid down his bass tracks on MEGADETH's sixteenth LP in May 2020 at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee. A short time later, he raved about his performance on the record, telling the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio program "Wired In The Empire" that his musical chemistry with Verbeuren was comparable to the interplay between Geddy Lee and Neil Peart on classic RUSH albums. "I feel like on the new MEGADETH record, me and Dirk have those same moments," he said. "It's MEGADETH — it's not RUSH, obviously — but in the field of what we do, there were these moments that I was just going, 'Oh, my God.' This is me as a kid going, 'This is my Geddy/Neil moment right here.'"

In June 2021, Mustaine announced during an episode of his Gimme Radio program "The Dave Mustaine Show" that Ellefson's bass tracks would not be used on the new MEGADETH LP.

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

"The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!" will arrive on September 2 via UMe.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Canadian thrash metal legends, Razor, return with Cycle Of Contempt, their first new full-length album in 25 years! Cycle Of Contempt is a direct, cutthroat record that pulls no punches and takes no prisoners. Listen to Razor's new song, “A Bitter Pill”, below:





Anyone that cut their metal teeth with The Big Four, and then dug a little deeper into the indie scene, should receive a major endorphin rush when they discover that speed and thrash masters Razor are about to release their first studio offering in 25 years, entitled Cycle Of Contempt.




From the catchy, concise riffs and insistent beats of album opener “Flames Pf Hatred” to the double-barreled assault, muted power chord chugging and combative gang vocal of album closer “King Shit”, Cycle Of Contempt is a trenchant reminder of a time when clubs around the world were packed with long-haired bands that played as fast as they could to mosh pits that spun and tumbled like clothes in a short-circuiting dryer.


As energetic and exciting as Evil Invaders and as urgent and powerful as Razor’s 1989 speed-fest Violent Restitution, Cycle Of Contempt showcases a band that never stopped spewing venom.


“I tried to write songs that everybody could listen to and say, “Yeah, I know a guy who's done that to me or done this, or I know that situation. I can relate to that,” band founder Dave Carlo says. “And I didn’t want to make everything specifically about me because when you do that, you exclude people. I wanted to include everyone that’s ever felt pissed off about anything.”


An unrelenting slab of old-school thrash that showcases Razor's encyclopedic knowledge of the past along with Carlo’s growth as a songwriter, player, and lyricist, Cycle Of Contempt is here to show that Razor are as dominating as ever.


Cycle Of Contempt is out September 23 on LP/CD/CS/digital. Physical pre-orders are available via Relapse.com here, digital downloads/streaming here.





Cycle Of Contempt tracklisting:


"Flames Of Hatred"
"Jabroni"
"Off My Meds"
"A Bitter Pill"
"Crossed"
"First Rate Hate"
"Cycle Of Contempt"
"Punch Your Face In"
"All Fist Fighting"
"Darkness Falls"
"King Shit"


"Flames Of Hatred" lyric video:

Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD will release their new album, "Omens", 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.

Speaking to Germany's EMP, LAMB OF GOD bassist John Campbell stated about "Omens" (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's a fairly dynamic record. There's a few other little surprises and tweaks and things to come in October. But we recorded it differently this time. We went to Los Angeles and all of us in the same room and same time recording, which gave us some leeway to make changes as things happened and just kind of feel it out in a different way than we've done in the past, which would be everybody kind of going in their corner recording and it gets assembled later. So it was a real team effort on this one, in the recording — all the way through it's been a team effort — and in the recording especially, when we were all in the same room doing that stuff, it was great. I got to spend three and a half weeks working on a record instead of four or five days — working on the recording of the record."

Earlier in the month, Campbell was asked by Knotfest what led to the decision to record "Omens" live in the studio. John responded: "Well, we've been doing this so fucking long, we had to do something different. I believe that was Josh Wilbur's idea to do that. I know he had a great place worked out to do that in. And we had just kind of been doing it the same way over and over and over again, and we were looking to get a little more excitement into it and maybe see if that couldn't produce a different feel on the record."

The "Omens" album pre-order is live at Lamb-Of-God.com, boasting several exclusive items, including a signed colored vinyl variant, shirt, hoodie, and signed CDs with an alternate color cover. All physical CD and vinyl releases will include a free access code to watch the livestream viewing of "The Making Of Omens" documentary, which will premiere the week of album release.

LAMB OF GOD will support the new album with a massive Live Nation-produced U.S. headlining tour featuring special guests KILLSWITCH ENGAGE on all dates. Different legs will also see support from BARONESS, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, SPIRITBOX, ANIMALS AS LEADERS as well as SUICIDE SILENCE and FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY. The tour kicks off September 9 in Brooklyn and runs through October 20.

"Omens" will be 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.

"Lamb Of God" was recorded with Wilbur and included special guest appearances by Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT).

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

SHINEDOWN bassist and producer Eric Bass spoke to Bass Musician Magazine about the lyrical inspiration for the band's latest album, "Planet Zero". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When we writing, it was in the middle of the pandemic. We started writing in July of 2020 — June or July of 2020; I forget when it was. But it was also right in the midst of the George Floyd riots and all of the upheaval that was going on. And I just started calling America 'Planet Zero.' I was, like, 'We have zero tolerance for each other. We have zero sense. There's zero ability to communicate.' And so I just kind of nicknamed it 'Planet Zero.' And we decided to write about Planet Zero — a potential future; we kind of turned it into an actual planet and where we felt like we were headed. And that song itself is actually more geared toward cancel culture and shutting down each other's speech and thought because we don't agree with it."

He continued: "One of the beautiful things about being a human being is not agreeing on everything and not understanding each other's viewpoints and ideologies. For me, and this is gonna sound really woo woo and kind of maybe a little spiritual, but I feel that we have to find a way to have real tolerance for each other and real tolerance for each other's way of thinking and that we just shut down each other's ideas and thoughts that we don't learn and we won't grow.

"I don't have to agree with you to love you. I don't have to agree with everything you say. I can think that you're vastly wrong about something and we should go into our interactions with each other with love for each other as human beings. And so with 'Planet Zero', if we stop thinking that way and we let other entities kind of take over the way we think and how we process… Again, it seems to be something that gets talked about a lot these days, but Big Tech and media and that sort of thing, just kind of telling everybody what to think. We're like cats with a laser pointer, like, 'Today you should be concerned about this over here,' and then 'Tomorrow you should be concerned about this over here,' and really dividing us into left and right, into racial pockets that we should only live here. It's sort of the antithesis of how I feel like I was raised and the antithesis of how I feel like my generation thought about things when I was younger, because we were all about, 'Don't see color. Don't see each other's different groups.' We were all united; it was this 'united world' thing that was happening, and now it seems like we're going in the opposite direction.

"So, with 'Planet Zero', it's a look at a potential future in a dystopian kind of way, if we continue to let these things happen and let 'Big Brother', for lack of a better term, in an Orwellian sense, make decisions for us and tell us what to think and what to do and what we're allowed to do and say," Eric added. "And again, I think that's also the antithesis of what America is about."

Last week, SHINEDOWN released a brand-new Amazon Original of the band's current hit single "Daylight", available now only on Amazon Music. The track is a complete re-imagining of the song that changes up the chord progression and tempo and injects big drums and an aggressive distorted synth guitar tone that balance against the beauty and softness of the verses and chorus.

Fans can hear SHINEDOWN's Amazon Original on the Rock Arena playlist or by simply asking "Alexa, play the new song from SHINEDOWN" in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android, and on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition to the new track, Amazon Music listeners can access hundreds of Amazon Originals, featuring both emerging and established artists across numerous genres, available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

"Daylight" is a meaningful portrait of a vital human connection that reminds us that we are never alone, and reflects on the importance of empathy and the relationships in our lives that help get us through to the next day. The poignant anthem recently became SHINEDOWN's 19th No. 1 at Active Rock and 18th No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart — both all-time records on these charts.

"Planet Zero", produced by Bass, is out now via Atlantic Records. The album debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and the official U.K. albums chart, and at No. 1 on six other Billboard charts, including Top Album Sales, Rock, Hard Rock and Alternative Albums.

Guitarist Ryan Peake and guitarist/vocalist Chad Kroeger of Canadian rockers NICKELBACK spoke to Terrie Carr of the Morristown, New Jersey radio station 105.5 WDHA about their upcoming album, "Get Rollin'", which is due on November 18. Asked if the LP's heavy first single, "San Quentin", which will arrive on September 7, is a good representation of the album's overall direction, Chad said: "The record's all over the map, just like all of our records are — they're all over the map. We're just starting off with a big, kick-the-door-down rocker, and there's other heavy material on there, but, just like I said, like every other NICKELBACK record, it ebbs and flows and there's something there for every single mood."

Last week, Chad told the WRAT radio station about why it took so long to produce the follow-up to 2017's "Feed The Machine": "Well, we should have been making a record a lot sooner, with all that time off [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. But it's weird to say this, but for 25 years it feels like someone's been standing behind us with a cattle prod and telling us, 'Hey, the record's gotta be done at this time. We're gonna tour at this time. We're gonna do Australia and then we're gonna go do Europe and then we're gonna come back. We'll go across Canada. We'll hit America.' Just like every other band that has to do this stuff, you wanna get a chance to see your fans all around the world. But with this, we were, like, 'We'll get to it when we get to it.' [Laughs] And yeah, we took our time with it, which was just a wonderful luxury, to be able to sit back and [go], 'No. I'm gonna play this guitar solo 40 more times for another three days and make sure it's just exactly how we want it as opposed to deadline, deadline, deadline."

Regarding some fans' initial reaction that the already-released 10-second clip of "San Quentin" is trailering what sounds on initial listen like the heaviest song the band has ever written and unlike anything NICKELBACK has done before, Ryan said: "It's funny. We've been hearing that quite a bit. It's actually interesting because I think NICKELBACK fans would know for sure [that it's us once they heard the full song]. I don't think it's unusual… It's a heavy rock song, and if you've seen us live, you would definitely get it. But I kind of like that people are feeling like it's a surprise that we can have rock songs like that in the repertoire."

Chad also talked about the lyrical inspiration for "San Quentin", saying: "I met the [San Quentin prison] warden at a party. And I couldn't believe how young he was. I was, like, 'There's just no way that you're the warden of San Quentin,' and everyone was, like, 'Yup. He is.' Guy Fieri's [American restaurateur, author and Emmy Award-winning television presenter] a buddy of mine, and I was at his birthday party a few years back. And the entire time we were talking, I'm, like, [laughs] I'm speaking to this guy, but in my head all I could think about was, 'I'm gonna write a song called 'San Quentin'. That's it.' And I stuck it in my notes in my phone. And then once the riff was down, I think I screamed out this line, 'Can somebody please keep me the hell out of San Quentin?' And we just took it from there."

A music video for "San Quentin" was filmed on August 30 at the Simon Fraser University Convocation Mall in British Columbia. The clip will make its online debut by mid-September.

According to CTV News, hundreds of NICKELBACK fans attended the shoot, including one fan who one fan traveled all the way from Edmonton.

NICKELBACK will embark on a U.S. tour in support of its new album in the summer of 2023.

Peake said in April 2020 that NICKELBACK's documentary — which has been in the works for at least a few years — was "very close to being released."

In August 2020, NICKELBACK released a music video for its cover version of THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND classic "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". Honoring Daniels, who passed away in July 2020, NICKELBACK invited guitarist Dave Martone to join them on a cover of the infamous classic story — paying homage to Daniels's influence on their careers and the legacy left behind.

NICKELBACK's "All The Right Reasons: 15th Anniversary Expanded Edition" was released as a two-CD set in October 2020. The collection featured a newly remastered version of the original 2005 album, a selection of B-sides and a 2006 live concert recording.

Since forming in Alberta, Canada in 1995, NICKELBACK has cemented itself as one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past three decades. NICKELBACK's success includes worldwide sales of more than 50 million units, solidifying their status as one of the top-selling acts of all time.

With more than 23 chart-topping singles and fans spanning the globe, NICKELBACK boasts twelve consecutive sold-out world tours, playing to well over eight million diehard and adoring fans.

So it appears we have a release date for the new album Get Rollin' and that comes to me as no surprise! November 18th is...

Posted by Nickelback Universe on Tuesday, August 30, 2022

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nickelback (@nickelback)

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu says that his STILLWELL project "has nothing to do with KORN".

Fieldy's "clarification" comes two weeks after it was announced that STILLWELL would release a new single on September 16. He is joined in the group by vocalist/guitarist Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles and P.O.D. drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo.

Earlier today (Tuesday, September 6),Fieldy posted the following statement on his social media: "Some clarity about STILLWELL. I've been doing STILLWELL for about 16 years, this isn't something new, although to some of you it is, that's cool. Along with my bros Wuv (POD) and Q (ARSONISTS, RADAMUS),we've put out 3 albums, we're about to drop our 4th.

"It has nothing to do with KORN or my status with KORN or anything else. It isn't Heavy music, it's alternative rock.

"We've always wrote STILLWELL music while on tour with KORN or at home. We've actually opened for KORN back in 2011, and to add one more little fact, the 1st STILLWELL video 'Killing Myself to Live' was during a KORN concert (2006),back when David [Silveria, drums] was in KORN, he's in the video, that's how far back STILLWELL goes. Again, it isn't metal or nu metal or heavy music, and that was my way of being respectful to the integrity of KORN, I knew STILLWELL had to be different.

"Thank you to those who have shown love and support and to those that aren't into STILLWELL, there's plenty of heavy bands out there to fulfill your needs.

"Thank you, Fieldy".

STILLWELL's upcoming single will mark the group's first new music since the release of its third album, "Supernatural Miracle", which came out in September 2020. The follow-up to STILLWELL's past albums — "Raise It Up" (2015) and "Dirtbag" (2011) — was described in a press release as "the culmination of years' worth" of the individual members "finding their voice."

"We intentionally made sure to not sound like the other bands we're a part of, out of respect, integrity and just wanting to push ourselves creatively," Arvizu stated at the time. "If people want to hear KORN, P.O.D. or the 10 bands Q works with, they can just listen to those, STILLWELL is its own thing. We put together what I think is our best work yet."

Fieldy announced in June 2021 that he would sit out KORN's ongoing tour in order to "heal" after "falling back" on some of his "bad habits." He has since been replaced on the road by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Roberto "Ra" Díaz.

When Fieldy broke the news of his absence from KORN's summer 2021 trek, he wrote in a social media update: "To all KORN fans worldwide. The past 6 years I've been dealing with some personal issues that at times have caused me to fall back on some of my bad habits and has caused some tension with the people around me. It's been suggested to me to take some time off to heal. I'm going to respect what was asked of me and take that time. Unfortunately you will not see me on stage with my band. I will be working towards getting the bad habits out of my system. In the meantime I will be staying creative to keep my mind & soul in a good place.

"I'm thankful for all of your support, patience & understanding as we all have something that we deal with.

"Jonathan, Munky, Ray and Head, I love you and I don't want to bring any tension or bad vibes to the circle."

A short time later, KORN's official social media shared Fieldy's statement, along with the following message: "We love and support our brother, Fieldy. Health and family always comes first."

During a press conference at this year's Hellfest in Clisson, France, KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer was asked about Fieldy's current status. He said: "[Fieldy] needed a little time at home with his family to kind of regroup. We decided we were gonna make a record during the pandemic and use that time constructively. And once the pandemic was over and we were ready to go back on the road, he wasn't quite ready to do that yet. So the rest of us were anxious to get back in front of our fans and play for everybody."

Earlier in June, KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch told Kerrang! Radio that he had "been in contact" with Fieldy. "I just e-mailed him the other day," he said. "So we're gonna get together and talk to him, see how he's doing, see where his head is at, after this tour. Me and Munk were just talking about it. We love him, we've been in communication with him, and we'll see."

KORN drummer Ray Luzier told Germany's MoreCore that Fieldy is "doing good. He's our brother. We love him. We support him 110 percent," he said. "Bands are like marriages. Sometimes you need to step away a little bit to look at the picture and see what's going on with your individual life, and I think that's where we're all at now with Reggie. He's such a great dude and he's one of my best buds, so we support him in everything he does. No one has a crystal ball — I don't know what's gonna happen in the future — but we definitely miss him out here."

According to Luzier, Díaz is "doing a great job. He's doing a hell of a job. But there's a sound about Fieldy that isKORN," he said. "There's that signature thing that not many bass players can say that. Just that sound — you pop a KORN album on, and you're, like, 'Woah.' That bass, you take that out and it wouldn't sound normal, because Munky and Head [Brian Welch] don't sound normal, and neither does Jon [singer Jonathan Davis]. But that bass, man, it's just leading a lot of those older records."

This past February, Welch told Spotlight Report that Fieldy was "just taking a little time to be with his family. He is a great dad," Welch said. "He has so many kids. He has adult kids, teenagers and young kids. He is just taking time, and we are giving him the time. We want everyone to be healthy and happy.

"I guess we will go and tour this record," Head continued, referencing KORN's recently released album "Requiem". "I don't know a lot more other than that. We love him very much and we hope to communicate with him during the year at some stage, to see where everyone is at."

Welch previously addressed Fieldy's position in KORN during a November 2021 interview with U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine. At the time, he stated: "The best thing to do is stay at home, be with your family, and start processing. He's got to find that healing. I still struggle with it. I had a few slip-ups with my 'bad habits' three to four years ago, so I understand it, but I dealt with it by hitting it head-on and stopping it from becoming a problem. I'm not concerned because I know he's going to be okay."

Davis expressed a more worried outlook on Fieldy's predicament, saying: "I love him; he's my brother. But I watched somebody I care about die and I'm not going to fucking do that again. I refuse to. I will feel guilt for the rest of my fucking life because of that. I tried my hardest but perhaps if I'd been a little bit tougher there'd have been a different outcome. I pray that he can figure it out and get better and come back and be a huge part of this band again."

Despite the fact that he is not joining his KORN bandmates on their current tour, Fieldy did play on "Requiem".

Earlier in November, Shaffer told "Loudwire Nights" host Toni Gonzalez about Fieldy: "Right now he's just taking some time to kinda figure out what makes him happy and figure out his happiness and what he wants to do with his life, I guess is the best way to put it. And make sure his mental health is at its best, because if your mental health isn't good, or you're not clear, you're gonna make bad choices.

"I make an example," he continued. "I had my own challenges through the years, and once you get clarity, your life becomes a lot easier to manage. We're just giving him time to, like, no pressure, just figure out what you want to do because we can still work and we can still go out and tour. But we miss him. We love the guy, and we want him to just be healthy."

Regarding how KORN ended up recruiting Díaz to fill in for Fieldy, Welch told 97.9 GRD: "Well, there's COVID and everything, so when we started talking about it, it was a thing where we wanted to be careful still and whatnot. So we just started brainstorming and hitting up friends and whatnot. We need the slap — we need the slap bass, we need the finger playing, we need someone, 'cause Fieldy is unique — very unique. So it just kind of happened that way, man, where Ra, he was open because SUICIDAL [was] not going out [on tour] until [the following] year. So it just worked out, man. He came down, we jammed. He's a really humble guy, and just very talented. He can play anything — from jazz to slap to anything. He played all the songs with, like, three mistakes out of 10 songs or something — little mistakes. I mean, not even mistakes — it was just, like, 'I thought I heard it that way.' They weren't even mistakes. So we were, like, 'Okay. You got it down.'"

Some clarity about STILLWELL

I've been doing Stillwell for about 16 years, this isn't something new, although to some...

Posted by Fieldy on Tuesday, September 6, 2022



New Music 9-16-22
🦏🎸🥁🎸🦏

Posted by STILLWELL on Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Ex-IN FLAMES guitarist Jesper Strömblad, who has been sitting out THE HALO EFFECT's recent live shows in order to deal with his addiction and other demons, opened up about his ordeal in a brand new interview with A&P Reacts. Speaking about the fact that his THE HALO EFFECT bandmates have been supportive in his journey, going so far as to hire THE HAUNTED's Patrik Jensen to fill in for him at any gigs he is unable to play, Jesper said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "They have my back. They know that if we do some media stuff and I say that I have to bail because a panic attack is coming or something like that, they are, like, 'Yeah. Just go. We cover for you.' I have that net of people backing me up this time. So I'm gonna be on my feet and I'm gonna be on my full potential sooner than later.

"I got so much love," he continued. "I was so relieved to read the comments. It's not, like, 'Oh, not again. You never learn.' It was all just love. And that helps me a lot. And also that I have such a great support from the band and everyone involved with the band, that makes me also even more motivated to get well.

"I developed some kind of depression. I want to do stuff, but I'm not able to do that. It sounds weird, I know, but that's how the disease manifests itself. So I can never say, 'Oh, we have a show in two weeks. Okay, I'm gonna be there.' Maybe that day I'll have a good day, but I can never guarantee that from day to day. So that's what I have to adjust; I have to rewire. And there is some work left to do. But I have good doctors with me that help me out."

Regarding how he is going about dealing with his addiction differently this time around, Jesper said: "I've always been saying yes to everything, basically — like years ago, 'We're gonna do that thing. We're gonna do that show. We're gonna do that.' Okay, well, yes. And then I've been drinking to handle it. This is just an example. But now I'm just listening to my body, and if it says, 'No, but you shouldn't do this,' then I'm not doing it. And everyone is cool with it. And that feels so, so great, to have that support from the band. … And it's also very motivating for me to get well and come back on stage. I wanna be on stage rocking on stage. I'm so frustrated that I can't, but I have to listen to my body. There is a plan worked out, and if I just have discipline that I lack — I have to find it somewhere. But I am very optimistic. I am.

"Logically, I'm very happy — I know what is going on — but I cannot feel it," Jesper admitted. "It's weird and it's frustrating. And if you haven't experienced it, it's really hard to try to imagine [what I am talking about]. 'Hey, it's not that bad. Chin up.' If it was that easy, I would. But that's not the case. I have more good days than bad days; it's getting, like, more good days than bad days.

"I'm kind of a pessimist; I've always been. And now I say to myself, 'Why do I always wake up and say that it's gonna be a shitty day? I'm gonna wake up and say that it's gonna be a great day.' You never know what's gonna happen. A changed mindset — a rewired [brain] to get rid of the depression."

Strömblad went on to say that he is committed to getting better and conquering his demons once and for all.

"I have really good help. But it takes time," he said. "I would say that it's kind of post-traumatic stress that I have to go through and I have to deal with, that I always pushed ahead for the sake of the band or for the sake of a relationship or whatever. But now I have to think about myself a hundred percent. Because it's better that I sit out the tour and I come back and I am a hundred percent instead of me being always so-so. I'm kind of tired to be so-so. I wanna be on my full potential again. And I'm on my way — I am. I can feel it.

"The addiction, it led me to the depression, and that's a disease," he added. "And that's nothing to be ashamed of. That can happen to anyone at any point. And if I tell my story and I'm just honest with it, maybe it can inspire one guy to take that step and say that, 'Well, maybe I get the insight that I have a problem with alcohol' or 'I have a problem with drugs.' Because being a drunk in denial, that's like a full-time job, I tell you that… And I'm so tired of it."

THE HALO EFFECT, which also features fellow former IN FLAMES members Daniel Svensson (drums),Peter Iwers (bass),Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals),was officially launched last year, more than a decade after Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

THE HALO EFFECT released its debut album, "Days Of The Lost", on August 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.

THE HALO EFFECT made its live debut on June 11 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The show marked the first time in over a decade that Strömblad played with his former IN FLAMES bandmates.

Asked in a recent interview with Australia's "Scars And Guitars" podcast how Jesper's health is nowadays, Niclas said: "It's an ongoing battle — it is. He has his demons to fight with. We're with him in this fight. We are supportive, and it's all about love. He is in the band, and he's a bandmember, but it's from day to day, I think — but mostly way better than it has been… It's full-on support and love. And he's in a better place now today than he has been, as I mentioned. So he will be on stage [with] us, as much as he can do it, feel strong about it. No pressure from us. It has to feel good for him."

THE HALO EFFECT's first-ever tour will be as the support act for Swedish death metal giants AMON AMARTH and U.S. metallers MACHINE HEAD on 31 dates throughout Europe in the summer and fall of 2022.

At this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom, BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski spoke to Bloodstock TV's Oran O'Beirne about his battle with leukemia more than a decade ago. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It kind of makes you realize that life is very short. And that's it. And you'd better make the right use of it. … It's very existential and it just makes you think and it just makes you realize, 'This is it.' I know it does sound like a cliché, but it does feel like that. But then again, I wasn't really this reluctant guy that just backed off and [remained] in the shadow. It's my nature to be upfront and just ahead and, boom — I was that. So when I had started my second life or second coming, I'm even more that. And it felt like I came out alive and healthy. I'm gonna jump into deep water with no security, basically. And I'm gonna enjoy the fuck out of this water and waves. And I know there's gonna be tides and they'll be pushing me back but I'll keep on fucking swimming and just using all my resources, all my physical power to go through life the best I can. I'm still fucking making mistakes, but it's not about not making mistakes; it's about being aware of who you are, what you are, what you're supposed to do here. And I just realized, okay, I'm here to make a fucking statement, and I'm gonna prove that in three hours or four [when BEHEMOTH takes the stage at Bloodstock]."

Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2010 and, via the donation of bone marrow and extensive treatments, has since made a full recovery.

Two years after his diagnosis, he finally got to meet his donor, then-25-year-old Gregory Kite.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Nergal recalled being devastated when he first found out he had leukemia.

"I remember that the doctor handed me the printout with the description and the details about the type of leukemia I had and then he left," he said. "It was just me and my girlfriend in the room and I started crying. I had no idea what I was confronting. I just read the word, read that it may be fatal in many or most cases and it was shocking. I won't play the hero or pretend I'm a tough guy, but it took me maybe five minutes to get over the shock and very soon after' I was shaving my head. It looked like I was going to war and I needed a warlike attitude and a warlike haircut."

BEHEMOTH will release its 12th studio album, "Opvs Contra Natvram", on September 16 via Nuclear Blast.

Brian Johnson, AC/DC's legendary frontman, will publish his long-awaited autobiography, "The Lives Of Brian", on October 13, 2022 — a year later than originally planned.

The book will be published in the U.K. by Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of Penguin Random House, by publishing director Rowland White. It will be published simultaneously in the U.S. by Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins,.

Johnson joined AC/DC in 1980 after the death of previous lead singer Bon Scott.

His first album with the band, "Back In Black", went on to become the biggest-selling rock album of all time.

After a quarter century of platinum albums and record-breaking tours, he was forced to quit the band in 2016 after being diagnosed with hearing loss, but made a triumphant return in 2020 with the release of "Power Up", which went to No.1 in 21 countries. A successful competitive vintage racing car driver, Johnson has more recently enjoyed acclaim as the charismatic presenter of television shows "Cars That Rock With Brian Johnson" and "Brian Johnson: A Life Of The Road".

"I've had some long nights and some great nights, some bad days and a lot of good days, and during that time I've gone from choirboy to rock 'n' roll singer, and now I've gone and written a bloody book about it," says Johnson.

"Brian's memoir captures an unforgettable moment in rock history. Anyone who wants to understand Brian's roots as well as the moment of ignition when he joined AC/DC and helped create a monster album will be in for an unforgettable ride," says Dey Street Books SVP and executive editor Mauro DiPreta.

Rowland White says: "From growing up in the north-east, the son of a former British army sergeant-major and an Italian mother, to fronting world's biggest rock band, 'The Lives Of Brian' tells one of the best stories in music in Brian's own inimitable voice. His life has been a roller coaster of highs and lows during which success as a musician too often felt out of reach. But even when it seemed defeat had been snatched from the jaws of victory he never gave up. And throughout his feet have remained firmly planted on the ground. Warm, vivid, evocative, life-affirming and often laugh-out-loud funny, 'The Lives Of Brian' is a gold standard rock 'n' roll memoir from one of our most well-loved performers. Brian's one of a kind and I couldn't be more proud to be publishing his book."

Johnson was born to a steelworker and WWII veteran father and an Italian mother, growing up in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, a working-class town. He was musically inclined and sang with the church choir. By the early '70s, he performed with the glam rock band GEORDIE, and they had a couple hits, but it was tough going. So tough that by 1976, they disbanded and Brian turned to a blue-collar life.

Then 1980 changed everything. Bon Scott, the lead singer and lyricist of the Australian rock band AC/DC died at 33. The band auditioned singers, among them Johnson, whom Scott himself had seen perform and raved about. Within days, Johnson was in a studio with the band, working with founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd, along with producer Mutt Lange.

When the album, "Back In Black", was released in July — a mere three months after Johnson had joined the band — it exploded, going on to sell 50 million copies worldwide, and triggering a years-long worldwide tour. It has been declared "the biggest-selling hard rock album ever made" and "the best-selling heavy-metal album in history."

The band toured the world for a full year to support the album, changing the face of rock music — and Johnson's life — forever.

Touching, personal, indomitable, but always laugh-out-loud funny, "The Lives Of Brian" is the story of one of the world's best-loved performers, told in his own inimitable and unique voice.
I’ve had some long nights and some great nights, bad days and a lot of good ones. Now I’ve gone and written a bloody book about it… The Lives of Brian is coming this October. Pre-order your copy now: https://t.co/57hrcxliZ2pic.twitter.com/KEi6gJdpQ6

— Brian Johnson Racing (@BrianJohnson) September 5, 2022

Justin Hawkins has explained why he took the microphone away from Brian Johnson during the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at London's Wembley Stadium.

The mic handover occurred when the AC/DC singer and METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich joined the FOO FIGHTERS onstage at the September 3 event to run through a pair of AC/DC classics.

"Please welcome to the stage our good buddy Lars, and Brian Johnson from AC-fuckin'-DC," FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl said, as the group kicked into "Back In Black". About a minute into the track, Johnson seemingly motioned to Hawkins, who has no relation to Taylor Hawkins, fresh off his performance with Wolfgang Van Halen earlier in the day. THE DARKNESS frontman then walked out on stage and took the microphone from Johnson, before swapping lines with the legendary AC/DC vocalist.

"Woo, that was fun," Johnson exclaimed afterward. "I enjoyed that. Thank you." Johnson and Ulrich, along with the FOO FIGHTERS, then launched into a version of AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock" before Ulrich came from behind the kit to address the crowd.

"Taylor, I know you're watching," Ulrich said as he prepared to leave the stage. "I know you're hearing this. I know you're feeling this. We fucking love you. On behalf of everybody in METALLICA, nothing but love. Thank you Wembley. We'll see you soon."

Earlier today (Sunday, August 4),THE DARKNESS subtweeted a video of Justin's performance with Wolfgang and included the following message: "Wolfgang Van Halen shredding 'hot for teacher' with Dave Grohl & Justin Hawkins @foofighters @MammothWVH @thedarkness #TaylorHawkinsWembley #TaylorHawkins EVH is [smiling] somewhere".

In response, one person tweeted, "[Justin] should've gotten his ass kicked backstage for his little stunt during Back In Black", while another fan defended THE DARKNESS's singer, writing: "Brian called him onto the stage!" Justin then got involved the discussion himself, tweeting: "Yeah, 10 seconds before the AC DC section Brian told me to get up for the second verse of BIB. I didn't want to do it, never sung that before but DG said 'if Brian tells you to do something, you fucking do it.' Haha".

A short time later, Wolfgang Van Halen, who received rave reviews for his performance of a couple of VAN HALEN classics, weighed in, writing: "You're goddamn right! And you killed it", to which Justin responded: "Haha I wouldn't say that ;) To be honest, I feel like BJ just wanted to drag me up for a laugh and to give his voice a few seconds to recover in time for the rest of the track. I thought he did an AMAZING job and I'm always happy to help out when needed."

A number of other musicians from around the world gathered in support of Taylor, with various artists playing songs from FOO FIGHTERS' vast catalog.

The concert opened with former OASIS frontman Liam Gallagher performing his band's "Rock 'N' Roll Star" and "Live Forever", backed by the FOO FIGHTERS. Later, Grohl was seen breaking into tears as he performed "Times Like These".

Hawkins died in March in Bogota, Colombia due to a reported cardiovascular collapse at the age of 50.

He left behind his wife Alison Hawkins and three children — 16-year-old Oliver Shane, 13-year-old Annabelle and 8-year-old Everleigh.
Back In Black -Foo Figthers feat Brian Johnson, (AC/DC) Lars Ulrich (Metallica)#taylorhawkinstribute#taylorhawkins

🥁🎵🎼🎸🎶🎧🤘🏻🔊

pic.twitter.com/zagj5J9hQR

— Andres E. Florez M. 🎸🎶 (@andrumayorga) September 3, 2022


He should've gotten his ass kicked backstage for his little stunt during Back In Black.

— traddfolks (@traddfolks2) September 4, 2022


Brian called him onto the stage!

— Rob Durr (@Whiskybob77) September 4, 2022


Yeah, 10 seconds before the AC DC section Brian told me to get up for the second verse of BIB. I didn’t want to do it, never sung that before but DG said “if Brian tells you to do something, you fucking do it.” Haha

— Justin Hawkins (@JustinHawkins) September 4, 2022


Haha I wouldn’t say that ;) To be honest, I feel like BJ just wanted to drag me up for a laugh and to give his voice a few seconds to recover in time for the rest of the track. I thought he did an AMAZING job and I’m always happy to help out when needed.

— Justin Hawkins (@JustinHawkins) September 4, 2022


Me too mate.

— Justin Hawkins (@JustinHawkins) September 4, 2022

Taylor Hawkins's son Shane honored his late father Saturday night (September 3) with a powerful performance with the FOO FIGHTERS at a tribute concert in London.

At the event, which was held at Wembley Stadium, Shane sat behind the drum kit for a rendition of the FOO FIGHTERS' 1997 song "My Hero".

Prior to the start of the track, images of Shane and his dad were shown on the screen in the background before FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl introduced the young drummer to the audience.

Shane previously honored the late FOO FIGHTERS drummer by teaming up with the local band THE ALIVE to play drums on "My Hero" during a Fourth Of July Laguna Beach block party.

In 2018, Shane joined his father and Grohl on drums for a cover of THE ROLLING STONES' "Miss You" at a CHEVY METAL show in 2018.

A number of other musicians from around the world gathered Saturday in support of Taylor, with various artists playing songs from FOO FIGHTERS' vast catalog.

At the start of the event, Grohl paid tribute to his late bandmate, telling the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we've gathered here to celebrate the life, the music, and the love of our dear friend, our bandmate, our brother Taylor Hawkins. For those of you who knew him personally, you know that no one else could make you smile or laugh or dance or sing like he could. And for those of you that admired him from afar, I'm sure you've all felt the same thing."

The concert opened with former OASIS frontman Liam Gallagher performing his band's "Rock 'N' Roll Star" and "Live Forever", backed by the FOO FIGHTERS. Later, Grohl was seen breaking into tears as he performed "Times Like These".

Hawkins died in March in Bogota, Colombia due to a reported cardiovascular collapse at the age of 50.

He left behind his wife Alison Hawkins and three children —Oliver Shane, 13-year-old Annabelle and 8-year-old Everleigh.

Wolfgang Van Halen's mother says that he "killed it" during his performance with Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert.

Valerie Bertinelli took to Twitter on Saturday (September 3) and subtweeted a video showing Wolfgang rocking out onstage earlier in the day with Grohl, THE DARKNESS singer Justin Hawkins and acclaimed session drummer Josh Freese at Wembley Stadium in London. Bertinelli wrote, "WOLFIE KILLED IT. So proud of you @WolfVanHalen."

The four musicians played two VAN HALEN classics as a tribute to Taylor at the late FOO FIGHTERS drummer's memorial concert in London.

Prior to launching into the first of the two tracks, "On Fire", Grohl told the audience: "It should come as no surprise that Taylor was a huge VAN HALEN fan. Remember those tights? We are lucky enough tonight to have with us a real Van Halen. Would you please welcome Mr. Wolfgang Van Halen to the stage right now."

FOO FIGHTERS frequently covered VAN HALEN in concert, including during their 2015 tour when "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" was a staple of the Grohl-fronted band's setlist.

Earlier this summer, Wolfgang spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about why he is adamant about not playing VAN HALEN covers when touring with his own band MAMMOTH WVH.

"People are like, 'Oh, don't mention VAN HALEN. He hates VAN HALEN.' It's, like, 'It's my fucking name. Why would I hate it? It's my dad. I love my dad. I was in the fucking band.' I don't hate it at all."

He continued: "All I've ever said is I don't want to play VAN HALEN music at MAMMOTH shows. I'd rather bomb with my own stuff than gain attention for playing dad's. Expecting to hear VAN HALEN at a MAMMOTH show is like expecting to hear NIRVANA at a FOO FIGHTERS concert. And getting pissed off that they didn't play NIRVANA."

Elsewhere in the discussion, Wolfgang addressed rumors of a potential tribute concert for his father, who died in October 2020 after a years-long cancer battle.

"What I can say is that there was an attempt at doing something," he said. "But, you know, I don't like to speak negatively about people, but there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to VAN HALEN.

"After being in VAN HALEN for a long time, I really have strived to have an environment where there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with," he added. "It's just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. From my time in VAN HALEN, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. And, I think, that's what happened."

Bertinelli split with Van Halen in 2002 after 21 years of marriage. They officially divorced in 2007. Eddie then went on to marry Janie Liszewski in 2009, while Valerie also remarried, tying the knot with Tom Vitale in 2011. Valerie told People magazine that both marriages were struggling before Eddie's death. She eventually filed for separation from Vitale in November 2021.

Eddie died at the age of 65. The legendary VAN HALEN guitarist passed away at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

Eddie was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000 and had tongue surgery. He later battled lung cancer and had been receiving radiation treatment in Germany. Things took a turn for the worse in early 2019 when Eddie got in a motorcycle accident. He was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor, and received gamma knife radiosurgery to treat the illness.
WOLFIE KILLED IT
So proud of you @WolfVanHalen 🤍 https://t.co/OdGNjlohln

— Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) September 3, 2022


Thank you for everything, Taylor.

That was for you, and for Pop ❤️

📸: @pb93pic.twitter.com/MIXGjRnFU6

— Wolfgang Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) September 4, 2022


After watching #taylorhawkinstribute I am curious how the two Van Halen songs were chosen. Both such great ones; would never guessed “On 🔥” would make the cut, but was amazing live! Perhaps particular favorites of @taylorhawkins ?

pic.twitter.com/s1hkvtp0NP

— Greg Renoff (@GregRenoff) September 4, 2022

Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW),Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP),Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES) and Gilby Clarke (GUNS N' ROSES) performed at a private party Saturday night (September 3) at Usina Monte Alegre, a 400,000-square-meter space in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The event was staged by Sthorm, a mission-driven special unit leveraging blockchain technologies for the advancement and dissemination of social and environmentally applied sciences, and it was attended by only 300 guests, including soccer player Ronaldo Fenômeno, socialite Ana Paula Junqueira, artist Tulio Dek and wingsuit champion Gabriel Lott.

One of the invited guests, Paulo Baron, head honcho of entertainment company Top Link Music, shared video footage of the performance by Bach, Gibbons, Sorum and Clarke as well as several photos from the party. Check them out below.

Sorum is the co-founder of Sthorm, which has been described as a global hub of future-minded entrepreneurs, scientists, cypherpunks, and artists collaborating to drive disruptive solutions that have a genuine impact on society.

Sorum, who has also played with THE CULT, VELVET REVOLVER and HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, is not involved with GN'R's hugely successful reunion, which features singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan alongside drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

The 61-year-old musician, who replaced Steven Adler in GUNS N' ROSES, recorded the highly successful albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" (both 1991) and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1994). He also supported the group on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and can be heard on GUNS N' ROSES' "Live Era: '87-'93" (1999) and "Greatest Hits" (2004).

Matt was among the GUNS N' ROSES members who were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2012. He, Adler, Slash and McKagan attended the ceremony, while Rose and founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin stayed home.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paulo Baron (@toplinkmusic)



View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paulo Baron (@toplinkmusic)



View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paulo Baron (@toplinkmusic)