Fan-filmed video of DIMMU BORGIR's August 13 performance at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom can be seen below.

Two years ago, DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz) spoke to the "Vox&Hops" podcast about how his band has changed the way it approaches touring. He said: "We obviously have gotten older. Most of us have kids now. It's not like it was in the early days when we could go on tour seemingly on short notice and plug in and play. We've never really been a plug-in-and-play band anyway, but now a lot of planning [goes] into it. And we have set the limit for two or three weeks at a time and concentrate on doing quality shows. Especially when we tour South America, have a day between each show, because you travel and you get offstage at two in the morning, and then lobby call at five in the morning is not gonna work — not unless we're gonna do a proper show. And I think that's what the fans deserve. We deserve to be at our best, and you need to be rested.'

He continued: "Flying a lot during a short period of time can really wear you out. It's not the playing on stage that wears you out; it's all the waiting and all the stuff around it… There's a financial aspect to it as well, which is something that we, when you do touring like that, you know that, okay, you can come home with a better paycheck if you do things in a row and you don't have days off. But at the same time, it's important to keep the health as well, especially in this day and age. It didn't use to be like that. And we learned from the past — I hope."

In October 2020, Silenoz confirmed to Australia's "Everblack" podcast that DIMMU BORGIR was hard at work on material for the follow-up to 2018's "Eonian" LP. Speaking about the musical direction of the new DIMMU songs, he said: "It's obviously always strange to talk about it that early in the songwriting process, but I feel like it might be a little more stripped down. And that's probably not saying too much, because we have so much of everything. But I feel like we're looking at maybe toning it down a little bit, especially on the orchestral side. So people shouldn't be too surprised if they get a bit more stripped-down version of DIMMU on the next album."

In January 2020, Silenoz told Extreme Metal Festival News that DIMMU BORGIR would likely "take a more aggressive turn" with the upcoming effort. "Now with [bassist] Victor [Brandt] in the band, with him also being a guitarist, there will be four of us writing guitar riffs," he said. "It would surprise me if the album will be more guitar-orientated, which I don't mind."

"Eonian" was released right in time for the band's 25th anniversary in 2018, about eight years after its predecessor, "Abrahadabra". Since then, the infernal core trio consisting of Shagrath, Silenoz and Galder has played various tours all around the world, including shows at leading metal festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest.

On December 23rd, 2021 Scardust performed a Nightwish tribute show in Tel Aviv, Israel at Haezor. They have shared pro-shot video of their "Ghost Love Score" performance, which includes The Hellscore Choir. Check it out below.


The Scardust setlist on the night was as follows:


"Wishmaster"
"Noise"
"Amaranth"
"Wish I Had an Angel"
"Nemo"
"Angels Fall First"
"The Islander"
"Storytime"
"Ghost Love Score"
"Sleeping Sun"

As three-time Grammy-nominated hard rock quartet Nothing More gear up to hit the road later this month alongside In This Moment, the band have shared a fourth new track, “You Don’t Know What Love Means,” from their upcoming album Spirits -  out October 14 and available for pre-order now. The impassioned song examines what happens when one tries to make a one-sided relationship work with all-too-real lyrics— “I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, there’s no rest, there’s no peace”—which leads into frontman Jonny Hawkins’ fervently belting out its chorus, “You don’t know what love means, and it's killing me.”


“We’re glad this song is finally getting out there so we can dig into the emotional and intimate side of the album,” says Hawkins. “The lyrics and tone of this one feels like it hits in a similar way that ‘Go To War’ and ‘Jenny’ did. It’s going to feel huge playing this next one on tour.”


“You Don’t Know What Love Means” follows previously released album tracks “Spirits” and “Turn It Up Like.” The lead-off track “Tired Of Winning” is currently #6 on Billboard’s Active Rock chart, and the extended version, “Tired Of Winning / Ships In The Night”, is also included on The Retaliatiors Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Better Noise Film’s upcoming horror-thriller The Retaliators.




Spirits combines Nothing More’s unapologetically massive anthems, catchy hooks, and progressive music with introspective, philosophical lyrics and thought-provoking emotionalism. Its eleven tracks were co-written by all band members--Hawkins [vocals], Mark Vollelunga [guitar], Daniel Oliver [bass], and Ben Anderson [drums]--and their longtime manager and co-producer Will Hoffman. The album documents the tumultuous time the world experienced over the past two years capturing the desperation and isolation of lockdown, the spiral of substance abuse, the pain of broken relationships, and survival in self-reliance while summarizing the overall story and mission of Nothing More.


Nothing More have also partnered with Z2 Comics (The Doors, Machine Gun Kelly, The Grateful Dead) to release their first-ever graphic novel “Spirits Vol.1” authored by Dan Watters (Cowboy Bebop, Arkham City: The Order of The World) and illustrated by Christian Rosado. The graphic novel will be released in Spring 2023 and be available in a standard edition hardcover, a deluxe edition oversized hardcover, a limited deluxe edition oversized hardcover hand-signed by band (999 copies total) and a special tour-only softcover only available for purchase in-person at Nothing More shows or directly via their website.


The band recently unveiled their own meta-personality test, “Spirits Test,” developed by frontman Jonny Hawkins, which features 25 psychometric questions then determines your “Spirit Type.” Each Spirit Type has its own character and personality descriptions which are further explored in the upcoming graphic novel. Deluxe edition bundles for “Spirits Vol. 1” will highlight the Spirit Types with bundles including Spirits art prints, cards, an Eight-Sided Nothing More Spirits Octahedron, Spirits enamel pin, an exclusive color variant Spirits vinyl and more.


Throughout 25 questions, the Spirits Test measures psychometrics of your dominant modes and perceptions to determine your “Spirit Type”. Each Spirit Type has its own personality description with correlating elements, paths and perceptions as well as symbolic characters which the band have revealed across recent releases. The Spirits Test artwork (as seen below) was illustrated by Micah Ulrich (Lacuna Coil, Chelsea Grin, Post Malone).





Watch the below video for an introduction to the Spirits Test from Hawkins. Take the Spirits Test here, and share your results online with the band by using the hashtag #SpiritsTest.





Hawkins explains more on the “Spirits Test” and “Spirit Types”:


“The comic book focuses on four of the Spirit Types. As we were making the album, I came up with the concept for the Spirits Test. Imagine if the zodiac had a baby with the Meyers Briggs personality test, and that baby came out with a fascination with cryptic iconography and metal music… that is this test. Each of us has a Spirit Type and this comic book is an artistic expression of how those Spirit Types come to life in a world very much like our own.


Guitarist Mark Vollelunga shares how the idea for a graphic novel developed:


“I set forth on this collaboration with Z2 comics, and our manager, Will Hoffman, with the idea to expand the Nothing More world and allow the reader to dive deeper down the rabbit hole and elaborate on what these Spirit Types mean; where they came from and why they exist. We wanted to write stories that invoke a compelling sense of empathy and wonder while maintaining a very personal connection to Nothing More songs. Dan Watters was the perfect dude for the job. He’s such a brilliant, captivating writer. Both of us shared inspiration from shows like The OA and Sense 8 and we wanted to accentuate the differences all people have when something in your life wrecks you…and that even though these differences may seem polarizing, we all still need each other. It’s because of these differences that you learn to survive and grow. This story shows that great strength and mutual respect come to those who learn how to embrace one another despite such differences.”





Preorder “Spirits Vol. 1” at z2comics.com.


Out worldwide on October 14 via Better Noise Music, Spirits’ 13 tracks consist of the band’s most focused, adventurous, and intense music, uniting introspective philosophical lyrics with unapologetically massive anthems. Preorder here.





Tracklisting:


“Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)”
“Tired Of Winning”
“Ships In The Night”
“You Don’t Know What Love Means”
“Don’t Look Back”
“The Other F Word”
“Face It”
“Best Times”
“Déjà vu”
“Dream With Me”
“Neverland”
“Valhalla (Too Young To See)”
“Spirits”


"You Don't Know What Love Means" video:





“Tired Of Winning” / “Ships In The Night” video:





“Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)”:





“Spirits”:








Tour dates:


August
26 - Evansville, IN - Old National Events Plaza
27 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
28 - Clive, IA - Horizon Events Center
30 - Albuerque, NM - The Sunshine Theater*


September
1 - Lubbock, TX - Lonestar Events Center
2 - Dallas, TX - Southside Ballroom
3 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
6 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
8 - Alton, VA - Blue Ridge Rock Festival
9 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
10 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
12 - Knoxville, TN - The Concourse*
13 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE - outdoor stage
15 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theatre
17 - Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
18 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
20 - Columbus, OH - Kemba Live
21 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora
23 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life Festival
24 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Center
25 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live (no Nothing More)
27 - Maplewood, MN - Myth Live
28 - Grand Forks, ND - Alerus Center
30 - Great Falls, MT - Centene Stadium


October
1 - Spokane, WA - The Podium
3 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
4 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schinitzer Concert Hall
5 - Reno, NV - Grand Theatre
7 - Garden City, ID - Revolution Concert House and Event Center
8 - Central Point, OR - Bi-Mart Amphitheater
11 - San Diego, CA - Observatory North Park
12 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
14 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
15 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
16 - Billings, MT - Pub Station*
18 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral
19 - Kansas City, MO - Midland Theatre
21 - Chicago, IL - Radius
22 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom


*Nothing More headlining


(Photo - Jody Domingue)

Salt Lake City's Chelsea Grin have teamed up with OneRPM and will release a career-altering double-LP: Suffer In Hell and Suffer In Heaven.


Suffer In Hell will be released globally on November 11, 2022, while Suffer In Heaven will arrive on March 17, 2023. Preorder here. Preorder bundles include limited edition vinyl variants (only 500 produced) and a new merch line. 


"Origin Of Sin," the first single from Suffer In Hell, is a true flame thrower. Watch the video below.







"It is written that human life has crawled forth from the darkest points of our existence, it is said life even when set ablaze returns a new like a phoenix from ash," says singer Tom Barber. "Many men have proclaimed to see, understand, and sometimes claim to have a gift from the gods. This is our creation for you, each song a representation of the trials and tribulations of life, each word chosen to represent an emotion, there is no greater story than the unknown and we believe this record will paint a picture only your mind can see."


He finishes, "We talk about self-doubt, overcoming inner demons, triumph of good over evil, and living neutrally amongst the darkness. Also, I can't really think about a reason for a double record other than it's fucking bad ass."





Suffer In Hell tracklisting:


“Origin Of Sin”
“Forever Bloom” (feat. Trevor Strnad)
“Deathbed Companion”
“Crystal Casket”
“Flood Lungs”
“The Isnis”
“Mourning Hymn”
“Suffer In Hell, Suffer In Heaven”





Suffer In Heaven tracklisting:


“Leave With Us”
“Orc March”
“Fathomless Maw”
“Soul Slave”
“The Mind Of God”
“Yhorm The Giant”
“Sing To The Grave”
“The Path Of Suffering”


Chelsea Grin on tour with Kaonashi and Filth:


September
9 — Jacksonville, NC — Hooligans 
10 — Alton, VA ­­— Blue Ridge Rock Fest 
11 — Louisville, KY — Headliners Music Hall
13 — Grand Rapids, MI — Stache
14 ­— Indianapolis, IN — Emerson Theater
15 — Nashville, TN —The End
16 — Spartanburg, SC — Ground Zero
17 — Orlando, FL — Central Florida Metal Fest

In continued celebration of their 50th anniversary, the four-time Grammy Award-winning and Diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith, (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer), recently launched 50 Years Live!: From The Aerosmith Vaults, the band’s new “official bootleg” streaming concert series featuring five deep, archival, and unreleased multi-camera live shows from Aerosmith’s vast personal vaults.


Available now is Live From Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, PA (1993). Filmed live at The Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheatre on July 2, 1993 during the Get A Grip Tour, Aerosmith continues to be an unstoppable force rock, delivering a high energy set with all the same swagger and attitude they had from day one. The tightly knit band belts out classics such as “Eat The Rich,” “Janie’s Got A Gun,” “Livin' On The Edge” and “Cryin'.” Unearthed from Aerosmith’s legendary archive for the very first time and remastered in HD from the original master tapes.







For 50 Years Live!: From the Aerosmith Vaults, producer Steve Berkowitz, along with long-time Aerosmith employees Tommy Higgins & John Bionelli, combed through the band’s vast Vindaloo Vaults, unearthing a treasure trove of filmed concerts recorded in the original formats of the day, covering the band’s history throughout the decades. With the help of Director and Producer Jennifer LeBeau (Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon), this footage was carefully transferred and converted to digital to help preserve these historic recorded documents. Produced by Steve Berkowitz and Dennis Wolfe, the video and audio restoration was skillfully conducted by Vanderquest UK and Formosa Sound, giving these performances the highest possible visual and sonic quality.


For five consecutive weeks, Aerosmith’s official website and YouTube channel will premiere a different concert every week from each decade. With each show, the band’s official online store will also feature a new collection of exclusive merchandise capsules celebrating each decade. Head here.





Aerosmith are set to return to Las Vegas to bring their critically acclaimed residency, Aerosmith: Deuces Are Wild to the Dolby Live at Park MGM.  Kicking off September 14 - with shows running through December 11 - the residency is the first live concert experience presented in Dolby Atmos® at Dolby Live. Dolby Live is one of the world’s most technologically advanced performance venues for enjoying live music in Dolby Atmos. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/aerosmith.  


In addition to their upcoming dates in Las Vegas, Aerosmith is set to perform at Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor, Maine on September 4 before they head to Boston for a show at the historic Fenway Park on September 8.  For ticket information, visit Aerosmith.com.

Peaceville Records will release a new Mayhem boxset, Pure Fucking Armageddon, on September 19.


The Pure Fucking Armageddon boxset contains 6 LPs, including the cult 1986 Pure Fucking Armageddon demo itself, plus also the final complete Pure Fucking Armageddon rehearsal, spanning 90 minutes and featured here across 2 LPs (including talking between songs and multiple takes of tracks - nothing has been cut). In addition to these essential pieces of metal history, Mayhem’s classic April 1985 gig live in Ski is also included (LP and DVD), where they performed a selection of cover tracks.


The boxset concludes with an 80-page book with Necrobutcher’s recollections and unique pictures from the very first Mayhem photo sessions, along with interviews, and other rarities from the mid-80s. The set also contains a classic early era band poster.




And finally finally - with the box set you'll receive a cassette tape of Mayhem's PFA demos.


Pre-order the set here, and watch a video trailer below.





Tracklisting:


Disc 1:


Side A
"Voice Of A Tortured Skull" (PFA demo) [02:29]
"Carnage" (PFA demo) [04:17]
"Ghoul" (PFA demo) [03:32]
"Black Metal" (PFA demo) [02:06]
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA demo) [02:39]


Side B
"Mayhem" (PFA demo) [01:48]
"Ghoul" (PFA demo) [03:43]
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA demo) [02:39]
"Carnage" (PFA demo) [04:23]
Hidden Outro (PFA demo) [03:14]


Disc 2:


Side A
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session A) [03:44]
"Ghoul "(PFA rehearsal session A) [03:56]
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:03]
Intros (PFA rehearsal session A) [07:56]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:19]
"Black Metal" (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:56]


Side B
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA rehearsal session A) [03:02]
"OI" (PFA rehearsal session A) [03:18]
"Witching Hour" (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:11]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session A) [01:20]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:54]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session A) [05:10]
Intro (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:38]
Outro (PFA rehearsal session A) [02:28]


Disc 3:


Side A
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:45]
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:01]
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:53]
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA rehearsal session B) [01:54]
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:41]
"Black Metal" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:24]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:12]
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:40]


Side B
"Carnage" (PFA rehearsal session B) [04:25]
"Ghoul" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:04]
"Black Metal" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:17]
"Pure Fucking Armageddon" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:31]
"Black Metal" (PFA rehearsal session B) [02:49]
"Black Metal" (PFA rehearsal session B) [03:06]


Disc 4:


Side A
"Jagermeister" (Checker Patrol) [02:12]
"Barbeque Of Hell" (Checker Patrol) [01:47]
"Checker Patrol "(Checker Patrol) [02:00]
"Ritze Ratze Rotze" (Checker Patrol) [02:08]


Side B
"Metalion In The Park" (Checker Patrol) [02:22]
"Fuck Off And Die" (Checker Patrol) [01:34]
"Satan Dies In Hell" (Checker Patrol) [00:40]
"Barbeque Of Hell Part 2" (Checker Patrol) [01:16]
"Off Course" (Checker Patrol) [00:22]
"Throwing Glass" (Checker Patrol) [02:00]
"Satan Dies In Hell" (Checker Patrol) [00:37]


Disc 5:


Intro / "Black Metal" (Live In Ski) [04:44]
"Procreation Of The Wicked" (Live In Ski) [03:00]
"Welcome To Hell" (Live In Ski) [05:19]


Disc 6:


Side A
Panic Interview 1985 [23:32]


Side B
Panic Interview 1985 [22:47]


Disc 7:


Intro / "Black Metal" (Live In Ski - video) [04:44]
"Procreation Of The Wicked" (Live In Ski - video) [03:00]
"Welcome To Hell" (Live In Ski - video) [05:19]

ARCH ENEMY has released the official music video for the song "The Watcher". The clip was created by Jens De Vos of Panda Productions and was filmed at the Wacken Open Air festival on August 6.

"The Watcher" is taken from ARCH ENEMY's 11th studio album, "Deceivers", which arrived on August 12 via Century Media Records.

Speaking about ARCH ENEMY's decision to release more singles than usual this time around, singer Alissa White-Gluz told Duke TV: "I actually like singles anyways; I like that idea. As long as there's an album coming up, I like the idea of giving almost every song the time and attention that it needs, because when we're writing the album and recording it, every song gets an equal amount of time and attention. It's not like the two singles get more than the others; we dedicate ourselves fully to every song. So I'm happy to see more songs getting that kind of dedicated attention from the audience as well."

Added guitarist Michael Amott: "It's kind of exciting to release songs one by one with these videos and streaming on the DSPs and stuff. Actually, it's worked out very, very well. And we noticed now when we had our concert tour in North America that… we were playing three of the singles — 'Handshake With Hell', 'House Of Mirrors' and 'Deceiver, Deceiver' — and they went down super well; [they were] very recognized by the fans and people singing along and so forth. So it was really great."

In May, ARCH ENEMY released a new seven-inch single, "Sunset Over The Empire", with the title track also appearing on "Deceivers". The official music video for "Sunset Over The Empire", directed by Grupa13, was made available the same day.

ARCH ENEMY played the first show of "The North American Siege 2022" tour with BEHEMOTH and NAPALM DEATH on April 16 at The Marquee in Tempe, Arizona.

Amott previously stated about "Deceivers": "Having just celebrated our 25th anniversary as a group and now releasing our 11th studio album, one could easily assume that we would be cruising along and going through the motions at this point. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to ARCH ENEMY and our new album, 'Deceivers'.

"It is, without a doubt, always a challenge to raise the bar each time in both the songwriting and production side of things, and it can feel a bit daunting before we get into it. But once we do get started and fully immerse ourselves in the creative process, it's really like there is nothing else in the world and we are very focused. And believe it or not, for the most part, we have a ton of fun making this music! Creating 'Deceivers' was no different. Once again we shut out the outside world and went deep into the artistic zone. I believe we pulled out some really interesting musical and lyrical themes this time, a few things might even raise an eyebrow or two — while retaining all the signature elements of the band. In the end, it's ARCH ENEMY at full speed and power."

ARCH ENEMY is appearing at select summer festivals before embarking on the rescheduled "European Siege 2022" trek (with BEHEMOTH, CARCASS, UNTO OTHERS) in the fall.

Otherwise and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have presented the second song to be revealed from the band’s upcoming new studio album. Watch “Exit Wound” below:





Singer Adrian Patrick shares, “I'd be lying if I said I've never sat at the end of my bed with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a pistol in the other. The toll that life can take on you can be unbearable at times...but the beauty is in pushing through it, persevering so that others can draw strength from you. Your fate may already be written, so live your life like you're gonna die tomorrow... live your life like a fucking Exit Wound."  Lead guitarist Ryan Patrick reflects, “This life can be a complete mind fuck. I've dealt with depression and doubt for many years. ‘Exit Wound,’ to me, represents standing up, dusting the dirt off, and wearing my scars proudly. It is ok to not be ok. It is ok to talk about it. Just don't give up, and turn the volume way up in the meantime."




The Las Vegas quartet—Adrian Patrick [vocals], Ryan Patrick [guitar], Nick Bedrosian [bass], and Joe Conner [drums]—have weathered personal tragedy and trauma, withstood the tides of the industry, and still stand tall. If anything, the boys are stronger than ever with a one-two punch of airtight guitars, stadium-shaking grooves, and hypnotic hard-hitting hooks. Over the past decade, they’ve clawed their way through the rock ‘n’ roll ranks and emerged as an unbreakable force. Their catalog spans fan favorites such as True Love Never Dies [2012], Peace At All Costs [2014], and Sleeping Lions [2017]. 


Signature anthem “Soldiers” has amassed over 66 million Spotify streams and counting.  Meanwhile, 2019’s Defy kickstarted another chapter. “Crossfire” eclipsed 5.1 million Spotify streams followed by “Lifted” with 3.7 million Spotify streams. On this trip, they’ve also ignited the stages of Welcome To Rockville, Rocklahoma, and Shiprocked! as well as supporting Stone Sour, Papa Roach, and more.


“Honestly, we have lived every single note and each fucking lyric we’ve written,” Adrian declares. “We don’t have costumes or a gimmick. We’re just dudes on stage singing about what we’ve gone through.”


Otherwise inspire change in the world at large. Ryan and Adrian lead the 501c3 Life By Music, which supplies music programs with instruments. The guys visit schools, initiated a partnership with Gibson Guitars, and even have created the Guitar Magic coloring book.  “Hopefully, we’re creating an empowering environment where kids get the spark like I remember when music affected my soul,” Ryan goes on. “There’s nothing like seeing that. It’s cooler than anything we’ve done. It brings back the purity.”


August
13 – Springfield, MO – Southbound
14 – Tulsa, OK – Vanguard
17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Liquid Joes
18 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
19 – Cheyenne, WY – The Outlaw Saloon
20 – Greeley, CO – Moxi Theater
22 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre
23 – La Crosse, WI – La Crosse Queen Riverboat
24 – Antioch, IL – Blarneys Island
26 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
27 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway (with Godsmack)
29 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
30 – Atlantic City, NJ – Bourre
31 – Reading, PA – Reverb


September
2 – Winchester, VA – Blue Fox Billiards
3 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
6 – Horseheads, NY – The L
7 – Lakewood, OH – Winchester Music Tavern
8 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
9 – Marietta, OH – Adelphia Music Hall
11 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022
30 – Henderson, NV – The Dollar Loan Center (with Godsmack)

In a new interview with "The Chuck Shute Podcast", Michael Sweet of openly Christian hard rockers STRYPER discussed the inspiration for the title and artwork for the band's upcoming studio album, "The Final Battle", which is due in October via Frontiers Music Srl. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The story behind the title and the artwork is the battle of Armageddon, which is ultimately the final battle, biblically speaking. And that's really what we're referring to, for the most part."

Asked if he thinks the battle of Armageddon — which refers to the final war between human governments and God, ultimately bringing human rulership to an end — is something that "coming soon," Sweet said: "Well, I'll tell you, man, if you say that in today's world, boy, you are labeled an instant loon — you're a loon, you're crazy and you need to be committed and you're out of your mind. But yet at the same time, when you go through the Bible, if you were to really dive deep into the Bible and have someone explain the theory of it to you and the stories that are behind the stories — so someone really smart, who isn't me — they could explain to you stuff that would make your chin hit the floor. And all the stuff that the Bible predicted that has already taken place, and really the only thing left is God's return and what follows after that, one of those things being the battle of Armageddon.

"People can laugh and sneer and think Christians are crazy, and that's fine," Michael continued. "I believe in the Bible, I believe what it says, and I think those times are coming. I think we're living in those times — absolutely, for sure. We live in a very interesting world, and I think everyone could at least agree on that — that times have changed dramatically in the past two years."

When asked by host Chuck Shute to clarify whether he truly believes we are "on the cusp" of the battle of Armageddon, Michael said: "Yeah, I do. Those people out there who watch this moment, when I say 'yeah,' who roll their eyes and think I'm crazy, that's fine. You guys can go ahead and keep thinking people like myself are crazy. The only thing I can say to that is when that day comes and it's reality, obviously everyone will know that those who believed weren't crazy, and then at that point it'll be too late for the people who thought those people were crazy."

When Shute noted that the people who are labeled "crazy" are the ones who claim that they know the exact date and circumstances leading up to the big apocalypse, Michael said: "And the Bible is very clear about that too: 'No man will know the hour.' No man knows the hour. You can't sit and [say], 'Okay, according to this timeline, yeah, He's coming on this day.' And that's what people try to do. You can't.

"I think we're definitely living in the end times, but that could be short, that could be relatively soon, in the very near future, or that could be in a relatively distant future," Sweet explained. "I don't think it's gonna be hundreds of thousands of years from now, but I think that it's coming and our time is marked. And look, we may get hit by a giant comet before God comes back. Who knows?

"I think sometimes we think we're invincible — nothing can hurt us — and, obviously, COVID kind of taught us a lesson on that, didn't it?" Michael added ."We are not invincible and anything can happen at any given time unexpectedly that leaves us in awe, saying, 'Oh my gosh. I had no idea. I never even imagined that ever happening.' And it can and will happen. It's just a matter of time."

Formed 39 years ago, STRYPER's name comes from Isaiah 53:5, which states: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

STRYPER's albums include "To Hell With The Devil", "Second Coming", "No More Hell To Pay", "Fallen", "God Damn Evil" and the band's latest effort, "Even The Devil Believes".

In a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Michael said that STRYPER was never fully embraced by the heavy metal and hard rock communities, largely because of the band's Christian lyrics.

"We've never been accepted by either side," he said. "The secular side, the mainstream, they've never accepted us to this day. We're probably that band that everyone's going to go to whenever there's a time to mock. We'll be the band used for that in most cases. Now on the Christian side, we've never really had the full support of the Christian side because we don't fit into their little club. We're not wearing suits and ties and going to every church and preaching."

“Openly Christian Loathing Website Posts Yet Another Article About The Metal Band Stryper and As Usual Fails To Post About What Stryper Is Actually Up To, Like They Do With Most Other Metal Bands”🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤣😂

Posted by Michael Sweet on Saturday, August 13, 2022

STRYPER Frontman Says BLABBERMOUTH.NET 'Fails To Post About' What His Band Is 'Actually Up To,' Shares BLABBERMOUTH.NET Article In Which He Talks About Inspiration For His Band's Upcoming Album Title

Posted by Blabbermouth.net on Saturday, August 13, 2022

“The Final Battle”

New Stryper album cover👊

Album coming in October 2022🙌

Posted by Michael Sweet on Saturday, August 13, 2022

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has once again said that he doesn't know exactly when and where the final concert of the band's "End Of The Road" tour will take place.

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but has since been extended to at least early 2023. The trek was announced in September 2018 following a KISS performance of the band's classic song "Detroit Rock City" on "America's Got Talent".

Gene discussed KISS's last-ever performance during an appearance on the latest installment of Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We don't know if it's [going to be in] New York. I have good reasons why it should be, but the important thing is when it's the last show, it'll be the last show. KISS the touring band will stop. But the touring band. KISS will continue in other ways. I have no problems with four deserving 20-year-olds sticking the makeup back on and hiding their identity.

"KISS will continue in ways that even I haven't thought of," Gene predicted. "But I can conceive of… You know, the 'Blue Man Group' and 'Phantom Of The Opera' tours around the world with different personnel. There could and should be a KISS show, kind of live on stage with effects and everything else, but also semiautobiographical thing about four knuckleheads off the streets of New York that ends with the last third as a full-blown celebration, a full-on performance. Not with us. Although not a problem stepping in every once in a while."

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Simmons and Paul Stanley (guitar, vocals),alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, drummer Peter Criss and lead guitarist Ace Frehley, KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

In early 2019, Stanley told Australia's "Sunday Night" that "Rock And Roll All Nite" "has to be" the song that KISS performs as the last encore at the final concert of the "End Of The Road" tour. "That is the rock anthem that connects the world," he explained. "It was the start of other people coming up with anthems. They really didn't exist, per se. So, 'Rock And Roll All Nite And Party Every Day', that's a song that just connects with people on all different levels."

Simmons concurred, telling BUILD Series: "How do you not end with 'Rock And Roll All Nite'? We will have played that song, probably without exception, more than any other song we've ever been involved with. You might say, 'Aren't you sick and tired of hearing that?' But I will tell you the roar of the crowd, the smell of the grease paint, there ain't nothing like it. When you hear everybody getting jazzed about that and you get off the stage... [it's] like the fire in the belly. You're dog-tired; you've just done a big show; and you get up on that stage, when you see the joy in everybody's face... We've seen it all. We've been around for generations, but when you see a little 5-year-old kid in KISS makeup on his dad's shoulders who's wearing KISS makeup, next to his father... we're badass kind of guys — nothing affects us much — but that stuff will put a lump in your throat. You have to turn around for a second. It gets me. Yes, it's music, but it's generational, and it brings families together instead of separates [sic] them."

Ingested will release their new album, Ashes Lie Still, on November 4 via Metal Blade. Today, the band has shared a guitar playthrough video for the first single, "Shadows In Time". Watch below:





Ingested offered a deeper insight into Ashes Lie Still as a whole, as well. "This is our most personal offering yet - 10 tracks of dark, brutal, and atmospheric extreme metal, written during some of the most difficult periods of our life and career as a band," Ingested explain. "We've sweat every ounce of passion into this record, and we can't wait for you to hear it in its entirety."




Ingested are the flagbearers of modern UK death metal. They have been churning out bilious anti-anthems for more than a decade-and-a-half, dropping a string of releases that have helped shape the genre. They return with Ashes Lie Still, their most dynamic, inventive, and daring release to date, holding nothing back. The band describes it as "a modern essential. It still has the core Ingested elements of groovy slamming riffs, quick drumming, and guttural vocals but there's also atmosphere, ethereal moments, and some raw old school aggression."


Over the course of 10 tracks, Ingested hack, slash, and steamroll through everything in their path, and Ashes Lie Still easily stands as the highpoint of an already impressive career.


Founded in 2006 in Manchester, England, Ingested have since toured extensively with Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Carnifex, and Revocation, and have been seen on European festival stages including Summer Breeze Open Air. Slimmed down to a three-piece, the band feels it is in the best place it ever has been, enabling the members to work at the top of their game.


Ashes Lie Still was co-produced by the band and previous collaborator Nico Beninato, with drummer Lyn Jeffs living close to Beninato's studio in Mallorca and recording his drums there, while Sean Hynes recorded his guitars at home in the UK with the producer assisting remotely. Vocal tracking was interrupted by Jason Evans falling seriously ill when finally making it to Mallorca and was ultimately tracked back in Manchester. Bass was again supplied by Dominic Grimard (Ion Dissonance/The Last Felony).


Ingested succinctly encapsulate their existence, saying, "We've always been the underdogs, always fighting for scraps. Well it's time to get out of the fucking way, because now it's our turn to eat at the table."





The album will come in several vinyl variants, all listed below:


* Clear with Black Smoke (US exclusive)
* Sunset Peach Marble (US exclusive)
* Violet purple marbled (EU exclusive ltd to 1000)
* Natural clear w/ white splatter (EU exclusive ltd to 250)
* White/orange color in color (EU exclusive ltd to 250)
* Natural clear w/ blue-purple, orange & black splatter (EU exclusive ltd to 250)


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Ashes Lie Still" (Feat. Julia Frau)
"Shadows In Time"
"You'll Never Learn"
"Tides Of Glass"
"From Hollow Words" (Feat. Sven de Caluwé)
"Sea Of Stone"
"All I've Lost" (Feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
"With Broken Wings"
"Echoes Of Hate"
"Scratch The Vein"
"Rebirth" (Digital version only; new mix by Christian Donaldson)


"Shadows In Time" video:





LIneup:


Jason Evans - Vocals
Sean Hynes - Guitars + Backing Vocals
Lyn Jeffs - Drums

Joey Belladonna has commented on his original split with ANTHRAX, saying he "got sideswiped out of" the band.

Belladonna, whose most recent return to ANTHRAX was officially announced in May 2010, was originally the lead singer of ANTHRAX from 1984 to 1992, and was considered part of the influential thrash metal group's classic lineup (alongside guitarists Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante), which reunited and toured during 2005 and 2006. His voice was featured on over 10 albums, which reportedly sold eight million copies worldwide.

The 61-year-old upstate New York-based singer reflected on his initial departure from ANTHRAX three decades ago during an appearance on a recent episode of the "Beer Rum & Rock N Roll" podcast.

Belladonna said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I didn't quit… Like, I wanted to sit around for 13 years while these guys just kept [going]. People don't wanna hear it, but that's the truth. Why would I quit?

"Forget about that record without me," he continued, apparently referring to 1993's "Sound Of White Noise" album, which featured John Bush on vocals. "I could have been on that record regardless of what they came up with. Let's just pretend they didn't even write that record yet. That record would have been cool too regardless of what you're already familiar with. I'm not saying whatever was on there wasn't right. I was in that car that rode into that record. I got sideswiped out of there.

"So, yeah, I didn't quit," Joey added. "I didn't quit anything. I don't want anybody thinking that, 'cause I wouldn't even have the heart to do that."

Belladonna also addressed the fact that he returned to ANTHRAX despite having been publicly dissed by some of the other members of the band in various interviews over the years.

"Some people are, like, 'Why the hell are you back with them? Why would you go back? That's stupid, man. You're an idiot. She cheated on you twice, dude. Don't go back with her. Come on, man. She's just gonna go out with that other guy tomorrow night,'" he said.

"It took them a long time to go, 'You suck. We didn't like you that much. And now you're all right.'

"Every day I walk in their presence in the room knowing that these people felt that way, 'cause I never felt that way about them," Joey admitted. "I don't feel that way about those people. I respect and I highly recommend everything that they do. And obviously I'm back. And I dig what we're doing right now, I dig what we're doing. But it's hard. It's hard. You get a complex, you know?"

Back in March 2010 — just a couple of months before Belladonna rejoined ANTHRAX — Ian and his wife Pearl Aday appeared on an episode of VH1's "That Metal Show" and took part in the program's "The Throwdown" feature, where the guests and the hosts debated who was the best singer for ANTHRAX: Bush or Belladonna. Countering co-host Eddie Trunk's point that ANTHRAX was in a unique position with Belladonna in the band of being able to "play incredible speed metal" while having "someone who could sing like a bird," Ian said: "We didn't need a bird; we needed a lion." After Pearl offered that she was a "huge fan" of "The Greater Of Two Evils", a collection of re-recorded older ANTHRAX tunes with Bush on vocals instead of Belladonna, Ian said: "And that's the way we, as ANTHRAX, wanted to hear those songs."

Speaking to Radio Metal in August 2011, Benante was asked about Ian's "That Metal Show" comments. He said: "I think Scott had to eat some of the words he said about that. But he only said that because I think he left things off with Joey kind of bad, and their relationship wasn't very well back then when he said that. And I think Scott just harbored some ill feelings towards Joey and I think that's kind of why he made that statement, you know?"

Last year, the members of ANTHRAX opened up about their 1992 split with Belladonna in a 40th-anniversary video focusing on the making of the aforementioned "Sound Of White Noise" album. Regarding the decision to part ways with Belladonna, Ian said: "By the time we finished the year-and-a-half touring cycle — 20, 21 months of touring cycle, and then '[Attack Of The] Killer B's' comes out. I think the last thing we did together as a band with Joey was [our appearance] on [the] 'Married With Children' [TV show]. And then it wasn't long after that when we made the change. But it wasn't a quick decision. We were very much a united front, the four of us. Because otherwise it wouldn't have happened.

"There's never an easy way to talk about this stuff," he continued. "Certainly when you're in the thick of it, when it's happening, it's horrible when you're having to make a decision like this. But it just really came down to, creatively, we all just felt like there was just no way for the band to move forward. We had just hit a wall. It was the heaviest decision in the history of the band, certainly. And even that I feel like doesn't give it the weight that it needs. And there was never anything personal with Joey — it was never personal with him. It just really came down to the creative ability for the band, honestly, to move forward. And I hate that it's something that happened.

"Obviously, things are meant to be," Scott added. "I am somewhat of a spiritual person. I've seen and done enough in my life to know that sometimes shit doesn't just happen randomly. The way everything worked out in the end, with Joey coming back in 2010, and the band, for the last 11 years, being creatively better than we've ever been and in a better place than we've ever been, I have to say that I really believe that it all worked out for some reason. That doesn't make it any easier on Joey certainly; there's nothing I can say that ever would."

Bello said about Belladonna's exit from the group: "It's so strange for me to even talk about this now, because Joey's back in the band now, and it's like he's never been gone.

"It was a hard thing when Joey was out," he admitted. "It was a change, but I think it was best for the band 'cause of where we were going. It was a hard decision. I think we were going in a different way musically, and you could hear it."

Added Benante: "The 1991 me was more arrogant than I am now. Because the problem is I love Joey so much, and at the time we were different people doing it, and we felt this was the only thing for us to take us into the next level or the next chapter of the band. Yeah, it was tough."

Ian previously opened up about the decision to fire Belladonna nearly three decades ago during a 2016 appearance on the "WTF With Marc Maron" podcast. He stated at the time: "I just truly didn't have the patience anymore. I think my biggest problem was I was writing the words, and I couldn't deal with the fact anymore that someone else was singing my lyrics, but I couldn't sing; there was no way I could be the singer of ANTHRAX. I think it really, really did come down to that — that I couldn't stand it anymore. These are my words, these are my feelings, it's my emotions, and you're not me. And even learning the songs and hearing them back, that's not how I hear it in my head. 'No, no. Like this. Like this. Like this. Like this.'"

He continued: "My solution at the time was turning around to the rest of the band and saying, 'It's either [Joey] or me.' I pulled the same shit Neil Turbin [former ANTHRAX singer] pulled years before that. I said, 'I can't do this again. We need to make a change.' And it wasn't just me holding the gun. Everyone was on the same page. Everyone felt like what we had done as ANTHRAX in the '80s into the early '90s, we had already moved past that. The sound was changing.

"If you listen to 'Persistence Of Time' [1990], musically, that record has more to do with 'Sound Of White Noise', the first John Bush record, than it has to do with 'State Of Euphoria' [1988], the previous ANTHRAX album. Musically, we were already going somewhere else, but Joey, for us, I guess at the time, felt like, 'He's not representing us anymore.'"

Ian went on to say that he has since come to see Joey's unique vocal contributions in a different light than he did more than twenty years ago. "Of course, I spent a year of my life writing a book ['I'm The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax'] and looking back on that time and really kind of getting back into those shoes, and… we should have given the guy a shot," he said. "Why we didn't give him the shot, I really don't know why we weren't able to… Because I even remember, I remember Jonny Z, our manager, he was, 'Are you sure? Are you sure this is the decision you wanna make?' 'Yes, yes, yes.'"

The guitarist added that at least part of the reason ANTHRAX made a singer change was to take the sound in a heavier direction, something that they didn't think was possible with Belladonna at the helm.

"I wanted it to be harder," Ian said. "I couldn't do it, but I wanted someone who could almost… I wanted it to be harder. I didn't want Lemmy — I didn't want it to sound like that — I just wanted it to be harder. And John [Bush] brought it, for sure."

Belladonna had been critical of ANTHRAX's decision to fire him at the height of the band's success, telling MikeJamesrRockShow.com six years ago: "Personally, it sucks just to think all those years went by that I didn't really have a chance to do anything. 'Cause I could have sang on any of those records [that were made during the John Bush era]. Not to say that what they did was… whatever reason and whatever style and all that stuff. I could have easily sang that regardless, no bones. It would have been easy to sing. It's just I think they were chasing some other idea. I always say that, whether they disagree. I don't think there was any reason to move. But you know what? We're here now."

Bush told Metal Talk about the task of replacing Joey Belladonna in ANTHRAX back in 1992: "I respect Joey Belladonna; he did great for ANTHRAX in his heyday and in the years that he made records and they were popular. You know, I think I just went out and did it from my heart and just said, 'Hey, I'm gonna go out and kick ass and sing to the best of my ability.' And I think we made some great records. I just think they were different records than what ANTHRAX did in the '80s."

He continued: "The funny thing is, sometimes there was this, 'Oh, we're the same band. Oh, we're the same band,' and looking back, well, we kind of were a little different band. I think we were. But at that time, we kept trying to convince people, 'Oh, it's the same band. It's the same band.' But when you make a singer change, the sound will change a little bit, which, that was what the intention was at the time."

ANTHRAX's latest album, "For All Kings", which features Belladonna, came out in February 2016 via Nuclear Blast.

During an appearance on today's (Thursday, August 11) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Ted Nugent reflected on his friendship with legendary VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "What a great man he was. What a force to reckon with, how he enriched our lives with his musical genius.

"And let me clarify, in case Howard Stern, his lying punks are listening, because they made up a dirty fucking lie on 'The Howard Stern Show', that I was jealous of Eddie and that we had a contention because of the way we played guitar. What a bunch of fucking liars.

"Eddie and I were dear friends," Ted continued. "When Eddie became clean and sober, guess who his first phone call was. To me. Because I lovingly prodded him to get the drugs and alcohol and tobacco out of his life. I did it in a loving way, and he was resistant, as most people are, but we had a wonderful relationship."

Nugent also recalled a conversation he had with Van Halen when VAN HALEN first opened for Ted 45 years ago.

"On that stage, I was fascinated to see what this guy was doing with a handmade guitar, back in '77," Nugent said. "And I went up and I said, 'Hi, Eddie. I'm Ted. What is this rig? It's awesome.' And he whipped out those unbelievable, unique licks of his. And he handed me his guitar. And even though it was this unique rig and the amplification and all these effects and just one of a kid, as soon as I started playing his bastard Stratocaster, it sounded like me, because of the way I touch the instrument. But not quite like a [Gibson] Birdland, because a Birdland just feeds back uncontrollably [laughs] — it's like an angry, pissed off beast. And I handed him the Birdland and it fed back and fed back.

"But here's the takeaway: it's in the hands and in the heart. It's in the spirit of the musician," Ted continued. "And when Eddie played my Birdland, and I was able to back it down a little bit so it wasn't so out-of-control feedback, on my Gibson Birdland through my Fender amps, it sounded like Eddie fucking Van Halen, because he is it. And even with his rig — I would play some of my licks; I played the 'Cat Scratch' lick and I played the 'Free-For-All' lick — it sounded like Ted fucking Nugent.

"But my point is: Eddie Van Halen, we all worship the gift he gave us," Nugent added. "There was never a negative moment between Eddie and I. He and I got along just great. And we loved the same kind of music. And he had a miraculous touch on the guitar, and I had my own touch. And that moment, with those two different guitars and two different rigs, it proves that it really is in the hands of the individual. And it was a great, great moment. I cherish that moment."

Three months ago, Nugent named Van Halen the best guitar player he has ever seen. "He was so diverse in not only his histrionics but his groove," he said about Eddie. "He had an unbelievable organic sense of rhythm in his delivery of not just exciting lead guitar parts but his grind of a grooving rhythm as a white kid. He really defied the history of who can groove like that. 'Cause I come from the world of The Funk Brothers of Motown, so I know what the gods of groove look and sound like. And Eddie Van Halen, the times I jammed with him, and just listening to the records, you can tell he had an unbelievable, uncannySuperman sense of rhythm beyond just his outrageous athleticism on the guitar neck."

Nugent's new studio album, "Detroit Muscle", was released in April via Pavement Music.

According to TMZ, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield and his wife of more than two decades have called it quits.

Sources close to the former couple tell the tabloid site James filed for divorce from Francesca Hetfield in their home state of Colorado earlier this year.

Hetfield met Francesca in 1992 and they have been married since 1997. The two are said to still be in touch as they co-parent their daughters Cali, 20, and Marcella, 16, and son Castor, 18.

This past May, Hetfield got emotional during a METALLICA concert in Brazil, admitting to the audience that he was "feeling a little bit insecure" prior to taking the stage.

James has been open about his battles with addiction, anxiety and low self-esteem in the past, most recently last fall while discussing the transformation he had to undergo in order to successfully front METALLICA during the touring cycle for the band's 1991 self-titled album, which stands as one of the top-selling records of all time.

He told Apple Music's Zane Lowe in October 2021: "There was such an expectation already on myself to not let the team down and be the best as possible. But then you add 60,000 people out there… You need to be what they need you to be, 'cause this is what you've evolved to be. And it is a little bit of Oz," referencing the classic 1900 children's book "The Wizard Of Oz" by L. Frank Baum which was then adapted into the two-time Oscar-winning film in 1939. "Like, the man behind the curtain, pay no attention, but this guy behind the curtain is just dying and struggling and freaking out and not knowing who he is."

He continued: "The word 'unraveling' is a great word, like unlearning, unlearning all of what happened before. That was a part of me, for sure, but it dominated all of me. And the parts that weren't happy about me — there's a huge codependence and insecurity, a lot of that — that… Gosh, I can't… I'm no good without these guys. Who am I? Off tour, it's, like, 'Who am I?' Like any first responder or football player or even a soldier, you take your uniform off and you're a civilian again. [And you start asking yourself] 'Who am I? I don't know who I am.' There was a lot of fear in that."

Five years ago, Hetfield told the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 that he doesn't read online comments from METALLICA fans. "I've got tons of friends that are either musicians or artists or someone who are creative and putting stuff out there. I just tell 'em, 'Don't read the comments. I mean, just don't. Unless you're feeling a little more secure in yourself these days,'" he said. "'Cause most of us artists are pretty fragile, insecure people, and we get up there and the music makes us feel strong and good. But other times when people… you know, someone says something about the lyrics, and it's just, like, 'Ouch! That went right in my heart, dude!' So I tell you, when you read that stuff, you can't believe it — you just can't. Most people… It's really easy just to hit 'send' [on your phone or computer] — I know that. But we also do get a lot of great comments out there that kind of work themselves out. It's like throwing a couple of pitbulls in a room — they work it out. You don't have to… Especially on the METALLICA site, they have people… it goes back and forth. And as long as there's passion, that's all that matters, really."

Back in September 2019, Hetfield re-entered a treatment program to work on his recovery from alcohol addiction. He had previously been to rehab nearly two decades earlier for the same problem.

In a 2003 interview with Kerrang! magazine, Hetfield spoke about his battle with the bottle and the much-publicized trip to rehab in 2001 that had seemingly enabled the singer to emerge a much healthier and more positive-thinking person that he was during much of the group's 40-year career.

"Going away to rehab taught me about priorities," he said. "I've been in METALLICA since I was 19 years old, which can be a very unusual environment, and it's very easy to find yourself not knowing how to live outside of that environment, which is what happened to me. I didn't know anything about life. I didn't know that I could come home and live a family life. I didn't know that I could live my life in a different way to how it was in the band since I was 19, which was very excessive and very intense. And if you have addictive behavior, then you don't always make the best choices for yourself. And I definitely didn't make the best choices for myself.

"But rehab is like college for your head," he continued. "I really learned some things about myself in there. I was able to reframe my life and not look at everything with a negative connotation. That's how I was raised. It was like a survival technique for me. And getting into METALLICA meant that initially I had to fight to survive, for food, for the towel, for the shower, for everything. And then fighting to be the best band you can be, and putting other bands down. Finding fault with everything was how METALLICA was fueled. And not only did I play a part in that, I was buried in that."

"[In rehab] I learned that every human being is born perfect. I learned that the flaws in ourselves comes from the things around us, from our backgrounds and influences. But when we're born, we all have the same-sized soul. There are certain things that are genetic, but that doesn't mean that I have to act in a certain way, and I didn't know that. My lifestyle has been very intense, and I didn't know how to remove myself from that. Rehab taught me how to do that. It basically taught me how to live."

"I was afraid of so many things. I'd look at other people's friendships and think, 'Man, why can't I have friendships like that?' But I didn't know how to. So I used to try and buy friendships."

Asked whether it was difficult to say to himself, "Look, things have gone too far for me, I need to reach out for help," James said: "Yes, it definitely was difficult. That was one of the most difficult things of all. I had no humility and I felt that I couldn't show any weakness. For me, I was James Hetfield of METALLICA rather than just James Hetfield. And I was trying to live that lifestyle at home, I was trying to wear that mask all the time. And it's amazing how long you can wear a mask for. We're performers who play music — I mean, this is us. This isn't an act. But now I've learned how to be more congruent with where I am. Admitting that sometimes being on tour really sucks, and that I would rather go home. Or that I'm not in a good mood right now, and not worrying if people turn around and say, 'Hey, you're an asshole.' That can't hurt me now, whereas I used to be so concerned that people liked me.

"There's a lot of machoism in this world, but I suppose the most manly thing you can do is face up to your weaknesses and expose them. And you're showing strength by exposing your weaknesses to people. And that opens up a dialogue, it opens up friendships, which is definitely what it has done for me."

During a 2017 interview with "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Hetfield spoke in more detail about checking into rehab 21 years ago and how he almost lost his family in the process.

"Fear was a big motivator in that for me," Hetfield said. "Losing my family, that was the thing that scared me so much. That was the bottom I hit, that my family is going to go away because of my behaviors that I brought home from the road. I got kicked out of my house by my wife; I was living on my own somewhere. I did not want that. Maybe as part of my upbringing, my family kind of disintegrated when I was a kid. Father left, mother passed away, had to live with my brother, and then kind of just, where did my stuff go? It just kind of floated away, and I do not want that happening. No matter what's going on, we're going to talk this stuff out and make it work."

He continued: "[My wife] did the right thing — she kicked my ass right out of the house and that scared the shit out of me. She said, 'Hey, you're not just going to the therapist now and talking about this. You've got to go somewhere and sort this shit out.' So that's what I did… What worked for me was seven weeks someplace — like, basically tearing you down to bones, ripping your life apart. Anything you thought about yourself or what it was, anything you thought you had, your family, your career, anything, gone. Strip you down to just — you're born. Here's how you were when you were born — you were okay. You were a good person. Let's get back to that again. Then they slowly rebuild you."

Hetfield's issues with addiction and alcoholism were detailed in the 2004 documentary "Some Kind Of Monster".

James and his family moved to the "super quiet" Vail, Colorado after decades of life in the San Francisco Bay Area. He told podcaster Joe Rogan that loved visiting Vail because he could feel like "a part of nature" and take part in one of his favorite hobbies, hunting, with less judgment.

"I kind of got sick of the Bay Area, the attitudes of the people there, a little bit," Hetfield said. "They talk about how diverse they are, and things like that, and it's fine if you're diverse like them. But showing up with a deer on the bumper doesn't fly in Marin County. My form of eating organic doesn't vibe with theirs."

Hetfield also said that in the Bay Area, he felt "that there was an elitist attitude there — that if you weren't their way politically, their way environmentally, all of that, that you were looked down upon."

James said he and his wife also chose Vail because she grew up there after being born in Argentina, and because he just feels more "at home" in the mountains.

A group of British politicians are calling for the members of BLACK SABBATH to be honored for their services to music.

A cross-bench selection of MPs (members of Parliament) have joined forces with the leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, and the deputy leader, Councillor Brigid Jones and have written to the Queen asking for her "direct intervention".

The request comes less than a week after SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne made a surprise appearance together at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham, which is their original hometown.

Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, has also started a petition calling for the band to be recognized for their services to music and the city of Birmingham.

"For all their global fame, they have kept strong links with Birmingham, demonstrated by their barnstorming surprise performance at the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games," he said.

"I appreciate this request is not within the normal procedures of seeking royal honours. However, we feel that this extraordinary occasion deserves extraordinary recognition of this extraordinary group of musicians," the letter continued.

"We therefore seek direct intervention and support from Your Majesty to recognise the great contribution made by these fine and ground-breaking musicians, who were made in Birmingham and who have once again not just entertained Birmingham, the United Kingdom and the whole of the Commonwealth but perhaps the world."

The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Iommi, Osbourne, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on "13", which came out in June 2013.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

SABBATH wrote and recorded its 2013 reunion album, "13", and toured it all over the world while Iommi was going through treatment for his illness, with the guitarist having to fly back to England every six weeks.
I am humbly requesting Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily to bestow and honour to @BlackSabbath for their services to music. There will be a public release on 12th August 2022 at 1pm at Black Sabbath Bench, Broad St,@BBCNews@itvnews@midlands_bbc@ClassicRockMagpic.twitter.com/Mixrxxw1Vr

— Khalid Mahmood (@khalid4PB) August 11, 2022