Legendary thrash drummer Tom Hunting (Exodus) releases his first solo album EP, Hunting Party, featuring covers of some of his favorite songs. The band includes guitarist C. Will Harden and drummer Gator McKlusky.


Darryl "DMC" McDaniels not only lends his vocals to the classic, "Jungle Love" (Purple Rain), but wrote his own lyrics for this classic by Morris Day And The Time.


Jack Gibson (Exodus) lends his bass to "East Bound And Down", joining his bandmate for this classic by Jerry Reed. Jack’s love for Smokey And The Bandit helped bring an authentic tone to this heavy remake. 




Dan Lorenzo (Hades / Non-Fiction) plays bass on the Stevie Wonder classic "You Haven’t Done Nothin'", plus the guitar parts behind DMC on "Jungle Love", adding to that crushing original section of the track.


Jonny Rod (Return To Darkness) takes on the killer solo for "East Bound And Down", staying true to the classic. He also kills it on bass for "Jungle Love" and "Boys Are Back In Town" by The BusBoys, from the film 48 hrs. 


James Arthur (Wheelhouse Junction) closes the album with his vocal tribute in "East Bound And Down".


Tom worked closely with drummer Gator McKlusky, who also produced and engineered the album, to make sure everything best represented these classics. Look for the first music video "Boys Are Back In Town" featuring Chuck Billy (Testament) and Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus) on backing vocals. Video created by Craig Cefola.





The tracklist is as follows:


"You Haven’t Done Nothin'"
"Boys Are Back In Town"
"Jungle Love"
"East Bound And Down"





In the interview below, Tom Hunting about the project, along with his rebound from cancer, touring this year, along with some of his favorite films and inspirations. Drummer Gator McKlusky conducted the interview from a recent Exodus tour at the Hard Rock in Orlando, Florida, where they also shot the video for "Boys are Back In Town".

Sweden's Crowne will release a special live EP, Live From Studio Gröndahl, on August 19. The release is a little treat to hold fans over while they await the release of the band's second album, which is currently in the works.


A live performance of "Kings In The North" from the EP is available now on all digital platforms. Watch a video of the performance below, and pre-order/save Live From Studio Gröndahl, a digital only release, here.


In 2021, Crowne unleashed their debut album Kings In The North, which fully delivered on the promise of the combination of the members' pedigrees. Comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitarist/keyboardist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe), and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles), the debut was a true tour de force of Scandinavian melodic hard rock. The debut album also featured Love Magnusson (Dynazty) providing guitar solos and as the band commences work on a follow-up, Magnusson has fully joined the fold as the band's lead guitarist.




While fans eagerly await the arrival of the band's follow-up album, the band gathered in the studio to record the special live EP, Live From Studio Gröndahl. Featuring the now five-piece band tearing through five incredible tracks from Kings In The North, this EP allows the fans to hear (and see, in the accompanying video performance) a glimpse of the band playing live together in an intimate setting.





Live From Studio Gröndahl tracklisting:


"Kings In The North"
"Sharoline"
"Perceval"
"Mad World"
"Save Me From Myself"


"Kings In The North" live video:





Lineup:


Alexander Strandell - Lead Vocals
Love Magnusson - Guitar
Jona Tee - Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist - Drums

SiX By SiX, the exciting new trio formed by Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) & Robert Berry (3; Emerson, Berry, Palmer), will release their eponymous debut album on August 19 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.


With the release of the record only two weeks away, the band are releasing one final track prior to fans getting to hear the album in full. Watch the video for "China" below.


Robert Berry comments: “The song 'China' came about differently than most of our songs. Ian had sent me a very cool finger picking type riff, which was playing repeatedly in my head as I tried to go to sleep one night. Earlier that evening the television news ran a story about China, including the appalling oppression of the Uyghur Muslims. I couldn’t get that out of my head either. I have many Chinese friends who do not agree with what the government of China is doing. Suddenly, inspired by Ian’s finger picking, this heavy riff came to mind. Then, as I paired it with the news story, the lyric just poured out. Born from anger and disbelief but also with respect for my Chinese friends, this song came to me in one big flash. When Ian heard the basic writing demo he immediately headed into new territory with the guitar solo. It’s angry, edgy, and totally psychotic in nature - a perfect fit!  And of course we all must say ‘goodnight’ and good riddance to any government that treats its people so harshly.”







SiX By SiX recently announced the publication of The Journey Internal, a graphic novel, as a companion to their forthcoming album. The Journey Internal will be published on September 30.  





The Journey Internal, A Graphic Novel is based on the songs of SiX By SiX, and is the result of a collaboration between the band and renowned Chicago-based artist J.C. Baez.


Though not conceived as a concept album, the band and the artist have woven the songs into a compelling tale of one man’s adventures and struggles. The Journey Internal is a poignant and captivating story of his quest to find beauty and peace.  Drawn in dramatic graphic detail, it chronicles the journey of Reign searching for sunlight in a very dark world. Following him from the highest highs to the lowest lows. The pages turn from battles of fire to demons in dungeons, from the confines of Reign’s inner mind to the realities encountered on the streets. From his solitude in battle to finding inspiration from a dream not yet realized.


Ian Crichton comments: “This graphic novel is amazing. The way that J.C Baez has blended the lyrics and captured the emotion of each song into a visually stunning graphic interpretation is simply amazing.


Nigel Glockler comments: “ One word sums up this incredible visual feast: stunning!!!


Robert Berry comments: “When J.C. approached us we were intrigued to see what he would come up with based on our songs. The results are masterful.”


J.C. Baez, a Chicago-based artist has collaborated with Jon Anderson of YES, Steve Hackett of Genesis, and Walter Koenig, of Star Trek fame, and now Six By Six.


J.C. Baez comments: “I am fortunate to be working with Ian, Nigel, and Robert, bringing their amazing musical ideas into the visual realm. The process has been very much a collaboration and I've been made to feel like part of the Six By Six family. This story is dynamic and exciting and I'm thrilled to work on this graphic novel which is in the vein of Genesis’s ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and other classic albums.”


The Journey Internal will be available for purchase on October 1 through www.StNicksPicks.com for customers in North America and through Burning Shed worldwide.


The roots of SiX By SiX can be traced back several decades to when Glockler and Berry were together as part of YES guitarist Steve Howe’s continuation of the band GTR. Then there’s the Asia connection, where Crichton and Glockler contributed to sessions and recordings, while Berry was the link for his guitarist friend Pat Thrall joining that band.


Time marches on, paths cross and fate brings these three musicians together, born from a conversation with an industry insider in the UK who connected Ian Crichton in the Toronto area with Robert Berry outside San Francisco, who in turn reached Glockler at his home on the south coast of England.


Powered by Glockler’s dynamic drumming, the result is an expansive guitar-driven pallet, paired sonically with the unique flavour of the Crichton/Berry songwriting collaboration, which they are very excited to present on this debut album.


Ian Crichton comments: “Throughout my career, I’ve been very selective about what to get involved in outside Saga and when opportunities have arisen, I have said ‘no’ far more often than I have said ‘yes’. When Robert's manager contacted me in 2020 and explained what Robert was seeking to do creatively and how my guitar could be central to the musical vision, I was intrigued. Now it’s over 18 months and many Zoom calls later, but crucially Robert, Nigel and I have also spent plenty of time together at Robert’s base in northern California. We’re three experienced players from three different countries, and with our six hands, we’re here to break the rock music mould. SiX By SiX is a band that we’ve built together and nurtured into a unique style that I'm very proud of.”


Nigel Glockler continues: “When Robert and Ian first approached me about becoming part of this band, I felt very honoured to be asked and absolutely thrilled to be working with a couple of guys I’ve admired for a long time. Robert and I first met during GTR days and we’ve kept in touch ever since. My path has crossed with Ian many times on the road over the years, so once the three of us got together in California it was like a meeting of old friends. Musically it immediately clicked and working within the framework of a three piece allows us to branch out in all directions and really push ourselves. I’m best known as the Saxon drummer, but I’ve always been a massive fan of progressive rock – Genesis and PFM are amongst my favourite bands! SiX By SiX is just the beginning of an exciting journey - bring it on!!”


Robert Berry adds: “After working with the genius of Keith Emerson and losing that musical partnership in 2016 following Keith’s death, I faced a daunting question: whether to bring down the curtain creatively or seek something inspiring which would reach new musical heights. My intuition was to lean into a dramatically more guitar oriented direction. But which guitarist is as impressive as Keith was as a keyboardist? At my manager’s suggestion, an incredible meeting of minds, style and future goals was struck with Ian Crichton. Was it luck, timing or destiny? I think it was all three because 3 is my lucky number. Ian and I were determined to keep this a 3 piece band (there’s that number again) and needed a drummer with a similar mindset and who is a solid, heavy hitter. My friend Nigel Glockler was the perfect fit. And with this extraordinary combination of friendship, musicality, and humor, a Brit, a Canadian and an American have come together as the brand new band SiX By SiX.”


Available as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g LP & as a Digital Album, now available to pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Yearning To Fly"
"China"
"Reason To Feel Calm Again"
"The Upside Of Down"
"Casino"
"Live Forever"
"The Last Words On Earth"
"Skyfall"
"Battle Of A Lifetime"
"Save The Night"


"Save The Night" video:





"Yearning To Fly" video:





Band interview series:








Background:


Ian Crichton is best known as one of the founding members of Saga, alongside his brother Jim. Saga went on to sell roughly 10 million albums world-wide and continue to perform around the world. As the driving force behind SiX By SiX, Ian takes a cunning turn, in assembling another potent band but one that focuses on his guitar prowess. This time with established players, each with a celebrated past, refined skills, and unlimited potential.


Nigel Glockler began his career in 1980 as the drummer for the British band Krakatoa. In 1981 he found an opportunity with singer Toyah. By the end of the year, he joined metal legends, Saxon. Except for two brief absences, Nigel has been behind his massive drum kit as an integral part of Saxon ever since. His powerhouse drumming is the engine that drives SiX By SiX’s songs forwards relentlessly.


Robert Berry first gained international attention with San Francisco-based Hush, releasing well-received recordings and then touring the USA. In the mid-1980s Berry’s first solo album garnered positive reviews in the most influential trade publications and attracted the attention of several major labels. At the suggestion of one of those labels, Robert moved to the UK to work with guitarist Steve Howe (of Yes fame) along with drummer Nigel Glockler in an effort to revitalize GTR. When GTR stalled, Robert partnered with British rock legends Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to form ‘3’. With Emerson and Palmer, Robert achieved a top ten charting single and toured the USA. Robert’s melodic sensibilities complement Ian’s extraordinary guitar and Nigel’s signature drumming perfectly.


(Photo - Dave Lepori)

IRON ALLIES, the new band featuring former ACCEPT members Herman Frank and David Reece, will release its debut album, "Blood In Blood Out", on October 21 via AFM Records.

Frank comments: "This record cannot be compared to anything David or I have produced in our past. It's at the same time standing on its own, while sounding like it came from the one and the same mold. You could say: the two of us have sought and found each other."

Although these two exceptional musicians had known each other for a very long time, sparks really started to fly during Frank's visit to Piacenza, Italy, where the American-born Reece has been living after marrying an Italian woman.

"We hit it off right away because David — like me — is not only an old warhorse, but a total music lover," Herman says. "It's only with this unswerving passion for music that you can last as long as we have in this shark tank.

"I love David's voice, that unique blend of metal, rock and blues. Also, he's an awesome lyricist and as a U.S.-American he obviously has a much greater range of vocabulary than non-English-speaking singers."

The official music video for the album's first single, "Full Of Surprises", will make its online debut on Thursday, August 4. Frank states about the song: "The unusual triplet beat, the guitar work I can put my soul into, combined with David's distinctive voice that is always full of melody and never just screaming — this surprising mix serves as the perfect appetizer for our album."

The "Blood In Blood Out" title track will also released as a single, accompanied by a lyric video. A third single/video, "Destroyers Of The Night", will also be made available.

"In a way, 'Blood In Blood Out' is the motto of IRON ALLIES," Herman explains. "This band was formed as a blood brotherhood, and no one gets out of here without shedding blood.

"Blood In Blood Out" was recorded at Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, Germany with co-producer Arne Neurand. Joining Frank and Reece on the IRON ALLIES album, which was mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward, are drummer Francesco Jovino (U.D.O., PRIMAL FEAR, VOODOO CIRCLE, JORN),bassist Malte Burkert and rhythm guitarist Mike Pesin.

Frank says: "We left nothing to chance. All positions were perfectly cast."

IRON ALLIES are more than sure that this concept will also convince concert organizers, tour promoters and especially their fans. Because, as Frank puts it, "People love strong characters. They want to see real men, not little boys. IRON ALLIES is made up of old-school knights and 'Blood In Blood Out' provides the perfect soundtrack for that."

Last October, Reece discussed his collaboration with Frank in an interview with the "Heavy Metal Mayhem" radio show. He said: "The ironic thing about Herman and I, we played festivals many times and not even met each other. And here we are, part of the same band and their history. And we would miss each other by, like, two minutes. We always wanted to see each other, but something came up [and] we never really got to meet. So Herman and I started talking, and we said, 'Yeah, let's put a band together. Who do you wanna get?' We talked to [drummer] Mike Heller from FEAR FACTORY a few times, and that didn't really work out. And then I said, 'I've got Francesco Jovino, dude, on my [solo] album. This guy is a beast.' So then we got the band together."

Regarding the musical direction of IRON ALLIES, Reece said: "It's got some of those elements of old [ACCEPT circa] 'Restless And Wild'. It's got Dave's voice — [as heard on my solo albums] 'Cacophony [Of Souls]' and 'Blacklist [Utopia]'. It's ripping shit, man. I'm really excited about it."

According to Reece, part of the motivation for putting IRON ALLIES together is the negative publicity surrounding their respective departures from ACCEPT. "They badmouth him, they badmouth me, there was this back-and-forth all the time, and then [Herman] said, 'You know what? Screw it. I'm gonna call David Reece,'" David explained. "And I'd never really talked to him. He just came down to Italy about two weeks ago, and we got to actually meet face to face. We went out to a great dinner, hung out for about six hours. He was just driving around Europe, relaxing, 'cause he had just finished another VICTORY album and his solo album, so he needed a break."

David said that he was excited about the prospect of hitting the road with a seasoned veteran like Herman.

"This is a band of guys who have been around and done it all," he said. "So we're not gonna have that, 'Oh, I don't wanna go there. Do we have to get up so early?' We know what we've gotta do. We've gotta travel and we've gotta rock."

Herman joined ACCEPT in 1982 shortly before the release of the band's "Restless And Wild" album and exited the group for the first time after the arrival of 1983's "Balls To The Wall" LP.

When ACCEPT reunited for festival appearances in 2005, Herman handled second-guitar duties alongside founding axeman Wolf Hoffmann, with Stefan Schwarzmann sitting behind the kit.

Frank and Schwarzmann were involved in ACCEPT's comeback with singer Mark Tornillo and appeared on the reunited group's first three studio albums: 2010's "Blood Of The Nations", 2012's "Stalingrad" and 2014's "Blind Rage".

Two years ago, Herman told All That Shreds about his decision to exit ACCEPT in December 2014: "It was just time to leave the band. Let's put it this way: I wanted to do music the way I started to. I wanted to have my own band. I wanted my own music and just wanted to just play my own leads. Not to follow somebody's guitar. I was getting too old for it. It's fine to be a backup, but after a couple of years, it's time for a different thing."

Reece was recruited for ACCEPT's "Eat The Heat" LP in 1989 following the departure of Udo Dirkschneider. Reece's higher-pitched delivery was in sharp contrast to Dirkschneider's distinctive style, and overall, the album was a critical and commercial disappointment. Midway through the "Eat The Heat" tour, differences between the band and Reece had come to a head, leading to the altercation between the singer and bassist Peter Baltes in Chicago. By the end of 1989, ACCEPT had hung it up.

David spoke about the circumstances that led to his dispute with the bassist during an interview with Metalliluola. He explained: "Peter had told my girlfriend I was having an affair. And I asked him, 'Did you tell her?' And he said, 'Yes.' So I slapped him. That ended it. It was bad before that, the communication. Ticket sales weren't good. We were opening for W.A.S.P."

He continued: "I think they really thought that getting the American [singer] in, they were gonna break the United States. But ACCEPT aren't really huge in America, like [in Europe]. That's why they hired me — they wanted a change. And the tour was going kind of slow. We did a headline tour first in the States, [playing in the] clubs. That was good. And then we went out with W.A.S.P. and METAL CHURCH, and it was half[-filled] rooms. So they were feeling the stress of that, and the communication was bad. So it was building."

David went on to say that he is sorry for assaulting his former bandmate. "Peter and I are friends now," he said, adding that "it was a bad decision" that was made while he and the rest of the group were under "a lot of stress. Being in a band, it can be a lot of drama. He had no right to tell her, and I had no right to slap him. So, I regret it."

During an appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, Dave Mustaine discussed his decision to hire TESTAMENT bassist Steve DiGiorgio to lay down the bass tracks on the new MEGADETH album, "The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!", which will be released on September 2 via UMe. Just months after DiGiorgio recorded his parts for the effort, former MEGADETH bassist James LoMenzo rejoined the band in time for the summer 2021 leg of "The Metal Tour Of The Year".

Asked what he appreciates most about DiGiorgio and LoMenzo musically and as people, Mustaine said: "I think that both of them are really fun people to be around. Although I didn't know Steve DiGiorgio as much as I know James LoMenzo, I found him to be just as enjoyable to be around as James was."

Referencing the fact that MEGADETH's longtime bassist David Ellefson was fired from the band in May 2021, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter, Mustaine said: "I think the band and everybody that's associated with us, that period that we went through was a little touchy. So we wanted to do the right thing. And trying to find the replacement for anybody, I think, wasn't the right thing to do at the time because nobody really knew all the facts and I certainly didn't want to poach anybody. Not from TESTAMENT — they're my friends — and I don't think from anybody."

Mustaine, who was a member of METALLICA for 11 months before being fired in 1983, continued: "As great as Steve is, I remember what it felt like when we [METALLICA] went up and poached Cliff [Burton] from TRAUMA. I mean, granted, the band TRAUMA wasn't that good, but there are still guys in the band and their lives were changed when that happened.

"I tend to believe that… You've gotta ask yourself, 'Did he jump or was he pushed?' And I like to make sure, if I was gonna hire somebody, that I wasn't stealing him from anybody."

DiGiorgio is widely renowned as a pioneer on the fretless bass in heavy metal music, having played with TESTAMENT, DEATH and SADUS, among others. Within his genre, Steve is respected for his playing skills, versatility and incredible technique. He has more than 40 studio album recordings and over 20 years of touring the world.

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

LoMenzo played his first show with MEGADETH in nearly 12 years in August 2021 in Austin, Texas.

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 MEGADETH drummer Dirk 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 July 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.

In a new interview with Sweden's Rock Sverige, BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski was asked what METALLICA has meant to him throughout the years. He responded: "Fucking hell, man. I mean, I remember when I was a kid, I wasn't the biggest METALLICA fan. I was more of a [IRON] MAIDEN fan and SODOM or something else. I always followed METALLICA and I listened to them, but surprisingly, which is quite unexpected, I became the biggest METALLICA fan for the last 15 years. The longer I'm around and the longer I see METALLICA going and how well they're doing, I'm more and more filled with fucking adoration for those guys. I'm lucky enough to be friends with Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] and he's an amazing human being — super gentle and an amazing guy. And every time I see METALLICA… most of the times I'm in the pit and that's amazing.

"I think the last record [2016's 'Hardwired… To Self-Destruct'] is really a solid one," he continued. "'Spit Out The Bone' must be one of their best songs ever. I'm one of those guys. 'Kill 'Em All' is probably one of my favorites and 'Master Of Puppets' and the last one. It's a great record.

"I always say that METALLICA is still around and they're in really good shape," Nergal added. "They're not the youngest dudes around and I believe that they'll go on for at least another decade, but I always tell everyone to fucking go and watch METALLICA. Go and see METALLICA because all those classic bands like METALLICA, MAIDEN, GUNS N' ROSES… all those bands are going to be around for only a little bit longer. It's going to be the longest farewell. Make sure to catch their set and support those bands. Once they're gone, they're gone. Appreciate them while their still around and touring the world. I always go and see METALLICA, MAIDEN, GUNS N' ROSES…"

Back in August 2017, Nergal shared a backstage photo of him with Ulrich, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield and Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel taken before the band's concert in San Diego. At the time, he wrote about the experience of meeting Ulrich and Hetfield: "We are entering the backstage rooms... Lars is hanging out there with a cup of coffee. He's relaxed and totally cool. Super friendly, focused on YOU what makes you feel important. I like that. When we start talking families I'm asking if his son is into metal at all. Noooo, he's a jazz kind of guy, he studies in NYC. Then I go: Well, if's he's a jazz kind of person do you hear him often saying to you: NOT QUITE MY TEMPO!!!! We start laughing... James Hetfield joins the conversation. We briefly talk about GOJIRA, who open for them that nite. We make this picture and say good bye... few hours later METALLICA enters the stage in San Diego SOLD OUT 40.000 stadium and AGAIN plays a show that proves they ARE #1 band on the planet. We are right in the centre of snake pit and the band is literally at hand! I'm left speechless. One of the happiest day of my life."

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

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We are on our way down to San Diego to see Metallica last night. I'm harassing his ass to tell us the stories how we met...

Posted by Adam Nergal Darski on Monday, August 7, 2017

Diabolical black/death metal squadron, Belphegor, have unveiled a bizarre music video for the punishing title track of their recently released new album, The Devils. Check it out below:





With The Devils, Belphegor unleash their twelfth studio album upon the masses, which proves to be one of the strongest and most elaborate records in the group’s career. Mixed & mastered at renowned Fascination Street Studios by Jens Bogren (Kreator, Rotting Christ, At The Gates), The Devils sounds absolutely crushing and dynamic, sonically pushing the immense variety of the eight tracks to new heights.




Order/save The Devils here.





Tracklisting:


“The Devils”
“Totentanz – Dance Macabre”
“Glorifizierung des Teufels”
“Damnation – Höllensturz”
“Virtus Asinaria – Prayer”
“Kingdom Of Cold Flesh”
“Ritus Incendium Diabolus”
“Creature Of Fire”
“Blackest Sabbath 1997” (re-recorded medley of “Blackest Ecstasy” and “Blutsabbath” from 1997’s Blutsabbath album)


“Virtus Asinaria – Prayer” video:





“Totentanz – Dance Macabre” lyric video:

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares has recruited ONCE HUMAN's Lauren Hart as the new singer of his DIVINE HERESY project.

Cazares announced Hart's addition to DIVINE HERESY late Monday night (August 1) on the band's official Facebook page. He wrote: "I'm almost ready to write some new material w/ singer Lauren Hart. I will be handling all guitar and bass. I currently do not have a drummer or bassist for live or possible tracking, so any professional musicians in the USA interested let me know.

"Let me be clear about this: I will not be using any former members. With that being said R.I.P. Joe Payne one of the best bassist/guitarist.

"We are currently record company free so all of this will be supported out of our own pockets.

"Ps. This does not take away from any other things that I’m currently working on".

Just four days earlier, Dino shared a short Instagram clip of Hart singing DIVINE HERESY's "Failed Creation" and he included the following message: "Wow watch @ohlaurenhart destroy 'Failed Creation' next DH singer ? give her a follow and check some of her other covers. #explorepage #music #melodicdeathmetal #guitar #fearfactory #oncehuman #metal".

Although there has been no official confirmation on the matter, Hart is also rumored to have auditioned for the singer slot in FEAR FACTORY following the September 2020 departure of that band's original frontman Burton C. Bell.

After temporarily parting ways with FEAR FACTORY — the influential, gold-certified industrial metal band he co-founded — in 2002, guitarist and extreme metal pioneer Dino Cazares (also of BRUJERIA and ASESINO) began laying the foundation for a new project that would combine metallic aggression, muscular precision and melodic accessibility. Initially joining forces with acclaimed drummers John Sankey (DEVIL YOU KNOW, DEVOLVED) and Nicholas Barker (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) to write, Cazares eventually completed the album with drummer Tim Yeung (MORBID ANGEL, VITAL REMAINS, HATE ETERNAL) and vocalist Tommy Vext (BAD WOLVES, SNOT),Cazares's vision was realized, and DIVINE HERESY was born.

The group's first record, "Bleed The Fifth" — produced by former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (GOJIRA, DEVILDRIVER) and featuring cover art from Joachim Luetke (ARCH ENEMY, KREATOR, DIMMU BORGIR) — was released in 2007 in North America via Century Media Records and by FEAR FACTORY's longtime home, Roadrunner Records, in Europe — received rave reviews from the global metal press. Metal Hammer called DIVINE HERESY "a quintessential 21st Century American metal band," while Kerrang! raved that the album "couldn't be more metal if it hung a massive V around the neck of the Eiffel Tower while gargling liquid mercury." The album also featured a guest appearance from guitarist Marc Rizzo (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ILL NINO) and bassist Tony Campos (STATIC-X, PRONG, MINISTRY). After adding bassist Joe Payne (NILE),the band supported the album's release by touring extensively alongside the likes of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, ALL THAT REMAINS, STATIC-X, ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILLITY, SHADOWS FALL and CHIMAIRA, as well as appearing at Australia's Soundwave festival.

Unfortunately, DIVINE HERESY's initial lineup splintered in 2008 when Vext was let go, and Cazares, Yeung and Payne quickly rebounded with new vocalist Travis Neal (DIRGE WITHIN, THE BLOODLINE) and released their second album, "Bringer Of Plagues", in 2009. The record also saw the band's sound augmented by keyboards from Rhys Fulber (FRONTLINE ASSEMBLY). Produced by Mader once again, and featuring artwork from Anthony Clarkson (DEVIN TOWNSEND, KATAKLYSM, HYPOCRISY),the album — which cracked the Billboard Top 200 upon its release — was heavier than its predecessor, with AllMusic describing it as "a head-down, hair-pinwheeling metal album" and Kerrang! praising its "thunderous, jaw-dropping intensity." The band returned to the road with gusto, touring with the likes of MOONSPELL, GIGAN, AFTER THE BURIAL and 36 CRAZYFISTS, but soon after Cazares rejoined a new-look FEAR FACTORY, DIVINE HERESY went on hiatus.

"Bleed The Fifth" and "Bringer Of Plague" were released on vinyl in May 2021 via M-Theory Audio. "Bleed The Fifth" was released on black-and-white haze vinyl, while 2009's "Bringer Of Plagues" was offered on smoke-colored wax. Each record also included additional bonus tracks not contained on the original CD releases.

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Acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE will release their seventh album, "Pawns & Kings", on October 14 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2019's "Walk The Sky" was once again recorded at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with SEVENDUST, MAMMOTH WVH and SLASH, among others.

The animated music video for the LP's second single, the metal-leaning track "Silver Tongue", can be seen below. The clip, which was created and directed by Ollie Jones of Better Feeling Films (Myles Kennedy, PRODIGY, PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS),follows two characters who fall under the spell of a painting that comes to life. The painting drags the characters into a dark world and forces them to fight for survival in a classic battle of good versus evil.

"Pawns & Kings" is comprised of 10 all-new epic tracks that are sure to garner ALTER BRIDGE new fans around the globe while satiating their fervent supporters that have been patiently waiting for new music from the band.

From the opening riffs of "This Is War" to the title track album closer "Pawns & Kings", ALTER BRIDGE returns with an album of intense tracks that were born after the cycle for their last album was cut short by the global pandemic. Songs like "Dead Among The Living", "Silver Tongue" and "Holiday" showcase the signature songwriting the band is known for. The album offers numerous epic adventures, with three songs clocking in over six minutes each. The opus "Fable Of The Silent Son" has a running time of 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band's catalog — a distinction held by "Blackbird" until now. Guitarist Mark Tremonti steps out of his backing vocal role to take the lead on "Stay", an introspective ballad that is sure to become a fan favorite live.

"Pawns & Kings" track listing:

01. This Is War
02. Dead Among The Living
03. Silver Tongue
04. Sin After Sin
05. Stay
06. Holiday
07. Fable Of The Silent Son
08. Season Of Promise
09. Last Man Standing
10. Pawns & Kings

ALTER BRIDGE will be touring extensively in support of "Pawns & Kings". The band has already announced a tour of Europe for November and December that will make 25 stops over the course of six weeks. The trek kicks off November 1 in Germany and will make stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before it wraps on December 12 at O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends HALESTORM and MAMMOTH WVH will provide support on the upcoming European tour.

In a recent interview with Ian Danter of Planet Rock's "My Planet Rocks", Tremonti stated about "Pawns & Kings": "We're very proud of it. Our producer is absolutely in love with the record. I think if you're a fan of ALTER BRIDGE, you'll dig this record. We're very happy with it."

Asked if there will be any "heavy" Tremonti riffs on "Pawns & Kings", Mark said: "There are some heavy riffs on there. And it's funny because some of the heaviest riffs on the record [ALTER BRIDGE frontman] Myles [Kennedy] brought to the table. Even my producer is, like, 'I can't tell who's bringing what to the table anymore. 'Cause back when the band started, you were the heavy guy and Myles was the moody guy — [he would bring in] the ballady things — and we'd mix them up. And now you never know.' I think when you work with somebody long enough,

ALTER BRIDGE released a seven-song EP, "Walk The Sky 2.0", in November 2020 via Napalm Records. The effort contained live versions of a few of the band's favorites from "Walk The Sky" — "Wouldn't You Rather", "Pay No Mind", "Native Son", "Godspeed", "In The Deep" and "Dying Light" — as well as one new studio track, "Last Rites", which was written, recorded and completed entirely during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Tremonti issued the fifth album from his solo band TREMONTI, titled "Marching In Time", last September via Napalm Records.

Kennedy released his sophomore solo album, "The Ides Of March", in May 2021 via Napalm Records.

Tremonti recently partnered with National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to release an album of Frank Sinatra covers titled "Tremonti Sings Sinatra". The LP of selections from Frank Sinatra's catalog was made available in May as part of a new charity initiative created by Tremonti called Take A Chance For Charity. Proceeds from the album go to support NDSS and the work they do to advocate for and support individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Photo credit: Chuck Brueckmann

WOLFSBANE guitarist Jason "Jase" Edwards has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer that there is currently no cure for.

The long-running British hard rockers broke the news of Jason's diagnosis in a social media post on Monday (August 1). They wrote: "As you all know, Jase played the Genius Tour with a fractured vertebrae. We actually found out in the van on the way up to Edinburgh! With no impact or injury, he's been having tests to ascertain the cause.

"It is with deep regret we have to inform you that Jase has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma," they revealed. "This is a bone marrow cancer that there is currently no cure for. It is however treatable. He started his first cycle of chemotherapy within 2 weeks of the tour ending and will hopefully go on to have a stem cell transplant in around 4 months' time.

"This has come out of the blue and is a massive shock to us all!

"He is mostly fine in himself and is looking forward to spending more time in the studio."

WOLFSBANE's first album in a decade, "Genius", was released in June. The artwork for the LP was designed by Simon "Mackie" Piasecki, who also created the covers for WOLFSBANE's 1990 EP "All Hell's Breaking Loose Down At Little Kathy Wilson's Place" and 1991's album "Down Fall The Good Guys".

WOLFSBANE's current lineup consists of Edwards, ex-IRON MAIDEN vocalist Blaze Bayley, bassist Jeff Hateley and drummer Steve Danger.

WOLFSBANE burst out of the Midlands in the mid-1980s, signed to Rick Rubin's Def American label in 1989, built up a massive following of (self-titled) "howling mad shitheads" (HMS) and released three raucous albums before imploding in 1994, when Bayley joined IRON MAIDEN.

WOLFSBANE reformed in 2011 to record its first studio album for 17 years, "Wolfsbane Save The World", released in January 2012 to huge acclaim.

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Original FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm says that there might be a "more personal" reason his former band has not yet been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single. Criteria for inclusion includes "the influence and significance of the artist's contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll."

Eligible since 2002, FOREIGNER has had a huge number of rock hits, including "Cold As Ice", "Double Vision", "Hot Blooded", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, with no wins.

Asked in a new interview with Sleeve Saturday why he thinks FOREIGNER has yet to get the Rock Hall nod, Gramm said: "I think it's less about whether we're qualified and I think it might be more personal now. I know that at some point when a lot of our compatriots were being nominated and accepted into it, the bands and the artists that came up when we came up that were inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame and we were left out, I believe that our manager at that time and Mick [Jones, FOREIGNER's founding guitarist] went to see the head of the Rock Hall Of Fame and had a discussion with him which led to some heated words. And as that discussion ended — I don't know who; it might have been Jann Wenner from Rolling Stone magazine, who actually was a very good friend of Mick's, I think he told Mick and our manager that it'll be a cold day in hell before FOREIGNER gets in the Rock Hall Of Fame. That's the way it ended up. And sure enough, I bet you 20 years has gone by since that."

Four years ago, Jones was asked by Tigman of the Q103 radio station in Albany if it means anything to him to get inducted into the Rock Hall. Jones responded: "Well, let's say it's not something I wrestle with or something that affects my life. Of course, it would be nice, but sometimes you wonder if it's a political thing more than a musical [thing] or [anything to do with] achievement. Because as far as achievements, we've certainly achieved a tremendous amount with the band. And we'll see. I guess someday. Who knows?"

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

The 72-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary.

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Kelly Hansen in 2005. Jones, the only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012.

Gramm and Jones's June 2013 performance of "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Juke Box Hero" at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City marked the first time the pair performed together in a decade after Gramm left FOREIGNER for a second time. Hansen has fronted the group for the past 17 years.

FOREIGNER's last album, "Can't Slow Down", was the only full-length collection of new songs to have been released by the band since Hansen took over vocals. The album entered the Billboard Top 30, driven by the radio singles "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love". The band also has released a series of live albums and compilations, including 2016's "In Concert: Unplugged" and 2017's "40".

This past February, at least two months after he first approached Charlie Benante about taking part in a new PANTERA tour, singer Philip Anselmo spoke to The Pit about what he thought the band's late guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott would say about PANTERA's legacy. He said: "Dimebag and Vince always wanted this band to be a legacy band, to be massive, to be our own conduit to success, simply put. I think Dime and Vince — I know Dime and Vince — would want the legacy and the name of PANTERA to go on and on and on and in everybody's damn face. I know that for sure. Abso-fucking-utely, dude. That would be their biggest dream."

Last month, it was reported that Benante and guitarist Zakk Wylde, along with PANTERA's surviving members, Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, will tour as PANTERA, headlining a number of major festivals across North America and Europe and staging some of their own headline concerts.

According to a report by Billboard, Wylde and Benante's involvement in the project has been approved by the estates of PANTERA's late co-founders, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag.

Last week, Benante was asked during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" when he first got approached about taking part in the PANTERA tour. The ANTHRAX drummer said: "Oh, man. December [of last year]. End of December. I was talking to Philip, and then he just mentioned this. And I said, 'Oh, yeah, sure. Whatever.' And then it became real about January [or] February."

While he was alive, Vinnie Paul had repeatedly dismissed talks of a PANTERA reunion, telling Germany's EMP Rock Invasion in 2014: "People are selfish, man. They want what they want; they don't care what you want. And it's unfortunate that people go, 'Oh, wow, man, they can get Zakk Wylde to jump up there on stage and it's PANTERA again.' No, it's not, you know. It's not that simple. If Eddie Van Halen was to get shot in the head four times next week, would everybody be going, 'Hey, man, Zakk, go play for VAN HALEN. Just call it VAN HALEN.' You see what I'm saying? I mean, it's really selfish for people to think that, and it's stupid. It's not right at all."

He continued: "They call it a reunion for a reason. It's called bringing the original members back to what it was. So there's a lot of these things that they call reunions that aren't really reunions. They've got one dude from the band floating around in them, you know. That's not a true reunion. With PANTERA, it'll never be possible."

He repeated those same sentiments a few months later, telling PlanetMosh in a separate interview: "Without Dimebag Darrell, there is no [PANTERA] reunion. And that's all there is to it. We were a very influential band, and we touched millions and millions of people with that band, but it's over. People really have to come to grips with that, and that's all there is to it. If all of us were still here, then the possibility would truly be there, but since it's not, you know… It's selfish of the fans to want something that they can't have. And they don't ever understand that, and I get it. There's things I want in this world too. You know, people in fucking hell want ice water, but they're not gonna get it. So… Anyways, I'm glad that the people who have decided to follow me in HELLYEAH do, and hopefully more of them will. And the ones that wanna live in the past are gonna live in the past."

Up until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

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

Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney in 2011 called on Vinnie and Philip to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag.

Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Haney told the producers of "Behind The Music Remastered: Pantera" that she forgave the singer after they found themselves unexpectedly face to face at a concert in California.

The Offering has released their new track and music video for "Wasp". The song is off of the band’s forthcoming full-length album, Seeing The Elephant, which is set for release on November 4. Check out the band’s 7 minute politically-charged opening track, below.





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.




“’Wasp’ is first and foremost a chew out,” states Alexander Richichi (vocals) about “Wasp”.


Nishad George (guitar) adds, “’Wasp’ is one of the most ambitious songs we’ve ever made. It was written only just a month before hitting the studio! We felt that with such a bold and emotionally charged album, we needed to set the mood and start as aggressive as possible. 'Wasp' is, to us, a seven minute statement to let everyone know that we are back, we have much to say, and that musically, we’re as free and unhindered as ever.”





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.





The Offering is:


Alexander Richichi (vocals)
Nishad George (guitar)
Spencer Metela (bass)
Steve Finn (drums)


(Top photo - Nick Chance; Band photo - Rossetti Photography)

Bay Area thrash metal band, Trauma, has parted ways with bassist Greg Christian, after both parties came to a mutual decision. The band wish Greg all the best in his musical undertakings.


Greg played bass on the band’s last two albums, As The World Dies and Awakening. Awakening will be released on September 9 via Massacre Records.


Michael Spencer, formerly with Flotsam And Jetsam and Sentinel Beast, has stepped in for the band’s appearances at the Little Devil Club on August 13 and the Alcatraz Festival on August 14.




“I’ve done shows in the past with both Brian and Joe and had a copy of As The World Dies, the band’s 2018 release,” says Spencer, best known for being the bassist to fill the unexpected void in Flotsam, after Jason Newsted quickly left the band for Metallica. “So when Brian called to see I’d be interested in helping the band fill their open bass spot for some European dates, after sending me few advanced tracks off Trauma's new album Awakening, I was in. Pretty impressive music coming from the guys that will be a blast to play live at Alcatraz Metal Festival, hopefully hanging with a few of my Belgian and Dutch friends.”
 
And Trauma is excited about playing on stage with Michael: "We are delighted to have Michael Spencer onboard for these shows."   


In addition to Brian Allen (vocals), Trauma's lineup that recorded Awakening features Joe Fraulob (guitar), Steve Robello (guitar), Greg Christian (bass), and Kris Gustofson (drums). Awakening was produced by Juan Urteaga and features artwork by Ioannis.


Awakening will be released on September 9 via Massacre Records, and will available as CD Digipak, limited edition vinyl LP as well as in digital formats, you can already pre-order it here.





Tracklisting:


"Walk Away"
"Ted Talks"
"Death Of The Angel"
"Meat"
"The River Red"
"Burn"
"Falling Down"
"Voodoo"
"End Of Everything"
"Blind"
"Death Machine"


"Walk Away" video:





(Photo - Bill Towner, Red Nova Digital)