Former OVERKILL and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Bobby Gustafson spoke to WWMusic about his experience auditioning for METALLICA as James Hetfleld's temporary replacement (on guitar only) while James recovered from being burned onstage back in 1992. He said: "Yeah, James, he caught on fire. They asked me to fill in, so I tried to learn all eighteen songs that they gave me in literally two days. Going in, because I didn't have much time, I really didn't know any full songs. They should have given me four or five [songs], and let me learn over the two weeks we had off. That I do regret. It could have been cool."

He continued: "I guess they assumed I knew the songs. James, Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] and I were good friends, but I never really was the type to play other people's material. I was always writing myself. I was the first person they called that night. I feel bad that I let them down."

Gustafson previously discussed auditioning for METALLICA two years ago while appearing on an episode of EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza's YouTube show, "Zetro's Toxic Vault". At the time, he said: "They had called me. Tony called me, their road manager at the time. [He] gave me the entire setlist to learn in two days. I had, like, 18 songs. But I knew bits and pieces of METALLICA; I couldn't get my way through an entire song. That's just not what I did — I didn't learn other people's stuff. So they probably thought I knew it. I did the last show — which I should have canceled — but I did the last show with I4NI, and they were flying me out to Denver to audition. And I said, 'Well, I can't learn all these songs. What am I gonna do?' So I tried to learn the changes off the vocals. I said, 'Let me get really into the vocals and I'll get all the changes in.' I was supposed to leave Newark airport. There was a downpour for, like, 10 minutes, and it delayed my flight for, like, four hours, so I wasn't getting into Denver till really late. And James was still in pain then, so he didn't wait — he left. So they canceled it for the night and we went the next day. I'm, like, 'Oh, great. I've get some time to work on the stuff.' But then the next day he didn't even show up. And then they auditioned on five songs. So I'm, like, 'Why didn't they just tell me the five songs? I could have spent a lot of time learning them instead of spreading it out.' So he wasn't there the next day. It was just me, Kirk and Lars [Ulrich] and Jason [Newsted]."

John Marshall, METAL CHURCH guitarist and onetime METALLICA roadie, who had already filled in before when James broke his arm skateboarding, eventually landed the gig.

"John, I think, they kind of knew would be the back-up plan if nobody else worked out," Bobby told "Zetro's Toxic Vault". "I think Pepper [Keenan, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY] auditioned. I know Mike [Gilbert] from FLOTSAM [AND JETSAM] was there at the same time I was; he tried out too. And there may have been a couple of others — just a handful. They kept it tight, 'cause they had to get it done and get back out on the road.

"Yeah, I missed out on that," Gustafson added. "That probably would have been pretty cool. That would have been my first outdoor stadium rocking show."

During the "Zetro's Toxic Vault" chat, Souza brought up the fact that Gustafson's visual appearance toward the end of his time with OVERKILL closely resembled that of Hetfield. (Gustafson was accused by some METALLICA fans of ripping off Hetfield's stage moves and wristbands, as well as "jacking" the white Gibson Explorer in OVERKILL's 1989 video for the song "Elimination".)

Gustafson said: "I was the better-looking one. That's all I've gotta say…" When Souza asked Gustafson if Hetfield "stole" his look, Bobby said: "Well, not all of it… He's actually the one who recommended the guitar. I got it from Gibson. They gave me a white V, white Explorer. I still play 'em — love 'em to death. But sometimes you can do something first, but you don't reach as many people as someone who hits a million people. So they think he did it first sometimes, and you're just still underground."

When Souza pointed to Gustafson's "armbands" as another similarity between him and Hetfield, Bobby said: "That was the MISFITS. The other guys in the band, we were wearing that stuff for years."

Gustafson joined OVERKILL in 1982 and played on the band first four albums — "Feel The Fire" (1985),"Taking Over" (1987),"Under The Influence" (1988) and "The Years Of Decay" (1989) — before being shown the door in 1990 amid growing tension between him and OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni.

Gustafson is currently the guitarist for veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers VIO-LENCE.

In a new interview with WMMR's Brent Porche, DISTURBED guitarist Dan Donegan spoke about the band's upcoming eighth studio album, which is currently being mixed for a tentative late 2022 release. Asked if producer Kevin Churko, who worked on 2015's "Immortalized" and 2018's "Evolution", has returned to work on the new LP, Dan said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We actually went with Drew Fulk, an L.A. producer. I think he's a Carolina guy originally — he grew up in Carolina and then moved to L.A. He's done some good stuff with MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and ICE NINE KILLS and PAPA ROACH, a bunch of projects I really liked, some of the stuff he's done. And I reached out to him. I met with him — I think it was in December I went out there to meet with him — and just felt some good chemistry there, just being around him, and we jumped in the studio. He came out to Nashville — we ended up tracking in Nashville — and [it was] a great experience."

Asked if the writing and recording process was any different this time around due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Dan said: "I've always had a lot of ideas archived and just kept in the vault. But then I think when we ran out and did those handful of shows back in November, we went down to Fort Myers on a couple of days off to work with a friend of ours, another producer, Dave Fortman, who did EVANESCENCE, GODSMACK, SLIPKNOT; he used to play in UGLY KID JOE back in the day. So we went out and we did a couple of days with him, just to kind of improvise and track some ideas, just on a couple of days off, and that got the ball rolling. So we just went with all-new, fresh material — nothing from the vault. I just started pulling out new ideas. And it just progressed from there."

Earlier this month, DISTURBED released "Hey You", the first single off the upcoming album. The official music video for the song was directed by Josiahx. DISTURBED frontman David Draiman called the track "a wake-up call. We've become our own worst enemies," he said. "Civil discourse has become the exception instead of the norm. People have lost themselves in outrage addiction."

Last month, Draiman said that DISTURBED's upcoming album will contain a "surprise track" that will "blow [fans'] minds."

In May, Draiman told the audience at DISTURBED's concert in Camden, New Jersey that the band's new LP is "about 90 percent heavy as fuck. Now there's still 10 percent of caring, loving goodness [laughs] — 10 percent. Hey, for everybody that fell in love with 'The Sound Of Silence' [SIMON & GARFUNKEL] cover, I figured, you know… But the rest of it? 'Sickness'-, 'Ten Thousand Fists'-era DISTURBED, for sure. You excited about that? 'Cause I'll tell you we're really fucking excited about it."

DISTURBED performed live for the first time in nearly two years last September as one of the headliners of the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

In March 2021, DISTURBED's "The Sickness 20th Anniversary Tour" was officially canceled. The amphitheater tour, with very special guest STAIND and BAD WOLVES, was originally slated to take place in the summer of 2020 but was rescheduled to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was eventually scrapped altogether.

"The Sickness 20th Anniversary Tour" was supposed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of DISTURBED's seminal album "The Sickness". On the tour, the band was expected to perform songs off the album, as well as tracks from "Evolution" and DISTURBED's extensive catalog.

Texas rock band, Kingdom Collapse are taking the world by storm with their undeniable songwriting, die-hard fanbase, and DIY work ethic.


The band has released the official music video for their latest hit single "Break Free". The single has been added to regular rotation on Octane. That makes three songs in rotation at once on Octane along with being Pandora’s featured NEW ROCK Artist.







The band’s new single “Break Free” is a follow-up to THREE consecutive rock hits that have each become SiriusXM Octane #1 Most played songs. (i.e. “Uprise”, “Unbreakable”, “Save Me From Myself”), two of which also charted on the Billboard and Mediabase Top 40 charts for Mainstream Rock. The single is available to stream here.





Kingdom Collapse has recently partnered with The Fuel Music (Adelitas Way, Thousand Foot Krutch, Red, etc.) for distribution. The band’s singer, Jonathan Norris adds, “We’re stoked to have such an awesome team around us that believes in the independent vision of the band.” The band has shown that nothing stands in their way as they approach the release of the new single with a stacked touring schedule.


Kingdom Collapse has been touring viciously in the past year with bands such as From Ashes To New, Fire From The Gods, Adelitas Way, Nonpoint, Hinder, Attack Attack, and more.


Alongside their non-stop touring schedule, they also made an appearance on Danny Wimmer Presents 2021 Welcome To Rockville Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida.


Aside from their headlining tour, the band will also be out this summer in support for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Attack Attack, as well as, a west coast tour with Giovannie & The Hired Guns.

Long Island-born five-piece, Thoughtcrimes, will release their debut full-length album, Altered Pasts, on August 26 via Pure Noise Records.


“Altered Pasts was shaped by the world around us and within us at the same,” explains guitar player Brian Sullivan. “This album is both a reflection and synthesis of our cognitive, emotional and spiritual processes, as well as a catharsis."


Produced by Mike Watts, the 11-song collection is previewed with today’s release of “Keyhole Romance”, and its accompanying Tom Flynn directed video, which can be found below.




"This is possibly the most ambitious track we’ve ever made,” notes drummer and guitar player Billy Rymer. “We wanted to see how far we could push ourselves utilizing dynamics and pure chaos to cohesively create something disgusting yet beautiful. A concept that lead to the treatment of the music video with the high energy performance segments contrasting with the bright colors and gracefulness of the actress."


Altered Pasts is the perfect soundtrack for the quasi-dystopian times we find ourselves in. At times an intensely savage listen, at times gracefully gentle, the songs flow together to create one of those rare records that takes you – literally, metaphorically, spiritually – on an actual journey. It’s an album that creates its own world, an alternative universe, a monochrome vision of reality where the air is heavy with despair and the weight of human existence.


That’s conveyed with brutally violent, visceral explosions of noise such as “Panopticon,” “Dare I Say,” and “Deathbed Confessions” as well as through more elegant and hypnotic swirls of sound such as “New Infinities” and closer “Lunar Waves,” all propelled by singer Rick Pepa’s cathartic and visceral vocals, guitar player’s Russ Savarese dynamism and the propulsive playing of bass player Cody Hosza - which don’t just match the dynamics of the music but elevate them.


There’s also the spoken word track “Hai Un Accendino,” which features poet and Michael Clarity reading a poem he wrote specifically for the band as he found himself stuck in Vietnam at the very beginning of the pandemic. Sometimes, as on the monolithic and majestic “Deathbed Confessions,” those two extremes combine to create something that sounds like the slow-motion end of world and all existence, powerful and nuanced, soothing and terrifying, in equal measure.


Album pre-orders, which include several limited-edition vinyl variants and a CD, as well as digital pre-saves can be found here.





Tracklisting:


"Panopticon"
"Mirror Glue"
"Keyhole Romance"
"New Infinities"
"Altered Pasts"
"Dare I Say"
"Hai Un Accendino"
"Conscience On Tilt"
"The Drowning Man"
"Deathbed Confessions"
"Lunar Waves"


"Keyhole Romance" video:





(Photo - Tom Flynn)

Devouror's debut full length, Diabolos Brigade, is set for release via Listenable on September 30. Watch a video for the track, "Oath Of The Devil's Cross", below.


Devouror, forged in Hell’s Fire, November 2018 Singapore, by Shyaithan (guitars, also from Impiety). The band at present consists of long time komrades Hades (vocals, also from and founder of Battlestorm), Asura (guitars, also from and founder of Deus Ex Machina), Cryptor (bass,ex-founding member of Demisor) and lastly Dizazter (drums, also from Impeity/ Depravity).


Devouror defines it’s sonic wrath arrogantly as ‘Bestial Deathcult Warfare’ with late 80s/early 90s influence from Possessed, Sarcofago, Necrovore, Blasphemy, Death, Sodom. With this being said, Devouror is not a project of sorts, but a brutal 5-beast blackened metal of death squadron that scoffs, hacks and slays. All members are veteran diehards with filthy back-grounds of over 25 long years of dedication and commitment raising the old glorious flag of unholy black death .




Fans of brutal blackened death metal influenced by the bands listed above should look no further, this will undoubtedly be one of the most diabolically extreme albums of the year.





Tracklisting:


"Sebatan 666"
"Oath Of Devil's Cross"
"Vulgar Necrodeath"
"Wrath Angel"
"Twilight Nunbutchery"
"Mantra Kali Kunt"
"Supersonic Satanas"
"Ritualized Debauchery"
"Bestial Deathcult Warfare"
"Death Metal" (Possessed cover)


"Oath Of Devil's Cross" video:





Lineup:


Shyaithan - Guitars
Hades - Voice
Asura - Guitars
Cryptor - Bass
Dizazter - Drums

New Jersey-based progressive/technical instrumental metal duo, Gematria, presents their debut LP, Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity. The album has been confirmed for release in September through Nefarious Industries who today issues its cover art, tracklisting, and video for the lead single, “Unconquered Sun”.


Gematria is a collaboration between Ray Suhy (Six Feet Under, Ray Suhy/Lewis Porter Quartet, ex-Cannabis Corpse, ex-East Of The Wall) and Steve Honoshowsky (Daughter Vision, Billy Martin’s Fang Percussion, No Use For Humans). The duo formed in 2017 out of a mutual respect for each other’s playing, a myriad of shared musical influences and a love for esoteric studies and explorations. Their first recordings, a five-song eponymous EP, was released by Nefarious Industries in 2018.


The songs on their proper full-length release, Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity, were composed using elements of gematria, a qabalistic numerological system of relating words to numbers, the I Ching, sacred geometry and the writings of Aleister Crowley and Austin Osman Spare to help generate rhythmic and melodic ideas. Recorded by the band throughout 2020/2021 with the drums recorded by Adam Vaccarelli at Retromedia Sound Studios who mixed the album, mastering was handled by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. The album features a guest electric flute solo on “Spindle Of Necessity” by Melissa Keeling, and a vocal choir on “Unconquered Sun” performed by Emily Grove, recorded by Steve Greenwell. The artwork was created by Steve Honoshowsky and the layout/design handled by Greg Meisenberg. Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity is a combination of intricate King Crimson-esque parts mixed with ambient soundscapes, blistering improvisations, and powerful drumming.




The album’s lead single, “Unconquered Sun,” has been delivered through a captivating visual accompaniment created by video artist Uzair Ahmad and Ray Suhy who offers, “We experimented with a lot of different writing processes on this record. For this song, I asked Steve to go in the studio and record a drum track that I would then write to. Since Steve was conceptually working off of pentagrams, hexagrams, and heptagrams, I in turn used different combinations of 5, 6, 7, and 8 note scales to contrast different sections. We also enlisted our good friend Emily Grove of Daughter Vision to lay down choir vocals to make the ending as big as possible.”


Honoshowsky adds, “The title is born of the number 158, which was also the tempo that moves the song at the desired pace like, ‘rain that rises with the sun.’ Geometric rhythms and modulating meters comprise the arrangement. The pentagram, hexagram, and heptagram’s relationship to the octagon was the inspiration to pursue what these configured rhythms might sound like when they are played together. What is their shared rhythmic harmony?”


Watch the video below.


Nefarious Industries will release Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity on Transparent 8th Sphere Mercurial Orange vinyl and all digital services on September 23. Find pre-orders and merch options at the label webshop, here. Watch for additional videos from the album to be issued over the weeks ahead.





Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity tracklisting:


"Spindle Of Necessity"
"Unconquered Sun"
"The Taming Power Of The Small"
"By Its Own Nature"
"The Elusive One"
"Ritual"
"Reunion In Daylight"
"So Mote It Be"
"Aletheia"


"Unconquered Sun" video:





Gematria are:


Steve Honoshowsky – drums, bass, synths
Ray Suhy – guitars, bass, synths

Legendary rock diva, Lee Aaron, will release her new album, entitled Elevate, in late 2022 or early 2023.
Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice recently spoke to Lee Aaron and guitarist Sean Kelly. The two spoke about the upcoming album and their upcoming show at the famous El Mocambo in Toronto. Watch below.


Sean Kelly Spoke about the writing process on the new album: "I am constantly pestering Lee with ideas because I think it's the buzz that we are chasing at this point in our lives. The process of creation that comes out of friendship and sharing our influences getting in a room. That happened again with the new album Elevate getting together in the room working with Mike Fraser (record producer, engineer, and mixer) and Lee producing. We are just vibing off each other, it's a special chemistry and it's one that I appreciate more and more especially after Covid where we had to be separated and I am so grateful for it."


Lee Aaron continued: "The new album Elevate is the Covid Baby. Radio On, our last album, came out in 2021 and we have just finished another studio album (Elevate).The new album springboards from where Radio On left off (musically). Radio On was written literally just before Covid hit and we recorded the bed tracks  and finished the album during Covid. Elevate, the new album, was created during Covid too. It was the process of sending files back and forth. So the vibe is a little more different, even a little more structured but well thought out. I think it takes Radio On to a whole other level. I also think we dove into a little more pseudo political territory with some of the lyrics. We are all growing up in this bizarre age and there are so many weird things going on in our world right now and that was reflected on the material from the new album. We are hoping to release the new album pre Christmas but if it doesn't work out because of the timeline it will probably be the spring of next year. There will be ten songs but we recorded 14. A couple of the songs are long. My husband explained to me that vinyl sounds best under 45 minutes long so I had to come up with running order that was 45 minutes long, so we ended up shaving it to about 10 tracks. Now we have extra tracks left but I am not sure what we are going to do with them yet but they will come out on something in the future."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory was asked in an interview with Finland's Chaoszine if the band's songwriting process for the upcoming ninth album, "AfterLife", was any different to how it was in the past now that FFDP has a new guitarist, British musician Andy James, who joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in 2020 as the replacement for the group's longtime guitarist Jason Hook. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "For us, the process… We have a method that works for us. Every band works differently. For us, it comes from a certain philosophy, how I look at music. And the philosophy I look at music with is that if you look at classical composers, for example, these songwriters, these composers were creating music and delivering complex messages with their music alone. You have Vivaldi, for example, The Four Seasons. You know which season is what. How do you know? The music somehow tells you that. So these classical composers could deliver pretty complex pictures and messages and paint an environment for you with the music alone. And I believe that that's the right way to go. So we always write the music first. And the music itself has to sort of say something, it has to paint the picture. And then we give it to Ivan [Moody, vocals] to write the lyrics. And I think that's when something, it really comes together. Because when the music already says something and the vocals kind of enhance that, then you have something special. And that's been always the process and we always do it that way. This record was done the same way — music first, and then we take it to Ivan."

James was previously featured on "Broken World", a song that was included on the second installment of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction – Volume 2", which came out in the fall of 2020.

"AfterLife" is due on August 19. The title track, which was released as a single in April, recently gave FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH the most consecutive No. 1s on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The song was the band's 13th total No. 1 and eighth entry on the chart in a row. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH broke out of a tie with DISTURBED and SHINEDOWN, each of whom has seven consecutive No. 1s on the chart.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's follow-up to 2020's "F8" was once again recorded at the Hideout Recording Studio, the Las Vegas, Nevada facility owned and operated by Kevin Churko, the Canadian record producer/engineer and songwriter who has worked on all of FIVE FINGER's albums beginning with the band's sophomore release, 2009's "War Is The Answer".

Exclusively curated by the band, various limited-edition "AfterLife" vinyl and merchandise offerings and collectibles are also available for pre-order in the official band and label stores.

Since FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's debut album, "The Way Of The Fist", came out in 2007, the band has released six consecutive albums that were certified gold or platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as well as two chart-topping greatest-hits albums. In addition, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has earned numerous national and international awards and honors over the last decade, such as the prestigious Soldier Appreciation Award by the Association Of The United States Army, an honor bestowed upon only one other recording artist before them: Elvis Presley.

"F8" debuted at No. 1 on rock charts around the world, with Top 10 mainstream chart debuts in the USA, Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and more. It produced four No. 1 hit singles with "Inside Out", "A Little Bit Off", "Living The Dream" and "Darkness Settles In". The band has amassed over eight billion streams and three billion video views to date and has sold over one million tickets between 2018 and 2020 alone.

This past April, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH announced a 2022 U.S. headlining tour presented by Live Nation. Kicking off in Portland, Oregon on August 19, the trek will span over 30 dates, closing out on October 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The band will be joined on tour by rock icons MEGADETH, with additional support from THE HU and FIRE FROM THE GODS.

Pat Prince of Goldmine magazine recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Goldmine: How is everything on the IRON MAIDEN tour so far?

Mike Portnoy: Good. But, to be honest, it's a weird adjustment for us to be the opening band. We've only done it a couple of times in our career. So, on one hand, it's awesome to be onstage with the mighty IRON MAIDEN that we grew up with. They were a big, big part of our history and an influence. On the other hand, we are adjusting to the smaller stage space, shorter set length, and the things that happen when you are the opening band. So, it's a strange adjustment for us, but it's worth it for us in the end.

Goldmine: How are the IRON MAIDEN fans accepting you?

Mike Portnoy: Well, that's why we're here. It's all about trying to make some new friends from the MAIDEN fan base. That's ultimately why we are on this tour, and it seems to be going great so far. There are a lot of their fans who are kind of old-timers who have been with them through all the years and maybe don't know a band like DREAM THEATER, so … I wrote a set list that is a kind of crash course in the metal side of DREAM THEATER. It's the same set every night, which is unusual for us, as well. But I think it is something that their fans will be able to latch onto. It's an easier-to-swallow set list. Not any of the big 20-minute epics. More of just the metal side and the "hits" — not that we have any hits — but the ones that are a little more accessible to grasp onto. Luckily, DREAM THEATER was never a hit band, because I would hate nothing more than to always go out and play the same exact songs because that's what people want to hear. I'm seeing this with IRON MAIDEN right now, because they chose to do a set list on this tour that is, basically, from the last 10 years. And there's a big backlash amongst some of their fans. On one end, I can understand the fans' point of view, the ones that do want to hear the hits, but, on the other hand, I understand MAIDEN's point of view, that they don't want to be stuck playing the same songs for the rest of their lives. They put out new albums; they want to play the new music. Usually, when I write set lists, it is a wide-open palette that I can choose from. I like to pick over 100 songs and not feel like we have to play anything.

Goldmine: What are DREAM THEATER's plans after the MAIDEN tour?

Mike Portnoy: After this, DREAM THEATERwill take the rest of the year off. At this point, we've been on the road since last June, so this is the final stretch for us. In fact, we weren't even supposed to be touring at this point. We were supposed to be done by now. And when the MAIDEN offer came, we took it. Once this run ends, I jump directly onto the AVENGED SEVENFOLD tour to play drums with them for the rest of the year. So, I am literally going the day after the MAIDEN tour ends. I fly to L.A. to begin rehearsals with them.

Goldmine: AVENGED SEVENFOLD's drummer, Jimmy Sullivan, was a huge fan of yours. Your participation with the band is probably a big honor for them, and it's really a nice gesture on your part.

Mike Portnoy: It's an honor for me, as well, to have been kind of hand-picked and asked to do this, because of the situation. You know, when I went in and did the album, it was something I was honored to do. I wanted to be really careful to bring The Rev's drum parts to life for this album. They lost their brother at an unbelievably early age. You know, he was only 28, so it was a tragedy that they had to endure. I wanted to go in there and carry on his legacy with the drum parts he was supposed to be playing. So, I did my job, and we had such a good time with each other on a personal level … The guys are really cool guys, and I really enjoyed making the record with them. And I told them, if I was able to tour with them, I would love to do it, and, sure enough, their tour is beginning as soon as DREAM THEATER's is ending.

Goldmine: After all these years, are you still comfortable with the term "progressive?"

Mike Portnoy: We've never been uncomfortable with it, even 20 years ago, when bands were trying to avoid that word like the plague, whether it's a band like TOOL or a band like RADIOHEAD. For so many years, bands were uncomfortable with that term. DREAM THEATER's never been uncomfortable with it. We've always embraced it and have been proud of it. There's no denying that that's the type of band we are. We are a progressive-metal band. We have the elements of progressive rock and heavy metal, and that's what DREAM THEATER is. And we've always written 15-minute songs, and we've always had long instrumental passages. This band was formed out of the blueprints of progressive bands like RUSH and YES and GENESIS, and metal bands like MAIDEN, PRIEST and SABBATH. We've always been proud to be a progressive band, and it's just now that the rest of the world seems to be OK with that term. Now, all of a sudden, bands like MASTODON and THE MARS VOLTA and MUSE, suddenly now it's cool to be progressive. For so many years it wasn't, but we were never afraid of it ourselves. That's why we started Progressive Nation, and that's why I named it that. It just goes to show that the word progressive these days doesn't mean GENESIS and KING CRIMSON. The word progressive can go into so many different avenues that range from OPETH to PORCUPINE TREE.

Goldmine: So you think that "progressive" — that genre, that word — is much healthier as a contemporary movement?

Mike Portnoy: Yeah, I've already name-dropped them, but look at a band like MASTODON or THE MARS VOLTA. These bands have put out these big, long songs now, and they aren't afraid of it. The fact of the matter is, a band like DREAM THEATER has never been a radio-friendly band. Or a MTV-friendly band. Or a mainstream act. We're never going to be in the pages of Rolling Stone. That's the way it was 25 years ago, and that's the way it still is today. And we're totally cool with that. We built an amazing career without that. If we wanted to be writing five-minute songs, then we can do that in a heartbeat. But that's not what this band is about.

In a new interview with Japan's Young Guitar magazine, John Petrucci was asked how he feels about DREAM THEATER being called a "progressive metal" band. The guitarist responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Honestly, I think that's the perfect way to describe it, because, for me, I think about when I was younger and when DREAM THEATER first started, there was not the term 'progressive metal'; it wasn't used — people didn't say that. There was metal bands and there were prog bands.

"When we were younger, and me and John Myung [bass], we went to Berklee and we met Mike Portnoy [drums], we were 17 years old. When we started writing music together, we liked metal bands — we liked IRON MAIDEN and [JUDAS] PRIEST and METALLICA and OZZY [OSBOURNE] — but we also liked prog bands from the U.K.; we liked YES and GENESIS and PINK FLOYD and, of course, RUSH from Canada. So when we got together, we just naturally started writing progressive songs with a metal sound. So calling it 'prog metal', to me, seems the perfect description; it's exactly what it is.

"Fast forward [to] 1992 and [DREAM THEATER's] 'Images And Words' [album] came out and we started to gain popularity, and then that term, I think, started to develop. But before then, it really wasn't a thing. Our friends in FATES WARNING were in that style. There was a band from Texas called WATCHTOWER that was in that style. You can think about early QUEENSRŸCHE was a bit in that style, but it wasn't like it is now where it's a whole genre and there's all these different bands and offshoots. Really, the beginning was back then. And I feel proud that DREAM THEATER is part of that musical family tree, and I think prog metal is the perfect way to describe my band, for sure."

Three months ago, DREAM THEATER won its first-ever Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. DREAM THEATER was nominated for "The Alien", a track from its 2021 album "A View From The Top Of The World". DREAM THEATER's previous Grammy nominations were for the song "On The Backs Of Angels", from 2011's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album, and the single "The Enemy Inside" from 2013's "Dream Theater".

"A View From The Top Of The World" was described in a press released as "DREAM THEATER at its musical finest, expanding on the sound they helped create while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe." The seven-song album also marked the second studio album with InsideOut Music/Sony Music. The artwork was created by longtime cover collaborator Hugh Syme (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, STONE SOUR). "A View From The Top Of The World" was produced by Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James "Jimmy T" Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap.

Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini has shared a new drum cam video accompanied by the following message:


"These are my live drums for 'The Alien' mixed with the tracks from our last album, A View From The Top Of The World.  Although I was involved with the drum sounds and engineer on AVFTTOTW more than I've ever been to the tune of some years working a lot with Jimmy T., this video is simply my raw tracks bounced out and I panned, EQ'd a bit on the kick and snare and that's about it. No EQ on each tom track, only some on the AUX bussed track. I just wanted to spit this out. Not as sassy as the album sound, but it's raw, it's me both in bending w/feel within the click, dynamics and sound. This is a really challenging song to come out of the gate blaring and playing first. The balance shifts and tightness required are pretty demanding. It is what it is."







In a recent interview with Sarah Hagan, Mangini discusses returning to tour life after the pandemic, his solo album, the process of auditioning for Dream Theater, the band's  recent Grammy win, and his reunion with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.


"We were friends before I got this job. I mean, literally - he's in my place in LA, we're hanging out, he was the one that invited me to all the Dream Theater shows. He was the person I was closest with (in the band). He said all kinds of nice things about me all the time to people in magazines. So, the audition thing happened and he had left, and our relationship kind of just went into a holding pattern. And that was that... whatever that means. It just might have been awkward for him or whatever - I don't know."

Drummer explains why he's reimagined Porcupine Tree material in solo project

Gavin Harrison has explained his love of big band music that inspired upcoming solo album Cheating The Polygraph.

Recorded over a five-year period, the project sees him reimagine eight Porcupine Tree tracks in a retro style. It's launched on April 13 via KScope.

Harrison says in the video below: “When I hear 12 people playing a chord across 12 brass instruments, it’s so much more powerful than hearing that same chord on a piano. Every note has got its own life – there’s someone behind each note blowing it.”

He recalls an experience as a child that underlined his passion for the genre: "My dad was a trumpet player. He took me to the BBC where they had a big band. The drummer got a chair and put it right by his floor tom. I came over and sat there, aged eight, and it was just mind-blowing.”

And Harrison believes followers of his other work will enjoy his big band material too. He says: “I didn’t make this record to try to please or annoy Porcupine Tree fans – I just thought it was a good concept for a record. I think people are open-minded enough that they'll at least give it a listen.”

Guest on Chasing The Polygraph include saxophonist Nigel Hitchcock and bassist Laurence Cottle from Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. The record is available for pre-order on CD/DVD and vinyl at Kscope. Harrison will tour the UK with King Crimson later this year.
Tracklist

What Happens Now?
Sound Of Muzak (So Called Friend)
Start Of Something Beautiful
Heart Attack In A Lay-By (Creator had a Mastertape / Surfer)
Anaesthetize (The Pills I'm Taking)
Hatesong-Halo
Cheating The Polygraph (Mother & Child Divided)
Futile

Undisputed kings of Viking heavy metal, Amon Amarth, have released an unboxing video for the vinyl edition of their upcoming twelfth studio album, The Great Heathen Army, out August 5 via Metal Blade Records.





One of the best-loved metal bands in the world, Amon Amarth are firmly dedicated to aiming high when they hit the studio. Recorded with esteemed studio guru Andy Sneap at the controls, The Great Heathen Army represents another bold leap forward for the band, as their trademark sound undergoes yet another skilful, evolutionary overhaul, both lyrically and musically. From the noisily rabble-rousing "Find A Way Or Make One" and the pummelling, pugilistic "Get In The Ring", to the evocative fury of "Saxons & Vikings" and the cinematic squall of the title track, The Great Heathen Army encapsulates the essence of this legendary band, while still allowing acres of space for new ideas.







Album pre-orders are available here and feature a host of exclusive vinyl variants and must-have merch items for any self-respecting Amon Amarth fan.





The Great Heathen Army tracklisting:


"Get In The Ring"
"The Great Heathen Army"
"Heidrun"
"Oden Owns You All"
"Find A Way Or Make One"
"Dawn Of Norsemen"
"Saxons And Vikings"
"Skagul Rides With Me"
"The Serpent's Trail"


"The Great Heathen Army" video:





"Get In The Ring" video:





Amon Amarth will be setting sail for North American shores this fall for what is set to be the death metal raid of the year.


The Great Heathen Tour, produced by Live Nation, will pillage its way across North America this coming November/December, razing 27 cities to the ground in its wake. The tour concludes with a special show at the Kia Forum, Los Angeles where Amon Amarth will bring their full European production and become the first death metal band to headline the famous venue. No Sleep Til………Los Angeles!!


Joining Amon Amarth on their epic quest will be Carcass, Obituary and Cattle Decapitation making this the must-see tour for fans of death metal. Tickets are general sale here. Watch a new tour trailer below.





Dates:


November
11 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl*
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theater
14 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theater
15 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
16 - Dallas, TX - Southside Ballroom
18 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
19 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
20 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
22 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
23 - Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
25 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
26 - Chicago, IL - The Aragon Ballroom
27 - Cincinnati, OH - The Andrew J Brady Music Center
30 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE**


December
1 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
2 - Toronto, ON - History
3 - Laval, QC - Place Bell
5 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee
6 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
7 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown
9 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore
10 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
12 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
13 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
15 - Wheatland, CA - Hard Rock Live
16 - San Diego, CA - SOMA
17 - Los Angeles, CA - Kia Forum


* no Carcass
** non-Live Nation date

Ex-JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens says that he never got a call from his former bandmates about them finally getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 after being discovered when the band's drummer was given a videotape of him performing with the PRIEST cover band BRITISH STEEL. JUDAS PRIEST at the time was seeking a replacement for Rob Halford, who has since rejoined the band.

Owens recorded two studio albums with JUDAS PRIEST — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before Halford's return to the group.

PRIEST will receive the Musical Excellence Award at the fall 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame event, which will honor Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

The award for Musical Excellence — which was originally titled the "Sidemen" category when it debuted — is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.

Back in 2010, when the Sidemen category was renamed the award for Musical Excellence, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation president Joel Peresman told The Plain Dealer the category "gives us flexibility to dive into some things and recognize some people who might not ordinarily get recognized."

JUDAS PRIEST is the second band to receive the award for Musical Excellence; the E STREET BAND was the first. Last year, late OZZY OSBOURNE and QUIET RIOT guitarist Randy Rhoads was one of the recipients of the Musical Excellence Award.

The induction ceremony will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on SiriusXM's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio channel 310.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the JUDAS PRIEST members that will get inducted include current members Halford, Ian Hill (bass),Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums),along with former members K.K. Downing (guitar),Les Binks (drums) and late drummer Dave Holland.

Owens discussed his exclusion from PRIEST's Hall Of Fame induction in a new interview as part of Rolling Stone 's "King For A Day" series. He said: "It's a shame that [the Hall Of Fame] can't bring in members that were in the band almost 10 years and had a Grammy nomination, two studio records, two live records, a DVD. It's a shame that they can't do it. What gets me more than anything is that I haven't even gotten a call from JUDAS PRIEST on it. I did get a call that an Australian agent was using the name 'Metal Gods' [for my upcoming tour with ex-AC/DC and DIO drummer Simon Wright]. [They told me,] 'We'll let it slip this time, but in the future you can't let them use it.'

"That's your phone call? How about the guys in the band getting into the Hall Of Fame that deserve it?" Owens continued. "There's never been a call saying, 'You were a big part of this. Here's the reasons you're not being inducted, but you were a big part of us and you're a big part of the family.' There wasn't even a phone call. Not getting in, whatever.

"Here's how I look at it: I'm in the Hall Of Fame. I was in the band for almost 10 years. When someone says that JUDAS PRIEST is in the Hall Of Fame, I sang for JUDAS PRIEST, so I'm basically in the Hall Of Fame.

"It just would have been nice to get an e-mail or a call," Owens added. "The only e-mails I ever get are threats. It's a shame because we're friends. It's a shame that's all management is worried about, instead of, 'We should probably send a letter to Tim or a bottle of champagne to thank him for his years in the band.'"

Tim reiterated that it wasn't his idea to use the name "Metal Gods" for his upcoming Australian tour with Wright.

"This show was called 'Metal Gods' since it was me and Simon Wright," he said. "We're doing 10 DIO songs and 10 JUDAS PRIEST songs. I didn't have anything to do with the name, but the agent/promoter called it 'Metal Gods' because he looked at both of them as metal gods. It wasn't a JUDAS PRIEST tribute show. And so my attorney said, 'They need to deal with this agent. I don't know how much they want to deal with suing someone in Australia. I don't even know if the trademark is protected in Australia.' They told me I could use it this time. I was like, 'Why are you threatening me? I didn't have anything to do with this.' But so be it. They're more willing to threaten me than thank me.

"I'm getting ready to go to Latin America now. I have like 15 shows in 17 days. Every time I see a flyer for a show in Colombia or somewhere and I see a JUDAS PRIEST logo or an old photo, I'm thinking, 'Oh shit.'

"They know how to get ahold of me to tell me not to do stuff. That being said, I'm not talking bad about anyone in the band. This is what happens. I can't help that. But the time in JUDAS PRIEST was fantastic. They treated me so good."

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

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

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

The Rock Hall didn't induct BLACK SABBATH until 2006, and METALLICA followed three years later.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

Rob Halford says that JUDAS PRIEST finally getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is "a wonderful moment for heavy metal."

PRIEST will receive the Musical Excellence Award at the fall 2022 event, which will honor Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

In a new interview with Metal Pilgrim, Halford stated about the honor (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's wonderful. Great things happen in time. Time is a healer. Time is also a moment of growth and memories. And you receive these types of recognitions for the work that you created. And as we've said many, many times, this is just a wonderful moment for not only PRIEST but for heavy metal in general in that building, in that Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame experience. And we need to get some more metal in as soon as possible. But for PRIEST, a British heavy metal band, [to get] in an American institution is a very sweet time. I can't wait to get out there into L.A. in November and be a part of that special night."

The award for Musical Excellence — which was originally titled the "Sidemen" category when it debuted — is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.

Back in 2010, when the Sidemen category was renamed the award for Musical Excellence, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation president Joel Peresman told The Plain Dealer the category "gives us flexibility to dive into some things and recognize some people who might not ordinarily get recognized."

JUDAS PRIEST is the second band to receive the award for Musical Excellence; the E STREET BAND was the first. Last year, late OZZY OSBOURNE and QUIET RIOT guitarist Randy Rhoads was one of the recipients of the Musical Excellence Award.

The induction ceremony will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on SiriusXM's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio channel 310.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the JUDAS PRIEST members that will get inducted include current members Halford, Ian Hill (bass),Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums),along with former members K.K. Downing (guitar),Les Binks (drums) and late drummer Dave Holland.

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

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

To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

The Rock Hall didn't induct BLACK SABBATH until 2006, and METALLICA followed three years later.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

In a new interview with music writer Joel Gausten, drummer James Kottak (KINGDOM COME, ex-SCORPIONS) discusses a variety of topics, including staying active in the music industry after more than 30 years. An excerpt from the chat appears below.

Joel Gausten: You were doing things in the industry long before KINGDOM COME, and you've certainly done a lot since the band's original run, including having a great career with the SCORPIONS. You've been around a long time. What was the biggest lesson you've learned about the music business since the first KINGDOM COME album that you're applying to your work with the band now?

Kottak: "You have to be willing to do a lot of work on your own. We work as a group, and then, of course, we have a manager, a lawyer, an agent and all that stuff. But that only goes so far. You really have to learn the business. It's like with Gene Simmons — what an incredible businessman! He's one businessman who's been totally active with KISS and has taken it to a much bigger level. Whether you like the guy or not, I don't care. I love Gene Simmons. He's just a smart businessman and a really smart guy and very nice. I would say get everything up and running, get your music together, do everything you can possibly do on your own and then start seeking out big-time management or this or that. Or if you're really good like a GRETA VAN FLEET, look what happens — people come to you."

Joel Gausten: Your career has spanned decades at this point, which is rare in this business. You've worked with big acts and have been able to maintain that. Since you've been through it and are still in it and thriving and doing cool stuff, what has been the key to longevity and surviving in this insane business we're talking about?

b>Kottak: "Work. You have to get up and do the work. You have to show up on time. I'm not perfect; I've been late for many things, but you have to be willing to work. A lot of times, what happens with many bands is they put out an album, go on tour, put out another album, go on tour and they're pretty successful. They're coming up and blah blah blah, but then they get lazy because they've made a little bit of money after being broke for the previous five years. You have to continue, and you've got to love it. Like I said earlier, you've got to work with friends. They can't always be your best friends, but it makes life much more enjoyable when you have to go to a restaurant and sit with these people not once or twice but maybe thousands of times. That's the the key to the SCORPIONS. Everybody goes, 'What's the key to longevity?' [SCORPIONS guitarist] Rudolf Schenker's answer was always, 'Friendship and love of rock 'n' roll.' It's so true. I just went and saw SCORPIONS about a week ago here in LA, and they sounded phenomenal. [Singer] Klaus [Meine] was killing it, and I got to hang with the boys and say hi to all the crew guys; I've been friends with some of those guys for twentysomething years. That's the good part of rock 'n' roll. Then you've got the bad part. I tend to be a glass-full kind of a guy — no pun intended! [Laughs] That's the most important thing. If you've got to go to a rehearsal five days a week and do two months of shows with somebody you think is an asshole, then quit. It will never work."

The complete interview is available at this location.

KnuckleBonz, Inc. and the Cliff Burton estate will launch a Cliff Burton-branded beer and a KnuckleBonz limited-edition collectible statue, with a portion of all proceeds going to the Cliff Burton Music Scholarship Foundation for rising youth musicians. The beer is the first product to come out, with pre-sales now available.

The Cliff Burton (Cliff 'Em All) IPA Beer (6.4% ABV) is brewed by Calicraft Brewing Co. and is now available for pre-order online at CraftShack. A collaboration between the Cliff Burton estate, KnuckleBonz and Calicraft Brewing, it is the seventh beer in the KnuckleBonz beverage series which combines the love of great beer with a devotion to great music.

Brewed to celebrate the music, life, and legacy of the master musician Cliff Burton, Cliff 'Em All IPA is made in a classic NorCal style: hoppy, bold, and crushable. Capturing the best of a classic West Coast beer, and made with simcoe and citra hops, this IPA pairs well with all forms of incredible music.

The Burton family said in a statement: "Continuing the mission of Cliff's father, the late Ray Burton, the Cliff Burton Foundation is centered on fostering the next generation of musical talent. We handpick young individuals from around the world with the same enthusiasm for music and dedication to their craft as the late bassist Cliff Burton had. Cheers to Cliff and Ray Burton who loved a good beer."

The Cliff Burton IPA will be available for fans in 40 states to buy online through CraftShack. The Cliff Burton IPA beer ships nationwide with some exclusions based on individual state laws. CraftShack is the premier online marketplace and platform for specialty craft beers and spirits delivered to your door. First 500 customers receive a free poster: Cliff Burton fans who order first will receive a limited-edition collectible poster included free with their order. This poster only ships to the first 500 customers.

"We are honored to be working with the estate to bring premium products to music superfans that help contribute to help these talented and hard-working youth musicians," says Tony Simerman, CEO/creative director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. "Not only is this foundation and what it stands for near and dear to our hearts here at KnuckleBonz, but honoring Cliff in any way, whatsoever, is very important to us. The integrity, passion and drive he always had along with his obvious musical talent has gained him the highest place of respect in our company. We are truly honored to be working with the family on anything that can pay tribute to Cliff Burton."

Cliff was asked to join METALLICA in 1982 after the band saw him perform with his group at the time, TRAUMA.

The bassist was not willing to move to Los Angeles, where METALLICA was based, so they decided to move to the San Francisco area so that he would join.

Burton played on METALLICA's first three studio albums — "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets" — and co-wrote classic songs like "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Creeping Death" and "Master Of Puppets".

Burton's initial replacement in the group was Jason Newsted, who stayed in the lineup until 2001. Robert Trujillo joined in 2003 and remains in the band to this day.

February 10, 2018 was proclaimed "Cliff Burton Day" by Alameda County supervisors. The late METALLICA bassist would have turned 56 years old on that date had he lived.

Burton died in a tragic tour bus accident in 1986.

Cliff's huge talent and achievements were chronicled in book form with the 2009 global publication of "To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton", written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver and published by Jawbone Press. The foreword was provided by METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett.