Former NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist Marko "Marco" Hietala says that he doesn't expect to be asked to return to the band any time soon.

The bassist/vocalist announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January 2021, explaining in a statement that he hadn't "been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now." He has since been replaced by session bassist Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN),who made his live debut with NIGHTWISH in May 2021 at the band's two interactive experiences.

In a new interview with Finland's Iltalehti, Hietala revealed that he went through a dark period in his life, which included depression, insomnia and anxiety.

“Sometimes I thought I would walk from my backyard to the icy lake and just disappear," Hietala said, according to Chaoszine, which translated his comments from Finnish.

Marko added that the canceled tours during the pandemic of 2020 brought peace to his life, which the musician was no longer ready to give up when it was time for NIGHTWISH to prepare to go on tour again.

"My head had gone to the point where I could no longer bear the thought of having to go out into the world for a month or a month and a half with the same conditions and troubles," Hietala recalled.

Hietala was also asked about a possible return to NIGHTWISH. However, he said that he does not believe that he will be approached about coming back to the band. "I’m not waiting for a call asking me to return or a meeting invitation," he said. "For many years, I would get pissed off practically every day at some point. Black thoughts would pop up as soon as there was an empty moment. Even though the gang knows there’s depression and medication and therapy, I can’t help being tired. I saw leaving as necessary for both me and them."

Hietala went on to say that he has not kept in touch with NIGHTWISH since his departure or followed the activities of his former band.

In May 2021, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said that Hietala's decision to leave the band "came as a bit of a surprise." He told Finland's Kaaos TV: "Marko informed us in December [of 2020 that he was leaving the band]. And even though he has been very open about his state and problems during the past years, it still came as a bit of a surprise for us. So it was a really tough pill to swallow. And for a few days, I was actually quite confident that there's no coming back, that this is it. I remember talking to Emppu [Vuorinen], the guitar player, and we were, like, 'You think this is it?' 'Yeah, I think this is it.' I mean, enough is enough. So much has happened in the past. Something that broke the camel's back, as they say. Then, after some time had passed — a few days — we started to think that it's been such a ride of 25 years, with so many ups also, that this is not the way to end it."

Tuomas elaborated on NIGHTWISH's reasons for carrying on, saying: "I think we still have something to give, and that's the main point. The music is still there. We felt that there's still so much music that needs to come out from this band that, 'Okay, let's give it one more shot.' And then finding the new bass player was really easy."

He added: "It's not like we do this just because we need to do it and there's nothing else to do. On a personal level, I feel that there's still so many stories and melodies that I want to share with the world with one lineup or another, so that's why you want to continue and keep on going.

"I've said this a million times, that a lineup change is the ultimate energy vampire, and that's how it really felt and still feels."

In June 2021, NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen spoke about Hietala's exit from the band in an episode of her "Storytime" YouTube video series. She said: "That was a very sudden surprise that, of course, was not fun at all. But we understand — I understand — it was a necessary thing for him to do. And from there, we had to think of how to continue without him, and that also, in preparations towards the virtual show, that was a huge challenge."

She continued: "I'm very happy we found Jukka to play with us. And it was wonderful to get together, even though miss Marko, in April to start rehearsing for these virtual shows. Fortunately, we had a lot of time together, and it was very nice to go through the process of really not just knowing how to sing or play the songs but actually really feeling them, really communicating them, as you do with a show. We did that together. And then, of course, came the relatively unnatural setting of standing in a green bathroom [laughs] called the green screens all around us and cameras and people going for coffee instead of a real live audience. But that was really great. We had so much time that we could rehearse all of that and had a lot of fun doing that in the process."

NIGHTWISH is continuing to tour in support of its "Human. :II: Nature." album, which was released in April 2020. The follow-up to 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", "Human. :II: Nature." is a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters, on CD 2.

In December 2020, Hietala was crowned the winner of the fall 2020 season of "Masked Singer Suomi" — the Finnish edition of the popular masked singing contest. He was disguised as Tohtori — the Doctor.

THE HALO EFFECT, the new project featuring five former members of the Swedish metal band IN FLAMES — Jesper Strömblad (guitar), Daniel Svensson (drums), Peter Iwers (bass), Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals) — will release its debut album, "Days Of The Lost", on August 12 via Nuclear Blast.

THE HALO EFFECT was officially launched last year, more than a decade after Strömblad quit IN FLAMES in order to continue receiving treatment for his alcohol addiction.

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

As for how THE HALO EFFECT will handle future touring activities if Jesper is unable to go on the road, Niclas said: "Yeah, we have some ideas behind that. It's nothing I can talk about right here and now. We are solving that. But the main goal is to have Jesper on board as much as he can do and feel strong about it. And then if he can't make it somehow, we support him and we are with him all the way. And we will find solutions to that because we are… This is a collective of friends. This is just a Gothenburg scene death metal, and we are among friends here, as it was back in the '90s, early '90s. And we'll solve the things in a positive way."

After leaving IN FLAMES, Strömblad formed THE RESISTANCE with Marco Aro (vocals, THE HAUNTED) and Glenn Ljungström (guitar, ex-IN FLAMES). Strömblad announced his departure from that group in March 2016, with the band's bassist, Rob Hakemo, saying in an interview that Jesper "saved" THE RESISTANCE by quitting and explaining that the guitarist is "an alcoholic" and "drug addict" who "doesn't want to [get] sober." Rob added: "[Jesper] thinks that two weeks [sober] is good, and then he can drink some. And then he's gone for a month, and then he's back and he's not drinking [for a short while]. It's a sad thing, and we really tried to help him and wanted the best [for him]. So when he told us that 'I'm leaving the band,' we were relieved. We were really relieved."

THE HALO EFFECT made its live debut on June 11 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

Engelin has been sitting out IN FLAMES' tour dates for the past three and a half years but has never officially confirmed his departure from the band. Engelin's replacement for IN FLAMES' live shows since then has been former MEGADETH and current ACT OF DEFIANCE guitarist Chris Broderick.

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

Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan of SYSTEM OF A DOWN played the band's song "Aerials" with the rock covers outfit MÉDIUM this past Friday, July 15 during John's 50th-birthday celebration in the streets of San José del Cabo, Mexico. Video of the performance can be seen below.

Dolmayan is married to Diana Dolmayan, who is the sister of Tankian's wife Angela, making them brothers-in-law.

On his social media accounts, John is very politically active like his bandmates, but unlike some of the members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, particularly Tankian, Dolmayan supported Donald Trump's presidency.

In an October 2020 interview with Forbes, Serj admitted that he found it "frustrating" to see John so publicly supporting Donald Trump.

"He's Armenian. He's my brother-in-law and my drummer. Is it frustrating being politically opposite to your own drummer and brother-in-law? Fuck yeah," he said. "Of course it's frustrating. But that's having to do with American politics. When it comes to Armenian issues, we're on the same exact page."

Four months earlier, Serj reassured fans that, despite their differing beliefs when it comes to Trump, he both loves and respects John "irrespective of our extremely polarized political commentary.

"Remember irrespective of the stance, only artists that truly care and are impassioned will risk alienating their base for what they consider the truth," he added. "Our dilemma and possible fallacy is that we have two in one band. Some may consider that a weakness but the artistic, political and social dichotomy if not quadrichotomy has made SYSTEM OF A DOWN what it is today."

That same month, John stated about the discussions he has had with the other members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN: "You'd be surprised at how civil our conversations are, especially between me and Serj, who seem to have the most diverging opinions on things.

"I have a lot of respect for Serj and his opinions, although I don't agree with them very often these days. And that's okay. We expand each other's horizons. I like to think that he learns from me and I learn from him."

Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL debuted a new version of their song "Tight Rope" this past Friday (July 15) at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

The new version of "Tight Rope" will appear on "Comalies XX", a "deconstructed" and "transported" version of LACUNA COIL's third album, "Comalies", which will be made available on October 14 via Century Media Records.

Back in 2002, LACUNA COIL released an album which is now undeniably an anthem-laden millennial classic that established them as a band with the stamina to go the distance. Now, 20 years later, the current lineup of LACUNA COIL decided to revisit the songs, but not to just re-record them as they were but deconstruct and transport them into 2022.

"This is not a reboot or a spin-off or anything like that," says LACUNA COIL vocalist Cristina Scabbia. "We just wanted to give these songs a 2022 dress and see how this guy or girl who was born 20 years ago would still look fucking slick in 2022."

"Comalies XX" track listing:

CD 1:

01. Swamped XX
02. Heaven's A Lie XX
03. Daylight Dancer XX
04. Humane XX
05. Self Deception XX
06. Aeon XX
07. Tight Rope XX
08. The Ghost Woman And The Hunter XX
09. Unspoken XX
10. Entwined XX
11. The Prophet Said XX
12. Angel's Punishment XX
13. Comalies XX

CD 2:

01. Swamped
02. Heaven's A Lie
03. Daylight Dancer
04. Humane
05. Self Deception
06. Aeon
07. Tight Rope
08. The Ghost Woman And The Hunter
09. Unspoken
10. Entwined
11. The Prophet Said
12. Angel's Punishment
13. Comalies

As previously reported, LACUNA COIL will celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Comalies", by performing it in its entirety at a one-night-only concert on Saturday, October 15 at Fabrique in Milano.

"Comalies" was originally released on October 29, 2002 through Century Media Records. The LP, which featured the band's breakthrough single "Heaven's A Lie", has reportedly gone on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States alone.

Regarding the "Comalies" title, Scabbia said: "[During the album's recording], we had a sort of creative explosion. We were working in a coma, sort of like in a different dimension. First of all we just wanted to use the word 'coma' but there was something missing so we played with the two words coma and lies."

The "Comalies" song "Swamped" is available as a downloadable track for the music video game series "Rock Band" and also appeared in the 2004 video game "Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines".

LACUNA COIL played its first show in front of an audience in more than two years on April 7 as the support act for APOCALYPTICA at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia.

Prior to the Atlanta concert, the last time LACUNA COIL played together was at the group's special September 2020 livestream event where the bandmembers performed their latest album, "Black Anima", in its entirety with no audience in attendance at the Alcatraz Club in Milan, Italy. That show was released as a live album, "Live From The Apocalypse", via Century Media.

LACUNA COIL hadn't played in front of a crowd since the completion of the band's South American tour in February 2020.

Last June, Scabbia told Revolver that she and her bandmates didn't use the coronavirus downtime to work on new music. "We didn't want to force the fact that because we were home, we had to write music," she explained. "We always thought that to write music, you need to be inspired. And inspiration comes from the outside, comes from experiences that you have, things that you live. At least this is valid for us.

"Everything we do in a regular life, in a normal life enriches us and gives us input that we can put in our music," she said. "And also we like to write together. So, if Marco [Coti Zelati, bass] creates the basis of the music together with the other musicians in the band, then Andrea [Ferro, vocals] and I jump in with the lyrics and vocal lines. But we do that together. We need to enter in songwriting mode. So we didn't really like the fact that we had to write separately just because we have to put a record [together] because it's quarantine. Now we are starting to collect ideas 'cause we feel a little bit happier."

Scabbia continued: "We didn't want anything connected to the negativity of the pandemic… That's why I used my time to do something completely different. Because I know that what I did that it's completely different from what I usually do will make me start again to do what I did before with passion — with the same passion. I was just afraid that if I would have used all the downtime making music when I didn't really want to, it would have had a negative influence on me. And it would have been, like, 'I really don't want to do that.' And I also wanted to prove to myself that, yeah, music is main passion. I love what I do for a living, and I hope that I can do it until the day I die. But I also wanted to show myself that I can be capable of doing something else as well."

Wolfgang Van Halen has weighed in on the proposed all-star VAN HALEN tribute project, saying it "was already not happening" by the time Jason Newsted first publicly discussed it three months ago.

No progress has been reported on a possible VAN HALEN tribute concert since April when the former METALLICA bassist revealed to The Palm Beach Post that he was approached by VAN HALEN drummer Alex Van Halen about six months earlier about playing bass for the project. Newsted told the Florida newspaper that he agreed to go to California to jam with Alex and legendary guitarist Joe Satriani and see if it felt right, but he eventually realized that it would be impossible to do justice to VAN HALEN's legacy. "How could you?" Jason said. "There's nobody that can top it, so how do you show it honor? I didn't want it to be viewed as a money grab. And then it kind of just all fizzled."

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Wolfgang was asked to elaborate on what happened to cause plans for the tribute concert to fall apart. He said: "What I can say is that there was an attempt at doing something. But, you know, I don't like to speak negatively about people, but there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to VAN HALEN. After being in VAN HALEN for a long time, I really have strived to have an environment where there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with. It's just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. But, you know, from my time in VAN HALEN, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. And, I think, that's what happened.

"I would love to just sit here and say everything and say the truth," he continued. "There are plenty of interviews my dad did, where he straight up just said everything. And people hated him for it and thought he was lying. So I could just say shit, but people have already decided how they feel about things, facts or not. So I can say the facts. But that may not align with how certain people feel. I know how VAN HALEN fans get. They are very motivated by which specific people they like in the band. And it's just not worth it. Just, we made an attempt, and some people can be hard to work with, and made it not happen."

Regarding his involvement in the proposed tribute concert, Wolfgang said: "When it comes to VAN HALEN, and decision-making overall and what VAN HALEN does, it's Al, and then I'm there and supportive. You know, I basically help make the decisions that dad would be there to make, because I'm in there in his stead."

Wolfgang went on to say that he "would really like to do something" for his father, but that the tribute concert idea "never even got off the ground."

"Look at anything that's happened with VAN HALEN," he said. "And look how things have fallen apart. You know? The fact that in my tenure, in VAN HALEN, we managed to do three tours, put an album of original material and a live album out is a fucking miracle.

"People love to pin every decision VAN HALEN has ever made on Dad," he continued. "But Al's the brain. Al has been the guy forever. He's the dude. When it comes to VAN HALEN, Dad just wanted to play guitar. But, you know, Al's mentality, and it's the mentality that VAN HALEN took for the entirety of its band, is that there's nothing worth talking about unless it's happening. So the reason that nothing has been talked about from VAN HALEN, the official channels, is because nothing's happened. And I know how that will stir people up and piss them off. But that's how the operation is run."

Asked what he would say if someone were to assume that the main problem was a certain singer with three initials — referring to David Lee Roth — Wolfgang replied: "I would say 'Do your research on the history of VAN HALEN, and come to your conclusions.'"

Earlier this month, SiriusXM radio personality Eddie Trunk said that Roth is the main reason the proposed all-star VAN HALEN tribute project has yet to move forward. Citing "a very, very, very reliable source" close to VAN HALEN, Trunk said that the hold-up on the VAN HALEN-anything happening is a lot of it falling on David Lee Roth, that David Lee Roth — to no surprise; it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody — is a difficult guy to wrangle, a difficult guy to get an answer on, a difficult guy to get focused on anything, a difficult guy to get to sign off on anything. He is all over the map, as you would expect and have seen throughout history, and that the big hold-up in anything happening with VAN HALEN is not Alex, who wants to do it and is trying; it's actually Roth who needs to sign off and be involved. Also, contrary to any reports of anything different, Alex and [former VAN HALEN bassist] Michael Anthony are totally cool and there's no issue there at all. And the stumbling block is trying to get Alex and Dave on the same page and Dave wanting to do this and how they're gonna do it. And that's really one of the big stumbling issues."

A month ago, Anthony confirmed to Trunk that he was involved in some of the early conversations about the VAN HALEN tribute.

"I haven't spoken to him in a little while, but I have spoken with Alex on occasion," Michael said. "And for the most part, we don't even speak that much about music — more about just family, how we're doing and stuff like that. I know it still pains him a lot as far as Eddie goes and will probably for the rest of his life. But I spoke with him and Dave last year about a possible something, but Dave just starts going [talking really fast] And I'm, like, 'Okay.' And we basically just had kind of a conference call about having a conference call to discuss it, and then that other call didn't happen for whatever reason on their end. I told them that I'd obviously be interested. And it would be more like a celebration of the music rather than putting together something and calling it VAN HALEN because that just wouldn't be right at this point."

Anthony went on to say that he hadn't been aware Newsted was involved in the discussions until Jason disclosed it in The Palm Beach Post interview. "That's the first that I'd even heard about anything like that," Michael said. "And it was kind of interesting because he said he spoke to [Dave and Alex] about a year ago, and that's about the time I was speaking with them. So I don't know. I'm gonna have to call Jason and ask him. [Laughs]"

When Trunk noted that Roth said in his comment about the VAN HALEN tribute that "two of us" would be required "for every position" in the project's lineup, possibly suggesting that more than one guitarist and more than one bassist would be involved in the show, Anthony said: "I was kind of thinking along those lines also, but then one thing made me kind of change my mind and make me think, 'Well, Dave's just kind of being Dave,' and maybe he's just saying that it would take at least two people to be able to duplicate what one person in this band did, and the reason I thought of that was all of a sudden he brought up the name Pink. He was saying that Pink would have to be one of the David Lee Roth characters, or singers, and I'm, like, 'Huh.' That just sounded a little too 'Dave' to me.

"But I don't know," Anthony quickly clarified. "At this point, I've gotta tell you, I don't know if anything will ever happen. 'Cause Alex is — he's really hurting. Him and Edward were so close on all levels — musical levels and personally and whatever. It just seems to me like it might be really hard for Alex to even enter into something to bring back all those memories. I don't know. I could be wrong. I'm the guy that always says, 'Never say never.'"

According to Anthony, the proposed VAN HALEN tribute would likely take the form of a single concert rather than a full-fledged tour.

"What was being talked about was not actually doing a tour," he said. "You take something like this on tour and people are gonna think it's a cashgrab. I'd rather have something, like a memorial-type thing, done at a venue. And there were actually a couple of venues discussed. But do it that way instead of taking it on the road. And make it just a real celebration of the music…

"I actually would not be up for doing a tour right off the bat," Michael continued. "I think holding a celebration of Eddie and the music and the whole VAN HALEN legacy is great. And let's face it — none of us need the money. I don't need the money. I'd rather take the money and throw it in a charity."

Michael once again reiterated that he has no concrete idea whether any VAN HALEN tribute concert will take place. "I think it all really hinges upon Alex," he said. "And he's gotta be the person, really, that wants to do this and give his blessing to the whole thing for it to move forward. And like I said, when we speak, we really don't even speak about doing anything like that at this point. He's still healing. And if it gets to that point, I'm sure Alex will be the first one that'll wanna do something like that."

Asked whether there has been any bad blood between him and Alex and Dave in recent years, Anthony said: "Not at all. I only spoke to Dave that one conversation we had last year and I couldn't hardly get a word in edgewise, which is… that's typical Dave. But I have spoken to Alex on occasion, and it's great. We'll speak for, like, 45 minutes, an hour. And probably about the first 20 minutes is Alex, sometimes he'll vent to me a bit about all the circumstances around how everything happened with Eddie. But we basically just talk about family and we actually bring up some of the old times on the road, to lighten things up a bit."

In June 2021, Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang Van Halen, who joined his father in VAN HALEN for the band's 2007 reunion tour with Roth, replacing Anthony, told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" it would be "great" to eventually organize an Eddie Van Halen tribute show. "It's not in the immediate plans, 'cause that's a lot of moving parts that you've gotta corral to get that to happen. But I definitely think it should happen. Absolutely," he said.

Asked how he envisions the tribute concert taking place in terms of which musicians should be involved, Wolfgang said: "I have no idea. All I know is that the focus should a hundred percent be on Pop. While it could be a celebration of VAN HALEN and the band's history, I think more than anything, it should be focused on him… It's a tall ask and a big thing to figure out. But I do think it should happen at some point."

In November 2020, Wolfgang told Entertainment Tonight that proceeds from any tribute show in honor of his father will go toward Eddie's favorite charity, Mr. Holland's Opus, which helps underprivileged students access musical instruments. Proceeds from the debut solo single from Wolfgang's solo band MAMMOTH WVH, "Distance", are also benefiting Mr. Holland's Opus.

In February 2021, former VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar told Kyle Meredith that he will make every effort to take part in the Eddie Van Halen tribute concert.

"I have nothing to do with the [Eddie Van Halen] legacy," he said. "That's their business — that's Wolfie, Alex Van Halen; they're family members. Whoever wants to call me up and say, 'Here's the date,' I will be there. I don't care where I am. I'll cancel a [solo] show [if I need to]. [Laughs] [That's] something VAN HALEN would never do. I always make that joke — canceling a show was [out of the question with] VAN HALEN. I went out sick without being able to sing, Eddie went out with a crutch, Alex went out with a fucking neck brace — we wouldn't cancel shows. But I will cancel my show for a tribute to Eddieany day."

Eddie died in October 2020 at the age of 65. The legendary VAN HALEN guitarist passed away at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

Eddie was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000 and had tongue surgery. He later battled lung cancer and had been receiving radiation treatment in Germany. Things took a turn for the worse in early 2019 when Eddie got in a motorcycle accident. He was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor, and received gamma knife radiosurgery to treat the illness.

QUEENSRŸCHE frontman Todd La Torre says that lighting flares at stadium concerts and soccer games is a "very common" thing for the people of Greece and is meant to be a "celebratory" gesture.

The 48-year-old Florida-based musician, whose wife hails from Athens, offered his comments just two days after IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson blasted a fan as a "Greek cunt" and a "fucking cocksucker" for lighting a flare during the band's concert in the Greek capital.

Earlier today (Monday, July 18),Todd took to his Twitter to share a video of the MAIDEN show and wrote in an accompanying message: "For those that don't know, lighting flares at open stadium concerts, big soccer games, etc, is a VERY common thing for the Greek people. It is a celebratory thing." He then added in Greek: "The Greeks are crazy!"

Todd later took to the BLABBERMOUTH.NET Facebook page to clarify his original tweet, writing: "Many people hadn't realized that this was not an isolated incident but rather a cultural celebratory behavior, thus I only stated it as information. I never expressed an opinion for or against it.

"Much appreciation to those who clearly understood the tweet exactly as it was written, instead of having mistakenly interpreted it as a position taken."

The incident at the MAIDEN concert occurred as the band launched into the tenth song of its set, "The Number Of The Beast", at the Olympic Stadium. After singing the opening line of the track, Bruce noticed the flare lighting up and immediately burst into an angry rant, apparently concerned that the smoke from the flare would negatively affect his singing voice.

"The cunt with the fucking flare, I've gotta sing up here," Bruce shouted into the microphone. "You fucking cocksucker. You Greek cunt. All right. I've gotta fucking sing. All right. Fuck you."

As Bruce's bandmates continued playing the opening riff of "The Number Of The Beast", he apparently briefly left the stage in hopes that the smoke would clear up. However, when Dickinson eventually resumed singing the song, he was notably off time and not in sync with the rest of the group.

Dickinson has a history of publicly admonishing fans and security at MAIDEN's concert if he feels like they are out of line. Back in 2019, he stopped a MAIDEN show midway through to slam a Tacoma, Washington venue for a violent and bloody incident in the crowd for which he claimed the venue's security was to blame. In 2012, Bruce called out a fan at a Indianapolis show who had been texting for three straight songs.

Last year, Todd told The Vinyl District that Athens was his favorite city in the world to perform in. "My wife's from there and that's kind of my home away from home," he explained.

QUEENSRŸCHE's 16th studio album, "Digital Noise Alliance", will be released on October 7 via Century Media Records. The record was once again helmed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with QUEENSRŸCHE on 2015's "Condition Hüman" and 2019's "The Verdict" LPs.

La Torre joined QUEENSRŸCHE a decade ago as the replacement for original frontman Geoff Tate. He was also the lead singer for CRIMSON GLORY from late 2010 until resigned from the band in early 2013.
For those that don't know, lighting flares at open stadium concerts, big soccer games, etc, is a VERY common thing for the Greek people. It is a celebratory thing.
Οι Έλληνες είναι γαμάτοι!https://t.co/ps9IsIBdgL

— Todd La Torre (@ToddLaTorre) July 18, 2022

The title track of METALLICA's "Master Of Puppets" album has made its U.K. Top 40 debut, 36 years after the song's original release.

"Master Of Puppets" has jumped to No. 22 on this week's Official Singles Chart, becoming the metal legends' first U.K. Top 40 in 14 years; their last being 2008's "The Day That Never Comes".

"Master Of Puppets" is also seeing new life in the U.S. after its inclusion in season four of Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things". The popularity of the 1986 song brought it to the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever in the band's lengthy career.

In the season four finale of "Stranger Things", the Eddie Munson character performs what he calls "the most metal concert ever" — including shredding "Master Of Puppets" on his beloved Warlock guitar — in "Stranger Things"' "Upside Down" alternate universe during an attempt to help his friends vanquish the Big Bad of the season, a demon named Vecna.

On July 5, METALLICA released a statement regarding "Stranger Things" creators Matt and Ross Duffer's decision to use the group's music in the show. The band said: "The way The Duffer Brothers have incorporated music into 'Stranger Things' has always been next level, so we were beyond psyched for them to not only include 'Master Of Puppets' in the show but to have such a pivotal scene built around it.

"We were all stoked to see the final result and when we did we were totally blown away... it's so extremely well done, so much so, that some folks were able to guess the song just by seeing a few seconds of Joseph Quinn's hands in the trailer!! How crazy cool is that?

"It's an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie's journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show."

Two weeks ago, METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo revealed that his 17-year-old son Tye contributed "additional guitar tracks" to the version of "Master Of Puppets" which appears in "Stranger Things".

Apparently as a result of the renewed attention "Master Of Puppets" has received thanks to being featured in Netflix's hit original series, the song is currently sitting at position No. 23 on Spotify's Top 50 Global chart.

"Master Of Puppets" was released on February 24, 1986 and was the first album METALLICA recorded after signing a major label deal with Elektra Records.

The set only reached No. 29 on the Billboard album chart but has sold over six million copies in the U.S. since.

It is the last record to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed later that year in a tour bus crash.

Several songs from the album are still staples of METALLICA's live set, including "Battery", "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and the title track.

Many fans consider it METALLICA's finest album, a fact that the band acknowledged by playing it in its entirety on a European tour in 2006.

"Master Of Puppets" continues to sell several thousand copies a week in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In 2016, "Master Of Puppets" was among the albums that were selected for induction into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

Several years ago, METALLICA collaborated with an author named Matt Taylor on a book about the making of "Master Of Puppets".
.@Metallica's Master of Puppets is a Top 40 hit nearly 40 years after its release 🙌 https://t.co/O3lumaCUUc

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) July 15, 2022

The superstar rock band, Intelligent Music Project ,will release its seventh studio album, entitled Unconditioned, in July - just two months after their biggest adventure, Eurovision Song Contest.


The legendary Simon Phillips (Toto, Protocol) returns as percussionist and musical co-producer of the new album, while the lead vocalist on this release will again be one of the most popular names in rock music today: Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG). This will be Romero’s third album with Intelligent Music Project, and for the first time the group has expanded its compositional approach: two of the songs and their arrangements are entirely the work of Ronnie, Biser Ivanov and Ivo Stefanov. For the first time on Unconditioned, the band’s lead singer shows off his skills as a lyricist, having penned the words to those two songs. All the other songs and lyrics are once again the creation of Intelligent Music Project’s founder and producer, Dr. Milen Vrabevski.


In honor of the tenth anniversary of the band’s first album, The Power Of Mind, the seventh album follows its format and also begins and ends with instrumental tracks written by Dr. Milen Vrabevski in collaboration with Biser Ivanov and Ivo Stefanov.







“Unconditioned is an album dedicated to unconditional love as a deciding factor in normalizing our modern life. This love has to be focused above all on our children, because they are the future, while we are the ones who need to show them the way and teach them to make bold decisions and to live for the people around them. Only with more such people will the world become a better place.” - Dr. Vrabevski about the new album


One hit track from Unconditioned is “Intention” - the song the band played as Bulgaria’s representative to Eurovision 2022 in Torino. Besides the Eurovision version, the album will also include the original, longer take, which sticks to Intelligent Music Project’s signature melodic progressive style, as well as a backing track version.  


“Intention” was the first single from Intelligent Music Project’s seventh album. At the moment, the song has more than two and a half million views/listens on both YouTube and Spotify. The song raises the question of every individual’s personal, internal battle with outdated models of belief and behavior that hold them back. Starting from the title itself, the author underscores the simple fact that it is never too late to start down the right path – the path of your own personal growth, of dignified existence and of life with a mission. The song calls us to turn away from our ego, selfishness and a consumerist attitude on life and instead to live for the people around us.


“Finding the right path, however, often turns into a battle with one’s self, so you need a serious intention to truly make a change!” - Dr. Milen Vrabevski, the author of the music and lyrics of “Intention” notes.  


The album’s second single, “New Hero,” came out in early May. The song was accompanied by a striking video that recreated a military atmosphere, where, in sync with the idea behind the album, the main characters were children. In the video’s narrative, it is precisely the children who turn out to be the brave heroes who bring about change.


“Effective action in the present, despite difficulties, is the key to progress. It is crucial for us to know that pretty words get us nowhere. It is easy to stand silently and do what you’re told. The harder but only effective thing is for a person to have their own opinion, their own method of resisting injustice, even if this means they often find themselves alone and misunderstood,” Dr. Vrabevski explains.


In addition to Simon Phillips and Ronnie Romero, the album also includes Carl Sentance (Nazareth), Biser Ivanov on guitar, Ivo Stefanov on keyboards, Slavin Slavchev, Lina Nicole, and Borislav Mudolov-Kosatkata on backing vocals; Dimitar Sirakov on bass; Samuel Eftimov on piano


The album will be released on July 27, the day of Ronnie Romero’s wedding to Romanian model and dentist Dr. Corina Minda.


Pre-order Unconditioned here.

Sonic Perspectives correspondent, Rob Cavuoto, had an in-depth discussion with John Norum about the writing of his ninth solo album, Gone To Stay, the role his amps and guitars play in the creative process, a look back at his first solo album Total Control, working with Don Dokken on Up From The Ashes, and more.


He also offered an update on Europe's 40th Anniversary tour for The Final Countdown album, and reveals the band is writing songs and may start recording later this year or in 2023, for a 2023 release.


Listen to the interview at Sonic Perspectives.




Norum  is set to release his ninth solo album, Gone To Stay, later this year. He recently released an official video for his new single, "Voices Of Silence", which was directed by Patric Ullaeus.





Check out the video for "Sail On", the first single from Norum's new album, below:





Complete album details to follow... stay tuned.

Since 2004, acclaimed rockers Alter Bridge have been known for their memorable riffs, infectious vocal melodies, and duelling guitar attack that has garnered them critical and fan acclaim around the globe. Now the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums are back with their most-aggressive collection of songs to date. The band’s seventh album Pawns & Kings is scheduled for worldwide release on October 14 via Napalm Records.


Pawns & Kings is comprised of 10 all-new epic tracks that are sure to garner the band new fans around the globe while satiating their fervent supporters that have been patiently waiting for new music from the band. Pawns & Kings found Alter Bridge reuniting with long-time collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to create a collection of memorable new additions to band’s impressive catalogue.


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” clocks in 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band’s catalogue – a distinction held by “Blackbird” until now. 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 favourite live.




The epic closing title track “Pawns & Kings” is now available via all digital service providers around the globe and a lyric video for the song can be found below.





Pawns & Kings will be available in the following configurations:   


- CD Digisleeve
- 1 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 1 LP Gatefold Inkspot Black/God Vinyl w/Slipmat and Record Butler (Napalm mail order only, limited to 500 worldwide)
- 1 LP Gatefold Marbled White/Crystal Clear Vinyl (Napalm mail order only, limited to 400 worldwide)
- 1 LP Gatefold Marbled Orange/Black Vinyl (Band Shop only)
- 1 LP Gatefold Marbled White/Black Vinyl (Band Shop only)
- 1 LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Vinyl (Band Shop only, limited to 300 only)
- Deluxe Box Set w/ CD Digisleeve, Pendant, Tote Bag, Guitar Pick tin (Napalm mail order only, limited to 700 worldwide)
- Music Cassette Brown Transparent (Napalm mail order only, limited to 150 worldwide)
- Digital Album


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"This Is War"                                               
"Dead Among The Living"
"Silver Tongue"
"Sin After Sin"
"Stay"
"Holiday"
"Fable Of The Silent Son"
"Season Of Promise"
"Last Man Standing"
"Pawns & Kings"


"Pawns & Kings" lyric video:





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 tour kicks off November 1 in Germany and will make stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before it wraps on December 12 at London's O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends Halestorm and Mammoth WVH will lend their support on the upcoming European tour.


More information on all tour dates and links to tickets and VIP experiences can be found at alterbridge.com.





(Photo - Chuck Brueckmann)

Royal Hunt will release their new studio album, Dystopia - Part II, on October 26 via King Records (Japan/SE Asia) and on October 28 via NorthPoint Productions (EU/N & S America).


The second and final part of the concept will again feature guest performers: Mats Leven (TSO, Skyblood, Vandenberg), Mark Boals (Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt), Henrik Brockman (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N´Tribe), Kenny Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez) and Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP).


Dystopia - Part II will be released in following formats: regular CD, various Deluxe editions/bundles and a gatefold, heavy vinyl double LP (availability date pending).




Royal Hunt keep expanding their trademark sound. As the story which inspired the project - Ray Bradbury´s classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” - gets more intense towards the end, the music turns into more dynamic, heavier direction. Once again the guest singers add even more dramatic contrasts to an already cinematic yet solidly rocking soundscape. Simply a “must have” for any symfo/prog/power fan out there.





Says the band: “Thinking back to the release date of the “Part I” back in 2020 makes you realize what a crazy time we all went through just during the last two years: who could have imagined that our “Dystopia” - project would reflect the harsh reality in such detail? And the madness is still ongoing. In any case, Dystopia - Part II is even more relevant today than ever: we followed the general concept yet filled it up with images of current events in order to make it resonate with every person, everybody living through 2020 to 2022 and watching insanity to unfold in real time."


Listening parties and bonus videos are available at Royal Hunt Camp 2022 - a crowdfunding campaign at royalhunt.com. Join the Camp by pre-ordering a Deluxe Edition or any bundle to support the release and listen to studio sessions already now.


Lineup:


André Andersen - keyboards
DC Cooper - vocals
Andreas Passmark - bass
Jonas Larsen - guitars
Andreas HABO Johansson - drums

The Dead Daisies have shared the new video below, stating: "From Hungary to Bulgaria we've ripped up stages, felt the love, and had an absolute blast! The audiences have been totally amazin' & we're having so much fun! Check out our rockin' travel antics here..."





Hot off the back of their European Summer Tour, The Dead Daisies are primed to hit the US this fall. The band have been busy radiating some heat in the EU playing with the likes of Judas Priest, Foreigner and on some major Festival dates. They’re really looking forward to tearing up stages from the East to West coast playing new music along with the classic hits you know and love on a series of dates across the US.




The band has created a specially priced “Have A Drink On Us” ticket bundle for our fans which includes a beverage and an exclusive Daisies T-shirt. The bundle is limited to 100 tickets per show, so get yours now at thedeaddaisies.com.


“Look out!! We’re hitting a few of the best RnR cities starting in early September. Can’t wait to play you the new tunes!!! See you on tour!!” - Doug Aldrich


While they shine on tour, the band’s second single, “Shine On” from their upcoming album slated for late September, comes out today. With The Daisies' trademark Aussie rock stamp all over it, this hard driving track is one to sink your teeth into and set to become an instant anthem.





"Straight up Aussie rock, it started as a riff I wrote on the tour bus and now here it is!" - David Lowy


“Here’s another slab of driving, pounding rock from your friends in The Dead Daisies! The new single is ‘Shine On’. I had a blast recording this with the guys, and hope y’all dig it as well!” - Brian Tichy





Make sure you don’t miss Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner), and David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix), when they come to a town near you in the fall.


Dates:


September
7 - Vineland, NJ - The Landis Theater
10 - Danville, VA - Blue Ridge Rock Festival
11 - Fall Church, VA - State Theatre
14 - Nashville, TN - Eastside Bowl
15 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre
18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Vermont Hollywood
21 - Roseville, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
23 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
24 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile

Danish hard rock singer/songwriter, Ronnie Atkins of Pretty Maids, is featured in a new interview with Finland's Chaoszine. He discusses his current health situation, his solo career, and the future of the Pretty Maids.  


On his battle with cancer:


"The cancer thing, I found out during the last part of the last Avantasia tour. So when I said goodbye to those guys in Munich when I had to go home, I never thought I'd see them again, to be honest. In that context I'm very happy to be here. I'm just happy to be back on the road, actually, because I didn't take that for granted two years ago. It's great. It's like we (Avantasia) played yesterday. It's good to see them again. They're good friends of mine and they've been very supportive of me."










Atkins recently released a video for "I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)", the opening track of his new studio album, Make It Count. Watch the video below, and order/save Make It Count on CD/LP/Digital here.





Tracklisting:


"I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)"
"Unsung Heroes"
"Rising Tide"
"Remain To Remind Me"
"The Tracks We Leave Behind"
"All I Ask Of You"
"Grace"
"Let Love Lead The Way"
"Blood Cries Out"
"Easier To Leave (Than Being Left Behind)"
"Fallen"
"Make It Count"


"I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)" video:





"Make It Count" video:





"Rising Tide" video:





"Unsung Heroes" video:





Lineup:


Ronnie Atkins: Lead and backing vocals
Chris Laney: Rhythm & Lead guitar, keyboards
Allan Sørensen: Drums
Pontus Egberg: Bass
Morten Sandager: Keyboards
Linnéa Vikström Egg: Backing vocals
John Berg: Guitars
Oliver Hartmann: Guitars
Pontus Norgren: Guitars
Anders Ringman: Acoustic guitars


(Photo - Tallee Savage)

New York's The Rods announce their return to touring for the first time since 2017 with a series of upcoming live dates. The band is also working on a new studio album to be released in 2023.


The Rods' entire catalog was remastered and re-issued in 2022, complete with bonus tracks and extensive liner notes via two labels: Rock Candy and High Roller Records.


Now back as a three piece The Rods' lineup is:




David "Rock" Feinstein - vocals / guitar
Carl Canedy - drums
Freddy Villano - bass


Drummer Carl Canedy had the following to say about the new lineup, new music and upcoming shows: "The Rods have never been simply a studio band, we made our 'bones' by touring extensively... playing live and connecting with our fans is what has always driven the band.


Covid put a bit of a halt on that, but we are now back playing live and loving it! In the interim, we didn't waste any time and wrote our new album, which we are now in the process of finalizing the recording... based on the reaction of the audiences we have played for, it's evident that all the energy coming off stage is being returned to us by the fans. We have always been a power trio and the word 'power' has never been more evident with The Rods music new or old."


Upcoming The Rods dates include:


August 
6 - Sharkey's - Syracuse, NY


September 
3 - Rock N Rumble Music Festival at Moose And Goose - Thorold, ON
17 - Blues On The Bridge - Binghamton, NY


More shows to be announced soon.



 

Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame inductees Lillian Axe have been releasing top quality hard rock albums since bursting onto the scene back in 1988 with their debut album on MCA Records.


2022 sees the band back in top form, with a recent anthology release. Psalms For Eternity, live festival dates Stateside, along with an upcoming UK headlining tour, Lillian Axe are in for one of their biggest years in some time.


Their new album, From Womb To Tomb, released August 19th on Global Rock Records, is sure to please both long-time fans and newcomers with its superb songcraft and first-rate musicianship.




Guitarist and songwriter Steve Blaze commented: "I believe the basic idea behind the creation of From Womb To Tomb has been in my head for many years. The time just needed to be right to express it. This album is a different type of concept record, whereas it does not contain a story-based theme. Rather, it is a timeline from the birth of a child to the ascension of the soul, with each song emphasizing a specific time of one's life and the lessons learned therein."


"These observations are based on my life and the witnessing of the growth and development of the human condition through my eyes. The wonderful part is that these life experiences seem to exist in each and every one of us, even though the paths and events may greatly differ. This is the most emotional and powerful music I have ever written, and by the reactions of the few people close to me who I have played it for, it will hit a deep and resounding chord with all those who hear it."


"I ask one thing: listen from the start to finish in solitude, with no distractions, as if you are reading a book or watching a movie. It is not a collection of 16 individual, nonrelated pieces. But instead, it is a complete work of highs and lows, colors and shades, and emotional fluctuations. It will take you through the light of our greatness and the darkness of our failures. The band performed with beautiful power and grace, and I feel it is our best achievement to date."


From Womb To Tomb artwork and tracklisting:





"Breathe"
"I Am Beyond"
"Neverending Me (Dempsey's Kick)"
"A"
"The Golden Dragon"
"Piercing The Veil"
"Migrating North"
"No Problem"
"Dance Of The Maggots"
"Fall Of The Human Condition"
"The Great Deception"
"Endless Green Fields"
"Feelings Of Absinthe"
"Finally, Clarity"
"From The Mountaintops"
"Ascension"


Lillian Axe are starting their support of the album with a full UK tour in August, their first there since 1993. Confirmed dates are as listed:


August
22 - Robin 2 - Wolverhampton, UK
23 - Trillian's - Newcastle, UK
24 - Nightrain - Bradford, UK
25 - Bannerman's - Edinburgh, UK
26 - Hangar 18 - Swansea, UK
27 - The Underworld - Camden, London, UK
28 - HRH Sleaze - Sheffield, UK

On July 14th, KISS performed at Papp László Sportaréna, in Budapest, Hungary as part of their End Of The Road World Tour. Fan-filmed video of the  entire show is available below.


Setlist:


"Detroit Rock City"
"Shout It Out Loud"
"Deuce"
"War Machine"
"Heaven's On Fire"
"I Love It Loud"
"Say Yeah"
"Cold Gin"
- Tommy Thayer guitar solo -  
"Lick It Up"
"Calling Dr. Love"
"Tears Are Falling"
"Psycho Circus"
- drum solo - 
"100,000 Years"
- bass solo -
"God Of Thunder"
"Love Gun"
"I Was Made For Lovin' You"
"Black Diamond"




Encore:
"Beth"
"Do You Love Me"
"Rock And Roll All Nite"





Find the band's End Of The Road World Tour itinerary here.

Napalm Records has released a new version of Powerwolf's "Call Of The Wild", featuring Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch. Check it out below.


The song is the title track from Powerwolf's latest studio album, released in 2021.







2021 was once again completely under the spell of the wolves. Once again created in cooperation with the honorable producer duo of Jens Bogren and Joost van den Broek, Call Of The Wild opened a new chapter in the band's history. The eighth studio album served both old and newly recruited Powerwolf devotees with well-known classic trademarks, and equally surprised and delighted them at every stage of this wild 11-track ride.


Matthew Greywolf on Call Of The Wild: "With Call Of The Wild, we are opening a new, exciting chapter in the history of Powerwolf. The album sounds unmistakably like Powerwolf and is so much more at the same time: Besides new territory like the Celtic instrumentation in 'Blood for Blood (Faoladh)' or the ballad like 'Alive or Undead' we have raised all our trademarks to a new level. Until now, we never sounded so powerful and wild - in the truest sense of the word. We can't wait to finally share this beast of an album with you all!"


Call Of The Wild, the follow-up to their 2018 #1-charting studio album Sacrament Of Sin, manifests the band's inimitable success story and proves once again that they sit unchallenged on the throne of the genre.





Tracklisting:


LP 1


"Faster Than The Flame"
"Beast Of Gévaudan"
"Dancing With The Dead"
"Varcolac"
"Alive Or Undead"
"Blood For Blood (Faoladh)"
"Glaubenskraft"
"Call Of The Wild"
"Sermon Of Swords"
"Undress To Confess"
"Reverent Of Rats"





LP 2 (Bonus Album): Missa Cantorem


"Sanctified With Dynamite" feat. Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear)
"Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend" feat. Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy)
"Nightside Of Siberia" feat. Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth)
"Where The Wild Wolves Have Gone" feat. Doro Pesch
"Fist By Fist (Sacralize Or Strike)" feat. Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium)
"Killers With The Cross" feat. Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork)
"Kiss Of The Cobra King" feat. Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost)
"We Drink Your Blood" feat. Johannes Eckerström (Avatar)
"Resurrection By Erection" feat. Christopher Bowes (Alestorm)
"Saturday Satan" feat. Jari Mäenpää (Wintersun)


LP 3 (Bonus Album): Symphony Of The Wild - Orchestral Versions


"Faster Than The Flame"
"Beast Of Gévaudan"
"Dancing With The Dead"
"Varcolac"
"Alive Or Undead"
"Blood For Blood (Faoladh)"
"Glaubenskraft"
"Call Of The Wild"
"Sermon Of Swords"
"Undress To Confess"
"Reverent Of Rats"


Full Album





“Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend” video:





(Photo - Matteo Vdiva Fabbiani / VDPICTURES)

Innerstrength Records presents a deluxe vinyl reissue of No Tolerance For Imperfection, the seminal third LP from Scottish technical death metal assassins, Man Must Die.


Initially released in 2009 through Relapse Records, No Tolerance For Imperfection was the album that broke Man Must Die into the international metal scene and showcased the band as a monumental force in the death metal scene, as several of the album’s brutalizing anthems immediately became and still remain band and fan favorites.







Breathing new life into the album in 2022, Innerstrength Records will now release No Tolerance For Imperfection on vinyl for the first time. All eleven songs have here been meticulously mastered for vinyl by Alan Douches at Westwest Side Music and pressed in a run of 500 copies in a massive double-LP format presented in multiple bold variants in the color scheme of the record’s blazing cover artwork – 200 Clear Black w/ White Splatter, 200 Marble Effect w/ Black & Orange Splatter, and 100 Color-In-Color Flame Orange in Clear w/ Black Splatter.


Check out variants and ordering options here and at Bandcamp where the entire new master of the record is streaming.

Los Angeles symphonic prog metallers Anthea will be releasing their sophomore album Tales Untold via Rockshots Records this coming August to follow their 2020 debut Illusion. Last month they unveiled their first single and title track with a music video. Today, they share their second single "Empyrean" with a new music video that can be viewed below.


The band adds about the track:


"One of the heavier songs on the album, Empyrean is an inspirational piece about overcoming the obstacles in your path and making your dreams come true. Something that we ourselves relate to from playing in the backyards of East LA and Compton as teenagers, to what Anthea has become and where we’re going."




For the new album, Anthea has taken the reigns for a more DIY approach with vocalist Diego Valadez taking over also as the full-length's producer along with bassist Eric “EJ” Guerrero in charge of music videos and photography.


“We released our debut album in 2020, but were, unfortunately, like everyone else, unable to tour or play live gigs. However, this gave us a lot of extra time to really craft this follow-up album into something special. Tales Untold was written and recorded throughout 2021 and I am so proud of the end result,” adds Valadez.


Fans of Anthea's first album, Illusion, will enjoy this one even more. The difference with this next record is that Anthea has a more mature sound and has carefully thought out the ebb and flow throughout it. Their end goal is to give a very dynamic and cinematic album in which the listener feels as though they’ve gone through a grand musical journey once they’ve reached the end. "We also wanted to create a sense of escapism while keeping one foot in the real world, lyrically."


Tales Untold is due out on August 26, 2022. It will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Preorder at the Rockshots Records webshop. The artwork and tracklisting can be viewed below:





"Tales Untold" 
"Ascendence" 
"Song For Winter" 
"The Deceiver" 
"Sapiens" 
"Memoriam" 
"Looking Glass" 
"Empyrean" 
"Sunder Heart" 
"In Time" 


"Empyrean" video:





"Tales Untold":





For further details, visit Anthea on Facebook.


 

StormbounD, symphonic metal from Israel, have been hard at work to deliver their debut album December and now with the release of their fourth single, it is almost time for the album’s long-awaited release. The single “Child's Play” is one of nine precisely woven stories that reflect on real-world experiences set to fantastical music. The band explains in their own words:


“The lyrics on the album tell some interesting stories, some more personal and some global, convey some harsh messages and themes, and deliver a wide array of emotions. We did our best to bring all of that into a cohesive musical environment within the realm of metal. 'Child's Play' is about the victory of creation, the libidinal energy and one's motivation over negativity and scorn."


StormbounD cites that it was a long writing process to get the exact sound that they wanted but they are very pleased with the result and its unique atmosphere and depth. For them, their main focus is on the experience they provide for the listener. It’s about the music, not egos.




Together since 2018, StormbounD has been working hard to make their name known in the local scene by playing many live shows, most recently opening for Epica in Tel Aviv this past June, along with national festivals including Metal 4 Peace and Israeli Metal Fest, they have also had their songs top local metal charts.


December is a diverse, and melodic prophecy of wrath with epic highs, and despondent lows. StormbounD masterfully takes symphonic metal to new heights while staying grounded in their roots and remaining accessible. They recommended listening for fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Delain.





Tracklisting:


"Desert's Roar"
"Altar Of Innocence"
"Sacred Lies"
"Away From Here"
"December"
"Shadows"
"Flying High"
"Fragments"
"Child's Play"


"Child's Play" video:





"Flying High" video:

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his singer wife, Toyah Willcox, are back with another episode in their "Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch" series. This time they perform a cover of Slipknot's "Psychosocial". Watch below.





 




A selection of Robert & Toyah's previous Sunday Lunch videos can be seen below:


 


 





 


 





 


 





 


 





 


 





 


 





 


 





 


 





 

Zakk Wylde says that he is "beyond honored" to take part in the upcoming PANTERA tour.

This past week, it was reported that Wylde and ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante, along with PANTERA's surviving members, singer Philip 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, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Zakk discussed his participation in the PANTERA celebration tour while speaking to Matt Pinfield and Jose Mangin of Danny Wimmer Presents at this weekend's Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When Vinnie was still alive, when the fellows were all talking about doing it, I just always told 'em, I said, 'Of course I would… If you asked me, why would I not do it? I'm gonna honor Dime.' It could be like Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell asking Eric Clapton if he would go out and honor Jimi [Hendrix] and Eric playing Jimi's stuff and singing Jimi's songs and they're going out as the 'Jimi Hendrix celebration.' And he's gonna honor his buddy and he's gonna play his songs. I think it's a beautiful thing. It's like when we do the 'Dimebash' [events in honor of Dimebag], it's a celebration of Dime's greatness. It's a PANTERA celebration — that's what it is… You're celebrating Vinnie and Dime's greatness and you're celebrating all the mountains that PANTERA conquered and crushed."

Zakk was quick to reiterate that PANTERA's upcoming tour will not be anything but a tribute to the music created by the band's classic lineup.

"Obviously, it's not PANTERA," he said. "PANTERA is those four guys — it's Phil, Rex, Dime and Vinnie. But it's just like when [LED] ZEPPELIN went out with Jason Bonham [son of late LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham] playing, it was phenomenal. It told Jason, I was just, like, 'Dude, you crushed it, man.' It's a great thing just to hear them play that music again."

Wylde added: "I'm beyond honored to be a part of it."

Benante and Wylde have both voiced their appreciation for PANTERA's musical legacy on a number of occasions in recent years. Back in June 2018, just one day after the death of Vinnie Paul, Benante told SiriusXM about the first time he met the PANTERA drummer: "The very first time, it was the first time we ever were in Texas. And those guys [PANTERA] were there. We played at this club, and I believe PANTERA were the opening band. A mutual friend of ours, who everybody knows now — Rita [Haney, longtime girlfriend of Dimebag] — she kind of was the conduit to grouping us together to become friendly. We've known those guys since 1985, and just the two of them, Darrell and Vinnie, after you met those two, it was like you had a friend in Texas, both of them, and they just made the experience so much better, and you immediately bonded. So throughout the years, we just remained friends."

Benante went on to draw a parallel between PANTERA and another legendary rock band which featured siblings who achieved notability together.

"I always equated Dime and Vinnie as, like, Alex and Eddie from VAN HALEN; I always thought PANTERA was like VAN HALEN reborn," he said. "They had a guitar player, who was a hero. The drummers were fucking awesome, but the thing about Vinnie that, I think, not a lot of people know — maybe they do — but from a technical side of things, Vinnie made those PANTERA records sound like that. He was the guy behind it all who was turning the knobs, EQing shit so that his kick drum wasn't fighting with Darrell's fucking chunky guitar. He was a lot of the brains and the glue that held that band together and, basically, pushed that band."

In 2019, Anselmo, who has spent the past few years playing a PANTERA-centric set with his solo band, THE ILLEGALS, told Chile's Humo Negro that he would consider getting together with Wylde and Brown and performing PANTERA's classic songs in concert. "Well, Zakk is a busy man," he said. "He does his own band, he does stuff with Ozzy and all that stuff. We spoke about it maybe one time. And I think everybody — everybody — is… I guess they're like me. Keep an open mind about it. We'll see. But I know from all the hard work with [Anselmo's] THE ILLEGALS [project] here to make those songs right, all of us, we would have to take time off and really practice together and get everything perfect. So it's a lot of work. And I'm doing a lot of bands, man, right now. [But] if everything was lined up, I would do it — sure. Fuck yeah! Why not?"

Zakk was also open to the idea, telling "The Cassius Morris Show" in October 2019: "When Saint Vinnie was still around, they were talking about it then. I mean, the way I always looked at it is it's a PANTERA celebration and an honor. I mean, every night I'm playing with Ozz, we honor Saint Rhoads [late Ozzy guitarist Randy Rhoads]. I'm playing the Randy stuff every night, and I'm blessed and it's an honor to do it. Basically, we're paying tribute to Randy every night — keeping his music alive.

"No one's replacing anybody. No one's replacing Randy Rhoads — he was a one-off. If [LED] ZEPPELIN was going out, and if Jason's [Bonham] playing drums, no one's replacing his father. What they're doing is celebrating his father's greatness and what he achieved and all the mountains he conquered with ZEPPELIN. It's more of a tribute and a celebration than it is... You can't replace any of these people I'm talking about — they're all legendary guys. But, yeah, you're just celebrating all their achievements — that's all."

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

In February 2020, Haney said she would "definitely" be in favor of Anselmo, Brown and Wylde teaming up for a PANTERA tribute tour. A few days later, Brown weighed in on her comments, writing on Twitter: "I wanna make sure that ppl understand what I'm about to tweet.. It's not up to Rita to say what will happen, only what Philip & I say...I'm in!! Dig?!?!?"

Rita discussed the possibility of the former PANTERA members and the OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist paying tribute to Dimebag and Vinnie while speaking to "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" on the red carpet of the Ronnie James Dio 10th Memorial Awards Gala at the Avalon in Los Angeles. She said: "I don't think there could be a PANTERA reunion, but I think that his two remaining brothers, Rex and Philip, if they wanted to honor Darrell and Vinnie, as far as where I'm coming from and what I believe Darrell would believe — because he was the most forgiving person that I know — I believe that he would be honored. It's kind of a cliché to say, but he truly would be grateful that he meant that much to them. And I think if they wanna honor their fallen brothers with a tribute, I think that that's great. But as far as trying to say put PANTERA back together, PANTERA tribute, this and that, no — that's distasteful without those other guys. But I think as a tribute, it would be a really great thing. Because I know, from a fan's point, if I hadn't been able to see them play or hear those songs — the songs, they mean so much to me; I can imagine [they do to] other people as well. I think it's great that they can at least see it performed, and by people that truly love 'em. So, yeah, I think it would be a really cool thing."

When asked to clarify if she would "be okay with a tour," she responded: "I definitely would. I'd wanna be at every show. [Laughs]"

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

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

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