In February 2021, Delain keyboardist Martijn Westerholt issued the following statement, announcing the band had splintered and that he would be taking it in a different direction:


"For the last year or so, the collaboration within the band ceased to work as well as it once had. Some of us were no longer happy with the current roles in the band. We all tried very hard to find a solution for over a year, but sadly we were unable to find one.


As a result, we will all be going our own ways and pursuing our own endeavours. I am very sad our cooperation has come to end, but at the same time I am very grateful for all the years we were able to work together. Together we toured the world, shared highs and lows, and met with many successes as well as times that pushed us to learn and grow. We all enjoyed meeting our fans and making new friends all over the globe. I would like to thank my fellow bandmates and wish Timo, Otto, Joey, and especially Charlotte the very best for the future. And I hope that will mean onwards and upwards to new musical adventures for each of them!




That being said, Delain will live on. The others have chosen to pursue different paths. I have decided to keep Delain alive by continuing on with writing and producing the music for Delain as I always have. I started Delain as a project in 2002 and for the next album I will take it back to a project form, releasing music with special guests. As it looks now many familiar faces will be returning to join me on this journey.


I can’t express my gratitude enough to all of you Delainers that have supported us over so many years. Your dedication to the music and the community you created for us has been overwhelming. Even though this situation is not ideal, change never usually is at first, I hope you will continue to join Delain on its new journey. This is not the end of Delain. It’s the end of a chapter, but also the beginning of a new one."


Westerholt has checekd in with a new update:


"Exciting announcement! We will be playing at ProgPower USA in 2023! We are so looking forward to returning to the ProgPower stage and we can't wait to see you there! Along with that, we are currently working on putting a couple of tours together so we will have some tour dates to announce in the coming months.


Also, last week we promised to give you the date of the first single which will also be the revealing of the singer.  We finally have it and the date is...  drumroll please.. August 9th!"





Delain's first show of 2022 is scheduled for November 4th at Hedon in Zwolle, Netherlands. Tickets can be purchased here.


Delain was formed in 2002 by former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, intending for the band to be a project. Singer Charlotte Wessels was invited to join in 2005. They released six full length studio albums and two EPs before parting ways with Wessels in 2021.


Check out some teasers of new music from Delain below.

The Dead Daisies, currently on tour in Europe, have shared the new video below, stating: "Check out what we’ve been up to over the last week of touring Europe! It’s been so amazing to see you all!"





The Dead Daisies recently released the meta cinematic video for "Radiance". Watch below, and listen to the single here.







Says the band: "Entering into a new world which we call the Metaverse, the band have transformed into The Meta Daisies where they become an eternal burning flame of youth and hero like with their Guardian Daisy always looking out for them and guiding them through this wonderful new world. Daisy moves through metaverses, searching through futuristic cities, enchanted forests and to the depths of Hell, discovering mystical energy sources that will change this new world forever."


Set to the soundtrack of ‘Radiance’, the brand new song from The Dead Daisies, this brand new cinematic view of a parallel universe will have plenty for you to discover time and time again as you watch Daisy finding and unlocking secrets on her quest to protect the band.


You can view the entire dramatic story of Daisy moving through different Metaverses online now at this location.





"Radiance" is the first single from The Dead Daisies' upcoming new album, set for release in August.  The band have been writing and recording over the last couple of months in Los Angeles with esteemed producer Ben Grosse at the Mix Room studios.


Tour dates:


June
19 - Graspop Festival - Dessel, Belgium
22 - Rockhal - Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg (with Judas Priest)
23 - Garage - Saarbrucken, Germany
25 - God Save The Kouign Fest - Penmarch, France
27 - Zenith - Munich, Germany (with Judas Priest)
29 - Conrad Sohm - Dornbirn, Austria
30 - Komma - Woergl, Austria


July
2 - Fabrique - Milan, Italy
3 - Castello Di San Giusto - Trieste, Italy
6 - SRC Tasmajdan - Belgrade, Serbia (with Whitesnake)
8 - Masters Of Rock - Vizovice, Czech Republic
9 - Hype Park - Krakow, Poland
11 - Budapest Arena - Budapest, Hungary, (with Judas Priest)
12 - Dvorana Stozice - Ljubljana, Slovenia (with Judas Priest)
15 - Faliro Olympic Indoor Hall - Athens, Greece (with Judas Priest)
17 - Midalidare Rock - Mogilovo, Bulgaria (with Judas Priest)
18 - Arenele Romane - Bucharest, Romania (with Judas Priest)
19 - Skenderija - Sarajevo, Bosnia (with Whitesnake)
26 - Theatre Antique - Vienne, France (with Judas Priest)
27 - Z7 - Pratteln, Switzerland
28 - Substage - Karlsruhe, Germany
30 - Freilichtbuhne Peißnitzinsel - Halle (Saale), Germany (with Judas Priest)
31 - Rudolf Weber Arena - Oberhausen, Germany (with Judas Priest)


August
2 - Brose Arena - Bamberg, Germany (with Judas Priest)
5 - Time To Rock Festival - Knislinge, Sweden


 

Canadian singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend will release his new studio album, "Lightwork", on October 28. Devin recorded the effort with producer GGGarth Richardson at the latter's The Farm Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The front cover artwork for the LP was designed by Devin's longtime friend and designer Travis Smith and can be seen below.

"Lightwork" will be accompanied by a companion record called "Nightwork", available as part of the limited-edition versions of the release. More details on the formats will follow in the coming months, along with pre-order details.

Earlier this month, Devin raved about "Lightwork", writing in an Instagram post: "So my next album is called 'Lightwork' and it's a bit different for me in a few ways: I spent a fair amount of time trying to dislike it (I think) because I worked with a team on it instead of just braining out on it myself, and I guess the challenges of that process disconnected me from it slightly at first and I wanted to hate it. In the end however, I've decided that not only do I like it, but I may actually really love it."

He continued: "It's not what I expected and it's not what I would have done if left to my own devices of course, but that may ultimately be the whole point. It makes me feel good and says something quite healthy. It kind of represents a 'bridge between two continents' in some ways… as in: sort of a fulcrum between where I 'was' and where I am going. It's kind of simple structurally and sort of commercial in some senses, but it's still something I can get behind and enjoy hearing, and it not only says what I feel I need to say at this point, but maybe says things I didn't realize I needed to say as well.'

Townsend added: "After working tirelessly prior to this tour to finish it and make peace with it, I'm proud to say it's good. We'll be releasing three songs from it that together kind of summarize the theme, and honestly after a bunch of false starts, I'll be making the first two videos myself this week as I think it's more honest that way. The first song is kind of a simple introduction to the theme that may be off putting, The second song is my favourite, and the third one will be super epic.

"It's been a difficult few years and my life has changed more dramatically than I realized… 'Lightwork' represents, I think, the resolve to stay balanced during a turbulent time and I'm grateful for it and for what comes next. I hope the audience sees it for what it is as opposed to what it isn't, but ultimately: I have decided it was what I needed to say.

"I know I'm a lunatic in a lot of ways, but I think I'm more at peace with that now as a result as well."

Earlier this year, Devin told Stereoboard about "Lightwork": "'Lightwork' is the exhaust of the process of trying to figure out how fucking crazy the world is. Describing the LP's musical direction as "strong, healthy, clean and big," he explained that right now "I don't have the emotional bandwidth to participate in something that's oppressively heavy. So, it's a lot more light-hearted. It's easy listening and it's innocent.

"I think the diehards may like it in the beginning and then get bored of it quickly," he said. "I think that the people who are much less invested in what it is that I do will probably like it more than the others. It's a lot easier to digest."

Last December, Devin released a new album, "The Puzzle". The LP was accompanied by five-part documentary.

Unlike most of Devin's recent musical output, which has been made available via Sony's leading progressive music label imprint InsideOut Music, "The Puzzle" was released through Devin's own label.

Photo credit: Paul Harries

Billy Sheehan has paid tribute to Brett Tuggle, his former bandmate in the David Lee Roth group. The 70-year-old keyboardist, who also spent two decades in FLEETWOOD MAC during the band's reunion era, died on Sunday, June 19 from complications related to cancer.

Tuggle's son Matt confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. "He was loved by his family so much," Matt said. "His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness. He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life."

On Monday, Sheehan took to his social media to write: "Brett Tuggle—truly the 'secret weapon' of the Eat 'Em & Smile band and tour. Loved by everyone that ever met him, and gifted with supreme vocal, keyboard, and compositional talent, as well as being one of THE funniest and friendliest human beings to ever exist—a dear friend, devoted Dad, indispensable component to so many other great bands and tours as well. Brett passed away last night.

"We will all miss you, my brother. Thank you for enriching our lives, as well as supplying countless one-liners that we will use for the rest of our lives and be forever reminded of you.

"My condolences to his family and friends.

"Rest In Peace, my brother. We will never forget you."

An award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist, Tuggle was one of the most in-demand players in the music industry. In addition to Roth and FLEETWOOD MAC, he had toured and recorded with such artists as Jimmy Page, Chris Isaak, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and Steven Tyler. Brett played and toured with Rick Springfield on the heels of Rick's hit single "Jessie's Girl", and later with Roth after he had split from VAN HALEN. During this period, Brett was able to stretch his songwriting legs, co-writing several songs with Roth, including the top 10 single "Just Like Paradise" in 1988.

Image courtesy of The Sessions Panel

Brett Tuggle—truly the ”secret weapon” of the Eat ‘Em & Smile band and tour. Loved by everyone that ever met him, and...

Posted by Billy Sheehan on Monday, June 20, 2022

Voted “Best Keyboardist Of All Time” (Music Radar Magazine), virtuoso musician/composer and keyboardist for Grammy-Award winning prog rock band Dream Theater, Jordan Rudess, has embarked on a 2-month solo tour, titled An Evening With Jordan Rudess. The tour kicked off at Triple Door in Seattle, WA on June 7th.


Part of Rudess' show features a 15 minute Dream Theater medley. Fan-filmed video of his performance on the first night can be viewed below. 


It features the following songs




"Illumination Theory"
"Ytse Jam"
"In The Presence Of Enemies" (Prelude)
"These Walls"
"The Astonishing"
"The Ministry Of Lost Souls"
"The Gift Of Music"
"Sleeping Giant"
"Awaken The Master"
"Bridges In The Sky"
"The Dark Eternal Night"
"Octavarium"
"Just Let Me Breathe"
"The Dance Of Eternity"
"A Savior In The Square"
"1928 Overture"
"The Alien"
"Octavarium"
"The Root Of All Evil/Octavarium"
"In The Name Of God" (Intro)
"Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence I. Overture"
"The Passage Of Time" (LTE 3)
"A View From The Top Of The World"
"In The Presence Of Enemies" (Dark Master)





Audiences can expect to spend this intimate evening with Jordan immersed in his musical virtuosity as he shares personal stories from his musical journey.


Playing many cities for the first time, along with a return to select markets, the show will feature the premiere of a new medley of Dream Theater songs created in collaboration with long time mentee and friend, Eren Basbug. Jordan will also be playing guitar live for the first time.


A unique part of every show will see Jordan sharing some of his music technology that is part of his constant exploration into state of the art music tech.  Jordan will  be performing on GeoShred, the app he performs live on stage with Dream Theater, and will also show the audience some of the other musical apps he has helped to develop and maybe even a surprise instrument or two from his collection of keyboard instruments.


Appearing solo for the first time in CO, MN, IL, OH, DC, CT, NC, TX, TN, GA and FL, Jordan will be performing “Bach To Rock” which highlights his journey from a young Juilliard piano prodigy destined for a classical music career to a keyboard rock star phenomenon.


At return locations such as Seattle, WA - Triple Door, Anapolis, MD - Rams Head, NYC - City Winery, Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall, Old Saybrook, CT - Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center, and Rockport, MA - Shalin Liu, Jordan will be presenting “A Road Home,” featuring solo piano covers of the music that has influenced him as well as his own compositions including some of the etudes for piano that he has composed recently for solo piano.


You can watch Jordan talk about the tour here. Tour dates and ticket links can be accessed here.





Tour dates:


June
25 - Lulu’s Downstairs - Colorado Springs, CO
26 - The Armory - Ft. Collins, CO


July
6 - Dakota - Minneapolis, MN
8 - City Winery - Chicago, IL
9 - Kent Stage - Kent, OH
10 - The Ludlow Garage - Cincinnati, OH
11 - Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
13 - City Winery - Washington, DC
14 - Rams Head On Stage - Anapolis, MD
16 - City Winery - New York City, NY
17 - Ardmore Music Hall - Ardmore, PA
21 - Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center - Old Saybrook, CT
22 - Center for the Arts - Natick, MA
23 - Shalin Liu - Rockport, MA
24 - Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
28 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC
31 - State Theatre - Austin, TX


August
3 - City Winery - Nashville, TN
4 - City Winery - Atlanta, GA
6 - Broward Center for the Performing Arts - Fort Lauderdale, FL


(Photo - Rayon Richards)

American Terror, the heavy punk/metal band based out of Atlanta, has revealed a new single, “Self-Control”, out now. The track, an aggressive and thrashy exhibit of frustrations against selfish government leaders, is available on Spotify and all major digital platforms, with its accompanying lyric video out now on YouTube. This follows their previous single, “End Of America”, and precedes their sophomore album, Where We Are, which will be released on July 8th, 2022.





American Terror’s debut record, Influencer, arrived in May 2020 and led to the band quickly tallying up 350,000+ streams. The album, which was released by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson’s EMP Label Group, arrived on the heels of the success of the singles “Judgement” and “She’s A Bitch”. The band recently made Influencer available in translucent red vinyl LP, CD, and HD download formats, which are available to purchase at their official web store.







American Terror’s releases are engineered, produced, and mixed by vocalist Brad Cox at his Black Paw Studios in Lawrenceville, GA. Brad recently co-wrote, produced, and mixed the Billboard chart hit “Like ‘Em Wild” for rap/country duo Moonshine Bandits and is partners in the publishing company Black Paw Music with legendary producer Mike Clink (Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth, Metallica). The band began as a studio project featuring members of Skid Row (drummer Rob Hammersmith), Sugar Ray (ex-bassist Murphy Karges), Phunk Junkeez (DJ Soulman), and Grayson Manor (singer Brad Cox and guitarist Pat Valley). However, upon receiving highly-enthusiastic feedback from new fans and press outlets, they decided to continue their path forward with touring and multiple releases in mind, leaving Brad, Pat, Rob and fellow Grayson Manor alumnus GK Via to take over those duties.





 

On June 17th, Amanarnthe performed at Tuhdimmat Tahdit 2022 in Sahanranta, Nokia, Finland. Fan-filmed video from the show is available below.


The band was joined by The Unguided / ex-Sonic Syndicate vocalist Richard Sjunesson, who stepped in for Henrik “GG6” Englund Wilhelmson.


The setlist was as follows:




"Fearless"
"Viral"
"Digital World"
"Make It Better"
"Hunger"
"Invincible"
"Crystalline"
"Maximize"
"Amaranthine"
"Helix"
"Strong"
"Breakthrough Starshot"
"The Nexus"
"Call Out My Name"


Encore:
"Archangel"
"That Song" / "We Will Rock You" (Queen cover)
"Drop Dead Cynical"











Amaranthe recently announced the departure of vocalist Henrik “GG6” Englund Wilhelmson after 9 years with the band.


Commented Henrik: "I'm sorry to say that I got some sad news for ya'll! I will no longer be a part of Amaranthe. After 2 years at home caused by corona, something hit me. I freakin’ loved being at home with my family and started to dream about doing something else. Something more important and also to NOT spend more time away from my kids. For many reasons I also slowly stopped enjoying life on the road with Amaranthe. It became more of a job and something I pushed myself to do. Not like back in the days when I had some serious fun all the time! I want to thank all my fans for your support over the years and I promise I’ll be back with killer 'GG6' stuff in the future when the mood and creativity finds its way back to me! Cheers n love and good luck to Amaranthe in the future."


Commented Amaranthe: "We fully respect and understand Henrik's decision, and we wish him all the best on his future adventures. Henrik is truly one of the world's foremost growlers, as anyone who have seen him rip through our songs live knows, and we can't wait to see what he comes up with next! Keep your eyes peeled to his socials to stay up to date with forthcoming GG6 madness! This summer’s shows will be performed by two special guests, stay tuned!”

Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his solo performance of the Queen classic, "Show Must Go On". Check it out below.


The song is taken from Queen's 1991 album, Innuendo.







Johansson recently shared his solo performance of the Helloween classic "Eagle Fly Free", handling all vocal, guitar and bass parts.


Johansson: "The anthem of power metal - 'Eagle Fly Free' by Helloween! A song I've played live many, many times but never recorded - until now. As a small Easter egg you will also hear and see some Majestica in here as well..."

Black Stone Cherry have revealed “Things My Father Said”, the new live song taken from their upcoming release Live From The Royal Albert Hall… Y'All, out on June 24 via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. You can watch the video below.


Vocalist / guitarist Chris Robertson comments, "'Things My Father Said' has always been a song that resonated with people in an emotional way, truthfully I never knew what that song meant to a lot of people until last year… from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for listening and singing along. I miss ya, old man."







On Wednesday, September 29, 2021 - the year of the band's 20th anniversary - Kentucky's favourite sons, Black Stone Cherry, realized their childhood dream of playing at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, London. Sat on the stage at the iconic Victorian building, singer-guitarist Chris Robertson pauses, looks around and says, "When you're a kid, and you see your heroes' playing places, and then all of a sudden you find yourself sitting on the stage, it's pretty emotional. But we're gonna royally rock it this evening. You better believe that."


Throughout the set they tear through an impressive back catalogue, playing songs from their most recent studio album 'The Human Condition – "In Love With The Pain", "Again", and the previously released live track "Ringin' in My Head" - through to their biggest hits and fan favourites. "Blind Man", "Hell And High Water", "Blame It On The Boom Boom", and "White Trash Millionaire" rock the building alongside moments of tenderness such as the touching rendition and emotional performance of "Things My Father Said."


Talking about playing the iconic venue, drummer John-Fred Young said, "To be honest, I was terrified. It was heavy walking in there. You think about how many great acts have played this place. The prestige behind it. We've wanted to play the Royal Albert Hall since the first UK tour in 2007. Dudes from the middle of the country in Kentucky to go out here and have built an amazing group of people that we care about and come to our shows and support us. To know that with all that hard work and dedication we have put into Black Stone Cherry, we've accomplished something here. Walking in that place, it's just breath-taking. You walk on that stage, and you say, we did it, and it's a feeling that I will cherish for the rest of my life."


On the Blu-Ray, the live footage is dotted with behind-the-scenes interviews, fly on the wall footage and archival insights into the band as kids first starting out, snippets of their first ever UK tour and heartfelt moments of reflection. But ultimately Live From The Royal Albert Hall… Y'All was about bringing rock 'n' roll to London, Kentucky style, and they tore the roof off that mother.


The release is available to pre-order here in various formats: digital, CD & Blu-Ray, double vinyl and an online exclusive double vinyl in transparent red.





Tracklisting:


"Me And Mary Jane"
"Burnin'"
"Again"
"Yeah Man"
"In My Blood/Island Jam"
"Ringin' In My Head"
"Like I Roll"
"Cheaper To Drink Alone"
"Hell And High Water"
"Soulcreek"
"Devil's Queen"
Drum Solo"
"Things My Father Said"
"In Love With The Pain"
"Blind Man"
"Blame It On The Boom Boom"
"White Trash Millionaire"
"Lonely Train"
"Peace Is Free"


"Again" video:





"Ringin' In My Head" video:





 

Chicago based hard rock band, Aeraco, have risen from the COVID-19 slumber with a brand new single and a video.


The release of “True North” is not only a punchy melodic jam that begs to be turned up, but this also signals a new era for the band as they have unveiled a new member. Although they had released covers in recent years featuring prominent artists like Ras Andersen (Diamond Head) and guitar legend Michael Angelo Batio, their last original release goes back to Baptized By Fire”in 2017. Although seemingly overdue, "True North" shows the band understood the assignment and used their time well.







Aeraco is known to self-produce and record their own material. However, they approached their latest song with a fresh approach regarding production and writing.


“'True North' is representative of our refined writing process and collective growth over the past few years. We incorporated a new recording method and experimented with layering instruments. Our goal was to keep the same Aeraco vibe we all love, but capture the full creativity and talent of the band”, says Beast (Bassist).


The song boasts a fresh writing format, vocal harmonies and percussive decisions unlike what they’ve previously put out displaying a welcomed maturity.


Aside from a new song and engaging lyric video, the band has also welcomed a new member to the Aeraco family. Bryan “Phoenix” Hughey has permanently stepped in to play drums and is exactly what the band needed to move to the next level.


On writing with the band thus far, Bryan reports, “Working with the guys in Aeraco has been a very unique experience relative to the many other bands I’ve been in. There’s generally a specific vision in mind for every song, and there’s a very organic and stylized approach to refining things down to reach that vision. ‘True North’ is a great example of this process. I’m stoked to be a part of Aeraco’s future, and can’t wait to continue to write, record, and perform with them as a full-fledged member”.


You can see Bryan "Phoenix" Hughey at the 3:30 mark of their lyric video:





Aeraco reports to be working on more music to be released soon.