Former DEFTONES bassist Sergio Vega has opened up about his departure from the band.

The 51-year-old musician, who officially joined DEFTONES in 2009, confirmed his exit two months ago, just days after a new photo of the group without him emerged online on various digital service providers. At the time, took to social media to share a video explaining his perspective on the split. In the Instagram video, Vega detailed the contractual issues that created a rift between himself and the members of the Sacramento-based act.

Now, in a new interview with "The Jasta Show", Vega elaborated further on his role in the DEFTONES and how internal disagreements about his hired-gun position in the group to them parting ways.

"On a creative level, they were always super open and super cool," Sergio said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And really, when we talk about the other end, the financial end, which is something that I get, you're Chino [Moreno, DEFTONES singer] and you have dependents, you have a lot of family, and [if] things go [to] a five-way split [from] a four-way split, it changes things and that's something that impacts your life. So the financial shift and the financial swing becomes something that's hard to reckon with. But for me, even in my position and my asks or negotiations were never speaking to that. Not that it was even possible. Being on half of the band's catalog, you're not ever going to see money from things you're not a part of. But it was never even about money. Because even the publishing was there; that's fine. It's purely about belonging; it's purely about just wanting to [feel] like you're in it."

Reflecting on the fact that he joined the DEFTONES as the replacement for the band's late bassist Chi Cheng, Sergio said: "At the beginning, I was up for anything. I was just, like, 'My friends are in trouble, and I just wanna help.' My thing was, 'Whatever you need I got.' If it was to be, 'Hey, play these bass lines. We got this thing.' I'm, like, 'Yeah. Cool.' Being a hired gun, there's no room for creative input — that's fine. That would have been a thing, and you wrap your head around that. Initially, my only goal was to put my best foot forward and be a help to people in need and people that I cared about. And it was only because of the way that it was presented to me as, 'This is how it's gonna go down,' where something that I started to go, 'Hey…'"

Vega denied that his unhappiness with position in the DEFTONES was related solely to finances. "This was a perennial thing," he explained. "This was something that would come up, 'Hey, guys.' 'Okay, cool. We're really happy with the status quo.' And it was never about money. It was always, like, 'Here's another raise.' I was, like, 'It's not about that.' And it was something that I think is a misconception, like I'm trying to bring a contractual change during a pandemic. I'm not.

"Part of this weird dynamic was that having a dual kind of role in a sense of being a core and key writer, arranger and collaborator but also being someone who's being paid on a salary created a dissonance," he said. "And not for myself, but for the whole thing. And so it'd be, like, hey, you're home and you're getting paid. But I'm, like, these are the parameters that I've been trying to change. I just wanna be in the same boat. Not about equal money or anything, but when times are good, times are good. When there's income, we can draw from it. When there's no income, you just hold on to your thing.

"It was never about money and it was never about any of that," Sergio reiterated. "It was just about literally being in the same situation so that it didn't create these opportunities for dissonance, where it was, like, 'Oh, you're doing this, but we're paying you while you're doing this.' I got a call that was, like, 'We're hemorrhaging a lot of money on storage space and you.' And I was, like, 'That's my problem. I'm compared to a storage space. I'm a line item.' It's not the money. It's just the dynamic. So it wasn't me asking for anything during the pandemic; it was the contract being canceled, which is their right. And then I was, like, 'Okay, cool. This doesn't work for anybody. We can finally address a total restructure.' But at the end of the day, we weren't able to really come to terms on that. So that's fine. Basically, everything that I had said in [my initial video] statement is what kind of happened. And I totally understand their position. But mine is I have to respect my situation and my position as well, that it wasn't something that… having that dissonance, for lack of a better word, was something that was pervasive, and it was something that ultimately was affecting me mentally as well."

Vega cut his teeth in the New York City hardcore scene in the late 1980s before going on to play in the influential post-hardcore trio QUICKSAND. QUICKSAND released two major-label albums ("Manic Compression" and "Slip") before calling it a day. Soon after, Vega found himself filling in with the DEFTONES and eventually joined the band as the full-time replacement for Cheng.

Chi died in April 2013 at the age of 42. He had been in a semi-comatose state for more than four years after being seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008.

QUICKSAND reformed in 2012 and released a comeback album, "Interiors", in 2017, ending the band's 22-year interval between LPs. A follow-up effort, "Distant Populations", arrived last August.

DEFTONES recruited Fred Sablan as their new touring bassist following Vega's departure. Sablan made his live debut with the DEFTONES on April 14 at the opening concert of the band's spring 2022 U.S. tour at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter in Portland, Oregon.

Original THE QUIREBOYS bassist Nigel Mogg (pictured) has rejoined forces with the band's fellow founding members Spike (vocals) and Guy Bailey (guitar). The trio is working on new QUIREBOYS songs and is planning to eventually release a studio album. Live shows featuring this new QUIREBOYS lineup will launch later in the year.

The news follows the public statement made by three of Spike's former bandmates expressing a desire to part company with the singer, although Spike has always maintained he has never, and would never, leave the band he founded, a band he fronts and says he has created the intellectual property for. THE QUIREBOYS is a band that has gone through various lineup changes over the years, with Spike being the only consistent, original member.

Spike, whose real name is Jonathan Gray, comments: "Guy Bailey and I are so pleased Nigel is back, I never wanted him to leave the band. Nigel is such a special friend and I know so many fans have been really hoping this would happen.

"When three members of my band announced their split away the other month, it was sad this was accompanied by comments on my character that were unnecessary and untrue. I am refraining from running former band members down because it doesn't achieve anything and, in simple terms, everyone just has to move on. As it happens, so many positives have come from the negatives in recent weeks. I'm reunited with original members of our band, Guy Bailey and me are writing new music again, old songs from the early days have been uncovered for completion and live shows now are on the way. That's right, we'll be announcing dates for our first two QUIREBOYS shows for the autumn in the next week or so.

"Once again - and I don't apologise for the fact I keep saying it - an enormous and heartfelt thank you again to you, the fans, whose support has been absolutely phenomenal through such an unsettling time. You have been the extra band member through this time of change and we'll repay the love and support with new QUIREBOYS music and shows."

Nigel adds: "I've known Spike since we were 18 and he's one of my best friends. People know him as the bigger-than-life rock & roller he is on stage - as he should be - but behind the scenes he's genuine, kind, hard-working and very loyal to people. I've really felt for what Spike has been put through and it's time to stand with my friend. I called Spike this morning to offer my services and told him I was all in. So I'm heading to London, plus he's got Pete Way's bass at his house for me."

THE QUIREBOYS put out their most recent album, the well-received "Amazing Disgrace", in 2019.

The band's debut LP, "A Bit of What You Fancy", was released in 1990 and included the song "Hey You", which was THE QUIREBOYS' biggest hit, reaching No. 14 in the U.K. singles chart and No. 5 in the U.S. Billboard Rock chart.

In 2020, THE QUIREBOYS were scheduled to celebrate their 35th anniversary with a tour. The trek, which ended up getting canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, would also have marked 30 years since the release of "A Bit Of What You Fancy".

Following the band's inception in London in 1984 — originally as THE CHOIRBOYS, then THE QUEERBOYS, before settling on the less controversial name of THE QUIREBOYS — there followed six years of hard graft and personnel changes.

THE QUIREBOYS played to 72,000 people at 1990's Monsters Of Rock at Donington with the likes of WHITESNAKE, AEROSMITH and POISON. They supported THE ROLLING STONES that same year in Newcastle, and opened for GUNS N' ROSES at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1987 and again a couple of years later on their "Use Your Illusion" tour.

The public's appetite for THE QUIREBOYS had returned and hasn't waned since — three further studio releases ("Well Oiled", "Homewreckers & Heartbreakers", "Halfpenny Dancer") were released on various labels from 2004 to 2009 before the band found their new, and permanent, home on Off Yer Rocka, the label of the renowned festival brand Hard Rock Hell.

An anniversary edition — fully re-recorded — of "A Bit Of What You Fancy" drew much acclaim in 2021.
Two Become Three: Nigel Mogg returns to join Spike and Guy Bailey as new Quireboys shows lined up pic.twitter.com/fYM9t0mVU4

— The Quireboys Spike Official (@SpikeQuireboys) May 20, 2022

To mark the 300th issue of Classic Rock, Ozzy Osbourne gave a wide-ranging to the U.K. magazine in which he confirmed that he is "waiting on some more surgery" on his neck. "I can't walk properly these days," he revealed. "I have physical therapy every morning. I am somewhat better, but nowhere near as much as I want to be to go back on the road."

Asked if he thinks about mortality, Ozzy said: "At fucking 73, I've done pretty well. I don't plan on going anywhere, but my time's going to come."

As for what else he would like to achieve in his 70s, Ozzy said: "A Number One Ozzy album. I'm coming back to England this year, too. I've had enough of living out here [America] now. My intention was never to stay out here."

Late last month, Sharon Osbourne spoke about her husband's health during an appearance on Piers Morgan's TalkTV show "Uncensored". At the time, Sharon stated about the BLACK SABBATH frontman: "He's doing okay. He's got one more operation left to do and then he's dying to come back home."

Ozzy, who revealed two years ago that he was battling Parkinson's disease, has reportedly applied for permission for a "rehabilitation" wing at his historic Grade II listed home in Buckinghamshire, England. According to the Daily Mail, the extension will feature "an abundance of stopping and sitting" spaces, "discreet grab rails and aids" and "soft non-slip surfaces" as well as a self-contained nurse's flat. There is also a "pool house orangery", "garden room" and a "health and welfare exercise studio".

Architect Lynne Walker wrote in the plans that "it is the ambition that the design creates a transition of flowing inside outside garden spaces, largely lit by natural light with folding doors opening up views."

In March, Mirror reported that Ozzy and Sharon were leaving Los Angeles and returning to their native United Kingdom due to rising taxes in California.

The musician and his wife will reportedly spend most of their time at their home Welders House.

"We are leaving L.A.," he said, according to Mirror. "We are a bit sad. But the tax is getting too much. I am sad because I really, really like staying and living there."

He added: "If they do the taxes better, then I may come back. I do not know. I am taking my recording studio with me. I am going to build a barn there and make my own studio at Welders. I will still be making music and my band will come over."

Ozzy and Sharon reportedly purchased Welders House from two-time Academy Award-winning special effects legend John Stears in 1993. In her 2013 autobiography, "Extreme: My Autobiography", Sharon said she purchased the home due to its "extreme" distance from any public houses nearby.

In July 2020, Ozzy said that he was still "not back to 100 percent" after suffering from several medical issues, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu. Ozzy also said that he was looking forward to performing again once he has regained his health and the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

Last November, Ozzy's previously announced European tour with guests JUDAS PRIEST, originally set for 2019 and then rescheduled three times, was once again postponed. The new dates will now take place in May and June 2023.

Ozzy initially scrapped his entire 2019 schedule as he recovered from surgery to repair an injury sustained while dealing with a bout of pneumonia. The tour was postponed a second time after Ozzy continued to deal with health issues following a fall in his Los Angeles home. That fall "aggravated years-old injuries" from an ATV accident that occurred in 2003. The tour was pushed back a third time in October 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ozzy's European tour with JUDAS PRIEST tour will now take place more than four years later than originally planned, and almost five years after tickets first went on sale in September 2018.

In May 2020, Ozzy's son Jack said that his father will "probably" retire "within the next five to ten years." But Ozzy, who turned 73 in December, has repeatedly said that he is not calling it quits, despite the fact that his "No More Tours 2" — whenever it ends up happening — is being billed as his last major global trek.

DEEP PURPLE played its first show with new touring guitarist Simon McBride last night (Sunday, May 22) at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.

DEEP PURPLE's setlist was as follows:

01. Highway Star
02. Pictures Of Home
03. Strange Kind Of Woman
04. Nothing At All
05. Uncommon Man
06. Lazy
07. When A Blind Man Cries
08. 7 And 7 Is (LOVE cover)
09. Throw My Bones
10. Time For Bedlam
11. Keyboard Solo
12. Perfect Strangers
13. Space Truckin'
14. Smoke On The Water

Encore:

15. Caught In The Act
16. Hush (Joe South cover)
17. Bass Solo
18. Black Night

McBride, who has previously toured with both Ian Gillan and Don Airey, among others, is filling in for longtime DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse. Steve is taking a temporary hiatus from live shows but remains a full member of the band.

Morse's hiatus from the classic rock icons was announced on March 31. In a statement, he said that his wife Janine is battling cancer and added that he hopes he can rejoin PURPLE on tour "after she gets a clean bill of health."

Added the rest of the band: "All of our thoughts are with Janine during her fight against cancer and also with Steve while he supports his wife at a very difficult time. We hope that Steve will be able to join us back on the road later this year."

McBride said: "I'm deeply honored to be asked to stand-in for Steve and play for such an iconic rock band like DEEP PURPLE. They are amazing musicians and amazing people… I'm very excited to get out and play all those iconic songs and rock the stage with such legends. My thoughts are with Steve and Janine and their family."

Morse effectively took over Ritchie Blackmore's DEEP PURPLE slot in 1994 and has since been in the group longer than Ritchie.

In a 1997 interview, Blackmore stated about Morse: "I'm just glad they [DEEP PURPLE] found a guitar player to carry on because I thought I was going to be shackled to this band for the rest of my life. It was like a ball-and-chain thing, and luckily, they said, 'Well, we found someone.' 'Thank God, I can get out!'

"I haven't listened much [to DEEP PURPLE's recent recordings]. I just know that Steve Morse [is a] brilliant player. I remember Steve Morse with the DIXIE DREGS; they're fantastic."

Morse's solo career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical and fusion. Having started playing guitar around the age of 11, he later on attended University of Miami's School of Music, where he studied classical guitar and jazz. A "guitarist's guitarist", he was voted "Best Overall Guitarist" in the Guitar Player Readers' Poll for five consecutive years, before being removed from eligibility to open the award to other musicians, and being inducted into their Gallery Of Greats. His work has received seven Grammy Award nominations, and he has appeared on over 200 albums.

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "Turning To Crime", came out in November via earMUSIC. The LP contains DEEP PURPLE's versions of great rock classics and musical jewels — including songs originally recorded by Bob Dylan, FLEETWOOD MAC, Bob Seger, CREAM and THE YARDBIRDS — carefully chosen by each member of the band.

Thank you Tel Aviv for a great night of the long awaited ‘Whoosh!’ tour at the Menora Mivtachim Arena. Jerusalem tonight. Let’s rock!

@sportpalace
#deeppurple #livegig #livemusic

// DP Web Crew //

Posted by Deep Purple on Monday, May 23, 2022

EVANESCENCE has recruited Emma Anzai of SICK PUPPIES to play bass on the Amy Lee-fronted outfit's upcoming tour. In addition, EVANESCENCE's longtime bassist Tim McCord will switch to guitar and fill the slot recently left vacant by the departure of Jen Majura.

Earlier today (Monday, May 23),EVANESCENCE issued the following statement: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have some very big news to share. Introducing our new guitarist… Tim McCord!!

"After 16 years in the band as our rock solid bass player, Tim is taking a turn on his original instrument. Spoiler alert- he's great at it. And on bass, it is our extreme pleasure to welcome the incredibly talented Emma Anzai of SICK PUPPIES! We've been friends and fans for years, and the time has finally come to join forces. Emma will be pulling double duty as we have some shows with SICK PUPPIES coming up soon, so get ready for that!

"We are all very excited to bring this new formation to the stage for the first time in Athens on June 5. See you soon!"

In the comments section below EVANESCENCE's Instagram post, Lee added: "Making positive change in your life (and band) can be really hard. Some choices we make, some are made for us. But who we are in the end is how we handle whatever comes our way.

"Today is a big day in my band. Taking another step forward with my brothers who have been beside me for 15+ years, and welcoming in a beautiful friend we are so excited to share the stage with…. I'm happy.

"You never know whats around the corner, but when something is right you know it's right. And this feels so right. Welcome Emma! Love all you guys."

Jen's exit from EVANESCENCE was announced via social media on Saturday (May 21).

"It has been a very special chapter in the band with our dear friend Jen Majura, but we have decided it's time to go our separate ways," EVANESCENCE said in a statement. "We will always love her and support her, and can't wait to see what she does next! We are so grateful for the good times and great music we made all around the world together."

A few hours later, Jen took to her social media to clarify: "I feel the need to address that none of this was my decision! I have no hard feelings against anybody and I wish EVANESCENCE all the best. I am allowed to carry beautiful memories of these past years, I am grateful."

The 38-year-old musician, a self-described "half-Asian living in Germany," joined EVANESCENCE in August 2015 as the replacement for Terry Balsamo.

Shortly after she landed the gig, Majura spoke to EMP Rock Invasion about how she came to connect with EVANESCENCE. She said: "My name was somehow recommended by a sweet friend of mine, Alex Skolnick of TESTAMENT, and Dave Eggar — he's also known as a very good cellist, and he's a musician working in New York. And all of a sudden, there was this e-mail popping up: 'Are you interested in joining…?' And I was, like, 'What the fuck?' So I stopped breathing until my face turned kind of blue. And then afterwards, I was, like, 'Okay, I've gotta read it again.' Three days later, I found myself suddenly on an airplane, flying over to New York to meet Amy Lee. And we had some very, very cool talks. She's an awesome person. She's a very, very great musician. And so I found myself suddenly inside of his empire called EVANESCENCE."

Regarding the fact that she didn't even have to "audition" for EVANESCENCE, Jen said: "Yeah. To be honest, I was kind of concerned. I told [Amy], 'Do you want me to bring my guitar?' And, 'Would you like me to audition?' And she was totally, like: 'Nah, I know you can play. I've seen plenty of videos of you. And I know your live experience and you're touring the world, so… No, just come over and let's have some food and talk.' Yeah, and that's it. So, actually, what I was surprised by very, very much was that she actually had another guitar player on her list, and that was the guitar player of Alice Cooper [Nita Strauss]. And she's now with Alice Cooper and I'm now with EVANESCENCE. This is, like… I still can't believe it."

In 2019, Lee said she was happy to have Majura in the band. "She has added a lot to our live shows because she's a singer," Amy explained. "It has been a really awesome thing to have live background vocals for the first time. I am such a fan of layered vocals, and to have that better represented at our show has been a cool breakthrough for me. And also, she's just rad energy. She's got a great attitude, fun personality, very engaging, killer onstage, so she has been a fun addition to our family. And of course, it's awesome having another girl in the band for the first time."

Majura has released two solo albums thus far, 2014's "Jen Majura" and 2017's "InZENity".

Last year, EVANESCENCE released "The Bitter Truth", its first album in 10 years.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have some very big news to share.
Introducing our new guitarist…
TIM MCCORD!!

After 16 years...

Posted by Evanescence on Monday, May 23, 2022

Professionally filmed video of METALLICA performing its cover of the famous Irish traditional song "Whiskey In The Jar" (popularized by THIN LIZZY in the '70s) on May 7 at Estádio Couto Pereira in Curitiba, Brazil can be seen below.

Curitiba was the fourth stop on METALLICA's South American tour, which kicked off on April 27 in Santiago, Chile.

METALLICA played its first concert of 2022 on February 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show, which was reportedly attended by 60,000 fans, featured support from GRETA VAN FLEET and ICE NINE KILLS.

The Las Vegas show took place more than two months after METALLICA's two 40th-anniversary concerts at Chase Center in San Francisco, California which featured different setlists. They were part of METALLICA's "San Francisco Takeover", a four-day citywide celebration of the band's 40th anniversary that also included a film festival, photo exhibit and curated lineup of smaller venue shows featuring other acts.

In February, METALLICA announced it will perform only two summer stadium shows in 2022: Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York on August 11, and PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 14. Both shows will feature special guests GRETA VAN FLEET and ICE NINE KILLS.

METALLICA previously played at Highmark Stadium on July 25, 1992, and Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium on July 26, 1992.

Later this month, METALLICA will perform at the BottleRock festival in Napa on May 27 and Boston Calling on May 29. The band also has a number of European dates scheduled for June and July.

Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, METALLICA has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and generating more than 15 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents. The band's several multi-platinum albums include "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning", "Master Of Puppets", "… And Justice For All", "Metallica" (commonly referred to as The Black Album),"Load", "Reload", "St. Anger", "Death Magnetic" and "Hardwired... To Self-Destruct", released in November 2016 and charting at No. 1 in 32 countries.

METALLICA's awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and its 2009 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In June of 2018, the band was awarded one of the most prestigious musical honors in the world: Sweden's Polar Music Prize.

Jen Majura says that it wasn't her decision to part ways with EVANESCENCE.

Jen's exit from the Amy Lee-fronted outfit was announced via social media on Saturday (May 21).

"It has been a very special chapter in the band with our dear friend Jen Majura, but we have decided it's time to go our separate ways," EVANESCENCE said in a statement. "We will always love her and support her, and can't wait to see what she does next! We are so grateful for the good times and great music we made all around the world together.

"We are hard at work rehearsing for our upcoming tour and will have some exciting news about the new lineup coming in the next few days, so stay tuned."

A few hours later, Jen took to her social media to clarify: "I feel the need to address that none of this was my decision! I have no hard feelings against anybody and I wish EVANESCENCE all the best. I am allowed to carry beautiful memories of these past years, I am grateful."

The 38-year-old musician, a self-described "half-Asian living in Germany," joined EVANESCENCE in August 2015 as the replacement for Terry Balsamo.

Shortly after she landed the gig, Majura spoke to EMP Rock Invasion about how she came to connect with EVANESCENCE. She said: "My name was somehow recommended by a sweet friend of mine, Alex Skolnick of TESTAMENT, and Dave Eggar — he's also known as a very good cellist, and he's a musician working in New York. And all of a sudden, there was this e-mail popping up: 'Are you interested in joining…?' And I was, like, 'What the fuck?' So I stopped breathing until my face turned kind of blue. And then afterwards, I was, like, 'Okay, I've gotta read it again.' Three days later, I found myself suddenly on an airplane, flying over to New York to meet Amy Lee. And we had some very, very cool talks. She's an awesome person. She's a very, very great musician. And so I found myself suddenly inside of his empire called EVANESCENCE."

Regarding the fact that she didn't even have to "audition" for EVANESCENCE, Jen said: "Yeah. To be honest, I was kind of concerned. I told [Amy], 'Do you want me to bring my guitar?' And, 'Would you like me to audition?' And she was totally, like: 'Nah, I know you can play. I've seen plenty of videos of you. And I know your live experience and you're touring the world, so… No, just come over and let's have some food and talk.' Yeah, and that's it. So, actually, what I was surprised by very, very much was that she actually had another guitar player on her list, and that was the guitar player of Alice Cooper [Nita Strauss]. And she's now with Alice Cooper and I'm now with EVANESCENCE. This is, like… I still can't believe it."

In 2019, Lee said she was happy to have Majura in the band. "She has added a lot to our live shows because she's a singer," Amy explained. "It has been a really awesome thing to have live background vocals for the first time. I am such a fan of layered vocals, and to have that better represented at our show has been a cool breakthrough for me. And also, she's just rad energy. She's got a great attitude, fun personality, very engaging, killer onstage, so she has been a fun addition to our family. And of course, it's awesome having another girl in the band for the first time."

Majura has released two solo albums thus far, 2014's "Jen Majura" and 2017's "InZENity".

Last year, EVANESCENCE released "The Bitter Truth", its first album in 10 years.




I feel the need to address that none of this was my decision! I have no hard feelings against anybody and I wish Evanescence all the best. I am allowed to carry beautiful memories of these past years, I am grateful.

— Jen Majura (@JenMajura) May 22, 2022

New American super group Highway Sentinels have revealed release date and cover for their debut album The Waiting Fire, which will be released on CD and digital on July 22, 2022.


Highway Sentinels consists of David Reece (vocals, Bangalore Choir, ex Accept), Steven Rosen (guitars); Jimmy Waldo – (keys, Alcatrazz); Donnie Van Stavern (bass, Riot V); Mark Zonder (drums, Fates Warning, Warlord)! Guests include Joe Satriani, Tracii Guns, Bumblefoot, Paul Gilbert, Mike Flyntz, Joe Stump, Herman Frank and more.


Highway Sentinels is a project created by Steven Rosen and Jimmy Waldo. Steven, himself a legendary author, journalist and guitar enthusiast going back to the 1970s, be it traveling on a plane with Led Zeppelin or as a close friend of Eddie Van Halen; he has always been at the forefront of rock journalism and its surrounding culture.




Jimmy Waldo, founding member of Alcatrazz and New England, as well as having performed and recorded with the likes of Quiet Riot, Vinnie Vincent, Blackthorne, Pretty Maids, WASP, Skull, The Scream and many more; Jimmy has an astounding resume and a catalog of recorded music few can rival.





During the lockdowns of 2021 the two men set about recording a batch of songs that they had been working on for a number of years, some dating back even decades were brought into the mix. The right vocalist had to be found as the guys wanted one consistent singer throughout to tie it all together. And while there are a number of highly skilled guest guitarists on this record, the guys felt it important to also present this as a band-union so it not come across as yet another “chuck all these guys together and see what happens” type of project. Each guest soloist was chosen for the song, rather than “name value” alone.


David Reece was this vocalist, his work with Accept, Bangalore Choir, Bonfire and as a solo artist speaks for itself… he was given complete freedom to write lyrics and vocal melodies.
A couple of songs come from the past, “Afterlife” and “We Won’t Be Forgotten” come from Jimmy’s past with Blackthorne, and “Victim Of The Night” a song David had recorded with Bangalore Choir which never found its way onto the classic debut of that band.


Mark Zonder on drums brings an enormous pedigree to the record, known worldwide as the longtime drummer of Fates Warning and Warlord as well as the newly launched A-Z band with Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder it all made sense to have Mark Zonder be the featured drummer on this record.


On bass we have Donnie Van Stavern, from the much loved metal legends Riot, Donnie’s involvement means that no one has to worry about the bottom end falling out of a song, or having to have the guitarist re-cut the bass parts in a backroom somewhere… Donnie only plays one way… and that is go for the throat full on metal.

Cales are streaming "Black Riders", the opening track of the new album, Chants Of Steel, which will be released via Germany's Darkness Shall Rise Oroductions on  cassette this September, and by other labels on LP and CD next year.


The band's new lineup consists of Nifelheim's Blackosh (guitars and vocals), bassist Peter Svensson (Assassin's Blade), and drummer Honza Kapák (Master's Hammer).







Chants Of Steel is preceded by the release of a vinyl single with the track of the same name via Gothoom Productions. Vocals for the song were recorded by Per “Hellbutcher” Gustavsson, screamer of Nifelheim, who Blackosh joined in 2018, just after Master's Hammer ceased their activity.





Tracklisting :


"Black Riders"
"Hordes Of Thunder"
"Roar Of Stormy Chase"
"Hall Of Death"
"Prophetic Ash"
"Chants Of Steel"
"The Mighty Hour"
"When Darkness Finally Takes Us"


"Black Riders":


Chants Of Steel by Blackosh


"Chants Of Steel"

Arch Enemy have released a recap video for the Portland, Oregon date on The North American Siege 2022, also featuring Behemoth, plus special guests Napalm Death and Unto Others. Watch below.


Says the band: "Portland, OR - you absolutely rocked the Roseland Ballroom and thank you to everyone that came out to have fun with us, Behemoth, Napalm Death, and Unto Others! We had so much fun with you guys and can't wait to do it again soon!"







On July 29, Arch Enemy will release their 11th studio album, Deceivers, via Century Media Records. For fans that can't wait for the record's release, the band is now offering a new 7", "Sunset Over The Empire" (due out May 20) - with the title track also appearing on Deceivers.


Arch Enemy's founder and chief songwriter Michael Amott comments: "I am thrilled that we are releasing our next single 'Sunset Over The Empire' not only digitally everywhere as usual, but also as a physical 7" vinyl record. I'm a big fan of the vinyl format myself and I think this killer looking 7" will be a nice collector's item as it's a limited run. The B-side is an instrumental we've never released before on a record, and the A-side is one of my fave tracks off our new upcoming album Deceivers!"


Pre-order "Sunset Over The Empire" here,  where the 7" is available in the following versions:


- white vinyl (limited to 1000 copies; available via CM Distro Europe)
- transparent orange vinyl (limited to 500 copies; band exclusive)





"Sunset Over The Empire" tracklisting:


"Sunset Over The Empire"
"The Judging Eyes"


A collection of 11 tracks that are ruthlessly catchy and mercilessly violent, Deceivers stands toe-to-toe with the highlights of the band's storied catalogue. Pre-order the album here.





Deceivers tracklisting:


"Handshake With Hell"
"Deceiver, Deceiver"
"In The Eye Of The Storm"
"The Watcher"
"Poisoned Arrow"
"Sunset Over The Empire"
"House Of Mirrors"
"Spreading Black Wings"
"Mourning Star"
"One Last Time"
"Exiled From Earth"


"Handshake With Hell" video:





"Deceiver, Deceiver" video:





"House Of Mirrors" video:





Arch Enemy lineup:


Alissa White-Gluz - Vocals
Michael Amott - Guitars
Jeff Loomis - Guitars
Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass
Daniel Erlandsson - Drums

EVANESCENCE has parted ways with longtime guitarist Jen Majura.

The 38-year-old musician, a self-described "half-Asian living in Germany," joined EVANESCENCE in August 2015 as the replacement for Terry Balsamo.

Jen's exit from EVANESCENCE was announced via social media earlier today (Saturday, May 21).

"It has been a very special chapter in the band with our dear friend Jen Majura, but we have decided it's time to go our separate ways," EVANESCENCE said in a statement. "We will always love her and support her, and can't wait to see what she does next! We are so grateful for the good times and great music we made all around the world together.

"We are hard at work rehearsing for our upcoming tour and will have some exciting news about the new lineup coming in the next few days, so stay tuned."

In 2019, EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee said she was happy to have Majura in the band. "She has added a lot to our live shows because she's a singer," Amy explained. "It has been a really awesome thing to have live background vocals for the first time. I am such a fan of layered vocals, and to have that better represented at our show has been a cool breakthrough for me. And also, she's just rad energy. She's got a great attitude, fun personality, very engaging, killer onstage, so she has been a fun addition to our family. And of course, it's awesome having another girl in the band for the first time."

Majura has released two solo albums thus far, 2014's "Jen Majura" and 2017's "InZENity".

Last year, EVANESCENCE released "The Bitter Truth", its first album in 10 years, which the Los Angeles Times called their "fiercest songs to date." The latest single, "Better Without You", was EVANESCENCE's first Top 10 Rock Radio track in ten years, and previous single "Use My Voice" was nominated for "Best Rock" at the MTV Video Music Awards. It was the second year in a row that EVANESCENCE had scored a "Best Rock" nomination, as well as the second year in a row that they were the sole female-fronted act nominated in the category.

Photo courtesy of Jen Majura's Instagram
It has been a very special chapter in the band with our dear friend Jen Majura, but we have decided it’s time to go our separate ways. We will always love her and support her, and can’t wait to see what she does next! We are so grateful for the good times and great music we… pic.twitter.com/k6kEI19HaY

— Evanescence (@evanescence) May 21, 2022


made all around the world together.
We are hard at work rehearsing for our upcoming tour and will have some exciting news about the new lineup coming in the next few days, so stay tuned.

— Evanescence (@evanescence) May 21, 2022

Former SEPULTURA members Max Cavalera and Igor "Iggor" Cavalera kicked off the 2022 "Return Beneath Arise" tour last night (Sunday, May 22) at the Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fan-filmed video can be seen below.

"Return Beneath Arise" sees Max and Igor performing select tracks from SEPULTURA's seminal "Beneath The Remains" and "Arise" albums. Joining Max and Igor on the trek are Mike Leon of SOULFLY and Daniel Gonzalez of POSSESSED.

When Leon and Gonzalez's addition to the touring lineup was first announced, Max said in a statement: "'Beneath The Remains'/'Arise' tour is coming! Introducing on bass guitar, thrashing and blasting bass beast Mike Leon (SOULFLY) and on lead guitar, state-of-the-art death/thrash expert Daniel Gonzalez (POSSESSED/GRUESOME). We're gonna take these songs to the metal world in the most brutal way ever! Under a pale gray sky, we shall arise."

Added Igor: "We can only count with the illest players to step on stage with me and Max to play 'Beneath'/'Arise'. So getting Dan Gonzalez from POSSESSED/GRUESOME and Mike Leon from SOULFLY was an amazing choice!... Can't wait to hit the road!"

Said Leon: "I am super excited to be a part of the revival of these classic albums with the brothers that created them. It is a great honor! These shows are gonna CRUSH, and I'm sure that we are gonna deliver these songs better than they have ever been played before to everyone who joins us! See you on the road!"

Stated Gonzalez: "It would be an understatement to say that I am incredibly stoked and honored to be able to play with Max and Iggor, and the fact that we'll be playing material from 'Beneath The Remains' and 'Arise' is beyond surreal to me since I grew up worshiping those albums. Max and Iggor helped change the standards of extreme metal and those albums are still living proof of that. It's insane to me as a fan and as a musician to be able to play these songs live, and I can't wait to do them justice!!!"

Max and Igor kicked off a tour celebrating "Beneath The Remains" and "Arise" back in 2018. In early 2020, Max revealed plans to bring the trek to the U.S., but no dates had been announced prior to the pandemic.

In a 2018 interview with Wall Of Sound, Max stated about revisiting the "Beneath The Remains" and "Arise" material on the most recent run of shows: "I had to learn those riffs again for the tour, and I had to rediscover the albums again. It was a really fun process, learning the lyrics again. I kind of fell in love with the albums again. I don't have a favorite — I like both together, and I think they're meant to be together. For some reason, they just feel right when you play them together. I was very young when I made them, so it made me very aware of my state of mind at the time. I feel like I'm pretty much the same guy. I'm [52] now, but I'm still a metalhead in the heart. I still have the teenage spirit. I'm a huge metal fan, [a] huge supporter of metal. That's just how it was when those albums were done. It's a blessing that I get to do that with my brother, especially after all we went through together and we didn't speak for 10 years. Now, it's good — we are in a good place, and our brotherhood is really good, and we're just having fun with this music... There's an energy and a real anger and real passion in those songs that translates into people losing their minds when they hear it. I don't even have to tell them, 'Circle pit' — they will do it themselves. It's just the power of music."

In 1996, Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band split with Max's wife Gloria as their manager.

Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their son (who was born in January 2006).

The current SEPULTURA lineup — featuring guitarist Andreas Kisser and bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. alongside Derrick Green on vocals and Eloy Casagrande on drums — released its latest studio album, "Quadra", in February 2020 via Nuclear Blast.

Swedish blackened thrash metal pioneers WITCHERY will release their eighth studio album, "Nightside", on July 22 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2017's "I Am Legion" was recorded with the WITCHERY lineup consisting of Patrik Jensen (guitar, THE HAUNTED / ex-SEANCE),Rickard Rimfält (guitar, SEANCE),Angus Norder (vocals, NEKROKRAFT),Victor Brandt (bass, DIMMU BORGIR / ex-ENTOMBED A.D., officially replacing longtime bassist Sharlee D'Angelo) and Chris Barkensjö (drums, LIK / ex-KAAMOS). The album was once again mixed and produced by Daniel Bergstrand (BEHEMOTH, IN FLAMES) and includes artwork by Andreas "Diaz" Pettersson.

"Nightside" features a guest appearance on vocals by Jeff Walker (CARCASS, on "A Forest Of Burning Coffins"),as well as guest guitar leads by Hank Shermann (MERCYFUL FATE, on "Left Hand March"),Simon Johansson (WOLF, on "Crucifix And Candle") and Maciek Ofstad (KVELERTAK, on "Don't Burn the Witch").

"Nightside" will be released in the following formats: jewelcase CD, 180-gram vinyl LP (either as black vinyl or as limited transparent red vinyl of 500x copies via CM distro/mailorder) and as digital album.

"Nightside" track listing:

01. Witching Hour
02. Don't Burn The Witch
03. Storm Of The Unborn
04. Er Steht In Flammen
05. Popecrusher
06. Left Hand March
07. Under The Altar
08. Churchburner
09. Crucifix And Candle
10. A Forest Of Burning Coffins
11. Nightside

The first single and video for the razor-sharp track "Popecrusher" is out now. Watch the animated video clip created by Eduardo Hidalgo and Maciej Pieloch of MPieloch.com and E2h Design Studio below.

Jensen states about "Popecrusher": "Setting the benchmark for the new album, 'Popecrusher' is the first foreshadowing aural assault from our new album 'Nightside'. All the pieces fell into place with this album and we can't wait for everyone to hear the album in its entirety. 'Nightside' is our first attempt at writing a concept album, and 'Popecrusher' is of course a part of that story. We hope you love the soul-incinerating heaviness of 'Popecrusher' as much as we do. More great things are soon to come. Do the W!"

Jensen adds: "I started to write this album without any general direction of idea in mind, but somewhere in the middle of the writing process I remembered that I've always wanted to do a concept album, so I decided to give it a shot. Little did I know that writing a concept album puts a lot more pressure on each and every song turning out great. This might seem a norm (and I guess it is in some way) but usually you write 12-14 songs and choose the songs that turned out the best after they've been mixed and mastered. Sometimes even what you thought was going to be the first song on the album gets pushed to somewhere else because another track turned out sounding more like an opening track. Also, out of those 12-14 songs you can choose to keep a few a bonus tracks. With a theme album, songs can't swap places. The story needs to work (no one wants to do a new 'The Elder'!),so the opening track really needs to hold up as an opening track etc., thus the extra pressure of 'no surprises' after its all recorded.

"The album tells a story of demonic nightmares, unexplainable pregnancy, witch trails and an escape from the Old Country to the colonies in the west and what happens once the child is born. Guests on this album is, for starters, our permanent guest of honor Hank Shermann, but also guest solos by Maciek Ofstad of KVELERTAK and Simon Johansson of WOLF (also the studio owner of SolnaStudio where we recorded the album. We also had the honor of having Jeff Walker of CARCASS do guest vocals on the song 'A Forest Of Burning Coffins'. All in all, we are very happy with how the album turned out and with again thrilled over Daniel Bergstrand's killer production…"

WITCHERY has also announced that its will appear on this year's colossal Hellfest in Clisson, France on Friday, June 24.

WITCHERY's early catalog was reissued by Century Media Records in 2020 on CD, LP and digitally, finally, making "Restless & Dead" (1998),"Witchburner" (EP, 1999),"Dead, Hot And Ready" (1999) and "Symphony For The Devil" (2001) available worldwide again.

British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN kicked off the 2022 leg of their "Legacy Of The Beast" world tour earlier tonight (Sunday, May 22) at the 22,000-capacity Arena Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia. It marked the band's first live appearance in 31 months.

MAIDEN opened the set with "Senjutsu", the title track of its latest studio album, and followed it up with two more songs from the same LP, "Stratego" and "The Writing On The Wall".

Other tracks aired during MAIDEN's performance included "Revelations", "Blood Brothers", "Sign Of The Cross", "Flight Of Icarus", "Fear Of The Dark", "Hallowed Be Thy Name", "The Number Of The Beast" and "Iron Maiden".

MAIDEN also played two encores, consisting of "The Trooper", "The Clansman", "Run To The Hills" and the closing track of the night, "Aces High".

The full setlist was as follows:

01. Senjutsu (live debut)
02. Stratego (live debut)
03. The Writing On The Wall (live debut)
04. Revelations
05. Blood Brothers (first performance since July 2017)
06. Sign Of The Cross
07. Flight Of Icarus
08. Fear Of The Dark
09. Hallowed Be Thy Name
10. The Number Of The Beast
11. Iron Maiden

Encore:

12. The Trooper
13. The Clansman
14. Run To The Hills

Encore 2:

15. Aces High

Prior to the Zagreb concert, IRON MAIDEN hadn't performed live in two and a half years — since the completion of its South American tour in October 2019.

Earlier this year, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson confirmed that the band is planning to stage a tour where it will perform its new album, "Senjutsu", in its entirety. The 63-year-old singer told the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast: "The plan we've got — it's not really a secret; I think everybody else has chatted about it — we will, I hope, we've talked about doing the entire ['Senjutsu'] album start to finish, but not this time around. And we all appreciate that that is something that really diehard fans will probably love and other people will go, 'Hmmm, I'm not gonna go see that.' So the answer is you play smaller venues so that they sell out with just your diehard fans. 'Cause it's a musical thing to do — it's a musical thing."

Dickinson went on to clarify that the 2022 leg of MAIDEN's "Legacy Of The Beast" tour, which is scheduled to hit North America in September and October, will once again focus primarily on a decades-spanning setlist of fan favorites.

"The 'Legacy Of The Beast' tour, people have all paid their money to see the 'Legacy Of The Beast' show, with Spitfires and flamethrowers and Icarus and everything that goes with," he said. "So they're gonna get all that. But the first three tracks are probably gonna be the first three tracks on the ['Senjutsu'] album. 'The Writing On The Wall' they already know, so everybody should know the first three tracks. And I just think [the] 'Senjutsu' [title track] is just such a great opening song — so dramatic. And then once you've done that — and we'll have a stage set to go with it — once you've done that, you're back to the kind of 'Legacy' world at that point. But I think 'The Writing On The Wall' is gonna be a great song — I mean, a crowd singalong song. You can imagine that. It'll be fantastic."

Addressing the fact that MAIDEN infuriated some fans by forcing them to sit through the band's then-new, 75-minute "A Matter Of Life And Death" album on tour in 2006, denying the crowd the greatest hits they'd come for, Bruce said: "Nobody has to buy a ticket. If you don't wanna go [see us play an entire new album live], you don't buy a ticket. It's gonna be plain as the nose on your face. This is gonna be what they're gonna do. So given that, don't complain that they did what they said they were gonna do."

Clocking in at a hefty 82 minutes, "Senjutsu" came out in September. It marks MAIDEN's second consecutive double album behind 2015's "The Book Of Souls" which is the longest MAIDEN album, with a running time of 92 minutes.

IRON MAIDEN's first album in six years, "Senjutsu" was recorded in 2019 in Paris with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley and co-produced by bassist Steve Harris. It features three tracks whose running time exceeds 10 minutes each.

For "Senjutsu" — loosely translated as "tactics and strategy" — the band once again enlisted the services of Mark Wilkinson to create the spectacular Samurai-themed cover artwork, based on an idea by Harris.

"Senjutsu" bowed at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, charting higher than even the band's early classics like "Powerslave" and "The Number Of The Beast". Nearly 90 percent of the LP's 64,000 equivalent album units earned came from pure album sales. The critically acclaimed double album debuted one place higher than 2015's "The Book Of Souls" and 2010's "The Final Frontier", which both peaked at No. 4.

"Senjutsu" was MAIDEN's 13th album to top in the Top 40 in the U.S.

According to Billboard, "Senjutsu" logged the second-largest week of 2021 for a hard rock album in both equivalent album units earned and in traditional album sales.

"Senjutsu" topped the charts in several European countries upon its release, including in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.



IRON MAIDEN 🔥ZAGREB 🔥

Posted by Petra Klikić Blažinović on Sunday, May 22, 2022



Posted by Zagreb Rules • Finest Zagreb Streetwear on Sunday, May 22, 2022



Such an amazing Iron Maiden gig tonight in Zagreb, Croatia! A perfect ten!

So cool to meet Iron Maiden friends from all over the world again and sing "Blood Brothers" together! An amazing feeling to do so and to have the greatest band in history back!

Posted by Runar Pettersen on Sunday, May 22, 2022

Scream for me Zagreb!!!!🤘🔥🇭🇷
#ironmaiden #ironmaidenzagreb
📸 Credits to the owners

Posted by Freezine on Sunday, May 22, 2022

Former IRON MAIDEN frontman Paul Di'Anno, who has been receiving physiotherapy and lymphatic drainage treatments in Croatia in preparation for his upcoming knee surgery, played his first solo concert in seven years last night (Saturday, May 21) at the Bikers Beer Factory in Zagreb. The show was filmed and parts of it will be included in a documentary about Di'Anno, to be directed by Wes Orshoski, co-director and producer of the acclaimed 2010 film "Lemmy" about the MOTÖRHEAD icon.

The Zagreb concert was free to attend and was held as a way of thanking Paul's fans for their help during the most difficult time of his recovery. The show took place just a day before the IRON MAIDEN's gig at the Zagreb Arena.

Fan-filmed video and photos of last night's show can be found below.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN — a self-titled effort in 1980 and "Killers" in 1981 — before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

Di'Anno recently teamed up with several Croatian musicians to form a new project called WARHORSE. WARHORSE entered the studio to record three songs, two of which — "Stop The War" and "The Doubt Within" — have been released as a special limited-edition DVD single.

A fundraiser for Paul's upcoming surgery has been organized by his friends and fans coordinated by Kastro Pergjoni from the U.K. and Stjepan Juras from Croatia, in collaboration with the other members of WARHORSE. All proceeds from the single will be used to cover the costs of Paul's treatment and related needs.

In February, Di'Anno told the "Još Jedan" podcast that his health was "better" than it was just a couple of months earlier but noted that he still "a lot of work to do — a lot of physio and stuff like that."

Paul went on to blast the U.K.'s free-at-the-point-of-use National Health Service (NHS),saying: "Fucking NHS sucks. I was a defender of them big time. But the nurses are awesome and all the workers. It's the fucking bureaucracy bullshit — the management and the people who run the NHS are just total assholes. But the poor heroes — the nurses and the staff — they're great, but their hands are tied. So they didn't know what to do. They just dumped me."

Di'Anno, who turned 64 on May 17, outlined some of the recent health issues he has battled that have kept him from performing for seven years.

"I caught sepsis [when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body] in 2015, and it almost killed me," he said. "And I spent eight months in a hospital in England. You've got a crucial 45 minutes to get as many antibiotics in you before you die, and they managed to do that, which was great. Then I spent eight months in a hospital, and then another three months in a care home. And while I was in there getting things done, on hospital visits, I caught MRSA [Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, an infection caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections] there twice, in the hospital. So that was it. So it kept delaying things and delaying things… And then they took this knee out put this cement thing in. And it was only supposed to be in there for a year. And the first time they put that in, it broke, so they cut me open again and put another in. And that one is still in here. And while it's been in there this long, it's going toxic. So, what the fuck are they doing over there at the NHS?"

Di'Anno reportedly underwent an operation in 2016 to remove a "rugby ball-sized abscess" on his lungs and required a knee-replacement operation on both knees after getting involved in several motorcycle accidents over the years.

Paul Di'Anno great gig

Posted by Pol Milo on Saturday, May 21, 2022

Posted by BIKERS BEER FACTORY on Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno came face to face with the band's bassist Steve Harris for the first time in many years last night (Sunday, May 22) before MAIDEN's concert in Croatia.

Harris, whose group kicked off the 2022 leg of its "Legacy Of The Beast" world tour at the 22,000-capacity Arena Zagreb, came out before the show to greet a wheelchair-bound Di'Anno and chat with him for a few minutes. Paul has spent the last few months in Croatia receiving physiotherapy and lymphatic drainage treatments in preparation for his upcoming knee surgery.

After his friendly meeting with Harris, Di'Anno stuck around long enough to watch some of MAIDEN's performance before leaving near the end of the set to avoid a huge traffic jam after the show.

Video and a photo of Paul's get-together with Steve, courtesy of Stjepan Juras, a MAIDEN fan and author of many MAIDEN-related books, who is taking care of Di'Anno during his stay in Croatia, can be found below.

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN — a self-titled effort in 1980 and "Killers" in 1981 — before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

More than a decade and a half ago, Di'Anno told The Jersulam Post that leaving the MAIDEN juggernaut behind was the best thing that ever happened to him, and that he had no bitter feelings toward his former bandmates. "I absolutely have no regrets about leaving MAIDEN — I wasn't right in the head at that time to be in the middle of all that," he said. "I was fed up and disillusioned; it would have been cheating the fans and myself if I had stayed. It was easy to walk away from, and I'm very happy the band got bigger and bigger."

Several years ago, Di'Anno told Metal Thunder Radio that he wasn't as involved with MAIDEN's songwriting as he would have liked. "Steve had most of the words and the lyrics [to the band's first album] all written. That was some of the bones of contention that we had in the band — that I didn't get to write as much as I wanted to. 'Cause I am actually quite a prolific writer, but a lot of my songs were not accepted. 'Cause it's Steve's band, obviously."

He continued: "That first album was a revelation, I've gotta tell you. It was amazing. And the second album, for me, not so much. That's when I started to lose interest a little bit. But [we] still [had] great times — really great times."

At times, Paul has also publicly displayed his anger toward his former bandmates, most notably during a 2009 press conference in Argentina where he was asked about the rumors that his drug use had something to do with his split with MAIDEN. "Where the fuck do you people get this from?" he asked. "I left IRON MAIDEN because they were going too heavy metal, and IRON MAIDEN is a money-making machine, and I don't give a fuck about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that. Me and Steve... I [wrote] the song 'Killers'. Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were shit. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over... I hate that! I fucking hate that! Because people... You say something but you don't know. Well, I'm telling you. IRON MAIDEN is Steve Harris's band. It doesn't matter about anybody else — whether it's Dave Murray, Clive [Burr], me... it's Steve Harris's band and all it is is money, money, money, money — nobody else counts. And I wrote fuckin' 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the 'Killers' album because it's Steve's — he must have this. Fuckin' Adolf Hitler. I'm not interested. So there you go. But you need to take drugs when you're with IRON MAIDEN because they're so fucking boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]... Fuckin' headache."

Kastro Pergjoni, operations director of the Cart & Horses pub in Stratford, London, England where IRON MAIDEN made its live debut in 1976, who recently raised thousands of dollars so Di'Anno can undergo his long-delayed knee surgery, discussed his fundraising efforts during a 2020 appearance on the "Uncle Steve's Iron Maiden Zone" podcast. Asked if he has approached the members of IRON MAIDEN themselves to contribute in some way to the Di'Anno campaign, Kastro said: "Myself, no, I haven't, to be honest, because I don't wanna put things… What's the best way to say it now? It's not up to me to go to them, because I have no connections with IRON MAIDEN themselves. Even when I [need to approach] Steve, I go through his friends or his sister sometimes or close friends that he's got to get stuff from him. But to go to MAIDEN for something that is related to MAIDEN, I don't think that it is me personally, or Cart & Horses, the ones to contact them. I'd love if they come forward and just cover whatever is left or say whatever, but I don't think it's down to me to go to MAIDEN. Because [Paul's] got friends and he's got connections with MAIDEN more than I have, so if MAIDEN wanted to, or if somebody else wanted to, they would have done it. But so far, nothing, unfortunately, no."

Di'Anno played his first solo concert in seven years Saturday night (May 21) at the Bikers Beer Factory in Zagreb. The show was filmed and parts of it will be included in a documentary about Di'Anno, to be directed by Wes Orshoski, co-director and producer of the acclaimed 2010 film "Lemmy" about the MOTÖRHEAD icon.

Di'Anno recently teamed up with several Croatian musicians to form a new project called WARHORSE. WARHORSE entered the studio to record three songs, two of which — "Stop The War" and "The Doubt Within" — have been released as a special limited-edition DVD single.

A fundraiser for Paul's upcoming surgery has been organized by his friends and fans coordinated by Pergjoni and Juras, in collaboration with the other members of WARHORSE. All proceeds from the single will be used to cover the costs of Paul's treatment and related needs.



It's happening ladies and gentlemen. If you want to know more, please visit www.maidencroatia.com/warhorse

Posted by Stjepan Juras on Sunday, May 22, 2022

Can't be better! See more at www.maidencroatia.com/warhorse

Posted by Stjepan Juras on Sunday, May 22, 2022



History!

Posted by Stjepan Juras on Sunday, May 22, 2022



Very emotional to see Paul watching performance of song Iron Maiden, after he left the venue to avoid huge traffic jam after the show. Shot for history!

Posted by Stjepan Juras on Monday, May 23, 2022

QUEENSRŸCHE has set "Digital Noise Alliance" as the title of its new studio album, due on October 7 via Century Media Records.

Earlier today (Friday, May 20),QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton shared a short video teaser for the upcoming follow-up to 2019's "The Verdict", and he included the following message: "Digital Noise Alliance - October 7, 2022 #Queensryche #DigitalNoiseAlliance #NewAlbum".

"Digital Noise Alliance" was once again helmed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with QUEENSRŸCHE on 2015's "Condition Hüman" and "The Verdict" LPs.

This past March, QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre told FOX17 Rock & Review about the band's upcoming LP: "Each song might have a little different attitude and we wanted to just use real amps and all the vintage, real stuff that was used throughout the history of QUEENSRŸCHE.

"We did all the drums at a place in Clearwater [Florida] — a huge home with the most amazing ceiling for a drum room," La Torre continued. "So we did all the drums there. And then, really, at my place [in St. Petersburg, Florida], we're able to track all the guitars, bass and vocals.

"Those days of renting thousand-dollar-a-day studios, we don't really need that anymore. And our producer Zeuss, who did the last two QUEENSRŸCHE albums — he does all Rob Zombie's stuff; he's a very seasoned producer, [and] he does mixing and mastering, so he's a one-stop shop — he's down here from Massachusetts. So he's handling all those duties. And things are going really well. We're having a great time."

Last November, La Torre told Canada's The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the new QUEENSRŸCHE material: "It doesn't sound like 'The Verdict'. It's its own new kind of thing. We really kind of just focused more on melodic hooks. I don't think we went in thinking, like, 'Oh, we need to sound old school or new or this.'"

He continued: "You know what we did on this record… Every other time, each guy would kind of submit their own song ideas and then we would kind of work on that. But what we did on this record was, other than Eddie [Jackson, bass] — Eddie has a couple of songs that are really cool that he wrote and then showed us kind of when they were pretty much done. And then Michael kind of wrote some interesting chords — still staying within the keys and everything. But we all got in a room with our here [in Florida], and we literally started from scratch. Like, 'Michael, what do you got?' [And he would] come up with a riff. And Casey [Grillo] would sit on the drums, or I would sit on the drums. We were all actually in a room and just tried it like the good old days. So this record was totally like that — the whole thing pretty much, minus one or two songs. And even that changed a little bit."

In early 2021, Wilton told The Metal Voice about the sound of the new QUEENSRŸCHE music: "Our producer, Zeuss, if this is any indication, he says it sounds like QUEENSRŸCHE … I think we're just going with our gut right now. You don't wanna take too many drastic chances in this day and age. So I think it's more of a continuation of 'The Verdict', maybe, in some sense. We're riding that wave. It's been good to us. [Laughs]"

In October, Wilton confirmed that returning guitarist Mike Stone would contribute guitar solos to the band's next studio album.

Since late May 2021, Stone has been handling second-guitar duties in QUEENSRŸCHE, which announced in July that longtime guitarist Parker Lundgren was exiting the group to focus on "other business ventures."

Stone originally joined QUEENSRŸCHE for the 2003 album "Tribe" and stayed with the band for six years before leaving the group.

For the past five years, Grillo has been filling in for QUEENSRŸCHE's original drummer Scott Rockenfield, who stepped away from the band's touring activities in early 2017 to spend time with his young son.

In early October, Rockenfield filed a lawsuit against the band's fellow original members Wilton and Jackson, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful discharge.

Earlier this year, QUEENSRŸCHE pulled out of SCORPIONS' rescheduled "Sin City Nights" Las Vegas residency in order to support JUDAS PRIEST on the "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American tour dates. The trek kicked off on March 4 in Peoria, Illinois and concluded on April 13 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Photo courtesy of QUEENSRŸCHE's Facebook page



Digital Noise Alliance - October 7, 2022
#Queensryche #DigitalNoiseAlliance #NewAlbum

Posted by Michael Wilton on Friday, May 20, 2022

Ronnie James Dio would have turned 80 years old on July 10. Among the greatest heavy metal singers of all time, Dio's career spanned five decades, touched millions of fans and pioneered his signature "devil's horns," one of the most popular hand gestures in the world. Dio also provided vocals and lyrics for some of the most iconic rock albums of all time with BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW, before establishing his own band DIO as a metal force with their 1983 debut "Holy Diver".

"Holy Diver" was a platinum-certified smash and one of the late singer-songwriter's most groundbreaking achievements. Rhino revisits this epic metal moment on "Holy Diver: Super Deluxe Edition", available on July 8 as a four-CD boxed set ($59.98) and digitally.

The collection comes with two versions of "Holy Diver". The first is a new mix of the album made by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SLIPKNOT). He used the original analog tapes to remix all nine tracks on the album. The second is a newly remastered version of the original 1983 mix. The Super Deluxe Edition also features unreleased live performances and outtakes, along with a selection of rarities from the era.

Barresi's new mix of the "Holy Diver" title track is available today digitally as a preview to the new album mix. Check it out below.

In addition, Barresi's new mix of "Holy Diver" will be released the same day as a two-LP set on 180-gram vinyl ($34.98). It includes the original nine tracks, plus the 1983 B-side version of "Evil Eyes" as a bonus track. Side four is decorated with an etching of the legendary demon Murry that graces the album's iconic cover. The vinyl is kept in a gatefold sleeve that shows off newly commissioned artwork by longtime DIO artist Marc Sasso. The same artwork is also used for the four-CD Super Deluxe Edition.

Critically acclaimed and a commercial success, "Holy Diver" contributed two timeless classics to the heavy metal canon — "Rainbow In The Dark" and its title track. The album also ranks No. 16 on Rolling Stone's current list of "100 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time."

After departing BLACK SABBATH in early 1982, Dio began composing songs that would eventually appear on the album. After writing both "Holy Diver" and "Don't Talk To Strangers", Dio then assembled an amazing group of musicians, two familiar faces and one fresh recruit, with drummer Vinny Appice (Dio's BLACK SABBATH bandmate),bassist/keyboardist Jimmy Bain (Dio's RAINBOW bandmate) and guitarist Vivian Campbell joining him to record the "Holy Diver" album.

In the illustrated liner notes that accompany the Super Deluxe Edition, music journalist Mick Wall shares the album's creation story, including the making of its crown jewel, "Rainbow In The Dark".

He writes: "Lyrically, it was Ronnie James Dio at his poetic best… Musically, 'Rainbow In The Dark' was also the band's first truly collaborative endeavor. The inspiration for the monster guitar riff came from something Viv had written when he was 16. Vinny added his distinctive battle-cry beat, and Jimmy added the final touch with the infectiously simple keyboard motif." The song was finished in 10 minutes, he adds.

"Holy Diver: Super Deluxe Edition" goes beyond the original album with a previously unreleased recording of the quartet performing live in 1983 at Selland Arena in Fresno, California during the "Holy Diver" tour. Wyn Davis mixed the concert recording, which spotlights live versions of songs from "Holy Diver" ("Stand Up And Shout" and "Rainbow In The Dark"),RAINBOW classics ("Man On The Silver Mountain" and "Starstruck"),and SABBATH staples ("Children Of The Sea" and "Heaven And Hell").

The Super Deluxe Edition also revisits the "Holy Diver" recording sessions to uncover unreleased outtakes for several album cuts, including unheard takes for "Invisible", "Straight Through The Heart" and a version of "Rainbow In The Dark" that boasts an alternative guitar solo. There's also an early version of "Evil Eyes", a song that would resurface on DIO's 1984 follow-up album, "The Last In Line". A selection of rarities rounds out the new collection with mono and stereo 7" single edits for "Rainbow In The Dark" and a version of "Evil Eyes" that was released in 1983 as the B-side to "Holy Diver".

"Holy Diver: Super Deluxe Edition" CD track listing:

CD1: Holy Diver (2022 Joe Barresi Mix) *

CD2: Holy Diver (2022 Remaster)

01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Holy Diver
03. Gypsy
04. Caught In The Middle
05. Don't Talk To Strangers
06. Straight Through The Heart
07. Invisible
08. Rainbow In The Dark
09. Shame On The Night

CD3: Live at Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1983

01. Intro *
02. Stand Up And Shout *
03. Straight Through The Heart *
04. Shame On The Night *
05. Children Of The Sea *
06. Holy Diver *
07. Heaven And Hell – including guitar solo *
08. Rainbow In The Dark *
09. Man On The Silver Mountain *
10. Starstuck *
11. Man On The Silver Mountain – reprise *
12. Don't Talk To Strangers *

CD4: Outtakes, Singles & B-Sides

Tracks 1-7 unreleased

01. Evil Eyes – Wyn Davis remix *
02. Don't Talk To Strangers – Take 1 (Joe Barresi mix) *
03. Invisible – Take 1 (Joe Barresi mix) *
04. Invisible – Take 3 (Joe Barresi mix) *
05. Rainbow In The Dark – Alternative Guitar Solo Version (Joe Barresi mix) *
06. Straight Through The Heart – Take 2 (Joe Barresi mix) *
07. Straight Through The Heart – Take 3 (Joe Barresi mix)*
08. Rainbow In The Dark – 7" Mono Edit
09. Evil Eyes – 1983 Version. B-Side of "Holy Diver"
10. Rainbow In The Dark – 7" Stereo Edit

* previously unreleased

"Holy Diver: 2022 Joe Barresi Mix" 2-LP clear vinyl track listing:

LP1: Side One

01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Holy Diver
03. Gypsy
04. Caught In The Middle

LP1: Side Two

01. Don't Talk To Strangers
02. Straight Through The Heart
03. Invisible

LP2: Side One

01. Rainbow In The Dark
02. Shame On The Night

Bonus Track

03. Evil Eyes – 1983 Version. B-Side of "Holy Diver"

LP2: Side Two

Etching

DEF LEPPARD's new single, "Fire It Up", can be streamed below. It is the third single from the band's upcoming album, "Diamond Star Halos", which will arrive on May 27 via UMe. The follow-up to 2015's self-titled LP is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a deluxe edition, 2-LP vinyl, digital formats and more. Exclusive bundles including newly designed album merch have also launched.

In a recent interview with Germany's Rockland Radio, DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott was asked why fans of his band should listen to "Diamond Star Halos". He responded: "If you're a DEF LEPPARD fan, I would imagine there's always a need to listen to some new music, because as much as it's great to have this massive back catalog of music, new music is what keeps a band alive, so we wanna share that with our fans.

"Why would they wanna listen to it?" he continued. "Well, I believe that this is a career-defining album. For a band that's been around now for 45 years, to make an album that's this strong, I believe, at this point of our career is actually quite an achievement.

"I've been comparing the situation — not the album, but I've been comparing the situation — 'Diamond Star Halos' for DEF LEPPARD, I think, is capable of being what 'Hotel California' was for THE EAGLES or 'Rumours' was for FLEETWOOD MAC. And what I mean by that is what came before was fine; there was nothing wrong with it. In fact, THE EAGLES' 'Greatest Hits', which was their previous album to 'Hotel California' is one of the biggest-selling records of all time; it speaks for itself. And the FLEETWOOD MAC scenario — the Peter Green years, the Jeremy Spencer years — it was all brilliant stuff. But then they put out 'Rumours' and THE EAGLES put out 'Hotel California', and it was a quantum leap."

Circling back to "Diamond Star Halos", Elliott added: "I believe that this album is a quantum leap. It's not a rehash of 'Pyromania' or 'Hysteria' or any of our albums. It's got all the flavors that DEF LEPPARD have had in the past, but it's got some new explorations that we've never done that I think our audience are ready for this journey. Because it's 35 years since 'Hysteria' is released, it's 39 since 'Pyromania' came out, and our audience are also older, like we are. So I think they're ready to hear something a little different. It's still got plenty of DEF LEPPARD stuff — 'Gimme A Kiss', 'SOS Emergency', 'Fire It Up' [and] 'Kick'; they're all classic DEF LEPPARD — but there's some stuff that, like our heroes QUEEN, it just goes off on tangents that are a little different to the stuff that they'd done in the past."

The artwork for "Diamond Star Halos" follows pedigree with DEF LEPPARD's instantly recognizable album covers from their celebrated past. With images by world renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, styling concepts by Maryam Malakpour and graphics by the U.K.-based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band's influence through their eyes today.

Over the past two years, DEF LEPPARD recorded "Diamond Star Halos" simultaneously in three different countries with Elliott in Ireland, Rick Savage (bass) in England, and Phil Collen (guitar),Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums) in the United States. Without the pressure of timelines or a fixed schedule, they poured all of their energy into crafting 15 meaningful tracks with a mixture of classic spirit meets modern fire. Thematically, they nodded to their earliest collective influences such as David Bowie, T.REX and MOTT THE HOOPLE, among others. The title itself notably references T.REX's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)". However, they didn't embark on this journey alone. The multi-Grammy Award-winning and legendary artist Alison Krauss lent her instantly recognizable and angelic voice to "This Guitar" and "Lifeless", while David Bowie pianist Mike Garson performs on "Goodbye For Good This Time" and "Angels (Can't Help You Now)".

In March, DEF LEPPARD released "Diamond Star Halos"'s first single, "Kick". The song thrusts into an anthemic stadium-ready frenzy kickstarted with driving guitars and bombastic drums woven into its musical fabric. Meanwhile, the chorus has all the makings of another iconic LEPPARD hit with its skyscraping vocals and melodies the band has become synonymous for.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen, who came up with "Kick" as an additional track after the first 14 songs were already completed, told Billboard that "'Kick' represented where we were at as well. It's got that glam rock feel, that hand-clap groove, big vocals. It was just a no-brainer. It was not only that it's got to be on the album, it's got to be the first single as well."

"It's a stadium anthem, and we were about to go into stadiums," Elliott said. "We didn't write it for that reason, but Phil's always trying to write the next 'Sugar' or 'We Will Rock You' or 'I Love Rock 'N' Roll'. We all are, but he actually came up with one, and it's, like, 'Yeah, we've got to do that,' so now it’s a 15-song record."

"Diamond Star Halos" track listing:

01. Take What You Want
02. Kick
03. Fire It Up
04. This Guitar (feat. Alison Krauss]
05. Sos Emergency
06. Liquid Dust
07. U Rok Mi
08. Goodbye For Good This Time
09. All We Need
10. Open Your Eyes
11. Gimme A Kiss
12. Angels (Can't Help You Now)
13. Lifeless (feat. Alison Krauss)
14. Unbreakable
15. From Here To Eternity

DEF LEPPARD's "The Stadium Tour" with MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

GREY DAZE, Chester Bennington's pre-LINKIN PARK band, will release a new album, "The Phoenix", on June 17 via Loma Vista Recordings. It is the follow-up to 2020's "Amends", which featured newly recorded music with remastered vocals from the group's long out-of-print and largely undiscovered catalog.

The official music video for the song "Starting To Fly", taken from "The Phoenix", can be seen below.

"'Amends' was more emotional and reflective," explains drummer and songwriter Sean Dowdell of the different mood and feel displayed on "The Phoenix", which also sees contributions from JANE'S ADDICTION's Dave Navarro, FILTER's Richard Patrick and Bennington's daughters, Lily and Lila Bennington. "We felt sad when we were writing it. Now that we're a couple of years removed, it's very clear what we were going through. We were at a different stage of grief. We went through the shock and the sadness. Now, we're back to gratitude. So, 'The Phoenix' is more of a celebration of our friend, his talent, and the music. It captures Chester's angst and energy that people fell in love with. It's much more aggressive. If you love Chester's scream, you'll love this record."

The official Marc Silverstein-directed video for the album's first single, "Saturation (Strange Love)", can be seen below. The track, evocative of the shift in energy between "Amends" and "The Phoenix", showcases a younger Chester and the raw, astounding talent was already in possession of, as Dowdell notes: "It's going to surprise a lot of people because it gets back to Chester's core. One of the things that people love about him was his unique ability to scream in key… and this song brings you back to everything you love about that scream. You feel that angst and raw emotion he brought to everything he did."

Over the course of GREY DAZE's first incarnation, which ran 1994 to 1997, the group recorded and released two albums. It is those albums that serve as a foundation for both "Amends" and "The Phoenix". Prior to Bennington's passing, he publicly announced GREY DAZE's return, which included re-recording the band's largely undiscovered discography. With Chester's widow Talinda Bennington's blessing, and working with producer Esjay Jones, the surviving bandmembers — Dowdell, bass player Mace Beyers and guitar player Cristin Davis — moved forward, as both a way to pay tribute to their fallen brother and bandmate, but also to expose his fans to another dimension of the dynamic singer. "Amends" arrived in 2020, with Rolling Stone, Revolver, Billboard and Kerrang! praising the collection. NME summed it up best as "a great modern rock record fronted by one of the best vocalists in the game." In late 2020, the trio reconvened with Jones re-recording, and re-working the remaining 10 tracks that would become "The Phoenix".

"The Phoenix" track listing:

01. Saturation (Strange Love)
02. Starting To Fly
03. Be Your Man
04. Holding You (featuring Dave Navarro)
05. Hole (featuring Lily & Lila Bennington)
06. Drag
07. Believe Me (featuring Richard Patrick)
08. Anything, Anything
09. Spin
10. Wake Me

In a 2001 interview with Revolver magazine, Chester described GREY DAZE's musical style as "early-'90s -style rock. It wasn't pop rock, it wasn't heavy metal. It was in between grunge and good rock. We didn't know what we were doing. We were just writing songs and singing. It was a four-piece band. Some of our songs were more rock. Others were more, I don't know, alternative? I've always been into punk and classic rock. The first few years of being a musician, it was all cover band stuff, and we'd throw in a few originals. The last band I was in, I was in it for almost eight years. We made two albums, and tried really hard."

He added: "I definitely know why it didn't go anywhere: We all wanted to make it, but we all wanted to make it for different reasons. It wasn't all about making good songs, where anything else that comes from that is a fringe benefit."

Bennington was found dead in his Los Angeles-area home in July 2017 after hanging himself.

LINKIN PARK headlined an all-star tribute concert for Bennington in October 2017 in Los Angeles but has not announced any future plans for recording or touring.

Photo credit: Tom Preston

Former FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm says that "greed" was the reason he wasn't listed as one of the songwriters for the band's smash hit song "I Want To Know What Love Is". The power ballad, which is credited solely to FOREIGNER's founding guitarist Mick Jones, was released in November 1984 as the lead single from the group's fifth album, "Agent Provocateur".

Gramm discussed his supposed lack of contribution to the track during a brand new interview with The Sessions. Speaking about his involvement with "I Want To Know What Love Is" and another FOREIGNER smash hit, 1981's "Waiting For A Girl Like You", he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I did help co-write them, although I didn't get any credit for 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.

"I've always loved writing melodies and lyrics," he continued. "I liked working on arrangements and everything too. And [Mick] was the master of arrangements. So we crafted both of those songs together; [I'm] extremely proud of both of 'em.

"After we would record an album, Mick and I would sit down and we'd run down a list of the songs, and he would say, 'What do you think you want on this song?' And I would say, 'I think this one I contributed quite a bit. I would ask for about 40 percent.' And he said, 'That's fine.' And there were a lot of songs, like 'Hot Blooded' and things like that, that were [split] 50-50 — a lot of songs. And 'Waiting For A Girl', he really wrote most of that, but I had a good part of that too. I think that was 65-30, and then Ian McDonald had a little piece of that too. I was fine with it.

"But then 'I Want To Know What Love Is'… The two of us… [Mick's] home was about 15 minutes from my home. So I would drive over to his house and we would work on that song," Gramm explained. "There'd be moments where it was just magic and then we'd hit our head on something creatively that we couldn't get to the next point. And so we almost had to put the song away for a couple of weeks and come back to it again. I felt we had worked our tails off to make that song what it is. And at the end of that album, when it was time to decide what the percentages were, I wrote down what I thought it should be and he wrote down what he thought it should be. I think I wrote down 65-35 — 35 for me, 65 for him. And I opened the little piece of paper that [contained his note on] what he thought [the correct split] was, and he wrote down 95-5. I was so stunned and crushed that he'd think I contributed next to nothing to that song.

"And here's another [detail] for you," Lou added. "[Mick] was working with a choir in one studio while we were recording that song. I was in another studio with an engineer singing the lead vocals. I did them by myself — I did all the ad-libs, I did all the emotional little nuances and stuff. And usually when I'd sing the lead to a song, especially a song as potentially important as that one, he was right in the control room commenting on every line: 'This could be better,' 'You could do that,' 'You could do this.' I did the whole thing myself while he was working with the choir. And that ended up being the lead vocal. I don't even remember him saying, 'Good job, Lou.' But that was the lead vocal. I thought that was a pretty serious accomplishment for me, only to be denigrated to [being] an author of five percent. That put a wedge in us that was the beginning of the end.

"After it was recorded, we would discuss who put what into the song, and here's what the split should be. And for the most part, we were always within five to 10 percent and we'd iron it out. I said 65-35 — 65 to him, 35 to me — and he comes back with 95-5? I should get 25 [percent] just for the vocal performance. All I could think of was greed. It was an awesome song. We all knew it was gonna be a smash. This was his chance to step on me. And you know what I told him after [I saw his proposed split of] 95-5? I said, 'Five, Mick?' I said, 'You should just keep it all.' And he did. He didn't say, 'No. Please. Let's work it out.' I said, 'Five percent for me after all the work I did on the song?' I said, 'You should just keep it all.' And he didn't say anything. He just kept it all. And you know the millions and millions that that song has brought in? Over the years, it's been covered by at least three or four artists who have gone to Number One with that song."

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

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

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

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

It’s not often that such a diverse array of artists, from blues to southern rock, punk to country, can be gathered together under a single musical project. But there’s one artist whose career has been so incredibly rich and whose influence has been so extensive as to make such a union possible. Of course, that artist is the brilliant guitarist/songwriter/legendary musical figure Eric Clapton who has inspired countless thousands of musicians of all stripes, artists of all colors and fans or all kind, including the incredible group of talented friends found on this brand new set of studio recordings, A Tribute To Eric Clapton.


Set to street June 17 on all formats including CD and vinyl, A Tribute To Eric Clapton covers all the basis of Clapton’s incredible career, from his early days in The Yardbirds to his stint in the groundbreaking power trio Cream to his time in the folk-influenced Blind Faith and finally to his monstrously successful solo career. Highlights include a smokin’ hot take on “Cocaine” by blues guitar phenom Kirk Fletcher, a fuzzed-out psych rock explosion with Stooges’ guitarist James Williamson and The Damned’s Rat Scabies fronted by the God Of Hellfire Arthur Brown as well as a twangy and gritty rendition of “Lay Down Sally” by country legend Sammy Kershaw and “Mr. Telecaster” Albert Lee, the latter of which is being released as a standalone single. Stream the single here, and below.


If you’re a fan of Eric Clapton or just a fan of a diverse group of stellar musicians cutting loose on some of the finest tunes in classic rock, don’t miss this incredible album.




Pre-order the CD/vinyl here. Pre-save the digital here.





Tracklisting:


"Cocaine" - Kirk Fletcher & Brian Auger        
"Lay Down Sally" - Sammy Kershaw & Albert Lee        
"I Feel Free" - Arthur Brown, James Williamson & Rat Scabies
"Sunshine Of Your Love" - dUg Pinnick & Eric Gales        
"Let It Rain" - Jack Russell & Sonny Landreth        
"Wonderful Tonight" - Oli Brown        
"Layla" - Molly Hatchet        
"I Shot The Sheriff" - Pat Travers, David Sancious & Artimus Pyle
"For Your Love" - Mark Lindsay & Rick Nielsen        
"Tears In Heaven" - Ana Popovic        
"White Room" - Graham Bonnet & Snowy White
"Can't Find My Way Home" - Shirley King & Martin Barre


"Lay Down Sally":

GHOST's official tour photographer has shared an "unmasked" picture of all of the band's Nameless Ghouls and their female keyboardists, The Ghoulettes.

Following the final arena date of GHOST's European "Imperatour" Wednesday night (May 18) at Papp László Sportaréna in Budapest, Hungary, Ryan Chang, the Singaporean photographer who has been traveling with the Tobias Forge-fronted outfit, uploaded a stage picture of the entire GHOST crew (unmasked) with support acts TWIN TEMPLE and UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS. He wrote in an accompanying caption: "Tour done. I love these people."

According to the Greek Ghost FansFacebook page, the Nameless Ghouls and The Ghoulettes in the image are as follows:

* Chris Catalyst (a.k.a. Aether)
* Per Eriksson (a.k.a. Fire)
* Cos Sylvan (a.k.a. Rain)
* Hayden Scott (a.k.a. Mountain)
* Jutty Taylor (a.k.a. Swiss/Multi)
* Laura Scarbourough (a.k.a. Cirrus/ Tall)
* Mad Gallica (a.k.a. Cumulus / Curvy)
* Sophie Amelkin (a.k.a. Sunshine)

Catalyst shared the same photo on Twitter and captioned it: "Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful GHOST family. I suppose that’s that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives."

Since GHOST arrived on the scene in 2010 via its "Opus Eponymous" debut, the Internet took stabs at the identities of the musicians behind the masks, as mastermind Tobias Forge conducted virtually every interview in the early years as a "Nameless Ghoul," which are the names also adopted by his backing band. While some considered this to be one of the worst-kept secrets in metal and hard rock, Forge and GHOST stuck to the script until he was publicly outed in 2017 by several of his former bandmates in a lawsuit that accused the frontman of cheating them out of their rightful share of the profits from the band's album releases and world tours.

Earlier this month, Forge was asked during an appearance on "Drinks With Johnny", the Internet TV show hosted by AVENGED SEVENFOLD bassist Johnny Christ, how many "stage members" he has had in his band over the years. He responded: "How many stage members? I don't know exactly — 15 maybe. Something like that. But on the recordings, I've used the same drummer for most records — a guy named Ludvig Kennberg. But he's been drumming on the majority of the records — from the first one to the third one, fourth one, and one of the EPs and stuff in the middle — but never with us live. So that relationship is sort of one standalone thing that feels like… Whenever we get together and we're recording, it feels like a great… 'Here we are again.' That is sort of one thing, and then the live band has always been different."

Regarding how he goes about choosing the musicians for GHOST, Tobias said: "If we were to change anyone now, it would have most likely been on recommendation, because there's definitely a combination… Originally, I put a band together [which] was based more on proximity than ability or professionality. And that will end up being a problem if you're not very lucky and you sort of just end up being RUSH — three best friends ever just being the greatest band together as well. But that is not very common…

"Basically, what is very important for me nowadays, and I've been trying to do this for the most part… And to be clear, I obviously look to the band first, but to me, the crew is very much an extension of the band," he explained. "And just overall, I'm very, very picky when it comes to people and attitudes amongst the band and the crew so that we have a very sturdy, friendly, professional team for the most part. I mean, obviously, on a big tour like this where it's 40 people — our buses is about 40 people, even more so — and then we have two [other] bands with us, of course, amongst 50 [or] 60 people, I can't curate everyone. But I'm really, really trying to get people that aren't privy to bullying and screaming and being a fucking dick."

Back in 2017, Forge was sued by four former members of GHOST after being dismissed by the group's founder the previous December. The lawsuit was filed in the district court of Linköping, Sweden, where GHOST was originally based. It claimed that a partnership agreement existed between Forge and the four former members, all of whom performed anonymously in the band as Nameless Ghouls. He has maintained that "no legal partnership" ever existed between him and the other members, that they were paid a fixed salary to perform as his backing band, and that they were essentially session musicians.

Forge later told The Pulse Of Radio that the lawsuit only inspired him to work harder at making GHOST a success. "I had a situation that urgently told me to salvage the situation and reclaim what is mine and also justify that it was mine to begin with," he said. "It's just growing pains, and all this has just been — it's the result of things going well, not the opposite."

GHOST is continuing to tour in support of its fifth album, "Impera", which sold 70,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the third top 10 album — and fifth top 40-charting set — for the Swedish act.

"Impera" landed at position No. 1 in Germany and Sweden, No. 2 in the U.K., Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, No. 3 in Australia, No. 5 in France and Ireland, and No. 20 in Italy.

"Impera" was released on March 11. The 12-song effort was produced by Klas Åhlund and mixed by Andy Wallace.

Forge worked on the follow-up to 2018's "Prequelle" with Åhlund and Swedish co-writers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, whose credits include Madonna and Lady Gaga.

Top GHOST photo: Mikael Eriksson / M Industries

Our beloved Nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes and Ghost photographer shared this amazing photo with members of Ghost and...

Posted by Greek Ghost Fans on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful Ghost family. I suppose that’s that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives. X pic.twitter.com/wZR9criebA

— Chris Catalyst (@ChrisCatalyst) May 18, 2022



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A post shared by 𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 (@ryancphoto)

Ted Nugent has denied encouraging violence when he called on supporters of Donald Trump to go "berserk on the skulls of Democrats" during a performance at the former U.S. president's "American Freedom Tour" stop in Texas over the weekend.

While appearing in Austin on Saturday (May 14),the 73-year-old rocker, who regularly promotes conspiracy theories about everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to the U.S. Capitol riot, told the roughly 8,000 people in attendance, all of whom were required to purchase tickets to hear Trump speak at the Austin Convention Center: "Think of what the enemies of America have done over the last 14 months. They didn't sneak into the White House — they lied, they cheated, they scammed, and every day the Democrats violate their sacred oath to the Constitution. And if you can't impress your friends on that, they shouldn't be your friends.

"So I love you people madly," Nugent continued, "but I'd love you more if you went forward and just went berserk on the skulls of the Democrats and the Marxists and the Communists."

In the days following the rally, Nugent was accused of hate speech, especially since his comments came just hours after an alleged white supremacist killed 10 people in a mass shooting at a grocery store. But in a YouTube livestream on Wednesday (May 18),Ted pushed back against the criticism, claiming that he was not inciting violence and was instead encouraging Trump supporters to get out and vote.

Referring to the "enemies of America" who are "welcomed" by the U.S. government which "refuses to secure our borders," Nugent said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I know it makes you wanna just beat the shit out of these people 'cause they're so bad. I'm talking about beating the shit out of bad people that are ruining America." But then he clarified: "I'm not gonna beat the shit out of 'em. We're gonna beat the shit out of 'em at the voting booth. So everybody, relax with their I need to pound it into their skulls, 'Nugent pounding skulls.' No, it's a colloquialism. Now, my critics don't know what the word 'colloquialism' means, so we'll just wait for them to go to their Webster's dictionary and Google it. 'Pounding it into their skulls' is a historical colloquialism and evidence to support the truth, logic and common sense into the minds of idiots. You don't really pound skulls; it's a figure of speech. How embarrassing that the author of 'Wango Tango' has to explain this to the haters. But they already know — they just like to hate. They just live a lie. They're all liars. All my critics are either liars or just rotten, nasty people."

Just last month, Nugent, who is an avid Trump supporter, was asked during an appearance on QFM96's "Torg & Elliott" radio show if he thinks the billionaire real estate mogul will run again in 2024. He responded: "Yes. And I've gotta tell you. So, do we not want secure borders? Secure borders are not good? Stopping the flow of fentanyl is not a good idea? Stopping invaders from Syria and Somalia and jihadists coming across our southern borders, that's not a good idea? Making the members of NATO and the Paris Accord pay their own way, that's not a good idea? The lowest unemployment in the history of America, that's a bad idea?

"I've gotta tell ya, anybody that is against Trump is literally against quality of life in the United States Of America. Whether you like the guy or not, that has nothing to do with it.

"He saved your child from the whitewater rapids; quit complaining about his speedo."

Nugent previously spoke about his admiration for America's 45th president in an October 2020 interview with InfoWars' "The Alex Jones Show", hosted by noted conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. At the time, he said: "I genuflect at the altar of this great man. He is just pulling off miracle after miracle. He's really touching the heart and soul and representing the heart and soul of the best American families out there. Just praise God for that. This is one of those divine intervention moments, like the founding fathers. Believe me when I tell you that.

"I've been so honored and humbled to spend time with the great man," Ted continued. "There's something very spiritual about this crazy guy. I say 'crazy' — he's crazy like you; he's crazy like me; he's crazy like this welder I know down the road that, no matter what welding job you have, he shows up early and he welds something that will never break, and then he goes to his next welding job, and he leaves a vapor trail of high energy, of positive spirit.

"The energy from this president… Like the founding fathers defined the history of slavery and tyranny and kings and emperors and despots, that was divine intervention, Alex. And I've witnessed this great commander-in-chief Donald J. Trump, and he goes from rally and rally, and he gets up there with piss and vinegar and vim and vigor… You should see the sparkle in this man's eye."

Nugent went on to say that Trump's appeal lies in his image as the bold, no-B.S. boss who tells it like it is and cuts a fair deal.

"Here's the bottom line: the most admirable attribute of a human being is believability," Ted said. "If you believe this man, you believe he believes in what he says and that he represents your beliefs, that identifies President Donald J. Trump. This man just wants to renegotiate global contracts to benefit the United States. He wants the United States to be the winner. He wants to have fair deals, and he wants to have fair trade. He wants to benefit the United States Of America, because this is the last best place. If we turn it over to the freaks like [Nancy] Pelosi and [Joe] Biden and [Kamala] Harris, if we turn it over to them, we are Venezuela overnight."

Nugent added: "[Trump] sees the threats to the American Dream. He sees the oath violating by elected employees who have turned the corner into criminality, from [Barack] Obama to [Eric] Holder to [Loretta] Lynch to Lois Lerner to Adam Schiff, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton — we go right down the list of these gang bangers. I mean, it's MS-13, Black Lives Matter, Antifa in the Democrat party… [Trump] sees the threats to America and he's gonna use every maneuver, every trick, every law he can to stop the Marxists. He's saving his family from the wolves. That's his motivation."

A former board member of the National Rifle Association, Nugent has drawn intense criticism for his controversial past remarks, including telling then-president Barack Obama to "suck on my machine gun." He also made inflammatory remarks about Hillary Clinton, calling her a "devilbitch" who "hates everything good about America."

In a lengthy Facebook post in 2016, Nugent said Obama and Clinton should be tried for treason and hanged over their handling of the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya.

In 2019, Nugent defended Donald Trump after the then-U.S. president was accused of making racist remarks about Democratic congresswomen from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.