German metal force Scanner has signed with ROAR! Rock of Angels Records.


Scanner evolved from the band Lions Breed (album Damn The Night, Earthshaker Label/Mausoleum Records) in 1986. Their line up at that time consisted of Michael Knoblich (vocals), Tom S. Sopha (guitar), Axel A.J. Julius (guitar), Martin Bork (bass) and Wolfgang Kolorz (drums). Scanner's concept albums are based off of the fascinating science fiction story of the same-named fictional figure. Axel A.J. Julius, studying astronomy at the time, and Michael Knoblich, a passionate model builder, were big fans of SF when they invented the figure of the Scanner back in 1987. 


This character was to illustrate the main focus of the band: Science-Fiction, fight against war and warmongering, political structures with view of the current problems of development and peace policy and the historical, human development in this context. Six full-length albums, countless live shows and several line-up changes later, the band is stronger than ever, ready to unleash its seventh offering to the world of heavy metal soon.




The label has announced the signing of a multi-album deal with Scanner and welcome the band to the ROAR! Rock of Angels roster.  





(Photo © Unai Endemaño)

The self-proclaimed "Best Goblin Metal on the Planet", known as Nekrogoblikon, have have shared the new video for "Bones." Watch the spectacle of bowling balls, beers, and blood, below..


The track appears on the band's new album, The Fundamental Slimes And Humours, out on April 1. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.







Tracklisting:


"Right Now"
"Golden Future"
"Yin"
"Supernovas (Exploding In Space)"
"Bones"
"Going To Die"
"A Lesson In Hate"
"This Is It"
"Fancy Wind"
"Carousels"
"No Such Thing As A Key"


"Bones" video:





"This Is It" video:





"Right Now" video:





Los Angeles, California's Nekrogoblikon are melodic hard rock pranksters who deploy gnarly death metal earworms filled with crafty hooks, claw-pumping choruses, lightning-fast riffs, and over the top, EDM-style keyboard flourishes. With their ostentatious goblin hypeman John Goblikon, the band takes cues from hyperbolic horror-metal enthusiasts like Gwar, Finntroll, and Dethklok, while maintaining an affable, self-referential sense of humor.

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE launched its U.K. tour last night (Monday, May 16) at Cornwall's Eden Project. The band opened its first U.K. show in over a decade with new single "The Foundations Of Decay" and performed a number of other anthems, including "Helena", "Famous Last Words", "Thank You For The Venom", "Teenagers", "Welcome To The Black Parade" and "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)".

"This is a really special and amazing night for us," frontman Gerard Way told the audience at the conclusion of the show. "I hope it was for you too."

The setlist was as follows:

01. The Foundations Of Decay (live debut)
02. Helena
03. Give 'Em Hell, Kid
04. Make Room!!!!
05. Summertime
06. This Is How I Disappear (first time live since 2010)
07. You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison
08. Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
09. Famous Last Words
10. Surrender The Night (live debut)
11. Teenagers
12. DESTROYA
13. Our Lady Of Sorrows
14. Vampire Money
15. Thank You For The Venom
16. Mama
17. Welcome To The Black Parade
18. Sleep

Encore:

19. Boy Division (live debut)
20. I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
21. The Kids From Yesterday

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE broke up in 2013, three years after the release of its fourth studio album, "Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys". A new song titled "Fake Your Death" arrived in 2014 as part of a greatest-hits compilation, "May Death Never Stop You". Since then, Way released his debut solo album, 2014's "Hesitant Alien", and several standalone singles. He also saw his award-winning comic book "The Umbrella Academy" adapted into a Netflix series.

Way's bandmates also pursued various solo projects. Guitarist Frank Iero released a pair of solo albums, and bassist Mikey Way formed a group called ELECTRIC CENTURY. Guitarist Ray Toro briefly toured with a project called REGGIE AND THE FULL EFFECT, and released a solo recording in tribute to a transgender teen who committed suicide.

Reunion rumors first arose in 2016, when the group posted a cryptic video on social media. It turned out to be for a 10th anniversary reissue of the band's 2006 album "The Black Parade". The band stated at the time, "We are not touring and there is no reunion planned."

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE played its first concert in seven years in December 2019 in Los Angeles.

A full-fledged tour, which has been postponed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic, will make its way to North America this summer, and dates in New Zealand and Australia will then follow in 2023.

The North American leg of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE's tour will launch in August.

Legendary rockers JOURNEY have released a new single, "Let It Rain". The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Freedom", which will arrive on July 8 via BMG except in Europe and Japan, where it will be issued via Frontiers Music Srl.

"Just coming off of the first leg of our sold-out JOURNEY 'Freedom' tour, we are excited for our new single release 'Let It Rain' as it offers a sampling of what the next new chapter of music we have in store on our new album 'Freedom'," says the group's founding member, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Neal Schon. "It's so exciting to see multi-generational fans in our audience; many of them being very young and singing all the songs and very open-minded to the new material. We look forward to seeing you all for the second leg of our summer tour."

Emerging from the pandemic with a supercharged new studio lineup, "Let It Rain" will be followed by an epic 15-track set of new original songs that brings back the grand scale of the group's greatest moments, along with updated and bold new directions and sounds.

Schon adds: "We didn't immediately work on the song. It just sat there as a jam for a long time, and then every once in a while, I'd come in to work on something, and Narada [Michael Walden] would play it for me, and I'd go, 'Wow, we should really fucking work this thing up. There's something there.'"

While the forthcoming album was made with visions of arena and stadium stages, it started from humble beginnings. In 2020, as COVID-19 swept the globe, Schon was stuck at home like the rest of us. "During the pandemic, there wasn't much to do," he says. "I spent a lot of time in my little studio at home, learning how to play keyboards and looping. Some of those ideas ended up being songs. So it kind of came out of nowhere."

As JOURNEY's legend continues to grow larger and their touring gets bigger, "Freedom" will be the first album of new material to be released in 11 years, since 2011's "Eclipse", and in addition to longtime keyboard player and primary lyricist Jonathan Cain and vocalist Arnel Pineda, one more member was recruited for the upcoming album — bassist extraordinaire Randy Jackson, who had played on JOURNEY's 1986 album "Raised On Radio".

"Freedom" track listing:

01. Together We Run (4:49)
02. Don't Give Up On Us (5:23)
03. Still Believe In Love
04. You Got The Best Of Me (5:33)
05. Live To Love Again (5:30)
06. The Way We Used To Be (3:35)
07. Come Away With Me (4:02)
08. After Glow (5:22)
09. Let It Rain (4:40)
10. Holdin On (3:14)
11. All Day All Night (3:38)
12. Don't Go (4:58)
13. United We Stand (5:05)
14. Life Rolls On (4:57)
15. Beautiful As You Are (7:10)

JOURNEY's current touring lineup features bassist Todd Jensen, a veteran musician who has played for various artists, including the bands SEQUEL, HARDLINE and HARLOW, as well as David Lee Roth, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Perry, Alice Cooper and Paul Rodgers. Also part of JOURNEY's current incarnation is returning drummer Deen Castronovo, who shared the drum duties in the band last year with Narada Michael Walden. Walden, Jackson and keyboardist/backing singer Jason Derlatka all joined JOURNEY in 2020 following the band's acrimonious split with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory. Jackson — who previously played with JOURNEY during the mid-1980s — was forced to miss all the recent gigs because he is reportedly recovering from back surgery. Prior to JOURNEY's recent Las Vegas residency, Jackson had been replaced at the band's 2021 shows by Marco Mendoza, who had played several shows in 2019 with Castronovo and JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon under the "Neal Schon's Journey Through Time" banner.

"Freedom" includes the single "The Way We Used To Be", which came out last June. The song was the multi-platinum band's first new music since 2011's album "Eclipse", and the first track released by the band's revamped lineup. "The Way We Used To Be" marked Walden and Derlatka's first studio recordings with the band, and Jackson's first since 1986's "Raised On Radio". The song was produced by Walden at his Tarpan Studios, with co-production by Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain.

Since the group's formation in 1973, JOURNEY has earned 19 top 40 singles, 25 gold and platinum albums, and has sold nearly 100 million albums globally. Their "Greatest Hits" album is certified 15 times-platinum, making JOURNEY one of the few bands to ever have been diamond-certified, and their song "Don't Stop Believin'" has been streamed over one billion times alone.

JOURNEY was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017, and 2018's co-headlining tour with DEF LEPPARD was the band's most successful tour to date, landing them in the Top 10 year-end touring chart with more than 1 million tickets sold, and earning them the prestigious Billboard "Legends Of Live" touring award. March 2019 saw the release of "Escape & Frontiers Live In Japan", a live DVD/CD set from their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo featuring the band's first-ever performances of the albums "Escape" and "Frontiers" in their entirety. JOURNEY has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and were inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall Of Fame. Additionally, the band is the subject of the award-winning documentary "Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey" about the band's resurgence upon adding Arnel Pineda as lead singer after founding member Neal Schon discovered the Philippines native on YouTube.

Last August, Schon gave a college radio simulcast interview to WMSC and WNUW where he discussed the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the band's upcoming studio album. He said: "I learned how to play keyboards better than ever during the pandemic, which I'd never really done before. And that's where our first single ['The Way We Used To Be'] came from. [I sent it to] Jonathan [Cain, keyboards], and he did the lyrics on it and put a rough vocal on it. And then we had Arnel sing it, and we cut it and re-cut it in the studio, and it was just released. And a lot of people went, 'Wow, man. I love it.' 90 percent of people love it; the other 10 percent went, 'I don't think it sounds like JOURNEY.' I go, 'I never wrote it to be a JOURNEY song.'"

According to Schon, he and his bandmates had written over 30 new songs for the upcoming JOURNEY record. "Some of 'em are unmistakably JOURNEY without sounding like another song that we have; it just sounds like a new version of the band," he said. "It's ballistic, man. And there's no lack of guitar on this record. So I'm excited about it getting out there. I think any guitar player out there is gonna love this record, because I'm just kind of unleashing on this record — like I do a lot live, but sometimes hold back in the studio. I don't think it's O.D.ing on the guitar at all and going overboard, but I like to check out the times and where I see music going. I usually have a pretty good gut instinct about it, and I feel like the late '60s, the time and era of early Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart and [LED] ZEPPELIN when they first came out, Jimi Hendrix, the CREAM with [Eric] Clapton and Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, that whole era, there's a lot of younger kids out there, younger generation, that never got to experience that era. So I'm feeling like that is the era that I grew up in and that's what I truly love doing and the type of music I love playing, so I'm going more there and I'm writing for that, to be able to do that on stage. And I think it's really gonna trip some people out, when we finally do get this album out there and can combine it with all the hits that we do have."

He continued: "There's certain songs that are being mixed by Bob Clearmountain, that mixed our 'Raised On Radio' record, and he's made it sound really amazing, really pulled it together. You have mixers out there sometimes that have this incredible ability to take work that you've done throughout a year, even though they were recorded at separate times, and different sounds here and there, and they pull it all together and they make it sound like it's a tight album that has a focus sound-wise."

Neal added: "The whole album, there's not a filler on the record; that's what I can tell you. I look at it, and I'm listening to it now, and many others that have known our music for a long time that have very good ears have said, 'Look, this is the modern-day-and-age 'Escape'. I think this could be the next 'Escape' for you guys.' And I think that's a bold statement, but honest to God, I feel like it's that good."

Conquer Divide and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have released the official music video for the band’s lead single from their upcoming new studio album. Since release, the song, “Atonement,” has over 500,000 comprehensive streams. Watch the clip below.


Guitarist Kristen Sturgis shares, “The song touches on feelings of regret, which we tried to convey in the video. You can see one of our other music videos in the reflection of the eye, for example. They're watching the time tick by wondering what their life could have been like if they would have toughed it out and put the work in. The hardest things in life are the most rewarding, and life is short. So, if you're not ready to meet us on our level, then get out of the way.”


Drummer Sam Landa adds, “The word atonement is about making reparations; about seeking forgiveness; about feeling sorry for something you’ve done and hoping to make things right. In the context of this song, it’s too late for that - the damage has already been done and there’s no going back. The song tries to capture the feelings of betrayal, of being left high and dry by people who wanted to take the easy way out. The emotions really explode in the breakdown, and the progression mirrors how situations like this can build up in real life. There’s a kind of calm before the storm, and then another sense of calm after. ‘We don’t know who you are’, and we’ve accepted that - just don’t try to come back and beg for forgiveness when you’ve exhausted all of your chances.”







The five-piece band hailing from the US, UK and Canada have made a steady progression from their melodic metalcore inspired roots, maturing into a formidable hard rock act, nearing the end of their first decade together. In 2020, featuring a re-tooled all female lineup consisting of Kiarely Castillo (vocals) Janel Duarte (vocals, Bass) Kristen Sturgis (guitar), Izzy Johnson (guitar) and Sam Landa (drums), they returned to the studio with 2x Grammy nominated producer Tyler Smyth (Falling in Reverse, I Prevail) and 4x RIAA certified gold record producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada, Of Mice & Men).


They came back with a bang, moving in a more accessible direction with the release of "Chemicals". The song peaked at #23 on the Hard Rock Indicator Billboard chart, and amassed almost two million streams on Spotify. A week later, they released a hard-hitting cover of “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, which quickly accumulated 1.5 million streams and went into regular rotation on Sirius XM Octane.


By the spring of 2021, their next effort marked a stark departure from the sound they honed on their debut, showing their softer side with the mainstream and surprisingly poppy single “Messy.” The track exhibits a maturation of their songwriting ability, with clever wordplay and instantly memorable pop tendencies. It was added into regular rotation on Sirius XM Octane, reached #6 on the Foundations Chart, and became number one most added to the Billboard Hard Rock Indicator Chart.


Guitarist Izzy shares, “Our music over the years has become so versatile. Our next album stays true to our metalcore roots but branches out to softer songs, heavy songs and everything in the middle. We understand that people can have a variety of music tastes (like we do) from pop to metal, why not have it all in one place? There really is something for everyone.”


The band’s emerging global fan base emanates from their power as a band. It is not defined by gender, but a body of work that is connecting with males and females alike. It’s this groundswell that led to Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group aligning with Conquer Divide. An affirmation that this collective is on the verge of prominence, standing shoulder to shoulder with likeminded musicians redefining the rock space. They honor the legacy of those who came prior, while also making an emphatic statement to all they encounter that rock truly does live circa 2022.


Conquer Divide is managed by Wild Justice Management. Their hard work and efforts put forth as an independent band consistently charting amongst their signed peers sets the stage for great things to come in alliance with this new partnership with Mascot Label Group. Signed by North American President of the company Ron Burman, the girls are excited to partner with a company that allows them to express their creative vision and stay true to their roots, as well as one that has such a long-standing history with successful mainstream rock acts.


“We’ve all grown so much since our first record. We did a lot of introspection and soul-searching about which creative direction to take the band in next, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on. There will be something for everyone on our sophomore album.” states guitarist Kristen Sturgis.


Conquer Divide has announced two planned tours. The band's live itinerary can be found here.

Guitarist Thomas Zwijsen has released the new video below, in which he performs an acoustic cover of "Only The Good Die Young", featured on Iron Maiden's 1988 album, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son.





Zwijsen previously released acoustic classical guitar covers of Maiden's "The Evil That Men Do" and "Lost In A Lost World". Watch both below:

The Japanese version of 4 by Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators releases on CD June 22 and will include a bonus DVD of the album performed live in its entirety at Studios 60. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.





Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators (SMKC) have released a video for "April Fool", featured on their new studio album, 4, and to be included on the upcoming Live At Studios 60 release. Watch below:







SMKC will release Live At Studios 60 - their first-ever double live LP, which features the band’s acclaimed new album 4, plus four additional songs from the group, for Record Store Day on June 18.


Recorded live in Los Angeles at Studios 60, the SMKC Live At Studios 60 double LP exclusive Record Store Day release is limited to only 2,250 copies.


The full concert features SMKC’s vibrant new album 4 (Gibson Records/BMG) - which debuted as the #1 Most-Selling Hard Rock Album in the US, as well as, landed at #1 on the Hard Music Albums Chart and #3 on Top Canadian Album Sales Chart in Canada during release week and has earned the group the best critical acclaim of their career.


Additional performances of the group’s Top 5 Rock Radio Hits including “You’re A Lie,” “World On Fire,” “Anastasia,” and “Driving Rain” are also included in the double vinyl package giving fans worldwide the chance to see SMKC’s electrifying live show.





Tracklisting:


Side A
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"
"Whatever Gets You By"
"C'est La Vie"
"The Path Less Followed"


Side B
"The River Is Rising"
"Spirit Love"
"Fill My World"
"April Fool"


Side C
"Call Off The Dogs"
"Fall Back To Earth"
"Driving Rain"


Side D
"You're A Lie"
"World On Fire"
"Anastasia"





(Photo - Ross Halfin)


 

DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen is featured on "If You Want", the new single from his wife, singer, songwriter, and healing artist Lauren Monroe. The track, which was co-produced by Monroe with the renowned Jim Scott, will appear on her third album, "Messages From Aphrodite".

With its old-school Americana groove and splash of Southern soul, "If You Want" would slide seamlessly into a 1970s playlist featuring FLEETWOOD MAC, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. The song embodies Monroe's messages of positivity, love, and healing through music. "In every moment we have a choice to live in love or in fear. To live in love or anger, in love or worry. In every moment we have the opportunity to choose love over and over again," she says. "I believe that love is not just a feeling, it is a place, a home, a sanctuary of hope and meaning, but only if you choose it."

Music and healing have always been a focal point in Monroe's life. Through performance, storytelling, and art, she creates an intimate experience for her audiences, showing them how music can impact healing and growth. Earlier this year, she and Allen played some intimate East Coast club dates during which they also displayed their mixed-media art, which was then auctioned online to benefit Raven Drum Foundation, an organization they founded with the mission to serve, educate and empower veterans dealing with PTSD and combat trauma, people in crisis and other at-risk individuals.

The title of the new album, "Messages From Aphrodite", references the ancient Greek goddess of love in its myriad aspects, and signifies the emotional expanse of Monroe's songs, to which she brings a rarefied degree of insight and compassion, enabling her to nimbly plumb the depths and scale the heights of the human condition in her songwriting. Producer Jim Scott, who's worked with more than his share of legends over the years, bears witness to Monroe's alchemy. "Lauren is a special artist," he asserts. "She's tuned in to the spiritual workings of the heart and the mystical nature of the universe. She's an empath, a healer, a teacher, visual artist, producer and songwriter; I also think she's a time traveler. Her songs guide, direct and uplift and are sonically beautiful."

The songs are enlivened by Scott's deft sonic sculpting of song-serving performances from musical luminaries such as guitarists Greg Leisz (K.D. Lang, Matthew Sweet, Bill Frisell),Tyler Bryant (Larkin Poe, TYLER BRYANT AND THE SHAKEDOWN),Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam),Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams) and David Garza (Fiona Apple, WATKINS FAMILY HOUR); bassists Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon),Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing, Fiona Apple) and Mai Leisz (David Crosby),keyboardist John Ginty (Neal Casal, THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND); and backing vocalist Tammi Brown (Bobby McFerrin, Quincy Jones). In addition to Allen, THE HEARTBREAKERS' Steve Ferrone and young dynamo Beth Goodfellow (IRON AND WINE, Allison Russell) anchor the proceedings from behind their drumkits.

Monroe will be dropping a string of singles and videos in anticipation of "Messages From Aphrodite", and touring surrounding the release. She'll next appear on May 23 in Nashville, Tennessee at The Lounge at City Winery. Fall dates will be announced soon.

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project has just released a new single, "The Wicked Rule The Night". The song, which features a guest appearance by PRIMAL FEAR singer Ralf Scheepers, is taken from the ninth AVANTASIA album, "A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society", due in the fall via Nuclear Blast. The disc will be the follow-up to "Moonglow", which came out in 2019.

An animated lyric video for "The Wicked Rule The Night", created by Costin Chioreanu, can be seen below.

Sammet comments: "I'm so happy with the upcoming album that you could put out any song as the first single. But somehow, after the last two years, I felt the need to go full steam ahead as soon as I'm let off the leash. And honestly, it's also cool to know that many would probably have expected a less extreme track to accompany AVANTASIA's re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. But AVANTASIA is not stylistically fixed — anything goes, commercial, epic, grotesque or full on the bell, doesn't matter: all that is part of AVANTASIA's very own world. We have found our own pigeonhole and different laws apply there. The fans of the first hour know that. And so I have the feeling that 'The Wicked Rule The Night' is unpredictable, exciting, fresh and new, despite my trademarks, as you know them partly from AVANTASIA or also EDGUY. Playing it safe is a lot of hogwash."

"Moonglow" hit number one on the album charts in Germany and charted in 17 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas before AVANTASIA embarked on a ten-month tour of Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America.

Since its beginnings in 1999, AVANTASIA's past releases have featured international stars such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS),Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION),Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (KISS),Eric Martin (MR. BIG),SAXON's Biff Byford, TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider and many more.

In addition to Sammet and Scheepers, "The Wicked Rule The Night" features Sascha Paeth on guitar and Felix Bohnke on drums.

AVANTASIA will make a dozen or so festival appearances this summer, starting on June 24 at Spain's Rock Imperium.

In a 2019 interview with Spotlight Report, Sammet stated about his musical influences: "I'm really inspired by anything I listen to, but my main influence is in my DNA. I've been inspired by artists like DIO, RAINBOW and a lot by QUEEN. IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, MEAT LOAF, a lot of Eighties rock. I also love world music and classical music. I'm not a connoisseur or anything; I just love how it sounds."

KORN frontman Jonathan Davis recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions from the readers of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine. When one fan asked if Jonathan has ever been to church with KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch and bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, both of whom are devout Christians, Davis responded: "No. I've been to church and I respect their beliefs.

"The world would be a much better place if people would just stop fucking sticking their noses where they don't belong and respect people's beliefs.

"My only problem with Christianity is the fucking 'holier than thou, we're better than you' bullshit," he continued.

"But those two, especially Head, don't talk about that stuff. He just kicks back and accepts everyone for who they are.

"We played a livestream in a church when we released the new record and that was cool," Davis added. "I love the actual buildings. I decorate my house like a church. I just don't necessarily like what goes on in them. [Laughs]"

Less than three years ago, Jonathan touched upon his feelings about Christianity while speaking to Mistress Carrie about his appearance in the first feature-length documentary about Welch. "Loud Krazy Love" is Welch's story of faith-based redemption and Davis's skepticism about Welch's spiritual awakening helps to provide balance in the movie, which debuted in May 2018 at the Dallas International Film Festival.

In the film, Davis is particularly blunt about his feelings toward religion. While he is happy that religion has helped Brian come to terms with his issues, the singer criticizes what he views as the assimilation tactics of Christian recruiters.

"I don't buy into that bullshit, and they all fucking know it," Davis said. "Don't even try to do that to me, 'cause I'll shut your ass down in two seconds.

"If you look at it, it's pretty fucking funny how they believe and how they act," he continued. "It's ridiculous. I think [Head] agrees with a lot of what I was saying. It wasn't to be mean; it's just real and it's true.

"I respect anyone's beliefs, but when it's radical, like some of those people, I don't like that. And the whole way everything happened, I was just being real, and everybody liked that.

"I have no problem with [Head's faith]; it's just the religion in general," Davis added. "I have no problem. I'm glad that something could get him out of his dark hole and dark place. So I totally respect that. And if people need that, fine. Just don't throw your views on me. That's the only problem I have. Don't push what you believe on me. I'm not doing it to you. So get the fuck back."

Back in 2018, Welch told Billboard that he loved the fact that Jonathan spoke his mind in the film. "He just was honest, whether it offended me or the guys doing the movie," he said. "We just wanted him to share his feelings on everything. When he talked about me going back and all these things that I was saying, he's like, 'Man, that's not God telling you; that's your head telling you.' I think it's good because that's a lot of what people think, and it was good to have his opinion. And you know what? Family can have different beliefs and different things going on. And what do you do? Do you leave your family because they believe something different? No, you stick it out and you stick together and you work out life."

Welch left KORN in early 2005, at the same time announcing that he kicked his addictions to drugs and alcohol by becoming a born-again Christian. He rejoined the band in 2013.

Both Welch and Arvizu have had highly public, though separate, conversion experiences, ones that have been greeted with a certain amount of skepticism.

U.K. independent publisher Rock N' Roll Colouring has set a June 5 release date for the second official IRON MAIDEN coloring book, "The Official Iron Maiden Colouring Book Volume II: The Singles".

Following on from the successful first IRON MAIDEN book launched at the end of 2021, the new book focuses on many of the band's popular single releases. Featuring iconic artwork and instantly recognizable images all printed on high-quality paper in a square format fully endorsed and officially licensed, these amazing designs have the potential for hours of satisfying coloring in. The book encourages you to celebrate every detail of IRON MAIDEN's iconic imagery, letting your imagination run riot as you create your own personalized versions of your favorite MAIDEN designs.

The book contains painstakingly created renderings of each image with detailed outlines ready for you to unleash your artistic skills using pens, pencils or paint. It includes artwork from legendary singles such as "The Trooper", "Run To the Hills" and "Aces High", plus more recent releases such as "Empire Of The Clouds" and "The Writing's On The Wall".

Channel your inner creativity and add your own interpretations of these classic images or simply recreate them as closely as you can to the originals. Whatever you decide, the satisfaction of adding your personal touch to these classic designs is extremely rewarding.

Devised and created by two lifelong rock and heavy metal devotees and coloring book fans, Rock N' Roll Colouring was formed by fans for fans. Every effort has gone into making sure this book does justice to the legacy of IRON MAIDEN and their iconic figure Eddie, painstakingly re-creating some of the most famous heavy metal images of all time to ensure that MAIDEN fans everywhere get the best creative experience possible.

Coloring has proven significant mental health benefits including mindfulness, relaxation and increased focus and can be enjoyed by any age group. These books provide hours of creative and restful activity that combines the love of the music with the love of the art.

"The Official Iron Maiden Colouring Book Volume II: The Singles" follows on from the previous Rock N' Roll Colouring releases from ALICE COOPER, MOTÖRHEAD, JUDAS PRIEST, THIN LIZZY and MEGADETH.

The book is available for worldwide shipping, and can be exclusively pre-ordered via Eyesore Merch.

In a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, SEVENDUST guitarist John Connolly spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to 2020's "Blood & Stone" album. He said: "We're in demo mode right now. We're gonna hit the studio in the summer. So, yeah, we're working up as many new demos as we can. We started working with LJ [singer Lajon Witherspoon] [to] get the vocal process going. But, yeah, probably [in] July, August, [we'll] hit the studio."

Asked about the direction of the new SEVENDUST music, John said: "It's hard to say. It's sort of very all over the place, in typical SEVENDUST fashion, until we really start to hone in and figure out what's gonna make it and what's not. We're realists at this point. We know all the early stuff that we work on in the demo stage is either gonna be the first single or it's probably never gonna see the light of day. So some of these songs are just a stepping stone to get to something cooler. It's always exciting when you're at this part of the process, 'cause you just don't know. Sometimes you've gotta take a step back and go, 'Okay, maybe we should listen to some of the stuff that was a couple of months ago' before you find those special moments. But with everyone sort of diving into the Dropboxes and kind of picking their favorites and stuff like that, I would imagine probably within the next six weeks we'll have a lot more of a shape and a sound. But, yeah, the vibe is just a big question mark. It's a big, wide-open canvas right now, which is good, 'cause we've got tons of ideas to fill it with, for sure."

Last December, SEVENDUST released a digital expanded edition of "Blood & Stone". "Blood & Stone Deluxe" contained five new tracks, including three never-before-released remixes and two newly recorded songs. Jake Bowen of PERIPHERY, Richard Wicander of FIRE FROM THE GODS and Justin deBlieck, formerly of ICE NINE KILLS, provided remixes and the band finished recording "All I Really Know" and "What You Are" specifically for this release. "Blood & Stone Deluxe" was released via all digital partners via Rise Records and was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette.

Connolly is currently promoting "Hypoxia", the third studio album from his PROJECTED project, which also features SEVENDUST bassist Vince Hornsby alongside ALTER BRIDGE/CREED drummer Scott Phillips and guitarist/vocalist Eric Friedman (a.k.a. E-Rock; TREMONTI). Due on June 24 via Rat Pak Records, the 13-track follow-up to 2017's "Ignite My Insanity" was tracked at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with SEVENDUST, ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, among others.

Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his solo performance of Thin Lizzy's 1976 classic, "Emerald". Check it out below.


Johansson: "A cover of the Gary Moore version of Thin Lizzy's classic, 'Emerald'. Also a tribute to these great Charvel guitars put together by my friend Patrik Johansson."







Johansson previously shared his solo performance of Gary Moore's 1986 classic "Over The Hills And Far Away".

More than two decades deep into their existence, Psycroptic have announced their eighth studio album, Divine Council, set to be released via Prosthetic Records on August 5. Alongside the album announcement, the Australian extreme metal group have shared the lead single, "Rend Asunder", and an accompanying music video for the track - directed by Michael Rankine and filmed at Oi Studios in Tasmania, AU - which can be seen below.


Speaking on the album announcement and "Rend Asunder", the band comments: "'Rend Asunder' is a little bit of a different style of track for us - stripped back and streamlined, but it still has the Psycroptic sound. It's straight to the point - fast, catchy and hard hitting from the outset. We think people will dig it from the first listen. We can't wait to play it live, it will definitely be in the set for our upcoming tours."







Brothers Dave Haley (drums) and Joe Haley (guitar) have steered Psycroptic through different shades of death metal, from the technical to the experimental, with longtime vocalist and lyricist Jason Peppiatt and bassist Todd Stern further embellishing the sound of the band to create something that is distinctively Psycroptic.


Origin vocalist Jason Keyser has long been considered a part of Psycroptic's extended family, and on Divine Council, he contributes vocals to the album tracks. As Peppiatt wrote the lyrics and vocal patterns, the group were able to utilize an extended palette of styles to further enhance his sound, courtesy of Keyser and additional vocals from Amy Wiles, hitting upon a collective approach to complement the Haleys.


With writing and recording punctuated by a pandemic and subsequent strict lockdowns, Divine Council was recorded in various locations across Australia and North America. Drums were tracked at Anubis Studios by Chris Thelemco, bass was captured by Justin Spaeth at Cave Bound Studio, and guitars, vocals and synths were recorded by the band's own Joe Haley at his Crawlspace Studios before he mixed and mastered the album's nine tracks.


The suffocating atmosphere carries through to the lyrics that detail the myriad of ways that human beings waste, destroy or devalue what's in front of them - captured in the evocative album artwork, courtesy of the prolific Eliran Kantor. With narrative threads that throw back to tracks on both their self-titled album and As The Kingdom Drowns, Psycroptic have found yet more new ways to explore human's inherent inability to see the bigger picture - or change track before a miserable demise becomes a crushing inevitability.


Divine Council is an album that oozes confidence, maturity and a relaxed self-assurance befitting of a band with a rich legacy behind them, and an unconstrained future ahead of them. Pre-order / pre-save Divine Council now at this location.





Divine Council tracklisting:


"Rend Asunder"
"A Fool's Errand"
"This Shadowed World"
"Enslavement"
"Ashes Of Our Empire"
"The Prophet's Council"
"Awakening"
"A Fragile Existence"
"Exitus"


Psycroptic will be performing live on June 25 at Crowbar in Sydney, Australia with Denouncement Pyre, Werewolves, and Golgothan Remains.





(Photographer credit: Michael Rankine)