"Join us as we show you a different dimension of 'Digital Paradise'," states a message from Edge Of Paradise. "We wanted to release this version to celebrate 500,000 mark on the official 'Digital Paradise' video! Thank you for growing our world with us!"





The Unknown, the new album from Edge Of Paradise, is available to order / save here.




The Unknown is Edge Of Paradise's fourth studio album, coming on the heels of their Frontiers Music Srl debut, Universe. The band teamed up with renowned producer Howard Benson (Halestorm, My Chemical Romance, Seether) who, together with Mike Plotnikoff (Halestorm, Three Days Grace), and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) helped the band craft their biggest sounding album yet. Add in mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Volbeat, Pretty Maids) and you have a fool-proof recipe for a sonically stunning album. The Unknown builds upon where Universe left off, developing Edge Of Paradise's overall symphonic and metallic sound while bringing it to the next level. Gigantic hooks paired with monolithic guitar riffs in a spacious sea of symphonic sounds will immediately grab listeners and whisk them away on the band's sonic, and lyrical, journey.





Tracklisting:


"Digital Paradise"
"My Method Your Madness"
"Tidal Wave"
"The Unknown"
"Believe"
"False Idols"
"You Touch You Die"
"One Last Time"
"Leaving Earth"
"Bound To The Rhythm"
"My Method Your Madness" (Industrial Remix) Bonus Track


"Believe" video:





"Believe" lyric video:





"Tidal Wave" lyric video:





"False Idols" video:





"The Unknown" video:





"My Method Your Madness" video:





"Digital Paradise" video:

SLIPKNOT kicked off the 2022 iteration of its infamous "Knotfest Roadshow" tour Wednesday night (March 16) at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Disasterpiece

02. Wait And Bleed

03. Sulfur

04. Before I Forget

05. The Chapeltown Rag

06. Dead Memories (performed for first time since 2016)

07. Unsainted

08. The Heretic Anthem

09. Psychosocial

10. The Devil In I

11. Solway Firth

12. All Out Life

13. Snuff (performed for first time since 2012)

14. Vermilion

15. Duality

16. Custer

17. Spit It Out

Encore:

18. People = Shit

19. (sic)

20. Surfacing

Fan-filmed video is available below.

The "Knotfest Roadshow" tour is taking place over two legs, both headlined by SLIPKNOT. The first leg features special guests IN THIS MOMENT and WAGE WAR. The second leg will feature special guests CYPRESS HILL and HO99O9. The first leg of the 38-date run, produced by Live Nation, will hit a further 17 cities before wrapping up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Sunday, April 17. The second leg kicks off on Wednesday, May 18 in University Park, Pennsylvania and hits a further 17 cites before culminating on Sunday, June 18 in Chula Vista, California.

"Knotfest Roadshow"'s return also features on-site merchandise from official tour sponsor Blackcraft Cult.

2021 marked a banner year for SLIPKNOT. Making a triumphant return to the road, their "Knotfest Roadshow" 2021 tour sold out amphitheaters across the country, bookended with the record-breaking Knotfest Iowa and the biggest headline show of their career, Knotfest Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium where they debuted their first new music in two years, the furious "The Chapeltown Rag", taken from the highly anticipated new SLIPKNOT album, expected later this year. In addition, they topped the bills of multiple, internationally renowned festivals, including Riot Fest, Rocklahoma, Inkcarceration and Welcome To Rockville.

The "Knotfest Roadshow" tour is part of Live Nation's Live Stubs initiative which provides digital collectible NFT ticket stubs to ticket holders. Live Stubs are automatically be included with tickets purchased for the tour. Fans are also able to view, share, gift, trade, and resell their live stubs on LiveNation.com.

Polish tech death metal virtuosos DECAPITATED will release their eighth studio album, "Cancer Culture", on May 27 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP's first single, the title track, can be streamed below.

DECAPITATED guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka commented: "It wasn't easy to pick the first single from 'Cancer Culture'. Each song has this different vibe that we would like to show as soon as possible and be proud of. Since the 'Cancer Culture' is the first song from the album, we decided that this would be the perfect way to introduce you to new music. It is the album's opening chapter, and you know, what you can expect."

He continued: "Finally, after so many months of waiting, we got it. The announcement of our brand new album 'Cancer Culture' and a new single is on!

"The expectations were high, and we also gave ourselves a massive challenge with this album. But I think hard work pays off.

"We had an opportunity to gather amazing people who took care of the production and helped us deliver the best we could with this album.

Again, Jarek Szubrycht ('Carnival Is Forever') has written amazing lyrics for us about the disproportion between the dreams, ambitions, and aspirations of humanity.

"The leading engineer of the album was Tomasz Zed Zalewski ('Anticult'), David Castillo, responsible for mixing the album, and Ted Jensen for the final touch for mastering. For the cover, for the first time, we have worked with Fabio Timpanaro, an Italian artist whose art perfectly describes what we wanted to tell through visual art.

"Don't misinterpret the title meaning of the album. It has a much broader context. You will be surprised at what we have delivered this time."

DECAPITATED's latest album, "Anticult", was released in July 2017 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Formed in 1996, DECAPITATED built a reputation over the years as one of the international leaders of the "tech death" genre. Over its 26-year career, DECAPITATED has released seven studio albums, which are considered to be some of the most influential death metal releases of the 21st century.

Since 2019, Kiełtyka has been taking care of second-guitar duties in MACHINE HEAD following the departure of Phil Demmel.

DECAPITATED is:

Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka - guitars

Rafał "Rasta" Piotrowski - vocals

James Stewart - drums

Paweł Pasek - bass (live)

San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS have released the official music video for the song "The Fires Of Division". The clip, directed by Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera, can be seen below. The track is taken from EXODUS's latest album, "Persona Non Grata", which came out in November via Nuclear Blast Records.

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt states: "Time for our next video. This one is for 'The Fires Of Division' and it actually has the band in it! This video was super fun to make, as it was the first time the band had gathered together in some time!"

Last September, Holt told Canada's The Metal Voice about the lyrical inspiration for "The Fires Of Division": "It's just about the sad state of affairs in the world today, the divisive nature of everything. Maybe it's just me showing my age — I'm old enough to remember when people could have political differences and still get along. [Laughs] I guess I'm just old, right? My own band is comprised of varying different political ideologies, and we're best friends. The world has forgotten how to do that. We're so divided. And the powers that be want us divided. And that's on both sides — that's not just a hard-right or hard-left thing. They're doing everything they can to pit everybody against each other. I think [the media and the politicians] all have a hand in it — the media, all of them; the politicians as well. Because the game they're all playing now is they don't think they have to earn voters to get elected; just keep the ones you've got and be as vile and bad as you want. And the right will portray the left as a bunch of snowflake liberals, and the left will portray the right as a bunch of inbred fucking dummies. But we're all Americans here. And the sooner we remember that, the sooner we can start to heal. But I wrote that song while staring down the fucking Capitol riots and shit.

"I look at it like this: it's the same thing with religion," he continued. "Everybody pretty much knows I'm an atheist and I'm not a believer, but if I fucking wrote off all those that were, I wouldn't have a family. Most of my family believes in Jesus fucking Christ. And I'm not gonna part ways with them because we share a different religious idealogy. And I won't over a political either. Some of my best friends are completely different than me, and that's okay. It's not a bad thing. I don't look at them as fucking lesser people because we don't agree on something. And a lot of time, if you take the time to discuss shit like fucking humans, you'll find that you actually can find middle ground on a lot of things."

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap. For the third time in the band's history, they returned to Swedish artist Pär Olofsson to create the album artwork.

"Persona Non Grata" is the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

In July, EXODUS drummer Tom Hunting underwent a successful total gastrectomy in his battle with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach. He rejoined his bandmates on stage in October at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California.

EXODUS tapped John Tempesta to play drums for the band at Psycho Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada in August and at Full Terror Assault in Cave In Rock, Illinois in September while Hunting was recovering from surgery. Tempesta was a member of EXODUS from 1989 until 1993 and played on the band's albums "Impact Is Imminent" (1990) and "Force Of Habit" (1992).

A GoFundMe campaign to help Hunting with medical expenses had previously raised more than $114,000 — including $5,000 from Tom's former EXODUS bandmate, current METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett, and $1,500 from FOZZY singer and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho.

TALAS has released a new song, "Inner Mounting Flame", featuring vocals by the late frontman Phil Naro, who passed away in May 2021. The track is a tour de force of hard rock teetering on metal. "Inner Mounting Flame" marks TALAS's first taste of new music since 1984's "Live Speed On Ice".

Helmed by world renowned bassist Billy Sheehan, TALAS is a unique blend of 1980s hard rock infused with the headbanging of modern metal. Cutting through this cacophony of sound is the unmistakable voice of Naro who delivered a performance for the ages.

Sheehan states: "'Inner Mounting Flame' is a bombastic, high-speed chaos of adrenaline that we would often use as our opening song at the live TALAS shows in 1985. We stayed close to the original arrangement.

"This was such a blast to record, and Phil sang his ass off on it. The song title came from a very famous fusion band's album title (THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA – 'Inner Mounting Flame') and was our take on what that flame might be about."

Produced by Sheehan, Russ Mackay, Scott Bush and TALAS, "Inner Mounting Flame" is a rocker reminiscent of the Buffalo band's long storied history which began in the 1970s.

Kings of the Buffalo bar circuit, TALAS slogged it out through the 1970s and 1980s, hoping for the breakthrough that never quite came. When David Lee Roth left VAN HALEN, Sheehan immediately joined Roth's band, putting an effective end to TALAS.

In 2017, Sheehan rerformed TALAS with a lineup featuring Phil Naro and Mark Miller, along with new member Kire Najdovski, to play at the "Bands At Barnard" charity event in Greece. The group has played sporadic shows since then.

After fronting TALAS in the 1980s, Naro paired his powerful voice on a number of recording projects with KISS founding member Peter Criss and later with Canadian rockers CONEY HATCH. Phil also co-wrote and recorded several tracks with guitarist and founding member of THE RASCALS, Gene Cornish, and co-wrote three songs for Canadian artist Lee Aaron for her 1989 album "Bodyrock".

Sheehan's penchant for innovation has revolutionized the way the bass guitar is played. He formed MR. BIG in 1989, achieving a Billboard No. 1 single in the USA and 14 other countries with "To Be With You" from the band's second Atlantic Records album release, "Lean Into It". While developing his trademark style of playing, he performed over 4,000 live gigs on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.

James LaBrie, known internationally as the vocalist for progressive metal icons DREAM THEATER, embarks on uncharted waters with his fourth solo album, titled "Beautiful Shade Of Grey", due out on May 20 via InsideOut Music. Today sees the launch of the album's first single and opening track, "Devil In Drag", and you can watch the Wayne Joyner-produced video below.

The new endeavor sees him traverse personal maturation, loss, a myriad of complex relationships and, most importantly, LaBrie's burning passion for music. On paper, the latest studio offering from the Canadian singer first took shape shortly after the global pandemic began to emerge. But in reality, LaBrie formed a bond with his fellow collaborator, bassist Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE), nearly a decade earlier.

The two first met in 2011, when James would lend his voice to a feature for Logue's band, U.K. melodic metal outfit EDEN'S CURSE, on the song "No Holy Man". As years went by the two remained in touch, occasionally kicking the tires on the idea of working together on another project. But when DREAM THEATER performed in Glasgow during the late winter of 2020, LaBrie and Logue would run into each other at the airport — once again asking the question. But this time, armed with the knowledge that a drastic change in the world was all but imminent, LaBrie made the decision to set things in motion.

On the album, Logue plays acoustic rhythm guitar (both six- and twelve-string) and acoustic bass, while guitarist Marco Sfogli, who's contributed on all of LaBrie's solo albums since 2005's "Elements Of Persuasion", handled the leads and solos. Logue recruited EDEN'S CURSE keyboardist Christian Pulkkinen to lend his playing on the record, while the suggestion to recruit James's son Chance to play drums would also come from Paul. "Beautiful Shade Of Grey", as LaBrie describes it, was a title that only came to him once he identified the record's two core themes throughout its track list.

"A lot of these lyrics are dealing with the beauty of human beings, and a lot are dealing with the grey areas of the in between," James says. "You're not exactly happy, but you're not exactly sad either."

The record starts off (and ends) with the track "Devil In Drag", which emerges as a wall of synthesizers and acoustic strumming before exploding into a full-blown ensemble. LaBrie expresses that the song was written about "someone who started out as a decent human being, but along the way lost touch with their roots — over time becoming self-serving, narcissistic and devoid of principles or values." Going on to say, "'Devil In Drag' is written from the perspective of someone who's known them all their life and, seeing them now, asking 'what happened?'"

"Beautiful Shade Of Grey" will be released as a limited CD digipak, 180-gram LP, CD and as a digital album, with artwork by Thomas Ewerhard.

"Beautiful Shade Of Grey" track listing:

01. Devil In Drag

02. SuperNova Girl

03. Give And Take

04. Sunset Ruin

05. Hit Me Like A Brick

06. Wildflower

07. Conscience Calling

08. What I Missed

09. Am I Right

10. Ramble On

11. Devil In Drag (Electric Version)

Last December, LaBrie told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show about how 1970s rock music influenced and inspired "Beautiful Shade Of Grey": "I'm a huge [LED] ZEPPELIN fan. I'm a huge [fan of] PINK FLOYD and AEROSMITH and DEEP PURPLE and all that. These bands were so iconic back in the '70s. So a lot of the inspiration, when I sat down with Paul Logue, who's the other musician that I wrote the album with, and he's from Scotland, I said, 'Paul, I just want us to think more about…' If you think about the acoustic end of ZEPPELIN and their organic approach to their songs, it was still beautiful, it was still powerful, extremely melodic, and it just kind of reached deep within, it resonated deep within each and every one of us that listened to any ZEPPELIN. So that was the catalyst to set things in motion. It became a full ensemble. I mean, I have keyboards, drums, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar and then myself doing all the vocals. So it's somewhat acoustic but it's also a full ensemble as well. So it still has the full band kind of sound and orchestration."

Regarding the lyrical themes covered on the LP, James said: "'Beautiful Shade Of Grey' has a lot to do with the lyrics that I wrote for this album. And a lot of my lyrics are dealing with the human condition and all the dynamics of life in itself that each and every one of us experience and, to a certain degree, it's common for most of us to go through the same experiences. So I wanted to write a lot about that. So that's kind of what inspired this whole venture."

Last October, James told "The Everyman Podcast" about how his collaboration with Logue came about: "I sang on one of [EDEN'S CURSE's] songs back in 2010 called 'No Holy Man'; so I guest on that. And I really liked Paul's writing. To me, Paul's writing was more from a classical era — like the '70s; that classic rock approach. And I had a lot of ideas in that vein.

"Paul and I actually bumped into each other — you think fate isn't there with you; holy shit… The day after we finished the show — DREAM THEATER in Glasgow [on] February 23rd [2020]. I'm waiting for my flight on the 24th to go to London and then Toronto, and Paul walks by me and he goes, 'James!' I'm, like, 'Oh my God!' He goes, 'You know I was at the show last night.' He kept trying to e-mail me on my old e-mail address. And he goes, 'Listen, let me know. You wanna get together? You wanna do some writing?' And I said, 'I'd love to.' At the time, I said, 'I don't know. Some freaky shit's going on. You're hearing about this virus?' 'Yeah. Yeah.' [I said] 'We've gotta go to Asia, then we've gotta go to freakin' South America and North America and all that.' I said, 'So we're probably not gonna be done till October, but why don't we start writing then? Or why don't we start throwing ideas back in the meantime, and I can even be on the road and working on it?' And he goes, 'Great.' All of a sudden, the world closes down. So we got on it… It was probably… Everything closed down March 15th, I believe, and by March 20th, him and I were already passing ideas back and forth."

Elaborating on the songwriting process for "Beautiful Shade Of Grey", LaBrie said: "We started as, we said, 'Let's just keep it real raw and acoustic-based — that'll be the fundamental of this album,' and then it kind of morphed into more of an ensemble, so [with] keyboards… Marco Sfogli is playing lead guitar on all the tracks. Paul is playing all the rhythm acoustic guitars and bass. And then [my son] Chance [LaBrie] is doing drums. Christian Pulkkinen is the keyboard player, who's a fantastic keyboard player, piano player. All the lyrics, except one, I penned.

"It was really interesting how it came together, whether I'd be throwing [Paul] a riff or I'd be throwing him a melody idea that became a chorus to one of the songs or verses," he continued. "And then he'd throw me back his ideas musically. And we slowly but surely put it all together. We had everybody fully involved. And it came out fantastic. The label is really stoked about it. It has that kind of ZEPPELIN-esque feel to it, but still the modern-day aspects of it as well are there. So it's great."

Photo credit: Thomas Ewerhard

On March 10, 2022, OVERKILL frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth was interviewed by Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces Of Rock on the band's tour bus outside The Forge in Joliet, Illinois. Speaking about the progress of the recording sessions for OVERKILL's 20th studio album, Blitz said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We didn't record all the parts yet. We like to keep it as fresh as possible. The drums are done; the guitars are done. D.D. [Verni, bass] and I need to sit down and finalize a few things. We're looking for an April 2023 release, followed by a European tour."

Asked about the musical direction of the new OVERKILL material, Blitz said: "It's gonna be hard to figure it out for me until it actually takes shape. It seems a little bit more eclectic for us. It's riff driven, not rhythm driven. The songs will contain two or three different riffs throughout it — the main [riff] and then two that are kind of secondary riffs, which I think is a little bit unique for us, to be singing over something like that. Heavy, of course. I mean, there's some sledgehammer stuff on it — that kind of big, thick groove. I think the other side of it is that it shows kind of experienced speed, would be the word. Some of them just take off."

Back in November 2020, Verni told MetalAsylum.net that OVERKILL's new LP would be mixed by Colin Richardson. "He did a couple of records for us, and he's great," Verni said.

Richardson previously worked with OVERKILL on 1997's "From The Underground And Below", 2000's "Bloodletting" and 2003's "Killbox 13".

In June 2020, Ellsworth told A&P Reacts that the band's new songs were "a natural progression from 'The Grinding Wheel' [2017] and 'The Wings Of War' [2019]. I think when we had done the 'Ironbound' record [2010], it almost became like a trilogy in there — it was kind of like 'Ironbound', 'The Electric Age' [2012] and 'White Devil Armory' [2014], and they seemed to be the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost kind of a thing," he said. "I think we kind of broke the mold a little bit with 'The Grinding Wheel', and then I think a little bit more with 'The Wings Of War'. And on this one, I see it way more. And what I mean by that is that we've used other tools from our toolshed in the past, and that's the slow grind that is coupled with that fast gallop. So it feels like a natural progression, but maybe two records ahead of what 'The Wings Of War' is. And that's probably as objective as I can be."

OVERKILL spent most of 2019 and early 2020 touring in support of its 19th studio LP, "The Wings Of War", which was released three years ago. The disc was recorded at Gear Recording Studio in New Jersey, SKH Studio in Florida and Jrod Productions with engineering handled by Verni and guitarist Dave Linsk. The album was produced by the band while Chris "Zeuss" Harris took care of the mixing and mastering. Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, SOILWORK, DEATH) was again enlisted to create the artwork for the album.

"The Wings Of War" marked OVERKILL's recording debut with drummer Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), who joined the band in 2017.

Last month, Blitz confirmed that guitarist Dave Linsk is sitting out OVERKILL's current U.S. tour due to "personal reasons" and is being temporarily replaced by former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel.

The organizers of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame have declined Dolly Parton's request to pull her nomination.

On Monday (March 14), the 76-year-old country music legend asked the Hall to withdraw her name from the 2022 ballot, saying "I don't feel that I have earned the right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out."

Parton was one of 17 artists nominated for the Rock Hall class of 2022, along with JUDAS PRIEST, Eminem, Lionel Richie, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and Beck, among others.

Ballots are cast by an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists — including previous inductees — historians, music industry members and critics. Factors considered by voters consider include "an artist's musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique," according to a statement issued by the Hall.

Earlier today, the organization confirmed that Dolly will remain on the ballot, in part because voting is already well underway.

"All of us in the music community have seen Dolly Parton's thoughtful note expressing her feeling that she has not earned the right to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," the Rock Hall's statement read. "In addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world.

"From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Country music. It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton's music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed. Her nomination to be considered for induction into to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed the same process as all other artists who have been considered.

"Dolly's nomination, along with the other 16 for the class of 2022 was sent out earlier this month to our 1,200 general ballot voters, the majority of whom are artists themselves, for consideration for induction at our ceremony.

"We are in awe of Dolly's brilliant talent and pioneering spirit and are proud to have nominated her for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."

Earlier in the day, during an interview on "Fox & Friends", Parton doubled down on her discomfort with being included in the Hall's pantheon.

"Well, I didn't feel exactly right about that because my perception, and I think the perception of most of America, I just feel like that’s more for the people in rock music," she said. "I've been educated since then, saying that it’s more than that, but I still didn't feel right about it. It kind of would be like putting AC/DC in the Country Music Hall Of Fame. That just felt a little out of place for me."

To be eligible for this year's ballot, each nominee's first single or album had to have been released in 1996 or earlier.

Inductees will be announced in May. The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2022 induction ceremony will take place this fall. The date, venue, and on-sale information will be announced later.

The 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominees were announced last month, with Dolly appearing on the ballot for the first time.

Parton told Billboard last month that she never thought of herself as a rock 'n' roller "in any sense of the word, but I guess they judge it on the music and the influence certain songs have had, and I guess I've had songs with other people in that realm," she said: "I'm not expecting that I'll get in. But if I do, I'll immediately, next year, have to put out a great rock and roll album — which I've wanted to do for years, like a Linda Ronstadt or HEART kind of thing."

Parton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 1986, the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1999 and the national Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2001.

Dolly is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, she has had 26 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Recently, Parton reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart for the first time for her duet with Grammy Award-winning Zach Williams of "There Was Jesus", for which they won a Grammy, making that her 11th Grammy win. She received her first Dove Award for short-form video for her collaboration with KING & COUNTRY on the song "God Only Knows". Parton is the first artist to have topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary, Christian AC Songs, Hot Country Songs, Christian Airplay, Country Airplay and Dance/Mix Show Airplay radio charts. Parton recently became the first country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person Of The Year given out by NARAS. She has 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 50-plus years.

Photo credit: Stacie Huckeba
























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Round Hill Music has acquired Herman Rarebell's music rights, which includes his writer's share of publishing, neighboring rights, and master royalty income. Rarebell is best known as the original drummer of the SCORPIONS, playing a major part in the band's success with his songwriting.

Rarebell penned the lyrics for songs like "Rock You Like A Hurricane", "Make It Real", "Dynamite", "Blackout", "Arizona", "Bad Boys Running Wild", "Don't Stop At The Top" and "Tease Me Please Me".

SCORPIONS were formed in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker and have sold over 100 million records around the world. They're one of the best-selling hard rock and heavy metal acts with twelve studio albums that were in the top 10 in Germany. Three consecutive albums reached the Top Ten on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Two of the songs on their ninth studio album, "Love At First Sting", are regarded as classics of the heavy metal genre. Those singles are "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "Still Loving You".

"The SCORPIONS are a truly legendary band with a catalog of truly iconic music that helped define the heavy metal genre," says Josh Gruss, founder and CEO of Round Hill Music. "Herman played a pivotal role in their success with writing credits on some of their most enduring songs and is a welcome addition to our roster of world-class writers and performers."

"The SCORPIONS are one of my favorite rock bands," says Robin Godfrey-Cass, managing director of Round Hill's London office. "To represent Herman's great body of work as a songwriter and performer from the band's first 11 albums is an incredible honor."

"It is my pleasure to sign up with Round Hill Music," adds Rarebell. "I feel I'm with the right company. I am grateful to Josh Gruss, Robin Godfrey-Cass and his team, and Marvin Katz, my attorney, for making this happen."

Last September, Herman blasted his former bandmates in the SCORPIONS, calling them "rude" and accusing them of "greed" over their apparent refusal to allow him to rejoin the band.

Rarebell, who was a member of the SCORPIONS from 1977 to 1995, discussed the possibility of his return to the group in an interview with Classic Rock magazine. Asked if he was disappointed not to have been invited back into the fold following the 2016 dismissal of longtime drummer James Kottak, Herman said: "I'll tell you how disappointed I am. I sent them a message offering my services, and never even got a reply. I thought that was very rude. Now I hear the SCORPIONS are claiming their new album will be a return to the glory days of the eighties. If they're serious about that, they should get [former bassist] Francis [Buchholz] and me back, and also Dieter Dierks who produced all those classic albums. You know why they won't do that? Greed. It would mean having to share everything five ways and not three."

Rarebell also criticized his former bandmates for seemingly not giving him enough credit for their commercial success in the 1980s. "The band never mention me in interviews, which I find ridiculous," he stated. "But there's a new documentary in the pipeline from ITV on the band. I am being interviewed for this, so I can finally set the record straight on my role."

In an interview with Classic Rock Revisited, Herman stated about the huge commercial success of SCORPIONS' 1982 album "Blackout": "Mercury Records was totally behind us and they believed in us. They wanted us to keep making albums. They wanted us to grow and do better each time out. 'Lovedrive' went gold. 'Animal Magnetism' went gold and then 'Blackout' was the first one to go platinum. [Rudolf] Schenker / [Klaus] Meine / Rarebell was a great songwriting team. You can see that from how many successful albums we had. After I left the band, they didn't have any more hits."

Rarebell also talked about the inspiration for the lyrics to "Rock You Like A Hurricane", which was released as the lead single from "Love At First Sting". "Those lyrics were very easy to write," he said. "I woke up early in the morning after fucking and doing cocaine all night and I opened up the curtains. 'It's early morning, the sun comes out. Last night was shaking and pretty loud. My cat is purring and she scratches my skin.' She had scratched my back during our lovemaking. I just sat down and wrote it right then and there. It was five in the morning and the girl was still in bed as I was sitting there writing it. The next day, I said to Rudolf, 'I have some great lyrics for that riff you have.'"

Herman's solo album "Nip In The Bud", originally recorded 40 years ago, was re-released last August, remastered and available digitally for the first time.

Photo credit: Round Hill Music

Finnish cello rock quartet APOCALYPTICA has once again partnered up with some of the biggest names in rock music to deliver their new single "I'll Get Through It". The song, written for the band by American award-winning songwriter Diane Warren, features Franky Perez — guest vocalist in APOCALYPTICA's 2015 record "Shadowmaker" — as well as Geezer Butler of BLACK SABBATH on bass guitar. The track can be found on all digital streaming platforms.

The song was born out of a visit Geezer and Franky paid to their friend Diane, who had already written the track "Not Strong Enough" for APOCALYPTICA, included in their 2010 record "7th Symphony".

"Franky and I were visiting my friend, Diane Warren, at her studio," comments Geezer. "She played us this song, saying that she thought it would work well with Franky's voice. He gave it a try on the spot. We loved it. Franky then suggested sending it to APOCALYPTICA. They loved it, and the rest is history."

Perez shares the same feeling of enthusiasm upon hearing the track for the first time. "I knew this song was special from the moment Diane Warren played it for Geezer and me," he says. "So much so, that I framed the lyrics from the session the very next day. They have been hanging on my wall ever since. This song speaks to me lyrically which made for an honest performance. Musically, there is no better collaboration than Geezer and APOCALYPTICA to do the song the justice it deserves. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it."

"I'll Get Through It" marks the first collaboration between APOCALYPTICA and Perez since he sang on "Shadowmaker", which adds to the excitement for the members of APOCALYPTICA, according to Perttu Kivilaakso. "We are more than thrilled working with our great and talented friend Franky Perez again!" he says. "It's been a while since our previous collaborations in 'Shadowmaker' album and tour, and we are also highly awaiting for getting back on road with him this April all across the States!"

Perttu also adds about the song: "'I'll Get Through It' is a meaningful and beautiful song by an incredible songwriter Diane Warren, with whom we've also had the pleasure of working with before. We can't wait for you to hear the final result… falling in love again with Franky's sensual performance, Geezer's earthshakingly powerful bass, and our wistfully haunting cellos, among the inevitable presence of all the rhythms and groove!

"We hope you'll enjoy the track as much as we do! Gonna be a blast performing it also live!"

APOCALYPTICA will be touring the U.S. extensively in 2022, as well as playing multiple summer festivals, among other dates, before hitting Europe with the aptly named "Epic Apocalypse Tour" alongside EPICA and WHEEL.

2015's "Shadowmaker" was APOCALYPTICA's first album to feature just one singer — Perez — instead of guest collaborators. The disc was recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES, MASTODON).

Prior to enlisting Perez, who will accompany APOCALYPTICA on the band's 2022 North American tour, the group released eight albums that melded the classically trained cello mastery of the three core bandmembers with the harder elements of the rock world, including drums and guest vocalists, such as Gavin Rossdale from BUSH, and Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR fame.

APOCALYPTICA's "The Cell-0 Tour" of North America was set to begin in May 2020 before being moved back to early 2021 and to late summer 2021 and then finally to April/May 2022. The trek will feature support from LACUNA COIL.

Last April, APOCALYPTICA released the official music video for its collaboration with PAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix on a cover version of the CREAM classic "White Room". The track was produced by Howard Benson at West Valley Recording Studios in Woodland Hills, California and mixed by Chris Lorde-Alge.

"White Room" was the first release from APOCALYPTICA since "Talk To Me", which arrived in August 2020. That song was a collaboration with HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale.

APOCALYPTICA's latest studio album, "Cell-0", came out in January 2020. The effort was the band's first fully instrumental record in 17 years.

Back in 2018, APOCALYPTICA's Eicca Toppinen stated about the band's decision to make an all-instrumental album at this point in the group's career: "On the previous ones, we always combined the instrumental songs with the vocal songs, and it was great to have the featuring artists, it was great to work with Frank Perez for the 'Shadowmaker' album. But then, on the other hand, it became a bigger interest for us, like, okay, it would be interesting to make a full instrumental album, so there's no compromise with anything."

TOOL's first video in 15 years, "Opiate²", arrives today via RCA Records. A three-minute preview of the Blu-ray short film is viewable below.

"Opiate²" is a reimagined and extended version of TOOL's 1992 single "Opiate", with both the song and video marking the 30th anniversary of the EP of the same name's release.

Housed in a 46-page art book with behind-the-scenes and making-of photos, the "Opiate²" Blu-ray also includes interviews and insights from special guests. Visual artist Dominic Hailstone ("Alien: Covenant", "The Eel") worked with TOOL guitarist Adam Jones on the 10-plus minute film. The clip continues TOOL's knack for merging the aural and visual worlds, creating an all-encompassing experience for the listener that has been a hallmark of the outfit since their inception. Hailstone and Jones also collaborated on the filmed pieces featured on the current "Fear Inoculum" tour.

TOOL also recently announced the arrival of "Fear Inoculum" on vinyl, with the Ultra Deluxe set arriving April 8. The collection features 5 x 180g vinyl discs emblazoned with a unique etching on the album's B-side, and accompanied by an elaborate pictorial booklet including never-before-seen artwork. The limited-edition collection, which also features a new cover, is housed in a hard shell box.

TOOL kicked off its 2022 tour in support of "Fear Inoculum" on January 10 at the Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. It marked the band's first live appearance since March 2020 when TOOL's trek was cut short following a gig in Portland, Oregon due to the burgeoning pandemic.

TOOL was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in January 2020 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. TOOL was nominated for "7empest", a track from "Fear Inoculum".

TOOL already had three previous Grammy Awards under its belt: "Best Metal Performance" in 1997 and 2001 for "Ænima" and "Schism", respectively, and "Best Recording Package" in 2006 for "10,000 Days".

TOOL formed in 1990 and has released five studio albums thus far: "Undertow" (1993), "Ænima" (1996), "Lateralus" (2001), "10,000 Days" (2006) and "Fear Inoculum"; two EPs: "72826" (1991) and "Opiate" (1992); and the limited-edition boxset, "Salival" (2000). The band has won four Grammy Awards: Best Metal Performance (1998, "Ænima"), "Best Metal Performance" (2002, "Schism"), "Best Recording Package" (2007, "10,000 Days") and "Best Metal Performance" (2020, "7empest").

British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their brand new single "Can't Take You Anywhere", a deliciously sinister slice of tense drama, powered along by a roaring chorus. Channeling the same dark power as DEPECHE MODE and PLACEBO, with pummeling rhythms, twisted electronics and crystalline guitars, singer Skin tells the tale of a friend or lover causing chaos wherever they go.

Discussing the song, she explains: "This track is a double-edged sword. We all have that one friend that we love but is a total embarrassment to us, a mate that has no off button and no filter. So if they aren't losing their phone/keys/coat, they're saying some stuff that will defo get you cancelled by all your other mates. This song is about how polarized the world is now, and how careful you need to be. It's about dealing with the new world order of friendship, as never before have I had great long-term friends develop completely opposing views to mine. It's about having to navigate and understand people, keeping the love and respect but also standing firm in your opinions."

SKUNK ANANSIE will head out on a massive European tour this spring, featuring rescheduled dates from their hugely acclaimed 25th-anniversary tour, with new shows also added due to phenomenal demand. The band will be supported variously by NEW PAGANS, GEN AND THE DEGENERATES, HOLOCENE and SHELF LIVES, with BIG JOANIE, SWEET CRISIS, MORGANWAY and DIKTA also appearing at different shows.

SKUNK ANANSIE will also appear as part of the 2022 Meltdown Festival in June, which this year is curated by Grace Jones, along with a long-awaited return to Glastonbury Festival, where they famously headlined the Pyramid Stage in 1999.

The last 28 years have seen SKUNK ANANSIE internationally acclaimed as one of the greatest British rock bands of all time. They were presented with the Hall Of Fame Award at the 2019 Kerrang! Awards while Skin herself has become one of the world's most iconic female performers, as well as inspirational role model, activist, trailblazer for women in the music industry, model and muse for designers. It's no surprise that she picked up the Inspirational Artist Award at the Music Week Awards in 2018.

SKUNK ANANSIE is renowned as one of the most fearless acts in modern British history. Their reflective, emotional and radical music has seen them grow as an important cultural force, on and off stage, while remaining honest and timely.

In a new interview with Top Link Music manager and concert promoter Paulo Baron and music critic Regis Tadeu, Tarja Turunen was asked if she would consider doing a tour with NIGHTWISH if all of her former bandmates apologized to her about how their split happened and invited her to share the stage with them again. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is very, very hypothetical that all what you said will happen, first of all — it's very, very hypothetical.

"I'm living in a world, like we are all living in a world, that things happen without us noticing," she continued. "I mean, I can't really close any doors in that sense; I'm not that kind of person any longer. I learned so many things in this life already. I take them as they are.

"So I don't know. It would be very hypothetically possible," she added. "It would be unlikely to happen."

Turunen was fired from NIGHTWISH at the end of the band's 2005 tour by being presented with an open letter which was published on the NIGHTWISH web site at the same time. In the letter, the other members of NIGHTWISH wrote: "To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with emotions have become much more important."

NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen later called the decision to part ways with Turunen "the most difficult thing I ever had to do." For her part, Tarja said the way she was kicked out of the group proved that her former bandmates were not her friends. "Maybe one day I'll forgive, but I will never forget," she said.

In 2019, Turunen dismissed Internet chatter about her possible return to NIGHTWISH after her December 2017 onstage reunion with the band's then-bassist/vocalist Marko "Marco" Hietala during a "Raskasta Joulua" concert in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

"I know a lot of fans would love to see something happen, but it's a very long distance away," she told Kerrang! magazine. "Personally, I don't see anything happening with me and them, to be perfectly honest. Marco came a little later into the band; he wasn't there since the beginning. He was always a guy I was close to. Me and [NIGHTWISH keyboardist/leader] Tuomas Holopainen, however, haven't seen each other in a long time… but we have been in touch. It's not bad. The past is what it is; we can't change that. We can only change the future."

NIGHTWISH's authorized biography, "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996-2006", was published in Finnish in 2006 and in English three years later.

Turunen's husband, Marcelo Cabuli, and his business partners later sued the parties behind the book for defamation. Named in the lawsuit were the publishing house Like Kustannus Oy and the author of the book, Marko "Mape" Ollila. Cabuli and his Brazilian business partners argued that the book includes false accusations and insinuations that have caused them suffering and financial problems.

The book blamed Cabuli for the events leading up to Turunen's dramatic expulsion from the band in late 2005.

In 2011, the Helsinki District Court dismissed Cabuli's lawsuit, ruling that the book — which criticized Cabuli on only a few of its 380 pages — did not detrimentally affect his work or reputation in South America. In addition, the court determined that Ollila did not maliciously portray Cabuli in a negative light.

Last summer, Holopainen said that NIGHTWISH would split up if the band's current singer Floor Jansen ever chose to leave.

Holopainen, who formed NIGHTWISH in 1996 with guitarist Emppu Vuorinen and Turunen, made the comment while discussing the departure of Hietala.

Pressed by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine about his 2019 statement that NIGHTWISH would disband if another member opted to depart, Tuomas said: "That's how I felt back in 2019, and that's also how I felt when Marko left. I take my words back when it comes to that. But if it would be Floor leaving, that's it, it's the end of NIGHTWISH. Absolutely, 100%."

French / Irish alternative/progressive rock outfit, Molybaron, have released an official live video for "The Lighthouse", featured on their latest album, The Mutiny. The footage was filmed at La Boule Noire Paris, last November. Watch below:





Watch a previously released live video for "Animals":







The Mutiny album details below.





The Mutiny tracklisting:


"Animals"
"Lucifer"
"Amongst The Boys And The Dead Flowers"
"Prosperity Gospel"
"The Lighthouse"
"Slave To The Algorithm"
"Something For The Pain"
"The Hand That Feeds You"
"Twenty Four Hours" (feat. Whitfield Crane)
"Ordinary Madness"


"Animals" video:





"Lucifer" video:





Molybaron is


Gary Kelly - Guitar/Vocals
Steven Andre - Guitar
Sébastien de Saint-Angel - Bass
Camille Greneron - Drums

KORN singer Jonathan Davis says that he is "still fatigued like crazy" by his battle with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Last August, it was announced that Davis tested positive for COVID-19. As a result of his infection, the band postponed six dates and canceled two on its summer 2021 U.S. tour. A month later, KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer also contracted COVID-19 and was temporarily replaced by J.R. Bareis, who is also in the band LOVE AND DEATH with KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. In October, KORN drummer Ray Luzier became the third member of the band to get infected, forcing him to miss three shows on KORN's U.S. tour. Filling in for him was FEVER 333's Aric Improta.

Davis discussed his COVID-19 experience in a new interview with "Lipps Service With Scott Lipps". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think I got that long COVID stuff. I'm still fatigued like crazy. I'm doing the best I can. But I'm alive. And hopefully in time this will get better.

Asked how he feels about touring during the pandemic, Jonathan said: "I'm gonna live my life and get on with it. I definitely cater my life around not getting sick, though, because if I get sick, there's no show. COVID or not, that's been my life my whole career. I've got my own bus. I stay away from people on purpose because if I get sick, there's no one to fill in for me. With the other guys, when they all got sick with COVID, we had people on standby; they flew out instantly, they could fill in and we could do a show. But with me, I've gotta be careful. I always have been, but it's now to the point where I'm like… A year ago, that was, like… I was freaking out. [Laughs] I was, like, 'I don't wanna get this.' And I go out on tour and I get it. And there you go."

Last November, Davis told Lou Brutus of HardDrive Radio that he tested positive for COVID-19 on August 14, 2021. "I was at a gig in Scranton," he recalled. "My girl had tested positive three days prior, I believe. So I was hoping [I wouldn't get infected]. I kept testing. I was, like, negative, negative, negative. I was, like 'Oh, I just dodged a bullet.' Then [I tested] positive. And I was scared shitless; I was freaking out. They rushed me right to the hospital and they did all these tests on me. They said, 'Okay, it doesn't look like you have the markers for the bad. We'll let you go.' And it never went into my lungs. I was totally wiped out. I couldn't move — just the body aches. I didn't eat for a month, damn near. But thank God it didn't get into my lungs; that would have freaked me really out. But I got through it and tested negative on the 25th, I think, and I played a show the next day. And I was beat up, but I just couldn't find it in my heart… I just wanted to get through it because I saw how happy people were to see live music. And I just didn't wanna let anyone down. So I'm, like, 'I'm gonna just sit down and get through this. At least it's a live show. And I'm just gonna give it all.' And we just pulled it off. I did the whole tour. Unfortunately, Munky got it and Ray got it. But we got through it. We just had some bad luck. But it is what it is. And we're here all alive and happy. So it was overall a good thing."

Davis, who was reportedly fully vaccinated, had been taking a seat on a custom throne near the drum riser at KORN's later shows due to lingering effects of his bout with COVID-19.

In video footage of KORN's August 27, 2021 concert in Tinley Park, Illinois — Jonathan's first gig back after revealing his positive diagnosis — he could be seen walking slowly around the stage, coughing and appearing to take a minute to catch his breath. According to TMZ, Davis also took occasional hits from an oxygen tank set up near this throne.

KORN's new album, "Requiem", arrived on February 4, 2022 via Loma Vista Recordings. The disc was produced by Chris Collier and KORN

Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to lead singer Rick Hughes of Canada's Sword. Hughes spoke about the timeline of the upcoming Sword studio album release, and also spoke about opening for Metallica on the Master Of Puppets tour and how Metallica were big fans of the band. Watch interview below.


About the new Sword studio album Hughes said, "First and foremost I want to apologize to the fans that have waited a very very long time. Listen, you have waited 30 years for this the album it is ready, it's been ready for two years. We were supposed to release it before, in 2020. When March 2020 happened we had a band meeting and we said let's wait (until pandemic is over). Now we are almost ready, I have the date, they didn't (record label) give me the ok to announce yet, but it's coming out this year. I won't tell you the date but I will tell you this it will be fall 2022. The album is incredible from beginning to end everything about this album is good."


The new Sword album will be released via Massacre Records.

Rock sensation Laszlo Jones is raising suicide prevention awareness with his latest single, “Kill Myself”, available now.


Featured on his recent EP, Beyond The Door, the hard-hitting song includes special guest guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament), as well as production by Michael Buyens (Life of Agony, The Gathering) and mixing by Kane Churko (5 Finger Death Punch, Ozzy Osbourne).


In true Jones fashion, the song packs a sonic punch, and Skolnick’s thunderous industrious metal axemanship shines as the two artists deliver on their mission to ensure music fans get the help and support they need.




Inspiration for the song stemmed from the two artists hearing about unimaginably high suicide rates amidst a still-early understanding of COVID’s impact on society. During the recording process, Jones and Skolnick discussed the issue, and it was clear they needed to communicate to fans through music to help draw attention to the issue.


“It’s a song about the general lack of well-being and depression endured by many people that can lead to self-hate and self-destruction — which can sometimes lead to dangerous games with death,” Jones explains.  


The pulsating song offering isn’t afraid to be daring, loud, and bold; “Kill Myself” stares at the problem and gets right in its face. The track takes a spectacular interest in telling the story like it is, complete with heart-racing guitar licks, electrified screamo, and heavy percussion, all mingled with smart lyrics and fire-catching melodies.


According to Jones, the lyrics reflect that young people, in particular, are considered at risk. “They haven't been able to have normal social contacts for two years now,” he considers, adding that “it’s been hard for them to maintain what’s essential for adolescents.”


“Kill Myself” is the latest song to arrive from Jones’ 2021 release, Beyond The Door — a five-song strong album that delves deep into Jones’ creativity and versatility as a songwriter and composer. A multi-instrumentalist and visionary, the album takes the listener on a soundscape journey through Jones’ inexplicable mind, chasing him through his innate ability to captivate and intrigue. His music videos are equally as impressive, adding an additional layer of thought to the music, directing where Jones wants the song to lead the listener.


On the pounding truth bomb that is “Kill Myself,” Laszlo Jones showcases his most vulnerable side yet. Through a dark and desperate trash-metal anthem comes a plea for understanding — and an ask that the world not forget yet another soul.


“Above all, it’s important that people in suicidal crisis, and their relatives, are able to reach a nationwide emergency number at any time,” Jones insists — reminding that professional and psychological support is available.


“Be attentive,” Jones says. “Being there for each other and offering help is just as important for helping to stall a potential death.”


“Kill Myself” and Beyond The Door are available now.

Once there was Waltari... and Head First.


There's no denying the status of Finnish crossover monster Waltari as the first "metal-like" band export from their home country back in the early 1990s. But only a few can still remember that their singer Kärtsy Hatakka already had another band back then under the name Head First: the only real funk metal band from Finland. And now this very band is releasing their debut, on May 27 via Metalville Records, after 30 years of waiting.


Kärtsy initially played in two bands at the same time, Waltari and Head First. The latter achieved considerable success in the Helsinki area with their danceable mix of funk, metal, and prog rock. In some of the first Waltari songs, the funky influence of Head First was also clearly audible.




"Head First was hip," Kärtsy remembers. "All the big Helsinki live venues loved the band, and bigger and bigger crowds came."


But then Waltari surprisingly got an international record deal in 1991, and the rest is history. And so Head First was put on hold indefinitely. But now, after 30 years, they are back.


A few years ago, the band took the first steps towards re-activation by playing some shows in Helsinki and the surrounding area. So, the wish to finally release a first album became the declared goal of Head First.


Based on the biggest live killers, the existing song material was adapted to today's sound expectations. In addition, some brand-new songs were created. In addition to the three original members Kärtsy, Jaani Marttila, and Sami Timonen, a new bass player, Jesper Anastasiadis, was brought into the band.





Head First means old-school funk metal with a fresh edge of groovy beats and infectious energy.


Further details to follow.


Lineup:


Kärtsy Hatakka - vocals
Jaani Marttila - guitars
Jesper Anastasiadis - bass and backing vocals
Sami Timonen - drums

Avantasia / Edguy mastermind Tobias Sammet has checked in with a new message reflecting on the 18th anniversary of Edguy’s 2004 album, Hellfire Club.





“Happy 18th anniversary, Hellfire Club! 




“It was our first album on a big record label and I think that's when we were at the beginning of our real prime. 


“It was my first album after the first Avantasia chapter had been closed. The Metal Operas had fueled my creativity and given me a new visional angle, and the success of Avantasia had helped putting us on the map of new fans and bigger record labels alike. 


“As a songwriter I had gained a lot of experience which inspired me to move on to the next level. HC and Rocket Ride had been very important albums in this regard, as I managed to incorporate both, my love for European speed metal and classic rock.


“It was a good time for metal and music in general, the record label was hungry, so was the band. All gear wheels intertwined.


“An extreme album and when a friend of mine says that some of the attitude of my new Avantasia album reminds him of my approach in those years, I guess he means it as a compliment and I am proud of that!


“On a funny side note, I just realized that the title reflected my love for Old-English eerie occult things even back then. It's like a thread that runs through everything I do. I read a lot about secret societies back then already, and I had to call the album that, even though it meant it wouldn't have a title track.”

GHOST performed the song "Call Me Little Sunshine" on last night's (Wednesday, March 16) episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". Video of the band's appearance can be seen below.

The Swedish occult rockers were scheduled to perform on the January 20 episode of the ABC show, but pulled out just hours before, explaining that they "had a bit too much going on in Reno, getting all our shit together" for the band's U.S. co-headlining tour with VOLBEAT.

GHOST's 26-date arena tour with VOLBEAT and special guests TWIN TEMPLE kicked off on January 25 in Reno, Nevada and concluded on March 3 in Anaheim, California.

GHOST released its fifth album, "Impera", on March 11 via Loma Vista/Concord. The band's mastermind Tobias Forge worked on the follow-up to 2018's "Prequelle" with producer Klas Åhlund and Swedish co-writers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, whose credits include Madonna and Lady Gaga.

In March 2020, at final show of GHOST's "Prequelle" tour in Mexico City, Mexico, the band officially introduced Papa Emeritus IV, the new character who would front the act for its next LP phase.

Forge performed as a "new" Papa Emeritus on each of the band's first three LPs, with each version of Papa replacing the one that came before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of "Prequelle".

SLIPKNOT has finally officially confirmed the identity of its latest recruit, the percussionist nicknamed Tortilla Man. As widely speculated, SLIPKNOT's newest member is the multi-instrumentalist Michael Pfaff. Pfaff previously played keyboards with SLIPKNOT's Shawn "Clown" Crahan in the band DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS and is also a member of the Iowa-based duo THE SNACKS.

Earlier today, the band's official Instagram account released a photo of a masked Pfaff promoting his upcoming Reddit AMA, with Michael holding a handwritten sign in the picture that says: "I Am Michael Pfaff, AMA Wednesday 3/16/22, 2 pm CT".

Tortilla Man joined SLIPKNOT in May 2019, when he was first featured in the video for comeback single "Unsainted". Since then, there has been much speculation about his name, with some SLIPKNOT fans getting quite obsessed with trying to work out the real identity of the band's latest recruit.

In February 2020, several photos were posted to the Postojna Cave Facebook account supporting the theory that Pfaff was Tortilla Man.

Pfaff's name was first brought up in relation to Tortilla Man in August 2019 when SLIPKNOT guitarist Jim Root gave an interview to "The Art And Span Show" in which he described the mystery man as "a world-class pianist" and "a great percussionist" who is "schooled in music."

Pfaff was apparently introduced to Crahan years ago by SLIPKNOT's resident DJ Sid Wilson, which may explain why Tortilla Man has such good onstage chemistry with Sid and Clown. In addition, Pfaff has a similar build and height as Tortilla Man, and Redditors have found that Pfaff's family members are following "#tortillaman" and other hashtags on social media related to the newest member of SLIPKNOT.

Crahan refused to reveal the identity of the band's mysterious new ninth member in an interview with Kerrang! magazine, saying it was "nobody's fucking business."

SLIPKNOT's previous percussionist, Chris Fehn, sued the band in March 2019, claiming he hadn't been properly compensated for his years of touring and recording with the group. Fehn, a member since 1998, was officially dismissed from the band in 2019.

In an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1, SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor said Tortilla Man had won the respect of bands and fans. "He's doing great and is a great dude," he said. "He's killing it, man."

Asked how anyone becomes an official member of SLIPKNOT, Taylor said: "First of all, you've got to wear the tortilla on your face. And the audience has to figure out who you are. With Tortilla Man, it's kinda cool. It's brought this whole new energy to everybody as well, so it's a lot of fun to watch him as well."

SLIPKNOT's sixth studio album, "We Are Not Your Kind", arrived in August 2019.
























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Finland's Without Warning keep evolving as they release their second single, "Insanity", via Inverse Records. The band is slowly forming their identity as a new band in the scene and they’ve decided to take a darker turn with their new single.





Michaela: "Our second single, 'Insanity', is definitely going to paint our identity clearer and this is the route we’ve decided to continue on as we grow with the band. I’ve always been a fan of darker sounds and horror aspects, so I’m obviously super excited to have that incorporated."




"Delusion"





Line-up:


Vocals: Michaela Tuomenoksa
Guitars: Juuso Javanainen
Bass: Joakim Keuru
Drums: Lauri Tuomenoksa


Photo by Michaela Tuomenoksa