As I May, the four-piece modern melodic metal band from Mikkeli, Finland - formed in 2016, releases its new and third studio album "Karu" today. The band combines modern elements, yet keeps focus on the heavier side of the music, and they sound like a modern-day US mixture of In Flames and Amorphis, so almost any metal fan would get a treat from listening to the music of these Finns. It's a mature band, displaying a truly professional attitude towards the modern sound of heavy metal. The soul of the music lies within the catchy melodies and the big choruses.


Karu is out today on digital, LP (red/black marble, limited to 300 units) and CD formats, via UPRISING! Records. Physical formats can be ordered at targetshop.dk.







Tracklisting:


“Charged”
“Breaking Myself Away”
“Rotten”
“High Octane”
“Under The Gun”
“Devil Rides With Me”
“Broken”
“Black Ink”
“Choke Me”





Line-up:
Lasse Hiltunen - vocals, guitars
Tipi Nokelainen - vocals, bass
Jani Valhola, guitars, vocals
Leevi Räsänen - drums

Having just completed four Canadian tour dates with Dream Theater, Falset featuring Zach Copeland (Vocals/Guitar), Riley Fields (Bass) and Chance LaBrie (Drums), son of
Dream Theater's James LaBrie, have released their new single "Love Me Like My Demons Do".





Chance LaBrie declares “What a stellar way to end a tour - dropping our new single, 'Love Me Like My Demons Do', out now! It was amazing to be out on the road playing in front of music fans. It’s been way too long! We couldn’t be more thrilled with the positive response from the crowds on this last tour with Dream Theater, and we can’t wait to get back out on the road again. We hope you enjoy our newest track.”




Falset shares, "'Love Me Like My Demons Do' is an awesome follow up to our first single, 'Lullabies'. It maintains the core tenets of Falset, but pushes the envelope even further as we express Falset’s new and improved sound. Filled with hook after hook, and a tasty breakdown - it’s very easy to get stuck in your head, and serves as a tip of the hat to our metal roots, fitting into the context of our new album, Monarch seamlessly. 'Love me like my demons do' - the line has a hidden, but equally straightforward meaning: everybody has regrets, everybody has weaknesses, everybody has struggles, but through all of it everyone needs to see past the negative and find those beautiful parts that give people reason to love themselves, and receive the happiness they deserve. The 'demons' in our lives are things that may be dragging us down, but they were there for us at the right time, when we needed them, to get us to where we are now. There’s no going back, anyways."





Canadian rock band, Falset, released their debut album, We Follow or Lead the Way, in October of 2020 to a tremendous response. The band have been together unofficially for six years now, since their high school days, and officially since their first EP release in 2018. These guys have shown strong work ethic, dedication, and have made Falset’s success their main goal. Since 2018, they have seen steady growth and a rapidly expanding fan base. Falset is comprised of primary songwriters Zach Copeland (Vocals/Guitar), Riley Fields (Bass) and Chance LaBrie (Drums), son of Dream Theater's James LaBrie.


Falset puts tremendous thought and energy into their live sets. Having fine-tuned their performance playing over a hundred shows in Ontario clubs, as well as some notable venues and events such as: Vans Warped Tour 2018 (Full Sail Stage), The Opera House in Toronto (supporting All That Remains), Mod Club, Sneaky Dee’s, and Hard Luck Bar in Toronto, Ontario.

Former After Forever guitarist Sander Gommans, who launched his HDK project in 2009, has released a new song called "Borderland" along with the following message:


"Being a father of three daughters, I can’t imagine the despair of all of those unwillingly involved in the current nightmare we’re all witnessing. Therefore, I’ve decided to dedicate my first new HDK song, 'Borderland', to all of those trapped in a war they never wanted. No politics or pointing fingers, just both feeling sad for all of the victims as well impressed by the faith and persistence they’re showing: 


Thanks Monica Janssen for the awesome guest vocals, Frank Schiphorst for a brilliant guitar solo, and Joeri Warmerdam for some ultra heavy drums. More songs soon, also introducing a new concept by Magic-O-Metal called Serenades Of The Netherworld. Had planned to tell you much more about that, but in all honesty, that can wait in light of recent events. 




Hope you enjoy the song and the great video created by Menno Kappe and if possible, give the people in need some support!" 





Sander Gommans: "Every person will have to face situations in their lives in which they have to stand up for what they believe in. Sometimes it's a choice, but at other times you're forced to defend what you and your ancestors have built up. To fight for your identity and who you are or want to be. Sometimes it is just a matter of where you happened to be born. 


The whole world is just shocked to experience another war, where it appears that again, David is up against Goliath. Ordinary people, recklessly becoming victims of the powers that be. Where people can do nothing else than to defend their bare existence. But not only that of their own. We can only have the utmost respect and admiration for the courage and the spirit of so many people, defending and sacrificing their personal lives for the values and principles many of us wish to live by.


This is not a song about politics nor about pointing fingers. It is a song about inner strength and the determination people show to stand tall despite the risks for their personal lives ... even if the opposing force is overwhelming and seems to be unbeatable. No matter which side, our thoughts are with every man, womand and child who are unwillingly involved in this current and horrific conflict.


'Borderland' initially had a different title, but with the exact same lyrics. It was written at a time in which we could not yet imagine nor have any notion of what was about to happen. While working on the last details of the video for this track, it struck us how relevant this song had become in the light of what happened. This song has now chosen its own destiny in support of all the incredibly brave people who are now determined to defend themselves, others, and foremost the future of their but also our children.


'Borderland' was and will still be the first song of a new concept, Serenades Of The Netherworld, by Magic-O-Metal. The concept was born from the idea to give a voice to the many talents who wish to carry or pass on the torch of the metal music genre, regardless of whether one is new at the scene or considered to be a veteran. We invite bands and / or solo artists to contribute music to this concept, but most of all we encourage everyone to create new things ‘metal‘ through all sorts of musical collaborations. This is where 'Serenades of The Netherworld' can make a difference in creating and releasing music in new and different ways.


We now start the journey of Serenades Of The Netherworld with 'Borderland' as an unplanned tribute to the brave souls fighting for what they believe in. This track is in support of the people and the refugees from Ukraine. We kindly ask everyone not just to watch this video, but to come to the aid of these people, especially the children, who became involuntary victims. Please donate generously to UNICEF or to any other cause which will hopefully provide some relief for those in need."

PRETTY MAIDS singer Ronnie Atkins, who is battling stage four cancer, spoke about his condition during a recent interview with "The Bay Ragni Show". Reflecting on how he was first diagnosed with the disease. Ronnie said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When I first got it… I knew there was something wrong during the summer of 2019. I had back issues for years, but I had this kind of non-pain, strange pain. It's something you know yourself if there's something wrong. My mother had the same thing, and she died of it. I was 22, actually; my mother was 57. So I went to the doctor, and he said, 'I think you just struck a nerve or something.' I said, 'We should check it out.' And they sent me off. And then, the very same day, they said they found a spot in the lungs. Then I had to go through the whole thing. I had two biopsies, having a needle stuck into my lungs. It was just a very bad experience."

He continued: "I'd been smoking for 40 years at the time — or 35 years at that time. I actually quit smoking, but I'd been a heavy smoker for years. And I also had my share of alcohol; that's no secret. And those two things combined is deadly. But I lived a fucking rock and roll life. I don't regret my life, because I had a great life; I had a great run. And that's also what some of the songs [on my solo albums] are all about. We take everything for granted. That's what life is all about. That's what we do — when we're good and we're healthy — and that's the way it should be; we shouldn't walk around thinking about death. So when I finally was told it was cancer, I wasn't surprised. But then again, I had some panic attacks. It took me a long time to kind of cope with it. But music helped me through it."

Asked if it's difficult for him to talk about his cancer battle now, Atkins said: "When I did [my] 'One Shot' [solo] album [in 2020], it's maybe a little bit more emotional and melancholic and reflecting than [my upcoming] album ['Make It Count'] is, but this album is as well 'cause it's still in my head. But I was kind of weak when I did that album in the summer of 2020. When we did this one. I kind of learned how to cope with it — if you can ever learn to cope with it. You've just gotta be realistic and say, 'Okay, it is what it is.' I can't change that. I can just hope that science can prolong my life as much as possible. I do everything I can myself… Well, I don't. I train every day. I still have a glass of wine and a beer and stuff like that. I don't smoke anymore, of course. So I hope that with the help of the higher powers and the good doctors and science that I'll be allowed some more years in life 'cause I've got a lot more to offer.

"I'm very realistic about the situation, so I can talk to people," he explained. "People come and say to me, 'But you look good.' I had immunotherapy and that kind of fucked things up in my body, but I was never really sick from the chemo and the radiation and the immunotherapy. Sometimes I was, but basically when I look at a lot of other people with cancer, I've been very fortunate. So I basically have been feeling good — as good as I can."

After being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, the now-57-year-old Atkins underwent at least 33 radiation and four chemotherapy treatments in the fall of that year before being declared cancer-free. In October 2020, he announced that his cancer had returned.

In a 2013 interview with Myglobalmind, Atkins joked that the secret to keeping his voice in shape was "twenty cigarettes a day and little drink now and then."

Formed in early 1982 by Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer, PRETTY MAIDS' third album, 1987's "Future World", is still today regarded as a "classic."

During the ensuing years, PRETTY MAIDS continued to release albums usually followed by European and Japanese tours.

PRETTY MAIDS' latest album, "Undress Your Madness", came out in November 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.

"Make It Count" will be released on March 18 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Finnish sleaze rockers, Reckless Love, return with their fifth studio album, Turborider, out on March 25 via AFM Records. Pre-order the album here. The rockers have cranked a "sinfully synthful" cover of Ozzy Osbourne classic "Bark At The Moon"; listen below. 


Reckless Love comment:


“We are super excited to announce that our cover of the legendary Ozzy Osbourne song, which is also the fourth single from our upcoming album Turborider, is out now on all streaming platforms.




“Crank up the volume and enjoy the ride on our sinfully synthful version of this ‘80s heavy metal masterpiece!!!”


Stream/save the single here.


Following a 4-year hiatus and just recently receiving gold awards for their first three albums in Finland, singer Olli Herman and his band are now gearing up for their next move: Turborider is high-energy, synth wave-infused rock with an undeniable 80’s touch. Fun? Check! Uplifting? Check! Turborider will make you forget the world around you and its infectious hooks will make you sing along all day.


Switching to a more serious gear, Reckless Love now (re-)visit e.g. the 80s game worlds. At the center of the sounds are 80s themes and the modern dark-speaking world of synth wave. The band dived deep into to the game world and the movie moods of the genre and era.


"‘Outrun‘ was the first song we wrote for the Turborider album, so I think it makes perfect sense that it’s also the first single cut from the album. Somehow, this catchy little tune managed to encapsulate all of the stuff that is built into the genetics of every kid that grew up during the era of arcade games, long haired metal bands and explosive action movies. The lyrics are filled with themes and entertaining wordplays, that put supercharged motor racing and hormone rich competitions, side by side. In the sound department, the 80’s-esque pop metal roars loud and clear, however, it’s also strongly colored with a modern synth wave flavor, whipping up an interesting cocktail”, says Reckless Love vocalist Olli.


Founded in 2001, Reckless Love has released four albums, Reckless Love (2010), Animal Attraction (2011), Spirit (2013) and Invader (2016). The band's previous long play has been released more than five years ago, so we can talk about a return of the band.  


“We had a long break from recording and as the break got longer, the higher the threshold became to start working on new music, let alone publish it. Although it was clear that we always had the desire to continue our career, it felt like we needed to find a new perspective for our creative expression. We had to write 'Outrun' to be reborn – and we did. This song showed us the way how to write the new album. 'Outrun' is a beacon on our way to reincarnation”, Olli continues.


Another exciting song on the Turborider album is its second single, "Eyes Of A Maniac", which offers an interesting perspective. "I rarely write about the scarier or darker stuff that happens to me in life“, comments Olli. „The vast majority of Reckless Love’s songs tend to be more on the sunny side of the road, but I decided to make an exception this time. This song is all about the monster that you can not run away from. The one that keeps following you in every mirror, no matter where you go.”


Reckless Love’s fifth studio album, Turborider, will be released on February 25 - and besides digipak and coloured vinyl, the band is offering something very special to their fans: The limited box set will include the digipak CD, an autograph card and a handheld video game.


Turborider was produced by Jonas Parkkonen (Apocalyptica, Lost Society) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein, Lordi, Volbeat).





Tracklisting:


"Turborider"
"Eyes Of A Maniac"
"Outrun"
"Kids Of The Arcade"
"Bark At The Moon" (Ozzy Osbourne cover)
"Prelude (Flight Of The Cobra)"
"Like A Cobra"
"For The Love Of Good Times"
"’89 Sparkle"
"Future Lover Boy"
"Prodigal Sons"


"Bark At The Moon":





"Turborider" video:





"Outrun" video:





"Eyes Of A Maniac" lyric video:

Since 2016, God has been challenging listeners to consider Him as well as their life and death through the power of progressive, multi layered instrumental music. God is void of all lyrics to allow inception to take place in the mind of each listener as they listen to the music. The journey to create 33 albums before death continues with the latest release, God V - Sin - Part I. This much shorter, easier to consume God release takes on the process of sin itself, the seven deadly sins and the paradoxical. God is a musical journey of progressive metal styles blended into one, thematic, cinematic, musical score set across 33 concept albums. Download the album for free on Bandcamp.





God’s epic sound is captured using three types of bass guitar, one hybrid, and a variety of electric and acoustic guitars. There are no synths employed on any of God’s albums.




The motivation behind God stems this mysterious sinner’s personal failure to read the Holy Bible fully, instead relying on others’ interpretations and beliefs. “Basically, believing without reading was a failure to the foundation of personal faith,” God says. In 2016, the enigmatic musician was called to explore and create as a personal testimony in life till death. God’s goal is to release 33 albums before death.


The God moniker is not intended to express delusions of grandeur, but rather to use the concept of “inception,” where a small idea propagates into a powerful concept in one’s mind. Using this concept, God is simply used as a word, and its interpretations lay in the mind of the listener. Similarly, God’s music is a spiritual journey left to listener’s own mind and experience.


Thousands of fans across 77 countries of been listening, sharing and supporting God. 9.2 hours of God's, progressive instrumental music has been released since 2016.


All God music is free for the lifetime of the project on Bandcamp. Each album releases first on Bandcamp, then major streaming platforms worldwide following each release.

On Saturday (March 5), model, dancer and actress Diana Lynn conducted an interview with former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson at the PA Horror Con at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Allentown Lehigh Valley in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about his involvement in the upcoming feature-length documentary "This Was My Life: The Story Of Nick Menza", which is described as an "exploration of the late MEGADETH drummer's life," Ellefson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Nick Menza, who many know [was] the drummer of MEGADETH for the decade of the '90s — '89 [to] '98 — he left the group in '98 and then he passed away onstage playing with another former MEGADETH guitar player, Chris Poland; they had a band together. And they were playing at the Baked Potato in Studio City [California], which is a jazz nightclub. Nick's dad, Don Menza, a very esteemed saxophone player — he played the theme of the 'Pink Panther', if you remember that movie — so it's interesting, 'cause one of his friends, Don Randi, owns the Baked Potato. So the two Dons kind of grew up together in the business. Don's son Dave Randi and Nick Menza and I used to go mountain biking together. So it's kind of fun little North Hollywood/Studio City consortium of kind of the who's who in the jazz world.

"So, yeah, Nick passed away," David continued. "So we're doing a documentary film that I'm co-producing. And what's fun is… When we stated making the soundtrack, Nick's got all these drum tracks that he had recorded… I didn't realize how prolific Nick was after MEGADETH. I knew a few things that he had done. But now that I have the key to the vault and I'm listening to the stuff, I'm, like, going, 'Wow.' There was a lot of stuff that he did. So I grabbed a bunch of friends. I thought, 'We should just write some new stuff over these drum tracks.' So that's what we're doing. And it's really fun to write songs with Nick. Even though Nick's no longer with us here on the earthy plane, he left behind some great tracks. So we're writing songs to them. So this will be this new kind of soundtrack to go along with the movie, as a companion. And so Nick is the co-writer. And the whole purpose of doing it is not only to honor Nick's life, because he has so many fans that it's kind of nice to tell the whole story of his life, but also the proceeds from it will go to his family. He's got two boys, so that'll go to kind of help them out and just kind of keep money in the pipeline for Nick. So it's a labor of love."

"This Was My Life" will be the first-ever film to memorialize Menza's legacy and celebrate his life exactly how it was. It is described in a press release as "an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life Including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic 'Rust In Peace' lineup."

"This Was My Life" will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick's archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.

The cover photo for the film was shot by Los Angeles music photographer Alex Solca and designed by Brazilian artwork designer Alcides Burn of Burn Artworks.

Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari in their band OHM: at the Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.




https://youtube.com/user/76DianaLynn https://instagram.com/76dianalynn?r=nametag

Posted by Diana Lynn on Sunday, March 6, 2022



David Ellefson is coming to PA Horror Con!

David Ellefson is best known for his long tenure as the bassist for American…

Posted by PA Horror Con and Film Festival on Friday, February 4, 2022

Boston-based heavy rockers Mammothor have released an official lyric video from the song "M.O.A.B.". taken from their latest full-length album, The Ecstasy Of Silence... The Agony Of Dreams. Check  it out below.


The album is available now in CD format through retailer Bull Moose here and later, on all major streaming platforms.










Tracklist:


"M.O.A.B."
"Novocaine"
"You Don't Know Me"
"Hitcher"
"Take the World"
"Parasomnia"
"[Breaking News]"
"Bury The Motive"
"Trial by Fire"
"The Red State Blues"
"Final Hour"
"Do You Call My Name"


"Take The World"

The clip below is a remastered and enhanced Neil Peart drum solo, originally pro-shot on the Rush Presto Tour 1990 in Mountain View, CA courtesy of StickHits.


StickHits: "This video is notoriously poor quality both audio and video wise, but I found I was able to get it to the point where I would find it pretty enjoyable for historical purposes. The original audio is bone-dry, flat, and very muted with absolutely no ambience that makes it a very strange experience to watch, so with FL Studio I made quite a few tweaks to make it sound more like other Neil solos from the era."







Back in October 2021, Modern Drummer announced plans to present an up-and-coming drummer with the annual "Neil Peart Spirit Of Drumming Scholarship" in memore of Rush drummer Neil Peart, with the support of his family,


The scholarship, originally announced at the 2020 Modern Drummer Festival by Carrie Nutall-Peart, provides the recipient with 52 weeks of free drum lessons from world-class drum instructor Dom Famularo, along with a 1-year subscription to Modern Drummer All Access, plus a selection of classic Rush album releases from Universal Music Enterprises.


Modern Drummer has announced Maxx Rinkus as the first recipient of the scholarship.


In the clip below Nuttall-Peart, Modern Drummer CEO David Frangioni, educator Dom Famularo and Dennis Wolfe of Universal Music present Rinkus with the scholarship.


Nuttall-Peart: "Education was a big thing for Neil. He did his educational videos, and I know that this particular award, out of a lot of other things, would mean such a great deal to him because he truly believed in passing on his knowledge and helping young people learn. It warms my heart and touches me because I know that he would love the fact that we're doing this."








Potential recipients of the scholarship must be qualified entrants to participate. A "qualified entrant" is defined as someone who is a legal US citizen between the ages of 14 and 21, is not a professional musician, and is not a party to any sponsorship or entertainment contract that, in Modern Drummer's judgment, conflicts with the spirit of the scholarship.


Potential recipients must submit up to a 2-minute video of their playing AND a short essay describing why this scholarship will be significant to both their life and their drumming. The impact on their drumming that has been inspired by Neil's playing and legacy.


To enter and for full Official Rules, go here, fill out the form and upload the video along with your essay.

Greek black metal purveyors, Lucifer's Child (pictured above)are back with a new single "Nova Tenebris", taken from their split release with Brazil's  Mystifier, Under Satan's Wrath. While the split is set to be released on March 25 on Agonia Records, the song is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen to "Nova Tenebris" below.


Put together despite an ocean's distance, Under Satan's Warth displays the borderlessness of black metal in the strict sense. The collision of Brazilian occultism & Hellenic blasphemy ensues blistering sonic impressions in a hellish dance of cultures, robed in a gold black garment from Mitchell Nolte (Aborted, Baest).


George Emmanuel (ex-Rotting Christ), who co-launched Lucifer's Child in 2013, commented: "After almost a year and half of isolation and profound research, we gave birth to a new seed of evil, Under Satan's Wrath' This deep rooted journey contains three new songs from each band, with some special revelations where conspiracies between Mystifier and Lucifer's Child divulge. A further step beyond the borders of safety, a further step into the abyss where our freedom to craft and sculpt our sound liberates."




On behalf of Mystifier, whose been around since 1989, founder Beelzeebubth commented: "It's a pleasure taking part on this monumental split EP with our Greek comrades. It was the right moment to reveal our new band members: Kaverna on lead guitar and Apophys on drums. We met George during a long European tour in 2016. Nice to see him conquer the world with Lucifer's Child. Hope in the next days, after this pandemic lockdown, we can share the stage together again."


All Mystifier tracks where recorded and mixed at Usb Studio (rhythm guitars) and Darkside Studio (drums, lead guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals). All Lucifer's Child tracks where recorded and mixed at Pentagram Studio (Rotting Christ, Septicflesh). The latter mastered the split.





Tracklisting:


"Death Beyond Holy Creation"
"Under Inhumane Evil Spells"
"Worship Her" (Samael cover)
"Satan's Wrath"
"Nova Tenebris"
"Enter The Eternal Fire" (Bathory cover)


"Nova Tenebris" (Lucifer's Child):





"Satan's Wrath" lyric video:





(Photo - Stamos Abatis)

Swedish metal veterans The Defaced have released a new video for the song "Wreck", which is taken from the band's upcoming new album Charlatans - out today (March 4) on vinyl, CD and digital.





The band comments on the song, saying: “The lyrics are about the aftermath of an ended relationship. The feelings one can feel after the dust has settled after the initial shock and hypertension has left body and soul. One can still have a deep attraction to each other but there is no way the relationship can continue, too much trust and hard words have been spilled along the way and the sadness that can bring to both parties."




They go on to add, "We have always been very intrigued by soviet propaganda posters and esthetics. A relationship can sometimes feel like a totalitarian state, where you sometimes can feel that your personal freedom is restricted. I was in East Berlin with my parents a couple of months before the Berlin wall was torn down and I still remember the gloominess of grayness of the buildings and clothes. The lyrics are projected upon walls just like communistic propaganda. I love how our video producer (Rob Hakemo) imitated the Cyrillic alphabet, it created an extra tension to the video.”





Stream/purchase Charlatans here.

Scorpions have released another lyric video for a song from their recently released new album, Rock Believer. Watch the clip for "Knock 'Em Dead" below:





Rock Believer can be ordered here.







Rock Believer tracklisting:


"Gas In The Tank"              
"Roots In My Boots"              
"Knock 'Em Dead"              
"Rock Believer"              
"Shining Of Your Soul"              
"Seventh Sun"              
"Hot And Cold"              
"When I Lay My Bones To Rest"              
"Peacemaker"
"Call Of The Wild"              
"When You Know (Where You Come From)"             


Limited deluxe edition bonus tracks:


"Shoot For Your Heart"    
"When Tomorrow Comes"    
"Unleash The Beast"    
"Crossing Borders"    
"When You Know (Where You Come From)"


Album samples:





"Roots In My Boots" lyric video:





"Gas In The Tank" lyric video:





"When You Know (Where You Come From)" video:





"Seventh Sun" lyric video:





"Shining Of Your Soul":





"Rock Believer" video:





"Peacemaker" video:





Rock Believer - The Journey videos:


Part 1:





Part 2:





Part 3:





Scorpions will kick off their Rock Believer World Tour this month in Las Vegas, where the band will play nine shows as part of their residency at Planet Hollywood Hotel. Afterwards, they will cross the Atlantic to Europe where they will play six concerts in France and six shows in Germany supported by Wolfgang Van Halen’s new band, Mammoth WVH.


Skid Row will be the opening band for all nine shows of Scorpions' Sin City Nights 2022 Las Vegas residency, thereby replacing previously announced support act, Queensrÿche. Scorpions' stint in Vegas was originally supposed to happen in July 2020, then it got pushed back to May 2021, only to be rescheduled to March - April 2022 at Zappos Theater inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.


Tour dates:


March
​26 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
30 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV


April
1 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
3 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
7 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
9 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
12 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
14 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV
16 - Zappos Theater - Las Vegas, NV


May
10 - Altice Arena - Lisbon, Portugal
13 - Zenith Toulouse Metropole - Toulouse, France
15 - Zenith De Lille - Lille, France
17 - Accorhotels Arena - Paris, France
21 - Hallenstadion - Zurich, Switzerland
23 - Arena Di Verona - Verona, Italy
26 - O2 Arena - Prague, Czech Republic
28 - Tauron Arena - Kraków, Poland
30 - Laszlo Papp Sports Arena - Budapest, Hungary


June
3 - Rockfest - Helsinki, Finland
8 - Schleyerhalle - Stuttgart, Germany*
10 - Olympiahalle - Munich, Germany*
12 - Festhalle - Frankfurt, Germany*
16 - Mercedes-Benz Arena - Berlin, Germany*
17 - Zag Arena - Hannover, Germany*
19 - Westfalenhalle - Dortmund, Germany*
23 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
25 - Rock Imperium Festival - Cartagena, Spain
28 - Palais Nikaia - Nice, France
30 - Le Galaxie - Amneville, France


July
2 - Zenith D'Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand, France


* with Mammoth WVH

Florida-based death/thrash metal band, Inhumane Condition, featuring former Massacre members Terry Butler (Obituary, Death, Six Feet Under) on bass, Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc, The Absence, Ex Deo) on drums and vocals, and Taylor Nordberg (Deicide, The Absence) on guitar, will release their new album, Fearsick, on July 15 via Listenable Insanity Records.


Says the band: "We are Florida’s death dealers... We are extremely pleased to announce our second album, Fearsick, will be out July 15th on Listenable Insanity Records!! Here is the spectacular artwork done, once again, by Dan “Babe Ruth” Goldsworthy Art. More details and the first single will be announced soon! CHEERS!"







Inhuman Condition is:


Jeramie Kling - vocals/drums
Terry Butler - bass
Taylor Nordberg - guitars


(Photo - Deidra Kling - Art)

Pure Reason Revolution announce that their fifth studio album, Above Cirrus, will be released on May 6 via InsideOutMusic. The is the follow-up to 2020’s Eupnea, which was the band’s first record since reuniting in 2019.


This time around, Jon Courtney, Chloë Alper & Greg Jong (who returns as a full-time member for the first time since the Cautionary Tales For The Brave EP) find themselves adapting to a world that is radically changing before their eyes, and on this new record, exorcising the isolation and uncertainty in search of something greater.


Today also sees the launch of the album’s first single, the epic 9 minute track, "New Kind of Evil".




Greg Jong comments of the track: “When Jon first played me his initial version of 'New Kind Of Evil', I was honestly astonished by the beautiful melding of the halftime shuffle beat with such a giant yet melodious guitar riff. Then the synth line and vocal melodies entered and elevated the emotion even further - it was a really cool moment, I hope people hearing it for the first time experience a similar feeling.”


Jon Courtney adds: “Very excited to get the first of our new material out there in 2022. This was the first track I worked on in 2020, the embryo formed in the midst of tidal waves of uncertainty. I wanted the rollercoaster of a track to mirror that uneasiness & surreal bewilderment.”


Watch the video, created by Thomas Hicks, below.


Of the new album Above Cirrus, Chloë Alper comments: "Since Pure Reason Revolution's reformation I feel that this band has embraced its identity and its place within the progressive rock genre with a force, confidence and grandeur that radiates through the work. This new record fills me with as much pride as it does head-to-toe tingles. I am excited for the music loving community to hear it and excited for the prospect of it growing our reach."


On Above Cirrus, the band continues many of the musical through lines that fans have come to expect; maintaining a balance between somber reflection and intrepid exploration, leading listeners through a shapeshifting collection of seven tracks that evoke a range of emotions. On the songs "Our Prism" and "New Kind of Evil", the energy reaches magnificent heights of guitar-led catharsis, rivaling the best efforts of acts like Tool and Filter, while offerings in "Lucid" and "Dead Butterfly" meld the group’s keyboard-centric song-structures with vast, epic soundscapes. But, unlike its predecessor, Above Cirrus is far from a narrative driven concept record. As Jon confides, each song, while fueled by his personal journeys and the condition of modern times, is truly its own device. Reflecting on the lyricism of the record, he adds:


“Often my writing occupies itself with relationships; how we can be so tender/loving with each other in one instance, days later or even in a few flashes we’re tearing each other apart. The sublime & the savage/vicious. The music reflects this light & shade dynamic shift too. Our world shrinks through lockdowns/restrictions & strain is intensified. However, the end message is one of optimism – affirmation we’ll get to the end of this surreal chapter & be stronger together. Through the turbulence, we’ll help each other through the darkness.”


The album will be released as Limited CD, Gatefold LP+CD & as Digital Download, featuring beautiful cover artwork by artist Jill Tegan Doherty, who previously created the cover for Eupnea.


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Our Prism"
"New Kind Of Evil"
"Phantoms"
"Cruel Deliverance"
"Scream Sideways"
"Dead Butterfly"
"Lucid"


"New Kind Of Evil" video:

Sabaton’s tenth album, The War To End All Wars, is now available via Nuclear Blast Records. The new masterpiece from the Swedish metal force is determined to shake the world in its foundations, introducing a new era in the band's remarkable career.


The band states: "With our last album, The Great War, we found that we had only scratched the surface in terms of the powerful stories of courage and bravery and also the horrors that took place during the first World War. Fans would contact us and tell us these amazing stories from World War One that none of us had ever heard of before. Incredible, human tales like the British and German soldiers who put down their weapons on Christmas Eve in 1914 to share a moment of peace and reconciliation, right there on the battlefield; or the brave soldiers who fought in the White War, some 12,000 feet up in the Alps, who froze to death and whose bodies remain under the snow to this day. These are magnificent stories about everyday people who were willing to give their lives for something that was bigger than themselves. Marrying these true tales to loud, bruising, bone tingling heavy metal? Adding a second chapter to one the most frightening and liberating times in history? Why wouldn’t we make this album?"


To celebrate the release, Sabaton releases a video for their fourth single, "Race To The Sea". 'Race To The Sea' is a song about the decision from Albert of Belgium during WW1 to flood the last part of Belgium and with the help of water prevent all of Belgium to fall into German hands.







Order the album here.





The War To End All Wars tracklisting:


"Sarajevo"
"Stormtroopers"
"Dreadnought"
"The Unkillable Soldier"
"Soldier Of Heaven"
"Hellfighters"
"Race To The Sea"
"Lady Of The Dark"
"The Valley Of Death"
"Christmas Truce"
"Versailles"


"The Unkillable Soldier" video:





"The Unkillable Soldier" lyric video:





"Soldier Of Heaven" lyric video:





"Soldier Of Heaven" video:





"Christmas Truce" animated story video:





"Christmas Truce" lyric video:





"Christmas Truce" music video:





Following a 29-date headline tour of Sweden, Sabaton mark the release of the new album with The Tour To End All Tours, a massive five-week European trek supported by The Hu and Lordi. Complete dates and ticket information are available here.

Dee Snider performed at this year's edition of the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

The TWISTED SISTER singer and his solo band appeared last night (Saturday, March 5). Video of their performance can be seen below.

The Arnold Sports Festival is being held March 3-6 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and other venues, including the Ohio Expo Center.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's event, which draws more than 20,000 athletes and 200,000 fans to Columbus, was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 20,000 athletes from more than 80 nations are expected to appear at the festival, participating in about 60 sports.

Early Saturday morning, Snider took to his Twitter to share a new photo of him with Schwarzenegger, and he included the following caption: Pretty incredible night last night. Had dinner with a personal hero and inspiration @Schwarzenegger ! When the cameras came out he said, 'Let's do The Predator pose!' #lifegoals".

Dee's fifth solo album, "Leave A Scar", was released last July via Napalm Records.

In 2016, TWISTED SISTER embarked on one final trek, titled "Forty And Fuck It", in celebration of its 40th anniversary. These shows featured the band's "core lineup" of Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, and bassist Mark Mendoza, along with drummer Mike Portnoy. The band's last-ever concert took place in November of that year — 20 months after the passing of drummer A.J. Pero.

TWISTED SISTER's original run ended in the late '80s. After more than a decade, the band publicly reunited in November 2001 to top the bill of New York Steel, a hard-rock benefit concert to raise money for the New York Police And Fire Widows' And Children's Benefit Fund.

The surviving members of the classic lineup of TWISTED SISTER — Snider, French, Ojeda and Mendoza — reunited virtually on March 20, 2021 for a special episode of Mendoza's Internet TV show "22 Now". The hour-and-a-half-long program was a tribute to Pero, who died exactly six years earlier at the age of 55 while on tour with the band ADRENALINE MOB.

Prior to last March's virtual reunion, the four surviving members of TWISTED SISTER reunited for two days and nights in November 2019 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the band's classic album "Stay Hungry".




DEE SNIDER of “Twisted Sister” opens up the 2022 ARNOLD CLASSIC in Columbus, Ohio this Saturday evening!! I suppose he can now call himself the “Twisted Lifter”…????

Posted by Dave Liberman on Saturday, March 5, 2022





Pretty incredible night last night. Had dinner with a personal hero and inspiration @Schwarzenegger! When the cameras came out he said, “Let’s do The Predator pose!” #lifegoals pic.twitter.com/lA5UyKDlif

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 5, 2022








Amazing moment last night at The Arnold Fitness Fest when I got to present ⁦@Schwarzenegger⁩, the man who inspired ⁦⁦@TwistedSisterNY⁩ biggest album, a plaque for more than 8 million albums sold worldwide! #myhero pic.twitter.com/soII96btFh

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 6, 2022








Thank you so much, @deesnider! I will treasure this and keep it on the wall in the gym to inspire me! https://t.co/xITxFQJeZs

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 6, 2022






COLUMBUS ARE YOU READY TO ROCK!?!

We’ve decided to kick off Saturday’s finals just a little bit different this year!...

Posted by Arnold Sports Festival on Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman performed at the opening ceremony of this year's Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 6.

The Tokyo Marathon 2022, one of the biggest marathons in Japan, ran through Tokyo's tourist sites, accommodating recreational runners and world's best elite runners. It was the first Tokyo Marathon in two years, as the 2021 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through its theme, "The Day We Unite.", the Tokyo Marathon brings together runners, volunteers and spectators.

Marty shared video of him performing at this year's event, and he included the following message: "Just played the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Marathon! This is my 4th year doing it, but today I played 3 times as the runners spread out their starting times into 3 groups. After many postponements, to see the marathon back up and running (pun intended) was a wonderful and positive sight to see!"

This year's Tokyo Marathon was won by Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic marathon champion and world-record holder, who came in first with a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 40 seconds, the fourth-fastest marathon in history.

Kipchoge has now won 14 marathons overall, including nine World Marathon Major events and two Olympic marathons.

Marty's presence in the world of music, the world of guitar and Japanese pop culture is mystifying, bizarre, and nothing short of inspiring. His first major impact in music was in the game-changing guitar duo CACOPHONY, which he founded with equally enigmatic and now-legendary guitarist Jason Becker. He then spent 10 years as lead guitarist in the genre-defining thrash metal act MEGADETH before moving to Tokyo due to his love for Japanese music, language, and culture.

Following his move, he landed a starring role for a new TV comedy "Hebimeta-san" ("Mr. Heavy Metal") and its spinoff, "Rock Fujiyama", which ran for six seasons and propelled him into the living rooms of Japan's mainstream. He has since appeared in over 800 TV shows, movies and commercials, including a two-year campaign with Coca-Cola for Fanta, authored two best-selling novels and was the first-ever foreigner to be appointed as an ambassador of Japan heritage and perform at the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Marathon in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

At the same time, Marty has continued his career in music with several solo albums in addition to writing and performing with the top artists in Japanese music, racking up countless chart hits, including a No. 1 with SMAP, two No. 2 songs with MOMOIRO CLOVER, a No. 2 with SOUND HORIZON — just to name a few.




Just played the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Marathon! This is my 4th year doing it, but today I played 3 times as the runners spread out their starting times into 3 groups. After many postponements, to see the marathon back up and running (pun intended) was a wonderful and positive sight to see!

Posted by Marty Friedman on Saturday, March 5, 2022

In support of Wicked's upcoming release The Last American Rock Band on March 11, 2022, the band is excited to share their first of many music video releases this year.


The official music video "Hot Stage Lights" is the perfect cornerstone for Wicked's new album that embodies a celebration of the unreleased years of the band and the turning point of much more new music and releases to come – BraveWords is premiering the vide – watch below!







The video was shot by long time rock ‘n’ roll pier Tom Ende (of the late band Nasty Habit) and is a great depiction of Wicked's over the top, classic rock ‘n’ roll stage appearance that the band has been known for at their live shows.


With big arena Hysteria type vibes, the song itself comes from the earlier part of Wicked's unreleased catalogue and lyrically reminisces the feelings of being on the road playing shows and paying the rock ‘n’ roll dues.





"We decided to record some of our unreleased music and a bunch of new songs when COVID hit and this video really inspired us to use our time to focus on some exciting content creation" - Chad Michael


"Don't be fooled by the video, this is the first and only time Danny has ever driven the van, I'm always driving these guys around!" - GG


"Tom Ende was perfect for capturing this video! He has the skills and that rock ‘n’ roll running through his blood to make it happen!" - Scotty V


"We're super excited for our fans to see this video and the several others we captured over the lockdown times" - Danny


For more information, head here.


(Photo - Tom Ende Photography)

Adult Swim Singles is kicking off 2019 with a very special 20th instalment of the current program: a new song by Integrity, one of the most incendiary and influential bands in hardcore and modern metal history. Listen to the exclusive track, “All Death Is Mine”, here.

Integrity kick off 2019 with a special two-day festival this weekend (January 11th, 12th) at Metro Gallery in Baltimore, MD. Integrity will headline both nights performing different setlists throughout the band’s legendary discography.

The first night support will be provided by Genocide Pact, Devil Master, In Cold Blood & Psywarfare (vocalist Dwid Hellion’s noise project). The second night support features Full of Hell, ILSA & Year of the Knife.

Additionally, Integrity recently announced two California concerts on April 18th, 19th with support from Toxic Holocaust, All Out Raw, and Funeral Chic. All confirmed 2019 Integrity concerts are available below.

January
11 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery (with Genocide Pact, Devil Master, In Cold Blood & Psywarfare)
12 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery (with Full of Hell, ILSA & Year Of The Knife)

February
16 - Vancouver, BC - DPK Five Year Anniversary

April
18 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick (with Toxic Holocaust, All Out War, Funeral Chic)
19 - Los Angeles, CA - Catch One (with Toxic Holocaust, All Out War, Funeral Chic)

May
24 - Erica, NL - Pitfest

June
7-10 - Austin, TX - Austin Terror Fest

In a new interview with Greg Prato of Consequence, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson was asked for an update on the progress of the songwriting sessions for his next solo album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been working on it, on and off, since [2005's] 'Tyranny Of Souls'. But between lockdowns and albums and MAIDEN tours and everything else, I'm looking for a clear space to actually nail and say, 'Okay, this is what it's gonna be,' and get [longtime collaborator] Roy ['Z' Ramirez] to put some backing tracks down. And then we can do it. So we're at the point now where we've already got — I don't know — anywhere between 50 and 70 percent of the material for the album, depend[ing] on what we pick, from things we've already got. And I think we'd like to tweak it a little bit. So I've got some time. When I finish this [U.S. spoken-word tour] in March, I've got three weeks in L.A. And so I'm gonna be tweaking a few things with Roy. And we'll see where we get to. And if we get to the point where we can start putting backing tracks down, then I'll be off touring with MAIDEN and he can be chipping away doing the backing tracks. And the technology exists now, of course, which didn't exist back in the day, to just get on a Zoom call with him and take a listen. We were already going that way on 'Tyranny Of Souls'. He actually sent me a CD of the backing tracks — just rough; no guitar solos; just rough — and I put a set of headphones on. I was in Japan on tour at the time, and I just walked the streets of Tokyo at, like, nine in the morning with a notepad, mentally writing words and melodies, and then just flew back to L.A. and did the vocals. And that worked out great; 'Tyranny Of Souls' is a great album."

Back in December 2017, Dickinson said that his next solo LP would likely include a reworked version of "If Eternity Should Fail", the opening track on IRON MAIDEN's 2015 disc "The Book Of Souls". At the time, he said that he had about "half" of his seventh record already written and he also confirmed that "If Eternity Should Fail" was originally penned as a Dickinson solo track.

He told Finland's Kaaos TV that the original plan was for his next solo record to be "a whole concept album, which was gonna be called 'If Eternity Should Fail'. And 'If Eternity Should Fail' was the title track to my new solo album," he said. "And a bit like [Dickinson's 1989 solo song] 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter' [laughs], it got commandeered for IRON MAIDEN. So if I did do another solo album, which I think I will, I might just stick to my original plan and have that as the title track. I mean, I did write it — it was the first track that I wrote for it. So, yeah, I'd probably still include that song. But it would be… the feel would be slightly different — not very much, though — from the MAIDEN version."

In 2015, Dickinson told France's Hard Force magazine that "If Eternity Should Fail" ended up being used by IRON MAIDEN after bassist Steve Harris heard the demos that Bruce was working on for what was supposed to be his next solo album. "And [Steve] went, 'That's a really cool song. Can we use that? That's gonna be the opening song on the album,'" he recalled. "And I went, 'Yeah, okay.' And he was already writing, I think… He was already thinking of 'The Book Of Souls' as being the title, so he told me about the Mayan thing. And I'm, like, 'Yeah, that's cool. Okay. Yeah, I see where you're going.' But in my case, that song was written as part of a story. So the spoken word at the end is the beginning of a story that goes through the whole album. And one of the characters is Dr. Necropolis; he's the bad guy. And the good guy is Professor Lazarus; he raises people from the dead. So that introduces Necropolis in the spoken-word thing. And I asked Steve… I said, 'Look. Okay. I get having the song…' 'Cause it opens up with, 'Here is the soul of a man.' 'Yup. Get that. But what about the end?' I said, 'Will people understand what this is about? Because this is nothing to do with the Mayans or anything. This is to do with… I'd come up with a concept album that doesn't happen.' [Laughs] And he [went], 'No, no, no. It's just talking about souls and everything, and it sounds great.' I went, 'Okay.' [Laughs]"

Dickinson made his recording debut with IRON MAIDEN on the "Number Of The Beast" album in 1982. He quit the band in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Blaze Bayley, who had previously been the lead singer of the metal band WOLFSBANE. After releasing two traditional metal albums with former MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, Dickinson rejoined the band in 1999 along with Smith. Since then, Dickinson has only released one more solo album (the aforementioned "Tyranny Of Souls") but has previously said that his solo career is not over.

Frontiers Music Srl will release of Jani Liimatainen's (THE DARK ELEMENT, INSOMNIUM, SONATA ARCTICA) new solo album, "My Father's Son", on May 6. The Finnish musician's impeccable talents are on full display on this new LP and he's got a stellar cast of friends lending their talents to the proceedings.

The album's first single, "All Dreams Are Born To Die", which features guest lead vocals from Tony Kakko of SONATA ARCTICA, can be streamed below.

"My Father's Son" includes guest lead vocals from Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS), Anette Olzon (THE DARK ELEMENT, NIGHTWISH), Renan Zonta (ELECTRIC MOB), Pekka Heino (BROTHER FIRETRIBE) and Antti Railio (CELESTY, DIECELL). Liimatainen even takes on lead vocal duties himself as well. Additionally, bassist Jonas Kuhlberg (ONE DESIRE), drummer Rolf Pilve (STRATOVARIUS, SMACKBOUND) and pianist Jarkko Lahti provide instrumentation, while Liimatainen handles guitars, keyboards, and programming. Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS, RAINBOW) and Janne Huttunen provide guest keyboard and saxophone solos, respectively.

Liimatainen's career in metal kicked off as a founding member and guitarist for one of Finland's premiere power metal bands, SONATA ARCTICA. Currently, Liimatainen is a member of the popular melodic death metal band INSOMNIUM. He is also a member of CAIN'S OFFERING alongside STRATOVARIUS vocalist Timo Kotipelto as well as being the guitarist/composer for the symphonic metal band THE DARK ELEMENT, which features former NIGHTWISH vocalist Anette Olzon. Both CAIN'S OFFERING and THE DARK ELEMENT have released two well-received albums each, both racking up millions of streams on digital music platforms and with THE DARK ELEMENT, multiple music videos with millions of views.

Those highlights of his musical resume more than speak to Liimatainen's talent and building legacy in the heavy music world. With the cast of friends who have joined him to help him fulfill his ambitious vision for "My Father's Son", his new solo album will surely further cement his standing as one of the great guitarists and musical talents to emerge from Finland.

Track listing:

01. Breathing Divinity (Vocals: Björn "Speed" Strid)

02. All Dreams Are Born To Die (Vocals: Tony Kakko)

03. What Do You Want (Vocals: Renan Zonta)

04. Who Are We (Vocals: Timo Kotipelto)

05. Side By Side (Vocals: Pekka Heino)

06. The Music Box (Vocals: Renan Zonta)

07. Into The Fray (Vocals: Timo Kotipelto)

08. I Could Stop Now (Vocals: Anette Olzon)

09. Haunted House (Vocals: Jani Liimatainen)

10. My Father's Son (Vocals: Antti Railio)

Recording lineup:

Vocalists:

Pekka Heino

Tony Kakko

Timo Kotipelto

Jani Liimatainen

Anette Olzon

Antti Railio

Björn Strid

Renan Zonta

Musicians:

Jani Liimatainen - Guitars, keyboards, programming

Jonas Kuhlberg - Bass

Rolf Pilve - Drums

Jarkko Lahti - Piano

Jens Johansson - Guest keyboard solo

Janne Huttunen - Guest saxophone solo

Backing vocals:

Petri Aho

JC Halttunen

Tony Kakko

Jani Liimatainen

Anette Olzon

Antti Railio

Björn Strid

Lassi Vääränen

Renan Zonta

Ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy attended the group's concert last night (Friday, March 4) at Beacon Theatre in New York City. It was the first time Portnoy witnessed his former bandmates perform live since his exit from the iconic progressive metal outfit more than 11 years ago.

According to DREAM THEATER fans who attended last night's show, singer James LaBrie gave Portnoy a shoutout from the stage and Mike waved. Several fans also took pictures of Portnoy at the venue, with Mike and his wife reportedly watching the performance from near the Beacon Theatre soundboard.

Earlier today, Portnoy shared a few backstage photos from last night's concert and he included the following message: "After 36 years, I finally got to see my 1st DREAM THEATER show last night! It was a wonderful evening and it was such a pleasure to spend time with my old friends again".

Current DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini shared a backstage picture of him with Portnoy and he wrote: "What a great moment. And as usual, we had fun catching up."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER 37 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy was a guest on DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci's second solo album, "Terminal Velocity", which was released in August 2020 via Sound Mind Music/The Orchard. The effort marked the first time Petrucci and Portnoy recorded together in over a decade, as well as their first time playing together since Portnoy departed DREAM THEATER. John later shot down speculation among DREAM THEATER fans that it's only a matter of time before Portnoy returns to the band, telling Spain's Metal Hammer: "I think it's really important for everybody's sake — for fans to understand this. I think it's important, out of respect for both drummers — for Mike Mangini and Mike Portnoy — that there's no misconstrued thing: 'Oh, this means something else.' This is [Portnoy] playing on my solo album, which is a really happy moment for me… I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I don't wanna create any drama or weirdness, because it's all positive. I made a solo album — finally, after 15 years — and I got my friend to play drums on it, who I haven't played with in 10 years. So that's the vibe."

In a 2017 interview with Rockhok, Portnoy insisted that had "no longing to reunite" with DREAM THEATER but said that he would return to his former band "for the fans." He explained: "The ball's in their court, to be honest. I have no longing to reunite with them; it's not something I necessarily am looking to do or want to do. I'm very content with all the eighty-seven bands I currently have going, so it's something I need. But I would do it for the fans, because I'm a very sentimental person and I have a lot of great, fond memories of those guys and the times. I'm a sentimental guy, so I would never close the door on it. So, really, the ball's in their court, honestly. [But] if you're asking me the odds [of a reunion happening], I would say, don't bet on it, because I know their personalities as well and I don't think they're the type that are looking backwards."

A couple of years ago, Portnoy told Loud that he left DREAM THEATER because he wanted to expand his musical horizons. "[I didn't] want to go to my grave and just be the drummer from DREAM THEATER," he said. "I knew there was way more to what I had to offer."

Since the 2010 departure of Portnoy, Petrucci, along with keyboardist Jordan Rudess, has taken on much of the songwriting load for DREAM THEATER, including 2016's controversial double concept album, "The Astonishing", 2019's "Distance Over Time" and the band's latest LP, 2021's "A View From The Top Of The World".

LaBrie discussed his relationship with Portnoy in a November 2021 interview with Radio Forrest. He said at the time: "I haven't spoken to Mike, to be quite honest, since he left the band. So I think that pretty much says it all."

LaBrie had previously seemingly closed the door on the possibility of a DREAM THEATER reunion with Portnoy, telling Chile's Radio Futuro in an August 2013 interview: "That possibility, I don't see it ever happening; it's not gonna happen. Because, first and foremost, Mike Mangini is a full-fledged member of the band now, he's a phenomenal drummer and he's doing everything that we could possibly want as a drummer in a band. He's helping us realize exactly what we wanna do right now musically. And he will be our drummer until the day that we finish doing this, when we conclude. Mike Portnoy was a big part of our past, but I think that's where it's going to remain. He was a drummer from the past. And as far as presently and into the future, it will be Mike Mangini, and we all feel very strongly about that. He's an incredible drummer, he's an incredible asset to the band, and he is fulfilling our wildest dreams as far as what we're doing musically and what we're doing with each album. So that's the way it stands."




After 36 years, I finally got to see my 1st Dream Theater show last night! ? It was a wonderful evening and it was such a pleasure to spend time with my old friends again ☮️?

Posted by Mike Portnoy on Saturday, March 5, 2022



OMG—MIKE PORTNOY at the Dream Theater show now!!! Mike Portnoy is at the DT show in NYC ¾/2022 with his wife Marlene and James greeted him from the stage!

Posted by Amanda Palamara on Friday, March 4, 2022



<3

Mike Portnoy AND Mike Mangini both rule. Both great eras of DT

Posted by Andrew Ryan Prater on Friday, March 4, 2022



Mike Portnoy viendo a Dream Theater !!!!

Posted by ATR DT on Friday, March 4, 2022



With one of the greatest drummer ever MIKE PORTNOY

Posted by Michael Halasan Clint Nababan on Friday, March 4, 2022



Mike Portnoy watches Dream Theater concert at The Beacon.

Posted by Dodjie Garcia on Friday, March 4, 2022

























View this post on Instagram









































A post shared by Mike Mangini (@mikemanginiofficial)

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American tour dates last night (Friday, March 4) at Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. One Shot At Glory

02. Lightning Strike

03. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

04. Freewheel Burning

05. Turbo Lover

06. Hell Patrol

07. The Sentinel

08. A Touch Of Evil

09. Rocka Rolla

10. Victim Of Changes

11. Desert Plains

12. Blood Red Skies

13. Invader

14. Painkiller

Encore:

15. The Hellion / Electric Eye

16. Hell Bent For Leather

17. Breaking The Law

18. Living After Midnight

Fan-filmed video and photos are available below.

The tour will conclude on April 13 at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Support on the trek is coming from QUEENSRŸCHE.

JUDAS PRIEST was forced to postpone around two dozen North American shows on its rescheduled 50th-anniversary tour in late September after the band's guitarist Richie Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during a performance at the Louder Than Life festival. He ended up undergoing a 10-hour life-saving surgery a short distance away at Rudd Heart and Lung Center at UofL Health - Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

QUEENSRŸCHE was originally set to support SCORPIONS on their rescheduled "Sin City Nights" Las Vegas residency in March-April 2022 but pulled out of the dates in order to take part in the JUDAS PRIEST tour. SCORPIONS have since tapped SKID ROW as the new opening act for the Vegas residency.

Faulkner's medical episode happened while he was performing the closing song of PRIEST's set on the final day of Louder Than Life. Faulkner later said in a statement: "As I watch footage from the Louder Than Life Festival in Kentucky, I can see in my face the confusion and anguish I was feeling whilst playing 'Painkiller' as my aorta ruptured and started to spill blood into my chest cavity."

Two weeks after his surgery, Faulkner told reporters that he experienced a sharp pain as he was stepping off the stage. "That's when it exploded," he said.

"The more I read about it, the more astonishing it is to me to think that I even made it to the hospital," he added. "The amount of time when I actually go the pain and when I turned up in the hospital and when we were actually operating, it was quite a lot of time. The more I read about it, the more unbelievable — that amount of time — I don't know how I'm still around today."

Faulkner said he had no history of heart complications and that the aliment came completely "out of the blue."

"My point is I don't even have high cholesterol and this could've been the end for me," he said. "If you can get yourselves checked — do it for me, please."

Aortic aneurysms are "balloon-like bulges in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and torso," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dissections happen when the "force of blood pumping can split the layers of the artery wall, allowing blood to leak in between them."

Doctors said Faulkner will continue to be monitored and will receive a CT scan every six months for the first year.

Faulkner joined PRIEST in 2011 as the replacement for original guitarist K.K. Downing.

The Peoria concert took place less than two months after JUDAS PRIEST revealed that it would perform as a four-piece when it returns to the road in early March. A few hours later, the band's touring guitarist Andy Sneap, who co-produced the group's 2018 album "Firepower", released a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET in which he said that he was "incredibly disappointed" by PRIEST's decision to carry on as a quartet and thanked the Rob Halford-fronted outfit for the "mind-blowing" opportunity to share the stage with one of his favorite bands. Meanwhile, PRIEST fans were understandably upset about the band's decision to forgo its classic twin-guitar attack sound and made their feelings known on social media. Some even called for the return of Downing, who joined PRIEST in 1970 and remained in the group until 2011.

Only five days later, JUDAS PRIEST released a statement announcing that it was reversing its decision to tour as a four-piece, explaining that the bandmembers "decided unanimously" to continue their live shows "unchanged" with Halford, Faulkner, Ian Hill (bass), Scott Travis (drums) and Andy.

Less than two months ago, Downing said in an interview that it was "very, very strange" for PRIEST "to even think about" the possibility of going out as a quartet. "I'm like everybody else. I'm totally bemused," he told the "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen" classic rock show. It was just so extreme and insulting in a way, I guess, and insulting to Glenn as well. It was kind of a slap in the face, saying, 'Okay, you two guys did it, but we think just one guy could do what…' It kind of made us and everything that we've done and created, saying it was all superfluous, really, and didn't really have the value that… I'm sure Glenn will agree with me that it does have a value."










Mystery Girl Arlene Combs, please for me not taking you to see Metal Mayhem Judas Priest! Since I left you behind tonight, I feel I should at least try and make you feel warm and fuzzy. So I have a question, will you let me be your TURBO LOVER?

Here’s to my Priest pals who can only appreciate the Turbo album like I do! Paul Ziegler Jason Noland Scot Uhlmansiek and most of all Tom Brackman!

Halford. ??

Posted by Tim Barth on Saturday, March 5, 2022



Judas Priest Peoria 2022

Posted by Matt Verden on Friday, March 4, 2022



Last night in Peoria two great friends who have sung with my band Bad Penny—Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Todd LaTorre...

Posted by Mike Holtzman on Saturday, March 5, 2022



Thanks to Judas Priest for an incredible show! They kicked off their 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour right here in Peoria!

Posted by Peoria Civic Center on Friday, March 4, 2022

Provogue Records / Mascot Label Group has presented a new lyric video to the classic MOUNTAIN song "Silver Paper" in front of the March 25 release of "Legacy: A Tribute To Leslie West". The recording features vocals by Charlie Starr from BLACKBERRY SMOKE.

Friends, many of whom were influenced by the loved West, have contributed to "Legacy: A Tribute To Leslie West". Among those who performed are TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider and Eddie Ojeda, Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE), Robby Krieger, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy and Tal Bachman, JETHRO TULL's Martin Barre, Joe Lynn Turner, Starr, THE CARS' Elliot Easton, George Lynch, Marty Friedman, Steve Morse, DIRTY HONEY's Mark Labelle, and West's band members Bobby Rondinelli and Rev Jones. The release will be available as a limited-edition box set, on LP and CD, digitally, and as a web shop exclusive limited LP variation manufactured with digital.

When Leslie West passed away in December of 2020, he left behind a towering legacy of epic recordings that few rock guitarists can match. But there was more to West than great songs (although, to be sure, he created a ton of them); there was his brilliant, idiosyncratic sound, a gargantuan earth-mover that razed arenas and stadiums across the globe. More than just paralyzing tone, though, he also had a touch nobody could beat. Stinging, swooning and sensual melodies leapt from his fingertips — with a deft flick of his wrist, he sounded like a Delta bluesman had picked up a violin. These elements and more helped to make West one of the most significant, influential and irreplaceable guitarists of the rock era.

"There was nobody on earth quite like Leslie," says the guitarist's widow, Jenni West. "The second you heard him play, you knew it was him. He loved playing the guitar and making music. He lived to make people feel good — it was his passion. He was famous to his fans throughout the world, but he was adored by other musicians. Everybody from country stars, rappers and heavy metal players — they all loved Leslie. He found it surprising, but I think he was also pleased to know how much he inspired other musicians."

West's longtime manager Bob Ringe agrees, saying: "I've worked with some of the greatest guitarists on the planet, and nobody could hold a candle to Leslie. He was so unique and special — his sound, his style, his power and warmth. Any guitarist I talk to has been influenced in some way by him. They broke the mold when they made him, and he took it with him when he passed away. He was a true one of a kind."

An astonishing array of West's admirers — who also happened to be friends and peers — came together to celebrate the trailblazing musician on "Legacy: A Tribute To Leslie West". Executive produced by Jenni West, Bob Ringe and John Lappen, the album was originally intended to be a retrospective celebration of West's music on which the guitarist himself would perform some of his best-loved cuts with notable guests, along with a collection of new tracks. Two weeks before recording was set to commence, however, the guitarist passed away. Once Jenni West, Ringe and Lappen changed gears and put a tribute album in motion, they discovered that the process was far easier than they could have imagined: "We really didn't have to reach out to many people," Jenni says. "They came to us. What's really amazing is, if Leslie himself had whispered into my ear and told me who he would want on this record, these would be the people he would have requested."

West's longtime rhythm section of bassist Rev Jones and Bobby Rondinelli laid down brilliant basic tracks for the guest artists to contribute their talents. One of the two exceptions is the dramatic retelling of "Theme For An Imaginary Western" (which West recorded with MOUNTAIN for the band's 1970 debut, "Climbing!"), which features the walloping drumming of Mike Portnoy and commanding bass work by legendary QUIET RIOT / OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rudy Sarzo. Two TWISTED SISTER alums — singer Dee Snider and guitarist Eddie Ojeda — turn in poignant performances on this grand and sweeping track.

"Leslie was a hero, friend, amazing guy and a guitar god," says Snider. "I always wanted to sing this song. It's my favorite Leslie West guitar solo. It resonates with me and speaks to me on so many levels. I'm honored to have gotten a chance to do it on this record."

Unquestionably, West's most famous song remains "Mississippi Queen" and who better to tackle such a historic sonic behemoth than GUNS N' ROSES' guitar titan Slash? Joining the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer on an absolutely ripping, rifftastic rendition is singer Marc LeBelle, currently riding high as the front man for the band DIRTY HONEY.

Former DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW vocalist Joe Lynn Turner tips his hat not only to West, but also to the late MOUNTAIN co-vocalist Felix Pappalardi on not one, but two cuts: On a standout version of "Nantucket Sleighride", the bluesy, prog-flavored title track of MOUNTAIN's second album from 1971, he's joined by international guitar star Marty Friedman; and a haunting take of the psychedelic rocker "For Yasgur's Farm" (from "Climbing!"), he teams with guitarist Martin Barre, best known as the longtime lead axeman for JETHRO TULL.

"It was an honor to do this tribute to Leslie," says Turner, "especially to sing 'Yasgur's Farm'. I'll never forget seeing MOUNTAIN at the Fillmore East. Felix had done the verse and when it came to that B section, Leslie was hit with a white spotlight in his buckskin. It still chills me to the bone today."

In 1969, West had left his band THE VAGRANTS and began what was to be a solo career, but his album "Mountain" turned out to be the unofficial debut of the power trio of the same name. From that record, Zakk Wylde chose the tour de force stomper "Blood Of The Sun", and like West himself, he's a formidable, show-stopping double threat on guitar and vocals.

In later life, West befriended Charlie Starr, singer and guitarist for the band BLACKBERRY SMOKE. Starr was in in awe of West, and he selected the soulful gem "Silver Paper" (from "Climbing!") as his way of remembering his late pal. Responding to the muscular rhythm section of Rev Jones and Bobby Rondinelli, as well as the bravura keyboard playing of Mike DiMeo, Starr laser beams on the song's joyous spiritual center and doesn't let go.

"I love 'Silver Paper', and it's got one of the coolest guitar licks of all time," says Starr. "Leslie played exactly what the song needed; his timing was impeccable. He played way back in the pocket, and it was so nasty and so great — the kind of things that you aspire to. I'm very proud to be part of this project. God bless Leslie West."

THE DOORS legend Robby Krieger also knew West well — the two had shared numerous concert bills through the decades.

"The coolest thing about Leslie was the way he played blues – it was just very natural," Krieger says. "He and Clapton were the best at the time. They just had the feel for the blues. Maybe in their former lifetimes they were blues guys." Krieger picked a deep cut for his tribute — the ripping barn burner "The Doctor", from the 1972 album "Why Dontcha" by West's power trio supergroup WEST, BRUCE AND LAING (featuring CREAM's Jack Bruce and MOUNTAIN's Corky Laing) — and he burns spectacularly on the song's dizzying, slippery lead lines. Rising to the occasion, singer Ronnie Romero, a veteran of bands like LORDS OF BLACK, RAINBOW and the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, howls with grit and grace.

As the album unfolds, more treasures are revealed: The celebrated father/son duo BACHMAN AND BACHMAN seamlessly splice two tracks from 1976's "The Leslie West Band" — "Money" and "By The River" — and fold them into one feisty, good-time flame thrower. CARS' guitar star Elliot Easton is paired with singer Ronnie Romero on a sparky and frisky take on "Sittin' On A Rainbow" (from "Climbing!") — Easton's fluid style is a spot-on fit for West's country-flavored solo. "Climbing!" is revisited once more with "Never In My Life", which features a go-for-the-throat repeat performance by Dee Snider and the paint-peeling guitar work of former DOKKEN lead picker. And DIXIE DREGS/DEEP PURPLE guitar god Steve Morse (along with a return trip by Ronnie Romero) heads into the outer limits, firing off leads that are by both spacey and fiery, on the gnashing title cut of "Why Dontcha".

"Leslie could take a simple two- and three- note phrase and just sell it with that gritty determination," says Morse, who shared many a stage with West. "What was not to like about him? He knew everything to do. Just the phrasing of the solos and the commitment and the tone — it was really awesome to stand next to him and experience that."

"Long Red" is one of the most fascinating songs of West's career. First featured on the guitarist's 1969 solo album, it was also a highlight of the 1972 MOUNTAIN album "Live: The Road Goes Ever On". Over the years, the psychedelic-funk groover has grown in stature thanks to the mind-boggling number of hip-hop artists — everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Kanye West to Ice-T — who have sampled it on mega-selling hits (even Mariah Carey used it on her 2014 cut "Money"). Here, international guitar icon Yngwie Malmsteen (backed by the ace rhythm section of drummer Bobby Rondinelli and bassist Rev Jones) locks into the bluesier aspects of the song and injects his own inimitable shred madness — and the results are wicked. With singer Teddy Rondinelli flooring it full-throttle, it's a stone-cold slam dunk.

Jenni West sums the album up thusly: "Nobody in this world has ever made me feel loved as much as Leslie, and I feel so honored and grateful that I could give him this gift." She laughs. "He would often say, 'If it doesn't make my balls rumble, it's not right.' And I think there's some balls-rumbling tones on this record! When you're listening to it, you might even think it's Leslie playing — and that's a good thing. He really believed that adage of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. Even when some of the players do their own twists on the music, they're still doing it in a way that's authentic and respectful, and Leslie would have appreciated that."

Track listing:

01. Blood Of The Sun (feat. Zakk Wylde)

02. Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin) (feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Marty Friedman)

03. Theme For An Imaginary Western (feat. Dee Snider, Eddie Ojeda, Rudy Sarzo, Mike Portnoy)

04. For Yasgur's Farm (feat. Joe Lynn Turner & Martin Barre)

05. Why Dontcha (feat. Steve Morse & Ronnie Romero)

06. Sittin' On A Rainbow (feat. Elliot Easton & Ronnie Romero)

07. Never In My Life (feat. Dee Snider & George Lynch)

08. The Doctor (feat. Robby Krieger & Ronnie Romero)

09. Silver Paper (feat. Charlie Starr)

10. Money (Whatcha Gonna Do)/By The River medley (feat. Bachman & Bachman)

11. Long Red (feat. Yngwie Malmsteen & Teddy Rondinelli)

12. Mississippi Queen (feat. Slash & Marc LaBelle)

Ludwig Drums has uploaded drum-cam video of Art Cruz performing the song "Memento Mori" with his LAMB OF GOD bandmates at one of the stops on the 2021 leg of "The Metal Tour Of The Year" with MEGADETH, TRIVIUM and HATEBREED. Check it out below.

Art filled in for original LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler on several of the band's tours before being named Adler's official replacement in July 2019.

Cruz made his live debut with LAMB OF GOD in July 2018 in Gilford, New Hampshire.

Art's first full-length recording with LAMB OF GOD, the band's self-titled album, arrived in June 2020 via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe.

Asked by Outburn what his mindset was coming into a major band such as LAMB OF GOD and replacing Adler, Cruz said: "Chris was one of my favorite metal drummers growing up. It hits close to home for me. The idea of this is all surreal and it's very mind-boggling. It's very much a dream come true that I can continue to say constantly, and I will say it forever because it's exactly what it is. To go into it as I did, I've been growing as a musician from start to finish. With bands like WINDS OF PLAGUE, I learned a lot of different things in that group. And then jumping to a band like PRONG that is also a legacy metal band and had been around for so many years, you learn so many different things. To be able to come in and have to fill the shoes of somebody like Chris Adler, you get a little nervous and things like that. But I was confident with the skills that I learned over the years, and having to deal with so many different ranges of personalities, it helps. Again, you can only be nervous, but you can only be yourself. Thanks to the guys for letting me do that. That was the only reason why I was able to fully bloom. It's crazy that I have such a different approach, now that I got it out of the way with this new record. So, it was a challenge. It was very scary. I'm watched through a magnifying glass since I entered this band, even as a fill-in. So, I'm thankful for everything from start to finish, for sure."

Speaking about his drumming approach on "Lamb Of God", Cruz said: "LAMB OF GOD has such a signature sound that you cannot drift from, but that sound is a collective now. It's not just a Chris Adler sound or just a Mark Morton sound or just a Willie [Adler] sound. It's very much a collective effort. I did my best to be able to be myself, but at the same time, I grew up idolizing these guys and their music. So, I wasn't very far off with keeping that sound what it was. I do pay some homage to Chris Adler, because, again, he's my favorite metal drummer. So, at the end of the day, there were times that I felt like I had to turn the fire up, bring the fire down, and play for the band. I feel like a lot of drummers, musicians, and fans expected me to go above and beyond, to maybe try and outshine somebody like that, but that wasn't the goal from the start. Thankfully, my education and growing as a musician helped me discipline myself like that. Because I'm playing for and with LAMB OF GOD, it's not the Art Cruz show. So, there were times that they gave me time to shine for the music and for the songs. We came up with a lot of stuff in the studio, and, thankfully, we did drums last. I think it was very beneficial for me to go last. To understand and know that the guys were happy with where the songs were, their parts were done, and this is what they wanted. So, I was able to play along with things like that. I brought them groove like what I learned while playing in PRONG. I brought some intensity that I had when I was playing with WINDS OF PLAGUE. It shows my growth as a musician as well, and I think it really meshed a lot with the traditional LAMB OF GOD sound."

"Lamb Of God" was recorded with longtime producer Josh Wilbur (KORN, MEGADETH, GOJIRA, TRIVIUM) and included special guest appearances by Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT).

Los Angeles quintet HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD has released the official music video for its new single, "Chaos". The haunting and artistically choreographed clip was directed by Jensen Noen, who has previously worked with ICE NINE KILLS, FALLING IN REVERSE and ASKING ALEXANDRIA. The track, produced by WZRD BLD a.k.a. Drew Fulk (Lil Wayne, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, Lil Peep), is among the heaviest to ever be released by the group, yet still combines dynamic elements of rap, hard rock and alternative in a way that is authentically UNDEAD. The track offers the first glimpse of the band's yet-to-be-announced new album.

"'Chaos' is about getting to the end of the road, thinking you can finally rest, and realizing it's not only more chaos, but that's all there is ever gonna be. No rest for the wicked," says HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD's Johnny 3 Tears.

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD kicked off the "Kill The Noise" North American tour with PAPA ROACH and BAD WOLVES on March 1 with a sold-out show in Anaheim, California.

Formed in 2005, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD has inched towards mainstream dominance under the radar. Preceding the current playlist-hopping genre-less boom, they defied stylistic boundaries from day one. Integrating rap, rock, and electronic, the seminal 2008 debut "Swan Songs" went platinum. 2011's gold-selling "American Tragedy" bowed at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 with "Notes From The Underground" soaring to No. 2 in 2013. "Day Of The Dead" (2015) and "Five" (2017) brought the group's total streams past 1 billion and "New Empire Vol 1" and "Vol 2" saw their combined streams across Spotify and YouTube hit a staggering two billion. Along the way, they've sold out tours on four continents and garnered acclaim courtesy of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Consequence, Alternative Press, Revolver and more.

HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD is comprised of MCs Charlie Scene, J-Dog, Johnny 3 Tears, Funny Man and Danny.

Long-running Swedish rap/metal combo CLAWFINGER has released the official music video for its new single, "Environmental Patients". The track marks the first new music from CLAWFINGER in more than two years.

Prior to the arrival of "Environmental Patients", CLAWFINGER released a single called "Tear You Down" in September 2019 and "Save Our Souls" in 2017. "Save Our Souls" was made available four years after CLAWFINGER announced it was calling it quits.

During the break from the studio, the members of CLAWFINGER were reportedly taking care of their families while performing sporadic reunion shows, mostly at European festivals. "CLAWFINGER no longer is our main job," the band explained at the time. "We all have other jobs and families to love."

CLAWFINGER's last studio album, "Life Will Kill You", was released in the U.S. in July 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD, which entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 89 upon its European release in 2007, was recorded and produced at Sweden's Fear And Loathing Studios, a facility that CLAWFINGER runs along with the members of MESHUGGAH.

CLAWFINGER's debut album, 1993's "Deaf Dumb Blind", included the controversial single "N****r", an anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success.

"Deaf Dumb Blind" sold over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press.

Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of Meta/Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, has shared a video about cryptocurrency that is set to the tune of TWISTED SISTER's classic song "We're Not Gonna Take It". Although Randi apparently meant it to be "a rallying cry for the women of web3," the clip — which features cameos from Maliha Abidi (Women Rise founder), Lisa Mayer (Boss Beauties founder), Sara Baumann (Women And Weapons founder) and Mai Akiyoshi (Curious Addys founder) — has attracted more attention for being a cringeworthy parody. In Randi's reworked version, the chorus lyrics are changed to "We're All Gonna Make It", a popular slogan in Web3 communities.

"I've been thinking about a fun way to explain crypto jargon to newcomers. Hope this video is a fun 2-min crypto lingo 101 lesson that speaks to the spirit of women in Web3," Zuckerberg, who previously sang the TWISTED SISTER song as a cast member of the Broadway production of "Rock Of Ages", said in a tweet.

According to Benzinga, Zuckerberg had worked as a spokesperson and marketing at Facebook and is the co-founder of Hug, a Web3 company. She also joined the brand advisory council for cryptocurrency exchange Okcoin, with the goal of increasing the female customer base for the company.

Earlier today, when TWISTED SISTER fans complained on Twitter about Zuckerberg using "We're Not Gonna Take It" and criticized Snider for supposedly giving her permission to rework the song, Dee replied: "FOR THE RECORD: If someone sings @TwistedSisterNY Song we have ZERO control. As long as it is not being as a commercial and though she is promoting her personal beliefs, it's not a paid commercial. This is parody."

Later, after apparently conferring with his attorneys, Snider clarified: "ATTENTIONS ALL: @TwistedSisterNY has lawyers working on this now. It looks like it may not fall (as initially thought) into the 'fair use' category and we can get it stopped and taken down. But again...WHY DOES IT HAVE 2.5 MILLION VIEWS! @randizuckerberg". Dee went on to refer to Randi's version of the song as "dog shit" and "murder" to listen to.

"We're Not Gonna Take It", the biggest hit single in TWISTED SISTER's career, has been used in commercials for hotel chain Extended Stay America, Claritin, Walmart, Stanley Steamer and Yaz birth control.

The song's lyrics say in part "Oh you're so condescending/Your gall is never ending/We don't want nothin'/Not a thing from you."

"We're Not Gonna Take It" was first released as a single (with B-side song "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll") on April 27, 1984. The "Stay Hungry" album was released two weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single made No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, making it TWISTED SISTER's only Top 40 single, and the song was ranked No. 47 on VH1's "100 Greatest '80s Songs".

"We're Not Gonna Take It" was written solely by Snider. As influences for the song, he previously cited the glam rock band SLADE, the punk band SEX PISTOLS, and the Christmas carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful".

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour. The band's last-ever concert took place in November of that year — 20 months after the passing of TWISTED's longtime drummer A.J. Pero.




A decade ago, I sang this song on Broadway. Today I sing this song, surrounded by new friends, as a rallying cry for the women of web3. Together, we can accomplish anything. And have fun doing it! #WAGMI

PS Look for some fun cameos!

PPS Sorry for *language* at the end ? pic.twitter.com/W9pYZmxwXz

— randizuckerberg.eth (@randizuckerberg) February 28, 2022








FOR THE RECORD: If someone sings @TwistedSisterNY song we have ZERO control. As long as it is not being as a commercial and though she is promoting her personal beliefs, it's not a paid commercial. This is parody. https://t.co/yjSxW2Q4c5

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








I am actually have our "people" look into this one. https://t.co/GI9Sm99DCs

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








Sorry gang. As I've tried to explain, we have no control over parody or who sings the song. This is not for commercial use. https://t.co/NLtrH8hhwf

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








With 2.4 million views! WTF?! https://t.co/sO1Feyady4

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








Uh...yuck. (But I legally can't do anything about it) https://t.co/tc6pQ1F1YX

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








Unfortunately, my lawyers say it's not suable or stoppable. https://t.co/7Z8BlyGNJB

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








We've got zero control…and why the hell does it have 2.5 million views!? https://t.co/RC5TSHTQhl

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








ZERO laws are being broken. There is nothing we can do. https://t.co/vLcpan2MgW

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








ATTENTIONS ALL: @TwistedSisterNY has lawyers working on this now. It looks like it may not fall (as initially thought) into the "fair use" category and we can get it stopped and taken down. But again...WHY DOES IT HAVE 2.5 MILLION VIEWS! @randizuckerberg

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








And a lot of those are people watching in disbelief and disgust! https://t.co/JrIH99tZaU

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








Titus…no fee was paid or approval given! https://t.co/KnyGyBgwOc

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








This is the grey area. Initial legal analysis says it's opinion not promoting an actual crypto website. But upon a deeper look…. https://t.co/zZ4MIQoJpL

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








Right? That @randizuckerberg dog shit has 2.5 million and my new video "Stand" has 75K. WTF?!https://t.co/FzOi7OjfWy https://t.co/LDpcm6Joz6

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








No. @alyankovic care to explain how that works?

(PS Royalties are paid to the original artist with every record Al sells) https://t.co/vX62jJCGAe

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 4, 2022








And ripping people off apparently. https://t.co/2VhTNpk2fd

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 5, 2022