Devin Townsend has shared some new music dubbed "Dreampiece". Check it out below.


Devin: "This is essentially Guitar Improvisation #4 I've been sort of jamming this out since Christmas. A bit more minimal than the last one, but I like this style. It's made to be in the background and to chill you out. Enjoy, and peace to you all. 


It's on Bandcamp too at this location if you're interested. Thanks Trav Smith for the cover."







Devin Townsend finally returns to UK shores in April 2022, including two shows at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall under the banner of "The Greatest Sets Of My Life" on April 16th and 17th. For these special evenings, Devin and his band will be performing fan favourites, his favourites, and hardly played songs.


Devin: "After two and a half years of abject chaos, I welcome you back into the live music world of wonder. We’ve put these two shows together to play all the songs that people seem to like, as well as songs that I want to play as well. I know it’s been crazy, lets get back into this."


Joining as support for these shows will be Denmark’s VOLA on April 16th, and Norway’s Leprous on the April 17th.


Tickets are available here.

Canada’s My Hollow have a new EP coming out entitled Fighting The Monsters, which they are anxious to unleash this year. Taking inspiration from modern death metal bands, they are continuously evolving and this forthcoming release from them is no exception. Last month they released their first single "Vultures" with a puppet music video and now they are ready to unveil the next single and the title track featuring Björn Strid from Soilwork with a cartoon music video.


According to the band, the song came together like peas and carrots. Guitarist Greg Gallagher wanted to write a song that had huge-sounding choruses and fast hard-hitting verses. He was aiming for a sound that a bigger variety of crowd may latch on to. The band continues to explain:


“We are honoured to have Björn Strid feature on one of our tunes, and he honestly completes the song. It was always one of our favourites for the new record, but it was missing that one extra piece. We dabbled with a few different ideas for the chorus before being in contact with Bjorn. With Soilwork being one of the universal influences between all the members, the decision was a no-brainer. We sent him the tune with the lyrics and told him to go nuts with it. When he came back to us with the sample, we were all floored!"




The cartoon video for the track plays into the whole story of Gallagher’s daughter’s view of what they were doing when they played shows and he’d have to leave town.


Fighting The Monsters shows mature growth from My Hollow, with the addition of keyboards, yet doesn't deviate too far from previous releases, they are recommended for fans of Lamb of God, August Burns Red, and Fit For An Autopsy.


Grab your weapons and check out the video below, premiered exclusively by BraveWords!





Fighting The Monsters is slated for release on April 8, 2022.





​Tracklisting:​


"Vultures"
"Fighting The Monsters" ft. Björn Strid (Soilwork)
"Hell Or High Water"
"Faded Through"
"The Iron Harvest"


"Vultures" video:





(Photo - Brett Teskey)

Currently out supporting Journey on their Freedon 2022 Tour, Toto performed in Pittsburgh, PA on February 23rd. Single-cam video of the entire show can be viewed below.


The setlist on the night was as follows:


"Till the End"
"Hold the Line"
"I'll Be Over You"
"White Sister"
"Georgy Porgy"
"I Won't Hold You Back"
"You Are the Flower"
"Home of the Brave"
"Rosanna"
"Africa"







Remaining tour dates:


March 
2 - Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI
5 - Videotron Centre - Quebec City, QC
7 - Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
8 - Times Union Center - Albany, NY
12 - Fiserv Forum - Milwaukee, WI
14 - Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, MN
16 - T-Mobile Center - Kansas City, MO
17 - Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK
19 - Simmons Bank Arena - North Little Rock, AR
21 - Enterprise Center - St. Louis, MO
24 - Vivint Arena - Salt Lake City, UT
27 - Moda Center - Portland, OR
28 - Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle, W
31 - Chase Center - San Francisco, CA


April 
1 - Golden 1 Center - Sacramento, CA
4 - Honda Center - Anaheim, CA
5 - STAPLES Center - Los Angeles, CA
7 - Pechanga Arena San Diego - San Diego, CA
9 - Gila River Arena - Glendale, AZ
11 - Ball Arena - Denver, CO
13 - American Airlines Center - Dallas, TX
15 - Smoothie King Center - New Orleans, LA
20 - Amalie Arena - Tampa, FL
21 - Amway Center - Orlando, FL
24 - Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati, OH
25 - State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
27 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
28 - Spectrum Center - Charlotte, NC
30 - Schottenstein Center - Columbus, OH


May
2 - Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
4 - Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
5 - Gainbridge Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
7 - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - Cleveland, OH
9 - Capital One Arena - Washington, D.C.
11 - XL Center - Hartford, CT

Korpiklaani violinist, composer, ethnomusicologist Tuomas Rounakari has been forced to postpone the release of his new solo album, Bear Awakener, due to the ongoing pandemic and its effects. But to shorten the wait, he has revealed the first album teaser, some feelings from his studio days in January 2022. 


Tuomas stated: "Disappointed to announce that our release of the Bear Awakener album will be postponed. Not sure exactly for how many weeks, but hopefully it will be shipped everywhere during April. The reason is the obvious one - Covid-19 and its many effects from long queues in printing to unpredictable shipping times. It has hit our team members directly too, but all are well and in good shape by now.


The digital version including the digital booklet is already final. Releasing that before the physical copies simply feels wrong given the nature of this album. I hope to make up this delay with a few more videos around the topic during March.




And for starters! Verde did this little teaser from our studio session for you! We were too busy to actually film anything properly, but this does transfer some of our feelings. Hear the sound of the violin with raw-gut-strings on two different songs!"





Back in December 2021, Rounakari shared two videos. The first episode tells about the first explorers in Siberia from the 17th century onwards and what made the Finnish explorers different from others. The second episode gives an example of archive studies and what makes the archived materials inspiring. In the middle of it all we learn about bear- related myths and ceremonies of the indigenous Khanty and Mansi people as well as the pre-christian Finns.


Episode 1





Episode 2





Pre-Order the Bear Awakener album here.


Korpiklaani released their 11th studio album, Jylhä, in February 2021. The album was hailed by critics and fans alike as the most elaborate and mature Korpiklaani album to date. While this might be true, it doesn't mean the band forgot how to party: during the Jylhä sessions they took the classic Anthrax banger "Got The Time" (a song originally released in 1978 by British musician Joe Jackson) and converted it into a typical Korpiklaani tune called "Ennen" ("Before"). But that's not all - they've filmed a wild and very entertaining video, shot by Markku Kirves and again starring actor Yrjänä Ermala, which is being released along with the cover song.


“This was the first time a video producer encouraged us to drink while on a video shoot and we were very happy to do as directed!” - Jonne (Korpiklaani)


Says video director Markku Kirves: "Our old man wakes up and feels dizzy after last nights party. Suddenly, a knock on the door. Memory is weak and because he sees only blurry figures walking around the house, he decides to hide. But is there anything to drink…"


Watch the video below, and stream the song here.








Jylhä tracklisting:


"Verikoira"
"Niemi"
"Leväluhta"
"Mylly"
"Tuuleton"
"Sanaton Maa"
"Kiuru"
"Miero"
"Pohja"
"Huolettomat"
"Anolan Aukeat"
"Pidot"
"Juuret"


"Tuuleton" video:





"Niemi" video:





"Mylly" video:





"Leväluhta" video:

Blood-pumping and soul-rocking… Roadkiller cranks it up to the next level on “Like The Crow” featuring CKY’s Jess Margera guesting on the skins. “Like The Crow” is the third single from Roadkiller’s album, Pick Of The Litter.


"'Like The Crow' is the third single off of my upcoming record Pick Of The Litter," says Phillipa Tank. "It's my hard rock track and I knew Jess Margera would be perfect for it. He obliged and we knocked it out at the hobbit hole at Castle Bam before Castle Bam was Castlebam Studios. We tracked with Chris Weyh, beers and Spinal Tap!" 


"I wanted to shoot a video at FDR skatepark because it looks sick and it's an iconic Philly landmark," continues Phillipa. "After a bunch of cancellations due to the weather and some Covid scares, we finally got it together and shot with videographer Arvil Prewitt, the Rubbish Records crew and a bunch of my skater friends. It was a really fun day and I love how the skaters created continual motion throughout the video."







"I had so much fun being part of this badass album. This particular track has more hooks than a tackle box and is heavier than a death in the family," says Jess Margera.


Phillipa Tank is Roadkiller. Phillipa is the vocalist, singer and composer of the music and lyrics of all of the songs on the record. She is also the guitarist and founding member of all girl Motörhead tribute band, Motorbabe. 


Five guest drummers participated in the recording of the upcoming Roadkiller album, Pick Of The Litter: Dave Witte (Municipal Waste), Jess Margera (CKY), Donald Tardy (Obituary), Tommy Akerholdt (Turbonegro) and Adrian Aguilar (Exmortus). Phillipa invited each drummer to record a song that best fit each drummer's style of playing. Each session was filmed and a total of five videos will be produced.


"Pick Of The Litter" featuring Tommy Akerholdt:





"Slicker Than Oil" featuring Dave Witte:





 

Darkthrone and Peaceville are marking the 30th anniversary of the iconic A Blaze In The Northern Sky with a strictly limited edition - only 666 copies - special anniversary clear vinyl LP, featuring special handmade sleeves courtesy of Bartek Rogalewicz at Lodge.Black Temple. All 666 numbered copies will be hand-signed by Fenriz and Nocturno Culto. This limited edition also contains a refresh of the original 1992 audio master.


Take a look at this stunning collectors piece, and enjoy a trip down memory lane with Fenriz in the video below.







666 limited numbered copies of A Blaze In The Northern Sky on exclusive clear vinyl will be available only through the Peaceville Store on June 24, 2022. 

• All copies are signed by Fenriz and Nocturno Culto on paper made in year 1666!


• True artisan release redesigned and hand crafted by Bartek Rogalewicz at Lodge.Black Temple.


• Thick 2mm hardcover in handmade black raw paper and paper sourced from an ancient book from year 1666.


• Hand printed using vintage manual woodcut press.


• Printed with custom made silver ink with addition of powdered goat horns.


• Hand numbered.


• 4 pages insert with lyrics and alternate layout.

For the anniversary, A Blaze In The Northern Sky will also be available on white vinyl LP, black vinyl LP and CD – all with the original cover art and using a refresh of the original 1992 audio master. An anniversary t-shirt with the 1992 design will also be available.





Tracklisting:


"Kathaarian Life Code" 
"In The Shadow Of The Horns" 
"Paragon Belial" 
"Where Cold Winds Blow" 
"A Blaze In The Northern Sky" 
"The Pagan Winter" 


A Blaze In The Northern Sky, Darkthrone's official second album, was originally released in 1992 and was without question the blueprint for the Black Metal scene, spearheading the evolution of the early second wave movement in Norway and beyond. It was hailed on release as an album of true scene-shifting greatness, following their more death metal focussed debut, Soulside Journey.


The rawness apparent on the album (recorded at Creative Studios, the same location as Mayhem's legendary Deathcrush was put to tape), was unusual for the time and an antithesis to the usual metal production values and standards during the period. With this, Darkthrone's statement of attitude and intent was clear, and their status as masters of Norwegian black metal was set.





(Photos by Jørn Steen)


 

On April 1st, The Spirit return with their third studio album, Of Clarity And Galactic Structures. The duo, consisting of Matthias Trautes (vocals, guitars, bass) and Manuel Steitz (drums), holds on to their black/death metal roots while taking the progressive elements to a new level and today, the band reveals a music video for their new single "Celestial Fire". Directed and filmed by internationally renowned Grupa13, the video dives deep into the symbolical meaning of the track; singer and guitarist Matthias Trautes comments: 


"It's definitely the most easily accessible song of the album. Quite short, catchy riffs and a chorus that will most likely be stuck in your mind for a while. During the video shooting we didn't have in mind, that a certain video platform could have problems with some images. So afterwards we had to cut some scenes out but still, we are very pleased with the result." 







Of Clarity And Galactic Structures artwork (painted by Eliran Kantor) and tracklisting:





"Of Clarity And Galactic Structures"
"The Climax Of Dejection"
"Repression"
"Celestial Fire"
"Transition"
"Timbre Of Infinity"
"Arcane Wanderer"
"Laniakea"



Pre-order your copy now at this location.


"Of Clarity And Galactic Structures":





 

Frontiers Music Srl released Imprisoned, the new album from Swedish prog metal band, Mercury X, back in December 10. The band has released a video for the album opener, "Until The Break Of Day". Watch the clip below, and order/save Imprisoned here.


Mercury X is an outstanding progressive metal band hailing from Sweden. Mercury X's music and sound takes inspiration from the early '80s progressive metal bands as well as modern metal. The new album, "Imprisoned", is based on their lives during the making of the album, taking the listener through different emotional stages with simple and beautiful melodies accompanied by rough riffs.


Mercury X originally formed in 2013 in Norrtälje, outside of Stockholm. Guitarist/lead vocalist/violinist Martin Björklund, bassist Alfonso Flores, guitarist Jonas Vedin, and drummer/lead vocalist Denis Diaz met for the first time when they were studying music together in high school. They soon formed a band together, but eventually everyone followed their course of studies in different cities. When they all came back home, they decided to start a band again and thus formed Mercury X. Since then, the band has made two albums, both released independently.




More recently, they started writing an epic twenty minute long song called “Imprisoned,” which was originally supposed to be a stand-alone EP release. After it was written, they decided to record an additional four songs and make a proper (for progressive metal) full length album.


As the album neared completion, they started to realize that it was a big step up from their previous releases, both in musical and songwriting quality in general, so they started to shop themselves around for a record deal. Eventually, they got in contact with Frontiers, who were deeply impressed with the quality of the material and signed the band.





Tracklisting:


“Until The Break Of Day”
“The Light In Your Eyes”
“Lonely”
“Imprisoned”
“The Sound Of Nothing”


“Until The Break Of Day” video:





“The Sound Of Nothing” lyric video:





“Lonely” video:

Progressive death metal heavy-hitters, Arkaik, have released a lyric video for "Labyrinth Of Hungry Ghosts, the title track of the band's upcoming studio album, Labyrinth Of out on March 11 release via The Artisan Era. Find the clip below, and pre-order the new album here.





Tracklisting:




"The Orphion Descent"
"Labyrinth Of Hungry Ghosts"
"Abode Of The Deceiver"
"Broken Glass Apotheum"
"Wayward Opulence"
"To Summon Amoria"
"The Vertical Road"
"Eminence Emergence"


"Labyrinth Of Hungry Ghosts" lyric video:





"Wayward Opulence" video:





Lineup:


Jared Christianson
Alex Haddad (Dessiderium)
Nathan Bigelow (Singularity, Ex-Alterbeast)

Minneapolis-based hard rock outfit, Cold Kingdom, have announced plans to release their as yet untitled third studio album this summer via oneRPM. The band have previewed the album’s crushing debut single, “Criminal”, featuring guest vocals from Danny Case of From Ashes To New. Stream the song here, and watch a music video below.





“It was really awesome to collaborate with Danny on ‘Criminal',” stated Cold Kingdom vocalist Elissa-Marie Ogaard. “His voice added an edge to the song that we were excited to hear. I think that he not only complemented my vocals, but also added a contrast that brought the song to a whole different level. We can’t wait to release it into the world.”




From Ashes To New vocalist Danny Case adds, “It was a pleasure working with Cold Kingdom. ‘Criminal’ is a powerful song with a soaring chorus that really keeps your attention from start to finish.”


“The pandemic really screwed a lot of things up for us, but it also gave us a lot of time to write,” relays Cold Kingdom drummer Chris Morely. “‘Criminal’ was one of the first songs we wrote and recorded during the lockdown, and I believe it’s one of our strongest songs to date. The lockdown made us angry, annoyed, distraught, and we had so many other negative feelings. We just channeled all that into our writing and ended up with an album’s worth of material.”





Cold Kingdom were formed in Minneapolis in 2014 and released their first full-length album The Moon And The Fool in 2015. It was followed by a self-titled EP produced by Shinedown’s Eric Bass in 2017 and a second full-length record Into The Black Sky in 2019. When they aren’t writing or recording, the band has brought their energy-filled shows across the US supporting genre leading acts such as Shinedown, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd and Nonpoint. They have also appeared on festival stages including Northern Invasion, RockFest, Summerfest, Moondance Jam and Halfway Jam.


Cold Kingdom will next be seen live at a headlining show in Omaha, NE at Waiting Room Lounge on March 26 with further dates to be announced in the coming weeks.


Lineup:


Evan Ogaard (Guitar)
Elissa-Marie Ogaard (Vocals)
Jason Michael (Bass)
Chris Morley (Drums)


(Photo - Brad Gunnarson)

Sabaton have released a new lyric video for "Hearts Of Iron", originally featured on the band's 2014 album, Heroes.


Historical fact: During the final battle of Berlin in 1945 the general of the 12th army, Walther Wenck realized that the end of the war was coming, and instead of trying to defeat the advancing Soviet forces as his orders were, he used his army to create an escape corridor out of Berlin. For such an act he would surely have been sentenced to death, but instead he ended up being responsible for up to 250 000 people safely escaping the burning city of Berlin. For some this was a battle, for him this was a rescue operation.







Sabaton’s tenth album, The War To End All Wars, will be released on March 4 via Nuclear Blast Records. Once again, Sabaton will dive deep into the atrocities, miracles, and happenings around WWI and take the listener on an emotional and exciting 11-track ride.


Pre-order the album here.





The War To End All Wars will be available in the following formats:


- Jewelcase CD
- Limited Gold CD [Supporter Edition - various versions with translated booklets]
- History Edition
- NB Mailorder Exclusive Edition [ltd. to 1500 copies]
- Earbook [limited to 6000 copies]
- Black Vinyl
- Azure Blue Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 300 copies]
- Inca Gold Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 500 copies]
- Copper Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]
- Fluorescent Orange Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]
- Leaf Green Vinyl [Sweden exclusive]
- Fluorescent Yellow Vinyl [Ginza exclusive]
- Dusk Vinyl [Levik exclusive]
- Soft Grey Vinyl [Nordics exclusive]
- Lavender Vinyl [FNAC exclusive]
- Rosewood Vinyl [Mystic exclusive]
- Fluorescent Green Vinyl [UK exclusive]
- Pacific Blue Vinyl
- Polar White Vinyl [limited to 300 copies]
- Dewdrop Vinyl [limited to 500 copies, EMP exclusive]
- Blue cassette [limited to 100 copies, bandshop exclusive]
- Green cassette [limited to 100 copies]
- Grey cassette [limited to 300 copies]
- Red cassette [limited to 500 copies]
- Black cassette [limited to 250 copies]
- Smokey cassette [limited to 200 copies]
- White cassette [limited 100 copies]





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 will mark the March 4 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.


(Photo - Tim Tronckoe)

In a brand new interview with Herald-Whig, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner once again spoke about the band's recent announcement that it would embark on the next leg of its 50th-anniversary tour as a quartet. Asked if this was just a way for the rest of the band to get to pick on him as the new guy again, Richie said: "Yeah, about a week later, we readdressed that announcement and we've gone back to a five-piece. But I did get that impression initially. It's was, like, well, I've just had this issue; maybe they're just test in my mettle, so to speak. But the fans voiced their opinion on that and we listened. We would have been crazy not to take that on board, really. So we addressed it and we're coming back as a five-piece. We will go back to normal, basically. It's going to be that five-piece, that twin-guitar attack PRIEST is known and loved for. So all's well there."

He continued: "PRIEST have been such a part of our culture, really. I don't really remember a world, as far as my kind of heavy metal music consciousness is concerned, when I didn't know who JUDAS PRIEST was. I knew the songs, 'Another Thing Coming' and 'Breaking The Law'. It would be interesting for sure, as a four-piece, like [BLACK] SABBATH or OZZY [OSBOURNE], or a few bands out there. But I think the fans' voices are important, as I said, and we listened. You've got to pay attention to the fans. They're the lifeblood of this band, and any band, really that does gigs and puts out music. They're part of what enables the life of any band. So I think that's what you've got to respect and acknowledge."

PRIEST's initial announcement that it would perform as a four-piece when it returns to the road came on January 10. 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 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 guitarist K.K. Downing, who joined PRIEST in 1970 and remained in the group until 2011.

On January 15, 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 Rob, Faulkner, Ian Hill (bass), Scott Travis (drums) and Andy.

Earlier in the month, Halford told Billboard about PRIEST's short-lived plan to embark on its 50th-anniversary tour as a quartet: "That all came from me, it didn't come from the band. Of course, that blew up in my face, didn't it? To have done something like a four-piece now would've been just not right, ridiculous, insane, crazy, off my rocker, have a cup of tea and relax. It's kind of water under the bridge now. I think my heart was in the right place, but I'm not the first musician to have a crazy idea."

Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT, began touring with PRIEST four years ago after Glenn Tipton — who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower".

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Downing parted ways with the band more than a decade ago and was replaced by Faulkner.

Last month, 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."

Last November, JUDAS PRIEST announced the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American tour dates for March-April 2022. Support on the trek will come from QUEENSRŸCHE

Indian heavy metallers Bloodywood have revealed another explosive track, "Dana-Dan" from their debut full-length, Rakshak, which was released on February 18th. Check it out below.


"'Dana Dan' is a graphic commentary on sexual assault and the need to eliminate it. It begins with the reflexive, almost homicidal rage we feel when we hear about these crimes, before moving on to a more level headed call to arms. It culminates in a gentle appeal for all of us to reflect on the role we play in creating a world where atrocities of this nature are committed and to work towards eliminating it altogether."







Bloodywood is a folk metal band from India known for pioneering a sound that seamlessly fuses Indian Folk instruments with Metal to devastating effect. Expect to hear the percussive power of the mighty Dhol, the melancholic Flute, the single stringed Tumbi and several other uncommon yet distinctively characteristic sounds from India. A combination of thunderous Hindi/Punjabi Choruses and meaningful yet unforgiving Rap verses along with the ethnic instrumentation, makes Bloodywood a truly unique experience.


“The decision to be bilingual, vocally speaking, was a natural one that we didn’t really think about,” the band told The Pit back in November. “It just felt like the way to go, and it definitely adds a different dimension to our sound. We’re happy to share that people feel the emotion and understand the sentiment even if they don’t speak the language (though we did get requests for translations and subtitles, which you’ll find in all our songs now). The moment we knew that beyond a doubt was when we played a sold out show in Paris and had an amazing audience of French people sing the chorus back at us in perfect Hindi. They were so loud and clear that we couldn’t hear Jayant!


And on the album: Rakshak means 'protector' or 'guardian' in Hindi. We've always been as passionate about the message of our music as much as the music itself, and our goal has and always will be to make a positive impact in people's lives and on the planet. 


You'll hear songs that talk about combating mental illness, overcoming divisive politics, battling the poverty crisis, crushing corruption, eliminating sexual assault, hope, belief and undying determination. Musically we've taken more than a few risks and pushed the limits of our sound both vocally and instrumentally. Besides having a few songs with our signature sound, we have also experimented heavily by writing our fastest, heaviest and angriest music yet while also incorporating elements and instruments from genres that lie on the other end of the musical spectrum.


We were lucky enough to be in a position to do something positive with our time at home during the pandemic, now we're ready to explode outwards. Rakshak being our debut album, we've strived to deliver one with no fillers."





Tracklist:


"Gaddaar"
"Aaj"
"Zanjeero Se"
"Machi Bhasad" (Album Version)
"Dana-Dan"
"Jee Veerey" (Album Version)
"Endurant" (Album Version)
"Yaad" (Album Version)
"BSDK.exe"
"Chakh Le"


"Gaddaar"

Scorpions recently released their highly anticipated new album, Rock Believer. Order the album here, and watch a lyric video for the song "Gas In The Tank" below.





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)"


"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

Progressive metal quartet, OU (pronunciation: “O”), have signed with InsideOutMusic for the release of their debut album, one. Hailing from Beijing, China, the group combine a variety of elements and influences (Devin Townsend, The Gathering, Radiohead to name a few), to create their extremely unique sound.


Anthony Vanacore (drummer) comments: "The music from our debut album, one, comes from the deepest parts of our souls; I'm so proud and grateful of the outcome and I hope it will find people to resonate with. I believe the record is historic in many ways as it to my knowledge is the first time a Chinese band has been signed to a western major record label. We are very honored to be signed to InsideOutMusic, a label which hosts many bands and artists we’ve grown up listening to and idolizing, including many bands and artists that influenced this very record. The music on the record is fresh, dynamic and sometimes surreal sounding and I believe will appease many music-lovers' search for something that is both in and outside the box, drawing you into a new world called OU."


InsideOutMusic Label Manager Thomas Waber comments: "We are really excited about signing OU from China, as we were blown away when we heard the music for the first time. Very unique and modern, but still familiar sounding, a rare find these days!"




Formed by drummer and songwriter Anthony Vanacore, the idea behind OU came from each member having a long history of playing in local house bands and seeking new challenges in their growth as musicians. Vanacore would go on to recruit talented guitarist and fellow house band veteran Jing Zhang, as well as highly sought-after bassist Chris Cui, with the three of them laying the initial groundwork for the song structure and creative approach. OU recruited highly talented singer Lynn Wu to front the project, who brings with her ethereal vocals that contrast with the dynamic and engaging music, delivering a powerful and soaring sound. On their debut, OU set out with only one clear goal in mind, and that was to make certain that every song had its own unique identity.


OU lineup:


Lynn Wu – Vocals
Anthony Vanacore – Drums, Prod
Zhang Jing – Guitars
Chris Cui - Bass


(Photo - Frank Mao)

Napalm Records welcomes Swedish melodic rockers, Nestor, to the family. The band has signed a worldwide record deal with the leading Austrian rock and metal record label.


Originally founded in 1989, but only releasing their first album Kids In A Ghost Town in 2021, it is Nestor's mission to restore the glory of rock!.Their acclaimed first album sent their fans on a journey back in time to the 80’s.


Nestor on signing to Napalm Records: ”We’ve been looking for the right partner for quite some time and we are thrilled about the signing with Napalm as they totally get the ambition and vision of Nestor. We are super exited to continue this fantastic journey with Napalm Records on board.”




Napalm Records CEO Thomas Caser adds: "Welcome Nestor - a band that is unbelievable fun and with whom we have a lot of plans for the next years!"





Nestor is:


Jonny Wemmenstedt - guitar
Mattias Carlsson - drums
Tobias Gustavsson - vocals
Marcus Åblad - bass
Martin Frejinger - keyboards


(Photo - Henrik Eriksson)

KING'S X guitarist Ty Tabor spoke to Chris Akin of The CMS Network about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2008's "XV" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[We recorded it] during 2019 and continued to work on it during COVID, just at individual studios. I added some additional vocals down here [at my studio] and actually another guitar part on a song. And we sent tapes around. Jerry [Gaskill, drums] added some more vocals. Doug [Pinnick, bass/vocals] added some more vocals. And we also had Wally Farkas [GALACTIC COWBOYS] singing on the record; he added some more [vocals].

"But other than that stuff being done after we left California, the record is done," he explained. "And it's already mastered and turned in, and there's a release date. And it's gonna come out this year; I just can't say when. The record company, it's up to them to announce all that stuff and do the promotion and all that.

"But, yeah, the plan is, there's a new record coming out this year, and it's the record that we worked harder on than anything we've done since we were very young and, to me, is the best thing we've done in a very long time," Tabor added.

Last October, Pinnick told Talking Metal that KING'S X's record company was "starting the campaign" for the new LP. "We're taking it slow 'cause we're trying to figure out with this whole COVID thing and all the things that are happening," he said. "We wanna put the record out without a lot of distractions and getting sick on the road or just all the controversy. We just wanna wait a little bit longer and do this right."

Regarding the musical direction of the new KING'S X material, Pinnick said: "Every song is completely different than the other — mixed and sonically; everything. We took every song and tried to do like THE BEATLES 'White' album and just sit down with a song and go, 'Let's give it what it needs.' I don't have to have my Doug Pinnick gravelly tone if I need a Paul McCartney-type sound. Ty [Tabor], he would fix his guitars to make… 'This is like a whatever song. Let's make it what it is but still be KING'S X.' So I think that it sounds like KING'S X but hopefully everyone will feel that we took another step forward. The whole point is just to try to push forward [while] still looking back. There's a lot of things on this record that are reminiscent of KING'S X totally, but then there's this new KING'S X, I think. Sonically, we're really excited because it's a complete analog record except with Pro Tools. It was laid down with analog — everything — and it was mastered on analog tape and even EQed with analog tube EQs to saturate the tape to get compression instead of digits. So there's no digits on this record. So when you hear it, it's gonna take you back a little bit. It sounds like you put a real record on in the '70s, sonically. It's, like, things jump out at you, and then they don't. It's, like, you go, 'Wow, the bass is huge, but I can hear everything else,' 'cause you can put your hands in it, almost. [Producer and engineer] Michael Parnin just did an amazing job — a painstaking job — to get it to sound like a record that you can put on and play forever."

The new KING'S X LP was mastered in June 2021 at the Bernie Grundman Mastering facility in Hollywood, California,

Last April, Pinnick told Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic about the new KING'S X material: "I had some pretty crazy songs, time-change-wise, 'cause I've been listening to a lot of MESHUGGAH and shit like that. It's not KING'S X, but that flavor comes in. Imagine John Bonham playing with MESHUGGAH… But Ty and Jerry [Gaskill, drums] are singing a lot too. I tell people, it's like from [THE BEATLES' classic song] 'Penny Lane' to the heaviest MESHUGGAH — it's a blend of something in between there. And one song to another almost sounds different, almost to the point where they're individual pieces themselves, like PINK FLOYD used to do. We've got violins and other things in it. I've got some keyboards and all kinds of things to enhance things — piano. Nothing overboard, but just like [Jimi] Hendrix did and people like that — big things coming in and out that gives it that longevity, I would say. Things that you hear and go, 'Oh, wow. That's cool.' That little thing over there. So it's taken Michael a long time to mix it, 'cause he's got a lot of tracks."

KING'S X was sidelined by several health scares in recent years, including Pinnick's two hernia operations and two near-fatal heart attacks suffered by Gaskill.

In October 2019, KING'S X canceled all of its previously announced tour dates for the year so that Gaskill could undergo undisclosed heart "procedures."

"XV" was KING'S X's highest-charting album since 1996's "Ear Candy".

In 2005, VH1 included KING'S X in its list of "100 Greatest Artists In Hard Rock."

During Slash's February 25 press event with members of the Australian media, the GUNS N' ROSES guitarist was asked what the "biggest adaptation" has been for him in the nearly four decades that he has been involved in the music industry. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I sort of have always just done what it is that I do and it's never really fit in with whatever the industry standard is anyway, so it's always sort of been difficult. But the biggest adaptation has really been getting through that whole digital craze, when it really kicked in with MP3s and Pro Tools first coming around and everybody just going into this sort of phase of, like, 'Look at all the possibilities. It's amazing. It's genius.' Which, technically, it really is — the things that we've been able to achieve are amazing. But then a lot of stuff sort of got kicked to the side when that happened, and a lot of it was the integrity of sound, the integrity of the warmth of what we used to really enjoy about analog. Now with digital, they actually have made it so that they recreated the warmth of analog in digital, which is great. But there was a period there where everything was sounding really rubbish, and I was having a hard time with that one because everybody was on that bandwagon and it was hard to find people that weren't. So, yeah, that was the biggest adaptation for me."

Slash is promoting the new album from SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, titled "4", which was released on February 11 via Gibson Records in partnership with BMG. "4" is Slash's fifth solo album and fourth overall with his band featuring Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass, vocals) and Frank Sidoris (guitar, vocals).

Most of "4" was recorded over a 10-day period at Nashville's RCA Studio A in April 2021. The LP was helmed by six-time Grammy-winning country music producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Travis Tritt) who shared the band's desire to lay down the tracks live, in the studio including guitar solos and vocals — a first for the group.

"I always wanted to set up the back line in the studio like we would in a club or in a venue and mic everything up and just record," Slash recently explained to Billboard. "Dave Cobb was the only producer I've ever worked with who was okay with that. In fact, he said one of his aspirations was to record a rock 'n' roll band live in the studio. I was, like, 'Eureka! I've been trying to do that my whole career.'"

"I love the way old ROLLING STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, THE WHO and all these classic rock bands sounded when they played together," Cobb added. "Slash was excited to record an album live. And I was excited about it because [my team] and I do it that way a lot."

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS kicked off a North American headlining tour on February 8, in Portland, Oregon. The trek will hit 28 major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, and more, before wrapping up March 26 in Orlando, Florida.

Originally released in 1998, Union’s self titled debut featured the pairing of guitarist Bruce Kulick who had spent the last 12 years as the lead guitarist in KISS during their non-make up era, and was featured on several multi-platinum albums, including the bands powerhouse Revenge, and singer/guitarist John Corabi who had fronted the Scream, and more recently Mötley Crüe, on their now cult following self titled 1994 release.   They teamed up with drummer Brent Fitz (Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Theory Of A Deadman) and bassist Jamie Hunting (Roger Daltrey, David Lee Roth, Vince Neil).  This was followed up by their second studio effort The Blue Room in 2000.


Union has not been released on vinyl since its original release and will now be a 180 gram vinyl double album in two beautiful versions, featuring bonus tracks, and a gatefold sleeve.


- The Premier Edition - Crystal Clear Heavy Smoked Vinyl (limited to 250 copies pressed), featuring a signed album flat with signatures from all four members.




- The Silver Edition comes on opaque silver 180 gram vinyl and a beautiful gatefold sleeve (limited to 500 copies pressed).


The Blue Room will be available for the first time as a 180 gram vinyl double album that comes with five bonus tracks, the radio edits for “Do Your Own Thing” and “Who Do You Think You Are?”, along with acoustic versions of “October Morning Wind” and “Hypnotized”, and live version of The Blue Room album cut “Dead”.


- The Premier Edition comes with a signed 10”x10” band photo, and is on a black & blue 180 gram vinyl hand pour (limited to 250 copies pressed), featuring all new artwork, five bonus tracks, and a beautiful gatefold sleeve.


- The Royal Edition comes on transparent blue 180 gram vinyl, features all new artwork, 5 bonus tracks, and a beautiful gatefold sleeve (limited to 500 copies pressed).


John Corabi had this to say about this amazing release, “I’m really excited about the Deko re-release of the self titled Union record, and our second effort The Blue Room!!! They did a great job with the artwork and packaging, and the records sound great!!! I’m just so happy for all the Union fans around the world to finally have these long hidden gems at their disposal, instead of having to search high and low on the internet!!!! Enjoy the music, and thank you for all the love and support!!!!!”  


Bruce Kulick continues, “The vinyl reissues of Union, gives our fans a fresh listen to our music. Hearing the layers of detail and devotion we gave each song, will be mind blowing for them. The chemistry of this band rises to a new level that will not only impress our fans, it will make the curious converts to the music. It’s a proud moment for John, Brent, Jamie and I to share with the world.”


Deko Entertainment president Bruce Pucciarello comments on this first partnership with Blackbird Entertainment on their new re-issue initiative, “We are super stoked that Blackbird partnered with Deko to make this available again.  Union is a case study in pound the pavement rock and roll.  If you want soulfulness and a groove in your fist pump, it’s all here folks.”


Pre-order here.





Union tracklisting:


Side One
"Old Man Wise"
"Around Again"
"Pain Behind Your Eyes"
"Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore)"


Side Two
"Heavy D…"
"Let It Flow"
"Empty Soul"
"October Morning Wind"


Side Three
"Get Off My Cloud"
"Tangerine"
"Robin’s Song"
"Oh Darling" (Bonus Track)


Side Four
"Walking In Your Sleep" (Bonus Track)
"For You" (Bonus Track)
"Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore)" (Acoustic Bonus Track)





The Blue Room tracklisting:


Side One
"Do Your Own Thing"
"Dead"
"Everything’s Alright"
"Shine"


Side Two
"Who Do You Think You Are?"
"Dear Friend"
"Do You Know My Name?"
"Hypnotized"


Side Three
"I Wanna Be"
"No More"
"October Morning Wind" (Acoustic Bonus Track)
"Hypnotized" (Acoustic Bonus Track)


Side Four
"Do Your Own Thing" (Radio Edit) (Bonus Track)
"Who Do You Think You Are?" (Radio Edit) (Bonus Track)
"Dead" (Live Bonus Track)

an Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT have announced the return of drummer Dave Lombardo to the group's ranks.

Lombardo was the guest drummer on TESTAMENT's 1999 studio album "The Gathering", which also marked the first time the band worked with then-up-and-coming British producer/engineer Andy Sneap. "The Gathering" is widely considered to be an improvement over 1997's "Demonic", an album that saw singer Chuck Billy employ a more guttural style of vocals and was released at a time when thrash acts as TESTAMENT had fallen out of favor.

Billy comments: "I'll state the obvious, We are more than overwhelmed to welcome back Dave Lombardo to play drums with TESTAMENT. We are so excited to share the stage again with Lombardo. Dave added immense power when he joined the band for 'The Gathering' [album], and we are ecstatic to see what new flavor he will bring back to TESTAMENT."

Lombardo states: "This is a long-awaited reunion that was bound to happen. Once upon a time, we created a thrash masterpiece. I have no doubt that our musical chemistry will pick up exactly where we left off. I love the TESTAMENT family and am very excited to be joining them once again. Pure brutality awaits."

Peterson expresses: "Having Dave Lombardo join us again feels like we are picking up where unfinished business had left off. There is a silver lining to every cloud and working again with Dave calls for us to celebrate with our horns held high."

In January, TESTAMENT parted ways with its longtime drummer Gene Hoglan. Hoglan originally played drums on "Demonic", but didn't stick around long enough to do any touring with the band. He officially joined TESTAMENT in 2011 and played on the group's last three albums: 2012's "Dark Roots Of Earth", 2016's "Brotherhood Of The Snake" and 2020's "Titans Of Creation".

TESTAMENT, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL played the sole 2021 date of "The Bay Strikes Back Tour" last November at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. The gig took place less than two months after the three bands shared the stage at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento.

"The Bay Strikes Back Tour" was originally scheduled to kick off on October 6 at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California and make stops in Austin, New York, and Detroit before concluding in Oakland. The tour has since been rescheduled to take place in April and May 2022.

In a new interview with the Phoenix, Arizona radio station KSLX-FM 100.7, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford discussed his autobiography, "Confess", which arrived in September 2020 via Hachette Books. Co-written with Ian Gittins, the book offered readers a compelling, heartfelt and honest look at the struggles Rob has faced with addiction and his sexuality as well as exploring his music and his many brushes with controversy.

Rob said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I was approached in my 30s. 'Rob, do you want to do a book?' I'm, like, 'No, dude. I've got more of a life to live.' And then there's a little bell [that] goes, 'Ping! It's time to do it.' So we put that together while the pandemic was going on.

"Thank you to everybody that took time to get into the book," he continued. "It was a real journey of self-discovery. 'Cause Ian Gittins, who is my guy — Ian did the Nikki Sixx 'Heroin Diaries' and a multitude of other great books. He was the master of taking it through the various parts of my life. And we got it done at long last."

Halford went on to praise Gittins further, saying: "He's great. He's a researcher. He pulls his stuff from all these different resources. Once you put a light on in my head, the lips start flapping… So, I'm relieved that, through my sobriety, I thought I had lost so much of this stuff in those murky years, but he was able to get me through that time, which we included in the book. So, yeah, we didn't miss anything; we didn't cut any corners. The difficulty came when we sent all these hundreds of thousands of words to the publisher, and then the editing team goes in. I'm, like, 'You cannot take that out. It's gotta stay in.' We had quite a bit of material left over — for the right reasons. That's why editors edit. So we're utilizing that in another project that we'll be talking about later on this year."

In "Confess", Halford discusses in detail what it was like becoming the first metal icon to announce he is gay in 1998 during an MTV interview, despite knowing about his sexuality since he was 10. Although his bandmates and their management knew he was gay and were accepting, he was advised to be discreet given the macho hetero nature of the metal world. He also opens up about surviving sexual abuse, as well as his struggles with depression, substance abuse, sobriety, and the suicide of one of his former partners. He also talks about how his own suicide attempt in 1986 led him to the rehab program that saved his life.

A year and a half ago, Halford told Sonic Perspectives about the book's title: "I would like to feel there are parts of this book which are relatable to others. Everybody is the same, as we all share similar life experiences. There are so many things that happen to us; we are almost identical no matter where we are from. I've traveled the world and seen how our music can touch people from all walks of life and professions. Confessing these stories or episodes is important, and it gives the reader a look-see into this guy that you only see from one point of view."

Halford is not the first member of PRIEST's classic lineup to release a book. Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing released his autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.

In 2009, original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins released his autobiography, titled "Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest And Heavy Metal". JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to the book, which was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil's book "The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith" (Omnibus Press).

During a new appearance on the "Stop! Drop & Talk" podcast, GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's new studio album. He said (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET) "GODSMACK, I'll just say, we are all happy and healthy and love one another. And we're writing music, and we have some cool music happening. And we're blessed enough to have time… We're doing it really different this time. We're taking a couple of weeks on and however long off and then till the man calls, the genius calls. When Sully [Erna, GODSMACK frontman] gets a spark, then we get together. There's no plan. For however long we can get together, we get together and create together. So it's a beautiful time."

He continued: "I know it's a horrible time [during the pandemic], but kind of, for me and this whole hermit thing, I'm digging it — for now. It's been a cool change. I write music with my friends now, it feels like. We'll have to put a record out someday. But right now, it's like we're just kind of reflecting even on, wow, what we've done the last 20 years together. It's crazy, man. You try to make the best out of everything that we're given. So we got given this pandemic. Let's just make the best of it for now."

Last November, Erna spoke to Minneapolis. Minnesota's 93X radio station about GODSMACK's plans for a new studio LP. He said: "People always ask us about this gap of how come it takes GODSMACK four years to put out new music. Well, for us, it's a blink of an eye. And the reason is because we take about six months to a year to write and record a record, 'cause we go for quality most of the time, not quantity. And then it's touring on it, which lasts another 18 months to two years. And then, obviously, when coming off a big world tour like that, before we do another record, we're taking six months off or something like that, and then it's another six months to a year to write [a new album]. So four years goes by very quickly is my point. Obviously, with COVID, it even bumped it up a little bit more. So, in a nutshell, the plan is gonna be we have some shows we're gonna honor this April and May coming up from back when COVID hit and we had to cancel some — just a handful. And then we are planning to hopefully release something late '22, with the intentions of getting out there by early '23 — in the States. We may start a little sooner in Europe first, but the States, I think, '23 for a big new-look world tour kind of thing [in support of a] new album."

Erna went on to say that GODSMACK had originally planned on putting out new music in 2021 but decided against it once it became obvious that touring would be delayed further by the ongoing pandemic.

"When this [pandemic] thing happened, then we were, like, 'Okay, well, this gives us some time, 'cause I wanna set up this place and get the band ready in a new studio' and whatever," Sully explained. "Then we finished the studio and we went right to work. We were in there for two, three months or whatever, and we started grinding and pumping out music, and then we were going, like, 'Wait a minute here. Why are we in such a hurry? We're not gonna tour yet for a while.' And Tony [Rombola, guitar] was, like, 'Yeah, I wanna kind of do some projects around my house,' and Shannon [Larkin, drums] the same, and Robbie [Merrill, bass] was going through something, rebuilding his personal life. And I'm, like, 'There's no reason. We just toured for more than two decades straight, and now we're rushing to get right out there during a pandemic when we're not gonna be able to get out there?' So we just went, 'Eh. Shut it off. See you next year. Let's go enjoy our summer. Let's enjoy our families and our friends and our houses.' And we took this year off. So now we've committed to getting in there January 2 and we're gonna work through the end of April to try to button up a record. And that's why we're looking at probably like a late summer, early fall release for a new single. And then [a full-length] record following that."

Last September, GODSMACK's latest album, "When Legends Rise", was certified gold on by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies. In addition, two more of the LP's singles (the title track and "Under Your Scars") were also officially certified gold by the RIAA. The album's first single "Bulletproof" earned a platinum digital single award in September 2020 and was previously certified gold in the U.S.

"When Legends Rise" was the seventh studio album from GODSMACK. Produced by Erik Ron and Erna, it was the band's first release in four years and was recorded at their now-former headquarters (GSHQ) in Derry, New Hampshire. The album went on to garner a multitude of career milestones for the group: four No. 1 rock tracks (an accomplishment that makes GODSMACK one of only four rock acts to achieve this), and a record 11 No. 1 singles in the band's career with the album's fourth single, "Unforgettable". "When Legends Rise" entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart in the top ten (No. 8), with four No. 1 placements on other charts: Top Rock Albums, Top Hard Music Albums, Top Independent Albums and Top Alternative Albums.

Toronto rocker Danko Jones has checekd in with the following update and a new video performance:


"Had the absolute pleasure of jamming with Mike Squires on his Couch Riffs sessions. It is an honour to be jamming on a track with Steve McDonald of Redd Kross (wow!) and Bob Vennum of The Bellrays (yes!) and John Sherman of Red Fang!!! Mike’s alright, too."  


Mike Squires: "This song is one of the great, under-appreciated rippers of the '70s and Elton John is allowed to pretty much do anything he wants since releasing it in 1973. This cover was one from our long wish list which I was very much looking forward to getting to eventually and I'm so happy to introduce this awesome Couch Riffs band that took it on..." 




Vox: Danko Jones
Guitar: Bob Vennum (The BellRays)
Bass: Steven McDonald (Redd Kross / Melvins)
Drums: John Sherman (Red Fang)
Guitar: Mike Squires (Duff McKagan's Loaded)

In a new interview with El Paso Inc., GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge spoke his decision to record the band's upcoming album "Impera" with producer Klas Åhlund, who also sat behind the desk for 2015's acclaimed "Meliora" effort. Asked why he chose to end his streak of working with a different producer on each new GHOST LP, Tobias said: "The thing is you need to keep moving so that you don't get stuck in friendly comfortable mode. 'Meliora', the record I made with Klas, was really good, but the recording and the production itself left a few things to be improved. When time came to record 'Impera', the writing and demoing had been done in 2020. But in early 2021, the American producer who was supposed to make the record couldn't come because of the travel restrictions, and I couldn't go to America. And because Klas is also a very scheduled person, he had a project lined up that fell through. All of a sudden, he had a few months off, and I was, like, 'That is well-timed, because I don't have a producer. Would you like to produce the record?'"

GHOST's fifth album, "Impera" will arrive on March 11 via Loma Vista. Forge worked on the follow-up to 2018's "Prequelle" with Åhlund and Swedish co-writers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, whose credits include Madonna and Lady Gaga.

Regarding his collaboration with Åhlund, Al Fakir and Pontare, as well as OPETH's Fredrik Åkesson who was brought in to sharpen the album's guitar attack, Forge recently told St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "I found that I can work really well with someone I respect, who is always pushing for the best. They make me want to write better, to get my game up a little."

GHOST kicked off its co-headlining tour with VOLBEAT on January 25 at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada. The 26-date trek, which includes special guests TWIN TEMPLE, will conclude on March 3 in Anaheim, California.

The official music video for "Impera"'s latest single, "Call Me Little Sunshine", was lensed by iconic director Matt Mahurin and stars Ruby Modine.

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

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

Photo credit: Mikael Eriksson

Los Angeles-based industrial metal band Dawn Of Ashes has released their new single and title track of their upcoming album, "Scars Of The Broken". Thematically, it is about leitmotifs such as depression and mental health, stylistically it is a spectacular work that evokes memories of industrial and EBM greats such as Nitzer Ebb and Godflesh.


Frontman Kristof Bathory: "This eponymous song is dedicated to all those who feel broken in one way or another or have to deal with things that make it difficult for them to move forward and look ahead. Sometimes it feels like you're alone or like others don't understand you. It is a struggle to be able to free oneself from such thoughts. They are literally the Scars Of The Broken. You carry your wounds as a reminder of what you had to go through to be where you are today. They are like war wounds that prove that the survivors can handle everything in life," 


Scars Of The Broken will be released on March 18th via Artoffact Records. Pre-order the album here.







Tracklist:


"(Descending) Torn Inside"
"Love is Asphyxiation"
"The Despondent Hole"
"EMDR"
"Bane of Your Existence"
"(Limbo) Numb"
"It Comes in Waves"
"Heart Beats Cold"
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Former MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman John Corabi has weighed in on Neil Young's recent demand that his catalog be removed from Spotify in response to "fake information about vaccines" being "spread" on the platform via Joe Rogan's podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience". Young delivered an ultimatum, adding, "They can have Rogan or Young. Not both." Spotify announced a few days later that it would pull Young's music catalog from its platform.

Corabi, who joined MÖTLEY CRÜE in 1992 as the replacement for original singer Vince Neil, was asked for his views on the Neil Young-Joe Rogan saga in a recent interview with Adika Live! He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I kind of understand both sides of the fence. And I think, honestly… I love Neil Young. And I don't necessarily agree with everything that Joe Rogan says, but to each his own, man. And I think that's the thing that nowadays people have lost all sense of reasoning. For example, somebody will get on a plane — and I've seen videos and I've actually been on a couple of flights where somebody was arguing about having to wear a mask. And they're, like, 'I don't wanna wear a mask. You're infringing on my rights.' Which, I understand that part — I do understand that. But at the same time, it's also the plane company's right to insist that you wear a mask. And if you don't wanna wear the mask, then just don't fucking fly.

"I think people are getting a little crazy with their opinions," Corabi continued. "And for some reason, we've gotten to the point where it's, like, 'My opinion is more valuable than anybody else's.' I just don't understand that. Whatever. That's why Baskin-Robbins has 32 flavors; if you don't like vanilla, try the chocolate."

In the days after Neil had his music from Spotify removed, a handful of notable artists have pulled their music from the streaming giant, blaming the platform for spreading false information about coronavirus via Rogan's podcast.

In response, Rogan promised to "do my best, in the future, to balance things out," while Spotify said it would add content advisories to podcast episodes with information about COVID-19. In an almost 10-minute-long Instagram video, Rogan said he would "try harder to get people with differing opinions on" on his show, which averages 11 million listeners per episode.

"The Joe Rogan Experience" became a Spotify exclusive in 2020, when Rogan signed a multi-year exclusive licensing deal with the streaming giant.

Corabi recently completed work on his autobiography. Titled "Horseshoes And Hand Grenades", it was written with the help of MÖTLEY CRÜE historian/author Paul Miles, and is due in June via Rare Bird Books.