Swedish metallers SABATON were recently forced to postpone their European arena tour, which was supposed to happen in March/April 2022, "due to continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on global live events and travel." However, SABATON frontman Joakim Brodén told Finland's Tuonela magazine that he and his bandmates are still expecting to return to the road later this year. "That's our main priority," he said. "And the only reason that we are not on tour is that we physically can't or aren't physically allowed. It will take the threat of prison or bankruptcy to stop us from doing that. Unfortunately, when it comes to touring, dealing with a tour in several countries is much more complicated than a single one because of governments. So that's, unfortunately, the reason why we had to postpone the European tour. While in certain countries, everyone gave us 'thumbs up' and it's clear, we can do it, in other places, it was unclear, in certain places it was a clear 'no,' and at that point we can't physically do the tour, which is sad. But new plans are being made at the moment. And I am not too pessimistic, actually, about 2022. Actually, quite the opposite. I get to fucking go on stage again. And that's a great thing."

SABATON will be touring in support of its tenth studio album, "The War To End All Wars", which is due on March 4, 2022 via Nuclear Blast Records. The concept LP of 11 brand-new songs was written and recorded during the COVID-19 global pandemic and once again dives deep into the atrocities, miracles, and events tied to the early 20th century's World War I.

In a recent interview with Canada's The Metal Voice, Brodén said about the musical direction of SABATON's new material: "It's very much a SABATON album in that way. We've been an evolutionary band always and not a revolutionary band. There's always surprises on a SABATON album but we're never gonna flip the coin and do something totally different on every song on a new album. There's gonna be surprises on every album.

"It's always subjective," he continued. "I think it's pathetic when an artist goes, 'It's the best album we've ever made,' and they keep promoting the same tired line. I say it's up to the listener to decide that, but I know for a fact that everybody in the band, without even sitting in the same room together, because I sort of shipped out the pre-mixes to everyone, and everybody — this is the only time in our history this has happened — everybody came back with, 'Fuck. That sounds great.' Everybody is super happy with the production. We were always happy before, but it was, like, 'Maybe this, maybe that.' Now it was more like, 'Okay, yeah, I have some suggestions and ideas, but wow.' We're really happy with the sound."

SABATON is considered to be one the most important bands to emerge from the Swedish modern metal scene, having been honored with five Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards (including "Best Live Band" three different years) and nominated several times for the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the Grammis. In 2016, SABATON's "The Last Stand" album debuted at No. 1 in three different European countries and cracked the Top 3 in four others. Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Tommy Johansson (guitar) curate a festival of their own, Sabaton Open Air, that started back in 2008, as well as their own forward-thinking Sabaton Cruise which has been held since 2009.

Lethal Fright has released a new single and music video for “Low Frequencies”, featuring very special appearances of Blaze Bayley (Solo, Wolfsbane, ex-Iron Maiden), Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, ex-Dream Theater) and Jonas Schütz (Sacrosanct, Sapiency). Lethal Fright is led by Douglas Arruda (vocals and bass) and also have Nunes Italiano on the guitars.





“Low Frequencies” stands out for having a lot of groove and will be one of the songs on the next album, scheduled or mid-2022. Having the enigmatic title “LF-MMXX”, the sequel promises elaborate songs, offering common themes between the songs although not envisioned as a concept album,” said the vocalist and leader of the band, Douglas Arruda.




“Low Frequencies” was produced by the band itself, and mixed by the legendary producer Kevin Shirley, who became famous for working with Aerosmith, Rush, Journey, Silverchair and other popular names. He worked with Dream Theater, and produced every Iron Maiden album since the 2000s. ”Working with Kevin was surreal, Nunes and I are fans from one of his greatest productions, the Scenes From a Memory album from Dream Theater. A true masterpiece!” said the vocalist. “It was a unique opportunity, and also on a way to experiment. In fact, the members’ passion for both Iron Maiden and Dream Theater goes further with this release. “Somehow Low Frequencies combines the best elements from these two bands, within our vision and interpretation of course! Now imagine what is having Blaze Bayley and Derek Sherinian collaborating on the same song? Sounds like a dream!”.


“Low Frequencies” is an allusion to the communications used by submarines. When they are on the depth, they are only reachable through very low frequency waves. In a way, the band tried an analogy to everything that is subliminal in communications these days.


In addition to Kevin Shirley, the album was remastered by Tony Lindgren of Fascination Studios in Sweden, who has worked with Angra, Sepultura, Kreator and other big names. “This song has very heavy riffs, we recorded it with a 7-string guitar and with a lower tuning.” “It’s a very direct, intense song. We were focused on delivering the message of the lyrics musically”, added Douglas.


The artwork for the single was once again done by Carlos Fides, who recently worked on the album “Vera Cruz do” by Edu Falaschi. The video was edited by Marcelo Dalbelles, from Aesthetic Content AudioVisual.





According to the vocalist Douglas Arruda, “Low Frequencies” will be a central piece in the concept of the next album. “It is inspired by all the events and social transformations that have taken place since the beginning of the pandemic. This, at first, brings more reflective approaches, however we catalyzed in a way go give more energy and impact through the songs, one step forward from the previous album. Still brings positivity, so it is a good mix. The vigor of the new songs are a differential, so far it’s working very well”. The first album, “Past Through the Future (The Desert)” was released in June last year.


Douglas Arruda has always been a huge fan of Blaze Bayley and often says that Iron Maiden’s “The X-Factor” album is his favorite. “Yes, that’s true. Anyone who knows me, knows this. It was shocking for a lot of people at the time, because of the change. I really enjoyed that kind of vocals and the proposal as a whole. I think that Iron Maiden wanted to change at that time, but somehow they were not fully committed. Anyways, I think it could have worked very well. I felt Blaze as a more ‘natural’ voice, offering some reinterpretation. I really liked that idea, wanted to sing along because it felt more attainable, more real. Songs like Heaven Can Wait, 2 Minutes to Midnight and Afraid to Shoot Strangers were very good in his voice. By the way, I’m a solo fan of his solo career too.”


“When Iron Maiden came to Brazil with Blaze Bayley back in ’96, I must have been between 14 to 15 years old back then. I listened to “Man on the Edge” singing along and even imagined myself singing with Blaze. Today, at the age of 40, this is being materialized. Just amazing! I saw Blaze live for a few times, and in one opportunity at Manifesto in Sao Paulo, I remember sitting next to him but didn’t say a word. I saw him in person, so for me with that moment I was satisfied. I didn’t really expect that I would do what I’m doing Today, sharing vocals with him. I can say, I am very satisfied with this great opportunity, it is the realization of a dream that one day I thought it was too far away.”

The life of late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton was celebrated with "Cliff Burton Day" on what would have been his 60th birthday, February 10. A special livestream, emceed by Nicholas Gomez, included such guests as Big Mick, Metal Joe, Gary Holt (EXODUS, SLAYER), Dan Riley, Brian Lew, Dean Delray, Brian Slagel, Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE), Canada Dave and Connie Burton. You can now watch the entire four-hour event below.

Cliff was asked to join METALLICA in 1982 after the band saw him perform with his group at the time, TRAUMA.

The bassist was not willing to move to Los Angeles, where METALLICA was based, so they decided to move to the San Francisco area so that he would join.

Burton played on METALLICA's first three studio albums — "Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning" and "Master Of Puppets" — and co-wrote classic songs like "Ride The Lightning", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Fade To Black", "Creeping Death" and "Master Of Puppets".

His life was tragically cut short at the age of 24 in a tour bus crash on September 27, 1986 in Sweden.

Burton's initial replacement in the group was Jason Newsted, who stayed in the lineup until 2001. Robert Trujillo joined in 2003 and remains in the band to this day.

February 10, 2018 was proclaimed "Cliff Burton Day" by Alameda County supervisors. The late METALLICA bassist would have turned 56 years old on that date had he lived.

Back in 2016, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Seattle's KISW 99.9 radio station about Burton's tragic loss when METALLICA's tour bus skidded on ice while the group was on tour in Scandinavia and Cliff was thrown out the window and crushed. Lars said: "We were so shocked and stunned that we didn't know what hit us. And, like most, I guess, kids in their early 20s who get ambushed with that type of thing, we jumped into a bottle of, in this case, vodka, for me, and stayed in there for quite some time. We weren't mature enough or seasoned in life enough to know how to deal with this other than just to sort of, basically, almost hide behind the alcohol and compartmentalized it. So the next few months were very difficult, and it was crazy, but we just put the blinders on and started auditioning bass players. And we knew in our hearts that Cliff would be the first one to kick us in the ass and tell us to keep going, if he could see us mope. And so there was no moping; we just kept going the best we knew how to."

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was asked in an interview with TeamRock what he thinks Burton might have thought about the drastic changes in its look and sound that METALLICA made through the 1990s and early 2000s with albums like "Load", "Reload" and "St. Anger". Hetfield replied: "Well, I certainly would have thought there would have been some resistance, for sure. I think the 'Black Album' was a great album and I appreciate the fact that we did have the balls to do that… I would certainly think that the 'Load' and 'Reload' [era], I would have had an ally that was very against it all — the reinvention or the U2 version of METALLICA."

Asked if Hetfield was personally comfortable with the more "alternative" image and music METALLICA made on those albums, the singer/guitarist replied: "No, no, not at all. There’s some great, great songs on there but my opinion is that all of the imagery and stuff like that was not necessary. And the amount of songs that were written was… it diluted the potency of the poison of METALLICA. And I think Cliff would have agreed with that."

Burton's huge talent and achievements were chronicled in book form with the 2009 global publication of "To Live Is To Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton", written by U.K.-based author Joel McIver and published by Jawbone Press. The foreword was provided by METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor will release a solo album of covers and acoustic recordings, titled "CMFB…Sides", on February 25 via Roadrunner Records. The official lyric video for the LP's first single, Corey's rendition of "On The Dark Side" by JOHN CAFFERY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND, can be seen below.

"CMFB…Sides" track listing:

01. Holier Than Thou (METALLICA cover)

02. All This And More (DEAD BOYS cover)

03. Kansas (acoustic)

04. Shakin' (Eddie Money cover)

05. Home/Zzyzx (STONE SOUR medley) (live)

06. Lunatic Fringe (RED RIDER cover)

07. Got To Choose (KISS cover)

08. Halfway Down (acoustic)

09. On The Dark Side (JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND cover)

Corey broke the news of the "CMFB…Sides" release in an interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" earlier in the month. At the time, he said: "CMFT is putting out a B-sides album which has all the covers that we've done and some acoustic versions of some of the songs that are on 'CMFT'," he said, referencing his debut solo LP, "CMFT", an acronym for "Corey Mother Fucking Taylor", which arrived in October 2020. "The first single will actually be February 11th, and people will be able to download that. It's our cover of 'On The Dark Side' by JOHN CAFFERY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND, which is one of the best rock tunes ever. It's one of our favorites to play live… The 'CMFT' B-sides will come out February 25th. It'll be available everywhere. We're really stoked on that too."

Asked if there are plans for him to do more solo shows in the coming months, Corey said: "We're doing little stuff here and there. We just did ShipRocked, which was a lot of fun… It's looking like we're gonna do a handful of shows in the U.K. in October, kind of threaded around the SLIPKNOT schedule. So we're just gonna do it here and there while we kind of gear up [for the next album].

"'CMFT 2' is written, it's demoed, it's ready to go," he added. "Plus we're constantly writing new stuff. So we're gonna be in a great position, next year probably, to go in and record 'CMFT 2' and just be ready to kind of do that. But that's obviously after SLIPKNOT has kind of done its thing."

"CMFT" made impressive debuts on charts around the world, entering at No. 1 on Billboard's Current Hard Rock Albums chart, while claiming No. 2 on Current Rock Albums, No. 6 on Vinyl Albums, and No. 9 on the Top Albums charts. Furthermore, "CMFT" landed Top 10 on the official album charts in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with Top 20 debuts in the United Kingdom, Finland and Japan (international chart).

"CMFT" was recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston and Christian Martucci (guitar), Zach Throne (guitar), Jason Christopher (bass), and Dustin Schoenhofer (drums).

"CMFT" had been a long time coming for Taylor, with newly written tracks alongside some dating back to his teens. The album was highlighted by the singles "Culture Head", "HWY 666", "CMFT Must Be Stopped" (featuring Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie), and the Active Rock radio hit "Black Eyes Blue". Taylor also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Songwriters chart following the unprecedented debut of "Black Eyes Blue" and "CMFT Must Be Stopped". Furthermore, Taylor debuted the pummeling "Culture Head" during WWE's NXT broadcast on the USA network, illuminating yet another facet of "CMFT" and showcasing the broad spectrum of this fiery and fearless rock 'n' roll opus, as Taylor touched on lifelong influences ranging from hard rock to classic rock, punk rock to hip-hop. 14-time world champion and EVP of global talent strategy and development at WWE, Triple H, also shared a WWE exclusive performance of Taylor and his band tearing through the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades".

Last year, Taylor made history as he reached No. 1 at Active Rock Radio with his powerful single "Black Eyes Blue". The achievement put Taylor in a class all his own, making him the first artist in the history of the format to reach No. 1 with three separate projects, following chart-topping efforts from SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR.

Featured in Rolling Stone's "Fall Album Preview 2020," "CMFT" has been garnering widespread critical applause, with Forbes affirming, "Corey Taylor's singing is undeniably the best it's ever been. From SLIPKNOT's last album to his new solo material, Taylor is easily among the best sounding rock singers alive." Kerrang! raved, "Corey Taylor certainly couldn't have predicted how important a sense of uninhibited joy would be on his debut solo effort, it's just what 2020 needs — and, even more importantly, exactly what he delivers." The Daily Beast attested, "'CMFT' finds the singer broadening his horizons and showing off his considerable versatility," while Stereogum noted, "Corey Taylor's lived several lives in the span that it takes most of us to push through just one, and it's clear that he cherishes every experience he's had so far." New York magazine added that "CMFT" "bridges his vast tastes and influences, dabbling in punk rock, metal, reflective acoustic tunes, plaintive piano ballads, and hip-hop, with Taylor's power-house vocals and introspective lyrics acting as a guide."

Goodbye June have released a video for "Three Chords", the new single from the band's third full-length album, See Where The Night Goes, out February 18 via Earache Records. Watch the video below.


From the ear-catching riffs of album opener “Step Aside” to the anthemic outro of “Black,” Goodbye June showcase their southern rock roots. Tracks like “See Where The Night Goes,” “Stand And Deliver” and “Baby I’m Back” pay homage to their influences while infusing their own unique style to each song.


See Where The Night Goes is available for pre-order in various CD and vinyl configurations here.







See Where The Night Goes tracklisting:


"Step Aside"
"See Where The Night Goes"
"Breathe And Attack"
"Take A Ride"
"What I Need"
"Stand And Deliver"    
"Baby, I’m Back"
"Everlasting Love"
"Nothing"
"Three Chords"
"Black"


"Three Chords" video:





“Step Aside” (Director’s Cut) video:





Fusing hard rock licks with deep South blues and gospel swing, the three cousins - Landon Milbourn [vocals], Brandon Qualkenbush [rhythm guitar, backing vocals] and Tyler Baker [lead guitar] - are fuelled by their desire to craft timeless, catchy and anthemic rock songs. The band formed after the death of Tyler’s brother in June (hence the band name), vowing to honour his memory with their soulful and life-affirming sound.


(Photo - Rachel Deeb)

MORBID ANGEL has canceled its appearance at this year's Maryland Deathfest, set to take place May 26-29 at various venues in Baltimore, Maryland.

The festival organizers announced the death metal veterans' decision to pull out of the event in a social media post earlier today, writing: "MORBID ANGEL will no longer be performing at MDF 2022. Despite trying to convince them to not cancel, the only thing we've been told is that the band 'will not be playing MDF or any other shows in the current climate', so we'll let you interpret that however you see fit."

MORBID ANGEL is being replaced at Maryland Deathfest by fellow Florida death metallers DEICIDE who will perform their 1992 album "Legion" in its entirety at the festival.

Other bands who have dropped off this year's Maryland Deathfest are VALKYRJA, ARCHGOAT, BLAZE OF PERDITION and ANTICHRIST. They are being replaced by IMMOLATION, PROFANATICA, AKHLYS and SULFURIC CAUTERY.

In April 2018, Silver Lining Music released a special two-disc digipack edition of MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Kingdoms Disdained", featuring seven instrumental demo tracks previously only available as part of the deluxe box set.

"Kingdoms Disdained" was released in December 2017 via Silver Lining Music in the U.S. and JVC in Japan. The disc, which reunites founding guitarist Trey Azagthoth with bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker, was recorded at Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida and produced by MORBID ANGEL with Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATE ETERNAL, SIX FEET UNDER, BELPHEGOR).

Joining Azagthoth and Tucker during the recording sessions for "Kingdoms Disdained" was drummer Scotty Fuller (ANNIHILATED; formerly of ABYSMAL DAWN)

MORBID ANGEL in January 2017 announced the addition of Dan Vadim Von (guitarist/frontman of the American death metal band VADIMVON) to the band's lineup on second guitar. He joined the group as the replacement for Norwegian guitarist Destructhor (a.k.a. Thor Anders Myhren), who left the band seven years ago.


MDF 2022 news:

We're pleased to say that for the first time ever, DEICIDE will be performing the Legion album in its...

Posted by Maryland Deathfest on Thursday, February 10, 2022

Ian McDonald, founding member of KING CRIMSON and FOREIGNER, passed away peacefully on February 9 in his home in New York City, surrounded by his family. He was 75 years old.

A master multi-instrumentalist, McDonald's musicianship was an integral part of launching celebrated progressive rock band KING CRIMSON. His keyboard and woodwind contributions led to the breakout success of the band's debut album, "In The Court Of The Crimson King", which is considered one of the most influential LPs of the genre. Blending elements of classical, jazz, and symphonic music, THE WHO's Pete Townshend called it "an uncanny masterpiece".

Joining FOREIGNER in 1976, McDonald played guitar as well as woodwinds and keyboard on the band's first three albums: "Foreigner" (1977), "Double Vision" (1978) and "Head Games" (1979). These chart-topping albums all reached platinum certification status, producing such iconic rock anthems as "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded" and "Double Vision".

McDonald has figured prominently on four of the biggest-selling albums of the 10-year period from 1969 through 1979, encompassing two completely different rock genres (pop rock and progressive rock).

Most recently, McDonald's talents shined in his New York City-based band HONEY WEST.

McDonald further cemented his legacy with his work as a session musician, playing saxophone, keyboards, flute, vibraphone, and guitar. He appeared on numerous recordings throughout his career, including T.REX's iconic "Get It On (Bang A Gong)".

Three years ago, McDonald said that he initially had second thoughts about leaving KING CRIMSON after "In The Court Of The Crimson King", telling The Los Angeles Beat: "I used to have regrets about that, and that I should have stayed at least through the second album. But now I don’t regret it because had I stayed, things would have turned out very differently for me up until this moment… I'm very happy with the way things have played out since then."

Asked in a 2017 interview with Glide Magazine if he was a musical child, Ian said: "Yeah, I listened to music as a child. There was an old upright piano that I used to plunk a bit on, I suppose. [Laughs] There was a Spanish-style guitar sort of lying around that my father had. We had a record player and thinking about it, I'm really glad. We had Les Paul and Mary Ford records and classical records and things like Scheherazade and things like that, so I did grow up listening to music, and then when rock and roll appeared, I got really interested and decided that's what I want to do. People like Chuck Berry and Little Richard and others like Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent and even Ricky Nelson — he made some great records as well. I got interested from that point of view, and then, of course, THE BEATLES came along and I was about sixteen years old and that was it. [Laughs]"

Ian McDonald is survived by his son Maxwell McDonald

SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor says that he hopes something like the recent Astroworld concert tragedy never happens at any one of his band's concerts.

Ten people, including a 9-year-old and two teenagers, died while many more were injured after a crowd surge during Travis Scott's performance at the Houston music festival in November. The rapper has since been criticized for appearing to keep the show going despite pleas of help from the crowd. Although he paused a few times, many are saying this response was not enough. In the weeks the incident, dozens of lawsuits have been filed and a slew of questions remain unanswered about what went wrong.

Taylor addressed the deadly event in a recent interview with Fox News. He said: "It's one of the things that scares you as a performer. The last thing you want is for anything to happen to your audience. We as a band, as an organization, we've always gone above and beyond to try and make sure that our fans are okay. Even back in the day when we were crazy and kind of doing insane stuff, if anything ever happened to our fans, we immediately stopped the show and made sure they were okay. We never carried on. We always made sure that security was the priority. Number one. That hasn't changed to this day. It's the one thing we try to focus on."

Corey also touched upon the "security issue" which caused the cancelation of SLIPKNOT's November 2019 appearance at the Knotfest Meets Forcefest in Mexico City. According to reports, the stage barricade broke during BEHEMOTH's set and it was impossible to fix it in time for either of the two scheduled closers — SLIPKNOT and EVANESCENCE — to perform.

Taylor said: "The issue that arose at Knotfest Mexico was because there was an unsafe situation in the audience. We and our security did not feel comfortable going back out there knowing that people might get injured. There was a broken barricade that we couldn't fix. We physically couldn't fix it. So we had to shut down. And because we did that, most people left. There was a riot, but nobody got hurt. They were taking it out on the instruments and the grounds and whatnot. But that's the difference between us and a lot of other bands. We wouldn't have felt good carrying on, knowing that our fans might be in danger. It really comes down to what your priorities are."

He added: "Obviously, I don't know any of the people involved [in Astroworld]. And I don't know anything more than what I've read in the news online. So I can't make any judgments. All I can talk about is where we are [as a band] and where I am. And I can just say that I hope that something like this never happens at any one of our concerts."

All ten Astroworld victims' cause of death was listed as "compression asphyxia," according to documents from the Houston medical examiner's office. One victim had a contributing cause of "combined toxic effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, and ethanol." All deaths were ruled accidental.

In late December, it was reported that Live Nation Entertainment, the concert promoter behind Astroworld, was under investigation by a congressional panel.

The House Oversight Committee announced that it is launching a bipartisan investigation into "the roles and responsibilities for Astroworld Festival, security planning for the event, and the steps Live Nation Entertainment took after being made aware that law enforcement had declared the event a 'mass casualty event.'"

SLIPKNOT made headlines last November when a bonfire was started in the mosh pit at the band's concert in Phoenix, Arizona. SLIPKNOT was performing at the Ak-Chin Pavilion as part of its "Knotfest Roadshow" when attendees set fire to a stack of lawn chairs, with the scene captured in various social media posts from fans who attended the concert. As a result, SLIPKNOT's performance was stopped for roughly 30 minutes in order to allow the fire department to put out the blaze. Due to the delay, SLIPKNOT was reportedly forced to drop "Duality" and "Spit It Out" from its set.

A Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson told the Arizona Republic Engine Company 40 "responded to the pavilion and found a large contents fire... possibly started by bystanders at the event."

The engine company established a water supply, extending handlines off the truck to the "for an aggressive fire attack," the spokesperson reported.

"The fire was thoroughly extinguished without any extension to the major structure and no injuries were reported at the incident. The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation and no persons were displaced at this incident."

The "Knotfest Roadshow" tour, featuring support from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FEVER 333 and CODE ORANGE, kicked off following SLIPKNOT's Knotfest Iowa hometown show in Des Moines on September 25. It wrapped up at Knotfest Los Angeles on November 5 at Banc Of California Stad

KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer has addressed rock's diminishing commercial profile and ever-decreasing album sales, saying "it comes in waves."

For the past several years, hip-hop has surpassed rock as the most popular genre in the U.S., consistently coming out on top as the largest genre in terms of total consumption, which includes album sales and album-equivalent streaming figures.

Munky, who is promoting the new album from KORN, "Requiem", spoke about rock's declining popularity in a new interview with Australia's Wall Of Sound. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Personally, I feel like it doesn't matter because if it's good and it's coming from a real place, they come a-knocking. [Laughs]

"Pop music has evolved into something so synthetic, it'll get to the point where it's so not real, if people crave real instruments and someone that's actually singing live, that whole thing will come around again because there'll be a need for it," he added. "And it comes in waves. And it's okay, 'cause we're not in it for the fame; we're in it for the fans."

"Requiem" was released on February 4 via Loma Vista Recordings. The band celebrated the LP's arrival with a special record-release event on Thursday, February 3 at the Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. "Requiem Mass" saw the Southern California heavy music pioneers perform an intimate set in front of a 300 attendees.

KORN kicked off a short run of shows with SYSTEM OF A DOWN Monday night (January 31) in Phoenix, followed by dates in San Diego (February 1) and Los Angeles (February 4 and February 5). KORN's headlining tour with CHEVELLE and CODE ORANGE will launch March 4.

METALLICA was nominated for the very first "Hard Rock/Metal Performance" Grammy in 1989, but famously lost to JETHRO TULL, a band distinguished mainly by its heavy use of flute. Fans — and even some audience members — were rightly outraged, though TULL's record label tried to make light of the faux pas by placing a Billboard ad that read, "The flute is a heavy, metal instrument."

Asked in a new interview with the St. Louis, Missouri radio station KSHE 95 if he ever got a chance to "to rub in the face of METALLICA" the fact that his band won a "Hard Rock/Metal Performance" Grammy over the San Francisco Bay Area heavy metal giants, JETHRO TULL leader Ian Anderson said: "Well, I think METALLICA were actually very gentlemanly. At the time, they did say, when they did win the Grammy next year, as I predicted they would, they took out a page in Billboard thanking the record company, their friends and family for supporting them, the dog — I mean, they thanked everybody, including JETHRO TULL for not releasing a new album that year. They had a sense of humor about it. They took it on the chin even though everybody was busy telling them they were gonna win a Grammy and then, unfortunately, that year they didn't. But they were the hot new act, and surely they were gonna win it the following year, and, of course, they did."

Three years ago, on the 30th anniversary of that fateful day, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich took to his Instagram to reflect on his band's first Grammy loss, writing: "Today 30 years ago, February 22 '89, we played the Grammys for the first time and that was quite a mindfuck!!

"First time we were in front of a mainstream TV audience. First time mainstream America was exposed to whatever the hell it is we do. First time they had a hard rock/metal category on the Grammys. First time we were Grammy losers, since JETHRO TULL, somewhat unexpectedly to most people, walked away with the win.

"But all was not lost. The expressions of disgust from most members of the audience (other than Iggy!) is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. And I was rocking some pretty crazy hair that was edging dangerously close to a mullet! Happy days indeed!!"

After METALLICA lost the 1989 "Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Recording" Grammy to JETHRO TULL, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), parent company of the Grammys, separated the two genres in 1990 by creating categories for "Best Hard Rock Performance" and "Best Metal Performance". METALLICA won the "Best Metal Performance" award the next year, for "One", and has earned nearly a dozen so far.

When METALLICA's "Black" album won another "Best Metal Performance" Grammy in 1992, Ulrich "thanked" JETHRO TULL for not releasing an album in that year.

In a 2012 interview with Powerline, Anderson recounted that historic day when his band was given the award for best hard rock/metal performer.

"I probably get [the question] a lot more when I'm talking to American writers than I do [at home in England]," Anderson said. "It's not really a big deal over here. It was in a year where it was a new category for 'hard rock' forward slash 'metal' and that category still exists today … and we were, for some strange reason, nominated. And at the time, no one paid any attention to the fact that we were nominated. There was not a peep out of anyone. Because they thought there's no way JETHRO TULL are gonna win it. Nor IGGY POP, nor JANE'S ADDICTION. It's going to be METALLICA because they were the huge, new, straight-out-of-the-box, enormous, hit talent that year and everybody took it for granted that METALLICA were gonna win the Grammy, including METALLICA themselves. And when it was ordered to JETHRO TULL, to a barrage of boos and hisses and gasps of disbelief, I'd like to think that it wasn't that the six thousand voting members of the National Academy Of Recording Arts And Sciences were voting for JETHRO TULL as a heavy rock band or a heavy metal band. They gave us the award because we were a bunch of nice guys who never won a Grammy before. And sad to relate, even after all these years, there is still no category for best one-legged flute player. Otherwise, I'd be winning it every year."


























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Today 30 years ago, February 22 ‘89, we played the Grammys for the first time and that was quite a mindfuck!! First time we were in front of a mainstream TV audience. First time mainstream America was exposed to whatever the hell it is we do. First time they had a hard rock/metal category on the Grammys. First time we were Grammy losers, since Jethro Tull, somewhat unexpectedly to most people, walked away with the win. But all was not lost.. The expressions of disgust from most members of the audience (other than Iggy!) is something I will treasure for the rest of my life And I was rocking some pretty crazy hair that was edging dangerously close to a mullet! Happy days indeed!! #wanna #flashbackfriday #grammyawardlosers #jethrotull #grammys

A post shared by Lars Ulrich (@larsulrich) on Feb 22, 2019 at 4:07pm PST

Iggy Pop will be honored with the prestigious Polar Music Prize.

The legendary rocker has been chosen as one of the 2022 recipients of Sweden's biggest music award.

The ceremony will take place in Stockholm on May 24.

The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by Stig "Stikkan" Anderson, the manager and music publisher of ABBA. A well-known lyricist, he also was the co-writer on many of their early hits. The prize was first presented in 1992.

"I was aware of the very fine range of people that have gotten the Polar Music Prize," Iggy Pop said in a video statement released by the Polar Music Prize committee. "[2011 laureate] Patti Smith and [2007 laureate] Steve Reich have been huge for me forever, I love a lot of what he does, and so many others, so it's a nice step for me. I respect it and I'm honored by it. I'm looking forward to coming to Stockholm in May to receive the Polar Music Prize."

In a statement announcing Iggy's award, the Polar Music Prize award committee said: "With his era-defining group THE STOOGES, Iggy Pop created furious rock music by blending together blues and free jazz influences with the roar of the Michigan automotive industry. With his courage, initiative and raw power, Iggy Pop paved the way for punk and post-punk. Groups like the SEX PISTOLS, RAMONES, BLONDIE, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, JOY DIVISION and Nick Cave all followed in his footsteps. As a solo artist, Iggy Pop has never slowed down, and has instead pushed this art form forwards for half a century. Iggy Pop is 'the chairman of the bored’ who portrays alienation in poetic language. A wholly unique artist who personifies and embodies what rock music is about."

Since his raucous proto-punk, peanut butter smearing days with THE STOOGES, few "street walking cheetahs" have mastered the maniacal with as much grit, gusto and flair as Iggy Pop.

Pop's songs have been covered by the likes of GUNS N' ROSES, R.E.M., RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and SEX PISTOLS, among others. His 1990 album "Brick By Brick" sold more than 500,000 copies, and his 2003 LP "Skull Ring" featured the likes of GREEN DAY, SUM 41 and PEACHES.

Although his solo records were more commercial than those of his 1960s/1970 band THE STOOGES, he never broke through into the mainstream.

A reformed STOOGES recorded the album "The Weirdness" in 2007.

Previous winners of the Polar Music Prize include METALLICA, Elton John, Sting, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, B.B. King, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Max Martin and Bruce Springsteen.

The Polar Music Prize honors two laureates every year to "celebrate music in all its various forms" and "to break down musical boundaries by bringing together people from all the different worlds of music." It awards each laureate one million kronor (approximately $109,000) at a gala in Stockholm.