Jethro Tull's relationship with the Christmas season goes all the way back to the legendary band's early days. Now it's to be renewed for modern-day admirers and longtime fans alike, with the release of an expanded and remixed edition of 2003's The Jethro Tull Christmas Album via InsideOutMusic on December 6.


With the release just around the corner, the 2024 remix of the track "Jack Frost And Hooded Crow" has been launched on digital services. Newly mixed by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), you can listen to it below:







Under the title The Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow At Christmas, the bands 21st studio album has been remixed from the original masters by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), as well as being given the surround sound treatment in both Dolby Atmos & 5.1. The limited deluxe 4CD + Blu-ray book-set collection features all-new artwork, as well as live material, and includes the following across its 5 discs.


- CD1: Original Album Mixes
- CD2: 2024 Remixes by Bruce Soord
- CD3: Christmas Live At St. Bride’s 2008 (newly remixed by Bruce Soord)
- CD4: The Ian Anderson Band Live At St. Bride’s 2006 (previously unreleased)
- Blu-ray: Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & High Resolution Stereo Mixes of The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, as well as High Resolution Stereo Mixes of both live recordings





As well as this, the album will be released on vinyl for the very first time, as a Gatefold 180g 2LP featuring the 2024 remixes. Pre-orders are available here.


The Jethro Tull Christmas Album included new interpretations of no fewer than seven Tull songs, including their first to be inspired by the holiday, 1968's much-loved "A Christmas Song". That Anderson composition, which opened with lyrics interpolated from "Once in Royal David's City", was the B-side of the band's first UK chart single, "Love Story".


"Some of the tracks are not necessarily Christmas songs; they're more seasonal so that gives a broader window," says Ian. "And then there are a couple of them that I quite often play in the middle of summer and say, 'It'll soon be Christmas - it's in the diary. So let's kick it off now.' And that's part of what I've done over the years since October of 1968 when I went into record 'A Christmas Song. 'So, yes - it goes back a long way."


"A Christmas Song" was joined on the album by reworkings of such pieces as Tull's 1976 festive hit "Ring Out Solstice Bells"; "Weathercock", first heard on 1978's Heavy Horses; and "Another Christmas Song", from 1989's Rock Island. Also among the re-recordings was J.S. Bach's "Bourrée", another longtime live favourite, inimitably imagined by Ian.

During an appearance on the November 20 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", KROKUS singer Marc Storace once again said that he has no regrets about turning down a chance to audition for AC/DC more than four decades ago.

The 73-year-old Maltese-born vocalist — whose band had opened for AC/DC in the past — passed on the opportunity to try out to replace the late Bon Scott in 1980.

In February of that year, Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking at a club in London, just days after attending a session with Malcolm and Angus Young where they began working on music for what became the "Back In Black" album.

"Back In Black" was the first album AC/DC released after singer Brian Johnson replaced Scott, and it went on to become the third-biggest-selling LP of all time.

Asked by "Trunk Nation" host Eddie Trunk to clarify if he ever actually auditioned for the singer position in AC/DC, Storace responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I get asked every time, but it's really a simple thing, a simple answer. I never auditioned for AC/DC. AC/DC never asked me personally to audition for them way back in the early '80s, right after Bon Scott, unfortunately, left us. I was only pulled to the side by the CEO of this production company in Birmingham who had just delivered the new KROKUS light show before our 'Hardware' tour in Europe. And I got pulled to the side because these guys also did the production for AC/DC and BLACK SABBATH and God knows who. And I said, 'Steve, do you really think at this stage I wanna leave KROKUS? Look, KROKUS is blooming.' My debut album, 'Metal Rendez-Vous' with KROKUS, went straight into the charts, went gold in Switzerland, and it got all the phones ringing. And our management, Free & Virgin Agency, at that time couldn't keep up with the traffic. And then we played for the first time in the USA, we played the Chicago Fest, and our manager-to-be, Butch Stone, turned up with John Kalodner, a big name in the show business. And we had these talks. After that, we played Reading Festival. And we went down like, pooh, really great. And then we did the 'Hardware' album and we were preparing to go out on the road. And I was full of excitement. And my heart was fully in KROKUS. So, having an offer to go and audition for a band that's lost their singer — I mean, okay, it's a band that I respected. But still, I thought, 'I'm gonna sit tight on the horse I'm riding. And I don't wanna step into nobody's shoes.' That's what I thought for myself. And I said, 'Sorry, Steve. I'm staying put.'"

Storace added: "So that was one story. And the other one, now, recently, when Brian Johnson had difficulties with his hearing [in 2016] and they almost nearly had to cancel these huge arena gigs, [there were] suggestions from fans, which I could see on the Internet, saying, 'Hey, now you've gotta take Storace.' 'Hey, Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist],' all this. Of course it made me happy to see my name appear. Of course I felt like, 'Thank you very much for the respect from all the fans,' but at the same time, I understood fully that they were not gonna go for the singer of KROKUS because I sound too much like Bon Scott. And that was initially, I think, their decision why they took Brian Johnson. So, yeah, I mean, if they asked me the second time around, I would have given it a try, a good try, that's for sure, because in the meantime, all that time went by and my respect for AC/DC grew ginormous. And they are huge and they deserve it. And anyway, that's how it was. And now Brian's back on the saddle and I'm really happy about that. I'm really happy for Brian. He's great. He does a great job. And the two together, together with the band — okay, I miss Malcolm [Young, late AC/DC guitarist] on that stage and Phil Rudd [longtime AC/DC drummer], but, yeah, we move on. And at least they're keeping the ship afloat. And we need to have AC/DC. And I'm so happy that they're coming back and they're going to tour again. As long as we live, we need to have bands like that carrying the flag of rock and roll and hard rock."

Asked if he would sing for AC/DC if the band called him tomorrow and offered him the gig for a tour as the replacement for Johnson, Marc said: "Well, I'd certainly give it a try. I mean, let's be honest, I'd love to sing those songs and look at that audience out there. I mean, come on. Would I say no?"

Elaborating on why he turned down an opportunity to audition for AC/DC 44 years ago, Storace said: "If I was on a sinking ship, I would be the first rat to jump off, but I didn't wanna rat on my friends. My loyalty to KROKUS at the time was like wildfire. And for me, at that point, AC/DC the sinking ship. They just lost a great singer, a great songwriter, Bon Scott. I mean, come on. And so was I gonna take a risk? I didn't even think that far. It all happened like in the flash in my brain, all these different points and counterpoints. And it was, like, 'Hey, no, no. Steve, no, no. Thanks for the offer, but I'm gonna sit tight and KROKUS is gonna go places.'"

Eight years ago, Storace said that he would "certainly" accept an invitation to step in for Johnson after the AC/DC frontman was advised by doctors to stop touring or risk total hearing loss.

Marc admitted in a previous interview that he initially had some understandable reservations about being repeatedly compared to Scott, feeling he was being "branded as a copy of somebody who, at the time, I didn't even know that well." But he eventually started seeing things differently. "Today, I look at it as a big compliment. I think he probably had many of the same idols I had, and we were both gifted with the same vocal tonalities."

Back in 2000, Storace released an album with a project called DC WORLD in which he sang Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs. Audio samples from that effort can be heard in a YouTube clip below.

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Melodic / power thrashers Among These Ashes have revealed the official video for "The Undertow", a track from their forthcoming album, Embers Of Elysium.


The video was filmed and edited by Akuro Productions in Detroit, Michigan. It features Brooke Rousseau from Lady Luna And The Devil on harmony vocals.







Among These Ashes will release Embers Of Elysium December 6th via Alone Records. The album clocks in at over an hour of music and features 12 new tracks, plus a bonus song, from the band.


In discussing the new level reached on Embers Of Elysium, guitarist Richard Clark states that, "It is quite the leap for us in every aspect from Dominion Enthroned. Where Dominion was a full concept album, the first eight tracks on Embers Of Elysium are standalone, and the last four tracks are part of a fictional sci-fi/horror concept called Chronicles Of The Obsidian Reign. I can say with confident humility that every song on this album was crafted and delivered without compromise. The wide range of all of our influences is on display on this album. I think we executed it tastefully and with precision, and I hope it resonates powerfully with listeners."





Tracklisting:


"Embers Of Elysium"
"Serpents Among Rats"
"Faceless War Machines"
"Of One Blood"
"Stronger Than Death"
"Storm Within"
"The Undertow"
"The Enemy In I"
"Through Ethereal Voids"
"The Hybrid Bloodline"
"A Presence Unknown"
"The Obsidian Reign"
"The Undertow" (Bonus track feat. Brooke Rousseau)

Finnish progressive heavy psychedelic rockers Craneium are thrilled to announce they’ve officially signed with Majestic Mountain Records. To celebrate this exciting occasion, the band will release their brand-new single "Empty Palaces" this Friday, available on all digital platforms. In addition, the track's accompanying video can be seen below.


In a statement from the band, guitarist Martin Ahlö shared: “A friend of the band gifted us a book on old Egyptian magick, and some of the spells carried really empowering messages. It also inspired the themes that we explored a lot in our music at the moment: the inevitable decay of mankind’s empires and monuments at the hands of nature and time.”


Drummer Joel Kronqvist added, “We’re beyond excited to share a new single called ‘Empty Palaces’ with the world. This track is the perfect blend of our signature '90s edge mixed with the soulful, retro vibes of the '70s.”

Armored Saint, who is currently opening for W.A.S.P. across North America on their Album One Alive World Tour '24, has issued a live video for their song, "Chemical Euphoria".


The clip, which can be seen below, was filmed on October 29, 2024 in Seattle, Washington at The Moore Theatre.







"Chemical Euphoria" appears on Armored Saint's third studio album, Raising Fear, released in 1987 on Chrysalis Records. The original version can be heard below.





Remaining tour dates are as follows:


November
21 - Stroudsburg, PA - The Sherman Theater
22 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
23 - Charlotte, NC - The F

InsideOutMusic recently announced the signing of Italian instrumental, prog-metal fusionists, Asymmetric Universe, to a new worldwide deal.


The band, formed by brothers Federico Vese & Nicolò Vese, played some select live shows this past summer, including a rapturously received set at Arctangent Festival in the UK. Today the band are pleased to launch a brand new track titled "Opaco", Italian for ‘opaque’, and you can watch the video (directed by Edoardo Giuliani) below.







The band comment: "'Opaco' is the most technically challenging song we have ever composed. It’s inspired by the modern guitar style of bands like Animals As Leaders, Polyphia but with a genre-bending jazz sections inspired by Pat Metheny, Victor Wooten, Jacob Collier. We wanted to set aside the heavy arrangement of the previous song in order to sound like a jazz/metal quartet.”


Stream the track here.





Watch the video for the band's previous single, "Don’t Go Too Early":





Formed in 2018, with the goal of pushing the limit of modern prog and fusing disparate genres, they combine metal with jazz & ambient music, alongside chamber orchestration. In 2023, the band released their second EP The Sun Would Disappear As I Imagined All The Stars, which was mixed by Forrester Savell and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic. They also embarked on their first European tour as support to Australian progressive metallers Ne Obliviscaris, as well as opening for Caligula’s Horse in Italy.


Both brothers are mostly self-taught musicians, who have been heavily involved in comp

In a new interview with KROQ's Kevan Kenney, LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda spoke about the emotions and the experience navigating the release of the band's new album, "From Zero". It marks LINKIN PARK's first full-length effort since 2017's "One More Light", which was the last LINKIN PARK album before the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. "From Zero" features LINKIN PARK's new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who have joined returning members co-vocalist and main producer Shinoda, guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and DJ/visual director Joe Hahnin the band's new lineup. Guitarist Alex Feder is filling in for Delson at all LINKIN PARK concerts for the foreseeable future.

"It's really complicated," Shinoda said about the emotions surrounding LINKIN PARK's return (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "For me, two years ago it was very overwhelming, and I think the best thing that we did was to just basically let things happen in the order and at the timeline that they were gonna happen, let things happen organically and not push too hard. And I feel like what ended up evolving was we just naturally kind of found each other, we found this new lineup, we found Emily and Colin in particular, and the music just kind of came into focus based on what we were having the most fun doing."

When Kenney suggested that "From Zero" "sounds almost like a return to [LINKIN PARK's] roots", Shinoda said: "I love that there's such a strong LINKIN PARK DNA in the record. It does really feel like LINKIN PARK, but I think there's a part of it that's the old sound and part of that's every era of the band, to me, on the record."

Farrell chimed in: "I don't know if I know well what the LINKIN PARK DNA is. It's kind of like when you're too close to something, you just do it and then other people tell you. They almost interpret it and then you kind of say, 'Okay, cool. I'm glad that came across.' But I think in any and all of that creation of an album or working on new music or new stuff or when there's — I don't know — interstitials or whatever you might wanna call it, for me those things are just like us doing us and figuring that out and moving forward. And in this process, one of the things that was so fun and rewarding and cool and energizing was just how when we started gradually integrating Emily and Colin, it felt like LINKIN PARK. It just felt like it fit for me and for us. And those were the coolest moments in the entire process, was just feeling like things were kind of jelling and coming together and we were having a blast doing it the whole time. So at this stage being ready to finally have the album out, having people be excited about it, that feels great."

LINKIN PARK announced its new lineup during a September 2024 one-hour global livestream of a concert in Los Angeles showcasing Armstrong and Brittain.

Earlier in the month, LINKIN PARK announced a massive world tour across North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The trek will launch in January with three dates in Mexico before heading to Japan and a one-off show in Jakarta, Indonesia. Next spring and summer, LINKIN PARK will hit a number of cities the United States and end in November with a run throughout South America.

During LINKIN PARK's recent concert in São Paulo, Brazil, the band revealed that video of the performance, which was also livestreamed in full on Brazilian broadcast channel Multishow, will be central focus of a live documentary. A release date has yet to be announced.

Photo credit: James Minchin III

During a recent appearance on the "Axe Lords" podcast, TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick was asked why it was important for him to show off his skills as a lead guitarist during the band's early years, with the song "Practice What You Preach" containing a one-minite-20-second solo in what is a five-minute track. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, you could get away with it back then. Now, I don't think they'd let me do a solo that long. [Laughs] I still do [the long solos] live. But, yeah, part of that, for me, I felt like there was something to prove, because the area of music that we were coming from, it was kind of garage rock in some ways. There were a lot of examples of garage rock — VENOM, for example. I don't know if they're considered the first black metal band or the first death metal band… VENOM was kind of a garage band. MOTÖRHEAD, obviously — an awesome kind of garage band. The early SLAYER stuff, it was kind of raw and garage band. It was awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I didn't hear anybody playing…"

He continued: "The guitar players that I liked — I was a huge fan of the virtuoso guys: Randy Rhoads, Uli John Roth, of course, Eddie Van Halen, even though, VAN HALEN was much more commercial than the music that we were doing. We all loved VAN HALEN. So I was gravitating towards those players. And there was always a rivalry between Southern California and Northern California. And we had this scene of all these fast, heavy bands, but down in Southern California, you had the glam commercial bands, and some of them — DOKKEN, RATT, a few others — had just unbelievable guitar players. I loved [RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini's] playing. Still do. I mean, those records come on, if I hear that on SiriusXM or whatever, I'm just knocked out. It really holds its own. So I was coming more from that place lead guitar-wise. I just thought, 'Okay, you know what? We need heavy, Northern California, fast, aggressive music, but that has soloing of this quality.' Nobody was doing it. So that's kind of where I was coming from at that time. Now things have changed now. Now it's okay to do that. At the time, I was also getting a lot of criticism for it. I remember people saying, 'You sound like an L.A. player. You should go join a glam band.' But now you've got ultra-heavy bands with great guitar players — too many to name. There's REVOCATION, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHILDREN OF BODOM — may he, Alexi [Laiho], rest in peace. There's so many. It's totally okay to be a virtuosic player in heavy music, but it was not at the time."

Skolnick joined TESTAMENT in 1985 at the age of 16 and stayed with the band for eight years before leaving in 1993 and going on to study at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

In addition to playing with ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO and TESTAMENT, he has worked as a sideman with such artists as vocalist Ishtar of the French band ALABINA and Jewish folk singer Debbie Friedman. He has also guested on an album from RODRIGO Y GABRIELA.

Six years ago, the ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO — comprised of Skolnick, drummer Matt Zebroski and bassist Nathan Peck — released "Conundrum", its first album since 2011.

TESTAMENT's latest album, "Titans Of Creation", came out in April 2020 via Nuclear Blast. A follow-up effort is tentatively due in 2025.

Steve Hackett’s annual performances at Trading Boundaries, in Sussex, UK have become something of a tradition for the legendary guitarist in recent years. Presenting stripped down material, and showcasing his acclaimed classical compositions, these unique & intimate concerts have become a highlight of the year, beloved of his fans.


As Steve explains: “It’s always a joy for me to play at Trading Boundaries, a magical intimate place full of beautiful lights and exotic imagery, illuminating the darkest time of year over Christmas and New Year… It’s the perfect location for my acoustic set.”


Live Magic At Trading Boundaries, set for release on January 17, collects various recordings from these shows from over the years, and also features appearances from regular collaborators including brother John Hackett on flute, Roger King on keys, Rob Townsend on flute & sax, and Amanda Lehmann on guitar & vocals. The release also coincides with Steve’s next two live appearances at the venue, on January 18 & 19, 2025.




To celebrate the announcement, a recording of the track "Ace Of Wands" (originally from his debut solo album Voyage Of The Acolyte) has been launched, and you can listen below.


Live Magic At Trading Boundaries will be available as a Limited Edition CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP & Digital Album, mixed by long-time live sound engineer Ben Fenner. Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Improv"
"Blood On The Rooftops"
"The Barren Land"
"Black Light"
"Horizons"
"Jacuzzi"
"Supper’s Ready" (Excerpt)
"After The Ordeal"
"Hairless Heart"
"Jazz On A Summer’s Night"
"Gnossienne No. 1"
"Walking Away From Rainbows"
"Poulenc Organ Concerto" (excerpt)
"The Red Flower Of Tai Chi Blooms Everywhere"
"Hands Of The Priestess"
"Memory Lane

In a new interview with "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern", KISS frontman Paul Stanley was asked to elaborate on his recent post-U.S. presidential election call for unity. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Obviously it's sad to see a country divided, a country as great as this one. And in part, or in large part, I have to look at the media. And I could be very naïve, but to me, the inception of 24-hour news turned the news into something more like 'Entertainment Tonight'. It became polished to a point where the presenters had more talent as far as being telegenic than being journalists.

"I think that there aren't alternative facts; there are only facts," he continued. "And I'm not sure who or where true facts are coming from, and that's very disconcerting. It's not a coincidence that the country is almost divided in half and that both of those halves get their news from different sources. So I think it's obvious, and I don't know what the what the solution is, but I do hope that people stop seeing those with different opinions, stop seeing those people as the enemy. Respect for other opinions is what this country has always been about. And I've not always agreed with everybody who's been president, but I never saw them as being underhanded or sinister. And I think everything has reached a boiling point here. It's sad, but I also have faith that this country will find its way through this."

Asked if he would like something like the Fairness Doctrine to come back, referencing the 1949 report from the FCC that established the duty of broadcast licensees to cover controversial issues in a fair and balanced manner, Stanley said: "Yeah, I don't know what the answer is. I believe [Ronald] Reagan was involved with [killing] that [doctrine]. So whatever will serve the truth I'm all for. And I don't have to agree with the truth, but I deserve it."

Asked if he wanted to address the results of this year's U.S. presidential election more directly, Paul said: "No, I'd rather not. I think a lot of things are swirling at the moment and people are trying to come to grips with either their victory or their defeat. So I think at some point the dust will settle."

On November 11, six days after the U.S. presidential election, Stanley took to his account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to write: "IT'S OVER. If your candidate lost, it's time to learn from it, accept it and try to understand why. There will be no building bridges to those you don't agree with by being condescending, insulting, talking AT them or removing yourself.

"If your candidate won it's time to understand that those who don't share your views also believe they are right and love this country as much as you do.

"The enemy is not our fellow Americans. It is anyone and everyone who seeks to divide us."

Less than a year ago, Stanley warned against disseminating false or unverified information online, saying that it causes immense "damage" to the world.

On January 1, 2024, Stanley took to his account on X to write: "Let's stop with 'I'm entitled to my opinion'. If you haven't done your own credible fact based research or parrot what you've heard or been told, YOU are part of the problem and the damage it causes. We all deserve more from each other".

Back in August 2022, Stanley slammed American mainstream media outlets for only reporting one political side of the story with bias. The KISS frontman, who completed the band's "End Of The Road" farewell trek in December 2023, took to his X to share the logos of several major cable news networks — specifically Fox News, CNN and MSNBC — and he included the following message: "WANT TO HAVE A MORE UNIFIED COUNTRY? Have a more unified news! Not poisonous bickering & slanted distortions on BOTH sides. How can we form educated points of view when we're not getting the unbiased truth? We don't need networks pushing opinions. We need ACCURACY. We need FACTS."

This was not the first time Stanley had been critical of the way the American media reports its stories. Back in January 2020, Paul wrote on X: "The divisive and dangerous climate in America is in large part the result of 24 HOUR 'NEWS' CHANNELS WHICH ARE IN FACT SKEWED AND BIASED POLITICAL OUTLETS . Any point of view can be backed up with some sort of documentation and 'expert' analysis and that is the key problem. News?!? No. We are watching slick entertainment channels pushing their own agenda and a reality which then becomes yours."

In June 2019, Paul tweeted out the BBC News logo along with the following message: "If You're Ready For News With Far Less Of The Game Show Slickness And Bias Of Our 24 News Networks You Might Try One Of The BBC Outlets. Less Exciting? YES! But Filling 24 Hours Is An Unnecessary Challenge That Has Turned Outlets Into Biased Fast Food Providers."

In August 2018, Stanley said that he did not believe the press is the enemy of the American people, presumably in response to then-U.S. president Donald Trump, who has regularly derided the media as such.

Stanley offered his opinion in two separate tweets, writing: "JOURNALISTS And The Media Are NOT The Enemy Of The People. Without the opportunity to hear all points of view we can't find the truth. Those who want to silence opposition and questions or turn the public against them ARE The Enemy Of The People And Of Freedom.@CNN @FoxNews"

He added: "Because ALL media coverage of politics is clearly biased now, we should accept that EVERYONE is participating and NOBODY is innocent. THAT is all the more reason we need to hear it all."

While he was president, Trump frequently took issue with outlets like CNN and The New York Times for publishing critical stories about his administration and has continued to call journalists "the enemy of the people," despite criticism and fear that he was stoking tension and violence.
pic.twitter.com/SzsAOLeoy0

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) November 12, 2024

Poland’s pioneering and leading progressive rock band Riverside are proud to announce their definitive line album release, Live ID.. Recorded on June 1st, 2024 at COS Torwar in Warsaw, Live ID. culminates the ID.Entity album cycle with a massive live rendition of 12 songs across over 110 minutes playing time and will be released worldwide via InsideOutMusic on January 24th, 2025.


Riverside’s vocalist/bass-player and main songwriter Mariusz Duda comments about the upcoming live release as follows:


“I would argue that Riverside always come across better in concerts than on studio albums. In fact, it’s only during live performances that our songs gain their full potential. What’s more, some song arrangements are much better in live versions than in studio recordings. There are a lot of nuances, quirks, and, above all, explanations of what Riverside’s music is all about. That’s why Live ID. is not just an ordinary live album. It’s an album that reveals the band’s true identity.”




Live ID. not only contains thrilling performances of songs off Riverside’s latest and much acclaimed 2023 studio album ID.Entity, but also re-visits catalogue favourites in a compelling way, once more stressing the band’s unique stance and relevance within the current progressive music scene.


For a first taste of Live ID., feel free to check out the release’s first single “Landmine Blast (Live ID.)” out now across all digital platforms, or check out the live-clip taken from the live Blu-ray, directed by Paul Green below.


Live ID. will be made available as Ltd. 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak (With 24page booklet and the Blu-ray comes with stereo and 5.1 audio options for the live-show, plus a special “Behind the Scenes” feature), Gatefold 3LP on 180g vinyl with 8page LP-Booklet or as Digital album.


Preorder here.





Tracklisting:


CD1
“#Addicted”
“Panic Room”
“Landmine Blast”
“Big Tech Brother”
“Lost”
“Left Out”


CD2
“Post-Truth”
“The Place Where I Belong”
“Egoist Hedonist”
“Friend Or Foe?”
“Self-Aware”
“Conceiving You”


Blu-ray
“#Addicted”
“Panic Room”
“Landmine Blast”
“Big Tech Brother”
“Lost”
“Left Out”
“Post-Truth”
“The Place Where I Belong”
“Egoist Hedonist”
“Friend Or Foe?”
“Self-Aware”
“Conceiving You”
Behind the scenes documentary


Live ID. will also be available as Gatefold 3LP on 180g vinyl with 8page LP-Booklet in the following variants:
- Gatefold black 3LP / Unlimited
- Gatefold lilac 3LP / Limited to 400x copies, available from JPC & Burning Shed
- Gatefold blue 3LP / Limited to 500x copies, avail

Legendary rock band FOREIGNER recently extended its farewell tour through 2025 with its current lineup of lead singer Kelly Hansen, guitarists Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboardist Michael Bluestein and drummer Chris Frazier. Guitarist Mick Jones is the only original member of FOREIGNER who is currently part of the band, though he hasn't played any shows with the group since 2022 due to his battle with Parkinson's disease.

Original FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm previously said he plans to retire at the end of 2024, but is in talks to make appearances at "select" tour dates with FOREIGNER's current lineup in 2025. Bassist Rick Wills and drummer Dennis Elliott are also expected to appear at some shows, including FOREIGNER's upcoming Las Vegas residency.

Gramm addressed the possibility of playing shows with FOREIGNER in 2025 during a recent appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "FOREIGNER's management asked me, Phil Carson asked me if I would be interested in doing some shows with the band. And I said, 'Well, I said I'm ending my band at the end of June because I don't wanna be on the road anymore. I'm not sure, whether I'm out with my band or your band, it's still on the road.' I said, 'I'm not sure I would be up for doing that.' But I said, 'Talk to me more about it.' He was telling me that they wanna do a substantial tour of the world, which doesn't appeal to me. I don't wanna be out for eight or ten months again without seeing my kids and without being able to drive my cars. I had this planned out that I would wrap up my career in June of next year and then have the summer to play with my cars and see my kids and start the rest of my life. So I'm not sure I wanna go out on the FOREIGNER farewell tour with the new band. And I told Phil I would think about it. And he says that he will come back to me with the particulars, 'cause they're going around the world and stuff."

Lou elaborated on his reasons for not wanting to go on an extended tour again, saying: "I just don't feel like I wanna travel. I'm not sure that the world is a safe place to be touring right now in the way that the state of the world is. So, I don't know. I don't get a real good feeling about doing that. If it was just the States, I would consider it. So I know we're gonna talk. I also wanna know what my compensation would be. If I put an end to my touring for my career, it wouldn't be really an end if I was gonna pick up and go out with the new FOREIGNER for a FOREIGNER farewell tour. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it. It would be much more interesting to me if it was members of the original FOREIGNER with augmented instrumentation, like another guitar player or something, rather than go out with another band that calls themselves FOREIGNER. I have a tough time wrapping my head around that."

Asked how many songs he would be expected to sing if he was to appear as a guest on FOREIGNER's 2025 tour, Lou said: "Well, I asked Phil, and he was talking about me doing about five songs. And I says, 'Well, I'd like to do 'Jukebox Hero'.' And he goes, 'I'm not sure about that.' I says, 'I definitely wanna do 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.' And he said, 'I don't think so, no.' And I says, 'Well, I definitely would like to do…' — I can't remember what other song it was, but he goes, 'Hmm, I don't know about that.' So it sounds as if he talked to Kelly about it and Kelly made his claims on certain songs… I couldn't do 'Hot Blooded'. Every song I suggested that I would like to do, he told me he didn't think so. I think he told me what I couldn't sing. And then I would just have to pick from what's left. Mind you, there's a lot of great songs that are left, but there's particular songs that are my trademark songs, and if I can't sing 'em, I don't wanna be out on the road… I suggested four songs, maybe five songs, and he says, 'Not that one. No, I don't think so.' So I just stopped there, because I figured I could keep going for a while and he would keep telling me the same thing. It would be, 'I don't think so, Lou.' 'Pick another one, Lou,' blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean, how do I pick songs that I helped to make famous, and he's telling me, 'Not that one.' [Laughs]"

He added: "It's frustrating, but I don't want it to be frustrating. I've been thinking about it for about a month; that's when I found out that I couldn't sing my own favorite songs on the tour. So I think I'm just gonna tell 'em that I'm not interested."

Asked if he thinks they have concerns about his ability to sing some of FOREIGNER's classic songs, Lou replied: "No. Their concern's about Kelly's ego."

In October 2022, Gramm was asked during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" what he thought of Hansen, who has been in the group for nearly two decades. "I think he's a good singer," Lou said. "And he sings those songs okay; he sings them good. But he mimics my style right down to the ad-libs, and I'm offended by that… I just think that if he's gonna sing the songs, he could sing the melodies that are familiar, but when it comes to the ad-libs and all the little things that set me aside as a vocalist when I sing them, he should make his own up. He should have his own ad-libs that are his own; he doesn't have to mimic me."

Gramm's latest comments echoed those he made a little over two months earlier when he told John Beaudin of RockHistoryMusic.com about Hansen: "Kelly is all right. He's a good singer. But I think Mick really told Kelly, when he first got in the band, that he had to study me, because he sings those songs with the same musical innuendos and vocal licks and ad-libs as I have. He's mimicking me. His voice doesn't sound like me, but he's singing the songs the way I would sing them.

"Some people say, 'Well, take it as a compliment, Lou.' I don't take it as a compliment," Gramm continued. "You're a singer with a big band like that — use your voice and your style. Don't hang your coat on my hook.

"I don't think he should sing the songs verbatim like me," Lou added. "Maybe sing a couple of parts. But let his own influences show — show the fans that he's the new singer now, not me."

Asked what it was like to share the stage with Hansen and other members of the current and original FOREIGNER lineup in 2017 and 2018 to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary, Lou told RockHistoryMusic.com: "It was okay. [Kelly] was bouncing off the walls. He couldn't stand still or sit still. After a song ended, I couldn't even get a word to thank the audience or tell 'em that I was happy to be part of the reunion. At the end of the song, the last song hit, and there wasn't a quarter of a second of space before he was yapping away to the audience… It was, like, 'Jeez, will you quiet down for a minute?'"

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

The 74-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year.

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Hansen in 2005. Jones, the only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012.

Gramm and Jones's June 2013 performance of "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Juke Box Hero" at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City marked the first time the pair performed together in a decade after Gramm left FOREIGNER for a second time. Hansen has fronted the group for the past 19 years.

Japanese power metal band, Illusion Force, share today the new single and accompanying visualizer, "Hibari, Pt. I: A Lost Cantata, taken from the upcoming new album Halfana, out on December 13 via Frontiers Music Srl.


The band describe the new single as “a track combining Asian melodies with melodic power in a way that only Illusion Force can handle. Fusing the charm of the legendary “Gagaku” music of Japan with high-tension riffs and solos.”







Discussing the album, the band states: “After and exhilarating experience of performing and recording around Japan for the last 5 years, we can finally announce our first worldwide album release! It was a great challenge to properly utilize the elegance and versatility of Japanese music, but we think the end result will be a great listen! Please, check it out!”


Hailing from Japan, Illusion Force is a brilliant newcomer, emerging from the very active Japanese metal scene, crediting bands like Helloween, Dragonforce as some of their influences. Having been constantly on tour in Japan supporting major acts and playing Headlining shows, they managed to create a strong fan base in their home country.


The band has already released two albums through King Records that caught the attention of media around the world, praising the skills and the songwriting and the powerful and melodic voice of the singer Jinn.


The new album Halfana, mixed by Matias Kupiainen (Stratovarius guitar player), showcases a mixture of extreme power metal with classy arrangements and catchy choruses to make every power metal freak’s heart beat faster with excitement and anticipation.

In a new interview with Matty Roberts of the Percussion Discussion podcast, JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis was asked if he was responsible for bringing an "extra heaviness" to the band's sound following his addition to the group three and a half decades ago. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, it's hard for me to say, really, but, obviously, one of the reasons they asked me to join the band after the audition and get-to-know-you period and things like that was, obviously, 'cause they enjoyed the sound and the feeling that it brought to the band. And I definitely, I guess I was, or am, a heavy metal drummer. And so, yeah, I'd like to think so, that I brought some of that element to the band, and, to me, that's what they needed. I had seen the band with [previous PRIEST drummer] Dave Holland… [and] I thought they needed a definite extra kick in the ass. And I'm glad I was able to provide it."

The 63-year-old Travis, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, joined PRIEST after an audition in Spain in November 1989.

Travis made his recording debut with PRIEST on the band's 12th album, 1990's "Painkiller", which was recorded at Miraval Studios in Brignoles, France, and was mixed at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

"Painkiller" was PRIEST's twelfth studio album and it marked singer Rob Halford's last recording with the band for more than decade, as he left PRIEST in May 1992 to pursue a solo career. The album received a Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" at the 33rd annual Grammy Awards, losing to METALLICA's cover of the QUEEN song "Stone Cold Crazy".

Scott's long and very influential drumming career has also included acclaimed work with FIGHT and RACER X.

Travis's mother went to Juilliard and his brother, who is 10 years older, exposed him to THE BEATLES on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and Elvis Presley through an extensive record collection.

In a 2020 interview with the "Jeremy White Podcast", Halford talked about the classic drum into to the "Painkiller" title track, which opened the album and introduced PRIEST's then-new drummer Travis. Asked if PRIEST made a conscious decision to come up with a way to spotlight Travis or if the intro happened organically, Rob replied: "It happened organically. We were writing all the songs for the record. We finished doing all the writing. And then back in the album world, making albums, like we still do as a band — we make records which are called albums which take you through the songs that we represent ourselves with at that time, whenever we do it — this 'Painkiller' track, which ended up being the title track… And sometimes the title track doesn't necessarily have to lead the record off. But it just felt such a potent statement. In all of the songs that we'd written, we felt that this had so much to say and that because it needed this kind of extraordinary opening — the drums instead of a screaming voice or wailing guitars — we thought, 'Let's go for it.' And what a great way to introduce Scott for the first time, as it was then, with PRIEST, with that particular record. It still lights up the room. Whenever we play 'Painkiller' live and Scott's there by myself on the stage doing that opening thing, fans go absolutely nuts. It's a bit of metal iconography right there. It's a glorious statement."

In a recent interview with Damian FitzGerald of V13 Media, Andrea Ferro of Italian metallers LACUNA COIL was asked if he and his bandmates still like putting out full-length albums or if they are starting to think about maybe focusing on singles going forward. Andrea said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " I think the rock music and metal in particular is one of the few genres where it still is important to release an album. But it's the only one probably, because I don't see that for trap music or stuff like that. But we still even sell quite a lot of physical products, between the vinyls and the digipack, the special edition mostly. Obviously not so much the jewelcase, but the other more complete versions are still very researched by the fans. So it's still worth it, for sure."

He continued: "I think it's still important for us to work a certain number of songs. It doesn't have to be exactly one album. So it could be also five or six songs — maybe not necessarily 12 or 10 — but for us, the more we songwrite, the more it gets better for us. Usually the last songs you do are the best ones because they're the ones that move away from what you've done in the past a little bit so they sound a little bit more interesting without — obviously, we're not gonna change the style completely, but at least you have more time to experiment by songwriting. So it's important for us in that sense and in that sense that we wanna bring out a certain number of topics that we wanna talk about. But obviously we could also just release single by single and just do four or five singles and that's it. It would still make it work maybe for a tour or for a festival appearance, but for us we still like to do the full record and having to work on multiple layers. Because sometimes you just start and then the more you work, the more you go into interesting things and you find out some gems that maybe weren't coming out in the beginning. So, for us, it's still worth it. Maybe not as much for everybody else."

LACUNA COIL will release its tenth studio album, "Sleepless Empire" — the band's first collection of new songs since 2019's "Black Anima" — on February 14, 2025 via Century Media Records.

Inspiration to create "Sleepless Empire" came during the sessions for "Comalies XX" (2022),the acclaimed remake of LACUNA COIL's breakthrough third record "Comalies". Writing and recording took place in northern Italy between Milano (the band's hometown) and Como, where SPVN Studios are located. As with their previous albums, production was done in house with Marco "Maki" Coti Zelati at the helm, and artwork was hand curated by the talented Italian artist Roberto Toderico. Two other very special talents enrich the album, namely the guest vocalists: LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe on the song "Hosting The Shadow" and NEW YEARS DAY's Ash Costello on "In The Mean Time".

Last month, Italian guitarist/producer Daniele Salomone confirmed that he has joined LACUNA COIL as the replacement for the band's longtime guitarist Diego Cavallotti.

Salomone made his live debut with LACUNA COIL on August 4 at the Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Râșnov, Romania.

This past June, LACUNA COIL announced Cavallotti's departure. Diego, who joined LACUNA COIL in 2016, initially as a fill-in guitarist following the exit of Marco "Maus" Biazzi, later said in a social media post that "this decision is not the result of my dissatisfaction or desire to explore new opportunities."

When LACUNA COIL announced Cavallotti's exit on June 17, the band wrote in a statement: "As we step into a new cycle, writing and recording our next album, we are parting ways with Diego 'DD' Cavallotti. We thank him for the many unforgettable moments shared over the years and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

"All future live plans remain unchanged and the new songs are taking form, we can't wait to share them with our fans."

Cavallotti and Salomone played together in the Italian metal band INVERNO, which released its debut album, "Stasis", in December 2023.

LACUNA COIL will release its tenth studio album, "Sleepless Empire" — the band's first collection of new songs since 2019's "Black Anima" — on February 14th, 2025 via Century Media Records.

Inspiration to create "Sleepless Empire" came during the sessions for "Comalies XX" (2022),the acclaimed remake of LACUNA COIL's breakthrough third record "Comalies". Writing and recording took place in northern Italy between Milano (the band's hometown) and Como, where SPVN Studios are located. As with their previous albums, production was done in house with Marco "Maki" Coti Zelati at the helm, and artwork was hand curated by the talented Italian artist Roberto Toderico. Two other very special talents enrich the album, namely the guest vocalists: LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe on the song "Hosting The Shadow" and NEW YEARS DAY's Ash Costello on "In The Mean Time".

Photo by Cunene

In a new interview with The Irish Times, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante was asked if the music industry has changed for the better or worse in the 40-plus years since the band was formed. He responded: "There is no music industry. That's what has changed. There is nothing any more. There are people listening to music, but they are not listening to music the way music was once listened to. It's a different time now.

"Here's a strange thing. While I have seen people eating a little bit more healthy here and there, the industry of music was one of things hit the worst and nobody did anything about it," he continued. "They just let it happen. There was no protection, no nothing. Subconsciously this may be the reason why we don't make records every three years or whatever because I don't want to give it away for free.

"I take music very seriously and what I do and what I write is very personal and, for someone to take it is not right. It is like I pay Amazon $12.99 a month and I can just go on Amazon and I can get whatever I want. It is basically stealing. It is stealing from the artist — the people who run music streaming sites like Spotify.

"I don't subscribe to Spotify," Benante revealed. "I think it is where music goes to die. We have the music on there because we have to play along with the fucking game, but I'm tired of playing the game.

"We get taken advantage of the most out of any industry. As artists, we have no health coverage, we have nothing," Benante added. " They fucked us so bad, I don't know how we come out of it. You'd probably make more money selling lemonade on the corner."

Benante was also asked if he thought METALLICA was right in deciding to launch legal action against Napster in 2000. Although the case was settled out of court, 300,000 users were banned from the pioneering music file-sharing service as a result and METALLICA's image took a tremendous beating in the eyes of music fans.

"They were absolutely right about it," Charlie said. "You see where it went. All those people who said, 'Fuck METALLICA. They are rich bastards'. They were protecting their art, their intellectual property so that some asshole does not come along and take your art. They make the money while you just make the art and you just give it away.

"People don't know anything about this. Until you have lived the way we live and do what we have done, then you can comment on it."

Back in April 2018, Benante's ANTHRAX bandmate, guitarist Scott Ian, said that Spotify had "worked out really well" for ANTHRAX even though he was initially against the streaming-music service.

While Spotify has gotten a lot of criticism for how little it pays artists for their music, many musicians have since have embraced the platform. In 2015, the ANTHRAX guitarist spoke out against Spotify when he said that "we should be being paid more for our streams" and claiming that services like Spotify had "really devalued music."

But three years later, in an interview with Spain's Resurrection Fest, Ian revealed that he has changed his mind about Spotify, calling the service "a good tool for all bands" to have their music heard.

"I wasn't a fan of streaming music initially, because I'm in a band and I felt like, 'All right, well, I don't like this idea because the bands are getting ripped off,'" Ian admitted. "I still feel like the bands are getting ripped off, but at the same time, I definitely enjoy… I love being able to be in my house and basically have any song ever right on my phone, and I can go on Spotify and I can have it streaming all through my house anytime.

Adding that Spotify is "a good tool for all bands," Scott explained that streaming music "doesn't make up for a loss of record sales," but that consumers have moved their listening online, making the the streaming model the way of the future.

"If you don't adapt, then you don't survive," he said. "It's evolution, and that's really what it is. And in the last few years, we've adapted and we've accepted what's going on in the world. You can't constantly fight a battle against things you're never going to win and have no control over. So you adapt and you accept it and you figure out, 'What's the best way this is gonna work for us? And how do we use this new tool to best represent ANTHRAX?' And Spotify has actually worked out really well for us in the last few years — especially on the last record. Because we really embraced it on 'For All Kings'. And kids discover us on Spotify and then they go buy a ticket to come see us. And then they're a fan for life once they see the band live."

In March 2018, Benante made headlines when he said that "Apple had a big hand in destroying music" more than 20 years ago when the music business refused to adapt to the changes brought about by the Internet. "The record companies had a big hand in it, because they got greedy," he said. "The artists got greedy when they felt, 'Oh, I can get a three-album deal for 75 million dollars,' but at the end of the day, if they're taking all that money, what happens to the lesser-known bands who are striving to become something? Where does that money come from? I mean, it was just such a mess, and it really dug a hole for itself. And now who is paying for it? Everybody."

METALLICA sued Napster after the band discovered that a leaked demo version of its song "I Disappear" was circulating on the pioneering music file-sharing service before it was released.

In May 2000, Ulrich famously delivered a literal truckload of paper to Napster Inc., listing hundreds of thousands of people who allegedly used the company's software to share unauthorized MP3s of METALLICA's songs.

METALLICA representatives compiled the more than 60,000-page list of 335,435 Napster user IDs over one weekend in response to Napster's promise to terminate the accounts of users who trade material without permission. Real names were not included in the list.

In later years, METALLICA embraced digital music: in December 2012, the band made all of its studio albums, as well as various live material, singles, remixes and collaborations, available on Spotify.

In a new interview with Metal Kaoz, ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to the band's eighth full-length album, "Punching The Sky", which came out in October 2020 via Metal Blade Records. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we're about midway through writing new music. We have about seven songs or something like that. So we're getting close to being finished. And with any luck, we're trying to get in the studio sometime in the spring to start recording. So, I don't really know what that means as far as a release date, but that's what that's what our goal is at this point. So, we've been working hard making demos at home. In fact, I'm working on a song as we speak, so I had to hit pause and do these interviews, and then I'll go back to it when I'm done. But, yeah, it's going really cool, really well. I love the stuff that's coming out."

Regarding a musical and lyrical direction of the new ARMORED SAINT material, Joey said: "Every record we've made has been a little bit different than the one prior to it, and this one will be the same case where it will be a little different than 'Punching'. But our number one thing is just writing really great songs. We're not so concerned about trying to outdo the last record or do as good as it is or do the same thing. I always think that it's cool to just see where you are at that moment. And these songs that we've written, just like the last three or four records we've made, they all represent a particular time and place for us. So this these batch of songs, they're a reflection of where we are at a time and place right now. We're in post-COVID, we're coming back out of it, back into the world, and different things are influencing me personally than they were in 2014 when I was writing for [2015's] 'Win Hands Down'. So all those things are at play again. I'm trying to take a few chances as well on this, which we always try to do a little bit. So, yeah, it's going really well."

When the interviewer noted that ARMORED SAINT seems to have a "more relaxed" schedule this time around in terms of when the band plans to enter the studio, Joey clarified: "It's more relaxed, but we're trying to unrelax that, because it's been a long time since 'Punching' came out — it's been four years already; we're going on five years now, and by the time this record is out and done, it could be closer to six — so it's too long, I think, between records. So we're trying to speed things up a bit. 'Let's just work. Let's get down to the work, do the work and let's make this record.' We're not trying to rush it. Rush it — I mean, it's been four years. What's taking us so long? But there's reasons for that, and we don't need to get into [that], but, yeah, the time is now for us to just start getting a record done. So we do have a soft schedule of getting in the spring. It's not hard — we don't have an actual booking yet — but we do, at this point, have a soft [schedule in mind]. But I imagine by the time January 1st comes around, we're gonna wanna book a date. So pretty soon we're gonna have a more strict schedule."

Joey also confirmed that ARMORED SAINT will spend much of next year focusing on making the band's next album and less time on the road. "As far as touring is [concerned], yeah, we're kind of taking a break from touring in 2025, so that we can concentrate on making this record happen, get done, actually get done," he said. "So we are not seeking anything. The only things that we have agreed to do, and they are two shows that we booked a month or two ago, is we're playing at the Bangers fest down in Brazil on May the 2nd, I think, 2nd or 3rd, and then we're playing the following weekend at another festival here in America. It's in Columbus, Ohio, and it's called Sonic Temple. It's a very big festival. So we're doing these two festivals, but other than those two shows, we're not taking any more touring dates and we're just trying to get the record done."

This past June, ARMORED SAINT released a rendition of "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)". The classic track was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by PEOPLE in 1970. Additional covers include THE FOUR TOPS (1974),SANTANA (1978) and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS (1989).

"One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)" was produced by Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston and mastered by Maor Applebaum.

ARMORED SAINT released the "Symbol Of Salvation Live" CD/DVD in 2021 via Metal Blade Records. The release came in celebration of the seminal album's 30th anniversary. "Symbol Of Salvation Live" was a combination live album and video of the band playing the album in its entirety at New York City's famed Gramercy Theatre during its 2018 tour.

In July 2023, ARMORED SAINT was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

In May 2023, ARMORED SAINT's long-awaited documentary, Armored Saint: Band Of Brothers", had its world premiere in the band's hometown at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Earlier in the year, ARMORED SAINT wrapped up a successful North American tour with QUEENSRŸCHE and is currently on the road as the support act for W.A.S.P..

Jason Bonham says that he is "a little shocked" about being "let go" from Sammy Hagar's band for the upcoming "The Best Of All Worlds" shows.

The veteran rock drummer, son of late LED ZEPPELIN legend John Bonham, recently took part in the U.S. leg of "The Best Of All Worlds", which focused largely on celebrating the music of Hagar's former band VAN HALEN. Unfortunately, Bonham had to leave the tour with four shows remaining on the U.S. leg due to a family issue. The drummer was replaced at the last several dates of the trek by Kenny Aronoff, who had previously played with Hagar, bassist Michael Anthony and guitarist Joe Satriani in CHICKENFOOT.

A few days ago, Bonham revealed that he wouldn't be taking part in any of the upcoming "The Best Of All Worlds". While answering a fan's social media question, Bonham wrote: "Sammy has decided to carry on with Kenny."

Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, Bonham said: "I was trying to answer fans, really, because they were asking me, 'Why aren't you involved with the new thing they're recording?' and saying, 'Aren't you gonna do it again?' 'I was let go, so, no.' Sammy rang me awhile ago. He was asking about my mom, but then he said, 'Y'know, I'm not gonna do much next year,' blah, blah blah, 'and I'm gonna go with Kenny.' I was a little shocked, I must say. I'd be lying to you if I wasn't a little sad, because we were on fire at the end of the tour. And I got a little upset. That was strange, after 10 years of being with him."

Despite the fact that he was fired from Hagar's band, Bonham was full of praise for the legendary rocker. "Listen, I love the guy to bits," Jason said. "I don't wish him any ill. I still speak to him. Honestly, the guy has taught me so much — about business, being positive. I'm an English guy; I can be really negative half the time. Even if the sun is shining, 'but it could rain.' He really helped me in that aspect big-time, and business sense and never taking no for an answer, always believing in yourself.

"So, yeah, I had a great 10 years. He allowed me to always do what I wanted to do. When my thing would get busy he always gave me the space. I couldn't ask for more."

Earlier this month, Jason addressed his absence from the last few shows of "The Best Of All Worlds" tour, sharing a statement on social media in which he said that his mother had been "facing some serious health issues" but that she was "now home and recovering, which brings me immense relief."

In early September, Hagar told Guy "Favazz" Favazza of the St. Louis, Missouri radio station KSHE 95 about how he hooked up with Kenny: "Well, I've known Kenny for a long time. Kenny has been my backup drummer for about — not just me. You talk to Billy Gibbons, you talk to anybody, they're gonna tell you that he's their backup drummer because he's the only guy that you can hand a setlist of 24 songs and in 24 hours he can play 'em."

Sammy clarified that he didn't know ahead of time that Kenny was going to be stepping in for Jason. "Jason's [family emergency] was a sudden thing," he explained. "His mother had a stroke and went into a coma and it's serious. So [his] whole family went over there [to the United Kingdom]. And he held out for two or three days, and he says, 'I gotta go. I gotta go.' I said, 'You go. Go.' So we told Kenny. He had about 24-hour notice. And he came in the first night. He got there at six in the morning. We played that night in Cincinnati. And he did a 90-percent perfect show. I swear to you, I make more mistakes every night than he did. So that's big hats off to this guy."

Aronoff replaced Chad Smith in CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup from 2011 to 2012. Smith was forced to step away from CHICKENFOOT's touring activities due to his commitments with the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

Jason Bonham spent nearly a decade touring as JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE before changing the band's name to JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING. Bonham later explained that the switch was prompted by a request from the LED ZEPPELIN camp, who wanted to use the "Experience" name for a project involving the archive of ZEP live recordings.

JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE was formed in 2009 to pay tribute to Bonham's father, legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980 at the age of 32.

Jason launched JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE two years after taking part in LED ZEPPELIN's one-off performance at London's O2 Arena tribute concert for friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. The rare live set, which saw Jason behind the drums in place of his late father, was released in 2012 as "Celebration Day".

Photo credit: Timothy Norris (courtesy of Valeska Thomas at Live Nation PR)

rld of Dutch symphonic metal band Blackbriar's next single release, "Floriography". This piece blends powerful riffs and delicate orchestrations, creating a captivating atmosphere. The lyrics evoke a hidden world where mysterious flowers carry secret messages, revealing Easter eggs throughout the melody.





Zora Cock comments: "'Floriography' marks the start of our upcoming third studio album. It's a song full of mystery, dark academia meets Sherlock Holmes. The song's protagonist deciphers hidden messages from a secret lover through the Victorian language of flowers, cryptic poetry, lyrical acronyms, and marks carved in trees. She may have even left some for you."

Dutch/Slovakian downtempo/deathcore ensemble, Distant, have released a video for "Acolytes Of Damnation", featuring Despised Icon's Alex Erian. Watch the clip below.


The track is featured on the band's new album, Tsukuyomi: The Origin, available on November 22 via Century Media Records. Pre-order the album here.







Tracklisting:


"The Pale Moonlight"
"Fleshweaver"
"Feast Of Misery"
"Torturous Symphony" (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
"Cradled In Shards Of Glass"

In a new interview with Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights, SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan spoke about the band's current activities. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Right now we're actively auditioning vocalists. We've had a few good guys. We've got a couple of people coming down [to audition] in November."

Referencing the four shows SKID ROW played earlier this year with HALESTORM's Lzzy Hale as a guest singer, Rachel said: "Yeah, we may do some more celebrity collabs, 'cause a few of our famous friends are, like, 'I like that Lzzy stuff.' And they're, like, 'I wanna do that.' And we're, like, 'Okay, cool. Let's try it out.' The whole thing is just when they're not touring. And so that's a possibility too, that we're gonna do stuff like that, [do some shows with] more of our famous friends while we audition someone for a permanent spot."

This past July, SKID ROW drummer Rob Hammersmith spoke to Cover Band Confidential, about the exit of singer Erik Grönwall. Erik, who was SKID ROW's fourth frontman since Sebastian Bach's departure, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021. As a result, he is immunocompromised, which made touring difficult.

"In a situation like this, it's obviously an emotional rollercoaster," Rob said. "You've got a lot of factors at play. There's the business side of things, but you're talking about a health issue. We're all adults. We're all reasonable human beings and we understand that it's unfortunate that it couldn't have gone further than it did, but it is the reality. And it's out of your control.

"One thing I have learned about the original members and the guys in SKID ROW, they're incredibly hard-working guys, they're incredibly loyal and committed to this thing that they've worked very hard to create," Hammersmith added. "And this sounds like a cliché answer, but somehow or another, the machine continues to roll on. And exactly what our future looks like, I don't know, but it's not the end of SKID ROW. That's for sure."

Earlier in July, Bolan said during a question-and-answer session at the Days Of The Dead horror and pop culture-themed convention in Indianapolis that he and his bandmates are "taking our time" finding a new singer "because we have time. And we've got a couple guys on the radar that we're gonna audition," he revealed. "And there's also a couple of our friends that wanna do what Lzzy Hale did and sit in [on lead vocals] for a few [SKID ROW] shows. And that's fun too. That was so much fun doing those [four] shows [with Lzzy]."

Six months ago, Rachel confirmed to Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station that he and his bandmates have been talking to singers about potentially stepping in to replace Grönwall. He explained: "No one, really, with a name. But, yeah, we've been talking to a few guys that piqued our interest, for sure."

Asked if he has been working on any new music for a possible follow-up to 2022's "The Gang's All Here" album, Rachel told WRIF: "We've been writing. I've been writing a lot when I can. I've been writing in between moving from Nashville back to New Jersey and all that kind of stuff. But, yeah, I always write. Whenever I could hear something in the supermarket, then I just kind of check out real quick and drive home as fast as I can and fire up the Pro Tools [get the ideas down]."

In May, SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo ruled out a reunion with the band's former singer Sebastian Bach telling The Hook Rocks podcast: "It's not gonna happen. And I say the same thing every time. I'm thankful that people have such an interest in wanting to see that happen, but I also have to reiterate that this is about being happy in the situation that you're in. So I'll speak for myself personally.

"First of all, I do need to say something too, is that the reason that this isn't happening is because there's three of us — myself, Scotti [Hill, SKID ROW guitarist] and Rachel — who've had conversations about this, and we've all been on the same page that we don't wanna go down that road again. We just — we don't.

"Rachel has taken a beating over this through the years," Sabo continued. "He's the one who's been blamed for this. 'Oh, it's Rachel's ego.' 'It's this and that.' No, that's a load of bullshit. That is not true. And I feel bad because he's really, really had to shoulder that blame and has never said anything derogatory or anything like that. But you know what? The truth of the matter is that Rachel, Scotti and myself have continually felt the same way, that we enjoy being happy in this band and we're really happy.

"It's been such a great experience for the last however, 35 years, everything, all the ups, all the downs, everything, but we just don't wanna revisit that particular aspect of our history," he explained. "I love the songs, [I] love a lot of the memories, [I am] not fond of some of the memories, but just as individuals and as a collective, that's just how we feel. So this is not on Rachel. And this has nothing to do with anyone's ego or anything like that. So that's just gotta be clear. Again, for anyone to sit there and make assumptions that this is Rachel Bolan saying 'nope,' it's not. It's the three of us, and we've all collectively sat there and just said that we don't wanna do it. We just don't wanna do it. And we wish everybody all the best."

Snake added: "We've been just ripped apart by ex-members of the band and stuff — ripped apart. Some really shitty stuff [has been] said about all of us. And we just choose not to [respond]. It's not who I am. It's not who we are. We won't go down that road. We just wanna play music and be happy. This has really never been about a monetary aspect of things because it's known that we've been offered a good amount of money to do shows together and to reunite [with Sebastian] and whatever, but it's just never been about the money, man. I choose my happiness, my willingness to continue to be a really good friend to my best friends and a really good husband and a really good dad and bandmate and person. And I don't wanna endanger that in any way. So the people that we choose to play with, those choices are made in order to keep those particular things in line for all of us."

Bach fronted SKID ROW until 1996, when he was fired. Instead of throwing in the towel, the remaining members took a hiatus and went on to play briefly in a band called OZONE MONDAY. In 1999, SKID ROW reformed and, after a bit of shuffling over the years, featured a lineup consisting of bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave "Snake" Sabo and Scotti Hill, alongside drummer Rob Hammersmith and singer Johnny Solinger. SKID ROW fired Solinger over the phone in April 2015, a few hours before announcing ex-TNT vocalist Tony Harnell as his replacement. Eight months later, Harnell exited the band and was replaced by South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart, who previously fronted DRAGONFORCE, TANK and I AM I. Theart was fired from SKID ROW in February 2022 and was replaced by Grönwall, who was previously a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T.

Four years ago, Bolan also confirmed that he and his bandmates "were entertaining the idea" of reuniting with Bach following Harnell's departure. But Rachel shot down the possibility of a rekindling of his friendship with Sebastian, explaining: "Well… Here's the soundbite for Blabbermouth. I wouldn't say we were friends [when we were in a band together]. We were bandmates. You know what I mean? We're two very different people." Bolan added that he hadn't seen Bach "in years."

Five years ago, Bach was asked by Rolling Stone what it would take for SKID ROW to be reunited. He responded: "It would take those guys to realize that I have a lifetime manager. His name is Rick Sales. I've been with him since 2006. They don't want to deal with a guy like that. They want to give some singer who doesn't have a manager $700 to $800 bucks a week. I've got a team that's worked with me and don't allow me to get fucked around. I didn't have that team when I was 19 years old."

In response to Bach's statements about the earnings of SKID ROW's singer, Sabo told Rolling Stone in an e-mail: "I guess fact-checking isn't in his skill set… The five of us go on that stage as a band and we all get paid equally. We're in this together. There's no egos."

Sebastian went on to say that SKID ROW was "close to reuniting, but then it didn't happen. The fact that it didn't happen obviously makes me somewhat bitter, because life is only getting shorter, as the song says," he added.

"I wouldn't say 'came close,'" Bolan told Rolling Stone in an e-mail response to Bach's account of the reunion talks. "We entertained the idea. Snake and I went as far as talking with agents and promoters about money. But we quickly learned after a few text conversations, why we fired him in the first place. Nothing is worth your happiness and peace of mind."

Together with Tobias Forge, founder and mastermind of global theatrical rock phenomenon GHOST, Dark Horse Comics presents "Sister Imperator", a comic miniseries that pulls back the curtain of mystery on an influential figure from official GHOST lore. Writer Corinna Bechko ("Avatar: Adapt Or Die") joins Forge in writing, along with artist Puste ("The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries"),colorist Thiago Rocha ("Kill All Immortals") and Comicraft's Jimmy Betancourt ("Ghostbusters: Back In Town"),to tell the hidden history of the woman who became the force behind GHOST. Featuring cover art by Mikael Eriksson, this four-part miniseries will begin in March 2025.

"As a fan of GHOST, working with Tobias to bring his vision of Sister Imperator's story to life was a dream come true," says Bechko. "Her history is rich, tragic, and brutal in ways that transcend what people might think they know about her character. The team at Dark Horse has really put together something special here, and I know the art is going to blow everyone's mind. I've had the honor of writing a lot of amazing women, from Vampirella to Wonder Woman, but I've never written a character more kickass than Sister Imperator. Working on this project has been an unparalleled privilege and I can't wait for the world to see the result!"

"Working on 'Sister Imperator' has been an incredible journey," agrees Puste. "Bringing Tobias's vision to life has been both a challenge and an honor, with so much rich documentation that adds depth and atmosphere to the story. Sister Imperator herself is such a fascinating and terrifying character, and I know fans are going to love her. With the support of an amazing team, a killer script, and the backing of Dark Horse and GHOST, this has truly been a dream project. I can't wait for fans of the band and comics alike to dive into this dark, atmospheric, and thrilling story!"

In "Sister Imperator": A figure shrouded in mystery, Sister Imperator didn't begin her life as the revered representative of the Clergy and behind the scenes overseer of GHOST's dark machinations. The gruesome events that led her to become loved and feared by so many began in small-town New England, leading her down a winding path of violence and vindication, are finally revealed.

GHOST's award-winning discography and the enthralling spectacle of the band's live rituals have amassed legions of devout followers numbering in the millions. The most recent GHOST full length studio album, "Impera", won the American Music Award for Favorite Rock Album in 2022 and the iHeartRadio Best Rock Album in 2023. GHOST's first-ever feature-length film "Rite Here, Rite Now" broke box office records upon its June 2024 theatrical release, and was followed by the announcement of a massive 2025 global arena tour. And now, the world will discover the truth behind the mysterious Sister and her integral role she's played in GHOST mythology since year zero.

Discover the truth behind one of the most powerful figures in the GHOST mythos with "Sister Imperator" #1 (of 4),which arrives in comic shops on March 5, 2025, for $4.99. Visit Comic Shop Locator for more details and stores near you.

Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media and check the web site, www.darkhorse.com for more news, announcements, and updates.

Tobias Forge photo credit: Ryan Chang

QUEENSRŸCHE founding guitarist Michael "Whip" Wilton spoke to We Go To 11 about his upcoming solo album, "Volume 1", which is due on December 6 via Rat Pak Records. The nine-track LP sees Wilton joined by powerhouse Seattle vocalist Mark Winterman, drummer Sonny Sudra and bassist "Hodgy".

Regarding how long the solo album has been in the works, Michael said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Probably about three years. I got some guys in Seattle. Then I went through some changes and then I moved to Florida. And then we went on some JUDAS PRIEST tours. Time flies. And finally I was able to get a solid week with producer Zeuss to mix it. I mean, it's been done for a long time. So it's just a matter of getting all the business things done and getting it to Zeuss."

Elaborating on why it took so long to release "Volume 1", Wilton said: "All of a sudden, we just got so busy in QUEENSRŸCHE. It kind of went by the wayside. I mean, this is this is 'Volume One'. I'm already working on 'Volume Two'… I think [the next album will] be a lot quicker [to complete and release]. We'll probably be putting it together next year and [releasing it], hopefully, the following year, so '26."

Earlier in the month, Wilton told The Metal Voice about how the idea for the solo album came about: "Over the years, like the past ten years, I'm always writing songs. And some of the songs, just depending on my mood and whatever, they don't fit QUEENSRŸCHE. So I have just a plethora of ideas and songs. And I just decided to kind of work on 'em and get 'em together. And I found some guys that fit with me."

On the topic of the musical direction of "Volume 1", Wilton said: "It's not the power metal or the high operatic singing or anything like that. It's more just hard rock… It's my guitar playing… Everybody that's heard it says it's really cool."

As for whether he is planning to play any shows in support of "Volume 1", Michael said: "I'd have to write 'Volume Two'. [Laughs] It's a possibility, but QUEENSRŸCHE is so busy, and we're always working. But if there's room in the schedule, maybe to do a week or two weeks or three weeks or something, then it's not out of the question. A good friend of the drummer's bought a tour bus, so that's a step in the right direction. [Laughs]"

Michael went on to say some of the musical ideas on "Volume 1" go back quite a while. "Some [are] two years [old], some five years, and, yeah, [some are even] a decade [old]."

Mixed and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (QUEENSRŸCHE, ROB ZOMBIE, SHADOWS FALL),"Volume 1" captures Michael's ability to think outside the box with flavorful riffs, catchy melodies and thoughtful solos while still maintaining his signature sound. From the opening chords of "People Suffer" to the closing track "Drowning At Daybreak", it is clear that Wilton's trademark style lays the bedrock for this well-crafted offering.

Track listing:

01. People Suffer
02. Get Away
03. Glitch In Time
04. Toxic Girl
05. Reason To Fight
06. On Your Way
07. Turn The Page
08. Wasted Time
09. Drowning At Daybreak

For more information, visit ratpakrecordsamerica.com.

Around two decades ago, Wilton launched a side project called SOULBENDER. SOULBENDER's self-titled debut album was released independently in 2004. A follow-up effort, simply titled "Soulbender II", came out in September 2014 via Rat Pak Records. The disc contained four all-new songs as well as the ten original tracks (remastered) from the first album.

In addition to Wilton, SOULBENDER's lineup featured ex-MY SISTER'S MACHINE singer Nick Pollock, ex-TIN PAN/FALLEN ANGEL guitarist Dave Groves and ex-ASSAULT/FALLEN ANGEL drummer Wes Hallam.

Wilton previously described SOULBENDER as "a very progressive, hard rock band with very intense musicians." He added: "A couple of them are prodigies and it's really been a lot of fun to do."

To mark the release of the remixed, remastered and extended Queen 1 boxset, the band have released the video below, featuring their performance of "Liar", filmed live at the Rainbow Theatre in London, 1974.





A promo video made for Queen’s first ever single release, "Keep Yourself Alive", has been re-edited and restored. Now complete with the stunning new 2024 mix of the song, this video has been created by returning to the original rushes and producing an entirely new edit. The footage has then been painstakingly restored so it can be shared with fans in all its glory.







The 6CD + 1 LP Queen I box set (out now) contains 63 tracks with 43 brand new mixes, comprising the original album with its intended running order restored, intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the studio, demos, rare live tracks, and previously unheard recordings from Queen’s first ever live performance in London, August 1970. Absent from the 1973 release, the song “Mad the Swine” has been reinstated to its original place in the running order. A 108-page book containing handwritten lyrics and memorabilia accompanies the release.





“This is not just a remaster,” writes Brian May in the CD sleeve insert notes, “this is a brand new 2024 rebuild of the entire Queen debut album, which, with the benefit of hindsight, we have re-titled QUEEN I.”


May continues, “All the performances are exactly as they originally appeared in 1973, but every instrument has been revisited to produce the ‘live’ ambient sounds we would have liked to use originally. The result is “Queen“ as it would have sounded with today’s knowledge and technology – a first.”


“Queen I is the debut album we always dreamed of bringing to you.”


Go to Queen's official website for further detai

In a new interview with The Adamantium Podcast, ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann spoke about the fact that the band will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025-2026. To mark this mammoth milestone, ACCEPT will ring in the band's golden birthday with a very unique anniversary tour at the end of 2025. An anniversary album will be released early 2026.

Regarding what fans can expect from the album and tour, Wolf said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I can't tell you too much yet, because it's too early and right now we're featuring this tour [promoting ACCEPT's latest album, 'Humanoid'], so let's focus on that. But I can tell you it's gonna be a huge thing because turning 50 is a big deal."

Wolf continued: "We have always shied away from all these, I would call them little anniversaries, because, really, we could have done a [celebration of] 20 years of this album, 20 years of that album, 30 years [of some other album]. Every year is something to celebrate. I mean, when you have 15 albums or 16 or 17, something always happened 20, 30, 40 years ago. It's always a round number of years. So we could have done that for a long time. There's people who do it all the time. We always said, 'Nah, we'd much rather feature the current album and then make a new one after that and stay current.' But, man, with 50, that's where I gotta say this is the one — this is the big one. There won't be another one… And also, quite honestly, we're getting up there in age a little bit, and I'm not quite ready to retire, but you never really know. Honestly, at some point, we could all say this might be our last tour. You never really know. Somebody might get sick.

"50 is a big deal, and we're gonna really celebrate it properly," Hoffmann added. "It's gonna be a completely different show with a lot of surprises. That's all I know. So we've got a year of planning to do and then executing and stuff."

This past summer, Wolf was asked by Metal Journal why he and his bandmates decided to announce that they will embark on a 50th-anniversary tour in late 2025 when they still have plenty of touring to do this year in support of their latest album, "Humanoid". He said: "Things like that take time. People have asked me for the last two years: 'Are you gonna do an anniversary thing?' Everybody wants to know. So I finally said, 'Okay, we're gonna do it.' And it's gonna be massive, man. It's gonna be a huge surprise with all the guests that we're gonna have. And I think it's gonna be completely different from anything we've ever done before. So I think it's gonna blow people away. But that doesn't take away from this tour that we have coming up, because, first of all, it's gonna be another year or more before we even go on this next tour. So if you like the new album, 'Humanoid', and if you love ACCEPT, you've gotta see this tour, no matter what. It's gonna be definitely a highlight anyhow."

On the topic of whether there was any talk about possibly announcing a farewell tour to coincide with ACCEPT's 50th anniversary, Wolf said: "We've been doing it for a long, long time. And I honestly don't know how long I can do this. I mean, nobody knows what the future will bring, and it has crossed our mind, absolutely. So, it might be that we go off with a highlight like this and then just really say, 'Okay, this was it.' I don't know yet, to be honest."

Regarding whether former ACCEPT members Udo Dirkschneider (vocals) and Peter Baltes (bass) will be invited to take part in the 50th-anniversary tour, perhaps just in the form of a guest appearance at select shows, Wolf said: "Yeah, of course, of course. That doesn't mean they're gonna [show up]. We have to wait and see. Of course, everybody [is invited]. The door is always open for anybody to join us on this, because it's gonna be a retrospective of all the 50 years of ACCEPT, and whoever wants to participate is more than welcome. Yes, sure."

Asked if he will call Udo and Peter directly to ask them to participate in the tour or if he will wait for their call, a visibly irritated Wolf said: "Can you shut up already? You're not gonna get me to talk about it. I'm sorry, man. I know it's a nice try. Everybody wants to know these things."

Wolf also talked about ACCEPT's plan to release a special album in early 2026 that will cover the band's entire musical history. The anniversary LP will contain a carefully curated selection of the best ACCEPT songs from the last five decades, re-recorded — partly with well-known surprise musical guests and colleagues — as well as with some rare tracks that have not been played so often before. He said: "I can't tell you anything yet, because it's way too early. I can just tell you it's gonna be a massive thing. And I don't really wanna get into it yet because I'm not really here to talk specifics about it. It's still in the planning stages. It's gonna be amazing. I think it's gonna be some really big names that are gonna be participating in that. And you'll have to wait. Sorry. It's just too early."

As for whether ACCEPT has already "selected" the guest musicians who will appear on the album, Wolf said: "Yes, we have selected a lot of it. Not all of it, but we have selected a lot."

Over the past five decades, ACCEPT has sold millions of albums and inspired countless musicians. Their energetic live performances and iconic albums such as "Balls To The Wall", "Restless And Wild" and "Metal Heart" have left a lasting mark on the heavy metal genre. Hoffmann's guitar style and musical vision have made the band one of the most respected on the heavy metal scene.

After a hiatus in the band's career, Wolf was introduced to New Jersey singer Mark Tornillo in 2009. The chemistry and fit between them was so remarkable, ACCEPT reformed and almost immediately rose to global success with chart-topping albums. ACCEPT continues to be celebrated for each of their new records with Mark, who is now the longest-reigning frontman of ACCEPT, placing the Hoffmann-Tornillo partnership firmly in the Metal Hall Of Fame.

For decades, ACCEPT has been recognized as a guarantee of high quality and each of their albums has reached the top of the charts, delivering energy, melodies, killer riffs and an impressively powerful stage presence for 50 years.

ACCEPT and KK'S PRIEST recently joined forces for a summer/fall 2024 North American tour. The run began on August 31 in Los Angeles, California, visiting a slew of major cities in the USA and Canada — such as Toronto, Montreal, New York and Nashville — before coming to an end in San Francisco, California on October 7.

Tornillo joined ACCEPT in 2009 as the replacement for Dirkschneider, who was the band's original lead singer. Mark can be heard on ACCEPT's last six studio albums, "Blood Of The Nations" (2010),"Stalingrad" (2012),"Blind Rage" (2014),"The Rise Of Chaos" (2017),2021's "Too Mean To Die" and 2024's "Humanoid".