Polish death metal legends Vader have issued their Happy New Year message to their fans, also revealing plans for this year, read below.


"Vader Maniax! Happy New Year 2022. We really really hope, that all the global situation with pandemia won’t ground tours and shows for the next months. It is about time to hit the road again, isn’t it?" 


And what are Vader's plans for 2022?




"Together with Massive Music, we will try to start late February in Poland with some very special setlists, bringing back memories from early days. Besides a list of Polish songs we’d like to bring back, some tunes from Revelations (20th anniversary in 2022). Of course, this is just a supplement to the regular list presenting songs from the new album, or still expected De Profundis."


"In March - as you already know - we’ll be back on the United Titans Tour, with our friends Marduk, to visit around 20 cities in Europe. Some of the dates were already posted, and more are coming soon. In Spring, we’d love to be back on American soil and Canada. We are in progress with arranging that, more info asap. Summer time is festival time. For Autumn, together with Creative Music, we plan a huge tour in Scandinavia, all around the Baltic Sea. Right after, we’re gonna fly to the Far East to visit the eastern part of our beautiful Earth including Australia or Japan."


"In 2022, in co-operation with Nuclear Blast, we’ll bring back Vader’s classic „Black to the Blind” album for its 25th anniversary. Expect a real beautiful edition indeed! A new edition of the legendary Sothis EP will be available as well. We can’t forget about the 30th anniversary of the Vader debut, The Ultimate Incantation. Of course, we are still thinking what can we do to commemorate this event? This will definitely follow with some special events. And this is not all. So keep your fingers crossed and… see you in the pit!"


 


The new United Titans Tour 2022 dates are as listed:


March
10 - Helmond, Holland - Cacao Fabriek
11 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
12 - Weinheim, Germany - Central Cafe
13 - Aarlon, Belgium - L'Entrepot
14 - London, UK - The Garage
15 - Glasgow, Scotland - Slay
16 - Birmingham, UK - Castle & Falcon
17 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion
18 - Lille-Wasquehal, France - The Black Lab   
20 - Paris, France - La Machine du Moulin Rouge





 

THE ROLLING STONES will be honored with a set of 12 stamps to mark the band's 60th anniversary.

Later this month, Royal Mail will issue the stamps, eight of which will feature images of THE ROLLING STONES' most famous performances, including 1969 in London's Hyde Park, a 1995 concert in Rotterdam, and a gig at the 1976 Knebworth Festival. Four more stamps will be available in miniature sheet format, featuring two photos of the band together and two of their worldwide tour posters.

David Gold, Royal Mail's director of public affairs and policy, said: "Few bands in the history of rock have managed to carve out a career as rich and expansive as that of THE ROLLING STONES. They have created some of modern music's most iconic and inspirational albums, with groundbreaking live performances to match."

"In 2005, THE ROLLING STONES were awarded the accolade of greatest touring band of all time at the World Music Awards," the press release announcing the stamps added. "They have sold an estimated 250 million records and in the U.K. have eight no.1 singles and 13 No. 1 albums. Their countless awards include four Grammys, three MTV Music Awards and nine NME Awards. They were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989.

"Since they began as a group," the announcement continued, "their singles and albums have produced a string of evergreen rock classics, powered by some of the greatest guitar riffs ever written."

Last year, THE STONES resumed their "No Filter" tour in the U.S., marking the first time they have performed without founding drummer Charlie Watts, who died in August at the age of 80.

THE ROLLING STONES are the fourth band to be honored in a dedicated stamp issue, following THE BEATLES in 2007, PINK FLOYD in 2016, and QUEEN in 2020.

The stamps, which were created in close collaboration with THE ROLLING STONES members Sir Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, will go on sale from January

A new trailer for the FOO FIGHTERS horror comedy "Studio 666", starring Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee, is available below.

Open Road Films acquired worldwide rights to the film, directed by BJ McDonnell, which is set for a wide domestic theatrical release in more than 2,000 theatres on February 25. The all-star cast also includes Whitney Cummings, Leslie Grossman, Will Forte, Jenna Ortega and Jeff Garlin. The announcement was made by Open Road's Tom Ortenberg and FOO FIGHTERS.

In "Studio 666", the legendary rock band FOO FIGHTERS move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much-anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.

"After decades of ridiculous music videos and numerous music documentaries under our collective belts, it was finally time to take it to the next level… A full-length feature horror comedy film," said Grohl. "Like most things FOO, 'Studio 666' began with a far-fetched idea that blossomed into something bigger than we ever imagined possible. Filmed at the same house where we recorded our latest album 'Medicine At Midnight' (told you that place was haunted!), we wanted to recapture the classic magic that all of our favorite rock and roll movies had, but with a twist: hilarious gore that fucking ROCKS. And now, with the help of Tom Ortenberg and the team at Open Road Films, we can finally let this cat out of the bag after keeping it our best-kept secret for two years. Be ready to laugh, scream, and headbang in your popcorn. 'Studio 666' will fuck you up."

"We couldn't be more excited to team up with FOO FIGHTERS for a movie sure to make audiences scream and laugh," said Ortenberg. "The FOOs bring their comedic chemistry and the musical talent we all love to the big screen in this hysterical horror film."

Commented McDonnell: "'Studio 666' is a perfect combination of all things I love. Rock, horror, and comedy all tied together in a very thrilling motion picture. I am so excited to have teamed up with the FOO FIGHTERS to create an old school 'band' movie. It's been years since we've seen something like THE BEATLES 'Help!', THE MONKEES 'Head', or 'Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park'. Take that '60s / '70s old-school band film fun, mix it with horror and 'Studio 666' is born! I am so ecstatic for audiences of film and music to come together and enjoy our film."

"Over the past decade we have had the good fortune to collaborate with FOO FIGHTERS on a variety of great projects," said producers John Ramsay and James A. Rota. "Whether it be documentary films, TV series or music videos, they always bring their great talents and legendary sense of humor. 'Studio 666' takes this to a whole new level and we couldn't be more proud of this movie. We can't wait to share it with the world."

Based on a story by Grohl and screenplay by Jeff Buhler and Rebecca Hughes, "Studio 666" is produced by Roswell Films' and Therapy Studios' John Ramsay and James A. Rota. Executive producers are John Silva, Kristen Welsh, John Cutcliffe, Gaby Skolnek, Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, James Masciello, Matthew Sidari, Mitchell Zhang and Tom Ortenberg.

The deal was negotiated by Tom Ortenberg and Matthew Sidari on behalf of Open Road Films and by WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.

Knoxville, Tennessee rockers 10 YEARS have released a visualizer for the song "Déjà Vu" from the album "Violent Allies". Guitarist Brian Vodinh states: "'Déjà Vu' is a song about trying to tune out the monotonous stuff we face in our everyday lives, and find inspiration in new ways. This relates to our songwriting process, but also to our personal lives as well. We can get stuck in the repetitive cycle of reading the same news, looking at social media, and hearing a rehashed version of the same stories over and over. Sometimes it feels good to check-out, turn off your brain, and connect to other aspects of life."

The lead single from "Violent Allies", "The Shift", has been streamed over 9.1 million times on Spotify, with 15.9 million collective plays across all platforms. Repertoire from "Violent Allies" has been streamed 15.8 million times on Spotify, while collective streams across all platforms exceeds 28.6 million.

10 YEARS will return to the road this spring with an extensive run of the U.S. that will play 33 markets. BLACK MAP has been confirmed as direct support, with VRSTY opening. Prior to the launch of the trek, 10 YEARS will appear on ShipRocked 2022 from January 22-27. On April 8, the Official Fan Summit will be staged in Las Vegas at 24 Oxford, where the band will perform its "Feeding The Wolves" album in its entirety, featuring the singles "Fix Me" and "Shoot It Out", for the first, and likely only time ever.

Confirmed appearances include:

Mar. 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse

Mar. 15 - Hampton Beach NH - Wally's

Mar. 16 - Portland, ME - Aura

Mar. 18 - Lititz, PA - Mickey's Black Box

Mar. 19 - Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Lanes

Mar. 21 - Baltimore, MD - Ottabar

Mar. 22 - Knoxville, TN - The Concourse

Mar. 23 - Nashville, TN - Basement East

Mar. 25 - Jacksonville, NC - Limelight

Mar. 26 - Atlanta, GA - The Loft

Mar. 27 - Destin, FL - Club LA

Mar. 29 - Fayetteville AR - George's Majestic

Mar. 30 - Tulsa, OK - Vanguard

Apr. 01 - Dallas, TX - Trees

Apr. 02 - San Antonio, TX - The Rock Box

Apr. 03 - Corpus Christi, TX - Brewster Ice House

Apr. 06 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent

Apr. 08 - Las Vegas, NV - 24 Oxford (Fan Summit)

Apr. 09 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction

Apr. 10 - Sacramento, CA - Goldfield

Apr. 12 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon

Apr. 13 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater

Apr. 15 - Missoula, MT - Wilma

Apr. 16 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory

Apr. 17 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory

Apr. 19 - Denver, CO - Oriental

Apr. 20 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep

Apr. 22 - Sauget, IL - Pop's

Apr. 23 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue

Apr. 24 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge

Apr. 26 - Flint, MI - Machine Shop

Apr. 27 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere's

Apr. 29 - Harrison, OH - The Blue Note

10 YEARS' latest album, "Violent Allies", was released in September 2020 via Mascot Records. The disc was recorded at West Valley Recording Studios in Woodland Hills, California with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson, who previously worked on 10 YEARS' 2010 effort, "Feeding The Wolves".

10 YEARS' major label debut, 2005's "The Autumn Effect", featured the single "Wasteland", which topped Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. The follow-up effort, "Division", was also a success, with the single "Beautiful" cracking the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

10 YEARS' 2017 album, "(How To Live) As Ghosts", earned the band a Top 5 mainstream rock hit in the song "Novacaine", while the LP itself also went Top 5 on the Hard Rock album chart.

Tom McKay has released a new single featuring former Cradle Of Filth keyboardist / backing vocalist Lindsay Schoolcraft called “The Benighted One”.  The song is from his upcoming album, Call To The Dæmon Sultan, which will be released on February 18th.


Tom comments: “'The Benighted One' deals with isolation. Specifically distancing yourself from those around you, eventually finding yourself all alone with nobody to hear your screams. Given the subject matter, bringing on another voice could seem counter intuitive (how can you be alone if it’s not just you, am I right?), but at the same time Lindsay’s beautiful ethereal voice adds a bit of calm to those desolate thoughts, a smooth and gorgeous texture I didn’t even plan on when I asked her to sing on the song. Needless to say, the song turned out better than I could’ve ever dreamed of, and I was so happy to have her and her amazing talent bring so much to the song, more than can even be heard at a first listen.”


Lindsay further comments: “Tom’s work is epic, thoughtful, groovy, well composed, and has something to offer every metal fan. 'The Benighted One' is a sorrowful journey through a world that could be of our own or another world entirely. Absolutely worth checking out.”




Listen to “The Benighted One” via the Bandcamp audio player below.


Call To The Dæmon Sultan by Tom McKay


Tom McKay delves into the realms of idolism, isolation, mental illness, existentialism with his new album Call To The Dæmon Sultan. His heaviest release so far, the new album also features special guests Nathan Gross and Lindsay Schoolcraft.


“I’ve been meaning to put together a collection of songs for some time, but up until now have never had enough material I was proud of to do so. Now, after a year of writing, recording and writing again, my debut EP has brought forth the heaviest songs I’ve ever written, both musically and emotionally. Allow me to take you on a deep dive into how I view the world and myself through three songs of teeth cutting vocals, playful riffs and melodies, and soaring orchestral work. He awaits at the edge of time, for the Dæmon Sultan is benign, but ever present.”


From the dramatic orchestration of “Call To The Dæmon Sultan” to the demonic heaviness of “The Benighted One”, the record delivers an array of dramatic soundscapes. The ethereal qualities interweave among the metal instrumentation enhancing the overall sound with powerful impact. Tom’s clean and harsh vocals complement the numerous musical styles throughout adapting aptly to the mood of each track. Lindsay’s vocals emerge to offer an extra dimension in the final track, enhancing the dynamic narrative themes.


Call To The Dæmon Sultan descends into the dark underworld but also offers a tantalising glimpse of light. Each track enters a different realm with its own distinctive atmosphere, while remaining cohesive as an overall listening experience.





Tracklisting:


"Call To The Dæmon Sultan" 
"Dishonoured King" 
"Faith In The Faceless" 
"The Benighted One" (feat. Lindsay Schoolcraft)


For further details, visit Tom McKay on Facebook.


 

THE LUCID, the four-piece hard rock band featuring bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (SPONGE), guitarist Drew Fortier and drummer Mike Heller (RAVEN, FEAR FACTORY), has released a music video for the song "Deaths Of Despair". The clip, which was directed by Fortier, can be seen below.

In other news, THE LUCID has announced a short U.S. tour in May. The band will play the following shows, with more to be announced:

May 20 - Clifton, NJ - Dingbatz

May 21 - New Bedford, MA - The Vault

May 26 - West Dundee, IL - Rochaus

May 27 - Westland, MI - The Token Lounge

May 28 - Akron, OH - Empire Concert Club

Last month, THE LUCID filmed four new music videos. Three of the tracks are taken from THE LUCID's self-titled debut album, which was released on October 15 via SpoilerHead Records.

Ellefson announced the completion of the videos in a social media post in December. He wrote: "THE LUCID knocked out 4 music videos in L.A. over the weekend. 3 songs from our debut album and one that is a total off the wall cover that will see the light of day in a few months. What a great time it was!"

"The Lucid" was produced by Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert.

Ellefson previously stated about the LP: "It's been a real blast making a record with these guys and I must say that it’s refreshing to explore some new musical avenues… to step out a bit from what each of us have done stylistically in our own careers. There was an effortless synergy that came with creating these songs together which is always amazing when working with new people. I'm looking forward to everyone checking it out!"

During a November 2020 appearance on "The Chuck Schute Podcast", Ellefson stated about how he got involved with THE LUCID: "Drew sent me a track and said, 'Hey, can you throw a bass on here?' And I was writing a new ELLEFSON solo record at the time, so my studio ears were on. I was plugged in and ready to go. He sent it over and I was, like, 'Yeah, this is freaking cool, man.' I'd seen Drew play, I know his BANG TANGO history and the other stuff he's done. But this was really cool stuff that spoke to me. And then he called me up and he said, 'Hey, Vinnie is gonna come in and write some vocals and lyrics and lay down some tracks.' And it turned into a thing."

"I love [Vinnie]. I love SPONGE," David continued. "He's such a rock star. He's just a cool guy. And he writes such great lyrics — very trippy lyrics. He's the type of lyricist I'd never worked with before, so it's fun with that. And Drew is a great guitar player. Mike Heller — he's good friends with [MEGADETH drummer] Dirk Verbeuren. And Dirk's, like, 'Mike's awesome.' They're good friends. We all met in L.A. We got the songs together and we all met in L.A. in mid-July. I plugged in and banged out 10 songs in two days. And it was fun. Mike was very good in the studio; he really knows his way around."

As for THE LUCID's musical direction, Ellefson said: "It's cool stuff, and it's very different. It's, obviously, not thrash metal, hence the name LUCID. [The name] kind of feels like what the music sounds like."

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH last spring after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter. At the time, Ellefson was accused of grooming an underage girl through videos and online messages. David has denied the allegation and has repeatedly said the woman in question had been a willing, consenting adult at the time of their virtual sexual encounter. Ellefson accompanied his denial with an alleged screenshot of a statement from the woman with whom he was supposedly involved at the time. In it, the woman admitted to recording the alleged intimate communications she had with Ellefson and called herself "naïve" for sharing them with a friend without the musician's permission.

David was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest exit.

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Dave Mustaine, alleging the MEGADETH frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.

David, a Christian who launched the Mega Life Ministries worship group in 2007, studied for a year at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis a decade ago.

Hatebreed has released an official live video for their track “Instinctive (Slaugherlust)”, taken from their 2020 album Weight Of The False Self.





The band says, “Thanks to all of our diehards who came out to see us in 2021. We look forward to seeing everyone on the road in 2022.”




Hatebreed rhythm guitarist, Frank Novinec, guested on an episode of Three Sides Of The Coin - the unofficial KISS podcast that celebrates the hottest band in the world, KISS in November.


A message states: "Frank Novinec from Hatebreed is back and this week he offers up his review of KISS Kruise X. Frank also offers his opinion of the Rolling Stone article and what COVID and COVID protocols have meant to him as a touring musician."


Frank also issued an update on what Hatebreed are up to these days. Watch below:

Blacktop Mojo has issued a lyric video for their brand new, stand-alone single, "Strike Me". The song is available to stream now at this location.





"‘Strike Me’ was recorded in our sessions for our self-titled album (released in 2021) at Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN and we had the privilege to add the background singing of the world famous McCrary Sisters on the track, who were an honor to work with. It was our first time bringing in outside background singing," says Blacktop Mojo vocalist Matt James.




“The song is a sardonic answer to living through the great many turmoils we’ve all dealt with, especially in the last two years. It’s essentially us observing the world around us and exclaiming, ‘I’m coming, Elizabeth!’ to quote the late, great Redd Foxx.”


In live news, Blacktop Mojo will be performing aboard the Shiprocked Cruise which runs January 22 - 27, sailing from Galveston to Costa Rica to Cozumel, and back to Galveston. Complete details can be found here.





 

Former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider will release a new album, "My Way", on April 22 via Atomic Fire Records. Billed as "his most personal and extraordinary album to date," the effort contains 17 cover versions of the very songs that have influenced the musician and singer the most. All kinds of classics from music history are among them - including those that you might not expect from Udo. Not only does a very personal story lie behind each of the tracks, but also a sometimes surprising arrangement that, despite the very individual implementation, lives and breathes Udo's manuscript throughout.

"Now when I hear the song, I remember the time when, as a very young Udo, I'd go out to light up the town and lived all the stories that can only be experienced late at night in the clubs," he says. Here, Alex Harvey's "Faith Healer" allows the artist to feel those days of an era long past. The fact that "Nutbush City Limits" is also on the album reveals a secret rarely told until now. "What hardly anyone knows so far: I was a huge fan of Ike and Tina Turner, and especially Tina's voice, once," Udo says. "We always covered this song during ACCEPT rehearsals in the early days. It was one of the mainstays of our ACCEPT rehearsal repertoire for years. Regrettably, there is no recording of it."

With WOLFSHEIM's "Kein Zurück", Udo sang in German for the first time in his career. "I immediately felt like the words understood me," he says. "It seemed to me that the lyrics were telling the story of my career, of my highs and lows and all the good and bad experiences that life has. There simply is 'no going back' for those who choose to live as a musician."

The cover album also makes one thing clear: just how many in the music industry have come and gone over the years, yet Udo Dirkschneider is still here.

"My Way" track listing:

01. Faith Healer (ALEX HARVEY)

02. Fire (CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN)

03. Sympathy (URIAH HEEP)

04. They Call It Nutbush (TINA TURNER)

05. Man On The Silver Mountain (RAINBOW)

06. Hell Raiser (THE SWEET)

07. No Class (MOTÖRHEAD)

08. Rock And Roll (LED ZEPPELIN)

09. The Stroke (BILLY SQUIER)

10. Paint It Black (THE ROLLING STONES)

11. He's A Woman, She's A Man (SCORPIONS)

12. T.N.T. (AC/DC)

13. Jealousy (FRANKIE MILLER)

14. Hell Bent For Leather (JUDAS PRIEST)

15. We Will Rock You (QUEEN)

16. Kein Zurück (WOLFSHEIM)

17. My Way (FRANK SINATRA)

U.D.O.'s latest album, "Game Over" was released in October via AFM Records.

In 2020, U.D.O. collaborated with Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, the military band of the German federal armed forces, on an album called "We Are One", which was released in July 2020 via AFM Records/Soulfood Music.

U.D.O.'s current lineup includes Udo's son and drummer Sven Dirkschneider, bassist Tilen Hudrap and guitarists Andrey Smirnov and Dee Dammers.

Udo's DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG project, in which he is joined be fellow former ACCEPT members Peter Baltes (bass) and Stefan Kaufmann (guitar), issued its debut single, "Where The Angels Fly", in September 2020. A second single, "Face Of A Stranger", followed in April 2021, with the third single, "Every Heart Is Burning", arriving in June 2021. Last August, all three songs were released as the "Arising" CD, a 12-inch vinyl and a download.

CANNIBAL CORPSE vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher has released a new video teaser for his upcoming solo album, titled "Corpsegrinder". Due on February 25, the 10-song effort was co-produced by Nick Bellmore (DEE SNIDER, KINGDOM OF SORROW) and Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and will be made available through Jasta's new label, Perseverance Music Group.

The song "Acid Vat", which can be heard below, features a guest appearance by Fisher's CANNIBAL CORPSE bandmate Erik Rutan.

Corpsegrinder comments: "When Jamey approached me to do this record, I was fired up to get into the studio with Erik Rutan and record the vocals. It's a mix of death metal, thrash and hardcore, and it sounds heavy as hell!!! I'm really excited about it, and I can't wait for the world to hear it!!!"

Jasta adds: "Working with George has been a dream come true, he's one of the best dudes in metal and one of the most brutal voices EVER. He's outdone himself on this album!"

Throughout the years, Fisher has become a beloved figure in the metal scene and beyond, having one of heavy music's most brutal voices. In addition to having spent more than a quarter of a century fronting CANNIBAL CORPSE, he has been involved in several side projects, including PATHS OF POSSESSION and SERPENTINE DOMINION. He has also guested on various recordings from such acts as SUFFOCATION and SUICIDE SILENCE.

Last year, Fisher told Kerrang! magazine about how he first became interested in extreme metal: "I went from BLACK SABBATH to [JUDAS] PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN, but when we discovered the heaviest shit, it was SLAYER and VENOM and CELTIC FROST and VOIVOD and POSSESSED — it all hit us at once. We were listening to heavy metal and then they dropped a fucking building on us. One of my earliest memories is my friend Steve playing the MERCYFUL FATE EP, and I'd never heard anything like it. King Diamond is my favorite singer of all time, and when we first heard that EP, it was, 'What the fuck was that?' I started getting demos and exploring more underground bands. When the CANNIBAL CORPSE demo came out, I believe I was already in my first band, which was called CORPSEGRINDER. We named the band after a DEATH song."




























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STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet has undergone surgery for a re-detached retina.

A retinal detachment happens when the retina separates from the back of the eye, causing peripheral vision loss. Without immediate treatment, a retinal detachment can lead to total vision loss, according to Healthline.

The 58-year-old guitarist/vocalist, who had his initial procedure in November, took to his Instagram earlier today (Tuesday, January 11) to write: "So this just happened. I made it through 7 weeks without incident and then I began to see a slight shadow again in my eye. Went to the eye doctor and confirming my gut feeling, my retina re-detached.

"I just got out of surgery and they removed scar tissue and injected an oil bubble that will stay in longer (3 months). They removed my cataract at the same time and when they remove the oil in 3 months, they'll replace my lens. I should be able to see fairly well at that time.

"I'm face down again up to the day the guys come out to record the new @Stryper album (1/25). I'll be writing lyrics as I remain face down for the next few weeks.

"The show must go on. I believe that this is the time to do the album. So, it's happening. Also, I can't wait to get through this and get out there and start touring in May.

"I deeply appreciate those who have stood by my side and who have continued to pray for and think of me."

Michael's latest medical procedure comes nearly a year after STRYPER guitarist Oz Fox underwent the first of his brain surgeries to treat one of the tumors that were found in his head four years ago. As a result, Oz has been sitting out some of the band's recent tour dates and was temporarily replaced by Howie Simon (JEFF SCOTT SOTO, GRAHAM BONNET).

In early August, Oz said that he felt "it would be best" for him to take the rest of the year off from touring "for some solid recovery time" following surgery.

Fox's tumors — one by his ear and the other in the back of his brain — were discovered when he suffered his first seizure in August 2018 while performing with SIN CITY SINNERS at Harrah's in Las Vegas.

In October 2020, Fox was briefly hospitalized after suffering another massive seizure.

Within weeks of Fox's original August 2018 seizure, STRYPER toured Australia and Japan as a three-piece, and later recruited Simon to fill in while Fox was unable to go on the road.
























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Finnish rock band THE RASMUS has entered Finland's annual Eurovision selection contest, "Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu" (UMK; The New Music Competition). The band has also announced the release of its Eurovision entry bid and new single, "Jezebel", which will be available on January 17, 2022 via Playground Music.

"Jezebel" was co-written and produced by Desmond Child, who collaborated with THE RASMUS on their seventh studio album "Black Roses". Child is responsible for formulating some of rock's biggest hits, with co-writer and production credits on iconic songs by KISS, BON JOVI, AEROSMITH and ALICE COOPER, to name a few.

Singer Lauri Ylönen comments: "It was awesome to work with Desmond again. He really knows how to put a hit song together.

"'Jezebel' is about a girl who takes what she wants, without asking. A free spirit."

Speaking about the collaboration, Child says: "Lauri gives me a call and says 'Hey, I need to write the biggest, greatest song in the entire world ever. Will you do it [with me]?' and I said 'Yeah, but I am in Folegandros (Greece)' and he says, 'I'll be right there.'

"'Jezebel' is an homage, a tribute, to the strong women of today, who own their bodies, who are in charge of their sensuality, their sexuality, and who are determined to be an equal."

The UMK winner and Finland's next Eurovision Song Contest participant will be chosen at the UMK22 event in Turku Logomo on February 26, 2022. The final will be shown live on Yle TV1, Yle Areena and Yle's radio channels from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. EET. The winner will be chosen by TV viewers and the international UMK jury. Those outside of Finland can watch the show at areena.yle.fi/tv.

There is more big news to share from THE RASMUS, as they have announced that founding guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi has left the band. Pauli comments: "I have decided to make my departure from the band and seek for new adventures and challenges in life.

"I want to thank everybody that has made this journey possible, especially all you amazing fans, for the best moments and memories. I love you.

"I'm eternally thankful to my band brothers for everything and wish the best from the bottom of my heart. Lauri, Aki and Eero, I love you.

"Music lives forever!

"This is not the end. It's just time to turn the page."

The remaining band members emphasize that it is an amicable split.

"We have always been like a family, more like brothers than a band," says Lauri. "We are still very good friends, and we wish Pauli all the best."

The torch is passed to Finnish guitarist and singer Emilia "Emppu" Suhonen. Speaking of her invitation to join the band, Emppu says: "I got a very surprising call in the fall and answered 'yes.' Although I was a bit nervous to go to the rehearsal room with the guys for the first time for a test drive, I still had a strong feeling that this would be a good thing. That feeling turned out to be right and playing together felt totally natural right from the first riff. I am THE RASMUS's new guitarist, and it's pretty insane to be on this ride."

Emppu began playing the guitar when she was five years old and at 13, she made her album debut with the band TIKTAK, who went on to become one of Finland's biggest rock bands in the early 2000s. Since then, she has played in several bands including DAME, ALAVALA and MIRA LUOTI, among other projects.

"At the moment, I'm getting ready for the UMK and the upcoming gigs with this awesome band I'm now in, THE RASMUS," says Emppu. "Being part of this group is a dream come true on so many levels."

Armed with a new arsenal of songs and a revitalized lineup, THE RASMUS will embark on a world tour in the fall of 2022.

Confirmed tour dates:

Oct. 10 - Germany Hamburg Markthalle

Oct. 11 - Germany Berlin Metropol

Oct. 12 - Poland Warsaw Proxima

Oct. 13 - Poland Krakow Kwadrat

Oct. 14 - Germany Leipzig Taubchental

Oct. 15 - Czech Rep. Prague Forum Karlin

Oct. 17 - Hungary Budapest BNMC

Oct. 18 - Austria Vienna Ottakringer Brauerei

Oct. 19 - Germany Munich Neue Theaterfabrik

Oct. 21 - Italy Milan Fabrique

Oct. 22 - Switzerland Bern Bierhubeli

Oct. 23 - France Paris La Maroquinerie

Oct. 24 - Luxembourg Esch-Sur-Alzette Rockhal

Oct. 25 - Germany Wiesbaden Schlachthof (Halfhouse)

Oct. 27 - Germany Cologne LMH

Oct. 28 - Holland Haarlem Patronaat

Oct. 30 - England Nottingham Rock City

Oct. 31 - England Manchester O2 Ritz

Nov. 01 - Scotland Glasgow Garage

Nov. 02 - England Bristol O2 Academy

Nov. 03 - England London O2 Forum Kentish Town

Nov. 05 - Ukraine Kiev Mc Hall

Nov. 06 - Ukraine Lviv Malevich Club

Nov. 07 - Ukraine Odessa Musical Comedy Theatre

Nov. 08 - Ukraine Dnipro Shynnic House Of Culture

Nov. 09 - Ukraine Kharekiv Mekhanika

Nov. 11 - Russia Moscow Stadium

Nov. 12 - Russia St Petersburg A2

THE RASMUS is:

Lauri Ylönen - vocals

Eero Heinonen - bass

Emppu Suhonen - guitars

Aki Hakala - drums

Photo credit: Venla Shalin