Valkyrja, one of the prominent acts among the current Swedish black metal scene, was originally founded in 2004, “with the common collective goal of channelling violence, deprivation and loathing through means of extraordinarily potent audio emissions”; a parallel and extension of their own philosophies - boundless and without limitation in their art.


Throne Ablaze was the band’s fourth studio album, originally released in 2018 and was a spectacular assault of finely honed Scandinavian black metal, steeped in ritualistic darkness and seething grimness. Upon release, the album was considered a highpoint for the band among an already highly revered repertoire, capturing the attention of the metal world with eight tracks of pure majestic malevolence, showing once more why Valkyrja is considered a prime force in today’s black metal climate.







Throne Ablaze was again recorded at Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Mayhem), with Tore Sjerna at the helm handling production duties.  


This edition of Throne Ablaze is presented on vinyl for the first time, including gatefold sleeve. Purchase at the Peaceville Records webshop.


(Photo: NecrosHorns)

U.D.O., the German metal band led by original ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has signed with Atomic Fire Records.

Udo states: "As a globally active artist, it is very important for me to work with our respective partners in a trusting and highly professional way since large parts of our careers depend directly on their work. But a friendly relationship and fun in day-to-day cooperation are just as important. With my U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER bands, I have always paid attention to long-term partnerships, which really did not make the decision to change labels again after nearly 20 years of cooperation with AFM Records easy for me. I would like to specifically thank Jochen Richert and his team once again for the very trusting and personal cooperation over the last two decades! But when the opportunity arose to follow a fresh path with the newly founded Atomic Fire Records label and experience new inspirations, I seized it immediately and won't let go. The opportunity to work with a nationally and internationally experienced and successful team consisting of friends and years-long companions was too tempting. The team and the concept as well as Atomic Fire Records' professional setup worldwide has convinced me completely and I look very optimistically and happily toward the future and a cooperation with Markus Wosgien, Markus Staiger and Florian Milz and their team."

Atomic Fire Records CEO Markus Wosgien says: "I was nine years old when I listened to a real metal song for the very first time, a live version of 'Metal Heart' and it hooked me immediately. On that day, heavy metal became the center of my life. I started spending my whole pocket money for ACCEPT's records before I also discovered other groups. ACCEPT were the ultimate band and the definition of heavy metal — it just had to sound like this. I was working with U.D.O. in support of their 'Mastercutor' album during my time at AFM Records, but I even had the chance of cooperating with ACCEPT for four full-lenghts after their reunion in 2009. To welcome Udo Dirkschneider to Atomic Fire Records is a kind of a knightly accolade for us. He's an icon and an old hand of metal who still has a lot to say. We're pleased to release an outstanding album around his 70th birthday and can't wait for all those U.D.O. hits that are yet to come."

Dirkschneider, who will turn 70 years old on April 6, 2022, plans to release a "special album" to coincide with his birthday.

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

Last year, 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.

SiriusXM's Jose Mangin recently interviewed Sammy Hagar in the limo which was gifted to Jose from the estates of PANTERA founders "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott. Jose has worked hard to restore the car and plans to take it all across the country and have epic hangs and chats with all of his buddies to reminisce about his dear friends, whom many of us still hold so dear.

In an interview clip which was posted on December 8, which marked the 17th anniversary of Dimebag's death, Sammy recalled a time when he was supposedly approached by PANTERA's then-manager about joining the band, apparently as the replacement for Philip Anselmo.

"How about if I tell you something crazy. I don't believe it; I don't believe it's true," Sammy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "But PANTERA had a manager. This was before I actually became friends with Vinnie. And [the manager] said PANTERA, he said, want me to be the lead singer of the band. And he asked me, 'Would you be interested?' And I said, 'No, not after [my split with] VAN HALEN [in 1996]. I'm not gonna join another band, especially covering for somebody else,' and this and that. And I brought it up to Vinnie one time. He didn't remember it. But I don't know if there's any truth to that."

This is not the first time Hagar had discussed being offered the singer gig in PANTERA. Back in 2011, he told Forbes: "I was asked at one time to be in MÖTLEY CRÜE. I was asked at one time to be in PANTERA by their managers. I was asked to be in VELVET REVOLVER when Scott Weiland quit and went back to the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. I was waiting to be asked to be in LED ZEPPELIN to say no, since they were the greatest band on earth and no could replace Robert Plant. I was asked to be in AEROSMITH and I said no."

He continued: "Certain bands and certain frontman singers are more difficult to replace than others. Steven Tyler and that band have stayed together for 40 years and you don't to walk into something like that. They had one moment years ago, when they replaced Joe Perry, but it's still always been Steven at the front of AEROSMITH. You don't replace that.

"When I came into VAN HALEN, it was easy because Dave [Lee Roth] wasn't a great singer, but he was a good frontman," Hagar explained. "In those times, I was selling out the same arenas they were, so it was like the combination of two forces and it worked but it's a rare thing. We were all lucky that the fans accepted it and it got bigger. I would avoid bands that are going to break up pretty soon."

In a 2015 question-and-answer session at the DFW Acura Performance Showroom in Dallas, Texas, Vinnie Paul said that VAN HALEN was "a huge influence" on him when he first started playing drums. "Eddie and Alex [Van Halen] inspired me and my brother [Dimebag] so much," he said. "It was really just unbelievable the parallels that we had between ourselves."

In a lasting sign of deep respect, Eddie Van Halen donated the black-and-yellow tape-striped guitar pictured on the back cover of "Van Halen II" to be buried with Dimebag.

Julien's Auctions has announced additional marquee items added to the celebrity lineup of instruments, memorabilia, wardrobe, artwork, and more to be sold at MusiCares Charity Relief Auction taking place live in Beverly Hills and online at juliensauctions.com on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

This official Grammy Week event precedes the 64th annual Grammy Awards telecast. Proceeds will benefit MusiCares, the leading music industry charity, which provides the music community a support system of health and human services across a spectrum of need including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.

Headed to the auction is a Keith Richards signed Gibson ES-335 in Ebony that includes a one-of-a-kind four second video authenticating his signature taken at Germano Studios. The Gibson ES-335 is the cornerstone of the Gibson ES line-up. From its inaugural appearance in 1958, the Gibson ES-335 set an unmatched standard. With impeccable sounds across its wide-ranging tonal palette, the ES-335 can be found in the hands of jazz, blues, and rock players all over the globe. SKU ES33500EBNH1 S/N: 211310255. Donated by Gibson Gives (estimate $6,000 - $8,000).

Another highlight hitting the auction stage will be from another music legend from the most important band in rock history: Paul McCartney. THE BEATLES legend is offering a signed sunburst Hofner brand B-Bass Hi Series violin bass guitar (estimate: $4,000 - $6,000). McCartney helped make the Hofner violin bass guitar famous by the 1960s, as it was one of his main bass guitars that he played with THE BEATLES, notably at the Apple Rooftop concert and the "Let It Be" album recording sessions.

BTS kicked off the initiative with the auction announcement of their custom made ensembles (estimate: $30,000 - $50,000), worn in their unforgettable performance of their smash hit song "Dynamite" filmed from Seoul, South Korea at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony that aired on March 14, 2021, will additionally be offering to the auction an Epiphone brand 56 Les Paul Pro ebony electric guitar signed by the band members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin and V on the body, and Jung Kook on the pickguard (estimate: $4,000 - $6,000). Another previously announced BTS item on offer is a group of three unique rings worn by j-hope (estimate: $2,000 - $4,000).

MusiCares Person Of The Year 2022 honoree Joni Mitchell's work will also be showcased in the auction with her offering of the artist proof print of her original oil painting of music icon Jimi Hendrix (estimate: $2,000 - $4,000). This artist's proof will be signed and framed by Joni Mitchell. "I have always thought of myself as a painter derailed by circumstance," she said in 2000. "I sing my sorrow and I paint my joy."

Other sensational highlights include (with estimates):

* Bono's handwritten lyrics to U2's new song "Your Song Saved My Life" from the upcoming "Sing 2" animated movie coming out in December starring Scarlett Johansson, Bono, Reese Witherspoon and others ($4,000 - $6,000).

* Gene Simmons's two limited-edition pieces of original artwork: Immortal, a 30 x 22 inches red, silver and black hand pulled screenprint signed and numbered AP 3/50 framed ($1,000 - $2,000) and Skull Candy, a 21 x 35 inches mixed media multiple silk screen and giclee print of a skull suspended in a shadow box frame signed and numbered AP 3/35 framed ($1,000 - $2,000).

* A class white Gibson brand ES-355 Bigsby VOS electric acoustic guitar donated by Gibson Gives and signed by Tom Petty when he was being honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in 2017. Petty has played a number of various Gibson brand guitars and bass instruments throughout his career, including acoustic-electric models like the ES 355. The guitar is accompanied with a Tom Petty and THE WILDFLOWERS 9LP DTC Ultra Deluxe edition box set complete with a unique and hand-made necklace by Maria Sarno, a lyric book with illustrations by Blaze Brooks (exclusive for the set), a litho print of photo of Tom Petty, a 7" of "You Don't Know How It Feels", tour program, stickers and more. Only 500 box sets were published ($6,000 - $8,000).

* A gold Gibson ES-335 electric acoustic guitar signed by Harry Styles with the inscription "All my Love" and a heart symbol, "Watermelon Sugar" (2019, 2020) 7" pink colored record single inscribed "All my love to you Treat people with kindness" signed by Styles and three-color Polaroid-like photographs from the photo shoot for the song's music video ($3,000 - $5,000).

* A black leather knee-length coat signed by Ozzy Osbourne four times in white marker on the back of the inside of the jacket ($1,000 - $2,000).

* Chris Stapleton's handwritten lyrics of "Broken Halos" inscribed on a polar white Fender Player Telecaster guitar ($2,000 - $4,000).

* A special item donated by the Chris Cornell Estate.

The star-studded pieces join a dazzling array of previously announced one-of-a-kind items being offered at this exclusive charity auction from music legends including Dave Gahan, DEPECHE MODE, deadmau5, Demi Lovato, Dolly Parton, James Hetfield, Jason Aldean, Jeff Beck, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lionel Richie, Machine Gun Kelly, Slash, Scott Weiland, Tim McGraw and more. A lucky music fan will also have the chance to win at the auction The Ultimate 64th Grammy Awards Telecast experience which includes two platinum-level seats to the telecast on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Staples Center in Los Angeles (estimate: $10,000 - $20,000).

The auction will start closing in real time and in lot order for live bidding at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on January 30, 2022.

Julien's Auctions public exhibition and live auction location

Julien's Auctions

257 N. Canon Drive

Beverly Hills,

CA 90210

Exhibition: Monday, January 24 - Friday, January 28, 2022

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Free to the public

Julien's Auctions live and online auction

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Anthony Kiedis (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) and Dexter Holland (THE OFFSPRING) were the surprise guest musicians who performed last night (Monday, December 20) at the third "Above Ground" benefit concert founded by guitarists Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL) at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California. They joined an all-star bill that included Perry Farrell (JANE'S ADDICTION), Etty Lau Farrell, Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT), Mark McGrath and Franky Perez. The event was host Dr. Drew Pinsky and included an art installation by Risk Rock.

Following previous successful events in 2018 and 2019, while sitting out in 2020 due to COVID-19, the evening celebrated the vinyl album as an art form, with the performance of two seminal albums in their entirety, while at the same time raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health. Throughout the event, there was an art installation from multi-talented fine artist, sculptor and graffiti pioneer Risk Rock.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to MusiCares, the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community.

"MusiCares has literally saved more than a few of our friends from dying," said Navarro and Morrison. "Their role cannot be overstated, and we have precious few organizations that actively step in to help people on the brink. On the frontline, finding and paying for beds in treatment, arranging therapy and counseling, and actually speaking up on a public level about the importance of mental health are all reasons why we continue to do what we can to draw attention to this subject."

Navarro and Morrison, with an array of special guests, performed two musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed's 1972 album "Transformer" and THE SEX PISTOLS' 1977 release "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols".

In 2018, the "Above Ground" guest musicians performed 1980's "Kings Of The Wild Frontier" by ADAM AND THE ANTS and the 1967 self-titled album by THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO. In 2019, they tackled David Bowie's 1972 effort "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" and THE STOOGES' 1969 self-titled debut LP.

Canadian epic symphonic artist, Oscar Rangel's Avantgarde, have announced their debut full-length album, Ghost Of Time, to be released on January 21 via Boonsdale Records. Their new single "The Mist", featuring Timo Tolkki is out now. Listen on Spotify here, and watch a lyric video below.





"Avantgarde is my fantasy, my artistic utopia," says Oscar Rangel. "A collection of my dreams, desires, fears and meanderings."




Experimental contemporary music that blends theatrical imaginations, rock and metal sounds. Mystical passages and eccentric textures with eclectic and expressive voices that feel straight out of a twisted Vaudeville.


Rangel continues: "If you like creepy fantasies, magical horror, and dark arts, this artistic expression is for you."


The sound of Oscar Rangel’s Avantgarde ranges from intimate passages to choirs and instrumental sections of epic proportions. Gather around, because this is a good tale, a tale of power, a tale of lust, a tale of chaos, a tale for us.





Avantgarde lineup:


Oscar Rangel (all instruments)
Timo Tolkki (lead guitar)
David Michael Moote (guest vocals)
Ivan Rodgon (guest vocals)
Avelina de la O (guest vocals)
Phoebe & Eva Karkanis (guest vocals)
Kirsti Heitz (guest vocals)
Mazetecpatl (Pre-Hispanic flutes)

Have you ever wanted to watch Lord Of The Rings characters play football? Chaotic Italian bunch, Nanowar Of Steel, have made it happen. On their single, “Il Signore degli Anelli dello Stadio”, the parody metallers combine their love for the classic J. R. R. Tolkien fantasy with the world’s favorite team sport.


Nanowar Of Steel on the song: "’Il Signore degli Anelli dello Stadio’ (‘The Lord of the Stadium Rings’) is the first epic-football-metal song ever released (at least by Nanowar Of Steel). What would happen if all of a sudden, all the creatures of the Lord Of The Rings had their own football team? And more importantly, which songs would their supporters sing? Nanowar Of Steel has got the answer for you!”


Watch the animated lyric video for “Il Signore degli Anelli dello Stadio”:







Nanowar Of Steel turns to the musical roots of their homeland, bringing heavy new life to traditional Italian music on their new album Italian Folk Metal. Filled with references to Italian folklore, Nanowar Of Steel puts its own comedic metal twist on the various traditional sounds of their beautiful country.


Each song on Italian Folk Metal is performed in a distinct style of Italian folk music: Napoli-based sounds of musica neomelodica clash with melodic guitar sweeps on “Scugnizzi of the Land of Fires" and speedy accordions (prominently known from northern Italy‘s mazurka) are layered with dizzying guitar solos on “La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri".


Mixed with the band‘s eclectic, comprehensive brand of catchy, comedy-infused metal, Italian Folk Metal is a truly multi-faceted listening experience and a deep dive into the roots of Italy’s folklore! In the process of recording the new album in Rome and Milan during the summer of 2020, Nanowar Of Steel took the Italian-focused theme as an opportunity to gather Italy’s crème de la creme of musicianship: the album features Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse on “L’assedio di Porto Cervo”, Alessandro Conti of Luca Turilli's Rhapsody and Trick Or Treat fame on “La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri” and Frozen Crown’s Jade on “Rosario", among others. Italian Folk Metal showcases Nanowar Of Steel’s musical versatility at its best!





Order Italian Folk Metal here.





Italian Folk Metal tracklisting:


"Requiem per Gigi Sabani in Re minore"
"L'Assedio di Porto Cervo"
"La Maledizione di Capitan Findus"
"La Marcia su Piazza Grande"
"La Mazurka del Vecchio che Guarda i Cantieri"
"La Polenta Taragnarock"
"Scugnizzi of the Land of Fires"
"Rosario"
"Il Signore degli Anelli dello Stadio"
"Gabonzo Robot"
"Sulle Aliquote Della Libertà"
"Der Fluch des Kapt’n Iglo"
"El Baile del Viejo que Mira las obras"


"Sulle Aliquote Della Libertà" lyric video:





"La Polenta Taragnarok” video:





“Gabonzo Robot” video:





"Der Fluch des Käptn Iglo" video:





Nanowar Of Steel are:


Gatto Panceri 666 - Bass
Potowotominimak - Vocals
Mr. Baffo - Vocals
Abdul - Guitar
Uinona Raider - Drums


(Photo - Marco Dazzi])

Former CRO-MAGS frontman John Joseph says that he beat COVID-19 by "investing" in his immune system.

The 59-year-old, who is also an author, Ironman triathlete and proponent of a vegan, clean-living lifestyle, shared the news of his diagnosis in an Instagram video earlier today (Monday, December 20).

He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm wearing my 'Virus' shirt. You know why? I had the so-called death virus that they're shutting every fucking thing down for. The omicron. Oh my God! It's the end of the fuckin' world.

"Guess what. A couple of days [later], I'm back to fuckin' normal," he continued. "Why do you think that is? That's because I invested in my immune system. I take care of myself. I fasted, [ate] a lot of fruit, a lot of teas, a lot of organic vitamic C and different drinks. And you know what? I still ain't takin' that motherfuckin' shot. I ain't takin' none of them. That's just me. I don't tell anybody else what the fuck to do.

"The problem now is the overreach, like these motherfuckers in the government saying, 'Oh, yeah, there's gonna be a lot of illness and death visiting the unvaccinated.' Really? Fuckin' tell me about it, dude.

"Fuck this shit show. This government now signing shit to lock motherfuckers up that don't take the vaccine. The unvaccinated ain't the problem. If you got three fucking shots in and you're still getting coronavirus, you need to ask yourself what the fuck is going on. That's the real fucking deal.

"Anyway, the voice of fuckin' reason. You're entrusting your health with the ones who are profiting off of your illness," Joseph added. "Think about that for a fuckin' second. Think about the disconnect that it takes for you to entrust your health to these motherfuckers. All of them — Pfizer, J&J [Johnson & Johnson], Moderna, fuckin' AstraZeneca — fuckin' corrupt companies. Do some fuckin' research. Before they were all safe and effective; now the J&J, yeah, it causes blood clots.

"Wake up, people. You're being fuckin' played, and that's the reality of the situation."

Back in March 2020, at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joseph said that no one was addressing "the real issue" — that eating animals is bad for human health.

A year earlier, Joseph, who is the author of the book "Meat Is For Pussies", which attacks the myth that men need meat to be fit and strong, told GQ.com that his plant-based diet is "second nature at this point." He explained: "You know, we look at everything that we put into our cars, we're obsessed with the fine details of all those sorts of things. But when it comes to what we put in our bodies, man, if you read the label and you can't pronounce this shit, you shouldn't be eating it. Our body is our only vehicle to get through life."

The new coronavirus is believed to have originated from one of Wuhan, China's many "wet markets" — so called because animals are often slaughtered directly in front of customers. These markets put people and live and dead animals — dogs, chickens, pigs, snakes, civets, and more — in constant close contact.

In the U.S., more than 61% of the population are currently fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, while more than 72% have received at least one shot, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More than 805,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S.

According to the CDC, unvaccinated people are 10 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 compared to those who are vaccinated and had a booster shot. Unvaccinated people are also 20 times more likely to die from the virus.

According to the nonpartisan, nonprofit web site Fact Check, while vaccines reduce the probability of getting infected, they are not 100% effective, so there is a chance that an unvaccinated person could infect a vaccinated person — particularly the vulnerable, such as elderly and immunocompromised individuals. And, despite vaccination providing excellent protection against severe disease, a small proportion of vaccinated people still require ICU care.

In 2019, Joseph and drummer Mackie Jayson reached a settlement with CRO-MAGS founder Harley Flanagan regarding ownership of the CRO-MAGS name. Flanagan is now performing under the name CRO-MAGS while Joseph and Jayson are performing as CRO-MAGS "JM".
























View this post on Instagram









































A post shared by John Joseph (@johnjosephcromag)










Beat Covid in three days because of the Immune System I invested in over 40 years ago. I GOT ANTIBODIES BITCHES!!!! No Rona ?? ? for me - everybody else - do what the fuck you feel.

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) December 20, 2021








You can learn a lot from an alien pic.twitter.com/L0uXkCC3lY

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) December 20, 2021








News stories everywhere of kids having mental health issues because of the Rona - but guess what? The Government is kicking up big money for mental health services - i.e. meds - boy oh boy Big Pharma is loving it.

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) December 17, 2021








Omicron = A bad cold - they are playing you

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) December 7, 2021








At this point with the shots not working or stopping anything it should be your choice not the Govt demanding you do anything. Like so many of them said last year and I quote “it’s not our job to mandate any shots” That’s right.

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) December 3, 2021








Even with two jabs you can still get ‘Rona and spread it. See - I don’t tell anybody what to do - so stay in your lane on my decisions. I do what’s right for me and will not be guilt tripped by people rolling up to the McDonald’s drive through or whack ass hypocrite vegans.

— John Joseph (@jjcromag) November 3, 2021

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor spoke to Lou Brutus of HardDrive Radio about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2019's "We Are Not Your Kind" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When we started first putting the new music together, it was a lot of flying around, people doing it in certain spots and trying to get the best out of it even though we were in the confines of lockdowns and stuff. So it was tricky. But we had a great producer with Joe Barresi, and he knows how to get the best out of pretty much any band that he's ever worked with. He's super rad and loves what we do, which sometimes that's all you need — is just somebody going, 'We're gonna do this.' So he would come into town so I could do the vocals. He would fly out and get the guys together to do the guitars and stuff, get them together with [drummer] Jay [Weinberg] while the drums were going on. We were able to really kind of pull off something crazy. And now we're about… I'd say we're about 90 percent away from the album being finished. And it's really good; I'm really, really stoked on it. I actually like this one more than I like 'We Are Not Your Kind', and I loved 'We Are Not Your Kind'."

As for when the new SLIPKNOT album might see the light of day, Corey said: "The goal right now — and I don't wanna talk out of turn — the goal is to get it ready for mix [in] January so we can get it out two or three months after. I have four songs that I have to sing, 'cause I'm redoing one that I wasn't happy with; I listened to it, and I was, like, 'I can do that better.' And honestly, very rarely have I ever had the opportunity to do that. So it's actually kind of rad that I'm getting a chance to go in and go, 'You know what? I can beat what I did.' But that's gonna take me five days to get that done. 'Cause I'm gonna do those four songs and then go back through and do punch-up on anything that I'm just not feeling. But it's gonna be very, very little 'cause I'm pretty down with everything that I've got. So once that's done, man, it's just a matter of having Joe mix it. And I know [percussionist] Clown's [Shawn Crahan] been working on the artwork. We're working on a video for… obviously for [recently released single] '[The] Chapeltown [Rag]', but also probably for whatever the first single's gonna be. Yeah, it's just a matter of time before we start getting it together."

Asked what the songwriting process in SLIPKNOT is like nowadays since the band's two main songwriters, bassist Paul Gray and drummer Joey Jordison, are no longer in the group, Corey said: "I think that's the greatest misconception. People think that Joey and Paul wrote all the music. It couldn't be further from the truth. Everybody writes. Joe and Paul were the ones that would get stuff going, but it would always change from their demo to the main meat of what the song would actually become. So, from that standpoint, we've still got writers like Jim [Root, guitar], we've still got writers like Mick [Thomson, guitar], we've still got writers like Clown; Clown has written a lot of stuff over the years. And the people have just never gotten a lot of the credit that they're due, I guess. I mean, I've written stuff for this band from time to time when I get the bug to write something super heavy. Then they take it and make it better — they always make it better. So from that standpoint, it's not really any different than the way it's been in the past. Obviously, the music sounds different because Paul's voice isn't there, Joey's voice isn't there. And yet we still are able to write in a way that sounds very SLIPKNOT, and that's because it would always go through the SLIPKNOT filter. No matter what demo we wrote, it would always go through the SLIPKNOT filter and become a SLIPKNOT song."

SLIPKNOT performed "The Chapeltown Rag" live for the first time on November 5 at Knotfest Los Angeles. The studio version of "The Chapeltown Rag", which was released that same day, was produced bythe aforementioned Barresi, who has previously worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and CHEVELLE, among many others.

Taylor described the song to Knotfest.com as "a punisher," saying it documents what happens when the distortions of mass media circulate within the echo chambers of social media.

"It's classic SLIPKNOT," said Corey about the track, which is inspired by a Netflix documentary he watched about the Yorkshire Ripper serial killer who murdered multiple women in the West Yorkshire, United Kingdom suburb Chapeltown in the late 1970s. "And it's frenetic. But lyrically, it's coming from a point of talking about the various manipulations that can happen when social media meets media itself. And the different ways that these manipulations can try to pull us in different directions, in the fact that we're all becoming addicts to it, which is very, very dangerous."

"We Are Not Your Kind" was released in August 2019. The LP sold 118,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Furthermore, the album made an impact worldwide with No. 1 debuts in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, as well as Top 5 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

SLIPKNOT recently completed the "Knotfest Roadshow" tour, featuring support from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FEVER 333 and CODE ORANGE. The 29-date run, produced by Live Nation, kicked off following the band's Knotfest Iowa hometown show in Des Moines on September 25.

SLIPKNOT announced its split with Jordison in December 2013 but did not disclose the reasons for his exit. The drummer subsequently issued a statement saying that he did not quit the group.

Joey's family confirmed that he died "peacefully in his sleep" on July 26 of an unspecified cause.

Gray was found dead on May 24, 2010 after overdosing on drugs in a hotel room in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, where he and SLIPKNOT were based. His family blamed the death on a Des Moines pain doctor, Daniel Baldi, who had treated Gray for years, and sued the doctor and his former employers.

Photo courtesy of Steve Thrasher

Ted Nugent spoke to Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 about how he managed to beat COVID-19 eight months ago. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[The virus] was designed by the communist Chinese and Mr. Fauci [the nation's top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci] to be gain of function — they designed it so everybody would get it — and I happen to be one of those bodies in the everybody team, so I got it. But what I did is I'm really smart. You know how smart I am? I listened to what the government told me to do and I did just the opposite. And whatever the government told me not to do, that's exactly what I did do, and I was cured in about two days."

Nugent, an outspoken conspiracy theorist who has refused to take the vaccine, also once again falsely claimed that public health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic violate the Nuremberg code, a set of medical experimentation guidelines set after World War Two, as the vaccine is experimental.

"It's not a vaccine," he said. "It's not a vaccine. It is an experimental shot, and you can't experiment on me and my family. I don't even need the Nuremberg trials to teach me that; my brain tells me that. So this is a real sad, treacherous time in America where anybody would be foolish enough to listen to Fauci or [U.S. president Joe] Biden or the WHO [World Health Organization] or the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] — virtually untrustworthy. And if you're listening to their constant hypocrisy — from Monday to Tuesday, they will contradict themselves over and over again.

"So, I think we can all see the writing on the wall," he added. "It's really ugly; it's really treacherous; I consider it criminal. It breaks my heart to say that the worst enemy of America right now is the American government. What a tragic thing to have to say, but the evidence is inescapable."

Despite Nugent's claim that the COVID-19 vaccines are human medical experiments, they underwent extensive testing before being offered to the population.

According to the nonpartisan, nonprofit web site Fact Check, while vaccines reduce the probability of getting infected, they are not 100% effective, so there is a chance that an unvaccinated person could infect a vaccinated person — particularly the vulnerable, such as elderly and immunocompromised individuals. And, despite vaccination providing excellent protection against severe disease, a small proportion of vaccinated people still require ICU care.

More than 60% of the nation's population are currently fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, while more than 71% have received at least one shot, according to data from the CDC.

More than 794,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S.

In April, Nugent talked about the darkest days of his battle with COVID-19, saying that he had "never been so scared" in his entire life. The 72-year-old pro-gun activist, who had previously claimed the virus was "not a real pandemic," said: "It was really scary. I didn't think I was gonna make it. I literally couldn't function for about 20 hours, and then they came and they rescued me… The six-foot-two, 225-pound headache [this time] was like nothing I have ever experienced. I mean, from my tip of my toes to the top of my hair, I literally was dizzy and weak and struggled to get up to go to the bathroom. And I would lay in the bathtub a couple of times a day with the water as hot as I could take it just to divert."

Ted also said that he was being treated for COVID-19 by a group of doctors who made a video last year calling for the use of hydroxychloroquine to battle the novel coronavirus, despite warnings from public health experts. Nugent went on to detail his clinical management of COVID-19, saying he was taking hydroxychloroquine, "a proven drug for 65 years," as well as ivermectin, "another proven drug."

Neither hydroxychloroquine nor ivermectin have been approved by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus. While ivermectin is used to treat horses for parasites and worms, it has been approved for human use to treat infections such as head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.

In the past, Nugent, a staunch Donald Trump supporter, had referred to the virus as a "leftist scam to destroy" America's 45th president. He had also repeated a narrative pushed by conservative media and disputed by health experts that suggests the official death count from the coronavirus is inflated.

Kid Rock has blasted "pansy ass woke critics" of his latest single, saying they are the ones who inspired him to write the song in the first place.

Last month, Kid Rock released "Don't Tell Me How To Live", a defiant new track in which he rants against "woke" culture and the mainstream media at a time when "every opinion has a millennial offended."

The first new music from the Michigan-bred rap-rocker since 2017, which was recorded with the Canadian hard rockers MONSTER TRUCK and plays off that band's 2015 song of the same title, was accompanied by an official music video which features Kid Rock wearing a shirt that says "social media sucks." "I'm the last of a few still screaming 'Fuck you,'" he raps in the song.

On Thursday (December 16), Kid Rock took to his Facebook page to fire back at some of his detractors, calling them "idiots" and urging them to "toughen up and enjoy life."

He wrote: "All you pansy ass woke critics and trolls are exactly what brought me to create 'Don't Tell Me How To Live'. Thank you for the inspiration! Keep shoveling coal on the fire you idiots! I fucking love it!

"To the Kid Rock dysfunctional family, we already know there is NO tribe like ours in music, period. Stay tuned for more songs to be released soon, an album early next year and god willing... a monster 2022 tour announcement!!!

"Merry Christmas - Kid Rock #NoSellout

"PS, Remember 'Sticks and Stones may break my bones….?' Whatever happened to that shit? Quit being so dam offended, toughen up and enjoy life! We all know the media, social and mainstream, are completely out of hand and only in the business of clicks and views nowadays. Don't take the bait anymore!! Do some research and seek truth or fuck it, just ignore 'em and rock harder!"

This past January, Kid Rock revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic gave him plenty of time to write new music, saying, "I haven't this much time to work on music since my first record." According to the Detroit Free Press, he added that he had planned to release a 50-song triple-album this year, made up of 10 hip-hop tracks, 10 rock tracks, 10 country tracks and 20 previously unreleased cuts.

Kid Rock, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, made headlines in 2017 when he announced he was considering a run for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

In September 2020, Kid Rock hosted an outdoor rally for Trump's presidential campaign in Michigan. Three and a half years earlier, the musician visited the Oval Office with fellow rocker Ted Nugent and former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Kid Rock was once a contestant on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice", which starred Trump.

"Don't Tell Me How To Live" lyrics:

FUCK ALL YOU HOES

DETROIT TILL I DIE MOTHERFUCKER

TALKIN ALL THAT BULLSHIT

AIN'T NOBODY GONNA TELL ME HOW TO LIVE

I'M A MOONSHINE SIPPER STRAIGHT SLIPPIN' IN THE DARKNESS

FAR FROM HEARTLESS I'M MORE LIKE THE SHARPEST

TOOL IN THE SHED NO I'VE NEVER BEEN THE SMARTEST

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE I HIT THE FUCKING HARDEST

DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE YOU HEARD ME SCREAM IT

AND TWENTY YEARS LATER BITCH I STILL FUCKING MEAN IT

BUCKA BUCKA YOU AIN'T NEVER MET A MOTHERFUCKER LIKE THIS

KISS MY ASS THEN YOU CAN SUCK A DICK SIDEWAYS

MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY LISTEN UP

AIN'T NOTHING CHANGED HERE I STILL DON'T GIVE A FUCK

SO WHAT THE FUCKS UP WITH ALL THE BACKLASH

YOU SNOWFLAKES HERE'S A NEWS FLASH

AIN'T NOBODY GONNA TELL ME HOW TO LIVE

YEARS AGO WE ALL THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE SEE

THAT EVER KID GOT A MOTHERFUCKIN' TROPHY

BUT YO HOMIE HERE'S THE SITUATION

A NATION OF PUSSIES IS OUR NEXT GENERATION

AND THESE MINIONS AND THEIR AGENDAS

EVERY OPINION HAS A MILLENNIAL OFFENDED

BUT THIS AMENDMENT ONE IT RINGS TRUE

AND IF YOU DON'T DISSENT BITCH THEN SEE NUMBER TWO

AIN'T NOTHIN NEW RIGHT CHURCH WRONG PEW

GET A CLUE, A CREW, YOUR FAKE NEWS AND VIEWS

CAN ALL GET THE BOTTOM OF MY MOTHERFUCKIN' SHOE

I'M THE LAST OF A FEW STILL SCREAMIN' FUCK YOU

AIN'T NOBODY GONNA TELL ME HOW TO LIVE

AIN'T NOBODY GONNA TELL ME HOW TO LIVE

OH I'M GONNA SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE

MY WINGS WILL CARRY ME AWAY

I GOT THE HEART OF A LION

I GET STRONGER EVERYDAY

YOU'LL NEVER TELL ME SHIT

YOU'LL NEVER FLIP MY SCRIPT

BECAUSE I'M MORE OUTRAGEOUS THAN THE VEGAS STRIP

YOU'RE LIKE MAYBERRY BITCH I'M HARD AND CRISP

HIGH RISK HILLBILLY BUT I'M FILTHY RICH

YOU'RE LIKE MILLI VANILLI KINDA SILLY AND SHIT

I'M LIKE SHOTGUN WILLIE SMOKIN' PHILLIES AND SHIT

I'M LIKE REVEREND RUN OR DAVID LEE ROTH

LIKE SPRINGSTEEN BITCH I'M THE MOTHER FUCKIN BOSS

JAMES DEAN SHIT I'M MORE LIKE BRAD PITT

A LITTLE LESS PRETTY BUT I SLANG MORE DICK

I TWANG MORE RIFFS I SLIDE THRU GRASS

I RIP MORE LINES THAN A 10LB BASS

PASS THE MIC I'M LIKE SLOE GIN FIZZ

IT AIN'T NOBODY IT AIN'T NOBODY

AIN'T NOBODY GONNA TELL ME HOW TO LIVE


All you pansy ass woke critics and trolls are exactly what brought me to create “Don’t Tell Me How To Live”

Thank you...

Posted by Kid Rock on Thursday, December 16, 2021

In a new interview with AMFM Magazine, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES frontman Mike Muir discussed the band's current touring lineup, which includes Tye Trujillo, the 17-year-old son of METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn, who has played with BLACK FLAG, Doyle (from MISFITS), HO99O9, Corey Taylor, MARILYN MANSON and LIMP BIZKIT, among others. They are filling in for Roberto "Ra" Díaz and Dave Lombardo, respectively. Speaking about Díaz and Lombardo's absence from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' recent shows, Muir said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When COVID happened, then everything canceled. And one by one, when it was originally [happening] in March, people started to book shows for the fall of 2020 — like they were gonna happen. Then summer [came] and then [fall], and I was going, 'You know what? I don't see any reason to book [when] you don't know what's going on' and stuff. And so when we actually did those shows and the festivals [earlier this year], our bass player was playing with KORN and our drummer plays with the MISFITS and he was doing a thing with MR. BUNGLE, but that got canceled. So we had a situation where we had these shows and we'd be just switching everybody in and out, and so we just decided to get people that could do all the shows. So we had Tye Trujillo, which is Robert Trujillo from METALLICA — he used to play with SUICIDAL — his son's playing with us. So it's cool too, because he has a different perspective, playing songs that his dad did. And he's got his favorites, so he's, like, 'Hey, can we play 'Trip At The Brain'?' I said, 'Yeah, whatever.' And then Brandon, who's playing drums, he filled in for us when Dave was playing with the MISFITS a couple of years ago, and then he got the MARILYN MANSON gig right before a few things happened. Then he got the LIMP BIZKIT gig, and then they canceled their tour. So he's a good friend and an amazing drummer. They have a different perspective: 'Hey, can we play this and that?' It's nice to have that youthful excitement and stuff."

When the younger Trujillo first performed with Muir and his bandmates two years ago, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES praised the musician for "showing what a badass he already is on bass. His youthful enthusiasm was contagious, his bass skills undeniable," the group wrote on social media.

Back in 2019, Lombardo told Drum! magazine that it was a "no-brainer" when Muir asked him to join SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, which — like Lombardo's former band SLAYER — was formed in Los Angeles in 1981. "I've known Mike for many years. I'm a fan, and I love the music," Lombardo explained. "Also, it was a great opportunity for me to venture into the crossover scene; implement some funk grooves, get more swing into my playing. I'm able to dabble in different styles, which is beneficial for any drummer."

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' latest album, "STill Cyco Punk After All These Years", was released in September 2018. The LP was a re-recording and re-imagining of a Cyco Miko (Mike Muir) solo album recorded in 1995, "Lost My Brain! (Once Again)".

Robert Trujillo was first invited to join SUICIDAL TENDENCIES for a European tour in 1989 supporting East Coast thrashers ANTHRAX. While with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, Robert appeared on some of the band's most successful albums: "Lights, Camera, Action" (1990), "The Art Of Rebellion" (1992) and "Still Cyco After All These Years" (1993). During Trujillo's years with SUICIDAL, Muir heard some of Robert's homemade demos and they collaborated on a funkier, more progressive sound under the name INFECTIOUS GROOVES. They produced a number of albums such as "The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move..." (1991), "Sarsippius' Ark" (1993) and "Groove Family Cyco" (1994).

During an appearance on "The Jasta Show", the video podcast hosted by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, guitarist Erik Rutan, who was in MORBID ANGEL from 1993 until 1996 and then again from 1998 until 2002, spoke about his engineering work on MORBID ANGEL's controversial 2011 album "Illud Divinum Insanus". The LP incorporated industrial and electronic elements into MORBID ANGEL traditional death metal sound and was so widely panned that it plagued the band's momentum long after its release.

Rutan said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "To me, communication is key, and I think with Trey [Azagthoth, guitar] and with the 'Illud' record, I think there was a lot of probably miscommunications and stuff on what he wanted or what David [Vincent, bass/vocals] wanted or maybe the engineer that mixed the record, what he thought. And sometimes things get lost in the translation.

"I don't know if you knew this, but I actually recorded five songs of drums on the record and engineered it," he continued. "I didn't record the songs that were maybe deemed as — I don't know what the word would be — off the beaten path. I recorded 'Nevermore' and some of the death metal songs. I only recorded five.

"How that ended up happening was Gunter [Ford, MORBID ANGEL's manager] had contacted me about recording the drums. And if I'm not mistaken, I was, like, 'Dude, I only have X amount of time because MADBALL's coming in [to record in my studio] next week.' … So I remember when I heard the five songs that I recorded, the raw drums with the guitars, I was, like, 'Wow! This is fucking awesome.' And then they recorded the other six songs with Mark Prator, drums, and then they did the guitars and everything else somewhere else. But I only tracked five songs of drums. But when I heard the final record, I didn't even recognize 'em because there was all this extra stuff and the mix was a little bit different than I would envision. So I was, like, 'Oh, shit. I think I recorded drums on that song.'

"So that's a perfect example of lost in translation of Trey having a vision, maybe David having his own vision, just coming back into the fold, and then the engineer has his own vision," Erik added. "And I don't know because I'm not either of those guys but I assume that when I heard some of the raw stuff and what the final product was… Like I said, I only recorded five songs, but the raw drum tracks and the raw guitar on those five songs were killer. It was some of the other songs and maybe the mix of the songs and the added elements that threw it off to be, like, 'Wow! This is really different for MORBID ANGEL.'"

In a 2019 interview with Jorge Botas of the "Metal Global" radio show, Vincent spoke about the mostly negative fan reaction to "Illud Divinum Insanus", which marked MORBID ANGEL's first CD to feature his vocals since "Domination".

"Listen, I'll be the first person to admit and agree with you that there is some very weird stuff on 'Illud'," he said. "But when you are in a band scenario and there's things that are included, then you make the best of them, and that's what I attempted to do. Now, I think there's some fantastic material on that record, but some of the more… well, I guess, 'techno' stuff, that seems to be what some people were most annoyed about. And yeah, it's weird. I agree it's weird. But when a song is presented to me, it's my job to do the best I can with it, and that's what I did.

"I think there's a lot of good stuff on that record, and then, yes, there is some weird stuff on that record, but, well, it is what it is. And on we march," he continued.

"Everybody has the things that they like and don't like, and I'm the same, and you're the same, and everyone's the same when it comes to preferences. We like who we like. Is everything gonna have the same reaction as the last thing? No. Of course not. But there you go."

Vincent left MORBID ANGEL in 2015. He has since been replaced by a returning Steve Tucker, who previously handled bass and vocals on MORBID ANGEL's "Formulas Fatal To The Flesh", "Gateways To Annihilation" and "Heretic" LPs.

QUEEN guitarist Brian May has opened up about his battle with COVID-19, saying his experience was akin to going through "the worst flu you can imagine."

One day after going public with the fact that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Brian shared a video message on his social media in which he spoke in detail about how he believes he contracted the disease and describing all the symptoms he went through at various stages in his recovery.

Brian said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "[My wife Anita and I] been incredibly careful and really not going anywhere. We've been very hermit-like in a way for the past — what is it? — 20 months or so. And then last Saturday, we decided we would go to a birthday lunch. And we thought, 'Ah, this is the last social function we will go to — not that we go to many anyway. We'll chance it. Everybody's triple-jabbed. Everybody's gonna be with one of these things which says you're negative on the morning — a lateral flow test. So it seemed to be set up very safely. But, of course, you kind of know you're taking a risk… It seemed like a safe situation. You have your negative tests and you're triple-jabbed. So what could possibly go wrong? We thought we were in a kind of safe bubble, so we didn't wear masks. Not so. So it's worth knowing that. Now, if it had been a board meeting where everybody's sitting [a few feet] apart, maybe that wouldn't have been the case, but the new strain, the new variant seems to be so incredibly transmissible, I'm not even sure that would be safe; this thing is spreading at such an alarming rate."

He continued: "Saturday was when the party happened. Sunday, Anita felt a little bit of a cough. I felt kind of all right — maybe a little [sniffly]. Monday, we both started to have some kind of symptoms. And we thought maybe we got some flu or whatever. We were testing the whole time and we were testing negative. And Tuesday, I hear that I think eight people from the party had already tested positive and had the COVID in their systems. And I realized that they had been testing positive up to this point as well. So Tuesday night we tested ourselves once more and we were both positive. So it took that long — Saturday night to Tuesday — for the test to show anything. But I would guess we were infective all along that time. So, unfortunately, the test doesn't give you immunity from spreading it. Luckily, we pretty much kept away from everybody 'cause we had a bit of a feeling. So hopefully we didn't infect anybody else, although I'm not sure. We're now quarantining."

May went on to say that he "two horrendous days" after testing positive for COVID-19. "I have to say it's like the worst flu you can imagine, really," he said. "And I felt very despondent. But, yeah, we were both poorly. Me particularly, I was pathetic, I didn't wanna talk to anyone, didn't wanna see anyone, couldn't get out of bed. I was just filled with a mess in my head and all the flu symptoms, a terrible cough. Now, Saturday — this is day seven — and I feel pretty good. I felt pretty good the last couple of days. So this thing does go away."

Brian also urged everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including getting a booster dose as soon as they are eligible.

"There are so many people in hospitals right now who weren't jabbed who are right on the line between life and death," he said. "And I can't emphasize to you enough — this is not the response that my body would have made on its own. It's making this response because I've had three Pfizer jabs. And I beg you and implore you to go and get jabbed if you're not already, 'cause you need the help. I lost one of my very best friends to COVID very early on; in six days, it killed him. It could have done me the last six days, but it didn't because of the jabs.

"I despair seeing these people protesting against the vaccine, protesting against their rights being violated 'cause they might have to wear a mask," he continued. "Jesus Christ, guys, our parents fought through wars and had their civil rights knocked away.

"All anyone is asking is for you to play your part to try and unite against this invader. And it's a nasty thing, and it isn't finished yet."

The risk of infection, grave illness and death remains significantly lower among the fully vaccinated, health experts have repeatedly said.

In recent months, there has been an unprecedented number of hospitalizations all over the world, particularly among the unvaccinated, specifically because of COVID-19. Among these COVID-driven hospitalizations, many patients are being elevated to the intensive care unit, where they may require the support of a ventilator to assist with breathing difficulties.

May, who lives in London, had in the past attacked U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, telling The Independent: "I think it would have been impossible for anyone to make worse decisions than Boris. At every point he did too little too late. Hundreds, if not thousands, of our relatives died because of bad advice and because of the bad decisions that Boris made with [former health secretary Matt] Hancock and those other people."

He continued: "If [Johnson] had taken the precautions of shutting down the borders a year earlier, we wouldn't have been in the situation we were. And the fact that he's willing to trade lives quite openly for economic gain, I find horrific... completely unacceptable."

May compared it to "Winston Churchill going out in his garden and seeing the plans overhead and the bodies and going 'the bombs are dropping! The bombs are dropping! Should we hide? No, actually let's think of the economic consequences of hiding...'"

According to the BBC, the U.K.'s daily coronavirus cases record was broken for a third consecutive day on Friday, with another 93,000 reported.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said Friday's 26,000 new cases were having an impact on staff absences in the city's emergency services.

Drum-cam footage of MACHINE HEAD drummer Matt Alston playing the song "Imperium" at his studio can be seen below. He wrote in a message accompanying the YouTube release of the video: "After a long time coming...I'm finally able to start recording play-throughs in my studio!! Songs are played/recorded in ONE continuous take. That means there are: NO Cuts/Drop-ins; NO Replacements/Samples (all drum audio is LIVE from the Drum Mics); Only basic EQ/Compression/Reverbs used! If it's not 'perfect'....that's just real life!"

The British-born Alston (DEVILMENT, EASTERN FRONT) and Polish guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka (DECAPITATED) joined MACHINE HEAD in time for the 25th-anniversary tour for the band's classic debut, "Burn My Eyes", which kicked off in Germany in October 2019.

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn spoke to France's HEAVY1 about how the new members landed the gig. "We were doing auditions for a while, and Vogg's audition just fucking blew my mind — it was so fucking tight and fucking accurate," he said. "He sent over [a recording of] 'Imperium' as his first song just as a test. We always had all the dudes do a sound test, just to make sure the levels are good and stuff. I was, like, 'Oh my God! This dude is playing 'Imperium' better than I can right now.' [Laughs] It was crazy. And we ended up talking. Super-nice guy. Matt, same thing. We flew him out, jammed with him, and he killed it."

Each show on MACHINE HEAD's last tour was described in a press release as "a three-hour musical extravaganza," comprised of two parts: part one featured a battery of MACHINE HEAD's modern classics, such as "Imperium", "Halo" and "Now We Die", featuring Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern performing alongside Kiełtyka and Alston. Part two featured "Burn My Eyes" played in its entirety for the first time ever, with original drummer Chris Kontos and guitarist Logan Mader joining in.

Kontos left MACHINE HEAD before the release of the band's second album, 1997's "The More Things Change", and was replaced by Dave McClain.

Mader contributed to two MACHINE HEAD albums, the aforementioned "Burn My Eyes" and "The More Things Change", before exiting the group and being replaced by Ahrue Luster and, later on, Phil Demmel.

McClain and Demmel both left MACHINE HEAD in October 2018.

MACHINE HEAD is currently working on its new album at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with producer Zack Ohren for a tentative summer 2022 release. At least several of the LP's tracks — including "Become The Firestorm", "Arrows In Words From The Sky" and "My Hands Are Empty" — were recorded with drummer Navene Koperweiss (ENTHEOS, WHITECHAPEL, ANIMALS AS LEADERS).

MACHINE HEAD will team up with Sweden's Viking metal overlords AMON AMARTH for a co-headline "Vikings And Lionhearts" European arena tour in September and October 2022. Support on the trek will come from THE HALO EFFECT, the new band featuring five former members of IN FLAMES: Peter Iwers, Daniel Svensson, Jesper Strömblad, Niclas Engelin and Mikael Stanne.

"Aerosmith in the '70s, untouchable! 'Seasons Of Wither' will always be one of their best songs," says Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. "What a great bunch of riffs, they’re so well crafted. I miss those tunes and that band."





"Seasons Of Wither", written by Steven Tyler, first appeared on Aerosmith's second studio album, Get Your Wings, released in 1974 via Columbia Records. It's since been certified triple platinum by the RIAA.







 

Tanya O'Callaghan says that she proved her worth before being chosen as the new bass player of WHITESNAKE.

Last month, Tanya officially joined David Coverdale-fronted outfit as the replacement for longtime bassist Michael Devin whose departure was revealed a few days earlier.

When asked in a new interview with For Bass Players Only what it means for her to be the first female musician to become a member of WHITESNAKE, Tanya said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think luckily there's a lot more prominent female players in general across music these days, which is great. Obviously, there's not enough yet. For me, it's always about normalizing. I don't want it to be its own pedestal or male versus female or all-female this; I really just want it to be normal. It's, like, normal — the more that there are female players in bands and these big bands and whatnot, because people do kind of tend to latch on to, 'Oh my God! It's a female player.' And you're, like, 'It's a bass player.' [Laughs]

"You get the gig on your own merit; you don't get it because you're a woman," she continued. "It's, like, 'Oh, it's kind of cool. She also happens to be a female.' But I have a hell of a career behind me. I've proven my worth.

"Immediately after the WHITESNAKE announcement, my inbox just exploded with parents being, like, 'Oh my God. I can't wait to bring my daughter to the gig and show her that she can do anything' or whatever, and I think that's amazing and sweet," O'Callaghan added. "But I think at the end of the day for me, it all comes back down to just normalizing it — not making a big deal out of it. Because people do tend to wanna focus in on, 'What's it like to be a female bass player?' It's very much the same as a male bass player. [Laughs]"

When O'Callaghan's addition to WHITESNAKE was first announced on November 23, Coverdale said in a statement: "Well, well, well…ladies & gentlemen…boys & girls…we are very proud to announce & to introduce you all to our newest snake…or should I say…snakette!!! Please give a loud WHITESNAKE choir welcome to the Irish tornado!!! A whirling dervish of a performer whom we feel will bring a fresh, new, exciting musicality & welcome energy to the band, both in the studio & onstage… Here she is… Irish born & bred…the one & only… Tanya O'Callaghan!!!

"For whatever reason, WHITESNAKE has never featured a female musician in the band before… Bad boys!!!…But when we saw Tanya performing with our friend Steven Adler's band at the M3 festival in 2019 & we were all blown away… An electrifying performer… When WHITESNAKE & Michael Devin decided to go their separate ways, Tanya was the first person we reached out to & thankfully she accepted our invitation to become a snake…

"We are thrilled & delighted to welcome Tanya O'Callaghan to WHITESNAKE!!!

"Let the music do the talking!!!"

O'Callaghan also commented on her addition to WHITESNAKE in a social media post. She wrote: "I guess the snake's out of the bag. What an absolute honor to be joining WHITESNAKE/David Coverdale for their worldwide farewell tour 2022/23.

"This small town gal still pinches herself over the amount of legends I've had the joy to work, tour and record with over the past few years since I made the terrifying solo leap across the Pacific with no clue how everything would unfold.

"It's been a wild ride and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, who calls, only feckin' WHITESNAKE! And the best part, to step into the snake shoes of my bass brothers Rudy Sarzo, Tony Franklin, Neil Murray and Michael Devin ... are you kidding me.. .what a f#*king honor beyond belief!!! My heart is exploding."

Coverdale, who turned 70 in September, recently confirmed that he plans to retire from touring after WHITESNAKE's next batch of concerts around the world.

Although Coverdale will no longer perform with WHITESNAKE, he is still planning on writing and recording fresh material once he has retired from the road.

Early last year, WHITESNAKE was forced to cancel its U.S. tour with SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE and NIGHT RANGER so that Coverdale could undergo surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia. Eventually, all of the shows were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coverdale had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.

WHITESNAKE had been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.




I guess the snakes out of the bag ???

What an absolute honor to be joining Whitesnake/David Coverdale for their...

Posted by Tanya O Callaghan on Tuesday, November 23, 2021