The official music video for STEELER's new single, "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)", can be seen below.

1980: the dawn of the American heavy metal movement, and the birth of STEELER, one of the bands whose sound would define that cultural revolution. Shortly after the release of their iconic 1983 self-titled album, that supernova exploded into multiple bands and projects that would each carve their own places in that era's history, leaving an undeniable impact on a metal generation.

STEELER is notable for featuring then-emerging guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who left the band shortly after the completion of STEELER's self-titled album to form ALCATRAZZ and launch a solo career.

This triumphant reunion puts a powerful exclamation point on that legacy with the band's first new song in over 40 years, and their first-ever official music video.

"Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)" proves that four decades have done nothing to diminish the power and the passion upon which STEELER was built. "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)" celebrates the glory of an era that may be gone but certainly not forgotten, combining all the elements that made 1980s metal the soundtrack of so many lives: an anthemic chorus, screaming lyrics that pay tribute to songs and stars that paved the street of dreams, loud powerful music and incendiary guitar pyrotechnics.

That music is provided by men who lived it, then and now: vocalist/guitarist Ron Keel, lead guitarist Mitch Perry, drummer Mark Edwards, bassist Rik Fox and session drummer Dwain Miller. The song was written by Ron Keel specifically for STEELER and is featured on his new RFK Media album release "Keelworld".

The "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)" video was directed and produced by David Pear.

A documentary film is now in production by Pear which will tell the entire story behind the STEELER legacy. "American Metal - The Story Of Steeler" will be released in 2025.

In a 2017 interview with Sleaze Roxx, Keel explained how Malmsteen got involved with STEELER: "Mike [Varney] invited me over to his place and he was adamant that we needed to make a change at guitar [before we recorded the STEELER album]. We were at his apartment listening to a bunch of tapes… He had selected a few cassettes with players that he felt were appropriate for STEELER. There was one in particular that he felt was 'out of this world' and that was Yngwie Malmsteen. We must have listened to a thousands tapes that day. [Laughs]."

Ron continued: "When we put in Yngwie's tape, there was something different, something special, obviously. Yngwie has something that most guitarists can only dream about. He was special. It was right then and there that we began the process to get him to America to join STEELER. We just needed to wait until he was 'legal' to sign the recording contract. By that, I mean we were awaiting Yngwie to obtain his 'green card.'"

Asked in a 2020 interview with The Metal Voice if there was any chance of a STEELER reunion with Malmsteen, Ron said: "No. [Yngwie] wouldn't do that. I would do it in a heartbeat, but he wouldn't do that. I think it would be fantastic for us to come together and do a song for charity.

"I respect his contribution to music and how that STEELER record became one of the iconic foundations of metal and how the album got both our careers started," Keel added. "But we are different animals and we don't belong in the same zoo."

Photo courtesy of Best Bet Promo

During a new appearance on "Talk Is Jericho", the podcast hosted by FOZZY frontman and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho, VAN HALEN drummer Alex Van Halen spoke about his decision to write his memoir, "Brothers", which has been described as a love letter to his younger brother, while still mourning Eddie Van Halen's untimely death. Alex said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Ed and I were tight. We worked together, we played together, we did whatever. But when he was near the end of his life, because of COVID it was very difficult to visit him in person and to see him. There was always either a glass barrier or a plastic something surrounding [him]. The times that we could actually touch him were few and far between. And that really put everything in a strange kind of — I can't explain it, but it didn't feel right. So we really had no closure, in that sense, and everything was hurried near the end, again, because of the COVID issue. We didn't really have a ceremony afterwards. He was cremated and his ashes were spread. This is my way of saying goodbye to him. And whatever you believe in terms of spiritual pursuits and all that, I think he's still here, he's still here with us in one way, shape or form — not to the point where he's not allowed to go where he really wants to go. [Laughs] They call it a tether; you don't wanna tether him to this dimension. So, Ed, whatever you wanna do is cool. We love you. And I just wanted to say that to the point of infinitum, whatever the expression is."

Alex continued: "It's hard to describe what it's like to not have someone in your life that has been there for 65 years. That's a long, long time, and it wasn't just a regular — and I'm not giving other people a hard time in terms of 'my relationship was stronger than yours'. That's not the point. It's just that when you have something that's taken out of your life after 65 years, it's difficult. And I'm certainly not alone. I'm not saying I'm special or I should get a medal — no, it happens to a lot of different people. And I think one of the side effects of this book has been a lot of people have contacted me and said, 'Reading this book has really given me a different way of looking at the parting with people who I loved.' And I know that grief can be a common denominator, if you will, and that's not my preference — my preference is the happier times — but with the good comes the bad. And everybody's gonna go through it."

Regarding the possibility of previously unreleased Eddie Van Halen music eventually seeing the light of day, Alex said: "I've talked about it loosely, and I am rather superstitious, but I can say a couple of things that I've mentioned before. We're gonna go through the, quote-unquote, vault and go through some of the musical ideas that were there. On the one end of the spectrum is the fact that little licks don't make a song. On the other end of the spectrum, some of those licks are so unbelievably powerful, it's too bad that they ended up in the back of the vault, rather than being records.

"There are so many different variables in a band like ours," Alex explained. "We don't just walk in the studio and plan, 'Let's make a record,' although we have done that to some degree. But it's not a mechanical process for us. We go in and we play and see what happens, listen to it, invite a couple of people and then see what happens with that. And then you listen and you evaluate. If the next day, when you come in and listen to it, if it doesn't kick you in the face like it did the first time, then maybe you should move on and do something else. Don't hold on to an old idea just because it's there. No. That's not how we did it. Having said that, there were also a lot of bad ideas. [Laughs] That's always the risk you run, but if you don't do that, you will become — it'll become inert. It's called inertia, or whatever — entropy. Things will fall off and then you become less and less creative. And the other aspect of all of that is that you are in an open marketplace where you are being judged, and if you don't do well in the marketplace, people are gonna go, 'Maybe it's time to do something else.' And that is a real issue. But now that Ed's gone, none of those things are really valid because all I have, and Wolf [Eddie's son and VAN HALEN bassist] has, is all the recordings in the vault. And they will stay there until we figure out how and why and what to do with them. And again, you have to remember, it has to be on the level of where Ed and I, where we used to play. We're not just gonna shovel it in. We have access to some of the greatest musicians on the planet, and a lot of 'em are more than willing to take a chance on some of the stuff."

When Jericho noted that it sounds like Alex has more than just one or two demos that he could elaborate on and release to the public, the drummer said: "Oh, yeah. Probably three or four records, if not more. I'm serious. There was some good stuff, some good stuff in there. And you have to remember, when in the thick of it, sometimes the really great stuff kind of passes you by. And it's not until you revisit it going, 'Whoa, I forgot about that. This kicks ass.' But that takes time. And you wanna do it right. I wanna do it right."

Alex also talked about the fact that the audiobook version of "Brothers" contains a previously unreleased song composed by Alex and his brother. Titled "Unfinished", it is the last piece of music they wrote together and can be heard as Alex narrates his story.

"I don't wanna use the word 'spiritual', but there is a connection with… Ed and I were very much a product of how our dad saw the world, and one of his favorite pieces of music was a song called 'Unfinished' by Franz Schubert," Alex said. "Actually, it wasn't until I'd done this that I went back and looked at it. It turns out he had a lot of pieces that were unfinished. [Laughs] That seemed to be one of his major traits. So we had this song that was not completely finished yet. It was one of my most memorable songs that was constantly playing in the house. So I thought it was kind of a sign from some different dimension: 'do this'. And as you can tell, I go off on a tangent that may or may not even be real, but I believe that stuff, man. There are a lot of things in this world that we do not know. There's no explanation for them. All you have to do is just sit down, slow down and listen, which is easier said than done. [Laughs]"

Alex is the co-founder of VAN HALEN and its original drummer. Born in Amsterdam and trained as a classical pianist, he graduated from Pasadena High School.

In "Brothers", Alex recounts his and Ed's childhood in an 800-square foot house in Pasadena, with an itinerant musician father and proper Indonesian-born mother — how they arrived in the U.S. from the Netherlands and struggled to fit in. He also shares stories of musical politics, infighting and bad-boy behavior. The book includes never-before-seen photos from the author's private archives, as he sets the record straight on his brother's life and death in the first-ever accurate account of his family and the band.

Released on October 22 via HarperCollins Publishers, the 384-page "Brothers" book has a list price of $32.00.

Alex and Eddie formed a band called MAMMOTH in Pasadena, California in 1972, then renamed it VAN HALEN when singer David Lee Roth joined the group and, later, bassist Michael Anthony.

VAN HALEN was one of the biggest rock bands in the country in the 1980s, with hits like "Runnin' With The Devil", "Dance The Night Away", "Hot For Teacher", "Panama" and "Jump". The group, which later featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

The Van Halen family moved to Pasadena after emigrating to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 1962.

VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

According to Modern Drummer, Alex was instrumental to VAN HALEN's electrifying, dramatic sound, leading the rhythm section on standout hits like "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", "Unchained" and "Panama". His double-bass pedal work throughout "Hot For Teacher" was deeply influential, combining technical prowess with a restless, thoroughly original drum composition.

Back in 2021, Hagar said that he had tried to reach out to Alex after Eddie's death but that he was rebuffed.

"Alex just seems to he just doesn't want to communicate with anybody," Sammy told Ultimate Classic Rock. "You know, Mike [Anthony, former VAN HALEN bassist] has reached out, and I reached out many times. I don't know. I'm sure he's still in pain from the whole thing, but I'm not dogging him. I'm just saying he just really doesn't want to be friends or doesn't want to communicate. I don't know why, but we've still got the rest of our lives to work this out."

When Alex turned 68 in May 2021, he commemorated the occasion by sharing the following statement: "First birthday without you, Ed. The view from my drum set will never be the same. VH forever!"

Eddie passed away in October 2020 at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. Alex was by his side, as was Eddie's son, Wolfgang. The axeman died from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

Eddie's final Instagram post was a tribute to Alex. On May 8, 2020, the guitarist shared a black-and-white photo of him and his brother to his followers to wish the drummer a happy birthday.

He captioned the picture: "Happy Birthday Al!! Love Ya!! #vanhalen #alexvanhalen #birthday #may #drummer #musician #musicians #family #rock #classicrock #rockband #love".

In early 2022, it was confirmed that Alex had been in talks with Roth and guitarist Joe Satriani to put on a special show in honor of Eddie. However, Wolfgang later said that it was "in such an early stage that it never even got off the ground."

The Dream Theater World, the official DREAM THEATER fan club, has uploaded a 30-minute "Stage Tour" video that was filmed in Oslo, Norway on November 9 during the band's ongoing 40th-anniversary tour. Dream Theater World says: "Here we have a behind the scenes of the tour, with band members showing us their corner of the stage, and we also meet several other important people from the DREAM THEATER world — [bassist] John Myung is in his tent practicing with his tech Jerry Pratt, we meet Jordan's [Rudess, DREAM THEATER keyboardist] tech Eric Frampton. In [DREAM THEATER guitarist John] Petrucci's tent we find Maddi Schieferstein. We see Jimmy T Meslin, and we say hello to the FoH engineer Ace Baker, and the lightning guru Steve Baird. And the guy with big shoes to fill, taking over as tour manager; Chuck Randall."

The progressive metal legends played their first concert with Mike Portnoy in 14 years on October 20 at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom.

The drummer co-founded DREAM THEATER in 1985 with Petrucci and Myung. Mike played on 10 DREAM THEATER albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010. Portnoy returned to DREAM THEATER in October 2023 after being replaced by Mike Mangini, who played with DREAM THEATER across five studio albums and accompanying world tours.

London marked the kick-off concert of DREAM THEATER's 2024-2025 40th-anniversary tour. The European leg of the trek — presented as "An Evening With Dream Theater" — will run through November 24 in Amsterdam, hitting cities in numerous countries along the way.

Portnoy co-founded DREAM THEATER in 1985 with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung. Mike played on 10 DREAM THEATER albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010. Portnoy returned to DREAM THEATER in October 2023 after being replaced by Mike Mangini, who played with DREAM THEATER across five studio albums and accompanying world tours.

DREAM THEATER will release its sixteenth studio album, "Parasomnia", on February 7, 2025 via InsideOut Music. The LP marks the band's first release with Portnoy since 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings".

"Parasomnia" was produced by guitarist John Petrucci, engineered by James "Jimmy T" Meslin, and mixed by Andy Sneap. Hugh Syme returns once again to lend his creative vision to the cover art.

The first single, "Night Terror", is a musical thrill ride captured in the just shy of ten minutes listening experience. A music video for the song — directed by Mike Leonard — is now available.

Poros Interactive and Booming Tech have announced an epic collaboration with SABATON for the ongoing 21st season of the company's online tactical action-strategy game Conqueror's Blade. As the Lionfire season delves further into the history of Swedish warfare, an in-game event will create thrilling opportunities for players to connect across gaming and music with SABATON-inspired activities and cosmetic items, including weapon attires and a new in-game cosmetic skin turning lead singer Joakim Brodén into a Swedish warrior.

The Battle Metal: Sabaton & Conqueror's Blade event runs from November 21 through December 5, and it marks the first time that a celebrity likeness will be featured as a playable skin. A newly released trailer shares a first look at the event while SABATON's "The Lion From The North" gives the action a hard-driving soundtrack. As the trailer illustrates, Booming Tech put a great deal of care into ensuring that Brodén's warrior attire is period-accurate — and appropriately epic, thanks to an electric new Maul attire that was designed with the SABATON singer's input.

Here's a full rundown of what fans can expect from the Battle Metal event:

* Sabaton Metal Legend Attire featuring the voice and likeness of SABATON lead singer Joakim Brodén, with two unique looks included.
* The Sabaton Rockcrusher is a weapon attire that transforms the Maul, giving it the look and feel of an electric guitar. Complete with custom sound effects and a unique emote!
* The Sabaton Mini Battle Pass, included with the purchase of the Sabaton Metal Legend attire or the bundled Metal Legend/Rockcrusher attire pack, unlocks missions that lead to dozens of additional rewards, including an Emerald Warrior variant of the SABATON attire.
* A reworked "Sabaton Fortress" siege map, backed by a newly recorded orchestral version of SABATON's "The Lion From The North".
* Community events! You can check out the Conqueror's Blade web site for more details on the Battle Metal event.

The mediums we play in may be different, but SABATON and Poros Interactive are united by a shared desire to explore history through art," said Yannik Hellmich, director, publishing and product at Booming Tech. "Conqueror's Blade thrives in 2024 thanks to our active and dedicated community, and we think our players will love the thematically perfect marriage between our game's history-grounded action and SABATON's epic power chords."

The Lionfire season launched on September 19, introducing a new Swedish hero, the "Star Bastion" map and three units inspired by the period: Reitar Pistoleers, Swinefeather Musketeers and Lionroar Cannon Crews. The season is directly inspired by the reign of King Gustavus Adolphus, the 17th-century Swedish ruler who is often referred to as "the father of modern warfare." Notably, the title of SABATON's song "The Lion From The North" is also a direct nod to another of the king's well-known nicknames.

"Gustavus Adolphus is considered one of Sweden's greatest kings, and we wrote 'The Lion From The North' as a tribute to his legacy," said SABATON bassist Pär Sundström. "Booming Tech has dreamed up a cool crossover and I'm really excited to experience that! Two worlds are colliding in a really special way, and I see so many stories in this collaboration on the horizon."

Conqueror's Blade is a free-to-play online multiplayer game in which players take control of heroic warlords, commanding and leading their troops in massive, historically inspired battles. Featuring more than 120 military units from across the globe, a diverse array of sprawling battlefield maps, and multiple ways to play, Conqueror's Blade embodies a truly unique mix of tactical strategy, in-your-face action, and map-altering diplomacy in its gameplay. All of this is underpinned by an extensive offering of customization options, allowing players to express themselves as they write their own historical war stories.

Conqueror's Blade is a self-published release from Booming Tech under the company's Poros Interactive label. The game launched in summer 2019 and has built up a significant following in subsequent years, with more than 6 million players having logged on to date. The game continues to thrive in 2024, bringing in more than 1,000 engaged players each day since Booming Tech stepped in to take over publishing duties earlier this year.

For more information on Conqueror's Blade, visit the game's official web site.

PRIMUS is currently accepting submissions "from all points in the universe" for the position of the band's drummer/percussionist.

The rock group, whose longtime drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander "abruptly" quit in October, states: "Seeking a well-mannered, affable individual with original sensibility and aesthetic, possessing a desire to open new doors in the creative world. Flashy chops are wonderful, but groove, pocket, and the ability to listen, react, and contribute to the musical conversation is a must."

Interested parties can submit a resume and a recent video performance to [email protected].

Earlier this month, Alexander shared a letter with Rolling Stone magazine explaining his decision to leave the band.

The news of his departure was initially shared on October 29 by his now-former bandmates, who claimed that they received an e-mail from him nearly two weeks earlier saying he had "lost his passion for playing."

Alexander joined PRIMUS in 1989 and left in 1996, then rejoined when they reformed in 2003. He exited the group again in 2010 but returned in 2013.

Tim's full statement on why he quit PRIMUS:

"I know there are a lot of questions about why I quit PRIMUS and feel it's important to share my story — for myself as well as our fans. Stepping away from PRIMUS has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life, but ultimately, it came down to love — for myself, my family, and the life I want to create moving forward. I chose a path of love.

"With regard to what I said to the band about 'losing my passion for playing,' I did say that. But I also said: "All of these tours left me feeling empty. My body hurts constantly." This context is important. I also told them they deserve someone who wants to be there. And I meant it. As far as 'abruptly' goes, I suppose there's never the perfect time to leave something you've been a part of for so long. Bands have their own inner workings and are a relationship. Sometimes it doesn't feel balanced, and sometimes it doesn't work out.

"Over the past months, I've been in a place of deep healing and intensive mental health rehabilitation, learning to confront struggles I've carried for years. In this period of solitude, I've started to see with new clarity what no longer serves me, the people and situations that do not support my well-being, and the parts of my life I need to let go of to find peace and stability.

"When I first joined PRIMUS, I was 24 years old. I'm almost 60 now and not just a drummer, but also a husband and a dad. Being a drummer for almost four decades has taken its toll on my body. As I said previously, my body hurts. My hands hurt. My back hurts. Ten years ago, I had open heart surgery and am still dealing with the aftermath.

"For so many years of my life, I slept, breathed and lived the music, giving it everything I had — and often at the expense of both my physical and mental health. Drumming is a strenuous profession — and coupled with touring and performing it can be exhausting on every level. But I love drumming and always will. Just as I will always hold so much love and appreciation for our fans, the music we made, the places we went and everything I learned along the way.

"When we were coming up as young musicians, it was a different world than it is today. There wasn't a focus on how this life affected us — it just wasn't talked about — and I think we lost a lot of amazing musicians over the years because of that. I no longer feel the need to hide the fact that for the last year I wasn't happy and was in a dark place emotionally. I desperately missed my family while on tour and felt very lonely.

"My decision to leave the band was rooted in a deep need to prioritize my mental and physical health. I want to give my family the presence and energy they deserve and take care of myself in a way that allows me to thrive.

"I view this next chapter as a positive fresh beginning that can hopefully inspire others to speak and live their own truths, even when it's hard. I wish the band continued success; and to the fans who have stood by me, I want to thank you for your compassion and words of kindness. Your support has been a source of strength for me, and while I'm closing this chapter, I'm excited to explore a new path forward — one grounded in love, respect, and health."

PRIMUS isn't planning to cancel any upcoming shows; their New Year's gig will feature an "augmented version of PRIMUS featuring members of HOLY MACKEREL and FROG BRIGADE," and for TOOL's "Live In The Sand" destination festival, they will be joined by the latter band's Danny Carey. As for their 2025 "Sessanta" dates, they're planning on "searching for the 'greatest drummer on earth'."

PRIMUS's full October 29 statement read as follows:

"On Thursday, October 17th, we received an email from Tim 'Herb' Alexander expressing that effective immediately he would no longer be involved with PRIMUS. It came as a complete shock to all of us here in the PRIMUS camp.

"On the heels of a wonderful Spring & Summer of touring and some fabulous plans ahead, it has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out. After several attempts to communicate with Herb, his only response was another email stating that he has 'lost his passion for playing'. As disappointing as that is, we respect his choice and it’s forced us to make some tough decisions.

"We considered cancelling the annual New Year's show, but after much talk Les and Ler have decided to pivot to an augmented version of PRIMUS featuring members of HOLY MACKEREL and FROG BRIGADE. This will be an exciting special, one-time event.

"As far as future PRIMUS, the band is looking forward to performing in the Dominican Republic with TOOL and others. Danny Carey has once again graciously offered to fill the drum throne. For 'Sessanta', PRIMUS plans on searching for the 'greatest drummer on earth'. Details to follow...

"Thank you for all your support and understanding."

In July 2016, Alexander revealed that he suffered a second heart attack after he previously endured a similar health scare in 2014.

A decade ago, Les Claypool's plan to reform the "classic" PRIMUS lineup — with Alexander and guitarist Larry Lalonde — was put on hold when Alexander suffered his first heart attack, a "minor" attack that resulted in the drummer requiring triple bypass surgery. To fulfill its touring obligations, PRIMUS recruited Carey to fill in for a few dates. Three months after open-heart surgery, Alexander rejoined PRIMUS on the road.

We are currently taking submissions from all points in the universe for the position of Primus drummer/percussionist. ...

Posted by Primus on Monday, November 18, 2024

In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA's Jeremy DePoyster (vocals, guitar) was asked if he and his bandmates are working on material for the follow-up to 2022's "Color Decay" album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are, definitely. I mean, it's been about two years since we put ['Color Decay'] out. But we've been working on that record for a couple years since before then. We're really busy, like too busy. We've kind of spent every single moment that we're not on tour going out to California and renting some studios and writing a bunch of stuff. So we're sitting on a big pile of stuff. But we will definitely not put anything out until next year. I didn't really wanna cloud up the set with trying to put out a new song and stuff. But I would say this [fall 2024 North American] tour and our European tour coming up [in February 2025] are probably the tail end of the 'Color Decay' era. And then we're gonna push forward from there."

Asked if THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA still believes in "the album philosophy" as opposed to focusing on singles, Jeremy said: "Oh my gosh, yeah. Dude, I'm old school, man. I still like records. [Laughs]"

He added: "You know what? A couple of years ago, I had a bunch of people telling me the record is dead. It's all about singles now. It's all about short form. And then a bunch of my friends in other bands just kept putting out records and we kept putting out records. And I'm, like, I don't think the suits really know what's going on. I think the fans and the bands definitely know what's going on. And I think people just, especially with physical media and putting an LP on and listening to it, there's just something about just from start to finish, a really well-curated track listing, and that sets the vibe that I don't think we'll ever go away from."

Asked if there is any sort of theme or direction for the new material that he and his bandmates have been working on so far, Jeremy said: "I think we all, particularly Mike [Hranica, vocals] and myself, and Jon [Jonathan Gering], our keyboard player, that we write all the lyrics, and I think we all were, like, 'Man, I'm in a really good headspace. My life's really good. I'm feeling great. We've had a lot of great tours. My relationship's awesome.' And then we started writing, and it was, like, 'Oh, man. This is so depressing and so soul crushing.' And so I think there's just these little demons lurking in there that come out when you put the pen down and you're, like, 'Oh, I didn't even know that was in there.' … I think sonically, maybe I want it a little more upbeat, but it's kind of like a pop song that just destroys your life type of thing — with some breakdowns. You can't get away from the breakdowns."

"Color Decay" followed 2019's "The Act". As Revolver stated when selecting the record as one of the "50 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2022," "THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have proven time and time again that it's possible to never stop sonically experimenting — with screamo, with spoken word, with atmospheric electronica, with sludge — and never lose their own crushing identity. Anticipating their next successful risk is one of the things that makes being a TDWP fan so rewarding."

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have been consistently delivering since forming in 2005. Fans voted 2009's seminal "With Roots Above And Branches Below" one of the "5 Greatest Metalcore Albums" in a Revolver poll, with the magazine christening it "a true metalcore landmark." The group has notched six consecutive Top 5 debuts on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart, including "Dead Throne" (2011),"8:18" (2013),"Space" EP (2015),"Transit Blues" (2016),"The Act" (2019) and "ZII" EP (2021). The latter served as a sequel to one of their most beloved projects — 2010's "Zombie" EP. In the wake of the EP, the group exceeded a quarter of a billion cumulative streams and views. During 2021, the musicians decamped to remote hideaways together in Wisconsin and Desert Hot Springs, California. This time around, keyboardist/programmer Jonathan Gering took the reins as producer, collaborating closely to assemble a rich sonic architecture for what would become "Color Decay".

Photo credit: Imani Givertz

OTEP frontwoman Otep Shamaya says that she is "retiring" from the music business.

The 45-year-old musician, who is also known as an outspoken advocate of gay rights, poet, illustrator, author and activist, revealed her plans to end her music career in a social media post over the weekend.

After announcing that she was "liquidating" her "extensive music equipment", including autographed guitars used on tour/studio, a drum set, stage lighting, smoke machines and stage monitors, a number of fans inquired about her reasons for the sale, and wondered if she was retiring from music. Otep responded in a comment below her original post: "Yes, I'm retiring. For real. For good. My reasons will be given before year's end. Thank u to my real ones".

OTEP released its latest studio album, "The God Slayer", in September 2023 via Cleopatra. The follow-up to 2018's "Kult 45" offered up a mix of inspired original tracks as well as transformative takes on chart-topping hits from a variety of influences, including pop, rap and grunge, by such artists as Eminem, Billie Eilish, SLIPKNOT, Lil Peep and Olivia Rodrigo.

Not only is Shamaya a revered musical figure, known for her intrepid blending of metal genres and hip-hop, as exemplified on her notorious 2002 debut album "Sevas Tra", but she's also amassed an enormous following based on her fearless performances and confrontational, spiritually tinged lyrics.

Throughout the span of her career, Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver magazine have lauded Shamaya for "following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Zach De La Rocha, dubbing her "one of music's catalysts for social change".

Hello. I am liquidating my extensive music equipment: autographed guitars used on tour/studio, a rare Yamaha drum set...

Posted by O T E P on Saturday, November 16, 2024

Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY) joined EXODUS on stage on his year's Headbangers Boat to perform the EXODUS classic "Piranha". You can now watch fan-filmed video of his appearance below.

Max previously joined EXODUS on stage in February 2015 in Melbourne, Australia to perform the EXODUS classic "Bonded By Blood".

Earlier this month, EXODUS released its cover of the AC/DC classic "Beating Around The Bush". The track, which features a guest solo by former EXODUS guitarist Rick Hunolt, was originally recorded during the sessions for EXODUS's 2021 album "Persona Non Grata" but has not been released until now.

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap. For the third time in the band's history, they returned to Swedish artist Pär Olofsson to create the album artwork.

"Persona Non Grata" is the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

On November 17, 2024, the music video of the new song "Mastery" by rock supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS, led by Yoshiki, was released on the Melodee label's official YouTube account. Coming just days after the premiere of the music video of the band's second single "Psycho Love", the song has been met with overwhelming excitement from fans all over the world.

"Mastery" was chosen as the official image song for "Tekken 8", the latest installment of the world's most popular 3D fighting game series Tekken, and the special collaboration video features several characters from the game.

The video was first previewed in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which was the venue for the world's largest e-sports tournament, "Esports World Cup 2024", held in August this year with a total prize of $60 million.

Created as a game story trailer, the video is composed of vibrant CG images from "Tekken 8", and in addition to many Tekken characters, a character (Nina) — who looks like Yoshiki — appears at the beginning. When it was projected on a massive screen with loud volume at the venue, the powerful images caused a roar of applause.

"Mastery", produced by Yoshiki, Hyde and Sugizo, features fierce and aggressive guitar and vocals, as well as a beautiful piano melody that weaves the entire story together, creating the magnificent, sweeping energy of a feature film. The video matches the immense scope of the Tekken series' 30-year history and demands repeat viewing again and again.

On November 11, THE LAST ROCKSTARS released the full version music video for their second single "Psycho Love". It was also announced that guitarist Miyavi would be leaving the band. The music video is the full version that fans have been waiting for and is filled with the band's overwhelming energy and dynamic performance. It has received an enthusiastic response from viewers all over the world.

THE LAST ROCKSTARS is a super band formed in 2022 by four members Yoshiki, Hyde, Sugizo and Miyavi. After the release of their debut single "The Last Rockstars (Paris Mix)", they appeared on NHK's "Kouhaku Uta Gassen" and successfully completed their debut tour in Japan and the United States, attracting overwhelming attention both at home and abroad.

A project in which Yoshiki and Miyavi will collaborate is also currently underway.

THE LAST ROCKSTARS leader Yoshiki recently underwent his third cervical spine surgery and is currently concentrating on rehabilitation under the guidance of a team of doctors in Los Angeles. After his second surgery, he continued to perform on the drums, knowing that it would mean sacrificing his daily life, but this time he is prioritizing his recovery and is therefore prohibited from performing on the drums for the time being. It has also been suggested that, depending on future developments, he may not be able to play the drums at all.

Two-time Grammy-nominated progressive heavy metal band SPIRITBOX is gearing up for its next chapter with the announcement of its sophomore album, "Tsunami Sea", set for release on March 7, 2025 via Pale Chord in partnership with Rise Records. The album was produced by Dan Braunstein and Mike Stringer, mixed by Zakk Cervini and mastered by Ted Jensen. In tandem with the news, the band has dropped their latest single, "Perfect Soul", alongside another one of their signature visually captivating music videos shot and directed by Dylan Hryciuk at Versa Films.

"Perfect Soul" offers a glimpse into the album's melodic sound, balancing riffs and groove with ethereal atmospheres to create a listening experience that pulls listeners in like an incoming tide. The track's haunting video, set in an abandoned oceanside hospital, follows an angelic Courtney LaPlante as she searches the afterlife, surrounded by ghostly figures and a grotesque, barnacle-covered creature. Interwoven with scenes of the band performing in decaying rooms, the visuals capture the song's dark, poetic essence, drawing viewers further into SPIRITBOX's evolving world.

The new single follows the band's initial release from the album, "Soft Spine", which received praise for its crushing intensity. Alt Press called it "relentlessly heavy," and Revolver described it as "a hella-bruising bangabout." These two releases demonstrate the band's commitment to pushing their sound in new directions while staying anchored to their metal roots.

SPIRITBOX has capped off a landmark year with their second Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" for the 2025 awards, this time for their powerhouse track "Cellar Door", cementing their status as a driving force in modern metal. Adding to this momentum, in October SPIRITBOX reunited with hip-hop icon Megan Thee Stallion for her "Megan: Act II" deluxe album, adding their distinct edge to the song "Tyg".

Their ability to transcend genres has only amplified their reach, marking major milestones along the way. Joining KORN on their 30th-anniversary tour, SPIRITBOX hit a career high, bringing their explosive live show to packed arenas across the world. During the tour, they took the stage at Louder Than Life festival, where buzzworthy guest appearances from Poppy, Tati Shmayluk of JINJER, and Sam Carter of ARCHITECTS amplified an already unforgettable set.

As 2024 winds down, SPIRITBOX will join BRING ME THE HORIZON for stadium shows in Brazil and Mexico City, before embarking on their European headline tour in 2025. They've also been announced as support for LINKIN PARK's awaited world tour, joining them for performances in Italy, Netherlands and the U.K. With high-impact live shows and an ambitious new project on the horizon, the next chapter for SPIRITBOX promises to be their most thrilling yet.

"Tsunami Sea" track listing:

01. Fata Morgana
02. Black Rainbow
03. Perfect Soul
04. Keep Sweet
05. Soft Spine
06. Tsunami Sea
07. A Haven With Two Faces
08. No Loss, No Love
09. Crystal Roses
10. Ride The Wave
11. Deep End

For many artists, a meteoric rise can often mean a sudden plateau. However, for Grammy-nominated progressive heavy metal mainstays SPIRITBOX, there appears to be no end in sight on their near-constant ascent to the top. Formed in 2017 in the picturesque-yet-isolated region of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, by vocalist Courtney Laplante and guitarist Mike Stringer, SPIRITBOX would fully cement themselves as a household name in the summer of 2020 with the release of their blistering breakout single "Holy Roller", along with a host of other captivating singles shortly after, resulting in a media firestorm of hype.

With new and existing fans eagerly watching their next move, SPIRITBOX exceeded every expectation imaginable in 2021 with the release of their genre-defining debut studio album "Eternal Blue" via Pale Chord/Rise Records. "Eternal Blue", which debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, kicked open the doors of the heavy metal scene and rewrote the genre's playbook with 12 stunning tracks that incorporated everything from djent and post-metal to infectious synth-laden pop sensibilities and cinematic arrangements, brought fully to life by the inimitable Laplante's ethereal and commanding vocal performances.

The album cycle for "Eternal Blue" saw SPIRITBOX not only grace the covers of esteemed music publications such as Revolver, Alternative Press, Rock Sound and Kerrang!, among many others but would also solidify the band as one of the most in-demand groups in live music today with their one-hundred percent sold out, first-ever headlining tour in support of the album which saw ticket sales over 40,000. The band would also share the stage with seasoned metal veterans such as LIMP BIZKIT and GHOST and win "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2021 Heavy Music Awards.

In 2022, SPIRITBOX secured highly-coveted spots at numerous major U.S. rock and metal festivals and were nominated for two Juno awards, respectively. SPIRITBOX would also round out their current lineup with the inclusion of drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert in addition to releasing their sonically experimental EP "Rotoscope" in June of that year as well as a cross-genre collaboration with dubstep artist Illenium for the track "Shivering".

During another whirlwind year for the band, including a U.S. tour with SHINEDOWN and PAPA ROACH, SPIRITBOX wrote and recorded their critically acclaimed EP "The Fear Of Fear", released in November 2023. The EP features the single "Jaded", which was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 66th annual Grammy Awards. In the same month, the band would make another genre-bending splash with a high-profile collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion for a remix of her song "Cobra".

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

After spending most of 2024 on the road in support of their Active Rock charting singles, Seattle rockers, Moon Fever, are announcing their first full-length album, Forever Sleep. The album is slated for release on January 31 via Astro Recordings.


The album is collective work of the quartet comprised of Triston Bracht [vocals], Mitch Micoley [guitar], Dave Orton [bass], and Troy Wageman [drums]. Moon Fever has made a name for themselves with their high-energy rock sound as evidenced on their debut. From the driving opening riffs of “Getting Loud” to the distorted droning outro of “TV Skin,” the band delivers their unique sound of heavy rock. Tracks like “Nothing Left To Lose,” “Forever Sleep” and “Make It Look Easy” have been centrepieces for the band’s developing audience with each released track garnering the band a new wave of fans.


The 11-track album - produced by Jim Kaufman (Helmet, Everclear, Atlas Genius) - is now available for pre-order in various configurations, here.




The latest single from Moon Fever to launch the upcoming album is “Scars.” The song starts with a memorable guitar riff that breaks down to allow the rhythm section to shine in the verses. The chorus returns with a fury as Triston sings: “You know you always tried to run away, always hidden from the endless pain that scars your skin I see, you wear your heart out on your sleeve.” A lyric video for the song was just released and can be seen below:





“Scars is about second chances, and trying to come back from burned bridges. Things don’t always end well. Sometimes you get a chance to rekindle. Sometimes you wear that scar for the rest of your life,” explains Triston Bracht.





Forever Sleep tracklisting:


"Getting Loud"
"Nothing Left To Lose"
"Forever Sleep"
"Taking Cover"
"I’m Gone"
"Live Fast Die Young"
"Feels So Good"
"Make It Look Easy"
"Scars"
"Vain"
"TV Skin"

The reunited SNOT has announced three club shows in January and February 2025, leading up to the band's appearance at the Welcome To Rockville festival in May 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In addition to guitarists Mikey Doling and Sonny Mayo, bassist John "Tumor" Fahnestock and drummer Jamie Miller, SNOT's 2025 lineup will include an as-yet-undisclosed new singer whose identity will not be officially revealed before SNOT plays its first reunion gigs early next year.

SNOT 2025 dates:

Jan. 17 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House Of Blues
Jan. 18 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
Feb. 08 - Santa Barbara, CA - SohO
May 15-18 - Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona International Speedway (Welcome To Rockville)

Tickets for the Anaheim date will go on sale this coming Wednesday, November 20.

Doling discussed SNOT's reunion during an appearance on the latest episode of the "Talk Toomey" podcast. Regarding how the band's comeback happened, Mikey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, let's see. About a year ago, I was seeing the festivals that were coming in 2024, and I was noticing there were so many bands out there from our genre. You have the COAL CHAMBERs, the MUDVAYNEs and just so many bands out there killing it. And I'm sitting there thinking, 'Man, SNOT, it's time that we get on board with this.' So I talked to the dudes. We didn't even have a singer at that point. So anyway, so I reached out to the band and said, 'Hey, man, I think we should find a singer and play some festivals and have some fun.' And they were, like, 'Yeah, well, we're in if you can find us the right singer.' So, I looked around for a while. I had no luck. But I kept looking. And then I reached out to Alex Gilbert over at TKO — it's our booking agency — and I asked him, I said, 'Hey, man, I'm currently looking for a vocalist. And if I put all this work into putting SNOT back together, would you be interested in booking some shows and festivals for us?' And he said, 'I'll put the feelers out there and let's see how it goes.' So, a year went by. I didn't hear anything back. I kind of thought, 'All right. No interest.' So about three months ago, Alex called me. So I'm looking at my phone, like, 'Whoa, it's Alex from TKO.' I answered and I asked him how he's doing. And he said, 'Hey, man, I'm getting a lot of interest for SNOT. It's a lot. Everybody I talk to wants the band.' So I told him, 'Look, man, we're into it.' I didn't even let him know we didn't have a singer yet at that point. And I said, 'Let me get back to you. I'll talk to the guys.' So I instantly jumped on social media for a little something about looking for a vocalist for SNOT. And I got a lot of response. I got, like, eight videos and audio of dudes who just didn't fit. What they did is they would sing with the album, 'Get Some', and it just didn't fit. So I almost kind of gave up. And so right there at the end, before I threw the towel in on the whole thing, a friend of mine from Santa Barbara hit me up, texted me and said, 'Hey, I found the guy for SNOT.' And, I was, like, 'Yeah, sure,' in my mind thinking, 'Yeah, yeah. Right. Right.' So I jumped on the phone with him — let's say it's a girl, with her — and she said, 'I saw a guy. He has a band. And he reminded me of Lynn [Strait, late SNOT singer]. It was goosebumps,' she said. And I said, 'Cool.' And Lynn is one of his favorite all-time singers. So, she put me in contact with him. And, again, I asked him, I said, 'Look, we're looking for a singer. Do me a favor. Set up a camera, microphone and sing along to 'Get Some', our album. And so about three or four days go by and then I get some videos on my phone. So I'm watching the video, and immediately it just punched me in the face how good it was. I was, like, 'Wow, this is the guy.' What he did is he set up in front of his — he has a little rehearsal spot, drums and amps, and he put 'Get Some' through his P.A. system and he wrapped the cable from the microphone around his arm and laid into it as if he was doing a show. He did, like, five songs and he was absolutely incredible, nailing it. He looks right. He's got the whole punk vibe that we're looking for. And he just nailed it, man.

"Singing like Lynn Strait is not easy, man. And he absolutely fucking rocked it, to the point where I had to sit down; I was so blown away. And so I immediately contacted Tumor, John Fahnestock, bass player for SNOT. And Tumor, [he is the] best guy in the world, but [he] hates everything. I sent it to him, and he called me right away. He was, like, 'Dude, holy shit. You found our guy.' That was the first thing he said. 'Who is it? Is this real?' I was, like, 'It's real.' So then I sent it out to the rest of the guys, Jamie and Sonny, and, and yeah, boom, it's there."

Doling added: "So, I talked to the [singer] guy, which I'm not gonna give up his name yet. I'm gonna keep that on the DL [down low] right now for a while until we start doing some shows. People can figure it out on their own. I don't want them knowing too much yet. I wanna keep it tight for now. But anyway. So then I contacted Alex at TKO and he started talking to promoters and we're just getting 'yes', 'yes', 'yes' all over the place right now. And we're gonna start doing some shows, man."

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lynn died in died in a car accident in December 1998 as he attempted to drive across Highway 101 in Mussel Shoals, California. The 30-year-old singer died instantly after his 1992 Ford Tempo was broadsided by a southbound full-size pickup truck about noon. Also killed was Strait's small bulldog, SNOT's mascot Dobbs, who adorned the cover of the band's debut album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some". Strait, a Santa Barbara resident, was crossing the highway after visiting his girlfriend in the community. Lynn apparently pulled into the path of the truck, which was going about 65 mph. The impact sent Strait's car spinning into the center divider where it stopped, a California Highway Patrol officer told the Los Angeles Times at the time.

SNOT disbanded in 1998 following Strait's death, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, the aforementioned "Get Some". The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait's tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, "Strait Up", was a fitting tribute from Strait's peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.

SNOT in 2014 recruited Carl Bensley (VITIATE, CONSUME THE FIRE) to sing for the band following the departure of Tommy "Vext" Cummings (ex-DIVINE HERESY, BAD WOLVES).

SNOT's U.S. tour, during which the band performed "Get Some" in its entirety, kicked off in late November 2014 in Palm Desert, California and wrapped in late December 2014 in Pomona, California.

Cummings fronted SNOT in 2008-2009 before he and guitarist Sonny Mayo exited the group amid "strained relationships."

In a new interview with Jaimunji, vocalist Joacim Cans of Swedish metallers HAMMERFALL reflected on his band's 1998 U.S. tour as the support act for the pioneering American death metal band DEATH. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Touring with [DEATH mastermind] Chuck Schuldiner, it was just a great honor to get to know him before it was too late. We became really good friends. And I remember when we recorded the [2000 HAMMERFALL album] 'Renegade' album in Nashville, that was the last time I talked to him. This was in 2000 — was it 2000 or 2001? I can't really remember, but just a couple of months before he passed. And he called and just wanted to check up on us and see how things were. And then we lost him way too soon — way too soon.

"I think Chuck was a living proof that you shouldn't judge people by what other people say," Joacim continued. "And I got so many comments, like, 'Oh, you're going on tour with DEATH. Oh my God, be careful. Chuck is such a bad person' or blah, blah, blah, blah. And he was the nicest person. I mean, we had so much fun, so much respect from him.

"I remember the first day [of the tour] — they were [the] headliners," Cans added. "We were, support, special guest, call it whatever you want. And I was a little afraid at first, like, 'We're traditional heavy metal band and you're death metal.' 'Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. We all play metal. We're all in this together.' Like, 'Okay. Okay. So, okay. We can do this tour.' First day, Springfield, Virginia, before the show, [we said], like, 'Hey, are we playing 40 minutes, 45?' And Chuck looked at me, like, 'You can play as long as you like.' We're doing this tour together.' [I said], 'No, no, no, no. We can't play. You're the headliner. Can we play 50 minutes?' 'Play an hour, play an hour and a half. It doesn't matter.' He was such a cool guy.

"We formed this band together called THE WAFFLE HEADS, based out of merchandise from Waffle House, the chain of restaurants, Waffle House," Cans said. "So we got aprons, we got hats. And we actually did a show in Atlanta on the last show day under the name of THE WAFFLE HEADS."

Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor. He was only 34 years old.

In recent years, DEATH's storied catalog has undergone a meticulous reissue campaign via Relapse Records.

HAMMERFALL's latest album, "Avenge The Fallen", was released in August via Nuclear Blast Records.

In December 2022, HAMMERFALL, which started its career in 1997 on Nuclear Blast with its debut album "Glory To The Brave", announced that it was returning to the long-running German label.

HAMMERFALL's entire Nuclear Blast catalog, from "Glory To The Brave" to the 2014 album "(r)Evolution" was certified with a diamond award for over 1.5 million worldwide sales.

Following on from "Renegade" (2000),"Crimson Thunder" (2002) and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" (2009),HAMMERFALL's fifth studio album, "Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken" from 2005, became the band's fourth album to go gold in Sweden, while "Crimson Thunder" even went platinum, surpassing 60,000 sales in the group's home country.

In April 2023, HAMMERFALL released a special platinum edition of "Crimson Thunder" with tons of bonus material.

Photo credit: Tallee Savage (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)

Today, UK metal legends, Raging Speedhorn, have released a video for their new single, "Night Wolf", their debut release on their new label, Spinefarm Records.





Raging Speedhorn comments on the video: "Shot in just over a day, the 'Night Wolf' video was inspired by our love of 80s movies and plays on a line taken from the single, "the animal inside is you". With tongue firmly in-cheek, it shows the transition from day into night and human turning into wild animal."







A major presence within the UK metal scene for the past two decades, with half a dozen crushing studio outings to their name (and what a name!), Raging Speedhorn have forged their reputation through hard touring, hard music, plus a no-compromise attitude… to everything.


Raging Speedhorn's new single, "Night Wolf", the band’s first for Spinefarm, produced by Russ Russell, sees the six musicians - as much gang as band - delivering one of the most memorable moments of their career, with all valves glowing, all faders up and all needles flicking red.


Raging Speedhorn comments on the single: “We’re super excited to release our new single ‘Night Wolf’, produced by our brother Russ Russell at Parlour Studios. It’s got everything you need in a classic Raging Speedhorn song: big riffs, thundering drums and great vocals. To us, it’s a mixture of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath with a unique Speedhorn sound. We’ve been inspired by one of our favourite 80s movies, and we hope our fans will enjoy the retro vibe in our artwork.”


Stream "Night Wolf" here.


Catch Raging Speedhorn on their UK headline tour with Kill The Lights in support, on the dates listed below.

In a new interview with the "Everblack" podcast, bassist Jørn "Necrobutcher" Stubberud of Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM was asked if fans can expect new music from him and his bandmates in 2025. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes, you can. Teloch [MAYHEM guitarist Morten Bergeton Iversen] and Charles [Edward Alexander Hedger, MAYHEM guitarist] have presented some demos — both of them presented over 10 songs or 10 skeletons — so [they have] presented almost 20 songs. And I listened to everything, and some of it is really fucking good. So, after the Australian tour, I guess — no, some of us [are] gonna go on some tours with some other bands. But in March [2025], I think, we're gonna get together and start to hammer out this thing. By 2025 we should have been able to enter the studio. And then, hopefully, it would be cool to have it out in 2025. That would be a goal, but we'll see. But definitely 2026. And then, of course, we'll be heading out [on] a new world tour to promote it, I guess."

MAYHEM's sixth studio album, "Daemon", came out in October 2019 via Century Media. A live album, "Daemonic Rites", arrived in September 2023.

Earlier this month, MAYHEM canceled its previously announced North American 40th-anniversary tour "due to a member of the band having a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery." According to the group, the procedure "will result in a prolonged recovery period."

The North American dates were scheduled to kick off on November 12 in Montreal, with stops in Toronto; Queens, New York; Chicago; and Los Angeles before and wrapping up November 23 in Denver.

Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.

MAYHEM will next launch a short European tour on December 4 in Paris, France.

When MAYHEM's North American tour was first announced in August, the band said that its 40th-anniversary show would be "a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans, featuring a setlist that spans their illustrious career, from their groundbreaking debut album, 'Deathcrush', to present day."

Formed in 1984 in Norway, MAYHEM has been at the forefront of the black metal scene, known for their controversial history, groundbreaking music, and unparalleled live performances. Over the years, they have cemented their status as one of the most influential bands in extreme metal, continually pushing the boundaries of the genre.

MAYHEM has nearly 1,000 shows to its name. Since their formation in Langhus, Norway in 1984, the band — now comprised of Necrobutcher (bass),Hellhammer (drums),Attila Csihar (vocals),Teloch (guitars) and Ghul (guitars) — has brought its brand of bellicose, preternatural black metal to over 60 countries. From the United States and Germany to Australia and Brazil, MAYHEM has stunned, bewildered, and turned rabid a global legion. Much of that respect and devotion started in the early 1990s but persisted to the present day on the strength of official live albums "Live In Leipzig" (1993),"Mediolanum Capta Est" (1999),"Live In Marseille 2000" (2001) and "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive" (2016).

“Welcome To Shepherd’s Bush,” proclaimed Mick Jagger. “I’ve been waiting to say that for a little bit.”


With that opening introduction, shortly before launching into "Shattered", The Rolling Stones gave an inspired performance during this June 8, 1999, club show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London for “1,800 lucky dogs,” according to Paul Sexton’s liner notes that accompany the release of Welcome To Shepherd’s Bush, the brand-new video release from the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.


Watch "You Got Me Rocking" from the upcoming release, below:







StonesNews.com is reporting that the world premier of Welcome To Shepherd’s Bush will take place at Vue Leicester Square in Leicester Square, London, England on November 21.


Fans attending the premiere will have the chance to see this electrifying film before anyone else in stunning 4K with Dolby Atmos Sound – the only release in the Stones’ live concert film archive available at this quality.


Join the wait list for tickets here.


Marking a return to what the liner notes term “the nostalgic intensity of a compact Stones show with the exciting echoes of Eel Pie Island and the Crawdaddy Club,” two iconic London venues where the band made its mark in the halcyon ’60’s of the British Invasion, this “secret gig” took place just several days before two sold-out shows at the 70,000-seat Wembley Stadium. The shows followed the release of the band’s 1998 live album, No Security, a series of North American gigs between January and April that year before returning to the U.K.


The star-studded audience at the gig marking The Rolling Stones’ homecoming included everyone from Anita Pallenberg to Aerosmith, Jerry Hall to Jon Bon Jovi, along with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Bob Geldof, Pete Townshend and Lenny Kravitz.


On December 6, Mercury Studios and The Rolling Stones proudly present Welcome To Shepherd’s Bush on various formats, including for the first time ever for a Stones video, 4K UHD with a Dolby Atmos audio option. Other formats include Blu-ray + two-CD set; a two-CD limited edition package of 15,000 worldwide; a two LP black vinyl package, and a direct-to-consumer two-LP set in 180-gram white vinyl.


The 90-minute set featured several rarely played deep cuts, including the only known performance to date of "Moon Is Up", from Voodoo Lounge, along with "Melody", the Black and Blue selection performed only once before, more than two decades previously, at the famous 1977 El Mocambo show in Toronto which was officially released in 2022. The live performance of Voodoo Lounge’s "Brand New Car" was one of only seven times the band included it in their set, the last back in 2002. Another highlight featured opening act Sheryl Crow joining the group on-stage for a raucous "Honky Tonk Women".


For those who just saw the Rolling Stones live on their recently completed, critically acclaimed Hackney Diamonds stadium tour, Welcome To Shepherd’s Bush offers an intimate glimpse of the group a quarter century ago, returning to their native turf with a vengeance.


“It’s good to be home, I’m telling you now,” said Keith before leaning into his solo numbers You Got the Silver and Before They Make Me Run. “It’s only rock ‘n’ roll, y’know what I mean?” A statement equally true then and now.


Pre-order here, and watch a video for "Saint Of Me" from the upcoming release below.





Tracklistings:


2LP:


Side A:
"Shattered"
"It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)"
"Respectable"
"All Down The Line"
"Some Girls"


Side B:
"Melody"
"I Got The Blues"
"Brand New Car"
"Moon Is Up"


Side C:
"Saint Of Me"
"Honky Tonk Women" (with Sheryl Crow)
Band Introductions
"You Got The Silver"
"Before They Make Me Run"


Side D:
"Route 66"
"You Got Me Rocking"
"Tumbling Dice"
"Brown Sugar"
"Jumpin’ Jack Flash"


4K UHD:


"Shattered
"It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)"
"Respectable"
"All Down The Line"
"Some Girls"
"Melody"
"I Got The Blues"
"Brand New Car"
"Moon Is Up"
"Saint Of Me"
"Honky Tonk Women" (with Sheryl Crow)
Band Introductions
"You Got The Silver"
"Before They Make Me Run"
"Route 66"
"You Got Me Rocking"
"Tumbling Dice"
"Brown Sugar"
"Jumpin’ Jack Flash"


Blu-Ray+2CD:


"Shattered"
"It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)"
"Respectable"
"All Down The Line"
"Some Girls"
"Melody"
"I Got The Blues"
"Brand New Car"
"Moo

Riding the triumphant success of their 50th Anniversary celebration, Blue Öyster Cult is rolling into the release of 50th Anniversary Live - Third Night, the final instalment of the live album celebrating the band’s 50th Anniversary.


This electrifying performance, which includes the band’s third album Secret Treaties performed back-to-back, is set to hit the shelves on December 13, and promises to be a spectacular follow-up to the band's historic three-night stint at Sony Hall in NYC.


Today, in anticipation of the album's release, Blue Öyster Cult share a new live performance video for "The Alchemist". Watch below:







In September of 2022, Blue Öyster Cult enthralled fans with a unique trilogy of sold-out shows, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made a special appearance on all three nights, adding a nostalgic touch to the historic milestone.


For nearly three hours each night, the band delivered a spellbinding set, weaving through the entirety of their now-classic initial trilogy of albums and treating fans to a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and classic hits. The atmosphere was electric, and Frontiers Music captured the magic, releasing each night as a special individual package.


Blue Öyster Cult's legacy spans over five decades, captivating fans with intelligent hard rock loaded with classic songs. Hailing from Long Island, NY, the band is renowned in the hard rock and heavy metal scene for their pioneering work, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.


Cited as a major influence by acts like Metallica, Blue Öyster Cult boasts a timeless catalog, including iconic tracks like "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper," "Godzilla," and "Burnin’ for You." The creative vision of the original core duo, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and Eric Bloom, is complemented by Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino, forming a powerhouse lineup.


As the band embraces its status as a 'classic rock' phenomenon, they continue to create vibrant work, offering a refreshing alternative to mainstream trends. With a relentless touring schedule and the critically acclaimed album, The Symbol Remains released in 2020, Blue Öyster Cult remains an enduring force, ready to ignite the stage once again with the upcoming release of 50th Anniversary Live - Third Night.


Pre-order here, and watch the "Career Of Evil" performance video below.





Tracklisting:


"Career Of Evil"
"

In late March 2024, ANTHRAX announced that, due to personal reasons, bassist Frank Bello would not be able to accompany the band on its South American tour, which kicked off on April 13 at MXMF The Metal Fest in Mexico City. Filling in on those dates, as well as two U.S. festival shows in May, was ANTHRAX founding member and original bassist Dan Lilker, marking his first appearance with the band in 40 years. Lilker, who co-wrote and played on ANTHRAX's debut album "Fistful Of Metal", was also a member of STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Scott Ian.

In a new interview with That Metal Interview podcast, Lilker reflected on the experience of playing with his former band again, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Those shows were great. It was fun. I didn't really know Joey [Belladonna] before that, the vocalist. Obviously, I knew Scott [Ian, ANTHRAX guitarist] and Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer] from [playing with them in ANTHRAX and] S.O.D. and then there's Jon [Donais], the guitar player, who's also a really cool dude who helped me out a lot, teaching me the stuff that I still needed to learn. But yeah, those shows were great. There was eight shows in South America and then there was a couple of U.S. fests, in Florida and Columbus, Ohio. The South American [shows] were in April. I should say Central America — actually, the first show was in Mexico. But let's just say Latin America. And all those shows were killer. I mean, I've played down there a bunch. I went to some places I've never been before, like Costa Rica and Ecuador and El Salvador. But good old Chile and Argentina and Brazil, I knew those were gonna be killers because I played there a bunch with other bands. And, yeah, I think everything was great. It was lots of fun. And I think people enjoyed it, man. It's all over YouTube."

Asked if it's true that they had only one rehearsal in Mexico City before he played his first show back with ANTHRAX, Dan said: "Yeah, there was one rehearsal in Mexico, but I'd gotten approached about doing that about five or six weeks before that. So I had time at home to learn the stuff, and then we just did that one rehearsal, because even those guys needed the rehearsal, 'cause they hadn't done anything at that point since they played, like, the Milwaukee Metal Fest the summer before or something. They'd gone about ten months without doing anything, so even if Frank had done the shows, they would've rehearsed regardless."

When the interviewer noted that Lilker has a slightly different bass sound compared to Frank, Dan concurred. "Oh, definitely," he said. "[Frank] has a nice aggressive bass tone, but mine's definitely a little more distorted, having always sounded like that and then playing grindcore and black and death metal and shit like they've done the last fucking quarter century. Scott and Charlie had played with me with S.O.D. with that bass tone, and I'm sure they were aware that it would sound a little different with ANTHRAX, but it was almost, like, it made it this interesting hypothetical thing for those dudes, like, 'What if Danny had been in the band all this time? What would those songs sound like?' And you got to find out, I guess."

Asked if there were any songs that he had to learn for ANTHRAX's set that gave him trouble, Dan said: "The only thing that was tricky sometimes was doing the backing vocals while playing the bass, 'cause sometimes the phrasing was a little different. Like, believe it or not, going 'what is it? Caught in a mosh' and playing the riff under it, it kind of alternates weirdly. So I had to slow the whole thing down in my brain and go, 'Okay, you have to tap your foot here or say this on that note.' And that's only because in most bands I've been in, if I'm doing backing vocals, I'm usually just screaming or shouting a couple of words, which this is not that dissimilar from. It was just more of a musical phrasing thing, where what you're saying and what you're playing are just different enough that it can fuck you up a little."

Lilker has not been idle over the past four decades, having played in a wide variety of bands. He was the bassist for the thrash/metal band NUCLEAR ASSAULT and the grindcore band BRUTAL TRUTH. He also plays bass for EXIT-13, MALFORMED EARTHBORN, THE RAVENOUS, OVERLORD EXTERMINATOR, VENOMOUS CONCEPT, and more.

To celebrate ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary in 2021, the band's social media accounts offered a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos honored each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, "Fistful Of Metal". The 11-week series included video contributions from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.

Lilker, who played bass on "Fistful Of Metal" and wrote most of the music for the record, told Knotfest about ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary: "I'm definitely proud of that whole thing. I think it's great that those guys are still going… That was real good memories back then. I know people go, 'Oh, they fucking threw you out after that,' and blah blah blah. But, obviously, I got over that and formed NUCLEAR ASSAULT. And next year we were doing S.O.D. So I'm not the kind of guy who stays bitter forever. But, yeah, the memories of those times, writing that record and recording it and everything was... 'Cause there was no blueprint or anything; we just had influences and just tried to put our own stamp on 'em back then. So, yeah, it kind of sucks being thrown out three days before [it got] released, but it gave me an excuse to do something else."

When interviewer Daniel Dekay noted that it was "really cool" of ANTHRAX to allow Lilker to tell his side of the story in the above-mentioned documentary series, Dan said: "There was times in the past where I might have been a little neglected on some of the stuff. So I think they wanted to make sure to just have a nice, inclusive vibe and not forget any particular details. Like the fact that I wrote 75 percent of 'Fistful Of Metal'. You know, a minor detail."

A number of years ago, Lilker told Voices From The Darkside that he was fired from ANTHRAX due to "a conflict" with the band's then-vocalist Neil Turbin. "He was an egotist (like most singers, haha) and it bothered him that I was taller than him," Lilker explained. "Also, he had no sense of humor, so if you busted his balls he took it seriously. So, he told the other members, 'I can't take Lilker anymore. It's him or me.' They decided he was more important as a familiar frontman to the fans, so they threw me out, even though I wrote 75 percent of the music on 'Fistful…'. Oh well. He was, of course, thrown out seven months later, and I played with Scott and Charlie in S.O.D. the next year."

In his 2014 autobiography "I'm The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax", Ian described Lilker's dismissal from ANTHRAX 30 years earlier as "the worst moment for me in the history" of the band. He went on to say that the decision to kick Dan out ANTHRAX was made by Turbin and not the other members of the group.

"The biggest dick move Neil ever pulled was when he fired Danny Lilker behind our backs after 'Fistful…' came out in January 1984," Ian wrote. "The main reason he did it, in my opinion, was because Danny is taller than him. He honestly didn't think someone should be taller than the frontman onstage. He thought it made him look bad, so he tried to stand as far away from Danny as possible, which was hard when we were playing stages the size of ping-pong tables."

In recent years, Ian has voiced his appreciation for the role "Fistful Of Metal" played in giving ANTHRAX its start, telling Metal Hammer: "Let's face it, 'Fistful Of Metal' gave us our career. It got the band some attention, made people all over the world aware of what we could do — and for that reason alone I have to be grateful to everyone involved. The record was vital in launching us, and everything we've done, and become, since stems from that debut record. I may be critical of it in some ways, but I could never do anything other than admit we owe it all to 'Fistful Of Metal'. If that had never happened… well, perhaps you would never have heard of ANTHRAX."

The second edition of the definitive Lilker biography "Perpetual Conversion: 30 Years & Counting In The Life Of Metal Veteran Dan Lilker" was officially released ten years to the day of its first edition, on Lilker's 60th birthday, October 18, 2024, by smoke.grind.sleep Publishing.

Former Angra drummer, Ricardo Confessori, is featured in a playthrough video of Angra's "Carry On", courtesy of the BlahTera YouTube channel. Check it out below.





Ricardo Confessori recently launched his own band, Confessori, featuring Semblant vocalist Mizuho Lin. They released a new single, "The Shredder", earlier this year, and the official video can be viewed below. 

W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless has praised Donald Trump during the band's concert in New York City, saying the U.S. president-elect "has stood up for this country" even after being the target of two assassination attempts.

Prior to launching into the closing song, "Blind In Texas", of W.A.S.P.'s November 16 show at Hammerstein Ballroom At Manhattan Center, the 68-year-old Lawless, whose real name is Steven Duren, addressed the crowd, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We'll do something a little different tonight. We are in the appropriate city to do this. You know, it was Shakespeare that said, 'Some are born to greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon them.' It was the Greek historian Herodotus who said that when it comes to tragedy and things like that, that we do not rule circumstances, circumstances rule us."

Reflecting on his experience with the PMRC (Parents' Music Resource Center) more than three and a half decades ago, Lawless continued: "Now when I was a little kid, growing up across the bay over here in Staten Island, I never, I never ever imagined that my time would come where I would be thrust into a situation where I had no control over. Now, it will be 40 years next year, there was a situation that happened, and it was called the PMRC. And there were hearings, there were hearings done in Washington, D.C. And two days later, Frank Zappa and myself stood on a stage just around the corner here and we talked about the evils that would come about them. Because censorship is an ugly, ugly thing. And it ain't just in music. It happens in all forms of life.

"Now, down the street here in lower Manhattan, there's a chapel down there. It's called the St. Paul's Chapel. We now know it as the chapel from 9-11. But before that, when George Washington was elected the first president of the United States, after he was sworn in the federal building, he walked into that street and he walked down to that chapel and he consecrated the United States of America to God Almighty right there on that spot.

"The very first amendment of our constitution guarantees freedom of speech," Blackie added. "Our founding fathers were genius enough to know that if you can control speech, you can control thought. And these men knew this. These were great men. Fast forward a couple hundred years, 250 almost, now we have a situation in the last six, eight years, we find censorship again rearing its ugly, ugly head. Now, this time it's on the Internet, and it's affecting every single one of us."

Referencing the fact that Trump was making his return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, visiting the New York City landmark arena for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event, Blackie said: "Tonight, you may not be aware, but right next door to us over here in the Garden, there is a man who has undergone attempt after attempt, assassinations on his life, and this man has stood up for this country. He's right next door right now at the Garden.

"Now, I got two things that I'm passionate about the most. One of them is that freedom of speech," he added. "And the other one is about being a patriot. Because I'm here to tell you, I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat, Independent, you need to be a patriot of this country. I am willing to die for this country. I believe in it that much. And that man next door, he believes in it too.

"I only got one more thing to say before we go. 'Cause I'm blind in Texas."

During W.A.S.P.'s performance of "Blind In Texas" at last night's concert, a photo of Trump was displayed on the screen behind the band and "Trump 2024" signs were shown on either side of the stage. The Trump photo showed president-elect surrounded by Secret Service agents, with his fist in the air and blood streaking down his cheek, taken moments after Trump was struck in the ear by a would-be assassin's bullet last July.

Back in the mid-'80s, the PMRC published a list called "The Filthy Fifteen" which consisted of the top fifteen songs they wanted banned due to objectionable lyrics suggesting violence, sex, drugs, alcohol or the occult. They petitioned for lyrics to be printed on the album jackets and no one was safe — heavy metal acts were right there alongside the pop stars. AC/DC, Madonna, MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, Prince, W.A.S.P., MERCYFUL FATE, Vanity, DEF LEPPARD, Cyndi Lauper and TWISTED SISTER all made "The Filthy Fifteen" list. In November 1985, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) agreed to put "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics" labels on selected releases at their own discretion.

Lawless previously discussed the importance of free speech in an October 2023 interview with "Metalshop". Speaking about how he was affected by his experience with the PMRC, he said: "We were too young to really understand what it was all about, but they quickly put us in the eye of the hurricane, and then all kinds of bad things started happening — death threats and getting shot at and all of that. We became educated very, very quickly.

"I think I was in Indiana — I think it was Indianapolis — this girl came in to interview me," he continued. "And this was, like, '87. And she had worked for the PMRC at one point. And she, at this time I was talking to her, was a journalist. And she goes, she brought in a cassette tape and she goes, 'I've got something I need you to hear.' And she played this cassette tape for me. And on it were Susan Baker [co-founder of the PMRC] and a few of the others talking about what their real motivation was. And their motivation was not to get stickers on records. Their motivation was to get Al Gore a platform to then run for president of the United States. So they were trying to create a political profile for him — because what better way to get attention, if you're a political candidate, a southern caricature, which is what he was, what better way to get attention than to go after an attention getter? I mean, this is McCarthyism [political repression and persecution] — you know, it's no different. Richard Nixon did it. All these witch hunts that went on in D.C. for years. But they come to a generation who's not heard it. So this thing comes around once every 15 years. The generation hasn't heard it. They haven't heard the same old lies that come out of it. So it sounds pretty good to them because it sounds sincere and genuine."

Lawless, who has repeatedly stated in interviews that he has returned to the Christian faith and considers himself a born-again Christian, added: "Let me tell you something about free speech. I'm part Jewish, I'm part Native American Indian. You can stand on a soapbox and you can talk about how wonderful Nazism is and how you'd like to kill all the Indians out there. I don't care. Well, let me rephrase that. I do care, but I don't want to limit your ability to speak, because if I do that, then we start going down a dark road because you start playing umpire, and then who plays umpire tomorrow?

"This country was built as a republic and a republic, contrary to what a lot of people don't understand, is not a democracy. But what you have to do to create a republic, you have to have a certain amount of faith in the people. So, in other words, if you have a guy that's spewing a bunch of hatred on a street corner or in a soapbox, you have to have faith in your fellow Americans that this guy is a lunatic and the vast majority of people are gonna find him out and not follow him. But what happens is when you start limiting that speech, then, like I said, you take away the ability of the people to decide for themselves, number one, who's crazy and who isn't. But even more dangerous than that, you start appointing these umpires that tell you what you can and cannot say. And it's extremely dangerous. And you've heard it a million times but it bears repeating, our system is not set up for popular speech. It's set up for unpopular speech."

Lawless also discussed his experience with the PMRC during a "VIP Experience" question-and-answer session in November 2022 before W.A.S.P.'s concert at The Paramount Theater in Huntington, New York. At the time, he said: "It changed my life, if that's what you mean. It made me more of a recluse. Yeah, a couple of thousand death threats and bomb scares and getting shot at a couple of times usually has a tendency to alter your outlook on life a little. But also, we were exposed to extreme fame very early, and fame is kind of like this — if this table is a smorgasbord, it's like an evil genie stands down at the end of the smorgasbord and [says], 'You can take anything you want, but if you take one thing, you take it all. You do not get to pick and choose. So all the good stuff that you like in the smorgasbord, that's wonderful, but you've gotta take the bad stuff too.' So it ends up being a life-altering experience, one I don't think you can ever really go back from — at least I haven't been able to."

In a 2004 interview with the Las Vegas Mercury, Lawless spoke about having his music slammed by the PMRC, saying: "As the story goes, [PMRC founding member] Tipper [Gore] was walking down the hall in her house and her 12-year-old son had [W.A.S.P.'s] 'Fuck Like A Beast' playing on his stereo, and she lost her mind," Lawless said. "I don't know if that's true, but that's the story I've been told.

"You wanna talk about sensationalism?" Blackie continued. "This was an organization that was seeking a platform that would help serve its own political interests. They didn't give a damn about censorship. I've spent the better part of my career trying to get people to understand that. This really is not what you think it is. They come to you like the wolf in sheep's clothing and then use you to create a frenzy — not unlike what McCarthy did with the communists and Bob Dole did with rap. This is nothing new.

"You don't have to be Nostradamus to see what's going on with young people these days," Lawless continued. "Parents just don't get involved with their kids as much as they used to. Are you going to tell me that these parents at Columbine didn't know that anything was going on with their kids? Hey, my mother knew what I was doing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But parents now, they don't want to take any responsibility for their children. They bring something into this world, and then when something goes wrong, they want to blame everybody else for it."

It is not clear what Lawless thinks about Trump's supposed commitment to free expression, seeing as Trump champions freedom of speech for himself and his allies while attacking it when it protects his critics and political opponents. Trump has regularly attacked individual journalists and the press in general for unfavorable news coverage. He called journalists the "enemy of the people" and removed ones he did not like from press events and rallies.

Blackie lawless received a set of middle fingers after trump endorsement closer in nyc tonight.
byu/pjr920 inWASP_Fans

Swedish heavy metal squadron, Ambush, is thrilled to announce its signing to Napalm Records, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their relentless quest for fast, traditional metal domination. Known for their high-octane, riff-driven anthems and explosive stage presence, Ambush is ready to rise to even greater heights.


Formed in 2013, Ambush quickly became a staple of the Swedish metal scene, delivering classic heavy metal vibes with a modern twist. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Judas Priest, Accept, and Iron Maiden, Ambush’s unique blend of traditional metal and fierce energy has earned them a dedicated fanbase around the globe. Their passion for the genre is undeniable, and with Napalm Records as their partner, they are primed to take the world by storm.


Stay tuned as Ambush prepares to unleash their next chapter with new music and a series of live shows that will leave crowds screaming for more.




Ambush state about signing with Napalm Records: "We are very excited to announce that we just signed a record deal with Napalm Records! This is a big step in the right direction for Ambush, and we want to salute everyone at Napalm for the trust in us and in our upcoming album. We are so proud of what we

German power metal upstarts, Sculforge, have checked in with the following message:


"We’re dropping our second album in March, and to celebrate, we’re throwing a wild, slightly ridiculous hometown bash where—you guessed it—you can snag the album before it officially drops. Yeah, we’re cool like that.


But wait, there’s more! We’re not just stopping at new music and questionable decision-making. We’ve invited our bros, Sons Of Eternity, to headline the night! Why? So we can hit the bar early with all of you, obviously.




Now, if you don’t know SOE, what rock have you been hiding under? These guys are a straight-up metal freight train—they just toured with freakin’ Axxis, and their live set will melt your face off. Guaranteed.


And because we love surprises almost as much as we love shredding guitars, we’ve got a secret opener in the works and a little something special for all you fine metalheads. What is it? Not telling. That’s why it’s called a surprise, duh.


Enough talk—click the link here and grab your tickets now. Unless you wanna be that one person who hears about it later and cries into their beer. Don’t be that person."





After a small line-up change, Sculforge are back with a new single and video entitled "The Journey". The track is available as a digital single on all download and streaming platforms, and at the same time in the form of a brand new video clip, which can be viewed below.





Sculforge released their debut album, Intergalactic Battle Tunes via MDD Records. This groundbreaking high-speed power metal journey takes you from the dark side of the moon, through the Milky Way, and beyond!


Intergalactic Battle Tunes packs an epic punch with 26 riveting tracks. Each song is an intricate tapestry of power and thrash metal, punctuated by radio-play-like interludes that progress the thrilling narrative. Standouts include "Into The Never", "For The Omnisavior" and "The Sculforge Inn Incident." This album isn't just a collection of songs—it's a high-octane journey through time and space.


The band's unique line-up includes Polly McSculwood (Vocals & Guitar), Fabz McBlackscul (Guitar), Ariz Guinto (Bass), and Chris Merzinsky (Drums & Piano), all contributing to a virtuoso and fresh musical experience that fans of Helloween, Rhapsody, and Blind Guardian will adore.


Capturing the frenetic energy of their concept, the album was meticulously recorded at Hell’s Kitchen Studio Berlin and produced, mixed, and mastered by Fabian Pospiech & Sculforge. The cover by Aleh_z, and artwork by Oliver Göler & Fabian Pospiech, complement the saga's vast, mysterious universe.





Tracklist:


"Into The Never"
"Lost In The Warp"
"Forbidden Knowledge"
"For The Omnisavior"
"For Honor"
"Spacehull"
"Lost And Found"
"Dark Ruins"
"The Sovereign Protects"
"Secrets Unlocked"
"Slave To The Machine"
"The Extraction"
"Extermination"
"A New Hope"
"Castilla Stands"
"Glorious"
"Schwanengesang"
"The Escape"
"Epitaph"
"Kings Of The Battlefield"
"Reign Of Chaos"
"Follow Me

Following the departures of drummer Nick Pierce, guitarist Ken Susi, and bassist Ryan Neff, guitarist Phil Sgrosso recently announced he is following in their footsteps and has quit As I Lay Dying. This leaves frontman Tim Lambesis on his own.


Now, Lambesis' side-project, Austrian Death Machine, has lost drummer Brandon Short. He issued the following statement regarding his departure via social media:


"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step away from Austrian Death Machine. For the sake of my mental well-being and personal beliefs, and in light of the recent developments surrounding the As I Lay Dying camp and Tim, this has become an inevitable step for me. Although it feels necessary, it’s one I made after deep reflection as these events began to unravel.




To walk away from something I cherished so deeply, that once felt like a fulfilled dream, is incredibly painful. I grew up listening to As I Lay Dying and Austrian Death Machine, never imagining that one day I’d be part of this world that meant so much to my younger self. But dreams can come at an unexpected cost, and that cost has proven to be too great. My integrity and character have been called into question in a way I can no longer accept, especially with what has come to light and being in utter disbelief.  


The repeated promises, the endless cycle of 'I’ll do better'—words that once gave me hope—have turned into a broken record that has brought no real change. Instead, I found myself trapped in a pattern that eroded my trust and my well-being. This cycle has reached into my personal life, affecting my mental health in ways I can no longer ignore.


I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who enjoyed my drumming on Austrian Death Machine’s latest album—it was a project I poured so much effort and pride into. To all who supported me and came out to the shows in Europe, thank you for being part of that incredible experience.


Here’s to embracing new adventures and creating even more music that resonates. The best is yet to come!"





Lambesis recently took to social media today to comment on the recent departure of his As I Lay Dying bandmates.


Says Lambesis:


"Hi everyone,


"I needed some time to process all that has happened recently with AILD. As I reflect, I certainly agree that there was an unhealthy environment that made leaving for a new tour with the previous lineup unrealistic. It had become difficult to figure out even the smallest details, and I admit I can stick strong to my vision

ver Had The Right Technique... Now It Backfired In A Serious Way"">
Finland's gothic / melancholy metal outfit To/Die/For has parted ways with their vocalist Jape Perätalo.


A statement from Jape, dated November 15, 2024, reads:


"To/Die/For has been my whole life for many, many years. The band has broken up several times, but always with strong will and perseverance it has been kept alive. In April 2024, we did a tour in Mexico, and it felt good to notice that the fans had not forgotten us. However, during the entire tour, black clouds followed us because I was in pain for almost the entire tour. I forced myself to sing and perform even if it wasn't always worth it and it really took it’s toll after coming back to Finland. I had to cancel all the scheduled acoustic gigs that I do from time to time. I’ve never had the right technique for singing anyway and now it backfired in a serious way. The remaining original T