Former ACCEPT guitarist Herman Frank hasn't closed the door on returning to the band.

Herman joined ACCEPT in 1982 shortly before the release of the band's "Restless And Wild" album and exited the group for the first time after the arrival of 1983's "Balls To The Wall" LP. When ACCEPT reunited for festival appearances in 2005, Herman handled second-guitar duties alongside founding axeman Wolf Hoffmann, with Stefan Schwarzmann sitting behind the kit. Frank and Schwarzmann were involved in ACCEPT's comeback with singer Mark Tornillo and appeared on the reunited group's first three studio albums: 2010's "Blood of the Nations", 2012's "Stalingrad" and 2014's "Blind Rage".

Asked in a new interview with "The Rock Is George" podcast if he can ever see himself going back to ACCEPT, Herman said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Never say never. It's a small world, and it's a crazy world. You never know what's gonna happen. I mean, HELLOWEEN did this nice reunion with three singers and, I guess, hundreds of guitar players or whatever [laughs] — three bass players and five drummers. [Laughs]

"I mean, it would be a great thing," he continued. "Once in a while, a couple of people start thinking about this — doing a reunion with [original ACCEPT singer] Udo [Dirkschneider] and Mark Tornillo and a couple of guitar players and maybe two bass players or whatever.

"You never say never. Actually, right now I'm concentrating on my own thing, and I guess Wolf Hoffmann is concentrating on his ACCEPT."

Back in 2016, Herman told All That Shreds that his most recent departure from ACCEPT came about because "it was just time to leave the band. Let's put it this way: I wanted to do music the way I started to. I wanted to have my own band. I wanted my own music and just wanted to just play my own leads. Not to follow somebody's guitar. I was getting too old for it. It's fine to be a backup, but after a couple of years, it's time for a different thing."

Asked how it was different playing with Tornillo after performing with Dirkschneider during the band's early years, Herman told All That Shreds: "Mark is a really nice guy and really promising. It's kind of a different voice and Mark really doubles Udo in his personal way. I prefer the style of Udo's singing. He is original ACCEPT. There is this voice sticking in your head. On the new songs, which Mark sings for the first time in ACCEPT, it's a different character, but it's very good. You can't compare them, really. They are a match for certain things, but they are quite different people. I do like them both. I couldn't have the decision which one I would prefer. It would have been great if they would put a couple of albums with Udo and Mark together. That would be awesome."

Frank and former ACCEPT singer David Reece recently joined forces in a new band called IRON ALLIES. Also involved with the project are bassist Donnie Van Stavern (RIOT) and drummer Francesco Jovino (U.D.O., PRIMAL FEAR, VOODOO CIRCLE, JORN).

Frank's fifth solo album, "Two For A Lie", was released in May via AFM Records.

David Ellefson, who was fired from MEGADETH earlier this year following a sex video scandal, has has brought down the price of his "personal use" videos on Cameo, the online platform that allows fans to buy personalized video messages from celebrities. The 57-year-old bassist is now charging purchasers $24 per video — down from $30 — and he is continuing to offer a "24-hour delivery." He is still charging $100 for a video for business use.

According to Thrillist, Cameo is offering, as part of an early Black Friday deal, 20% off all messages from now through Sunday, November 21.

Ellefson stepped away from Cameo for several months beginning in May, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter. At the time, Ellefson released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan. He also filed a report with the police department in Scottsdale, Arizona alleging unlawful distribution of sexually explicit images of him by unknown offenders. In the report, Ellefson admitted that he had been exchanging sexual text messages with a Dutch teenager, who captured a video of several of their virtual "masturbating encounters" without his consent and shared them with friends. (According to Ellefson, the woman was 19 at the time of their first virtual sexual encounter.) Ellefson, who lives in Scottsdale, first became aware of the video on May 9, when the claim "David Ellefson of MEGADETH is a pedophile" appeared on Instagram. Ellefson told police he was notified on May 14 by MEGADETH that the band would be parting ways with him. Three days later, he was fired.

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

Last month, Ellefson told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that there is a perception that people of faith must set a higher standard of how they live with and treat others. "It's almost like you're this entity that's floating up toward the heavens: 'Oh, he's such a wonderful man. He's a man of faith. He's got his family. And then this happens.' It's, like, 'What the hell is this?'" he said.

"I mean, look, admittedly I've sort of trained the public to think that I'm one of the more well-behaved rock stars out there, and for the most part I have been," he continued. "But at the same time, and this isn't to claim anything other than just, oops, shit happens. That is what it is."

Two days after MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine announced Ellefson's latest departure from the band, the bassist released a follow-up statement in which he vowed to file a "defamation lawsuit" against the person who "illegally posted a very private video" of the bassist and made "false allegations" against him. He also said he was working with the police in Scottsdale "in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted the video. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Ellefson wrote. He went on to say that he was "taking this time to be with my family" and wished his "bandmates" the best with their tour.

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

In July, Mustaine addressed the possibility of Ellefson returning to MEGADETH while filming a video message on Cameo. Asked by Rock Feed if Ellefson could once again play with MEGADETH at some point down the line, Mustaine said: "Any chance on Ellefson coming back later on? The answer to that is no."

The brainchild of founder Steven Galanis, Chicago-based Cameo has been around since 2017. It reportedly features more than 40,000 celebrities — from musicians and actors to drag queens and from YouTubers to Olympic gold medallists — who, for fees from $1 to $2,500, will offer video messages that mention another person by name. Happy birthday messages are common, as are baby announcements, but some celebrities have also recorded messages for Cameo users looking to quit their jobs or ask a potential date to a prom. The price for a video is determined by the celebrity. In 2020 alone, the company fulfilled more Cameos than throughout its four-year history, with Cameos delivered on every continent in the world and it raised over $1 million for worthy nonprofits and causes through its Cameo Cares program.









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BEHEMOTH frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot and has urged others to do the same.

Earlier today (Wednesday, November 17), Nergal shared a photo of him getting the additional dose of a vaccine after the protection provided by his original shots had begun to decrease over time. He wrote in an accompanying message: "3rd jab done!

"Not even religious topics are as polarizing as vaccinations these days. But both have soooo much in common. You can either put your trust in proven science or you can continue to live with outdated pseudo beliefs. But god forbid you become seriously ill…"

The 44-year-old Polish native, who was diagnosed with a severe case of leukemia over a decade ago, added: "Consider your people! DO NOT BE COVIDIOT, be kind to each other." (A "covidiot" has been defined as "a person who acts like an irresponsible idiot during the COVID-19 pandemic, ignoring common sense, decency, science, and professional advice leading to the further spread of the virus and needless deaths of thousands.")

Booster shots are recommended by federal agencies for anyone over the age of 18 who has received the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine, six months after receiving their second dose, if they are over the age of 65, have an underlying medical condition or are at high risk for exposure.

More than 59% of the nation's population are currently fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, while more than 68% have received at least one shot, according to data from the CDC.

More than 760,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S.

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
























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METALLICA has announced the opening of The Metallica Black Box. Debuting with The Black Album Exhibition, the Black Box will offer an unprecedented and ongoing deep dive into every era of METALLICA from the early 1980s garage days up to its present status as multi-platinum, stadium-filling hard rock standard bearers.

James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo will "unbox" their collections, pulling their favorite, most significant, and personally meaningful artifacts out of careful storage. Much more than a "gateway" to all things METALLICA, The Metallica Black Box, in collaboration with Inveniem and Definitive Authentic, will provide access to the memories and experiences of the band members themselves, as it transports those who enter to virtually every imaginable time and place along the METALLICA historical continuum. Features available exclusively in the Black Box will range from the virtual to the physical — from weekly livestream events to extremely limited signed memorabilia.

The Metallica Black Box launches with The Black Album Exhibition, featuring a collection of items curated to share in support of the 30th anniversary of the Grammy-winning, 16-times-platinum-certified 1991 album that not only gave METALLICA its first No. 1 album in no fewer than 10 countries, including a four-week run at No. 1 in the U.S., but remains unchallenged as the best-selling album in the history of Nielsen SoundScan, outselling every release in every genre over the past 30 years.

In the weeks, months and years ahead, The Metallica Black Box will venture progressively deeper into the METALLICA vaults. Its unfettered access will manifest in exhibitions and collections of rare artifacts and ephemera, never seen nor heard video/audio, and more — all dedicated to different facets of the METALLICA experience: the sounds, the visuals, the instruments, the culture and beyond. These collections will allow the METALLICA fan to experience the band’s story in a more personal way than ever before, providing behind-the-scenes insight into who METALLICA is, was and will be.

Cyhra / Red Wolf guitarist Euge Valovirta has shared another instructional video, this time taking  his viewers through Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Babies", taken from the No More Tears album. Valovirta breaks down the gear, tuning, verses, pre-chorus, chorus and leads. 










Valovirta released the third single from his second solo album, Shooting From The Hip, on June 30th. Check out "A Song For An Absent Friend" below, now available on all digital platforms.


Valovirta originally posted the track on line shortly after the news broke that Children Of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho had passed away at the end of December 2020 along with the following message:


"This one is for Alexi, but also for all the late friends. And to my Grandpa, who passed away some time ago. This song actually got its start after my Grandpa’s passing and I came back to it after Alexi passed away ‘cos I felt that I had to 'play my feelings out' somehow.


Alexi and I weren’t the closest friends but every time we met we always had such a great time. Whether it was playing on each of other’s albums, doing guitar clinics or playing occasional live shows or just hanging out. He was one of the most caring, humble and nicest guys I’ve ever met and it feels so unfair that he isn’t with us anymore. And he was one of the best guitar players. Ever."

Charlie Benante says that he cried while watching GENESIS perform on the band's current tour, "The Last Domino?"

The ANTHRAX drummer went to see the English progressive rockers play on Tuesday, November 16 at the United Center in his adopted hometown of Chicago. GENESIS kicked off its first U.S. tour since 2007 the previous night at the same venue, with 70-year-old frontman Phil Collins performing seated on stage, the result of debilitating nerve damage that affects his hands and back. He is being backed by his 20-year-old son Nicholas, who is replacing his dad behind the drums, along with keyboardist Tony Banks and bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, both 71, and longtime touring guitarist Daryl Stuermer.

Earlier today (Wednesday, November 17), Benante shared a video of GENESIS's concert, and he included the following message: "I went to see @genesis_band last night and had no idea it was going to be such an emotional experience for me.

"#philcollins is and will always be an amazing drummer/artist. I think he has created some of the best grooves, fills, etc. When I saw him come out last night… I started to cry. I’m writing this now feeling that way too. Time had taken a toll And I realized that time really does fly. The band kicked in and Bam! The water dried up and I was happy again. something came over me and I just got all emotional.

"I used to play GENESIS songs in a cover band when I was young , I knew a lot of the parts like the back of my hand. I guess seeing Phil sitting and not being Phil was hard for me to watch . As the show went on Phil got better and better and I actually cried a bit more later on when they did #carpetcrawlers . The band were outstanding #tonybanks #mikerutherford #darylstuermer and Phils son @nic_collins #niccollins killed it on the drums ( like father like son). Go see them if you have a chance. #inspiring #philcollinsrules".

GENESIS has confirmed that "The Last Domino?" is the band's final tour. The trek is scheduled to take in more than a dozen North American shows, including Washington, D.C., Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia and New York.

GENESIS will premanently retire from touring after completing its March 2022 European concerts, including three makeup dates in London.
























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STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet will undergo emergency surgery on his right eye for a detached retina.

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

Sweet shared the news of his diagnosis in an Instagram post on Friday (November 19). The 58-year-old vocalist/guitarist wrote: "I just saw the eye doctor and I have a detached retina. I'll need emergency surgery (vitrectomy) on my right eye. A lot of time has passed (long story and many details) so I may or may not have normal vision restored. I'm believing that it will be and I of course welcome all the prayers I can get. My left eye (good eye) has an old retinal tear and will require laser (in office) to repair. It's susceptible to retina detachment as well. I'll be down for the count for 2 weeks (laying face down so the bubble they place in my eye can stay in place) and I'm guessing that'll be the toughest part of all this. Doctor said this is hereditary."

Sweet added that his annual Christmas solo show, which was scheduled to take place this year on December 3 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, has been canceled. Tickets will be honored at next year's gig, which is set for December 10, 2022.

"My sincere apologies as it breaks my heart to cancel any show or event," he said. "I love you all and I deeply appreciate all the concern, thoughts and prayers".

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

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

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

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

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
























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Orange County, California-based hardcore titans IGNITE are back with the first single from their upcoming self-titled album. The new track, titled "The River", is a high-energy affair that addresses the heavy subject matter of the toll felt by those who struggle with the U.S. immigration system. Led by new lead vocalist Eli Santana (of HOLY GRAIL fame), the band's latest offering follows their "Anti-Complicity Anthem" EP from earlier this year.

Speaking about the lyrical themes on their new single, the band comments: "'The River' takes a look at the dark and murky immigration issues that our country is facing at this very moment and the toll it is taking on children and their families."

"The River" is out now on major digital/streaming platforms, and the fans can watch the music video for the track below.

"Ignite" will be released on March 25, 2022 via Century Media.

Santana joined IGNITE as the replacement for longtime vocalist Zoltán "Zoli" Téglás, who exited the group last year.

Bassist Brett Rasmussen previously stated about Santana's addition to IGNITE: "The energy and positivity that Eli brought to the recording studio was contagious! It was an absolute breath of fresh air for all of us and reminded me of the early days of IGNITE. I really can't wait to take these songs on tour."

Brian May (QUEEN), Slash (GUNS N' ROSES), Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE), SCORPIONS, Lenny Kravitz, Doro Pesch and Joan Jett are among the musicians who have reacted on social media to the passing of rock 'n' roll photographer Mick Rock, who died earlier this week at age 72. His death was announced on his Twitter page. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Rock was David Bowie's longtime official photographer who also directed multiple Bowie music videos, including "Space Oddity" and "Life On Mars". The British-born photographer, who was once dubbed "The Man Who Shot The '70s," was also responsible for the album cover of QUEEN's "Queen II", which later inspired the band's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share our beloved psychedelic renegade Mick Rock has made the Jungian journey to the other side," the tribute on Rock's Twitter feed reads. "Those who had the pleasure of existing in his orbit, know that Mick was always so much more than 'The Man Who Shot The 70s.'"

The Rock tribute called him "a photographic poet—a true force of nature who spent his days doing exactly what he loved, always in his own delightfully outrageous way… A man fascinated with image, he absorbed visual beings through his lens and immersed himself in their art, thus creating some of the most magnificent photographs rock music has ever seen," the statement on his death continued.

Rock published several collections of Bowie photos, including 2002's "Moonage Daydream" and 2015's "The Rise Of David Bowie 1972-1973".

Other album covers Rock worked on include Syd Barrett's "Madcap Laughs", Lou Reed's "Transformer" and "Coney Island Baby", IGGY AND THE STOOGES' "Raw Power", QUEEN's "Sheer Heart Attack", RAMONES' "End Of The Century" and Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'N' Roll".

Photo: Nathalie Rock




Photo: Nathalie Rock pic.twitter.com/I50ofDuO0r

— Mick Rock (@TheRealMickRock) November 19, 2021




























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RIP Mick Rock . pic.twitter.com/ggOOzVDgsw

— Clem Burke (@clem_burke) November 19, 2021








RIP the great Mick Rock. Some of the greatest photos in Rock history #MickRock #RIPMICKROCK pic.twitter.com/kXfmXshW6w

— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) November 19, 2021








Mick Rock and Shepard backstage at a Blondie gig. Besides being a great photographer, Mick got access to everyone because he was such a sweetheart charming motherfcker. RIP Mick, another loss for the music world pic.twitter.com/CRzjnFyLrZ

— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) November 19, 2021








Shocking news, Mick Rock captured moments with his camera that were imagistic gifts to the world of rock ‘n’ roll. It was almost as if the camera was an instrument and he played the greatest solos ever seen. RIP https://t.co/iHKWt42gdc

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) November 19, 2021








Mick Rock and Shepard backstage at a Blondie gig. Besides being a great photographer, Mick got access to everyone because he was such a sweetheart charming motherfcker. RIP Mick, another loss for the music world pic.twitter.com/cN1q89l72f

— Cʜʀɪs Sᴛᴇɪɴ (@chrissteinplays) November 19, 2021








R.I.P., Mick Rock!

You were one of the best!

It was awesome to work with you for my "Force Majeure" album!

You will be missed!

?????

Love, Doro#doropesch#warlock@TheRealMickRock #allformetal#allweare pic.twitter.com/b9BbNkssnf

— DORO (@DoroOfficial) November 19, 2021








RIP Mick Rock.

Miss you already my man…

(SC, Mick, Shaun Hoffman)#MickRock #Photographer #artist#steveconte #rockandroll @ 315 Bowery - John Varvatos Store (formerly CBGB) https://t.co/28nAGeBHxV

— Steve Conte (@SteveConteNYC) November 19, 2021

MUDVAYNE played its third reunion show last Sunday night (November 14) at the Welcome To Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. An official video recap of the concert was uploaded to the band's YouTube channel and can now be seen below.

MUDVAYNE canceled its appearance at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky in September after the band's singer Chad Gray and "a few staff members" tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

MUDVAYNE played its first show in 12 years on September 11 at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio.

MUDVAYNE formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning gold certification for three albums ("L.D. 50", "The End Of All Things To Come", "Lost And Found"). The band is known for its sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms. MUDVAYNE is Chad Gray (vocals), Greg Tribbett (guitar, backing vocals), Matthew McDonough (drums, synthesizer) and Ryan Martinie (bass).

It's been more than a decade since MUDVAYNE released its self-titled fifth album and little had been heard about the group during that time.

Gray has spent the past 15 years fronting HELLYEAH, which released its sixth studio album, "Welcome Home", in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc marked the group's final effort with drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who passed away more than three years ago.

In 2018, Tribbett said that fans who are calling for a MUDVAYNE reunion "just need a little more patience." He explained: "We're all flattered that everybody still wants MUDVAYNE to tour and do a new record and come out and do all that stuff. The thing is is that everybody is in three different bands and kind of doing their own projects, and there's no time for that right now."

Tribbett's most recent focus was AUDIOTOPSY, which released its second full-length album, "The Real Now", in November 2018 via Megaforce Records. He is joined in that band by MUDVAYNE drummer Matt McDonough, SKRAPE vocalist Billy Keeton and bassist Perry Stern.

MUDVAYNE did not tour behind its fifth album, which was barely promoted and sold weakly upon release.

Gray previously expressed skepticism about the possibility of a MUDVAYNE reunion, noting in a 2015 interview that "the only way I personally would want to do MUDVAYNE is if everybody licked their wounds and got over it."

Tribbett was also part of HELLYEAH with Gray but was fired from that band in 2013.

Asked in Revolver magazine if Greg's exit from HELLYEAH hit him especially hard, seeing as the two of them started off playing together in MUDVAYNE, Chad said: "Yeah, man. He has always been my right-hand man. He's been the back I look at when I'm writing songs and the sounding board for my ideas. When everything went sideways, it was like losing a great friend. I was filled with fear and I had mixed emotions. At first, I was, like, 'Goddamn, I don't know if I'm ever gonna be able to do this without him.'"

SLIPKNOT percussionist M. Shawn Crahan (a.k.a. Clown) has updated fans on his recovery after recently undergoing surgery to repair a torn bicep tendon in his left arm.

Crahan's injury occurred during the band's November 5 concert at Knotfest Los Angeles. As a result of his operation, Crahan was forced to miss the band's performance at the Welcome To Rockville festival less than a week later.

On Friday (November 19), Crahan shared a photo of his left arm in a wrap, and he included the following message: "Back in LA. Hopefully tomorrow I get to take this filthy wrap off my bruised cut up arm. Then onto the rebuild."

When Crahan first broke the news of his torn bicep tendon, he shared a 30-second black-and-white video of SLIPKNOT's performance of the song "Duality" at Knotfest Los Angeles, which he said was the exact moment the injury occurred. Remarkably, Crahan and the rest of SLIPKNOT went on to play four more tracks — "Spit It Out" and the three-song encore of "People = Shit", "(sic)" and "Surfacing".

In a 2012 interview with LA Weekly, Crahan said that he is "always injuring" himself while performing with SLIPKNOT. "I don't know if it's because I'm a klutz or an idiot, I don't know," he said. "I treat every show like it's the last. Since the beginning, every show we've told ourselves that this could be the last. My kids know that if I die on stage, that's where I should have gone. I don't want to, though. I want to live for a very long time. I'd like to retire and leave on a good note."

SLIPKNOT performed its new single, "The Chapeltown Rag", live for the first time ever at Knotfest Los Angeles. The event was livestreamed as it happened, giving fans access to both the studio version and SLIPKNOT's live performance of "The Chapeltown Rag" within only hours of its premiere.

The studio version of "The Chapeltown Rag", which was released that same day, was produced by Joe Baressi, who has previously worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and CHEVELLE, among many others.

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
























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Danko Jones has blasted fellow Canadian rockers MONSTER TRUCK for appearing in Kid Rock's latest video, saying "it's tantamount to standing in solidarity" with "a racist piece of shit."

On Friday (November 19), Kid Rock released his latest single, "Don't Tell Me How to Live", in which he rants against "woke" culture and the mainstream media at a time when "every opinion has a millennial offended."

The first new music from the Michigan-bred rap-rocker since 2017, which was recorded with MONSTER TRUCK and plays off that band's 2015 song of the same title, was accompanied by an official music video which features Kid Rock telling his critics to "kiss my ass" and "suck a dick sideways" while wearing a white fur coat, a nod to his "Devil Without A Cause" days, along with basketball shorts, tube socks, chains and a fedora. Rock and MONSTER TRUCK's Jon Harvey trade vocals, smoke cigars and generally seem to be having a good time as Rock compares himself to some of the greatest icons of our time in what Rolling Stone calls, "the most offensive verse in the terrible song." "I'm like Reverend Run or David Lee Roth / Like Springsteen bitch, I'm the motherfucking Boss," Kid Rock declares. "James Dean, shit / I'm more like Brad Pitt / A little less pretty but I slang more dick."

On Saturday (November 20), Danko Jones, who was born and raised in the eastern-Toronto borough Scarborough, took to his Twitter to offer his scathing opinion of Kid Rock's new song as well as to call out the members of MONSTER TRUCK for choosing to align themselves with the conservative rocker, saying it gets them "a lifetime membership in the douchebag hall of fame."

"Disappointed to hear of a certain band on a song with a certain musician who has been so public with his MAGA politics, including uttering the phrase 'Fuck Colin Kaepernick' during a live performance," Danko wrote. "It's tantamount to standing in solidarity with him. Gross. And the video of them posing as rednecks in fur coats is FUCKING EMBARRASSING Disappointed and embarrassed FOR that band.

"I think it's fitting that Kid Rock's piece of shit song, 'Don't Tell Me How To Live', is released on the day of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict," he continued.

"Just so you know, I DON'T FUCK WITH bands that buddy up next to a racist POS. Wearing fur coats, sporting guns and smoking cigars in the music video gets that band a lifetime membership in the douchebag hall of fame. Embarrassing.

"Kid Rock said 'Fuck Colin Kaepernick' during a concert," Danko added. "Colin Kaepernick sacrificed his career to draw attention to racial inequality. If you stand alongside Kid Rock in a music vid calling out 'snowflakes', sporting fur coats & guns, you're as big a piece of shit as Kid Rock."

Kid Rock, an ardent supporter of former president Donald Trump, made headlines earlier this year when his Nashville bar hosted Morgan Wallen for his first performance since being caught on camera saying the N-word back in February.

Back in November 2019, Rock was removed from the stage of the Honky Tonky bar in Nashville when he went on an explicit tirade against Oprah Winfrey, saying she could "suck a dick sideways." And in 2018, the rocker was fired as the grand marshal of the Nashville Christmas parade after calling Joy Behar, then-host of ABC's "The View", a "bitch" in an interview on Fox News.




Disappointed to hear of a certain band on a song with a certain musician who has been so public with his MAGA politics, including uttering the phrase “Fuck Colin Kaepernick” during a live performance.

It's tantamount to standing in solidarity with him.

Gross.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








And the video of them posing as rednecks in fur coats is FUCKING EMBARRASSING

Disappointed and embarrassed FOR that band. https://t.co/KZEHIX8evz

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








I think it's fitting that Kid Rock's piece of shit song, “Don't Tell Me How To Live”, is released on the day of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








Just so you know, I DON'T FUCK WITH bands that buddy up next to a racist POS.

Wearing fur coats, sporting guns and smoking cigars in the music video gets that band a lifetime membership in the douchebag hall of fame.

Embarrassing.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








Kid Rock said “Fuck Colin Kaepernick” during a concert.

Colin Kaepernick sacrificed his career to draw attention to racial inequality.

If you stand alongside Kid Rock in a music vid calling out “snowflakes”, sporting fur coats & guns, you're as big a piece of shit as Kid Rock.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021








I have an aversion to racists and their enablers/protectors/sidekicks.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021








I don’t support racists. It’s kinda my thing.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021








It’s Kid Rock’s now.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








I’m glad they’re broadcasting their alt-right tendencies. It’s the heads up I need to avoid that band.

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 20, 2021








Aside from the absolute cluelessness of this tweet, having biracial kids doesn’t exempt one from being a racist.

As a mixed kid myself, I should know, as I’ve witnessed it firsthand. https://t.co/2kgdy1IxhK

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021








As a POC speaking out against associating with racists, I should stay in my place, @JamesVerner2???

It’s astounding the amount of people who are salivating at the opportunity to cosplay as my overseer. https://t.co/TGjCBd5FhZ

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021








This tweet is the perfect example of a Kid Rock fan. https://t.co/uwf1PXSniE

— Danko Jones (@dankojones) November 21, 2021

MEGADETH drummer Dirk Verbeuren has released a new song from his long-running BENT SEA project.

"Destroy The Autocrats", a collaboration with Omid Torn (BATTLETORN) on vocals and Jesper Liveröd (NASUM) on bass, is the eighth in a series of songs Dirk has dubbed "Instagrind".

A year and a half ago, Verbeuren released the first "Instagrind" song from BENT SEA, "Grind To A Halt", a collaboration with MIDNIGHT mastermind Athenar on vocals. It was followed by "Sycophant Legions", a collaboration with FEASTEM's Petri Eskelinen on vocals and Jesper Liveröd on bass; "Nothing Blasts Forever", a collaboration with DRUGS OF FAITH's Richard Johnson on vocals; "Quietus", a collaboration with Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES) on vocals and Liveröd on bass; "Anger Mgmt", a collaboration with Keijo Niinimaa (ROTTEN SOUND) on vocals and Liveröd on bass; and "The Instant Grind", a collaboration with Leon Del Muerte (IMPALED, MURDER CONSTRUCT) on vocals and lead guitar.

In a 2016 interview with All About The Rock, Dirk stated about BENT SEA: "BENT SEA is a spur-of-the-moment type thing without any business plan. The idea from the get-go was basically 'no pressure' and I intend to keep it that way."

Back in 2012, Dirk told PureGrainAudio about BENT SEA's formation: "It just sort of happened. I used to play guitar, but in recent years my focus was exclusively on drums. My wife had been encouraging me to write my own music, so I decided to give it a shot. The result turned out to be BENT SEA."

Regarding the project's name, the 46-year-old Belgian-born-and-now-Los-Angeles-based musician said: "It's taken from a song by British experimental duo ENDVRA which I accidentally came across in my tape-trading days. Their music has absolutely nothing to do with grindcore, but somehow BENT SEA popped up in my mind. I like that it's atypical, and that it conjures apocalyptic images echoing the intensity of my music."

Verbeuren had been playing with SOILWORK for more than a decade before joining MEGADETH in 2016 as the replacement for Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD), who called Dirk "probably [one of the] top three drummers in the world."

In interview with the KATT Rock 100.5 FM radio station, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine described Dirk as "one of the most pleasant, easy-to-get-along-with guys I've ever met in my life. I'll walk up to him and he'll smile and lean forward and pat me on the back. He goes [adopts thin accent], 'How's it going, buddy?' I could say, 'Oh, man…'… anything. 'Oh, okay, buddy.' [He] smiles and pats me, 'cause he's just a happy guy. I've never, ever, ever seen him not smile."

During an appearance on MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn's "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast, founding JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing confirmed that he, the other members of the group and PRIEST management knew about singer Rob Halford's sexuality and were accepting, although Rob at the time was advised to be discreet given the macho hetero nature of the metal world.

"We always knew Rob was gay," K.K. said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "Because the thing is back in the days — in the '60s and particularly early '70s, when everything was still kind of behind closed doors and stuff like that — people felt a bit more comfortable around us because we would hang around in groups and gangs and we would always know that that guy is different to us and that girl is different."

Downing went on to say that he was like many other musicians at the time who dipped their toes into the glittery waters of glam androgyny.

"I actually looked like a girl — let's be honest," he said. "When I was, like, 17 [or] 18, I had hair down to [my waist]. And I can remember being at a jukebox once in a bar, and I must have been 18, and this big trucker came up behind me and he put his hands underneath my arms to feel my boobs. I was, like, 'Excuse me, mate,' as best as I could. He groped what he thought was a girl. But pretty much everything was androgynous [in those days]."

According to K.K., Rob's sexuality didn't matter to him and the rest of PRIEST. "The main thing is… Obviously, to me, Rob being gay, apart from [having] a great voice, I thought Rob was gonna stay in the band forever, and he's obviously gonna be theatrical, he's gonna be obviously articulate with words — and he was; he was all of that," Downing said. "Sensitivities and all of that, and the showmanship — so all of these ingredients [were] great attributes to have as a frontman. And I proved to be right."

K.K. also touched upon the revelation in Halford's recent "Confess" autobiography that the singer spent much on his time on the road in the 1980s and early 1990s "cruising" for one-night stands in gay bars, public restrooms, and other gay meeting places. Asked by Flynn if he was aware that Rob was doing it, K.K. said: "Yeah. Absolutely. My eyes have seen a lot. [Laughs] Even in the mid-'70s, if you come off stage and Rob's in the shower with one of the crew and stuff doing things. I mean, it is what it is. You don't have to go in there until it's over and whatever. It is what it is. 'Cause Rob had to put up with lots of things from us. It's the same thing — no different… It's the same thing — fair's fair. We're all there in the van. We're ready to go. 'Okay. Where's fucking Dave? Okay. He's in there still with a girl. Somebody go and get him.' We need to go. We neeed to get to the gig or from the gig. And these things happen. It's rock and roll. A lot of things were put down to rock and roll because it was rock and roll in those days."

Elsewhere in the interview, Downing talked about Halford's efforts to maintain the image of heterosexuality in the media — most notably through PRIEST's studs-and-black leather biker outfits, which defined the look of the heavy metal genre for years to come — even while living a secret, double life as a closeted gay man.

"In all fairness to Rob, Rob was a team player," K.K. said. "He knows that his image and the way that he was in the day and everything, it appealed to guys [and] it appealed to girls. And he was cool with that. The same with me, because your audience is your audience. We had so many people that did have an awareness, obviously, back in the day. But we are entertainers and we're performers. But [we had] a great belief in the music and the image and just everything around it. I still had immense pride in Rob as a great frontman and entertainer and a great vocalist. And he played the part as well, equally, as we thought we did in the macho, macho that was JUDAS PRIEST. Because we'd done the outfit, the leather and the studs, and I think anything to do with anything else ancillary — sexuality or anything — was just not a part… it wasn't on the stage. In Rob's mind, maybe it was here and there, but, to us, it was so ferocious and full-on, delivering up this music in the way that we did it, to me, I felt so proud of all of the bandmates. Because we'd done the uniform, and it was unique at the time, and it was such a powerful feeling. 'Cause we were getting off on that, what we had. The audience could sense it, I think. And that's why we were never afraid to play with any band, because we had the uniform that nobody else could put on at the time."

In "Confess", which came out in September 2020, Halford detailed the struggle of being gay while writing about how he and his bandmates started attracting groupies as PRIEST became more commercially successful. "Well, I didn't," Halford clarified. "None of our fans knew that I was gay at this point, of course. If any misguided girls made a play for me, I could politely brush them off. But if I wanted some action on the road — and I really, really did — how the hell was I supposed to go about it? For straight blokes, the ritual was easy. They could invite a girl to come backstage. Would you like a drink? Would you like to come to our hotel? Would you like to see my room? I couldn't do any of that."

Halford continued: "If I fancied a guy in the crowd, how did I go about it? What were the chances of him being gay (or, if he was, of admitting it)? What if I got it wrong, made a misjudged pass and got a smack in the mouth? And, of course, the overriding fear that was to limit my existence for decades: What if it got out that I was gay, fans didn't want anything to do with a band fronted by a queer, and it killed JUDAS PRIEST stone dead? PRIEST was the most important thing in my life, and even if I were willing to sacrifice it for my sexuality — which I wasn't — I simply couldn't do it to Ken [K.K.], or Glenn [Tipton] or Ian [Hill]. It wouldn't be fair on them. It was my problem, not theirs."

Rob also wrote about how PRIEST came to adopt its iconic leather look, saying: "The biggest myth about this new stage gear is that I had somehow masterminded the image as a cover and a vent for my homosexuality — that I was getting a thrill from dressing on stage as I'd like to dress in the street, or the bedroom. This is utter bollocks. I had no interest in S&M, domination or the whole queer subcult of leather and chains. It just didn't do it for me. My sexual preference was for men, sure, but I was — and still am — pretty vanilla. I've never used a whip in the boudoir in my life. Or, have I? Hang on, let me think for a minute…"

In 1998, Halford became the first metal icon to announce he is gay during an MTV interview, despite knowing about his sexuality since he was 10.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

Last year, Downing announced the formation of KK'S PRIEST, in which he is joined by former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", was released on October 1 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford says that he hasn't heard KK'S PRIEST, the new band launched by PRIEST's founding guitarist K.K. Downing.

The 70-year-old singer, who is promoting the recently released limited-edition PRIEST box set "50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music", was asked about his former bandmate's new group in a new interview with Spain's Mariskal Rock.

"Well, I haven't heard it," Rob said about KK'S PRIEST (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And when I will, I'll let you know. I'd much rather stay focused on this celebration of 50 years, [on] this box set. This box set is an extraordinary representation of this lifestory that this band has gone through."

In addition to Downing, KK'S PRIEST features former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals), along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", was released on October 1 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the '80s.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

In his 2018 autobiography "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", Downing wrote that he told Tipton and PRIEST manager Jayne Andrews that he had "hated" them both "since 1985." Earlier this year, he explained his outburst to Classic Rock magazine: "I was angry. Glenn had formed a relationship with Jayne from day one, and it felt a bit like a John-and-Yoko situation. I didn't like that."

According to TMZ, Marilyn Manson has sold his Hollywood Hills home for $1,835,000.

The 52-year-old rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, put the 2,711-square-foot house on the market a little over a month ago for $1,750,000. He purchased the three-bedroom, three-bathroom, Spanish-style estate in 2013 for $1,085,000, property records show.

At least 15 women — including "Westworld" actress Evan Rachel Wood — have publicly accused Manson of sexual assault. He is currently facing three lawsuits from women who claim to have been sexually abused by him in the past, including his ex-girlfriend Ashley Morgan Smithline and "Game Of Thrones" actress Esme Bianco.

After Wood shared her accusations, several other women posted their own allegations against the singer. The women claimed to have endured "sexual assault, psychological abuse, and/or various forms of coercion, violence, and intimidation" at the hands of Manson.

Manson later released a statement denying the abuse allegations leveled against him, writing on Instagram: "Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality. My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how — and why — others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth."

In the months since Wood came forward with her allegations, Manson has also been dropped by his label, Loma Vista Recordings, longtime manager Tony Ciulla, as well as the talent agency CAA, which provides representation for individuals across various mediums.

Manson's attorney Howard King said in a statement: "Mr. Warner vehemently denies any and all claims of sexual assault or abuse of anyone. These lurid claims against my client have three things in common — they are all false, alleged to have taken place more than a decade ago and part of a coordinated attack by former partners and associates of Mr. Warner who have weaponized the otherwise mundane details of his personal life and their consensual relationships into fabricated horror stories.”




Marilyn Manson lists $1.75M LA mansion as motion to dismiss charges denied https://t.co/tpTG4PZKqt pic.twitter.com/s5bBHCXpiE

— New York Post (@nypost) October 11, 2021

Razor guitarist / founder Dave Carlo took to Twitter this weekend and revealed a new album is (finally) complete. Check out the update below.




Photoshoot on Saturday for the back cover of the new album. The new album will be complete and delivered to our record label by the end of November.
— Dave Carlo (@davecarlorazor) November 20, 2021



Razor was formed in 1983 in Guelph, Ontario and are recognized as pioneers of Canadian thrash metal scene. The band is regarded as one of the country's "Big Four" alongside Sacrifice, Voivod and Annihilator.

The clip below features Sabaton's live performance of "Angels Calling" featuring Apocalyptica at The Great Show in Prague in 2020. The clip is taken from the new live-in-concert double-DVD/Blu-Ray, The Great Show.





Sabaton recently announced the limited-edition, live-in-concert, double-DVD/Blu-Ray, The Great Show, and The 20th Anniversary Show, both set for release on November 19 (Nuclear Blast). Both titles were filmed during the band’s 2019-2020 The Great Tour world trek, and both feature special guest performers. Tracklistings are below; pre-orders can be placed here.







The 20th Anniversary Show (see trailer below) is comprised of Sabaton’s jaw-dropping, two-hour headline concert filmed in front of 75,000 fans at Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival - coincidentally, celebrating its 30th anniversary - on August 1, 2019. The Great Show, with a running time of about 90-minutes, was recorded at Sabaton’s sold-out performance at the O2 Arena in Prague on January 26, 2020. With two varied setlists chosen from the band’s extensive catalog, The Great Show and the 20th Anniversary Show, limited to 9,000 copies each, will be available as individual purchases or bundled together as The Great Show Stage Collector's Edition box set (limited to 5,000 copies), that includes a building bricks version of the Sabaton stage so fans can build their own stages.


The Great Show Stage Collector's Edition is detailed in the video below. Get it here.





For the greater part of the Wacken concert, Sabaton commandeered the festival’s two main stages, the side-by-side-and-connected Faster and Harder Stages, becoming the first artist in Wacken's 30-year history to utilize both stages simultaneously in this way. Vocalist Joakim Brodén, guitarists Chris Rörland and Tommy Johansson, drummer Hannes Van Dahl, and the 20-voice Great War Choir, fitted out in a variety of military uniforms, performed on the Faster Stage. At the same time on the Harder Stage, bassist Pär Sundström welcomed back previous Sabaton members Thobbe Englund and Rikard Sundén/guitars, Daniel Mÿhr/keyboards and Daniel Mulback/drums - all nine musicians, plus the choir, giving an intense and impassioned en masse performance. Sabaton was also joined by the internationally acclaimed Grammy-nominated virtuoso cellist Tina Guo for the encore. Prague’s The Great Show reunited Sabaton with Finland’s multi-Platinum cello-rockers, Apocalyptica, who provided a fiery orchestral backing to several of Sabaton’s songs.


In support of Sabaton’s most recent chart-topping album, The Great War, The Great Tour saw the band setting the barre sky-high for live rock’n’roll stage production. Both sets of discs effectively capture the visually electrifying in-concert experience that is a Sabaton show. Sabaton’s cinematic songs transport fans onto the battlefield, encountering the horrors of war as well as acts of heroism and bravery, based on historical fact and told as if through the eyes and minds of soldiers in the line of fire. For “The Great Tour,” and as seen on both of these DVD/Blu-Ray sets, Sabaton’s live stage production was forged as a battlefield, with barbed-wire stretched across the front of the stage, stacks of sandbag barricades, mic stands fashioned after the period’s rifles and trench guns, a two-ton military tank complete with a battery of rocket launchers and flame jets that doubles as a drum riser, a keyboard built into the body of The Red Baron’s iconic blood-red tri-plane, and Brodén armed with a giant bazooka. Live rock’n’roll at its finest.





The 20th Anniversary Show (Wacken) tracklisting:


"Ghost Division"
"Winged Hussars"
"Resist And Bite"
"Fields Of Verdun" (with Thobbe Englund)
"Shiroyama" (with Thobbe Englund)
"The Red Baron"
"The Price Of A Mile"
"Bismarck"
"The Lion From The North"
"Carolus Rex"
"40:1"
"The Last Stand"
"The Lost Battalion"
Drum Battle (Hannes Van Dahl vs. Daniel Mullback)
"Far From The Flame"
"Panzerkampf"
"Night Witches"
"The Art Of War"
"82nd All The Way"
"Great War"
"Attero Dominatus"


Encore:
"Primo Victoria"
"Swedish Pagans" (with Tina Guo)
"To Hell And Back" (with Tina Guo)





The Great Show (Prague) tracklisting:


"Ghost Division"
"Great War"
"The Attack Of The Dead Men"
"Seven Pillars Of Wisdom"
"The Los Battalion"
"The Red Baron"
"The Last Stand"
"Far From The Flame"
"Night Witches"
"Angels Calling" (with Apocalyptica)
"The Price Of A Mile" (with Apocalyptica)
"The Lion From The North" (with Apocalyptica)
"Carolus Rex" (with Apocalyptica)


Encore:
"Primo Victoria"
"Bismarck"
"Swedish Pagans"
"To Hell And Back"


"Great War" video:





20th Anniversary Show trailer:

Dreams are one of the guiding inspirations on the new album from Norwegian collective Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna) & Dei Farne and today they share the new video/track "The Lake" from their forthcoming album Hildring (By Norse, November 26).


About the meaning of the song, Lindy-Fay comments, "The lyrics for ‘The Lake’ are taken from one of my cousin Roy's dreams. We have been discussing the dreamworld for many years already. So, to my big surprise, I discovered that [director] Gaui's story for the video also was directly taken from a dream. When eating breakfast at his and Marita's cozy home in Faroe Islands, I asked: ‘The story for the video is very beautiful, how did you come up with that?’ Gaui replied: ‘Oh well, I dreamt about it. It is just taken from a dream.’”


This kind of charming synchronicity is very befitting to Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne, who have created a record which celebrates the power of all of our senses and encourages listeners to seek the magic in our surroundings, awakening curiosity and our sense of wonder.




Hildring will be available as: 
-CD Digipack with 12-pages booklet
-12” Black vinyl (sleeve) w/ printed innersleeve
-Limited 12” Purple vinyl (sleeve) w/ printed innersleeve - Online stores exclusive
-Limited 12” Splatter vinyl (sleeve) w/ printed innersleeve - Online stores exclusive


Preorders – U.S. available at bynorsestore.net, Europe at bynorsestore.com.


Hildring is an intuitively crafted, ornamental and rhythmical record with a dark pop sensibility, channeling the musicians’ mutual appreciation of different genres, from dark synth, folk, jazz, noise/experimental, Krautrock, prog rock, and world music. The soundscapes of Hildring are like moonlight shimmering in running water. Synth drones and fluid melodies are deftly-woven together with the organic sounds of acoustic piano, guitars, harmonium and percussion/drums, elevated into something larger than life by Lindy-Fay’s extraordinary, expressive vocal style. 


Lindy-Fay Hella sounds especially liberated on this record, reconnecting to a childhood passion for synths, and her love of “Black Celebration” by Depeche Mode, attributing her vocal experimentation to Dave Gahan’s wide-ranging style. Lindy-Fay also draws powerful inspiration also from traditional Joik singing, unique to the Sámi people of Northern Europe. Lindy-Fay honours her great-grandmother and other Sámi people who suffered injustice when this traditional form was condemned. Harnessing her vocal power is not necessarily about choosing the right words, rather following specific feelings and utilising the voice as an instrument. 


About the album Lindy-Fay comments, "Hildring is the Norwegian word for mirage. When on a long journey, you can start to wonder what is real and what is not, but at the same time, you are constantly seeking the unknown.”


Lindy-Fay continues, “This album is darker and more rhythm based. We've been sending ideas to each other and worked it out in the studios with the band, additional musicians and the producer Iver Sandoy. We found that we had a common interest in alternative 70s and 80s music. We like to work fast and trust the gut feelings, rather than analysing everything to pieces. The first takes are often the best ones in our department. The nerve we want to keep in our music is that of a not always perfect one. With some hair, spikes and edges. That's why part of the Hildring album is totally improvised. We are getting older and feel safe in our own musical expression. We simply make the music we want to make."


The album reflects the sense of wonder and awe with which Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne view the natural world and the elemental forces of their rural surroundings outside of Bergen.





Tracklisting:


“Hildring”
“Los”
“Insect”
“The Lake”
“Brising”
“Kjetto”
“Taag”
“Otherworld”
“Gjelet”


"The Lake" video:





"Hildring" video:

The Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû has released another new track, “Prana: Therion: Akasha”, from the self-titled album, due out next week on November 26 via Agonia Records.


Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy. Touted as one of the most important bands in the history of American Black Metal, Absu was dissolved by drummer/vocalist Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens) on January 27th, 2020, after 30 years of existence. Since the band’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” McGovern fused the title with his name to form this new group, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû. Securing the ranks, alongside McGovern, are continuing bassist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed, Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial, Agatus). With this much anticipated, self-titled album, McGovern’s objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics.


When asked about the album’s final outcome, McGovern stated the following: “Having the opportunity to assemble these band members, in the development of this album, was a remarkable honour and I strongly feel this album captures the band’s true, yet frenzied potential.” McGovern, who also produced and co–engineered the album, added: “I specifically appointed these three to augment and heighten the overall sound portrait of these recordings, hoping that our emphasis on ‘mythological occult metal,’ coupled with progressive and psychedelic elements, clutches the listener’s momentum. Most importantly, I highly commend Agonia Records for migrating our musical and arcane foresight onto the next level.”




The album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both McGovern and J.T. Longoria (Absu, King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss, ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Vltimas, ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus).


In assembling the album’s packaging, the band re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone, Portal, Watain). Not only did he administer the front cover, but also was assigned to create eight separate “plate illustrations” tailored around the lyrical conceptions. Regarding Bielak’s work, McGovern stated: “With incredible rapidity, he was able to resuscitate the artistic pulse after I presented the album’s subject speculations and lyrical themes. Some plate illustrations are affiliated with multiple songs; others integrated to only one song, yet Zbigniew perfectly surmounted each piece reflecting my oblique and ‘in–betweeness’ motifs.”


McGovern continues regarding the album’s lyrical approach: “This album was written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge. I have (with vast exertion and detriment of time and space) collected knowledge deemed, in regard to my subject theories of ‘mythological occult metal:’ from Thelemic Magick and The Zos Vel Thanatos Formula to Fractal Ontology and (obviously) Near East Mythology.”





Formats:


- Jewelcase CD
- Digi Slipcase CD
- Clam–Shell Box CD (Limited To 1000 Numbered Copies With Pin & Front Cover Flag)
- Black LP
- Swamp Green LP
- Gold LP
- Mercurial Silver LP
- Ultra Clear LP
- Picture LP
- Mephitic Vapour Splatter LP
- Cassette
- Digital


Clothing:
- T-shirt 1 – Quasaric Pestilence (White On Black)
- T-shirt 2 – Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû (Black On Gray)
- T-shirt 3 – Logo With Sleeve Prints (Red On Black)
- Black HSW Zipper


Pre-order here





Tracklisting:


"Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn including Hierophantasmal Expounder"
"Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric"
"Quasaric Pestilence"
"Mirroracles"
"In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters"
"Jupiter In Capricornus"
"Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)"
"Caliginous Whorl"
"The Coagulating Respite"
"Prana: Therion: Akasha"
"Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû"
"Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without including Totemic Thresholds"


"Prana: Therion: Akasha":





"Caliginous Whorl":





Lineup:


Proscriptor McGovern – Drums/Percussion, Lyricism, Maestro Echoplex, Papago Flute, Digital Synthesizers & Voices (Protagonist/Dramatic Monologue Versus Omniscient/Interior Monologue)
Vorskaath – (Analogue & Digital) Synthesizers, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron & Signal Generator
Vaggreaz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic & Bass Guitar
Ezezû – Electric Bass Guitar & Implements





(Photo - Scott Kincade & M. Zvyagina)

Once Human is just coming back from their long awaited tour in US with Cradle Of Filth and the new video/single "Cold Arrival" is their gift to the fans joining them in those crazy times on that tour! With “Cold Arrival” Once Human release their third single from the upcoming new studio album Scar Weaver, hitting the streets on February 11, 2022 on ear Music. The song is written in memory of a friend of the band. Pre-order / pre-save your copy here.





Max Karon comments: "In the beginning of the pandemic, we as a band lost someone very near and dear to us. Being around Jared was our mutual tether to healthy habits and personal empowerment. He was personable, fun, and a constant source of wisdom. To us, he felt like a permanent, immutable fixture in our lives. He left us suddenly and without warning. These last eighteen months have been a solemn reminder that the lives we lead and the people we know are not immortal. The acknowledgment of that harsh reality is 'Cold Arrival'." 




The video for "Cold Arrival" was shot on the Lustmord and Tourgasm tour in October 2021 and was directed and edited by Thomas Crane of KillDevil Films. It features additional fan footage.


Once Human’s Scar Weaver album, pieced together over the last two years, represents a massive step forward for the band. Blessed (or perhaps cursed) with plenty of additional time during the last year’s lockdown situation, the band has been able to refine and redefine their sound, inspired by a sudden creative surge from latest recruit Max Karon. The result is a gloriously idiosyncratic modern metal record, with Hart’s career-best vocal performance as just one of its dazzling revelations. With Once Human’s most intense and explosive music to work with, the singer has pushed herself to new heights, showcasing a vastly expanded vocal range in the process.


Scar Weaver represents a massive step forward for the band. Blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a surplus of time during 2020’s lockdown situation, the band have been able to refine and redefine their sound, inspired by a sudden creative surge from latest recruit, guitarist Max Karon.


The result is a gloriously idiosyncratic modern metal record, with Lauren Hart’s career-best vocal performance just one of its dazzling revelations. With Once Human’s most intense and explosive music to work with, the singer has pushed herself to new heights, showcasing a vastly expanded vocal range in the process.





In July 2021, the band announced the impending arrival of Scar Weaver with the release of lead single, "Deadlock", featuring a guest vocal appearance from Once Human guitarist Logan Mader's former Machine Head bandmate, Robb Flynn. 

Following traditional Holiday music back to its roots, Blackmore’s Night (Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore) approach Christmas songs with their own unique styling. Today, they celebrate the holidays with the relaunch of their classic album Winter Carols, available as a high-quality 2CD Digipak Edition and digital album (earMUSIC). A video for "Christmas Eve" is also released today, and can be viewed below.


Originally released in 2006, this 2021 version has been carefully remastered and contains these four tracks that were previously unavailable in this format: “Here We Come A-Caroling”, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”, “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night”. Additionally, Winter Carols includes a remastered version of their timeless Christmas single “Christmas Eve”.


A brand-new song, “Coventry Carol”, is an English Christmas carol dating back to the 16th century with additional lyrics by award-winning lyricist / vocalist Candice Night and new musical arrangements by legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.




Mastering the mix of Rock and Folk elements, Blackmore’s Night have always perfected the art of creating music for family, friends, and fans to come together and celebrate. Winter Carols provides the perfect backdrop for the holiday season.





Tracklisting:


CD1:
"Coventry Carol"
"Deck The Halls"
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
"O Christmas Tree"
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" / "O Come All Ye Faithful"
"I Saw Three Ships"
"Winter (Basse Dance)"
"Ding Dong Merrily On High"
"Ma-O-Tzur"
"Good King Wenceslas"
"Simple Gifts (Lord Of The Dance)"
"We Three Kings"
"Wish You Were Here" (2021)
"Emmanuel"
"Christmas Eve"
"We Wish You A Merry Christmas"


CD2:
"Crowning Of The King"
"Here We Come A-Caroling"
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
"O Little Town Of Bethlehem"
"Silent Night"
"Christmas Eve" (2013 Version)
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" / "O Come All Ye Faithful" (Live From Minstrel Hall)
"Emmanuel" (Live From Minstrel Hall)
"We Three Kings" (Live From Minstrel Hall)
"Ma-O-Tzur" (Live From Minstrel Hall)
"Good King Wenceslas" (Live From Minstrel Hall)


"Christmas Eve" video:

The debut album from Riot Act, the band initially formed by former classic era Riot members Rick Ventura and Lou Kouvaris is previewed with their new single "Wanted". The full-length album, due early 2022 is sure to please fans of the early ‘80s era of Riot.





The album will also come with a 12 track bonus CD of classic Riot tracks recut, these recordings feature the final ever recordings of Lou Kouvaris, who tragically passed away of Covid-19 in early 2020.




Riot Act features former Riot guitarist Rick Ventura, Don Chaffin vocals, Paul Ranieri bass, Claudio Galinski drums


The band offer the following statement:


"Riot Act’s new album is a culmination of emotions over the past two years. From the excitement of our early rehearsals, to the loss of our band mate, struggling through a pandemic and not knowing if we were going to continue, the four of us knew that the band had much to offer. The result of that renewed energy is ‘Carry The Torch’ and with joining forces with Global Rock Records we are ready for the world to hear this new music we have been working on for so long. The first of which, the new single ‘Wanted’ was the first original track recorded when we decided to go forward. It captures the energy and drive of the band and our roots. A taste of things to come!"

Greek/Swedish melodic death metal stars, Nightrage, have released a video for "Nauseating Oblivion", featured on their upcoming album, Abyss Rising, available in February. Watch the clip below.


An album that is the band's vision of mankind living in its own hell - a hell it has created through the destruction of the planet. Inspired in part by Dante's Inferno, the album explores man’s continual destruction of the world we live in until the abyss opens up to consume all before it.


The abyss has risen from the depths, and hell has now turned outside in to be able to rise to earth to claim us. The album captures Nightrage in a spectacular form; incisive, brutal, uncompromising, and unforgettable. Musically the band have embraced a harder, faster, and brutal approach, still rich in melodic intent but characteristically heavy and aggressive. Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordstrom at Studio Fredman (Architects, In Flames, Opeth, etc.), Abyss Rising is a formidable sonic masterpiece.




The album will be released on February 18 via Despotz Records. Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Abyss Rising"
"Swallow Me"
"Nauseating Oblivion"
"Dance Of Cerberus"
"Falsifying Life"
"Portal Of Dismay" (Interlude)
"Shadows Embrace Me"
"9th Circle Of Hell"
"The Divergent" (Instrumental)
"Cursed By The Gift Of Sight"
"False Gods"
"Pest Ridden Tide"
"Silence Of The Darkened Soul"


"Nauseating Oblivion" video:





"Abyss Rising" video:





"Swallow Me" lyric video:





(Photo Credits: Fotis Benardo, Photo Edit: Dimitris Tzortzis)

Seattle-based, multi-platinum rock band, Candlebox, has released the acoustic version of their hit song, “Riptide”. The original version is featured on their latest album Wolves, which is available on streaming platforms everywhere via Pavement Entertainment.


The emotional, stripped-down version of “Riptide” was produced by Peter Cornell, brother of the late Chris Cornell, at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN.


Watch the video for “Riptide” below. Stream the acoustic version of “Riptide” here.







“‘Riptide’ might be my favorite Candlebox song of all time,” said Kevin Martin, Candlebox lead vocalist. “There’s so much in this song that breathes life into me. I love the nakedness of this track and the baring of its soul to anyone that will listen. I love this version and I think Candlebox fans, old and new, will as well. Peter did a great job getting this version out of us, and that’s what we look for in producers––to take us where we don’t know we can go and show us the beauty of our songs! Enjoy.”


Producer Peter Cornell said, “I fell in love with ‘Riptide’ the moment I first heard it on Wolves, and was honored when Candlebox asked me to produce an unplugged version of the song. Between Kevin’s incredible vocals, the band’s rock-solid performance, and the addition of cellist Bryan Gibson (a longtime touring partner of Peter’s brother, Chris), we're all very happy with the result. Brian Quinn’s lead on the song is particularly bittersweet for me; I brought an early-90s Thompson acoustic guitar to the studio for the ‘Riptide’ session, which was a gift from my brother in ‘98, and it was on this guitar that Brian completely crushed it.”





To celebrate its release, Candlebox has also made an exclusive, behind-the-scenes video of the recording of the unplugged version at Blackbird Studios. Directed by Michael Sarna, the video (coming soon) showcases the band like never before, with raw, sometimes emotional, footage of the group unearthing the power of the song’s emotional message to just hold on.

Scandinavian all-star group, At The Movies, are set to release two albums, The Soundtrack Of Your Life - Vol. 2, featuring movie hits from the ‘90s, and The Soundtrack Of Your Life - Vol. 1, featuring movie hits from the ‘80s, on January 7 via Atomic Fire Records.


Entering the limelight unexpectedly last year, At The Movies today surprises fans with a video for “Last Christmas”, the title track of their new 7" single as well as the bonus track of the aforementioned The Soundtrack Of Your Life - Vol. 1 reissue.


Comments guitarist Chris Laney, "‘Oh no! Not that song again?!’ Have you ever thought that way? I know that I have... and that is why I just felt we had to make our At The Movies version of it, haha. I love X-mas. It's my favorite time of year and I hope this will bring some X-mas spirit to you guys. Pour yourself some eggnog or a glass of Glühwein and enjoy!"







Secure your copy of the "Last Christmas" 7" single on red vinyl (Side B: “Waiting For A Star To Fall”) here.





If there are two things that we ever-arguing humans can agree on, it’s movies and music. A close inspection of all those iconic, generation-defining, mind-blowing flicks of the ‘80s and ‘90s reveal that it’s the very amalgamation of the two that does the trick: There’s no blockbuster from that era that doesn’t have an equally legendary theme song or soundtrack.


Explosive all-star assembly At The Movies are fully aware of this. On their rocking cinematic spectaculars The Soundtrack Of Your Life – Vol. 1 & 2, the super group led by Chris Laney (Pretty Maids) turn some of the most memorable and quintessential film songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s into hard rocking, entertaining versions you most certainly haven’t heard before nor ever expected to. Grab your popcorn, take a seat: we’re At The Movies, the lights go down and the show is about to begin.


“I just love to disappear for a while. Shut out the real world and just think of something else for two hours – even more so last year,” Chris Laney says of his passion for movies, citing E.T. as his all-time favorite. “I was watching all these movies during lockdown because I had literally nothing better to do,” he remembers. “I confess that I am a sucker for rom-coms like Music And Lyrics with Hugh Grant. This film features this unbelievably cheesy song ‘Pop Goes My Heart’ and I just loved that song!,” the Swede laughs. “I instantly needed to make a demo of that song right away because I wanted to find out how it would sound as a rock version.”


Just for fun, he sent it to Danish drummer Allan Sørensen (Royal Hunt) who was equally excited about the prospect of interpreting famous theme songs. “And that’s what started it all,” Laney shrugs. “We were simply looking for something to have fun within these times so I called up a couple of friends and everybody was very eager to join.” Laney's musician "friends" -- namely Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra), Linnéa Vikström (Ronnie Atkins, Therion), Morten Sandager (ex-Pretty Maids), Pontus Egberg (King Diamond, Wolf), and Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) -- would ultimately form the super group that is At The Movies. “I am blessed to be friends with all these talented people,” says Laney. “I played in bands with some of them, I worked with some others individually, played live or simply met them on the road. The interesting thing is that we still haven’t been in the same room. Yet.”


With Volume 1 focusing on the ‘80s, At The Movies offers their wildly entertaining and uplifting take on classics like “St. Elmo's Fire” (from St. Elmo’s Fire), “We Don't Need Another Hero” (from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome), “The Power Of Love” (from Back To The Future), and “The Neverending Story” (from The Neverending Story). “Picking songs was fairly easy,” the mastermind explains. “I knew that I wanted to focus on the non-rock songs. Of course, there are great ones like ‘Danger Zone’ or ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ but they already are rock songs. We wanted to see what happens when you take disco songs or these huge and dramatic pop ballads and turn them into rockers. In the end,” he laughs, “this meant replacing lots of saxophone with electric guitars.”


Volume 2 directly plunges into the ‘90s. “Waiting For A Star To Fall” (from Three Men And A Little Lady), “When You Say Nothing At All” (from Notting Hill), the riff-heavy rocker that once was Jennifer Paige’s teen pop soundtrack anthem “Crush,” or the furious glam rock extravaganza “Venus” make it pretty clear that their only agenda was fun. After all, why would a troupe of well-established heavy metallers take on a song like “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys? “We were going for songs you wouldn’t normally take on as a rock band,” Laney tells us. “What we were asking ourselves all the time was: can we get away with this? And of course, we can because we have nothing to lose. We can do whatever we like.” He marvels, “We never actually thought anybody would care about that but then all of a sudden, the uploaded songs became quite popular. And there we were, doing song after song. Every Thursday at 7:00pm.”


With the parallel re-issue of Volume 1 (including a bonus track) and the brand-new Volume 2, At The Movies proves to be movie lovers with a heart of rock and a penchant for fun. Recorded remotely, brought together in Chris Laney’s home studio, both installments of The Soundtrack Of Your Life offer up some of the finest blockbuster entertainment on a Hollywood scale, paving the way for future cinematic endeavors. “We’ll figure something out soon,” Laney is sure. “I would love to do a Disney special but I’m not sure Disney will like it. Maybe we’re going back to the ‘60s. You never know.” What we do know, however, is the guarantee of success once this all-star vessel hits festival stages. Chris Laney concludes, “What could be better to open up a day at a big festival with songs like these?” What indeed.





The Soundtrack Of Your Life - Vol. 1 (Re-Release) tracklist:


"Intro"
"No Easy Way Out"
"Maniac"
"St. Elmo's Fire"
"A View To A Kill"
"(I've Had) The Time Of My Life"
"Wouldn't It Be Good"
"We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)"
"The Power Of Love"
"The Heat Is On"
"The Neverending Story"
"Far From Over"
"Last Christmas" (Bonus Track)


Pre-order Vol. 1 (re-release).





The Soundtrack Of Your Life - Vol. 2 tracklist:


"Waiting For A Star To Fall"
"King Of Wishful Thinking"
"The One And Only"
"When You Say Nothing At All"
"(I Just) Died In Your Arms"
"(You Drive Me) Crazy"
"Heaven Is A Place On Earth"
"Crush"
"I've Been Thinking About You"
"Venus"
"I Want It That Way"


Pre-order Vol. 2.





(Photo - Christel Mentges)

The Lurking Fear, the old-school death metal group from Sweden featuring members of At The Gates, Disfear, God Macabre, Skitsystem, Tormented and The Haunted in their illustrious lineup, have released their sophomore album, Death, Madness, Horror, Decay, worldwide via Century Media Records.





Consequently, The Lurking Fear are unveiling another of the album’s tracks. Check out “Funeral Abysss” in a lyric video created by Cloud Music Typography, based on the album’s artwork conceived by Stefan Thanneur, below.




Lead guitarist Jonas Stålhammar commented about the track as follows: “Here’s another song off Death, Madness, Horror, Decay for you. This time we decided to go for a heavier one, because you do need some heaviness too, not only speed!”


And Stålhammar added the following about today’s album release: “Death, Madness, Horror, Decay drops today and we feel this, our 2nd album, to be big step up from our debut Out Of The Voiceless Grave. More focused and more brutal. We’re really psyched for you all to hear it…”





Death, Madness, Horror, Decay follows up The Lurking Fear’s acclaimed debut album Out Of The Voiceless Grave (2017) and was recorded at Welfare Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden with Per Stålberg and Kalle Lilja. The album features epic artwork once again conceived by Stefan Thanneur, who already worked on The Lurking Fear’s debut album, and also includes a special guest appearance by Chris Reifert (Autopsy, ex-Death) on vocals for the track “Kaleidoscopic Mutations”.


Order the album here.





Death, Madness, Horror, Decay tracklisting:


"Abyssal Slime"
"Death Reborn"
"Cosmic Macabre"
"Funeral Abyss"
"Death, Madness, Horror, Decay"
"Architects Of Madness"
"In A Thousand Horrors Crowned"
"Kaleidoscopic Mutations"
"Ageless Evil"
"One In Flesh"
"Restless Death"
"Leech Of The Aeons"


Digipak CD bonus tracks:
“The Curse” (Slaughter cover)
“Seance” (Possessed cover)


“Death Reborn” video:





"Cosmic Macabre" video:





Lineup:


Andreas Axelson - bass & backing vocals
Adrian Erlandsson - drums
Tomas Lindberg Redant - vocals
Fredrik Wallenberg - guitars & backing vocals
Jonas Stålhammar - lead guitars, mellotron, organ & backing vocals


(Band photo - Max Ljungberg)

At the peak of the pandemic lockdown last year, Behemoth set the world on fire when they took over an abandoned church in rural Poland, bringing their truly spectacular production for a worldwide streaming event, which was lauded by rock media as one of the very best livestream events to date.


After just over a year since the show’s premiere, In Absentia Dei returns in a range of deluxe formats for fans to relive the drama that took place on that fateful night in 2020. The live release is set to hit retailers on December 17 via Nuclear Blast.







Today, we witness another incendiary excerpt of the show, their classic 2007 anthem, "Prometherion". Follow Behemoth into the old ruins of the hidden church by watching the clip below.


Frontman and visionary Nergal tells us: "Legions! For some of you, The Apostasy is the ultimate Behemoth experience. Here, we present to you a song from that record which we filmed during 'In Absentia Dei'. Enjoy it!"





In Absentia Dei will be available as digital album, digi-book and 3LP Vinyl in various colours. All Nuclear Blast triple LPs come with a premium 20-page booklet AND a cut-out, build-at-home model of the actual church that Behemoth performed in. Burn it down at your discretion.


Pre-order/pre-save your choice of format here. Please note the video element of the show comes with the digi-book format only. The digital album and 3 x vinyl formats feature the live audio.


The event was said to set the bar for streaming events moving forward, which was something Behemoth set out to achieve from the start. Produced by Grupa 13, In Absentia Dei was presented as a show of four parts, woven with high-production theatrics and flames emanating from all parts of the formerly sacred building.

Evolution Empire has premiered their debut single, “Fist Of God”, through BraveWords! Check out the video below!





Evolution Empire started in Dallas, Texas, where frontman Chris Roberts and drummer Rob Youells were introduced to each other by their mutual manager, Dave Chavarri (Ill Niño, Terror Universal). The next piece of the puzzle was to begin writing for their debut release and choose a production team. The band landed producers Eddie Wohl (Anthrax, Fuel, Ill Niño) and Chavarri. Still in need of a bassist and guitar player, the band’s manager reached out to bassist Jerry Montano (Hellyeah, Danzig) and guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers (ex-Fear Factory). Both were immediately on board and agreed to a guest appearance on the video and debut single "First Of God".




Evolution Empire is now completed by bringing monster lead guitarist Joe Dragich (Terror Universal) and veteran bassist Sal Dominguez (Ill Niño, ex-Upon A Burning Body) into the fold. Keep an eye out for Evolution Empire as they are confirmed for major U.S. and international tours throughout 2022. Stream/download “Fist Of God” here.


Evolution Empire will join Ill Niño, Drowning Pool, and Hed Pe on the Brothers In Arms Tour 2022.


Dates:


March
13 – San Antonio, TX – Rock Box
15 – Destin, FL – Club LA
16 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
18 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
19 – Portland, ME – AURA
20 – Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s
21 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
23 – Fort Wayne, IN – Pierre’s
24 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
25 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
27 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre
29 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios
31 – Missoula, MT – Wilma Theater


April
1 – Tacoma, WA – Spanish Ballroom
2 – Portland, OR – Roseland
3 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
4 – Roseville, CA – Goldfiend Trading Post
5 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky
6 – Phoenix, AZ – The Marquee Theater
8 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
9 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
10 – Abilene, TX – Abilene Convention Center


Evolution Empire online - Instagram / Facebook / Official Website

Earlier this week, reunited German black/death metallers Mystic Circle announced their signing to Atomic Fire Records. Today, the duo unveils a video for “Letters From The Devil", the first single off their eponymous comeback, set for release on February 4.


Elaborates the band of the track, "This song tells the true story of a possessed nun who reportedly received messages from Satan at night back in 1676. They were of a language that can't be decoded to this day. Myths like these are always worthy of becoming a song within the Mystic Circle universe, of course. Musically, we kept it diabolical but still infectiously melodic. That diabolicalness has greatly been staged in our new music video. Get seduced...!"


“Letters From The Devil” is part of a trilogy written by the band’s own A. Blackwar. View the video, filmed and edited by Alen Ljubic and Nils Lesser, below.




Following the musical path where Infernal Satanic Verses - the final Mystic Circle record featuring both reunion members - had left off in 1999, Mystic Circle was produced by the band and Nils Lesser at Vaultroom Productions while its artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares.


Pre-order Mystic Circle in various formats (box set, CD-digipak, black/red marbled vinyl), pre-save it, or pre-order the album digitally to receive “Letters From The Devil” instantly and order the group's new Letters From The Devil 7" black vinyl single, which includes the exclusive, non-album B-side track “The Godsmasher,” limited to 666 copies and available now, here.





Mystic Circle tracklisting:


"Belial Is My Name"
"Seven Headed Dragon"
"Hell Demons Rising"
"Letters From The Devil"
"Darkness In Flames"
"The Arrival Of Baphomet"
"Curse Of The Wolf Demon"
"Satanic Mistress"
"Death Metal" (Possessed Cover) - CD digipak only bonus track





"Letters From The Devil" 7” tracklisting:


Side A: "Letters From The Devil"
Side B: "The Godsmasher"


"Letters From The Devil" video:





With seven studio albums and many tours alongside black metal heavyweights Marduk, Gorgoroth, and Dimmu Borgir under their belt, it wasn't just a little history that German black/death metal legends Mystic Circle left behind when they decided to call it quits in 2007. But alas, 14 years of silence are over as Mystic Circle - consisting of Beelzebub and A. Blackwar who had actually left the group in 1999 - have risen from their graves to renew their deal with the Dark Lord.


Mystic Circle:


Beelzebub - vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
A. Blackwar - vocals, guitars, drums, keyboards


(Photo - Alen Ljubic)