VENDED, the band fronted by Griffin Taylor, the son of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor, has just released its debut single, "Asylum". The visceral new track is powered by the pummelling rhythm section of Simon Crahan (son of SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan) and Jeremiah Pugh (bass), the ferocious guitar work of Cole Espeland (lead guitar) and Connor Grodzicki (rhythm guitar).

VENDED will play major live shows in the coming weeks when it opens the bill at both Knotfest Iowa and Knotfest Los Angeles.

VENDED's fresh and unique sound heralds in a new era and the arrival of the next generation of brutality to hail from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in February of 2018, VENDED exhibits a furiously heavy sound built upon the foundations laid by the speed, power and precision of the rhythm section, layered with ferocious guitars, soul crushing solos and gutteral-yet-melodic vocals that portray the hardships and the harsh realities of life.

VENDED had its first mainstream exposure in 2020 when they performed as part of Knotfest.com's virtual "Pulse Of The Maggots" festival. Their live performance, filmed at The Electric Theatre, has clocked up over 100,000 views on YouTube and garnered the band a swathe of new fans from around the world, eager to hear more from the five-piece.

VENDED played its first headlining show in March at the iconic local club Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, Iowa.

Griffin, who looks a lot like his father, previously showcased his skills when he joined Corey onstage during STONE SOUR shows in 2017 and 2018. According to The Pulse Of Radio, he's also played cover tunes with Simon Crahan, while Clown's daughter Alexandria Crahan-Conway has snapped some of VENDED's previous press pics.

Left to right in photo: Cole Espeland (lead guitar), Griffin Taylor (vocals), Connor Grodzicki (rhythm guitar), Simon Crahan (drums), Jeramiah Pugh (bass).

Photo credit: Michael Watson

U.S.-based hard rock group BLACK STAR RIDERS has signed a multi-album worldwide recording deal with the long-running British independent label Earache Records.

BLACK STAR RIDERS was formed by members of legendary Irish rock group THIN LIZZY in 2013 and has released four albums on the Nuclear Blast label in their eight years in existence and toured the world as both headliners and special guests to some of the most prominent names in rock. The band has since become a pillar in the modern rock landscape in its own right, owing to their Herculean stage presence and meticulous attention to detail in carving out their own identity within the depths of their jagged-edged anthems, epic ballads and Celtic-infused rockers.

With their commitments to Nuclear Blast complete, BLACK STAR RIDERS have inked a deal with Earache, the label responsible for putting extreme metal on the map in the '80s and '90s, and in more recent times helping to build the careers of modern rock acts such as RIVAL SONS and THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

BLACK STAR RIDERS frontman Ricky Warwick comments: "We are extremely pleased to announce our new deal with Earache Records. We had an amazing eight years with Nuclear Blast and I want to thank everyone there for their commitment and dedication during this time but it was time to part ways and Earache have well and truly stepped up to the plate! We can't wait to start the new relationship with the great team there."

BLACK STAR RIDERS are due to enter the studio in Los Angeles on October 14 with longtime producer Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER, URIAH HEEP, ANTHRAX) to begin recording the follow-up to 2019's "Another State Of Grace". The band has a host of U.K. Top 30 albums, including the U.K. No. 6 album "Heavy Fire", which featured a BBC Radio 2 single of the week and also won "Best British Album" at Planet Rock's The Rocks awards.

The new album will feature a different lineup from the band's previous releases, due to founder and lead guitarist Scott Gorham's decision to step down from all recording and touring commitments with the band.

Warwick adds: "We are very sorry to see Scott go but we discussed a very heavy world touring commitment on the new record and Scott decided he wanted to concentrate just on THIN LIZZY — and being the legend he is, none of us can blame him. We all wish him the best and he will be looking to put THIN LIZZY back out on the road from 2022 onwards with a busy schedule, so he won't be missing me too much!"

Los Angeles drummer Zak St. John will join BLACK STAR RIDERS to record the new album.

BLACK STAR RIDERS bass player Robert Crane comments: "We have known Zak a while from the L.A. session scene and I know he will blow everyone away when you see and hear him."

BLACK STAR RIDERS are not looking to replace Gorham and will remain a four-piece going forwards, with Ricky handling a lot of the guitar parts alongside Christian Martucci, who joined the band after album number three in 2018.

BLACK STAR RIDERS are set to release their as-yet untitled fifth album in early 2023 and dates are booked to start within a couple of weeks of release.

Martucci comments: "We have decided to let the abundance of rescheduled shows in 2022 blow over so we can come back in full force in 2023 without any distractions. We can't wait to see all our fans and followers again after what seems like an eternity off the road and we appreciate no end their continued support and loyalty to BSR

World-renowned guitarist/songwriter Mark Tremonti will release the fifth album from his solo band TREMONTI, titled "Marching In Time", on September 24 via Napalm Records. The official lyric video for the LP's fourth single, "Now And Forever", can be seen below. The clip emerges in visually captivating black and white, providing the perfect backdrop to the song's gripping lyrics. Driven by the signature sound of Tremonti as he sings, 'My once jaded heart's been fortified but left on empty,' the track and video are a perfect example of his keen ability to create memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.

Tremonti is no stranger to storytelling. Throughout his years with top-charting bands ALTER BRIDGE and CREED, and most recently his solo band, Mark has never strayed from his love of writing memorable songs. With "Marching In Time", the band looks to continue this trend while exploring their love for heavy music, drawing from current events from the last year to form the basis of each song. While its predecessor, "A Dying Machine", was an overall concept album seeped in darker sentiments and story, the vibe of "Marching In Time" is different — emerging as a charging rock/metal offering that takes the listener on 12 individual journeys.

From the driving drum beat of opener "A World Away" to the epic closer "Marching In Time", the new album is a reflective look at the world around us today. TREMONTI's unmatched musicianship bleeds through the album, showcased on tracks like "Thrown Further", "In One Piece" and the thought-provoking "Would You Kill". Alternatively, the band displays their softer side on pensive tracks "The Last One Of Us" and "Not Afraid to Lose". Epic title track "Marching In Time" tells the story of a father having a child during a global pandemic and how he prepares for life during that time — something Mark Tremonti recently experienced in his own life — while "If Not For You" shows the evolution of the TREMONTI sound in 2021.

"Marching In Time" was produced by longtime friend and collaborator Michael "Elvis" Baskette — the producer Mark has worked with exclusively since 2007.

"Marching In Time" track listing:

01. A World Away

02. Now And Forever

03. If Not For You

04. Thrown Further

05. Let That Be Us

06. The Last One Of Us

07. In One Piece

08. Under The Sun

09. Not Afraid To Lose

10. Bleak

11. Would You Kill

12. Marching In Time

SLIPKNOT will headline the inaugural Knotfest Finland, set to take place August 12-13, 2022 in Turku. Also scheduled to appear at the event are NIGHTWISH, BRING ME THE HORIZON and ARCH ENEMY, along with STAM1NA and BLIND CHANNEL.

The two-day Knotfest evolved from a SLIPKNOT headlining concert initially scheduled to take place in Turku in August 2021. In the wake of ongoing restrictions with regards to international travel during the era of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the gig was postponed to August 2022 and ultimately evolved into a complete Knotfest experience.

Tickets purchased to the original SLIPKNOT show will be valid for Knotfest on Saturday without any additional upgrades or changes. The original tickets can also be upgraded to a two-day Knotfest ticket, and the upgrade will be offered without any extra service fees until November 21. After that an upgrade service fee of 15€ per order will be charged. Tickets purchased for the original concert can also be returned until November 21.

The Knotfest brand has expanded around the globe, with landmark events held in the U.S., Japan, Mexico and Colombia, as well as 2019's debut collaboration with French destination festival Hellfest for Knotfest Meets Hellfest.

This past June, SLIPKNOT announced the 2021 incarnation of the "Knotfest Roadshow". Support on the trek will come from three Grammy-nominated heavy music luminaries, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FEVER 333 and CODE ORANGE. The 28-date run, produced by Live Nation, kicks off following the band's previously announced Knotfest Iowa hometown show in Des Moines on September 25. The "Knotfest Roadshow"'s first official date happens at Tinley Park, Illinois on September 28, with the tour then snaking its way across the U.S., wrapping up in Arizona in early November.

METALLICA played a "pop-up concert" at Metro in Chicago Monday night (September 20). The venue made the announcement at 1:30 p.m. and within an hour, the show was completely sold out. The tickets sold for just $19.83, a reference to the year 1983, which is when the band last appeared at Metro.

METALLICA, which played a "surprise" concert at The Independent in San Francisco last Thursday (September 16), announced the Chicago concert on social media, writing: "THAT was way too much fun last week as we finally played in front of real live fans for the first time in over two years in our hometown of San Francisco. So why not do it again. This time we're in Chicago and we'll be hitting the stage at the storied Metro on Clark Street tonight... our first time back there since 1983!!"

Metro didn't reveal how many tickets were sold, but the venue holds about 1,000 people.

METALLICA's setlist was as follows:

01. Whiplash

02. Ride The Lightning

03. Harvester Of Sorrow

04. Cyanide

05. Through The Never

06. One

07. Sad But True

08. Moth Into Flame

09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

10. For Whom The Bell Tolls

11. Whiskey In The Jar

12. Fade To Black

13. Master Of Puppets

Encore:

14. Hardwired

15. Fuel

16. Seek & Destroy

METALLICA will return to the festival stage on Friday, September 23 and Sunday, September 26, when they are scheduled to play a pair of unique sets in Louisville, Kentucky at Louder Than Life, the first of three U.S. festivals the band will perform at this fall in partnership with promoter Danny Wimmer Presents.

Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the forthcoming release of Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx's new album, Street Lethal, on November 5. Listen to the song "Reach Out" below, and pre-order/save Street Lethal on CD/LP/Digital here.


The LP version of Street Lethal is a 180g, yellow vinyl in gatefold sleeve that is exclusive to the label's webstores. Limited to 300 copies worldwide.


Chock full of huge choruses, memorable hooks and riffs, and wailing, emotive guitar solos, fans of the band will be thrilled and delighted by what is on offer with Street Lethal. Massive production comes courtesy of Danny Rexon, who, over the past couple of years, has really turned into a master craftsman in the studio. With Tobias Lindell (H.E.A.T, Europe, Hardcore Superstar etc.) handling the mix, this album is sure to resonate with old fans and new listeners alike.


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With Street Lethal, Crazy Lixx surpasses all expectations for new music from the band and surpasses their own revered and celebrated catalog. It’s an album that is confident, slick, and full of passion. Here, Crazy Lixx prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they’re not just one of the pack, but that they are right there at the front of it. No one does what they do quite as well...


Album after album, Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx have continuously carved in stone their reputation as true leaders of the Scandinavian led ‘80s hard rock revival. With views in the millions for popular videos like “Wild Child” and “Hunter of the Heart” on YouTube, outstanding streaming numbers for tracks like “Blame It On Love”, "Hell Raising Women”, and “XIII”, and "Wild Child" being featured in the Nicolas Cage horror movie “Willy’s Wonderland,” Crazy Lixx are steadily continuing on their march for world domination.





Tracklisting:
 
"Enter The Dojo"
"Rise Above"
"Anthem For America"
"The Power"
"Reach Out"
"Final Fury

Exile On Mainstream Records presents Haunted, the second album from German doom / sludge metal quartet Confusion Master. Confirming the album for release on November 19th, the label has posted its cover art, tracklisting, a brief teaser, and other details.


Uniting four musicians drawn together from across varied punk and metal circuits, unified through their shared love for sound, misanthropy, DIY values, and vintage gear, the members of Confusion Master have earned merits in underground stalwart outfits such as Cyness, Wojczech, Bad Luck Rides On Wheels, and Aequatorkaelte.


Confusion Master’s debut album, Awaken, was released through Exile On Mainstream in 2018, and having earned raving feedback from the international doom and stoner rock crowd, the group proved itself as a veritable touring machine. They provided support for Like Rats, Dopethrone, Crowskin, Bongzilla, Beehoover, and labelmates Black Shape Of Nexus, while conquering the 2019 edition of the mighty Roadburn Festival, all in one strike. Now it’s time for the next chapter.


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After excessive touring on their debut album, Confusion Master again exchanged daylight for practice room jams and crafted four new tracks rooted in thundering groove, odd percussion breaks, and psychedelic swing. The Baltic Sea-based quartet once again delivers a crushing blow with 41 minutes of raging intensity for your turntable, reminding you that the dead cannot die while they are still hungry. Recorded during the comprehensive Winter desolation of 2020, Haunted was captured by Lutz Baumann at various live sessions in multiple rooms and practice studios, after which it was mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Sunn O))), Pelican). Clearly not to be mistaken for a love and peace affair but channeling hardcore anger in its purity, the result is a bonafide gain in horror cosmic doom with a strong Lovecraftian existential swirl, as reflected in the stunning cover illustration by Antonio Ilievsky / Pig Hands.


Watch a brief tease

Sweden's Seventh Crystal released their debut album, Delirium, via Frontiers Music Srl. In the new video below, the band perform the song "Time To Let It Go" live at Nordic Sound Lab in Skara, Sweden.





Order the Delirium album here.


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Tracklisting:


"Say What You Need To Say"
"When We Were Young"
"Broken Mirror"
"Delirium"
"When I'm Gone"
"Should've Known Better"
"So Beautiful"
"Time To Let It Go"
"Déjà Vu"
"Bright And Clear"
"Hope It Will Be Alright"


"Time To Let It Go" video:





"Broken Mirror" video:

Edge Of Paradise have released a lyric video for "Tidal Wave", featured on their new studio album, The Unknown. Order / save The Unknown here, and watch the clip below.


The Unknown is Edge Of Paradise's fourth studio album, coming on the heels of their Frontiers Music Srl debut, Universe. The band teamed up with renowned producer Howard Benson (Halestorm, My Chemical Romance, Seether) who, together with Mike Plotnikoff (Halestorm, Three Days Grace), and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) helped the band craft their biggest sounding album yet. Add in mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen (Amaranthe, Volbeat, Pretty Maids) and you have a fool-proof recipe for a sonically stunning album. The Unknown builds upon where Universe left off, developing Edge Of Paradise's overall symphonic and metallic sound while bringing it to the next level. Gigantic hooks paired with monolithic guitar riffs in a spacious sea of symphonic sounds will immediately grab listeners and whisk them away on the band's sonic, and lyrical, journey.


Edge Of Paradise's founding members, singer Margarita Monet and guitarist Dave Bates, have found their perfect partners in crime with the addition of drummer Jamie Moreno and bassist Ricky Bonazza. The band, tighter than ever, is ready to blow everyone away once they are back on the road with this stunning new music in tow. Current plans are for the band to tour extensively through 2022 in support of The Unknown as well, with touring announcements coming up soon.


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Tracklisting:


"Digital Paradise"
"My Method Your Madness"
"Tidal Wave"
"The Unknown"
"Believe"
"False Idols"
"You Touch You Die"
"One Last Time"
"Leaving Earth"
"Bound To The Rhythm"
"My Method Your Madness" (Industrial Remix) Bonus Track


"Tidal Wave" lyric video:





"False Idols" video:

UNDEROATH has shared "Pneumonia", the third single off its upcoming seventh full-length album, "Voyeurist", set for release on January 14, 2022 via Fearless Records. "Pneumonia" is a sonic and lyrical voyage through death, partly inspired by the passing of guitarist Tim McTague's father. Clocking in at just over seven minutes, the track shows UNDEROATH continuing to push their boundaries as a band, serving as one of the most melodic and experimental songs in their career. As the track progresses, the listener is met with eerie guitars, pulsating drums, and an earth-shaking switch from Aaron Gillespie's lush vocals to Spencer Chamberlain's intense screams.

On the writing process, McTague elaborates: "We started writing the song, randomly, on the anniversary of my dad's death, and to release it exactly a year from that day is wild. I was in a funk and wanted to make something sad but felt drained. The song ended up becoming an audible journey of death and is called 'Pneumonia' because that is what was listed on my dad's death certificate. It's also the only song in the history of the band that Spencer and Aaron sat someone down and asked them (me) to help write some of the lyrics, which was truly an honor."

"Voyeurist" marks the first time in UNDEROATH's storied career that they took the recording process completely into their own hands. Doing so led to plenty of difficult conversations, but it also provided the ideal situation for artistic innovation. McTague states: "I've always wanted to record our own album. I think we just needed to get into a headspace personally that would allow criticism and critique to land in a productive and constructive way." The result is the most collaborative album of UNDEROATH's career and, anchored in a profound respect for each other, one that left no stone unturned creatively. McTague adds again: "We grew so much in real time and I think the record speaks to that growth and collaboration. I haven't ever felt this attached to a project in my life."

UNDEROATH refers to "Voyeurist" as "high-def violence" — technologically advanced but undeniably visceral. Conceptually, "Voyeurist" has several interrelated meanings, each tying back to the concepts of how we curate ourselves through social media and how that facade masks a lot of what we actually experience in life. The album is a cohesive listening experience with enough layers to provide fans with a fresh take and new favorite track on every spin.

"Voyeurist" is available for pre-order now, including a deluxe animated vinyl that features a plastic o-card sleeve that activates playback of the jacket's interlaced video imagery.

"Voyeurist" track listing:

01. Damn Excuses

02. Hallelujah

03. I'm Pretty Sure I'm Out of Luck and Have No Friends

04. Cycle ft. Ghostemane

05. Thorn

06. (No Oasis)

07. Take A Breath

08. We're All Gonna Die

09. Numb

10. Pneumonia

This far into their storied career, UNDEROATH has unsurprisingly faced their fair share of adversity. Through the trials and tribulations, a commitment to their craft and a sense of accountability rooted in mutual respect for each other has ensured that each new chapter for the band continues to mold their legacy in a positive fashion. With their shared history of remarkable accolades and trying hardships continuing to shape who the individual members are as people, UNDEROATH is still just scratching the surface of what they can accomplish as a band. There are few acts in the annals of rock history that can say their best work is still ahead of them almost two decades into their career. Fortunately, UNDEROATH falls into that category.

THE ROLLING STONES played their first show without longtime drummer Charlie Watts Monday night (September 20) at a private party hosted by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Watts died last month at a London hospital, and singer Mick Jagger got emotional talking about his late bandmate while performing for an invite-only crowd of about 300 people. He told the audience: "This is the first show of our 2021 tour, so this is it, this is the tryout. I must say, though, at this point it's a bit of a poignant night for us because it's our first tour in 59 years that we've done without our lovely Charlie Watts.

"We all miss Charlie so much. We miss him as a band, we miss him as friends, on and off the stage," he continued. "We've got so many memories of Charlie, and I'm sure some of you that have seen us before have got memories of Charlie as well. And I hope you will remember him like we do. So we'd like to dedicate this show to Charlie. Let's have a drink to Charlie."

"Mick Jagger had visible tears and his voice broke when he dedicated the private concert and the entire upcoming STONES tour to the memory of their late drummer Charlie Watts," one attendee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the New York Post.

"Guitarist Keith Richards came over and embraced Mick as they shared the poignant moment," the source added.

THE ROLLING STONES played a 15-song set that opened with "Let's Spend The Night Together" and also included "Tumbling Dice", "Under My Thumb", "Gimme Shelter", "Start Me Up", "Miss You", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" before closing with "Street Fighting Man" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".

THE ROLLING STONES will kick off their U.S. tour in St. Louis on September 26. Stepping in for Watts on the trek will be his "great friend" Steve Jordan. Jordan previously played with Richards.

Watts's publicist said that he "passed away peacefully in a London hospital [on August 24] surrounded by his family."

Charlie's death came just weeks after THE ROLLING STONES announced that Watts would be missing several U.S. tour dates while he was recovering from an unspecified medical procedure.

Although Watts wasn't a founding member of THE STONES, he had been with the band since January 1963.

He battled throat cancer in 2004 but got the all clear after undergoing two operations.




pic.twitter.com/VfcR1dEpC4

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 21, 2021

Norwegian collective Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna) & Dei Farne recently announced their new album Hildring (meaning mirage) arriving on November 26 via By Norse. Hildring is Lindy-Fay’s second album, following the release of Seafarer in 2019 which was released in her own name. Dei Farne are musicians; Roy Ole Førland, Ingolf Hella Torgersen and new addition Sondre Veland, and with them, Lindy-Fay has found kindred spirits. A video for the title track is streaming below.


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.


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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. W

On October 22, ARMORED SAINT will release a new CD/DVD, "Symbol Of Salvation Live", via Metal Blade Records, to celebrate the seminal album's 30th anniversary.

For another preview of "Symbol Of Salvation Live", a video for the track "The Truth Always Hurts" can be seen below.

There are many ways to celebrate the anniversary of an important release in a band's career, and for "Symbol Of Salvation"'s 30th birthday — an album vocalist John Bush refers to as ARMORED SAINT's "cornerstone record" — comes "Symbol Of Salvation Live". A combination live album and video of the band playing the album in its entirety at New York's famed Gramercy Theatre during their 2018 tour, it captures the power, diversity and peerless songwriting contained within it.

"I felt like showing 'Symbol' in another light was a great homage to the record itself," states bassist Joey Vera. "Also, having all the fans be there and part of that event is a way for us to say 'Thank you!' For, without them, we can't do any of this in the first place."

There is no denying that "Symbol Of Salvation" stands out of the band's catalog as something truly special, something that the band recognize as readily as their rabid fanbase. "It links our past to our future," says Bush. "I believe it was the time that we honestly thought we could do whatever we wanted to musically and it would somehow work. There's a magical feeling about it and it continues to gain mystique every year." However, the band went through some adverse times while initially writing the songs that would make up the record, being without a label for three years prior to signing with Metal Blade, and in 1990 — before they headed into the studio — losing founding guitarist Dave Prichard to leukemia. This ultimately served to light a fire under the band, pushing them to deliver their very best. "Because we had lifted ourselves out of these ashes, as it were, we felt a very strong desire to make every little thing count," elaborates Vera. "It felt more important than anything we had ever done before. For one thing, we didn't want Dave's writing contributions to be in vain. Also, we were on a mission to let the world hear what we'd been working on for three years. Funny thing is, that during the separation of the metal genre between glam and thrash from '85 to '89, we kinda felt like we had to prove something to everyone else. But while making 'Symbol', we also had something to prove, except this time, we had to prove it to ourselves."

The decision to play the album in its entirety on dates in the U.S. and Europe in 2018 was in fact quite pragmatic, the band between records and wanting to play more shows, and with the anniversary of "Symbol Of Salvation" on the horizon, Vera believed it would be a "fun challenge" to play it in a live setting. "We thought since the fans seem to agree that this record is a favorite, it would be well received," he says. "And as usual, it takes time and planning for a release down the road, so we jumped on that idea and did a bunch of dates before we began writing for our next record. It was really great seeing the reaction from the crowds when we'd play the really deep cuts. Not only the songs we very rarely played, but also the couple of songs that we had never played before. Some of these tunes took on a whole new life and it was very motivating for me, to see these songs in a different light. I would say that experience was an inspiration when I began writing for 'Punching The Sky' (2020)." The show itself was captured by a six-camera crew, Bush saying the band were "pumped up", knowing that they were filming, and, as always, the quintet delivered their very best from the moment they stepped on stage. They also have fond memories of the show, which remains their biggest headline show in New York to date. "The vibe in the room was so great," says Vera. "The fans made us feel so welcome, like we had come home for a celebration of sorts, and we all celebrated 'Symbol Of Salvation'. It gave me chills hearing people sing along to songs like 'Burning Question', a song we never had played live before."

As an extra bonus, the vinyl and digital versions of the record contain five demo tracks from the "Symbol Of Salvation" writing sessions with Dave Prichard, which have never been released on that format. "They're songs that didn't make the record, however, there still is a vibe to those tunes, plus Dave's playing is on them, so that makes them special," says Bush. These tracks make for welcome additions, helping to further celebrate the record, and the band are just happy and respectful of the fact they have reached this anniversary. "If you would have told me thirty years ago that we'd be talking about this today, I would have told you that you were crazy," Vera says. "All we've ever wanted was to make our own music, to take joy and take pride in doing it. The fact that we also have very loyal fans who continue to support what we do is the best icing on this cake. I try to look at our records as objectively as possible, and when I can do that, I'm very proud that this record is a huge part of the band's legacy, and I am extremely humbled that I'm a part of that."

"Symbol of Salvation Live" CD/DVD track listing:

01. Reign of Fire (live)

02. Dropping Like Flies (live)

03. Last Train Home (live)

04. Tribal Dance (live)

05. The Truth Always Hurts (live)

06. Half Drawn Bridge (live)

07. Another Day (live)

08. Symbol of Salvation (live)

09. Hanging Judge (live)

10. Warzone (live)

11. Burning Question (Live)

12. Tainted Past (live)

13. Spineless (live)

Additional bonus tracks on the digital/vinyl versions:

14. Nothing Between The Ears (1989 4-track demo)

15. Get Lost (1989 4-track demo)

16. Medieval Nightmares (1989 4-track demo)

17. People (1989 4-track demo)

18. Pirates (1989 4-track demo)

19. Symbol Of Salvation (live) (radio edit) **available digitally only!

This December, ARMORED SAINT will join BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and PRONG for a short run of shows in the USA.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

THE LUCID, the four-piece hard rock band featuring bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (SPONGE), guitarist Drew Fortier and drummer Mike Heller (RAVEN, FEAR FACTORY), will release its self-titled debut album on October 15 via SpoilerHead Records . The LP features nine heavy-hitting and emotionally charged tracks showcasing this eclectic quartet's unique sonic approach.

THE LUCID has just released "Damned", the second single from the upcoming album, which was produced by Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert. Check it out below.

"The Lucid" track listing:

01. Maggot Wind

02. Deaths Of Despair

03. Spoiler Head

04. Hair

05. Maskronaut

06. Damned

07. Breech Boy

08. Pigs And Sons

09. Parade Of Spit

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

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

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

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

Ellefson and Fortier have also announced the pre-order for their award-winning found-footage horror film "Dwellers", which will be released October 12 on Blu-ray and digital streaming services and is available now in various limited edition pre-order bundles at www.dwellersfilm.com.

Ellefson and Fortier will promote the film at the following events:

* Crypticon, Minneapolis, MN - Sept. 10-12

* Dead Conventions, Fort Wayne, IN – Oct. 15-17

* Chiller Theater, Parsippany, NJ – Oct. 29-31

Ellefson was dismissed from MEGADETH in late May, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving him were posted on Twitter. A short time later, he 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.

Ellefson laid down his bass tracks on MEGADETH's sixteenth LP in May 2020 at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

In July, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine announced during an episode of his Gimme Radio program "The Dave Mustaine Show" that Ellefson's bass tracks would not be used on the new MEGADETH LP.

On May 24, Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — announced the bassist's departure from the band.

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

Photo credit: Tharasa DiMeo

"Nothing To Lose - A Stephen Pearcy Rockumentary" is available now on ASY TV on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick or at ASYTV.com. Follow RATT singer Stephen Pearcy's story from his childhood home in San Diego to the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, eventually finding platinum success and playing to sold-out arenas around the world.

Check out three separate "sneak peek" clips from "Nothing To Lose - A Stephen Pearcy Rockumentary" — totaling just under 45 minutes — below.

This past June, Pearcy spoke to Vintage Rock Pod about his upcoming follow-up to 2018's "View To A Thrill" solo album. He said: "So much time has passed since we started writing, Erik [Ferentinos] and I — my guitar player and co-writer guy [for] most of my solo [stuff]. It was so long ago. And the record was done; we had the songs written, like, six months ago. And that was a year process. Since then, I've been writing like a fool and writing with him, and all these new songs [came out]. So I figure let's do a double record and give it all you've got — just go in there and lay it down and say, 'Here. This is what happens in two years when you write tunes.' 'Cause they're way different. It goes all over the place, this record. Our new bass player, Jerry Montano, he did time in HELLYEAH; he's more of an aggressive writer/player. So these songs could be real heavy, heavy or they could be RATT sounding, obviously, if I write 'em. I'm trying to take 'em outside. I'm trying to do a lot of different things. And it's gonna be interesting, because it's gonna go all over the place, so good luck."

According to Pearcy, fans shouldn't expect to see his new solo LP until sometime in 2022. "It's been put off," he explained. "We're gonna try to get through this year. I've got some things to take care of with what the band RATT's gonna do… And once I get in the studio, I don't mess around. That's one thing I learned from [producer] Beau Hill, is you make shit happen. Don't waste time. And we don't. I crack a whip."

Five months ago, the 65-year-old founding RATT vocalist, who has been focusing mostly on his solo career while the band has been off the road, dropped the official music video for a previously unreleased solo song called "Don't Wanna Talk About It". The track was written "circa 2000s" entirely by Pearcy and features Stephen on vocals and guitar, Ferentinos on lead guitar, Mike Duda on bass and Greg D'Angelo on drums.

"Don't Wanna Talk About It" arrived two months after the release of Pearcy's cover version of DURAN DURAN's 1981 hit "Girls On Film". Prior to that, Pearcy issued another new solo single, "Night Flight", a collaboration between Pearcy and Ferentinos, which is expected to appear on Stephen's upcoming LP.

Pearcy's fifth solo LP, "View To A Thrill", came out in November 2018 via Frontiers Music Srl. The follow-up to 2017's "Smash" was produced by Matt Thorne and Pearcy and was mixed and mastered by Thorne and Ferentinos.

Pearcy and bassist Juan Croucier are the sole remaining original members in RATT's current lineup, which made its live debut in July 2018 in Mulvane, Kansas. Joining them in the band are drummer Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE, RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER) and guitarists Jordan Ziff (RAZER) and Frankie Lindia.

In January, Pearcy told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he was open to the idea of making a new RATT album with all the surviving members of the band's classic lineup.

RATT hasn't released any new music since 2010's "Infestation" LP.






























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According to Billboard, Funko and the Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX) have partnered to release a collection of Digital Pop! NFTs of IRON MAIDEN's mascot, Eddie.

The first musical artist who is receiving the company's Digital Pop! treatment, MAIDEN's mascot will be available in 44 different versions as digital "Pops!" beginning September 30.

"We are huge IRON MAIDEN fans here at Funko and couldn't be more excited to have our inaugural music Digital Pop! NFT be music icon Eddie," Funko CEO Brian Mariotti said. "IRON MAIDEN and Funko fans alike appreciate creative genius in music and pop culture. Now, they can celebrate both in digital form."

The Eddie NFTs will be available in packs containing five digital "Pops!" and 15 digital "Pops!", with prices starting at $9.99. A total of 24,000 packs will be available, and a maximum limit of $30 is allowed per transaction. A Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX) wallet will be required to purchase the NFTs.

Last month, Funko launched its initial collectible NFT offerings using WAX's powerful blockchain platform, which ensures verifiable authenticity for all NFT purchases. WAX's unique vIRLTM technology enables Funko's physical collectibles to be owned and traded as digital items with added value.

At a starting price point of $9.99, pop culture fans are able to purchase packs of NFTs featuring Funko's unique stylizations. Collectors who score ultra-rare Funko NFTs are also able to redeem those NFTs for exclusive, corresponding physical Funko figures. Collectors can look forward to a new unique Funko property to be released on the WAX platform each week.

When his company's partnership with Funko was first announced in April, William E. Quigley, co-founder of WAX, said in a statement: "We are excited that Funko plans to utilize the WAX blockchain and WAX vIRLsTM with NFTs that are directly linked to physical products. WAX offers the safest and most convenient way for Funko to enter the NFT market and for collectors to expand their assortments with digital assets."

Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Funko is a leading pop culture consumer products company. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, toys, plush, apparel, board games, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters.

Frontiers Music Srl will release French melodic metal band Devoid's second album, Lonely Eye Movement, on October 15. Listen to the song "Martial Hearts" below, and pre-order/save the Lonely Eye Movement album here.


Devoid's second album overall, Lonely Eye Movement is a huge step forward for the band and the perfect vehicle to introduce them to a larger international audience. Coming four years after their debut album, Cup Of Tears, musically, the band develops the melodic and slightly progressive sound of the debut and makes Lonely Eye Movement perfectly suited for fans of hard hitting, but very melodic metal.


Devoid is the brainchild of French guitarist extraordinaire Shad Mae. Combining technical finesse and outstanding arrangements with extremely memorable choruses and hooks, Devoid is rounded out by powerhouse German vocalist Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz (Evidence One, Book of Reflections), guitarist Gwen Kerjan, keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud, bassist Geoffrey Shob Neau, and drummer Benjamin Lesous.  


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Tracklisting:


"Lonely Eye Movement"
"Man Without Fear"
"Impostor"
"Destination Heaven"
"Waiting For The Storm"
"In The Absence Of Holiness"
"Mirror Maze"
"Hands Of Salvation"
"Stroboscope Life"
"Martial Hearts"
"Wood And Wind"


"Martial Hearts":





"Hands Of Salvation" lyric video:

Danish/American rock and rollers VOLBEAT will release their eighth studio album, "Servant Of The Mind", on December 3 via Republic Records. The effort will be available in standard CD, deluxe 2LP vinyl (in various limited-edition variants) and a deluxe digital edition.

For "Servant Of The Mind", the band, which consists of Michael Poulsen (guitars/vocals), Jon Larsen (drums), Rob Caggiano (guitars) and Kaspar Boye Larsen (bass) took their signature heavy metal, psychobilly and punk 'n' roll sound up a notch while showcasing Poulsen's keen ability for songwriting and storytelling.

"I wrote the whole album in three months," recalls Poulsen, "I was in a good place and mood while at home, and had a captive audience of myself… There are a lot of VOLBEAT signatures in it. If you go back to the first record and compare it to where we are now, you can hear how the band has developed its style, while keeping the signature sound."

To coincide with the album announcement, the band has released the new single "Shotgun Blues", an anthemic track in which Poulsen explores the ghostly events he recently experienced upon moving into a new home.

"Every time you move into a house, you bring dead people with you," he explains. "Weird stuff happens when I move into a [new] house… it's very otherworldly." Watch the lyric video below.

The album also includes the "double barrel" of summer songs the band released this past June: "Wait A Minute My Girl" and "Dagen Før" (featuring Stine Bramsen), the former of which became the band's ninth number one single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Other songs on the album weave intricate and fascinating tales. "The Sacred Stones" tells the story of "an earthly being who has committed himself to the dark side. He is on a mission, speaking to darker forces and fallen angels." Meanwhile, "The Devil Rages On" looks at the idea of the devil taking human form. Album opener "Temple Of Ekur" returns to the ancient themes explored in past songs such as "The Gates Of Babylon", while the epic album closer "Lasse's Birgita" explores the story of the first witch burnings to occur in Sweden in 1471.

"Servant Of The Mind" standard edition track listing:

01. Temple Of Ekur

02. Wait A Minute My Girl

03. The Sacred Stones

04. Shotgun Blues

05. The Devil Rages On

06. Say No More

07. Heaven's Descent

08. Dagen Før (feat. Stine Bramsen)

09. The Passenger

10. Step Into Light

11. Becoming

12. Mindlock

13. Lasse's Birgitta

Deluxe 2 CD/2 LP and digital deluxe bonus tracks:

14. Return To None (WOLFBRIGADE cover)

15. Domino (THE CRAMPS/ROY ORBISON cover)

16. Shotgun Blues (feat. Dave Matrise from JUNGLE ROT)

17. Dagen Før (Michael Vox Version)

Vinyl variants (North America)

* Standard 180g black vinyl 2LP

* Translucent Rust 2 LP – Volbeat.dk exclusive, limited to 550

* Transparent Yellow 2 LP – Revolver magazine exclusive, limited to 400

* Mystery Color LP2 – indie retail exclusive, limited to 100

Vinyl variants (Europe)

* Standard 180g black vinyl 2 LP

* Crystal Clear 2 LP, volbeat.dk exclusive, limited to 2,000

* Glow In The Dark 2 LP, EMP exclusive, limited to 2,000

* Orange and Blue 2 LP, UMG exclusive, limited to 3,100

* Danish Red and White 2 LP – only available in Denmark, limited to 2,000

VOLBEAT is two decades deep into a career that has found them sharing stages with genre legends like BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD, SLIPKNOT, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX and more. They have racked up nearly three billion cumulative streams over the course of their career, notched a "Best Metal Performance" Grammy nomination for "Room 24" (featuring King Diamond) from 2014's acclaimed (and gold-selling) "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies", and have grabbed multiple Danish Music Awards. Not ones to rest on their laurels, their forthcoming album "Servant Of The Mind", which was written and recorded during the shutdown and quarantine necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is introspective but pulls no punches and is no less raucous or driving than their previous efforts.

Tomorrow, the band kicks off their "Wait A Minute… Let's Tour" run, their first U.S. tour in two years, at Atlanta's The Tabernacle with shows in cities including Oklahoma City, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Special guests THE HU, TWIN TEMPLE and MUNICIPAL WASTE will be joining them for select dates. Earlier this week, the band also announced their 2022 co-headlining arena tour with GHOST and special guests TWIN TEMPLE, coming to cities including Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix.

Since forming in 2001, VOLBEAT has gone from the clubs of Copenhagen to headlining stages around the world, including the famed Telia Parken stadium in Denmark (becoming the only domestic artist to ever sell out the venue). Over the course of seven record-breaking albums the band has picked up number one songs (including nine No. 1s on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart and counting, the most of any band based outside of North America), multi-platinum certifications, awards and accolades all over the planet. Their latest album, "Rewind, Replay, Rebound", was released in August 2019 and has spawned the hit singles "Last Day Under The Sun", "Die To Live" (featuring Neil Fallon) and "Leviathan". A live album featuring songs recorded during the subsequent world tour, "Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland", was released digitally in November 2020. Most recently, they contributed a cover of "Don't Tread On Me" to "The Metallica Blacklist", with all proceeds from the track benefiting METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation and the Børne Cancer Fonden of Denmark.

American-Canadian alternative metal outfit, Set The Sun, have released the first single from their upcoming debut EP. The duo, known as Arc & Eris, wrote and recorded the record during last year's lockdown, which inspired them to delve into themes of isolation, division, and unspoken conflict on their first studio offering. The first taste of the new record comes via the new single "Invisible", which boasts guest vocals from Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, as well as Thomas Freckleton from Silent Planet playing bass on the track.


Listeners can expect to see plenty of familiar guest artists on upcoming music from Set The Sun, as the group will often collaborate with a group of fellow musicians that they refer to as The Collective.





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Speaking about his involvement with the single "Invisible", Ryan Clark states: "I believe collaboration at its best stems from mutual appreciation. When I first spoke with - and listened to - Set The Sun in the summer of 2020, it was clear that our collective interests and influence

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has called the recent passing of Joey Jordison "a damn tragedy."

The founding SLIPKNOT drummer's family confirmed that Jordinson died "peacefully in his sleep" on July 26 of an unspecified cause. He was 46 years old.

Taylor addressed Jordison's death publicly for the first time during an appearance this past Tuesday (September 21) on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". Asked how he has dealt with the loss of his longtime bandmate, Corey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's been tough, man. Our first concern was obviously his family, so we reached out immediately to make sure that they were okay, to let them know if they needed anything from us, they could absolutely ask.

"It's a damn tragedy," Taylor continued. "He was way too young, and he was way too talented to lose him like this.

"I know a lot of people wonder about the circumstances that led to him not being in the band anymore, and it's, like, we're not gonna talk about that, because I'd rather talk about his legacy, which is that he helped create this band that we all have fought to keep out there and keep going.

"Just the fact that he's not here now, it's still — I still can't believe it," Corey added.

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

Several years ago, Jordison overcame the neurological condition acute transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord which damages nerve fibers, which ultimately led to the drummer temporarily losing the use of his legs.

Jordison and the members of SLIPKNOT had been silent and evasive about the reasons for his dismissal from the band, but Joey finally spoke about it in 2016 while accepting an award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London, England.

At the time, Joey claimed that he was fired from SLIPKNOT without a band meeting or "anything from management." He said: "All I got was a stupid fucking e-mail saying I was out of the band that I busted my ass my whole life to fucking create. That's exactly what happened and it was hurtful. I didn't deserve that shit after what I'd done and everything I'd been through.

"They got confused about my health issues and obviously even I didn't know what it was at first," he continued. "They thought I was fucked up on drugs, which I wasn't at all.

"I've been through so many things with those guys and I love them very much. What's hurtful is the way it went down was not fucking right. That's all I want to say. The way they did it was fucking cowardly. It was fucked up."

Back in 2014, Taylor told Metal Hammer that firing Jordison after 18 years was "one of the hardest decisions" the group ever made, adding that Joey is "in a place in his life" which is "not where we are."

Taylor said he could not get into specifics for legal reasons, but admitted, "It's when a relationship hits that T-section and one person's going one way and you're going the other. And try as you might to either get them to go your way or try and go their way, at some point you've got to go in the direction that works for you. This is me speaking in the broadest terms, with respect to Joey. I guess to sum it up, it was one of the hardest decisions we ever made."

Taylor said that the band is "happy right now and we hope that he is . . . he's just in a place in his life, right now, that's not where we are."

The singer would not answer whether drug use played a role in Jordison's dismissal, and confessed that he had not been in touch with his former bandmate. Taylor said, "I haven't talked to Joey in a while, to be honest. That's how different we are. It's not because I don't love him and I don't miss him. And it is painful; we talk about him all the time, but at the same time, do we miss him or do we miss the old him? That's what it really comes down to."

Three years ago, Joey revealed that he was working on his first-ever book.

In 2018, Jordison completed a European tour with the international death metal supergroup SINSAENUM.

Two months ago, Joey's SINSAENUM bandmate Frédéric Leclercq blasted TMZ for sharing the audio of the 911 call placed by the former SLIPKNOT drummer's ex-girlfriend after she found him dead. On July 29, the tabloid site posted the two-and-a-half-minute phone call in which the ex-girlfriend — who continued taking care of Joey's bills and maintaining his house in Iowa even after their split — could be heard getting very emotional when she went to his home to check on him after he hadn't returned her messages. During the call, she indicated that Joey was "a really bad alcoholic" with "health issues," and she revealed that the motion sensors on the house hadn't detected any activity in days.

The same year that he exited SLIPKNOT, Jordison launched the band SCAR THE MARTYR and later, VIMIC

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have postponed the remainder of their U.S. tour due to "major medical heart condition issues" suffered by guitarist Richie Faulkner.

Produced by Live Nation, the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" trek kicked off on September 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania and was slated to run through October before concluding on November 5 in Hamilton, Ontario.

PRIEST's most recent show took place Sunday night (September 26) at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky. The band's next date was originally set for Wednesday (September 29) at the Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado.

Earlier today (Monday, September 27), PRIEST released the following statement via longtime publicists Chipster PR: "it is with deep regret that we have to postpone the rest of our U.S. tour. Richie Faulkner has major medical heart condition issues which have landed him in the hospital where he is being treated. In the meantime, we are all sending love to our Falcon to wish him a speedy recovery…

"As soon as we have any updates from his doctors on when we can reschedule the dates, we will of course announce them — tickets will be valid..."

Faulkner joined PRIEST in 2011 as the replacement for original guitarist K.K. Downing.

Richie was once the guitarist in the backing group for Lauren Harris, daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.

During a 2019 online video chat, Faulkner was asked what his "biggest insecurity" was when joining PRIEST 10 years ago. He replied: "I think it was the fact that it's a global audience and it's a band that means so much to millions of people around the world, and you're, all of a sudden, thrust into the public eye with that band. And, of course, that brings some insecurity. But you've just gotta get on and do it and do your best, and that's what I did, and that's what you've gotta do."

In a 2016 interview with 103GBF, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford stated about Faulkner: "We can't say enough about Richie. I mean, you know, it's hard to condense it, but if you [see PRIEST in concert] and just look at Richie's charisma and energy and all of the great stuff that's coming out of his hands, it's wonderful; it really is. And, yeah, I mean, he's infectious; the fans will tell you that. Once the show kicks off, he's at the edge of the stage connecting, and that's a really cool thing to be having happen with PRIEST."

Faulkner and his girlfriend Mariah Lynch, daughter of former DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in July 2020.

PRIEST's longtime guitarist Glenn Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's seven years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". He was replaced by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT. Tipton occasionally joins PRIEST onstage for its encores, performing "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".




A MESSAGE FROM @judaspriest IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT WE HAVE TO POSTPONE THE REST OF OUR US TOUR. RICHIE FAULKNER HAS MAJOR MEDICAL HEART CONDITION ISSUES WHICH HAVE LANDED HIM IN THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE IS BEING TREATED. VISIT https://t.co/xfeYhoEpUZ FOR FULL STATEMENT

— Chipster PR & Consulting, Inc. (@chipsterpr) September 27, 2021

\

Sammy Hagar played a rooftop concert on Wednesday (September 22) above the Strip at Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show started at 6:30 p.m. and ran about 30 minutes. 200 invited guests and contest winners were in attendance on the Beer Park deck. The show also played to the pedestrian traffic across the Strip.

Fan-filmed video footage of the show can be seen below.

When the event was first announced, Hagar said in a statement: "I'm so looking forward to doing this crazy thing, which I've never done before. It's inspired by THE BEATLES, who were one of the first ones to do it."

For the Beer Park show, Hagar was joined by his THE CIRCLE bandmates, ex-VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Vic Johnson and drummer Jason Bonham (son of the late LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham).

As previousy reported, Hagar will take part in a Las Vegas residency at The STRAT later this fall. "Sammy Hagar And Friends" will see Sammy performing with a rotating circle of other musicians.

"I've been searching the Las Vegas Strip trying to find the right room, ambience and partners to create a very special Cabo Wabo birthday bash type environment for my band members and musician friends to create the ultimate party residency," Hagar said in a press release.

The STRAT Theater has a capacity of about 800 people. The theater will be designed to capture the beach vibe Hagar's synonymous with, including elements of his famed Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, home to his epic annual birthday bash.

Shows are scheduled on October 29 and October 30, November 5, November 6, November 12 and November 13, all at 9 p.m.

Fans will take in the experience of a lifetime seeing the legendary artist performing some of his greatest hits, which include some of the most iconic rock anthems ever written, like "I Can't Drive 55", "There's Only One Way To Rock", "Right Now", "Heavy Metal", "Mas Tequila", "Why Can't This Be Love" and many more in an intimate venue. "Sammy & Friends" will celebrate Hagar's career, spanning four decades, from his solo career, MONTROSE, VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT, THE CIRCLE, and surprise additions to the setlist depending on which of his musician friends take the stage with him. Produced by industry leader SPI Entertainment and Hagar's manager, Tom Consolo, of TC Management, the show will transport the audience to Baja, where you never know who will join Hagar on stage.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hagar has invited such guest stars as Toby Keith, Rick Springfield, Kenny Chesney, Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS) to the party. As for the setlist, Hagar said: "THE CIRCLE has the best setlist in the world, and the WABOS play a lot more of my old, deeper tracks, and my old vintage catalog from the rocker area, from the '70s, '80s — it's a mosh-up. We'll start with six, seven VAN HALEN songs, a couple of MONTROSE tracks, a LED ZEPPELIN song, six CIRCLE songs. We'll mix it up pretty good."






Vegas Rocks!!! Sammy Hagar on the rooftop

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Sammy Hagar Live Las vegas

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Sammy Hagar

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Right now… Sammy Hagar

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Sammy Hagar free show! Have a rockin evening.

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Omg Sammy Hagar live

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Sammy Hagar LIVE Beer Park Las Vegas !!

Posted by Carole McCabe Joy on Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Swedish symphonic metal act Emetropia have released their new single “That Fateful Night” is on every major digital platform. The song is the starting point for the road to their debut album titled Equinox and gives listeners a hint of what lies ahead.


Their keyboardist and main song-writer Liam Strand believes that the new single best represents Emetropia. “It demonstrates the dynamic nature of the band. It has everything from intimate verses, where vocalist Lisa Wallenberg gets to shine together with our progressive drummer Oscar Heikkinen, to bombastic choir sections that pay homage to the pioneers of the genre.”


Lisa explains that “That Fateful Night” is the song where the album’s “tale within a tale” begins. She says that “listeners of our debut EP have already heard of the kings and their never-ending fight. Now we meet a young boy who is determined to help the kings make peace. With the confidence and naivety that comes with childhood, he sneaks ou

Finnish Seinäjoki-based doom metal band Funeral For Two released their second EP named II on September 23rd via Inverse Records.


The band comments: "The second coming of a Finnish doom/stoner band, Funeral For Two. Enjoy the low tuned, slow, heavy fuzz riffed melodies. Dead silence from the dark echoes. May the Fuzz be with you.


This EP was made under the dark shadow of a 'well known' pandemic.. With a little help from our fri

The rise of American black metal is a cult movement whose vast influence and growth cannot be ignored. Houston’s Necrofier carries this torch, embodying the hallmarks of melodic black metal while embracing their Texas roots. 


The band is emerging from the darkness of 2021, ready to fan the unholy flames and finally release their devastating debut full-length, Prophecies Of Eternal Darkness, out October 22 via Season Of Mist. Find preorders at the Season Of Mist webshop.


Necrofier features Oceans Of Slumber members Mat Aleman (bass) and Dobber Beverly (drums) along with Church Of Disgust’s Joshua Bokemeyer (guitar) and Graven Rite’s Christian Larson (vocals, guitar).


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Despite spending a big part of 2020-2021 locked inside, writing and recording new material, Stockholm-based Mass Worship did complete a highly successful tour in support of Polish death metal legends Vader.


Meanwhile, Mass Worship are primed and ready to unleash their second full-length assault. Due for release on February 4, 2022, Portal Tombs is a terrifying but electrifying exploration of the gloomy depths of human nature: a monolithic manifestation of the musical force that is Mass Worship.





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Drawing inspiration from bands such as At The Gates, Mastodon and Meshuggah, Mass Worship could be likened to many bands, but somehow forge their musical identity into something exceptionally distinctive and transcendent, and with enough confidence and conviction to win over even the most orthodox fans of the genre.


Enter the “Portal Tombs” and check out the first track and video below. The clip was dire

Mortiis will release the new book, Zombie Anal Sex Terror: Zine Anthology 1990-1992, in October via Cult Never Dies.

The fifth book in the Underground Archives series is the official reprint of both issues of Z.A.S.T. – standing for the delicate title of Zombie Anal Sex Terror - which was created by Mortiis between 1990 and 1992. Created at a time when the international underground metal scene was fast-expanding, and the medium of the metal fanzine was becoming increasingly important in spreading the word of the more extreme end of the genre, Z.A.S.T. boasted the chaotic hand-drawn / cut-and-paste aesthetic and irreverent editorial voice that epitomized the era.

Collecting both issues this book acts as a snapshot of that brief period when black metal was just beginning to emerge from Scandinavia and death metal still dominated the listening habits of most underground metal devotees. In these pages bands such as Carcass, Nocturnus, Mortician, Grave and Bolt Thrower sit comfortably alongside the likes of Beherit, Varathron, Necromantia, Samael and Abruptum – not to mention doomier bands like Disembowelment, Paradise Lost and Cathedral, and even grind legends Agathocles.

Also included are reviews and articles, unpublished images and a new interview with Mortiis himself, to give context to these early works.



Features: Grave, Blood, Samael, Carcass, Beherit, Masacre, Abruptum, Mortician, Cathedral, Varathron, Sarcófago, Unleashed, Carbonized, Agothocles, Phlegathon, Old Funeral, Nocturnus, Thyabhorrent, Bolt Thrower, Shub Niggurath, Cannibal Corpse, Disembowelment, Necromantia, Sadistik Exekution, Paradise Lost, Necrophiliac, Pungent Stench, Cemetary, Necrofist and many more.

Fan-filmed video footage of SOULFLY's entire September 23 concert at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, California can be seen below.

FEAR FACTORY's Dino Cazares is playing guitar for SOULFLY on the Max Cavalera-fronted band's current U.S. tour which kicked off on August 20 at Launchpad in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 33-date trek will conclude tonight (Saturday, September 25) in Tempe, Arizona. The final date will be a family celebration as it will include performances by INCITE, GO AHEAD AND DIE and HEALING MAGIC. Joining the band for select dates are NIVIANE and SUICIDE PUPPETS.

Max recently told Heavy New York about Dino's addition to SOULFLY's touring lineup: "I'm hugely inspired and excited and happy that Dino is doing this with us. Dino is an old friend. Our friendship goes back to the early days of SEPULTURA coming to America. I believe we met on the 'Beneath The Remains' tour. For sure by the 'Arise' tour we were friends. He tells the story better, but he had to wrestle me [over] the [FEAR FACTORY] demo tape that had 'Big God' on it. I loved it. I was listening to it on his Walkman. I didn't wanna give it back to him. And it was his only copy. And we had to wrestle. He finally got it out of me. But I ended up bugging [then-Roadrunner Records A&R executive] Monte Conner at that time and saying, 'You're a fool if you don't sign this band.' I think I even called them 'the future of metal' at that time. I was, like, 'This is the future of metal.' If you pass on it, you're a fool. And then Monte signed them, and the rest is history, as they say."

He continued: "That's why this link, this possibility, the situation that happened and we needed somebody to fill in, I couldn't think of a better person than Dino — musically and as a friend. 'Cause we're still very hurt, mostly from the stuff that [former SOULFLY guitarist Marc] Rizzo has been saying [in the press] — it hurts us a lot. And it's good to have a friend that you could talk about it. And then musically I think it's insane. To think of songs, especially the songs that have crunchy guitars, I close my eyes and I imagine Dino's sound on some of those songs, like 'Downstroy' and 'Babylon'… 'Cause there's a lot of chugging — SOULFLY always had chugging. But Dino is a whole another level of chugging. [Laughs]"

When his addition to SOULFLY's touring lineup was first announced, Cazares said in a statement: "The first time I met Max in 1991, I knew we were going to be longtime friends. I was standing at the bar, he grabbed my arm and yelled 'Papa Capado.' I was like 'who the [email protected]#% are you? He said 'I'm Max' and from there we just hit it off. That same night I played him the FEAR FACTORY demo tape on his cassette Walkman in his hotel room while we were attending a music convention in Los Angeles. He liked it so much that he wouldn't give it back, so I had to wrestle him and take it out of his Walkman, haha. It was my only copy. Max told Monte Conner, the A&R director from Roadrunner Records, that we had a new demo that he needed to check out, so our manager at the time sent our demo to Monte after many labels turned us down. The rest is history.

"Over the past 30 years, I've guested on a few of Max's projects and jumped on stage whenever and wherever I could. Now it's a great honor to be doing this tour alongside Max as the second guitarist. It's going to be amazing for all the fans to see the two of us playing a selection of SOULFLY songs and a few familiar extras.

"Much respect to Max and his family — thank you for always making me feel at home with the SOULFLY Tribe. Let's do this!!!! Um Dois Três Quatro".

Although Rizzo's departure from SOULFLY wasn't officially announced until August 7, it was widely speculated that he was out of the group two days earlier when it was revealed that Dino would play guitar for SOULFLY on the current tour.

Last month, Max told Metal Kaoz that Marc has been spewing out "lies and bullshit" in some of his recent interviews regarding his exit from SOULFLY. "All these accusations — it hurts," he said. "It hurts to hear. After everything that we did for him, which was a lot — we put him on all the records and always took really good care of him, always really, really gave good treatment to him. To hear him backstabbing us like that, it's just not nice. He's obviously trying to get fans to be against me and make him the victim… It just sucks to hear all that. It definitely hurts me when I hear all these accusations that I know are lies and bullshit; it's all fabricated by his crazy mind. I don't know. It's a strange situation."

He added: "I don't want to turn this into an ugly thing. I don't wanna talk bad about him; I really don't. Of course I don't like those accusations, and it's bullshit, but he has the right to say whatever. But I think we treated him really good through all those years. We put him on the map pretty much. When he joined the band, not many people knew him. Just a little bit of gratitude would have been nice. Because even on 'Max Trax' [Cavalera's a twice-weekly Internet video series in which he discusses the inspiration for many of the songs spanning his nearly 40-year music career], when I mentioned that I fired him, I thanked him for the 18 years of SOULFLY, and I said good luck on his projects. I'm not bitter. I don't wanna be a bitter guy."