The Dead Daisies have released the third in a series of weekly recap videos from their Like No Other US tour.


Says the band: "It's been a fun week and, here's some of the highlights from the road!"





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Watch previous Weekly Wrap videos below:








The Dead Daisies are continuing to put the proverbial pedal to the metal with the band really energized about the upcoming UK tour, the first since 2018. Adding to the buzz around these dates, is the release of their seventh single, “Saving Grace” (Radio Edit), from their chart-topping album, Holy Ground.





When recording “Saving Grace" this track became an absolute band favourite. It truly brings together the best parts of what defines The Dead Daisies…to rock even harder.  


“I’m excited about 'Saving Grace' more than any other track, the band sounds so tight… Getting back to the UK will be a dream for us after such a long break! Come and say hi ... can't wait to rock out with all of you!!” - Doug Aldrich





The Dead Daisies, featuring lead guitarist Doug Aldrich, the “Voice of

Rev Jones announces his new solo album, In The Key Of Z, to be released worldwide via Dark Star Records on October 1. Physical pre-orders are underway and digital pre-orders begin on September 24. Pre-order here.


“If I had my way, I’d probably put a bass solo on every song,” Rev Jones says of In The Key Of Z, “but that’s not what this album is about. I want people to hear it and be surprised.” For Jones - the bassist/vocalist famed for his two-handed tapping style and over-the-neck fingering technique - In The Key Of Z delivers an always surprising salvo of the crushing riffs, smart songwriting, twisted sense of humor and face-melting, ass-kicking sonic boom that is Rev Jones.


“Once again my partner in crime Rev Jones proves he is different from the rest... not only in his writing and bass play, but his off the hook vocals. Crazy great range, but most of all, his insanely different melody lines that push the envelope of what you can get away with in a great song. Playing drums on this is like breathing air for me and fits like a glove... Hopefully a boxing glove.” - Jeff Martin, Drummer


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"We are very excited to have a musician like Rev Jones of such a high caliber on the Dark Star Records roster, who has performed and recorded with a ton of platinum selling artists and is just such an amazing bass player and singer." - Jeffrey A. Swanson / President / Dark Star Records


In addition to producing In The Key Of Z - the follow-up to his 2018 solo debut Bakwash - at his home studio in Oklahoma and writing or co-writing all 12 tracks, Jones also played bass, guitar, double bass, keyboards, mandolin, ukulele and tambourine. The songs themselves represent Rev’s distinctive takes on thrash and metal, as well as a few unexpected yet way-cool forays into country and folk.


“Most performers are trying to be too serious or cautious,” says the skull-tatted wildman, who’s recorded and toured with Steelheart, Leslie West & Mountain, Michael Schenker Group, Fuel, Paul Gilbert, George Lynch and his own Rev Jones Band among many others. “But I’ve never allowed myself to be pigeonholed as a performer. My favorite album of all time is still Night at the Opera by Queen. Great music should always sound fearless.”


And whether it’s the smart-ass ferocity of “Lollygaggin’” (based on a favorite line of dialogue from Blazing Saddles) or the monster-riff veracity of the title track, every cut on In The Key Of Z - mixed by Shawn Berman, known for his work with Guns N’ Roses, Danzig and George Thorogood & The Destroyers - rocks with the creative confidence of a 30+ year musician still finding joy in plugging in, turning up and blasting off in any direction he pleases. “It’s all rock as far as I’m concerned,” Rev says. “Even where the songs have a folk or country feel, the guitars are heavy. The bass, mandolin and ukulele feel heavy, too. The goal was for it all to sound to like me.”


When it came to individual guitar solos, Rev reached out to famous friends that include Uros Raskovski (Steelheart), Ira Black (Metal Church, Lizzy Borden), Jack Frost (Savatage), Russ Parish (Steel Panther), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Jim Suhler (Monkey Beat), Robby Lochner (Fight, Jack Russell’s Great White), Rowan Robertson (Dio, Bang Tango), Paige Harwell (Reckless) and Scott McClellan (Tony Martin), as well Michael T. Ross (Lita Ford, Hardline) on keyboards and Jeff Martin (Dokken, Racer X) on drums. “I matched the players with the songs on paper,” Jones says, “then picked up the phone and started making calls.”


For Rev Jones and his fans, the album stands as an in-your-face ode to artistic integrity, musical intensity and a natural instinct for what makes rock both dangerous and fun. “For me, this project is one big realization,” Rev says of In The Key Of Z. “You can write these cool riffs. You can embrace different styles of music. You can invite your friends to be a part of it. And if you stay true to yourself and play what’s good, people will respond.”





Tracklisting:


"Life In The Key Of Z"
"Turning To Stone"
"Truth Is A Conspiracy Theory"
"1985 (Back In Black Again)"
"Lollygagging"
"Bad Gab (Covid19)"
"U R Y I Breathe"
"Reptiles"
"Dead With You"
"Silly Hillbilly Love Song"
"Life Sure Is Funny"
"Good Women That I’ve Stood By"


"Life In The Key Of Z":

Brazilian powerhouse, Eminence, have released a video for "Inner Suffering", the latest single from the band's new album, Dark Echoes, out now via Blood Blast Distribution. Watch the clip below, and get the album here.


Produced by Alan Wallace and mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, Heaven Shall Burn, Suicide Silence), Dark Echoes consists of twelve solidly crafted songs speaking to themes of resisting bigotry, frustration, and perseverance.





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Tracklisting:


"Dark Echoes"
"Burn It Again"
"B.Y.O.G"
"Wake Up The Blind"
"Into The Ashes"
"The Vanishing"
"Inner Suffering"
"Death Of A Nation"
"The Hologram"
"N3mbers"
"Not Hating, Just Saying"
"Parasite Planet"


"Inner Suffering" video:





"Burn It Again" video:

If you're still searching for the perfect drink to enjoy while headbanging on your couch to the upcoming Ωmega Alive release, look no further. Together with the renowned Belgian craft beer brewery Kazematten, symphonic metal titans Epica created their own "Epica Beer" that is now available here.


Guitarist Isaac Delahaye comments on the new partnership: "Being born and raised in Ypres (Belgium), and having seen the rich history of Belgian craft beers, I didn’t have to think twice to accept the proposal of my hometown brewery to create a custom EPICA lager beer. Together with the team at Kazematten, who have been perfecting the recipe with passion, know-how, and tremendous craftsmanship for the last 18 months, we came up with this easy-to-drink and unbelievably smooth 5,4% beer. Tasting the final result sure put a smile on the faces of everyone in the band, and we all quickly grabbed another one."





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Just like the band itself, Epica Beer is a great combination of very different flavors. The unmistakable biscuit malt backbone, supported by an irresistible touch of honey, alternates with lovely citrus notes and a spiciness that packs a punch. With just the right amount of hoppy bitterness, Epica has a well-balanced, refreshing taste that pairs nicely with a burger, hot wings, or a pizza!


In June this year, Epica unleashed a monument to their music, their career, and their enduring legacy as forebears of a whole genre. The worldwide streaming event Ωmega Alive was the Epica show of your wildest dreams, brought to life by 75 artists and crew members - think Marvel meeting Cirque de Soleil in a Tim Burton universe!


Tailor-made videos and graphic effects, spectacular pyro effects, rain, dancers, choirs and actors, all added to the aura of symbolism and cinematic splendor that brought fans from over 100 countries to flock to their screens and witness a show that became the biggest concert event in the band's 19-year-long history. Now, you can finally rediscover the entire opus in various audiovisual formats, available on December 3, 2021.


Coen Janssen, the mastermind behind the show's concept explains: “What we wanted to do was the ultimate Epica show where we could fulfill every dream we ever had, where there was room for all the ideas, effects and props that are just too big to be taken on tour." Far from your usual streaming concert, the band developed a trademark feature called a "living backdrop". "We built another stage right behind our stage where lots of things were going on the whole time. And we meant that very literally," he laughs. "Every song got something extra, something unique that was fitting its world."


Directed by Jens de Vos (Panda Productions) and graced by a magical artwork by Heilemania, the DVD, BluRay, CD, and vinyl contain 15 EPICA classics, fan-favorites, as well as first-ever live performances from tracks off the band's latest chef-d'oeuvre Ωmega, such as "The Skeleton Key" or the insanely monumental "Kingdom of Heaven Part 3".





Ωmega Alive formats:


-BluRay+DVD
-2 CD digipak
-Boxset
-CD-version of the Earbook
-5x 10'' Picture vinyl (Zoetrope vinyl)
-Earbook
-DVD+BluRay
-3LP (Light Green Vinyl)
-Earbook
-DVD+BluRay
-

Canadian powerhouse vocalist, Lee Aaron, has had a lengthy and musically adventurous career that spans many kinds of different styles, like rock, jazz, blues, opera, and more.But there’s one project this multi-Juno nominee had considered often, but the timing was never right... a Christmas album.


Lee and her band (Sean Kelly - guitar, Dave Reimer - bass, and John Cody - drums) had tossed around the idea of a Christmas album over the years, but there was always something - tours/recording/life etc. - that kept the project on the backburner. 2020 and COVID-19 brought a new reality.


With their shows around the globe cancelled, there was suddenly an abundance of time. Over the summer, the band began releasing a series of Rockin' From Home videos for fans, which escalated, so when the Christmas idea came up again in mid-September, it was a definite go.


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"Each of us had upgraded our home studios, so we thought, Heck yeah!," says Aaron. "We'd always wanted to do this; the only issue was that we should have started sooner! Realistically, we only had about a month to get all the tracks done, but it became a fun mission - and it kept us all from going stir crazy during this downtime! …and the last thing we wanted to create was a rehash of the same old songs so many other folks have already recorded. One or two classics maybe, but if we were going to do this, we wanted to make it really unique and different. It was such a blast putting it all together!"


Almost Christmas contains lovingly curated tunes - from the foot-stomping rock 'n' roll ride of the feature track "It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas" (Pet Shop Boys) to the classic "Baby Please Come Home" to a sassy version of Louis Armstrong’s "Zat You Santa Claus?" - winding down with the introspective "All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue" (Over The Rhine) and an a capella rendition of Joni Mitchell’s timeless "The Fiddle And The Drum". You've never heard Christmas done quite like this.


She also presents a brand new version of her 1991 hit "Peace On Earth", which likewise is as relevant now as it was when it was first released.


Aaron explains: "There's a ton of passion and joy that went into these recordings. The album represented something really positive and hopeful that we could all focus on during th

Australian progressive metal band, Teramaze, fronted by guitarist and band founder Dean Wells, along side Chris Zoupa, Andrew Cameron and Nick Ross, will release their new album, And The Beauty They Perceive, via the band’s own label Wells Music on October 5. An official music video for the new single, "And The Beauty They Perceive", can be found below.


Says Wells: "'And The Beauty They Perceive' was written from a place of being isolated and watching the world implode and trying to still see the beauty the world has to offer through the chaos and lies we are being fed. It's about using wisdom in an extremely challenging situation and having hope and faith that we can push through and overcome anything together as people. This is the song you show your friends if you want to describe what Teramaze sounds like."





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Says Dean Wells about the album: "This is our third album released in under 12 months, and our ninth studio album as a band, I truly believe it's one of our greatest yet."


Chris Zoupa adds: "When writing ATBTP, we wanted the album to be 9 killer tracks that combined all the elements of technicality, emotion, orchestration and catchiness that can be found across every Teramaze album through the years. I think we comfortably achieved that, and all Teramaze fans

Amidst the darkness of chaos of the unprecedented pandemic, English melodic hard rock band Ten  are returning with two studio albums.


In a recent video studio update, Gary Hughes and Darrel Treece-Birch announced that the band is working on what are to be Ten's 15th and 16th studio albums. The first one expected to be released in the first quarter of 2022.


According to the video update, the new albums are a nod back to the original elements and flavours that the fans of the band have become familiar with over the years. Elements that Ten are respected and known for within their genre, reflecting more towards their classic early output on albums like Ten, The Name Of The Rose, The Robe and Spellbound.


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Toronto rockers Danko Jones performed at the Festival Of Friends in Hamilton, Ontario on September 18th. Fan-filmed video is available below.








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Danko Jones recently released a video for "Ship Of Lies", the latest single from their new album, Power Trio, available now via Sonic Unyon Records. Order the album here, and watch the new clip below:





Power Trio sees Danko Jones delivering each engine-revving riff, soul-shaking stomp, and shout-it-loud hook with a sniper’s precision. It's such a simple, self-evident title, but one loaded with significance, as it speaks to the special triangular alchemy Danko shares with his trusty bass-slinging accomplice JC and drummer Rich Knox. It also stakes out the band’s place on a storied lineage of three-piece titans Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, Rush, Motörhead, Venom, Dinosaur Jr., and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, to name a few.


When you choose to start a power trio, you’re not simply forming a band, you’re entering a blood pact - a tacit acknowledgement that all three members need to carry their equal share of the weight lest the whole enterprise collapse. There’s nowhere to hide in a power trio - no second guitarist to cover your mistakes, no keyboard player to smooth things over, no horn section to distract the crowd. If you fuck up, the whole band fucks up. Everybody needs to be on their A-game at all times.


Power Trio follows the band's electrifying, world charting album, A Rock Supreme released in 2019. It also sees the band once again tapping into the production prowess of Eric Ratz, who previously amped up the bone-breaking boogie of 2017's full-throttle rocker Wild Cat and 2015's bloodlusty Fire Music.





Tracklist:


"I Want Out"
"Good Lookin'"
"Saturday"
"Ship Of Lies"
"Raise Some Hell"
"Blue Jean Denim Jumpsuit"
"Get To You"
"Dangerous Kiss"
"Let’s Rock Together"
"Flaunt It"
"Start The Show" (feat. Phil Campbell)


"Start The Show" ly

Melodic death/doom metal band Coldbound have revealed the identity of their official full time bassist: Otto Schimmelpenninck. He introduced himself via social media with the following message: 


"My name is Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije. I started playing bass guitar when I was 15 years old, and have been playing in metal bands ever since. Music, and metal in particular, are my biggest passion in life. I love the touring life, but also love going to concerts myself whenever I’m not on tour. I’ve recorded three albums with my old band Detonation and four with my old band, Delain. Between those two bands I have played between 600-700 shows all over the world, from little pubs to mainstage Graspop, but I never get tired of playing live! I’m proudly endorsed by Dingwall guitars from Canada. I’ve been playing the Combustion NG2 exclusively for the last couple of years.


Pauli approached me for Coldbound, and we had a great click right away. With Coldbound everything feels right for me: I love the style and the diversity of the music, and the ladies and gentlemen are some of the kindest I’ve met in the metal scene. I’m very excited for the future and can’t wait to share the stage with this lovely bunch!"


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Coldbound recently released the single “Slumber Of Decay”, which marked the metal comeback of Liv Kristine (Theatre of Tragedy, Leaves' Eyes) and Meiju Enho (Ensiferum). Coldbound mastermind Pauli Souka checked in with the following update:


"We move on with the album progress. To finally reveal the scale of this project we give you some numbers for the double album.


The album process got launched almost exactly three years ago, July 2018. The whole entity consists of approximately 17 songs, with the work being based on a script structure, with a hint of a soundtrack twist, making it a full storyline presented through music. Yet again, it’s a full blown metal production.


The number of instruments used on this album is uncountable, everything from acoustic and orchestral instruments, to electric and analog and metal music gear.


The approximate number of tracks per song is 200-400.


The number of guests participating is over 50.


The tracks have been recorded both within continental Europe and North America.


Thousands and thousands of working hours, and now we finally see the last part of this road opening ahead of us. More information will soon be revealed, so be prepared for more detailed news and album glimpses.


There are no limitations, only passion to make music."


Coldbound recently revealed they have parted ways with Liv Kristine, releasing the following statement:


"As all of us know, these two years have been affected by the situation of the global pandemic. Traveling restrictions have been of a huge obstacle, hence caused multiple delays concerning the music writing aspect. There has been lots of changes within the general aspect, up to a point that we simply cannot come up with further options how to conduct the work that has started several years ago.


This process involves dozens of musicians / artists and already it has taken a big chunk of monetary value and a lot of time and effort. With all the respect to all pe

Nashville Pussy played their first show in nearly two years on Saturday, September 18th at the SoCal Hoedown in San Pedro, California. "We’re practically virgins it’s been so long," joked the band.


Fan-filmed footage of "Struttin' Cock / Piece Of Ass", "We Want A War", "Pillbilly Blues", "CCKMP", and "I'm So High" has since surfaced and can be enjoyed below.  





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Circle November 5th on your calendar as that's the date that Nashville Pussy will release their new live album, Eaten Alive, via Slinging Pig Records / MVD Entertainment Group.


Coming hot off of their seventh studio album, Pleased To Eat You, Nashville Pussy returns with Eaten Alive, a ferocious hellride of a live album that is proof positive that the band is one of the best live acts ever. Recorded in the UK, this is Nashville Pussy's Live At Leeds and one of most unrelenting concert albums since Motörhead's No Sleep Til Hammersmith.


Slated for release to coincide with their October / November tour with The Toadies and Reverend Horton Heat, Eaten Alive will be unleashed to the world on Slinging Pig Records, the band's very own record label. "This is the album that our fans have drunkenly demanded for years," says singer / guitarist Blaine Cartwright. "'Make an album that sounds like you guys do live!' I've heard that phrase slurred in my face in accents from all over the world," jokes Blaine. "So here it is you drunken bastards!"


The mesmerizing leads of legendary guitarist Ruyter Suys leap off the grooves and grab the listener by the throat. Ruyter has been hailed with accolades since the band's inception including being named "one of the top female performers of all time" by That Metal Show. And that's just one example. Combine that with the irresistible thunderous rhythm section of bassist Bonnie Buitrago and hard hitting drummer Ben Thomas, and it makes for one of the most satisfying rock experiences ever recorded.


Eaten Alive not only serves as a perfect souvenir for hundreds of thousands of lucky rock n' rollers that have seen Nashville Pussy in the 40 plus countries over past 25 years, it's also an excellent starting point for all those unfortunately yet to have been exposed to the fiery baptism of hard rock that the band delivers on a nightly basis.


Nashville Pussy is ravenously looking forward to their upcoming (twice postponed) tour of Europe. It all starts with Sweden Rock with Blue Öyster Cult, and ends at Barcelona Rocks with Judas Priest two months later. In between, the band will be eating fans alive all across Europe.


The band is unstoppable. This album is proof. Order your copy on CD now at this location. Double-gatefold vinyl coming soon.





Tracklisting:


"Kicked In The Teeth"  
"Piece Of Ass" 
"Wrong Side Of A Gun" 
"Pillbilly Blues"
"We Want A War" 
"Rub It To Death"  
"Go Home And Die" 
"She Keeps Me Coming, And I Keep Going Back" 
"CCKMP" 
"5 Minutes To Live" 
"Low Down Dirty Pig"  
"First I Look At The Purse"
"Go To Hell" 
"I’m So High"  
"I’m The Man"  
"Why, Why, Why"  
"Strutting Cock"  
"Till The Meat Falls Off The Bone" 
"Go Motherfucker Go" 


Catch Nashville Pussy  on tour with with Toadies & Reverend Horton Heat at the following shows:


October 
8 – Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
9 – Milwaukee, WI - Rave II
10 – Chicago, IL - Metro
11 – Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theatre (Rev

Exodus return with their eleventh studio album, Persona Non Grata, out November 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band recently released the lyric video for the second single, "Clickbait", and today they release a new trailer, in which guitarist Gary Holt discusses the track. Watch the trailer, as well as the lyric video, below:








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Literally translating to “an unwelcome” or “unacceptable” person, Persona Non Grata touches on themes of modern societal disgust and degradation. The band gathered at Tom Hunting's house in the mountains where they produced and recorded Persona Non Grata from three home-built studios . Steve Lagudi was at the helm of engineering while the band enlisted Andy Sneap of Backstage Studios to mix the album. For the third time in the band’s history, they returned to Swedish artist Par Olofsson to create the album artwork.





Persona Non Grata will be available in the following formats:


- CD Jewel + Blu-ray Bonus Disc (Jam Camp!)
- T-Shirt + CD Jewel + Blu-ray Bonus Disc (Jam Camp!)
- T-Shirt
- Cassette – Tinted Red
- CD Jewel + Blu-ray Bonus Disc (Jam Camp!) Long Box (Decibel Magazine Exclusive)
- Double LP
 * Black
 * Red & Mustard Swirl W/ Black Splatter
 * Electric Blue W/ Black & Bone
 * Gold & Bone Swirl W. Black and Mint Green Splatter
 * Green in Mustard W/ Red Splatter
 * Mint Green & Brown W/ Cyan Splatter (EMP Exclusive)
 * Purple & Yellow Swirl W/ Mint Green & Bone Splatter (UK Indie Exclusive)
 * Bone & Beer Swirl W/ Red & Brown Splatter (Revolver Magazine Exclusive)
 * Red & Mustard Swirl W/ Black Splatter (Rebellion Republic Exclusive)
 * Blue Swirl W/ Bone * Black Splatter (U.S. Indie Exclusive)
- Mail Order Boxset – Limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide
 * Orange, Red Swirl W/ Black Splatter
 * 20 page booklet
 * Slipmat
 * CD + Blu-ray Bonus Disc
 * Patch
 * Flag


Pre-order here. Pre-save here.





Tracklisting:


"Persona Non Grata"
"R.E.M.F."
"Slipping Into Madness"
"Elitist"
"Prescribing Horror"
"The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)"
"The Years of Death and Dying"
"Clickbait"
"Cosa Del Pantano"
"Lunatic-Li

Serious Black returns with a new singer and a new album. The first single, "The Story", gives a first glimpse into the emotional and very private album, Vengeance Is Mine, to be released on February 25.


The ballad was originally performed by US singer songwriter Brandi Carlile. It is a calm and yet powerful track that has caused stir on international level, whether it is several single chart entries or the use of the song in successful TV-series Grey’s Anatomy. This new song shows off a new side of Serious Black, that has rarely been seen before.


The song is the start for the most emotional and imaginative work of the power metal band yet. Nikola Mijić, the newest member and singer of the group, crowns the song to completion with his powerful voices. The lyric video for “The Story” creates intimacy supported by private photos and insights into the studio recordings - and gets fans in the mood for the upcoming album.


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“The Story” is just the beginning: Three more single releases are planned upfront the album will be in stores. Lyrically these tracks also go into depths, that have never been explored for the band before.


Bassist and founder Mario Lochert says: “This time I allowed insights into my inner and private life like never before: how I think, how I feel, how I am, and how difficult it can be to keep a band going, even if you are not feeling well yourself. The lyrics on Vengeance Is Mine reflect the past four or five years. Of course, this had an impact on the songwriting, which has become even more intense and emotional."
 
Vengenance Is Mine was produced and mixed by Lochert in the 'Serious Black-Studio' in Kirchseeon. "This time we really turned every adjustment screw to get the best possible result," says Lochert and continues: "I think the great effort has been worth it!"


Along with the CD, a limited box set will also be available. In addition to the CD digipak, it contains a microfiber towel (160x80cm), the bonus cover album CD Rock With Us Tonight, a sticker, an original signed autograph card and the certificate of authenticity.   


Pre-order at AFM Records.

Guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, who sat out some of KORN's shows after being diagnosed with COVID-19, rejoined his bandmates on stage this past Saturday night (September 18) at Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Del Valle (a southwest Austin suburb), Texas. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Shaffer was temporarily replaced by J.R. Bareis, who is also in the band LOVE AND DEATH with KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. Bareis previously stepped in for Shaffer in August 2019 when Munky was forced to miss several KORN shows due to the impending birth of his child.

Shaffer was second member of KORN in a month to test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. In early August, singer Jonathan Davis contracted the virus, forcing the postponement of six dates and cancelation of two on KORN's current U.S. tour.

At some of KORN's shows, Davis had been taking a seat on a custom throne near the drum riser due to lingering effects of his bout with COVID-19. In video footage of KORN's August 27 concert in Tinley Park, Illinois — his first gig back after revealing his positive diagnosis — Davis could be seen walking slowly around the stage, coughing and appearing to take a minute to catch his breath. According to TMZ, Davis also took occasional hits from an oxygen tank set up near this throne.

Bareis was not the only session musician to play with KORN on the current tour. Bassist Roberto "Ra" Díaz (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) is filling in for Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu after Fieldy announced in June that he would sit out the trek in order to "heal" after "falling back" on some of his "bad habits."

In the video below, guitar legend Steve Vai performs “Frank” live in Los Angeles from his Stillness In Motion DVD/Blu-ray set.





Vai recently announced an extensive tour of the US, with 54 scheduled appearances confirmed. Vai’s Inviolate World Tour will begin at House Of Blues in Las Vegas on January 27, 2022, and wrap in Los Angeles on April 2 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel.


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The general on-sale will go live on September 17, with a VIP pre-sale available on September 15. For tickets, visit Vai.com.


A variety of EVO Experience VIP bundles are available here. EVO Experience offerings, dependent upon tier purchased, include signed JEM Jr. guitars; an invitation to a pre-show group Q&A, meet-and-greet and photo with Steve; soundcheck viewing access; a guided tour of Steve's instruments and gear; exclusive merchandise; commemorative VIP laminates and access to premium tickets.


This run is the first excursion of many planned which together are a multi-faceted World Tour that will bring the guitarist and composer to most continents across the globe touching down in dozens of countries. Vai has been working on a new studio album and those details will be shared imminently. These appearances will present an all-new show featuring a lot of new music, with plans for performances to be staged for the next several years.


Vai will be joined by his long-tenured ensemble members Dave Weiner (guitar / keys), Philip Bynoe (bass), and Jeremy Colson (drums).


Vai shares, “A performer thrives on performing.  It’s been my life for the past 49 years, with the exception of the last two years, so we are chomping at the bit to get out there and play for people. A music concert has the ability to dissolve the many challenges we face, and celebrate one of the good things in life, live music.”





Confirmed dates:


January
27 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues
28 - El Cajon, CA - The Magnolia
29 - Riverside, CA - Fox Performing Arts Center
30 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre


February
1 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Rockwell at The Complex
2 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
4 - Oklahoma City, OK - Tower Theatre
5 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre
6 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
8 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
9 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theatre
11 - Birmingham, AL - Lyric Theatre
12 - Macon, GA - Hargray Capitol Theatre
14 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
15 - Clearwater, FL - Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
16  - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live
17 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - The Parker
18 - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
19 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
21 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
22 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
23 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
24 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
25 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
26 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre
27 - Providence, RI - The Strand


March
1 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall
2 - Boston, MA - The Wilbur
3 - Albany, NY - The Egg
4 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center
5 - Harrisburg, PA - Sunoco Theatre
6 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre
8 - Warren, OH - Packard Music Hall
9 - Detroit, MI - Masonic Cathedral Theatre
10 - Morgantown, WV - Metropolitan

The third single from Knoxville, TN’s Summoner's Circle is “Apostasy”, which the music video for is out now.





“Apostasy” has a misleading, pretty opening that soon gives way to one of the heaviest offerings off the band's new album Chaos Vector, released this past August via Blood Blast Distribution. This song contains a lot of prog influences with a crushing verse and chorus and a grand keyboard solo during the bridge. 


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Chaos Vector is a concept album that takes great inspiration from Lovecraftian cosmic horror and the single, lyrically, is about the main character having doubts about his occult works as he is forced to sacrifice a pregnant woman bound to an inverted cross. Thus, opening a portal to another dimension and calling forth a beast from the void that rips itself from the woman’s womb and becomes The King In Yellow. The band continues to explain the song:


“‘Apostasy’ was one of the last songs to come together for the album. It’s an incredibly fun song to play and has possibly the most disturbing lyrical content on the album. This song is about that moment of realizing you’ve gone way too deep into the unknown and the only way out is to become an Apostate. Unfortunately for the character in the story, it is too late, and his human sacrifice gives way to a cosmic horror known as The King in Yellow. We enjoy throwing little bits of real Lovecraftian horror into the story and The King in Yellow is our nod to that.”


This album was conceived over two years ago, but the global turmoil slowed down its creation. Now that it is ready for release, the band couldn�

Multi-Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana will release the third single off his star-studded, masterful new album, Blessings and Miracles (out via BMG on October 15), a collaboration with the legendary vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, Grammy winner and BMI Icon Steve Winwood on the classic “Whiter Shade Of Pale.”


Taking on a classic is sometimes risky, but Santana’s pairing with fellow legend Steve Winwood on the Procol Harum gem “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” puts all fears to rest. It’s a resplendent, marvelously realized retelling, a nourishing hymn for the modern age, on which the two musical giants discover new pockets of beauty at every turn. 


As it was on the original, there’s an elegiac feel throughout, but there’s also a romantic element that never existed before. Winwood’s voice, a wondrously singular instrument, is stirring and deeply moving, and Santana channels Matthew Fisher’s original organ lines on guitar with reverence while putting his own unique stamp on the timeless melodies. With each passage, he lifts us higher and higher into bliss.


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Santana recalls how he and Winwood were at a show in London’s Hyde Park, and he went up to him and suggested they record the song. “I said, ‘You and I have to do it, but we’re going to do it very sexy, like a Hare Krishna but with congas.’ I played the components in his ear, and he said, ‘I hear it, Carlos. You’re right.’ So that’s what we did – it’s Santana, Cuban, Puerto Rican in an African way. And man, you talk about sexy. Steve’s voice is so sexy and beautiful.”


Winwood says, “Carlos has been doing what I’ve been trying to do for the last 50 years, namely combining elements of rock, jazz, folk, and Latin Afro-Caribbean music. Carlos’ genius comes in large part from a wonderful combination of rock music with Latin-Cuban rhythms. I’ve played with Carlos on numerous occasions over the past fifty years and I’m very excited to be working with him again still.”


In addition to “Whiter Shade Of Pale,” the album’s first single “Move,” featuring Rob Thomas and Zac Barnett from American Authors, and Santana’s collaboration “She’s Fire” with Diane Warren and G-Eazy is available now.


Blessings And Miracles is one of the most ambitious, inspired and magical albums of Santana’s storied career, on which the legendary guitarist aims higher than ever. “The title of this album comes from my belief that we’re born with heavenly powers that allows us to create Blessings And Miracles,” Santana says. “The world programs you to be unworthy of those gifts, but we have to utilize light, spirit and soul – they’re indestructible and immutable. Those are the three main elements on this album.”


In addition to the above talents, Blessings And Miracles sees Santana collaborating with a diverse host of brilliant artists, writers and producers including Chris Stapleton, Steve Winwood, Chick Corea, Rick Rubin, Corey Glover, Kirk Hammett, Ally Brooke and Narada Michael Walden, among others, on genre-bending, hook-filled knockout musical celebrations.


The record also features bravura performances from members of Santana’s touring band (including drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and singer Tommy Anthony), as well as impeccable vocals and keyboards by the guitarist’s son, Salvador Santana, and stunning lead vocals by daughter, Stella Santana.


Expectations understandably run high with the pairing of Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas, whose 1999 multiple Grammy-winning smash “Smooth” became a worldwide staple – and the two performers have turned in a new classic. “Move” is a grinding, grooving and breathtaking mix of pop and Latin rock with sure-fire hooks for days. Thomas, backed by the vocal talents of Zac Barnett and American Authors, is dynamic and sensual, and Santana matches his supreme performance with solos that explode with tectonic force.


“‘Move’ came about very much like how ‘Smooth’ happened,” Santana recalls. “It was like divine intelligence behind the scenes, and I just knew I had to record it with Rob. The song is about awakening your molecules. Ignite and activate yourself – you know, move. When Rob and I work together, we have a sound that’s splendiferous.”


The album’s second single, “She’s Fire,” is a hypnotically soulful ballad that works its way into your body chemistry and stays there. It’s one of two cuts written by mega-award-winning, chart-topping composer Diane Warren, and it sees Santana wrapping his exquisite guitar melodies around an enticing narrative spun by the rapper G-Eazy. “I’m so honored that Diane reached out to me and sent me her songs,” says Santana. Regarding G-Eazy, the guitarist is no less effusive. “He’s so talented. I’m thrilled at how we both sound on this song,” he says. “It reminds me of when Bill Graham once told me: ‘Your music is spiritual and sensual. That’s who you are.’ And that’s the message of ‘She’s Fire.’”


Santana spent much of the past two years recording Blessings And Miracles, serving as producer and collaborating with other record makers. Recording during Covid created a challenge only in that some musicians were separated geographically, beamed into sessions via technology; inspiration, however, was never in short supply. “It’s amazing how we can record together these days without being in the same studio,” Santana notes. “I just close my eyes and I’m in the same room with whomever I’m playing with, even if they’re somewhere far away. We share frequencies together.”


As for the stellar talents that appear alongside him on Blessings And Miracles, Santana admits that he’s sometimes surprised at how they magically enter his life. “I don’t choose people – it’s like I’m chosen,” he says. “But, of course, I’m honored to work with such incredible artists. I'm a surfer riding those waves that become songs by different artists, creators and architects. I’m very fortunate that I have the opportunity to do that. It’s a gift I don’t take for granted.”


Ahead of the release of Blessings And Miracles, Santana and his band will mark their long-awaited return to the concert stage after 18 months off. On August 25, Santana will resume their multi-year residency at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas (shows run from August 25 thru September. 4, with additional dates from November 3 thru December 11).


Santana’s Blessings And Miracles tour begins on September 11 at the Borgata Spa & Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, and will make stops in Richmond, VA, Orlando, Augusta, Tulsa, and more before it concludes on October 2 at the Choctaw Grand Theater in Durant, OK.





Blessings And Miracles tracklisting:


"Ghost Of Future Pull/ New Light"
"Santana Celebration"
"Rumbalero" (featuring Salvador Santana & Asdru Sierra)
"Joy" (Carlos Santana & Chris Stapleton)
"Move" (Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Zac Barnett & American Authors)
"A Whiter Shade Of Pale" (featuring Steve Winwood)
"Break" (featuring Ally

The remastered version of Royal Hunt’s debut album – Land Of Broken Hearts will be released on October 29 via NorthPoint Productions. It includes an extended booklet with rare pictures, “the making of” – story written by André Andersen and five bonus tracks. Land of Broken Hearts has previously been reissued on vinyl (Night of the Vinyl Dead), CD, and all digital platforms (NorthPoint Productions) in 2018.





Message from the band: “Dear friends, “We´ve been totally overwhelmed by the amount of requests regarding Land Of Broken Hearts – reissue of 2018 – which was then quickly sold out mostly at the stage of pre-orders.


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Progressive music titans DREAM THEATER have released the official music video for their new single, "Invisible Monster". The track is taken from DREAM THEATER's 15th studio album, "A View From The Top Of The World", which is due on October 22.

"Invisible Monster" clocks in at 6:27 and showcases the musicianship and creativity that has garnered the band fans around the globe. The video for the song was directed by William "Wombat" Felch (MUDVAYNE, HELLYEAH, CROBOT, STATIC-X, NEFARIANT) and follows the story of an artist's internal struggles as the band is showcased performing the track. The piece of art created by Felch in the video now lives inside DTHQ.

Guitarist John Petrucci stated about "Invisible Monster": "It was written after we'd written a bunch of material. A lot of the music was super energetic and upbeat, tempo-wise. [Drummer] Mike [Mangini] suggested we do something a little different though. So, we started working on a more mid-tempo song. The hook, riff, and melody changed so naturally. I equate it to 'Pull Me Under' back in the day where we'd just start playing, something would come out, and we'd be, like, 'Whoa, that's cool.' There's a serendipitous moment where it happens. Lyrically, it's about how anxiety plagues people. It's like there's an invisible monster beating you. You don't see it, but it's haunting you all of the time."

"A View From The Top Of The World" is DREAM THEATER at its musical finest expanding on the sound they helped create while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The seven-song album also marks the second studio album with InsideOut Music/Sony Music. The artwork was created by longtime cover collaborator Hugh Syme (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, STONE SOUR). "A View From The Top Of The World" was produced by Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James "Jimmy T" Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap.

DREAM THEATER — comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung and Mike Mangini — was in the middle of a sold-out world tour in support of their last release "Distance Over Time" and the 20th anniversary of "Scenes From A Memory" when a global pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home, with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they'd just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters) — a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via Zoom on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.

"We just love to play our instruments," observed Petrucci. "That never goes away. I love to be creative, write, and exercise that part of my mind. We've been able to do this for a long time, and we don't take it for granted. Whenever we get together, we know we can't disappoint ourselves or our fans, so we manage to try even harder."

"We approach every album like it's our first," added LaBrie. "It's been such a great ride, but we're not going to stop."

"A View From The Top Of The World" track listing:

01. The Alien (9:32)

02. Answering The Call (7:35)

03. Invisible Monster (6:31)

04. Sleeping Giant (10:05)

05. Transcending Time (6:25)

06. Awaken The Master (9:47)

07. A View From The Top Of The World (20:24)

Speaking about how the album title came about, Petrucci said: "Honestly, titling records is a funny thing because sometimes it comes really quickly — sometimes it even comes before — and sometimes it's really hard trying to come up with, 'What is the title that's gonna reflect what this album is all about?' This one, it was difficult. There was nothing that was really coming to mind. The things that were were… I don't know. It's hard to be original. Things you used or it just didn't quite do it.

"I remember the discussions we were having [were] that the music was really powerful; it was dark, but it was also positive; there's a lot of energy; there's a lot of spirit," he continued. "So, what would kind of encapsulate that? Eventually, one of the songs on the album is the epic 'A View From The Top Of The World', the title track. I had a list of dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens [of titles]… And then one day I just kind of saw that, and I was, like, 'You know what? That's pretty damn DREAM THEATER-y as a title.'

"Like anything that we do, I just pose it to everybody and say, 'What do you guys think of it?'" John added. "I think the time when you know that it is the title, or it is the decision, whatever it may be, it's when everybody kind of comes back, like, 'Yes. That's so cool.' I remember everyone was, like, 'That's such a positive title. That's cool. Love it. Thumbs up.' Blah blah blah. And you know. Then you're, like, 'Okay, cool.'"

In a new interview with V13, ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello, who is currently promoting his upcoming memoir, "Fathers, Brothers, And Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, And Anthrax", spoke about his desire to go back to an era when people were more united and more compassionate to one another.

"I feel like an old fart even saying this. And that's fine. You know what? Then let it be that way," he said. "Because the truth of the matter is we're all human. I don't care what you political beliefs [are] — whatever it is, man, whatever you believe in — but the older I get, the more I see this, is people need to care about one another. 'Cause this is all we've got — this is it, man.

"I look at the — even the older movies, which I love; I'm a Turner Classic Movies fanatic. [It was] just another way that people related to each other," he continued. "It seems like now, with social media and everything else, it seems like people are waiting for you to screw up to jump on you. And is that really the way to be? For me, I don't wanna do that; I don't wanna harp on anybody. I don't wanna jump on anybody. I wanna talk like this and be human. Your beliefs are your beliefs. That's cool. I have mine, [and] that's cool. This is how we live. This is America, right? C'mon. And this is life; bigger than that, it's life. There's too much harping there, people waiting for somebody to fail to jump on it. It's, like, wait a second, man. Give the guy a break, because he's human. I just see a lot of that.

"I always say I wish I was born in a better time when people were just more patient with other people and not ready to just pounce. It's, like, 'All right. Dude, I screwed up. I'm sorry. Let's move on.' And you get through another day. I just hope a little more of that is infused with life soon. That's all."

"Fathers, Brothers, And Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, And Anthrax" is due on October 12 via Rare Bird. The foreword was written by KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons.

Last year, Bello confirmed that he was working on material for his debut solo album. Regarding the musical direction of his solo material, Bello said: "It's funny, because it's sounding a lot like ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE [Bello's side project with former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson]. It is more in that vein — heavy rock and roll… I grew up on this stuff. It'll be rock and roll with a heavier edge to it, and that's fine, 'cause that's what I'm into."

Bello's solo LP is expected to be issued via Megaforce, which released ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE's debut album, "Get It Out", in January 2019.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Bello started playing when he was 12, learning bass parts on guitar; idolizing bass heroes such as Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Geezer Butler; and frequently jamming with his uncle, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. Bello joined ANTHRAX in time for 1985's "Spreading The Disease" album, and fans loved his high-energy stage presence and deftly inventive bass style. Since that time, ANTHRAX quickly reached the upper echelons of metal stardom with a series of classic punk/speed metal albums fueled by Bello's ferociously riffing bass work. On stage and off, Bello is a veritable bass ambassador who doesn't pull any musical punches.

ANTHRAX is working on material for its next studio album, tentatively due in 2022. The follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings" will be ANTHRAX's third full-length release since the 2010 return of singer Joey Belladonna, who came back into the fold for the "Big Four" shows with METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH, in the process helping inspire a new wave of creativity.

During an appearance on a recent episode of the "Hangin' & Bangin': Artists On Lockdown" online show, Nicko McBrain discussed IRON MAIDEN's penchant for writing long, progressive intricate songs, including on the band's latest effort, "Senjutsu", which features three tracks whose running time exceeds 10 minutes each. Asked if he and his bandmates actually set out to write super-long songs on each new MAIDEN album, the drummer said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Absolutely not. Most of the stuff, these long epic tunes, are really written mostly by Steve [Harris, MAIDEN bassist]. On the last album, 'The Book Of Souls', we had 'Empire Of The Clouds' [written by singer Bruce Dickinson], which was 18 minutes.

"The songs are what they are. If they're five minutes long… I mean, we've got two songs on the ['Senjutsu'] album that come in less than six minutes," he continued.

"When the guys write 'em… The thing is, we sit in the control room and we get 'em played back to us, and we're, like, 'Oh, man, that's really cool.' And [producer] Kevin [Shirley] will [tell us], 'All right, boys, you know that's 12 and a half minutes bloody long.' And it's, like, 'What's your point? What's your point? Why are you telling us what the clock says? We don't care.'

"It's just the way it is," Nicko added. "Steve writes these incredible melodic tunes where he repeats these different parts of the song where you have these amazing melodies. And then we've got three guitar players, and all the guys say, 'My turn now,' so we have three guitar solos. There's one track called 'The Parchment', there's six guitar solos — each person will take their solo and then they repeat it. The first person will be the fourth guy to do a solo, which is stunning.

"So, no, we do not plan to make long songs. It's just the way it is," he repeated.

Earlier in the month, Dickinson was asked about MAIDEN's tendency to write long songs during an interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation Virtual Invasion". "Steve and I are partially responsible [for that]. I did the whole thing about the airship disaster, the R101, which was 18 minutes or something crazy," he said, referring to the aforementioned "Empire Of The Clouds". "And that was basically arranged for an orchestra, which at the time we didn't have.

"For this album, yeah, Steve is a big fan of prog, as am I," he explained. "I was talking to somebody else about this, about the different bands that we both liked. Steve, for example, is a big fan of JETHRO TULL. I'm also a big fan of JETHRO TULL. He loves 'A Passion Play' and 'Think As A Brick'; I'm more 'Aqualung' and the early stuff. But nevertheless, we both meet in the middle there. He's a big GENESIS fan — the Peter Gabriel GENESIS, 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway'; he loves all that. Me, I'm not crazy about GENESIS, but I loved Peter Gabriel's, I think it was his third solo album, [with songs like] 'Intruder' [and] 'No Self Control' — scary, dark, really moody stuff. And there was a band called VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR, who were contemporaries of GENESIS, and in a way, they were even a bit more out there than GENESIS. Well, I loved them. And I borrowed bits of Peter Hammill, their vocalist's vocal style. So we both have this prog thing spinning around our heads, along with THIN LIZZY, DEEP PURPLE, [BLACK] SABBATH. He's a great fan of NEKTAR and the SCORPIONS.

"I was not that crazy about JUDAS PRIEST until I toured with them, till I toured with them in MAIDEN. And indeed the SCORPIONS the same. I never really got into PRIEST that much apart from 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' until I toured with them, and then I went, 'Wow. They do some really cool stuff.'

"So, those are all the kind of influences that are pinging around that end up with us doing all these great long songs," he continued. "And I don't mind them because it's kind of… I mean, some of the stuff, like 'The Parchment', it's almost like self-hypnosis listening to that — it really is. [If we perform that song live], I'll be round the back having a glass of non-alcoholic water. I get a five-and-a-half-minute tea break in the middle of 'The Parchment'."

"Senjutsu" was released on September 3 via BMG. IRON MAIDEN's first LP in six years was recorded in Paris with Shirley and co-produced by Harris.

For "Senjutsu" — loosely translated as "tactics and strategy" — the band once again enlisted the services of Mark Wilkinson to create the spectacular Samurai themed cover artwork, based on an idea by Harris. With a running time of a little under 82 minutes, "Senjutsu", like their previous record "The Book Of Souls", is a double CD/triple vinyl album.

"The Book Of Souls" is the longest MAIDEN album, clocking in at 92 minutes, with lyrics heavily based in the themes of death, reincarnation, the soul and mortality.

"Senjutsu" marks MAIDEN's sixth album to be produced by Shirley, who has worked with MAIDEN for the past two decades.

During an appearance on yesterday's (Thursday, September 16) episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley said that he has been in contact with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in the days after they were both diagnosed with COVID-19. "I spoke to Paul, and he told me he was completely baffled [as to how he got infected]," Ace said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "The minute I heard he had it, I got hold of him. The minute Gene got it, I got hold of him. Gene sent me a video of him with a nurse, telling him he's okay. They followed the guidelines. Paul goes, 'I'm completely baffled, Ace. I have no idea how I got it.' He was stuck in a hotel in Pennsylvania. I said, 'Be careful.' 'Cause I thought he might be going back to L.A. I said, 'You've got young kids at the house.' He goes, 'No. I've gotta self-quarantine.' But as far as I know, they're back on the road again… So they got over it pretty quick. Some people get laid up for weeks. My cousin has a ranch in Dallas and he got the delta virus, and he was laid up for 11 days. And he said it was like the flu on steroids. That's something I do not wanna get.

"But I've been vaccinated," he revealed. "I take my vitamins. I work out. My new girlfriend is a personal trainer, on top of being a schoolteacher and a graphic artist. So I eat right. She keeps me in great shape. I'm down to 198 [pounds], which is the thinnest I've been since — I can't remember."

Frehley's U.S. tour as the support act for Alice Cooper is scheduled to launch September 18 at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire. This will be the first time Frehley has hit the road since the pandemic.

Frehley's band features guitarists Ryan Cook and Jeremy Asbock, bassist Philip Shouse and drummer Matt Starr.

When Ace's tour with Alice was first announced in May, Frehley said in a statement: "I've known Alice for over 30 years. We're good friends, and we've toured together numerous times and always had a blast. Our musical roots are very similar, and the combination of our two bands make for a great event that nobody is gonna want to miss. Being off the road for more than a year because of the pandemic has been tough on everyone in the music industry, and I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the fans happy, healthy, and ready to rock."

Last December, Frehley told Talking Metal Live that he would begin recording his next all-original album "after the New Year." The record will be the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne. Ace is laying down the effort at the newly built studio at his new house in New Jersey.

Earlier last year, Frehley told Canada's iHeart Radio that he has "only written about three songs" for his next LP, and he added they were "not finished." He said: "Now that I'm [living] on the East Coast [after moving to New Jersey from Southern California], my engineer only lives an hour from me, Alex Salzman, who worked with me extensively on this last record, and he played a lot of bass guitar as well, So it's gonna be even easier, 'Origins Vol. 3' and the next [original] record."

Frehley's latest release was "Origins Vol. 2", the sequel to his 2016 collection of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist.

Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Simmons's bass play

ALL THAT REMAINS has parted ways with bassist Aaron "Bubble" Patrick.

Patrick announced his exit from the Massachusetts-based metal band in a social media post on Sunday (September 19). He wrote: "After 8 years of touring the world together, ALL THAT REMAINS and I have decided to part ways amicably. I wish nothing but continued success for all of them. Go support the band for 'The Fall Of Ideals' anniversary tour, coming in 2022."

Patrick joined ALL THAT REMAINS in 2015 following the departure of Jeanne Sagan.

As previously reported, ALL THAT REMAINS is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its breakthrough album, "The Fall Of Ideals", with a new vinyl reissue, a tour and a documentary. Due on November 12, the title features such fan favorites as "This Calling", "Six" and "The Air That I Breathe". In addition to the wide release, the band has exclusive colored vinyl variants with deluxe packaging available only at the band's webstore.

Last year, ALL THAT REMAINS vocalist Philip Labonte confirmed to the FM99 WNOR radio station that the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2018's "Victim Of The New Disease" album.

"Victim Of The New Disease" was released via Fearless in North America and Eleven Seven in Europe.

ALL THAT REMAINS guitarist Oli Herbert was found dead in October 2018 at the edge of the pond on his Stafford Springs, Connecticut property. He was reported missing by his wife and his body was found by police face down at the edge of the pond where the water was only a few inches deep. He has since been replaced by Jason Richardson, who has previously played with BORN OF OSIRIS and CHELSEA GRIN.


Posted by Aaron Būbblé Patrick on Sunday, September 19, 2021

Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE have pushed back the release date of their seventh, self-titled studio album to November 5 from the previously announced October 22.

The band announced the delay in a social media post earlier today (Monday, September 20).

"Unfortunately due to COVID related manufacturing delays, we have no choice but to push back the release of our self titled record to November 5th," they wrote.

"It's important for us that you all be given the opportunity to experience this album at the same time, so as disappointing as it is to have to wait a little longer, we promise you it will be worth it. We want to thank you all for showing your support for this record so far!

"Stay tuned for more exciting news coming this week. BFMV x"

"Bullet For My Valentine" follows the success of the band's last album, 2018's "Gravity", which saw the metal juggernauts' catalog surpass one billion streams in the U.S. That accomplishment solidifies BULLET's hard-earned status as one of the most elite bands in the hard rock scene.

On the last cycle, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE played its biggest shows to date, including a U.K. arena tour and a massive show at London's Alexandra Palace. But this time around, the band has taken things back to basics. "Bullet For My Valentine" is stacked with squealing solos and monstrous riffs that will delight fans — both new and old.

"I think it's the most ferocious side of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE that I've ever known," says lead guitarist Michael "Padge" Paget. "It's time for us to put out a really angry, heavy, aggressive record. I just can't wait to grimace on stage!"

"I wanted to come out guns blazing, fucking middle fingers flying, and just go for the throat," agrees guitarist/vocalist Matt Tuck. "I think this is a far more aggressive, intense part of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE. It's always been there. I've just never opened the floodgates on it. I want to take people's heads off in a metaphorical way.

"This is the beginning of BULLET 2.0. It signifies where we are right now. The music is fresh, it's aggressive, it's more visceral and passionate than it's ever been."

Tuck began writing the album in September 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic brought things screeching to a halt in early 2020. But in June 2020, Tuck and longtime producer, Carl Bown, who co-produced the band's 2015 album, "Venom", and produced and mixed "Gravity", picked up the pace again. Together, they hunkered down at Treehouse Studio in Chesterfield, where the remainder of the album was written.

Aptly self-titled, the band has triumphed, creating an album that will cement its place in the metal pantheon.

"Bullet For My Valentine" track listing:

01. Parasite

02. Knives

03. My Reverie

04. No Happy Ever After

05. Can't Escape The Waves

06. Bastards

07. Rainbow Veins

08. Shatter

09. Paralysed

10. Death By a Thousand Cuts

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE is:

Matt Tuck - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Michael "Padge" Paget - Lead Guitar

Jamie Mathias - Bass

Jason Bowld - Drums




Important update here regarding the release of our 7th studio album.

Unfortunately due to covid related manufacturing delays, we have no choice but to push back the release of our self titled record to November 5th… pic.twitter.com/n9ogfwKCPt

— BFMV (@bfmvofficial) September 20, 2021








It's important for us that you all be given the opportunity to experience this album at the same time, so as disappointing as it is to have to wait a little longer, we promise you it will be worth it.

We want to thank you all for showing your support for this record so far!

— BFMV (@bfmvofficial) September 20, 2021








Stay tuned for more exciting news coming this week.

BFMV x

— BFMV (@bfmvofficial) September 20, 2021

Norway’s avant-garde black metal innovators, Borknagar, announce a very special 25th Anniversary reissue of their pioneering self-titled debut album Borknagar, out for the first time ever worldwide via the band’s longtime label partner Century Media Records on November 12.


Borknagar founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments on this special re-release as follows: “Throughout the years I have received countless requests for a re-release of this album…but because this album represents such a personal and treacherous part of my life, I wanted it to be done with dignity. And here we are: This is the definitive re-release of the debut album of Borknagar. This release contains a genuine re-master of the debut album, based on the original mix tapes. This has been done with the uttermost care and love by yours sincerely to maintain the original sound and flavour of the album, and solely to improve the listening experience. Working on this re-release has been an emotional ride. While always maintaining a good feeling about the project it has been times of frustration and technical obstacles. Hours has been spent finding and compiling old pictures, dealing with tapes and equipment that has not been played or used in over 25 years. But now it is done, and I hope you all enjoy and appreciate this release as much as I do.”


Initially released in 1996, "Borknagar" saw Øystein G. Brun recruiting a phenomenal cast of like-minded musicians such as Garm (Ulver, ex Arcturus) doing the vocals, drummer Grim (ex-Immortal, Gorgoroth and Ancient), Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved) on keyboards and bassist Infernus (who played in Gorgoroth) to enter the notorious halls of Grieghallen Studios with the goal of rupturing the peripheries of what was then deemed “traditional” black metal.


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The upcoming deluxe edition of the album now entitled Borknagar (25th Anniversary Reissue 2021) marks the definitive version of this pioneering Norwegian metal classic, as it includes a careful remaster of the 10 album songs courtesy of Øystein G. Brun himself, a makeover for the original artwork, profound liner notes, exclusive photos and a bonus disc full of previously unheard material from the band vaults.


The limited Digipak 2CD (with 12 bonus tracks / 60 min.) and the limited Gatefold 2LP on 180g black vinyl (with 8 bonus tracks / 37 min.) are available for pre-order here.


Below are the tracklistings of the Anniversary release.





2CD Digipak & Digital Album:


CD1 – Borknagar (Remaster 2021):
"Vintervredets Sjelesagn" (Remaster 2021) (06:47)
"Tanker mot Tind - Kvelding" (Remaster 2021) (03:43)
"Svartskogs Gilde" (Remaster 2021) (05:52)
"Ved Steingard" (Remaster 2021) (02:18)
"Krigsstev" (Remaster 2021) (02:02)
"Dauden" (Remaster 2021) (05:49)
"Grimskalle Trell" (Remaster 2021) (05:39)
"Nord Naagauk" (Remaster 2021) (03:07)
"Fandens Allheim" (Remaster 2021) (06:22)
"Tanker mot Tind - Gryning" (Remaster 2021) (03:01)


CD2 – Borknagar (25th Anniversary Bonus Material):
"Vintervredets Sjelesagn" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (06:46)
"Svartskogs Gilde" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
"Krigsstev" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (02:02)
"Dauden" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
"Grimskalle Trell" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:45)
"Fandens Allheim" (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:53)
"Ved Steingard" (Alternate Mix) (02:13)
"Nord Naagauk" (Alternate Mix) (03:28)
"Vintervredets Sjelesagn" (Rehearsal 1994) (06:59)
"Grimskalle Trell" (Rehearsal 1994) (06:14)
"Ved Steingard" (First ever recording 1994) (02:18)
"Vintervredets Sjelesagn" (Alternate Mix) (06:49)


Gatefold 2LP:


LP 1 – Borknagar (Remaster 2021):


Side A:
"Vintervredets Sjelesagn" (Remaster 2021) (06:47)
"Tanker mot Tind - Kvelding "(Remaster 2

HEART singer Ann Wilson has shared professionally filmed video footage of her August 21 performance at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. All proceeds from the "Never Forget Concert" benefited the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, which has been providing mortgage-free homes to families of first responders for several years.

Earlier last month, Wilson and her solo band THE AMAZING DAWGS released a live EP called "Howlen Live". Joining Ann in the group are Tom Bukovac on lead guitar, Tony Lucido on bass, Paul Moak on guitar and keyboards, and Sean Lane on drums.

Ann explained the decision to release the EP: "As we finished up the leg in June, it became clear to me that we made some real magic out there, so I've decided to release a number of those performances on an EP called 'Howlen Live'.

"Please enjoy that taste! There's much more where that came from."

This past April, Ann released another new single, "Black Wing". It is one of several songs the HEART frontwoman recorded last fall in Seattle with the help of local musicians, including current HEART bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker. In addition to "Black Wing", Wilson recorded "Tender Heart" as well as covers of Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now" and ALICE IN CHAINS' "Rooster", all three of which have already been released as singles, plus another original, "The Hammer", which came out in February.

Earlier in the year, Ann said in an interview that there are no plans for HEART to work on new music in the immediate future.

HEART toured North America in the summer of 2019 after a nasty split that kept the Wilson sisters estranged for three years.

Ann and Nancy had a falling out during HEART's 2016 tour, when Ann's husband Dean Welter was arrested for assaulting Nancy's then-16-year-old twin sons in a backstage altercation at a gig near their hometown of Seattle. He pleaded guilty to two lesser assault charges to avoid jail time.

Ann's 2018 solo album, "Immortal", contained cover versions of classic songs by artists who have passed away.

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt spoke to Canada's The Metal Voice about the lyrical inspiration for the song "The Fires Of Division", which will appear on the band's upcoming album, "Persona Non Grata", due on November 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. "It's just about the sad state of affairs in the world today, the divisive nature of everything," he explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "Maybe it's just me showing my age — I'm old enough to remember when people could have political differences and still get along. [Laughs] I guess I'm just old, right? My own band is comprised of varying different political ideologies, and we're best friends. The world has forgotten how to do that. We're so divided. And the powers that be want us divided. And that's on both sides — that's not just a hard-right or hard-left thing. They're doing everything they can to pit everybody against each other. I think [the media and the politicians] all have a hand in it — the media, all of them; the politicians as well. Because the game they're all playing now is they don't think they have to earn voters to get elected; just keep the ones you've got and be as vile and bad as you want. And the right will portray the left as a bunch of snowflake liberals, and the left will portray the right as a bunch of inbred fucking dummies. But we're all Americans here. And the sooner we remember that, the sooner we can start to heal. But I wrote that song while staring down the fucking Capitol riots and shit.

"I look at it like this: it's the same thing with religion," he continued. "Everybody pretty much knows I'm an atheist and I'm not a believer, but if I fucking wrote off all those that were, I wouldn't have a family. Most of my family believes in Jesus fucking Christ. And I'm not gonna part ways with them because we share a different religious idealogy. And I won't over a political either. Some of my best friends are completely different than me, and that's okay. It's not a bad thing. I don't look at them as fucking lesser people because we don't agree on something. And a lot of time, if you take the time to discuss shit like fucking humans, you'll find that you actually can find middle ground on a lot of things."

Back in April 2020, Holt spoke in more detail about the different political opinions within the EXODUS camp, telling the "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast: "Everybody knows I'm liberal on hella shit, but I'm also super conservative on hella shit too. And those are just my own opinions, and I leave them off my [social media] 'cause it starts a huge fight. People are, like, 'Ah, liberal snowflake EXODUS.' And I'm, like, motherfucker, three-fifths of EXODUS are Trump-loving Republicans — the majority of the band. Lee [Altus, guitar], Jack [Gibson, bass] and Zetro [Steve Souza, vocals] — it's full-on."

Three years ago, Souza said that he supported then-President Donald Trump, explaining in an interview: "The economy in the United States… the unemployment is the lowest it's ever been in the history of the United States. I think [Trump] making the attempt to go to meet [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un, I think that's great — that's what you need to do. People need to touch together, not do it through channels."

In a 2016 interview, Holt ripped Trump, saying: "You can't believe anything he says, 'cause he's a serial liar… He won't even condemn David Duke's support. He pretended he doesn't know who he is… That was your moment, Donald Trump, to say… you know, to condemn the man, basically, but you pretended you were just ignorant of who he was, 'cause you don't wanna fuck with that vote. There are some fucking hillbillies out there who you want voting for you."

Holt went on to say that he was "in many ways a Republican" but that he hadn't been able to find "a candidate up there who wasn't walked around on a leash by the Christian evangelicals, because they're the death of the conservative movement anyway. And if they just stay out of women's wombs and just actually concentrate on running a country and not being beholden to those people, I would vote Republican in a second."

Holt added that he had had productive discussions about the political situation with his bandmates. "I know people, including my own bandmembers in EXODUS, who, you might not agree with them, but I'd love to see some uptight, metal-hating, I-know-everything-about-politics dude go up against Jack Gibson in an argument," he said. "It might come to a draw. It's a debate — like, if you disagree with him, you're not gonna win — but he knows his fucking facts. And we're not all idiots. We actually do know what's going on in the world around us."

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

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