Three years since their latest album, Purgatorio, Gothenburg metal force Manimal has announced to return with a brand new studio record this fall. Armageddon is slated for a release on October 8th via AFM Records.


Check out the new single / video "Burn In Hell" below.





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Despite the band‘s loyalty to traditional heavy metal influences, Purgatorio was a prime example of modern and trend-setting power metal characterised by musical enthusiasm, exceptional talent and new ideas. As expected of a band that claims Judas Priest, King Diamond and Queensrÿche as major influences on their sound since Day 1, ManimaL’s new record is a high energy, in-your-face salute to the music that inspired them over the past 20 years.


But calling Manimal "just" a power metal band, however, is way off the mark according to vocalist Samuel Nyman. "We are more than power metal. It was our label that put Manimal into the power metal category with our first album, and we understand that completely because they had to put us in a genre to guide people. Power metal for me are bands like Helloween, Gamma Ray and Stratovarius; they have more up-tempo songs, more vocal harmonies. Sure, Manimal does have power metal elements but we're not pure power metal. There is more to us than that and I think the new album is perfect example of that."


The songwriting for Armageddon was once again headed up by guitarist Henrik Stenroos, considered by his bandmates to be the musical mastermind behind Manimal. And therein lies the secret to the band's more-than-power-metal sound. Stenroos listens to all different types of music and because of that colourful musical palette, according to Nyman, "he boils it down and gets his own ideas, trying to create something he likes himself." Stenroos has a solid riff-oriented approach to Manimal's music, and the material he presented to the rest of the band for Armageddon were actual songs rather than just mere ideas. As with their three previous records, the quartet worked together fleshing the songs into their final form. "The vocals harmonies Henrik gives me are played with the guitar," says Nyman, offering up one example of their creative process for Armageddon, which was mixed by Manimal bassist Kenny Boufadene at his Studio Meltdown in Sweden. "We have been making music together for so many years now that I can almost hear by the way he's playing how he wants me to deliver the vocals. It's not very often that we disagree in the songwriting process."


”I’m really proud we’ve managed to create yet another great album together," Henrik Stenroos adds. "And it’s been a team effort. All four of us have put so much soul and effort into everything from song writing to recording, with the result of a really heavy and all through awesome sounding album without any fillers what so ever. The fans of our previous works will not be disappointed."


Manimal's evolution between Armageddon and their first album, The Darkest Room - released in 2009 - is unquestionable. Their songwriting has become tighter, stronger and bolder, and they have improved by leaps and bounds as musicians. Armageddon will showcase their wide range of a heavy as hell sound, and one that will most likely win over the true hearts of both the old-school and every modern metal fan.


Armageddon will be available as LP, CD and Digital formats. Preorder options available here.





Tracklisting:


“Burn In Hell”
“Armageddon”
“Slaves Of Babylon”
“Forged In Metal”
“Chains Of Fury”
“Evil Soul”
“Path To The Unknown”
“Master Of Pain”
“Insanity”
“The Inevitable End”


“Forged In Metal”





“The Inevitable End”:





"Armageddon"








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BUTCHER BABIES vocalist Carla Harvey went on the "Side Jams With Bryan Reesman" podcast to talk about her work as a grief counselor, death doula, and previously, an embalmer, and how those vocations have influenced her life.

She says her family didn't want her to become an embalmer because of what she would see.

"It is a very different, graphic thing," Harvey told Reesman. "You go to a funeral, but you're not preoccupied by what happened to get the body to the point that it's sitting in a casket looking that fresh in front of you. It is completely different than what you think. Embalming is pretty hardcore. I also was an autopsy technician. It can be a little bit barbaric and a little bit gory, and I do think you'd become desensitized after you've done it. It becomes more like a science project. But it is something that most people don't see, won't see, and probably would have a very hard time getting out of their mind. I was just telling Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer and Harvey's boyfriend] the other night [while] we were out having steaks, I couldn't even eat meat for a while when I started mortuary school, when I started my embalming class. Because when you open up the body and you realize you know what your steak is... I don't know, something comes over you. I started to treat my body with a lot more respect after embalming and doing autopsies because I realized how lucky we are to be upright and walking. You really get a sense for how your body works. We're all these fine-tuned beings walking around upright and doing all these crazy things. I think everyone should at least go to a Body Worlds exhibit and see what is on the inside. So seeing it firsthand [through autopsies], and then also involving people of all different ages, from infancy to old age, has really taught me to live in the moment, be appreciative of what you have, and be respectful of your body."

Harvey also talked on "Side Jams" about working as a grief counselor and a death doula which she described as two separate vocations with some similarities.

"What I do with my grief counseling is I help people who are struggling with a loss," Harvey said on "Side Jams". "It could be the loss of a certain kind of lifestyle, loss of a job, a divorce, or a death. And then as a death doula, I actually help the person who is terminally ill, or dying, [to] fulfill legacy projects. I help them have choices where they didn't know they had choices throughout the death process. I help explain to the family what is happening. I help finalize paperwork that needs to be finalized, but a lot of times it's even just sitting with someone in silence and holding their hand and just being there for people in a time when not everyone wants to be there for you."

There are some people who Harvey counsels who do not know about her musical life. "Not everyone that I counsel is a fan of metal, but many are," she explained. "I found a great niche because a lot of people who love metal don't know how to reach out for help." When asked why she thinks that is, Harvey replied, "I think a lot of metal heads from youth are kind of disenfranchised people. People who were misfits, people who were not supposed to be emotional. Metal is a great release for people, whether people realize it or not. When you go to a concert, you're self medicating by getting out there and screaming and getting in the pit. Women are more apt to discuss their feelings with friends and family members. Men don't do that as much. So my clientele is very male heavy. And it's been awesome to see the light bulbs go off and for them to realize that they can be open, they can discuss things freely. It's a healing process."

Metalheads, Harvey said, "struggle with mental health, they struggle with processing grief. So it's been a really cool way for me to reach out to people that love metal and say, 'Hey, it's okay to feel this way. I can help guide you into healthy grieving practices.’ It's been awesome to be able to help people hands-on again."

BUTCHER BABIES have just kicked off a headlining tour, "Butcher Babies Vs. Goliath", which features the band performing its debut album, "Goliath" — released in 2013 via Century Media Records — in its entirety along with recent hit singles and new material. The tour will stretch to October 8 and will see the group stop at several of the largest U.S. rock festivals, including Rocklahoma, Louder Than Life, Aftershock and more.

Hailing from the City of Angels, BUTCHER BABIES have released two EPs and three albums to date, with their latest 2017 LP, "Lilith", debuting at #1 on iTunes Metal chart and #7 on iTunes Rock chart. The band kicked off 2021 by independently releasing a handful of newly energized singles produced and co-written by Matt Good (FROM FIRST TO LAST), including the most recent track "It's Killin' Time, Baby" in August. Along with previously released singles "Last Dance", "Yorktown", "Sleeping With The Enemy" and "Bottom Of A Bottle", all are to be featured on their upcoming independently released EP.

Alice Cooper and nine Fiesta Bowl founders will serve as Fiesta Bowl Parade grand marshals when the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade hits Central Phoenix in Arizona on Saturday, December 18.

The theme of the parade, which honors the organization's 50th aanniversary, is "Gold Standard: A Commitment to CommUNITY."

The Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade grand marshal honors an individual or group whose actions align with the Fiesta Bowl's commitment to driving economic growth, championing charitable causes and executing innovative experiences.

For almost 50 years, singer, songwriter and musician Alice Cooper has impacted the music world with his unique theatrical and heavy metal rock performances. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, Cooper founded "Alice Cooper's Solid Rock," a faith-based organization that has a mission to make a difference in teens' lives by helping them meet the spiritual, economical, physical and social needs by offering a safe, engaging environment during non-school hours.

To boost the national profile of Arizona, help Arizona State in its postseason prospects and showcase Arizona as a major sports player, nine visionaries came together to bring a Bowl game to the Phoenix community.

With an effort that started late in 1968, a group headed by advertising executive Glenn Hawkins, newspaper public relations director Bill Shover, hotelier Jack Stewart, lawyer Don Meyers, media executive Karl Eller, stockbroker Jim Meyer, Coca-Cola general manager George Taylor, banker George Isbell and accountant Don Dupont began their mission to bring a college bowl game to Arizona. After several presentations to the NCAA, the persistence paid off on April 26, 1971, when the NCAA Council approved a bowl game in Arizona and the Fiesta Bowl was born.

Jim Meyer, Don Meyers and Bill Shover will represent the founders down the Parade route.

A pillar in the community for over 80 years, Desert Financial Credit Union has been the title sponsor of the Fiesta Bowl parade since 2018. Desert Financial has boasted custom floats, balloons and activations throughout the years and will continue the tradition of showing off the company's spirit of giving.

Joining the Parade family this year is Lerner & Rowe as presenting partner, after having worked with the Fiesta Bowl organization on several community relations projects over the past several years. The organization has been paying forward the law firm's achievements and success by assisting Arizona community organizations that serve children and families. The law office of Lerner & Rowe has been an Arizona staple since its founding in 2005 and was built on the principles of quality representation and a dedication to client service and satisfaction.

With the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade moving two weeks earlier, the state's highest-attended single-day event will enjoy its own spotlight on Saturday, December 18. Admission is free to the public with premium and reserved seating now available for sale at $30. The Parade is broadcast live on Arizona's Family 3TV, online and through the AZFamily app.

A combination of more than 3,000 men, women, children and animals participate in the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade annually — which features various brilliantly colored floats, giant balloons, antique cars, equestrian units, charitable groups, local celebrities, marching bands and more. The Fiesta Bowl invites groups to submit an application by Friday, September 10, 2021 to join in on the historic parade.

For more information about the events, the application process and to purchase tickets, visit www.FiestaBowl.org/parade.

"We are celebrating and honoring our 50 years of community impact and who better to lead the way than Arizona icon Alice Cooper and our legendary Fiesta Bowl founders, without whom we wouldn't be here today," said Mike Nealy, Fiesta Bowl executive director. "With the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented By Lerner & Rowe being earlier this year, we get to celebrate and connect with our community like never before."

"It will be an honor to serve as grand marshal for this year's Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented By Lerner & Rowe. Riding on a float doesn't sound like a hard job and I can't wait to do so in my hometown," said Alice Cooper. "I appreciate the generosity of Fiesta Bowl charities in helping Phoenix-area teenagers. It's great when I see other organizations supporting similar organizations like our Solid Rock Teen Center to get the job done for members of our community."

"From the beginning, the Fiesta Bowl founders' vision was to create Arizona's largest and most important community effort in history. Over our 50 years, we have done just that," said Don Meyers, Fiesta Bowl co-founder. "Our collaboration and 'can-do' spirit were the foundation of the amazing impact Fiesta Bowl has had on and off the field ever since. The founders are honored to be grand marshals of the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented By Lerner & Rowe, and to once again celebrate this incredible event with our community."

"There is no better way to celebrate the Fiesta Bowl and our community than with Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented By Lerner & Rowe. I think it brings the whole community together and the Desert Financial team is proud to be a part of that," said Desert Financial president and CEO Jeff Meshey. "It's so great to be able to celebrate the Fiesta Bowl's 50-year history with founders and local icon Alice Cooper as grand marshals. We can't wait to see all of those smiling faces along the parade route when Christmas comes early this year on December 18."

"We believe that together we can do more to impact our community and the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade Presented By Lerner & Rowe does just that, it brings people together," said Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe, co-founders/partners at Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys. "Part of the fun in life is building meaningful relationships and celebrating the positive moments. The Parade offers our team another chance to do both, while fulfilling our mission to focus on our communities."

During an appearance on the latest episode of "The Jeremy White Podcast", JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about his expectations for the band's first pandemic-era tour, the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American trek, which will kick off on September 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania and conclude on November 5 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Asked how he and his bandmates will navigate touring amid the coronavirus crisis and whether PRIEST will skip meet-and-greets and backstage guests on this upcoming run, Hill said: "I'm afraid it's gonna be that. We're all double-jabbed, so we're about as protected as we ever will be, unless something else comes out in the meantime. I don't know. And it's just that — [we'll] be careful, and we're just gonna keep our distance away from people. If we go out in the evenings, we'll try and keep our bubble together. We're gonna try to limit the amount of third parties you get to see.

"It's a sad thing, 'cause all of us, we've got friends and people that we see every time we come around," he added. "This time around, we're gonna have to be a little bit careful, I'm afraid."

In early April, JUDAS PRIEST's European tour, which was scheduled to kick off in late May, was once again postponed due to "ongoing COVID-19 vaccine issues." The trek will now run from May 27, 2022 in Moscow, Russia until July 31, 2022 in Oberhausen, Germany.

Two months ago, PRIEST singer Rob Halford talked to the "All Exce$$" podcast about the band's upcoming North American tour, which will mark the British heavy metal legends' first run of shows since June 2019. "We kick off in Reading, Pennsylvania in September," he said. "So we've got some saving grace as far as now and then," he said, referencing the international travel restrictions to the United States from the U.K. and other countries, including those in the European Union. "I was just talking to Martin, our production guy, about flights back into the U.S., and I'd like to feel that hopefully the corridors between the U.K. and the U.S. are fully open. I think you'll still have to show proof of vaccination and a test before you get on the plane. But you'll be able to get off the plane, because that plane is gonna be the safest place in the world to be. Once you get on it, and then you're safe and then get off and then go back into the world, hopefully you don't have to go through the hoops and stuff that you have to right now when you get to either end. But, look, I think that you do what you've gotta do. You listen to the scientists, not the politicians, and we've got through this."

"Every single one of us has been affected by this pandemic," he continued. "Every person on the planet, one way or another, has been affected, and we've all had to make the necessary safety changes that we need to make.

"Considering the severity of this pandemic, the way that the scientists worked so effectively and so brilliantly to getting a vaccine so quickly, it's remarkable," Halford added. "It's absolutely remarkable the way technology has advanced so much and they do a lot of this stuff on computer — DNA and virus, blah blah blah. It's just a blessing that this vaccine has been able to be created so quickly."

SEX PISTOLS frontman John Lydon has expressed his worry and dismay after he lost a legal battle over the right to use the band's songs in the upcoming biopic miniseries about the U.K. punk legends.

"Pistol" is a six-episode series about SEX PISTOLS guitarist Steve Jones. It is based on Jones's 2018 memoir "Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol" and it is being helmed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle, who serves as executive producer and director.

Jones and former SEX PISTOLS drummer Paul Cook have argued in court that an agreement they signed with Lydon meant decisions regarding licensing requests could be determined on a "majority rules basis."

Lydon, for his part, that the bandmember agreement had not been applied since it was signed more than 20 years ago and that "all decisions" about the use of SEX PISTOLS music and imagery had been made with "unanimous" agreement.

However, a judge ruled earlier in the month that the contract was valid and active, and that the majority of the band could overrule any individual member's veto.

In a new statement posted on his official web site, Lydon — better known as his alter ego Johnny Rotten — claims that he only made aware of the announcement of "Pistol" hours before it was made, and he had no idea how the band would be portrayed in it.

"In January this year, days before a worldwide press announcement, John Lydon was told of the proposed use of SEX PISTOLS recordings in a six part television series based upon a book written by Steve Jones," the statement reads. "The project had been years in the making. Despite this, John Lydon was given just a few hours' notice of what was to be announced.

"Understandably, John, as the creative force of the SEX PISTOLS wanted to know how he was going to be portrayed and his musical works were going to be used to lend credibility to the series. Despite asking for details of the script or screenplay, John still does not know these details.

"John Lydon did not ask for the recent proceedings. He was asked to allow the SEX PISTOLS works to be used without any prior consultation or involvement in the project. He took a stand on principle for what he sees as the integrity of the SEX PISTOLS legacy and fought for what he believed and continues to believe was right.

"For more than 23 years the SEX PISTOLS have operated on the basis of unanimous decision making. The Disney production is the first time that the unanimous approach has been ignored.

"It is disappointing that a High Court judge has decided that John Lydon is bound by an undated agreement signed in 1998, which imposes on the SEX PISTOLS a majority rule arrangement in place of the unanimous decision making process that has been followed for 23 years.

"Looking forward, there is great uncertainty about what the majority rule approach might do to water down and distort the true history and legacy of the SEX PISTOLS. Time will tell.

"Whatever Disney does, it is doing it without John's involvement or creative approval. John is powerless to prevent any distortion of the true history of the SEX PISTOLS and whatever results will be at the wish of the majority only.

"In John's words 'I am the lead singer and songwriter, front man, image, the lot, you name it. I put it there. How is that not relevant? It is dumbfounding to me. It is so destructive to what the band is and so I fear that the whole project might be extremely negative. How can anyone think that this can proceed without consulting me and deal with my personal life in this, and my issues in this, without any meaningful contact with me before the project is announced to the world. I don't think there are even words that I can put forward to explain quite how disingenuous this is. As I said in the lyrics of The Order of Death, This is what you want, this is what you get…'"

Last month, Cook told the court that he and the other members of SEX PISTOLS had "always wanted to work harmoniously" but were forced to file a lawsuit against Lydon in order to make it possible for the group's music to be used in the TV show. He added that Lydon "can be a difficult character and always likes to feel that he has control" and explained that the "majority rules agreement" was never used before because "I thought that our relationship with John would get worse when we used it".

"Maybe Steve and I have been too nice to John over the years in trying to maintain good relations and that we should have been tougher," he said.

"I am unhappy that he would behave like this over an important personal project for Steve, particularly as we have always backed his personal projects."

In April, Lydon reacted to publicity shots promoting "Pistol", telling The Sunday Times: "I think that's the most disrespectful shit I've ever had to endure. I mean, they went to the point to hire an actor to play me but what's the actor working on? Certainly not my character. It can't go anywhere else [but court]."

Lydon also claimed that he has never been contacted by Boyle about "Pistol" even though the two had met during preparations for the 2021 London Olympics opening ceremony.

He added: "Sorry, you think you can do this, like walk all over me — it isn't going to happen. Not without a huge, enormous fucking fight. I'm Johnny, you know, and when you interfere with my business, you're going to get the bitter end of my business as a result. It's a disgrace."

A spokesperson for the "Pistol" production told The Sunday Times that Boyle reached out to Lydon's management company about the planned series but "ultimately direct contact was declined."

"Pistol" was created by Craig Pearce and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Jones, Boyle and Pearce serve as executive producers alongside Gail Lyon, Anita Camarata, Tracey Seaward, Paul Lee, Hope Hartman and Wiip. The series is produced by FX Productions.

Anchored by Jones's memoir, which offers a new perspective on one of rock's greatest ever stories, "Pistol" moves from West London's council estates, to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's notorious Kings Road SEX shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of "Never Mind The Bollocks", which is frequently listed as one of the most influential albums of all time. Their single "God Save The Queen" was banned by the BBC and reached No. 1 on the U.K.'s NME chart, but appeared at No. 2 on the official U.K. singles chart, leading to accusations that the song was purposely kept off the top spot. For the only time in chart history, the track was listed as a blank, to avoid offence to the monarchy.

"Pistol" stars Toby Wallace ("Babyteeth", "Acute Misfortune") as Steve Jones, Anson Boon ("Crawl", "1917", "Blackbird") as John Lydon, Louis Partridge ("Enola Holmes", "Medici") as Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Fabien Frankel ("The Serpent", "NYPD Blue") as Glen Matlock, Dylan Llewellyn ("Derry Girls") as Wally Nightingale, Sydney Chandler ("Don't Worry Darling") as Chrissie Hynde, Emma Appleton ("The Witcher", "Traitors") as Nancy Spungen, and Maisie Williams ("Game Of Thrones") as punk icon Jordan

Guitarist Nick Hipa has confimed his departure from AS I LAY DYING, explaining that he can no longer justify being part of "a superficial pursuit" of the "story and meaning" that the band's 2018 reunion was built upon.

Although Hipa's exit was originally rumored in August 2020, neither he nor his bandmates had publicly spoken out about the split until now.

Earlier today, Nick took to his Instagram to share the following statement: "I am deeply appreciative for the love, care, and concern I have been messaged with over the past year while being largely absent from social activity. My days have been occupied with a motion design career, deep focus on my family, taking care of my health, and working on other creative projects. Real life has a way of crowding out time for things like social media, so I apologize to those of you who reached out to me for answers regarding my disassociation from AS I LAY DYING and never heard back. I've been trying to move on peacefully in life.

"At this point though, it has been well over a year since I have distanced myself from them on a personal and professional level. In that time they have only given fans merchandising posts and show announcements. This sort of activity highlights and reinforces our differences.

"Respectfully, I left because the story and meaning we built our reunion upon decayed considerably over time. What primarily endures is a superficial pursuit I cannot justify supporting or being part of. This is not an indictment on any who choose to remain or be involved. There is tremendous good that can be accomplished through singular focus on the power of music. However to my memory and recent experience, it comes at the cost of tolerating behavior which at times mistreats, disrespects, and hurts other people. I do not have it in me to walk that road again.

"The talent and unshakeable ambition of the band is undeniable. They will continue to release successful music and do great business. On a human level, I hope everything else fares well for them.

"I am grateful for the lessons I've learned and the incredible people I've been able to meet and connect with the past 17 years.

"I'll still be around.

"Love to all, Nick Hipa".

AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis was famously convicted in 2014 for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against his estranged wife.

In May 2014, Lambesis was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to paying a San Diego police officer posing as a hitman $1,000 to kill his wife. Approximately two and a half years later — on December 17, 2016 — he was discharged from a California detention facility and was transferred to the Division of Adult Parole Operations.

In June 2018, AS I LAY DYING played its first show with Lambesis in five years and released a new single. Lambesis also owned up to his crimes in a long apology on the band's Facebook page after his release.

In September 2019, AS I LAY DYING released its seventh full-length album, "Shaped By Fire", via Nuclear Blast.

The return of AS I LAY DYING raised some questions, particularly since Hipa categorically denounced the band's disgraced frontman as a "sociopathic narcissist in definite need of rehabilitation" in a social-media post back in 2014.
























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During an appearance on the latest episode of the "Scandalous" podcast, British musician Andy James, who joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH last year as the replacement for the band's longtime guitarist Jason Hook, spoke about the songwriting process for FIVE FINGER's upcoming ninth studio album.

"A lot of what's happening in the studio at the moment is hashing out ideas and stuff," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I don't think I've heard anything yet that's fully done, finished or whatever. It's only been a few weeks anyway. We're just talking about direction — how it's gonna be, sound and all the rest of it. But, obviously, I'm coming into a process that's already established, so I'm only really kind of offering the odd opinion here and there when it's asked of me. So I'm kind of working my way up to being able to [say], 'Oh, yeah. What do you think of this?' or blah blah blah.

"It's gonna be a new process for the rest of the guys in the band, bringing in a new person," he continued. "'Cause, obviously, Jason was a big part of the writing for this band. There are a lot of similarities between me and him anyway. Ten years prior to even joining the band, I was a fan of DEATH PUNCH, so I'm well aware of his style and his playing, and I dare say some of that's even rubbed off. 'Cause in a lot of modern bands nowadays, there isn't really a huge amount of guitar solos being played. When you're listening to newer stuff that's a band, say like DEATH PUNCH that rose up relatively recently compared to a lot of other bands that might have already had that in the band, I suppose it's probably one of the only bands I would listen to that probably had guitar solos over some of the more modern stuff I listen to."

James added: "Coming into this process after doing eight records or whatever, I'm gonna be able to bring something cool, no doubt. I've kind of already thrown a few ideas here and there, and it's not been completely, 'No, that sucks,' or whatever. So, yeah. I don't know. We'll see how it goes."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently entered the Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada to begin recording its new album for a 2022 release. In addition, the band has commenced re-recording its debut LP, 2007's "The Way Of The Fist", for its 15th anniversary.

James made his recording debut with FIVE FINGER on the song "Broken World", which is featured on the second installment of the band's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2".

Each of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's first six albums — "The Way of the Fist", 2009's "War Is The Answer", 2011's "American Capitalist", 2013's "The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1" and "Volume 2", and 2015's "Got Your Six" — has gone either gold or platinum in the U.S.

The band has had two dozen songs hit the Top 10 on the Mainstream Rock or Hard Rock Digital charts, starting with "The Bleeding". FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's 2010 cover of BAD COMPANY's "Bad Company" was certified platinum for accumulating a million certified units.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's No. 1 hits include "Coming Down", "Lift Me Up", "Battle Born", "Wash It All Away", "Sham Pain", "When The Seasons Change" and "Blue On Black".

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's most recent album, 2020's "F8", debuted at No. 1 on rock charts around the world, with Top 10 mainstream chart debuts in the U.S., Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and more. "F8" features No. 1 hit singles "Inside Out", "A Little Bit Off" and "Living The Dream".

DIAMOND HEAD guitarist Brian Tatler, who performed with METALLICA a decade ago as part of the week-long celebration of the James Hetield-fronted band's 30th anniversary, was asked in a recent interview with TotalRock Radio if he will return to San Francisco in December to take part in METALLICA's upcoming 40th-birthday concerts. "Well, I don't know," he responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I have to be invited. I was invited last time. I flew over to San Fran and all of that, which was awesome. Maybe because of COVID, things will be different this time… But maybe also they've done that thing with guests — they had Rob Halford [JUDAS PRIEST], they had MERCYFUL FATE, King Diamond and things like that. And so I think, if anything, they'll try to think of another angle. 'Cause otherwise you're just doing the same thing again, aren't you, really? And also, that was really hard to do. Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] said to be that they had to learn 80 songs. He said it [was] insane. He said it was one of the hardest things they've ever done — that week — when they had to learn [all those songs]. And they had guests flying in from all over the world, and they had to rehearse."

Asked if any member of METALLICA has ever gotten up on stage with DIAMOND HEAD, Brian said: "No. Not yet. Not even Lars. When we met Lars in 1981, he never even said he was a drummer. He never once said, 'I'll have a go on the kit.' He was just a fan — über fan. He didn't even say, 'I'm gonna form a band.' Nothing. Only later when he wrote a letter did he say, 'I've got this band.'"

METALLICA will play two unique live shows featuring two different setlists on December 17 and 19 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Tickets for these shows were made available only to registered members of METALLICA's Fifth Member fan club. In addition to the two shows at Chase Center, METALLICA will be curating other live music and comedy events, Blackened Whiskey tastings, and so much more all around the city during the long four-day weekend of celebrations starting on Thursday, December 16.

DIAMOND HEAD influenced a slew of early '80s thrash metal bands, in particular METALLICA, which recorded the band's "Am I Evil" as a B-side to their 1984 "Creeping Death" single and again included on the band's multi-platinum 1998 covers album "Garage Inc." METALLICA would record three additional DIAMOND HEAD songs: "Helpless" ("Garage Days", 1987), "The Prince" ("One" single B-side, 1989) and "It's Electric" ("Garage Inc." , 1998).

According to Brian, the royalties that he receives from the DIAMOND HEAD back catalog, including the METALLICA recordings of his songs, are enough for him to live on. "It's my biggest source of income," he revealed in a 2019 interview. "It's great and I don't know what I would do without it. It gives me the freedom to do what I like. I'm very grateful."

DIAMOND HEAD's latest album, "The Coffin Train", was released in May 2019 via Silver Lining Music. The album was recorded at Vigo Studios in Walsall, Circle Studios in Birmingham and Raw Sound Studio in London.

BMG will release IRON MAIDEN's 17th studio album, "Senjutsu", the band's first in six years, on September 3. It was recorded in Paris with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley and co-produced by bassist Steve Harris. It was preceded on July 15 by an already highly acclaimed animated video for the first single "The Writing On The Wall" made by BlinkInk based on a concept by singer Bruce Dickinson with two former Pixar executives. It followed a month-long teaser campaign and global "treasure hunt" for clues about the track title and concept.

In a new interview with T95 The Rock Station, MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain stated about the making of "Senjutsu" (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We started recording in March — maybe February, actually — of 2019. We had a bit of time off between the 'Legacy Of The Beast' tour part one and part two, and we decided way back on 'The Book Of Souls' we were gonna do another record. 'Cause things are planned out by years for IRON MAIDEN, and Rod [Smallwood, MAIDEN manager] and Bruce and Steve sit and plan it out and run it by us all. And so, yeah, we penciled some time in. We weren't exactly sure what day we were gonna start, but we blocked off some time in Guillaume Tell studio in Paris. But, unfortunately, it was winter time, so yours truly wasn't happy to be there, I'll tell you that. I am a warm-weather Floridian; 31 years I've lived there.

"Anyway, so we went in [to record the LP]," he continued. "And, of course, then we did the 'Legacy' tour and we were planning on everything going ahead, and, of course, the rest is history; the world shut down. But in a way, it gave us a lot of time to plan the release of the album, but also to put out a phenomenal video that Bruce and the team worked on for 'The Writing On The Wall'. So, in a way, it kind of gave us a little bit of freedom in that respect, although that sort of stuff, the animation, is all done with computers and doesn't have to be done in an office and some bloke sitting and drawing. So, yeah, we were fortunate in that. And I've gotta tip my hat to Bruce Dickinson and the team for an absolutely splendid [video]. I mean, what a piece of film that is."

Regarding what fans can expect to hear on "Senjutsu", Nicko said: "The only way I can sum this record up is there's a little bit of everything in it. If you analyze certain sounds, certain ways the guitar sounds, certain vocal treatments, reverbs, little plate echoes and delays and stuff like that, different compressions on the drum set… Steve's bass tones change slightly. And there's a bit of everything. Say, from the early albums of MAIDEN through to the middle — 'Somewhere Back In Time', 'Seventh Son' — sound-wise, sonically and some of the flavors on the tracks within the writing of the tracks. I mean, Steve wrote three of these epic songs — I think there's over 30 minutes of songwriting on just three songs, and it was all penned by Harry. No one else came in with anything else. Steve went, 'I've got an idea for this melody.' Obviously, as it's created, then you have your artistic input. It's not like I had to play exactly the drum fill that Steve wants. He's got a sketch. But there's something for everybody. And there's a little bit of new stuff. I mean, listen to the beginning of 'The Writing On The Wall'. And there's a couple of other little gems and nuggets that will come to people, and they're gonna go, 'Oh, blimey, that sounds like so-and-so and so-and-so,' — more so older bands. So, yes, lots of surprises sonically."

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 bassist Steve Harris. With a running time of a little under 82 minutes, "Senjutsu", like their previous record "The Book Of Souls", will be a double CD/triple vinyl album.

"Senjutsu" will be released on the following formats and available to pre-order/pre-save at www.ironmaiden.com:

* Standard 2CD Digipak

* Deluxe 2CD Book Format

* Deluxe heavyweight 180G Triple Black Vinyl

* Special Edition Triple Silver And Black Marble Vinyl (Details to follow)

* Special Edition Triple Red and Black Marble Vinyl (Details to follow)

* Super Deluxe Boxset featuring CD, Blu Ray and Exclusive Memorabilia

* Digital album [streaming and download]

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

In addition to MAIDEN, Shirley has collaborated with dozens of notable acts, including Joe Bonamassa, JOURNEY, DREAM THEATER and LED ZEPPELIN.

During the making of "The Book Of Souls", Dickinson was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor at the back of his tongue. He recorded all the vocals for the album with the tumor before undergoing treatment and making a full recovery in time for the LP's release in September 2015.

According to the Associated Press, an attorney for Marilyn Manson has entered a not guilty plea on the singer's behalf in a district court in New Hampshire. Manson is accused of approaching a videographer at his 2019 concert at the Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford and spitting and blowing his nose on her. Manson's attorney filed the not guilty plea in Laconia District Court. A case status hearing has been scheduled for December 27.

Manson was charged with two misdemeanour counts of simple assault. If convicted on the charges, Manson could face a jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000.

The shock-rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, turned himself in two months ago in Los Angeles on an arrest warrant in the case. Manson then went through the Los Angeles Police Department's booking process before being released on personal recognizance bail. He has agreed to not commit any crimes while on release, not have any contact with the alleged victim, and to appear at all of his court hearings.

This past May, the Gilford Police Department announced that they had an active arrest warrant for Manson in connection with the incident, which occurred in August 2019.

According to the affidavit, Manson approached the videographer, whose company was contracted by the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion for the concert season the first time, put his face close to the camera and spat a "big lougee" at her. She was struck on both hands with saliva. The shock rocker allegedly returned a second time, covering one side of his nostril and blowing in the videographer's direction.

Manson performed in Gilford, New Hampshire on August 19, 2019 as part of the co-headlining "Hell Never Dies" tour with Rob Zombie.

In a statement, Manson's attorney Howard King said: "It is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera. This misdemeanor claim was pursued after we received a demand from a venue videographer for more than $35,000 after a small amount of spit came into contact with their arm. After we asked for evidence of any alleged damages, we never received a reply. This whole claim is ludicrous, but we remain committed to cooperating with authorities, as we have done throughout."

Seemingly contradicting King's statement, three concert attendees — including a security guard — told People that they saw Manson spit and "shoot his snot" at the camerawoman.

"He was spitting everywhere and one time it got on her camera so she wiped it off and looked semi-irritated. He noticed this and kept purposely spitting on her camera," one attendee told People. "I think her final straw is he got on the floor, got within 2-3 feet of her and hacked a giant snot rocket at her not the camera. She was pissed off and disgusted so she stormed off and he just laughed."

"I stopped listening to his music after that and told my husband I would never go to another one of his concerts again," she added.

A second attendee concurred, stating that he "bent down to shoot his snot all over this woman. I can remember him just laughing about what he did."

"I was right there when it happened, she was beyond furious when he did that to her," a third man, who works as a security guard at the venue, said. "He spit on her a couple of times and then leaned real close to the camera and blew a huge snot rocket on her. After he did that, she almost threw her camera right down on the ground."

Osiris Media has released the latest episode of Alex Skolnick's "Moods & Modes" podcast in which the TESTAMENT guitarist examines songs that exhibit nearly identical musical qualities. He dives deep on classic songs, comparing "Waiting On The World To Change" to "People Get Ready", "Comfortably Numb" to "Here Comes The Flood", "Always Somewhere" to "Simple Man" and many others, explaining the elements in the songwriting that were "borrowed" from other songs. A few examples will definitely surprise you.

Throughout the episode, Alex provides musical analysis to compare and contrast the songs, and discusses several of the most controversial musical legal battles over "who wrote it first," such as LED ZEPPELIN's "Stairway To Heaven" versus SPIRIT's "Taurus" and George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" duking it out against THE CHIFFONS' "He's So Fine".

Speaking about the court case surrounding the introduction to "Stairway To Heaven", Skolnick argued that the two songs share a common chord progression and bass line that has been used in music for centuries.

"A lawsuit over the instrumental part of a song is, for the most part, pretty fucking ridiculous — excuse my language," Alex said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "It would open the doors to a veritable ocean of litigation. And it's hard not to think that the LED ZEPPELIN lawsuit was the result of overly aggressive attorneys seeking notoriety, riches or both. After all, the songwriter represented in the lawsuit, Randy Wolfe, better known as Randy California, is no longer with us. And after a jury ruled in LED ZEPELLIN's favor in 2016, these guys wouldn't stop. They appealed the case, [and] the verdict was tossed out. Then it went to a higher court, who upheld the original verdict. These guys still wouldn't stop. They took it all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Thankfully, the court — from [judge] Sonia Sotomayor on the left to Clarence Thomas on the right to everyone in between — all agreed: 'We decline to hear the case. The verdict stands. Case closed.'"

Michael Skidmore, the trustee of "Taurus" songwriter Wolfe's estate, had brought the claims more than four decades after "Stairway To Heaven" appeared on LED ZEPPELIN's untitled album, better known as "Led Zeppelin IV".

Five years ago, LED ZEPPELIN singer Robert Plant testified in court that he had no recollection of ever hearing "Taurus" before. "I didn't remember it then, and I don't remember it now," he said. LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page also testified that he had not copied any part of "Taurus" even though he owned five discs by SPIRIT among his collection of 4,000 vinyl records.

Fan-filmed video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's August 28 performance at VetFest in Oswego, Illinois can be seen below.

The four-day festival raised funds for local charities with an emphasis on veterans and Oswego Unit District 308.

When his participation in VetFest was first announced, Vince said in a statement: "It's an honor to play an event like this for such a good cause. I have several family members who served in the military, including my father, so a show like this is near and dear to my heart. My band and I are looking forward to performing a fun, energetic and exciting show performing all the hits. I am certain a good time will be had by all. See you there!"

This past weekend's show came three months after Neil struggled to complete his solo concert at the Boone Iowa River Valley Festival in Boone. Based on fan-filmed video footage of the May 29 gig posted on YouTube, the 60-year-old rocker, who hadn't performed in more than a year and a half due to the COVID-19 pandemic, began losing his voice several songs into his set, which consisted exclusively of CRÜE classics and cover songs previously recorded by the band.

14 songs into the performance, Vince attempted to sing CRÜE's smash hit "Girls, Girls, Girls" but gave up mid-song, explaining to the crowd: "Hey, guys… I'm sorry, you guys. It's been a long time playin'. My fuckin' voice is gone… Eh… We love you, and we'll hopefully see you next time, man. Take care."

After Neil walked off the stage, his backing band — which still consists of bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff "Blando" Bland from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney — continued to play the song, singing along to what appeared to be pre-recorded backing vocals.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place last summer but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In December 2019, CRÜE manager Allen Kovac told Fox Business that "some of" the bandmembers had enlisted outside help to get in shape for the trek. Kovac was referring to criticism of Neil for his supposed diminished singing ability and weight gain, as well as the health status of guitarist Mick Mars, who has been dealing with a chronic form of arthritis that led him to undergo a hip replacement.

Kovac explained: "Some of them are working with a trainer, some of them are working with a nutritionist to make themselves the best they can be. The greatest insecurity for an artist is: Is anyone going to care about my music? Is anyone going to buy a ticket? We were in November [2019] when the discussions were happening, and these guys were already into regimens of how they get ready for a tour."

Speaking specifically about Neil, Kovac added: "Let's see what Vince sings like and looks like when the tour goes out."

CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx also said that Vince was "killing it" while working with "trainers" and "nutritionists" in preparation for "The Stadium Tour".














Well it wasn't the 80's crew. But Vince Neil showed up and jammed for the vets. We all get old, and he found time to come and jam some classic crew songs. Thank you Vince Neil The Legendary Voice Performing All The Hits at VetFest Oswego Vince Neil.

Posted by Ron Poore on Saturday, August 28, 2021

Vocalist Sean Killian of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metallers VIO-LENCE, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 earlier in the month, has defended his decision to not take the coronavirus vaccine, saying "it's about freedom" for him.

The 57-year-old musician, who battled stage four liver cirrhosis five years ago, revealed his COVID-19 diagnosis in a social media post on August 22. He wrote at the time: "I entered the hospital to be treated for Covid. I contracted the virus from a friend who was unaware he was carrying it. I am feeling much better but my lung capacity at this time is diminished. My oxygen absorption is good and all my other symptoms have gone away. I will have a recovery period that will take some time." That same day, Killian blasted Harald Oimoen as a "coward" after the former D.R.I. bassist said that he had "no sympathy" for adults who refuse vaccination against COVID-19 and then become sick.

On August 26, Killian returned to social media to share a video update on his health, revealing that he had been discharged from the hospital after spending several days receiving medical treatment. He also denied that he was opposed to vaccination, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have been vaccinated more than anyone you probably know who hasn't been through the same shit that I've been through. Because I've been through a lot of shit. Before my [liver transplant] surgery — Jesus Christ — I couldn't count the vaccines I had to take. And there were deadlines, like if you didn't take it now, you ain't getting your surgery. So… I'm not against people getting [the vaccine].

"You wanna get the vaccine? Get the vaccine," he continued. "I support you a hundred percent. It's your choice — it's your choice. And it's not even about the vaccine for me; it's about freedom. I'm a free man. I'm internal. My freedom comes from within, not from anyone else. Nobody determines my freedom. So, don't step on my freedom — that's all. And don't step on other people's [freedom].

"I heard comments about, 'Oh, if you don't take the vaccine, you deserve what you get.' Well, guess what. Do obese people deserve to have heart disease? Should they be left out? Should smokers not be treated for lung cancer because they made these choices to do this? Obese people have heart disease, diabetes — all these things. Now, under the same analogy of, 'If you don't take the vaccine, you should suffer,' well, then those people, you should apply it to them too. Because they should suffer. But I don't believe that. I believe people should be free to do what they want. If you wanna go to fucking McDonalds and eat 20 cheeseburgers and fucking wake up in the morning and eat 20 breakfast fucking McNugget shit — whatever the fuck they serve over there, 'cause I don't eat that crap — go for it. That's your business. My business is not someone else's business. Like I said, my freedom's internal. I decide — no one else.

"I'm not anti-vaxx," Killian added. "I just make my own decisions. And freedom is the number one decision for me — to make my own choices. And I hope all of you do the same."

Sean's public revelation that he was infected with the virus came on the day that former TROUBLE singer Eric Wagner — who was also unvaccinated — died after a battle with COVID pneumonia.

Unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than people who are fully vaccinated.

Infectious disease experts have said that large-scale outbreaks among unvaccinated people are being fueled by the highly contagious delta variant.

Killian underwent a successful liver transplant surgery in March 2018. The year before, Killian was diagnosed with stage four liver cirrhosis, which was caused in part by a genetic condition called hemochromatosis.




Posted by Sean Killian on Thursday, August 26, 2021

Gene Simmons says that the situation with COVID-19 has become so " life-threatening" that he favors vaccine mandates.

As cases rise nationwide due to the high number of unvaccinated Americans and the highly transmissible delta variant of the novel coronavirus, the KISS bassist/vocalist says that he supports mandatory vaccines as a potential solution.

Gene, whose bandmate Paul Stanley tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, forcing the postponement of at least three KISS shows, discussed the hot-button issue in a new interview with Marci Wiser of the 95.5 KLOS radio station. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's shocking that people still believe — there are enough people out there who still believe it's a hoax and schmoax. And they prefer to listen to politicians of a certain political party instead of doctors and the CDC. It's fucking nuts. It's crazy."

Simmons went on to blast one of the most common arguments raised by dissenters — that vaccine mandates infringe upon unvaccinated people's human rights and civil liberties.

"The idea that somebody says 'it's my body and my choice' is so idiotic," he said. "It is not your choice, it is not your body when you come to a red light in your car. You don't have the right to go through it just 'cause you feel like it and 'don't tell me what to do.' And here's why: because the rest of the world goes on green and stops on red. Just 'cause you feel it's your right doesn't give you the right. You don't have the right to speak on a cell phone in your car, you don't have the right to not put on a seat belt — you don't have that right. You actually do not have the right to stand up in a movie theater and yell 'fire' just because you think it's freedom of speech. You don't have that right. That's called incitement to riot. There are all sorts of rights you don't have."

He added: "Should there be a mandate, which means a law, that you must get vaccinated? Yes, there should be."

Asked if he thinks a vaccine mandate is taking away freedom for people to make their own decisions about medical and health care matters, Simmons said: "What freedom? The freedom to infect everybody else? Seven hundred thousand Americans — close to it — are dead because of COVID. Of course it should be a law. As soon as you endanger other people. You do not have the right to smoke in a restaurant or in buildings — you don't have that right. You know why? Because you're endangering other people.

"Always listen to the CDC and the doctors — not stupid politicians. Not all politicians — evil, self-serving politicians of a certain party who are more interested in getting re-elected than actually saving lives. I can't tell you how furious I am. The politicians in Texas and Florida — evil, self-serving, just moronic. That includes the president of Brazil.

"You must wear a mask at all times when there are other people around," he continued. "Clearly, if you're in the pooper and you're by yourself, you're okay. But if you're in a room where there are other people, even sneezing can spread something 10 feet. Wear a mask. It's not all about you; you're trying to protect other people. Wash your hands.

"In simple terms, before COVID, if you sneezed, it wasn't life-threatening. Wouldn't you cover your mouth? When you yawn, don't you, as a courtesy, cover your mouth? And that's with non-life-threatening stuff. As a courtesy to other people. Hey, when I'm alone in bed and I'm tired and I yawn, I don't cover my mouth. Nobody's around."

In the past, Stanley has also criticized people who refused to wear a mask in public spaces to protect others from possible infection. Last December, he took to his Twitter to write: "Frankly, I've had enough of the self-serving & politically motivated mask misinformation & BS about this pandemic. I don't want to hear about 'my freedom' & 'my rights' that then infringe on so many other's. Those 'rights' & choosing to gather at Thanksgiving got us here. Wake up". Three months earlier, Paul tweeted out a CNN article about an Idaho pastor who was hospitalized with COVID-19 after calling himself a "no-masker" during a service and repeatedly questioning the veracity of coronavirus case reporting. Stanley added in a message: "YOU figure this one out. I can't. A hoax and non-existent virus has put this guy in the ICU. If you're so concerned with a loss of your freedom , Why do you stop at red lights? Don't let the government control you!! Drive right through!!! PUT YOUR MASK ON."

During an appearance on a recent episode of "Stoke The Fire", the alternative lifestyle and culture podcast hosted by musician Jesse Leach (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) and DJ/presenter Matt Stocks ("Life In The Stocks"), KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz opened up about the depressive symptoms he experienced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It started out almost as thinking it was gonna be a good thing for my headspace," Adam said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I remember we got on a conference call with management [at the beginning of the pandemic], and I'm, like, 'Yeah! We get a break! We finally get a break! COVID forever!' [Laughs] I was, like, 'This is gonna be great. We'll take some time and we'll take care of ourselves, and when we get back we'll be in an even more positive headspace. And we'll tour non-stop when we get back to it.' And then I think once the realization of 'COVID's not going anywhere' hit, I was, like, 'Oh, no. Oh, no.' And then the loneliness. My girlfriend works, like, 12-hour days, so I never fucking see her. So the loneliness started eating me alive. Getting injured again — I hurt my back really bad again. Going to the hospital — all that shit. Fuck, I was [on a] downward spiral.

"I guess I never really realized how dependent I am on human interaction after all," Adam continued. "I get so burnt out on it being on tour, because you're always around other people, so I always just thought I preferred being alone. And then when I was alone for that long, just completely by myself, I fucking went crazy."

Dutkiewicz went on to say that the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions had a more severe impact on him that he ever anticipated.

"This was, without a doubt, the worst year of my life — a hundred percent," he said. "I'd never gone to such a dark place ever before. I'm glad that I've finally pulled out of it, and the promise of good things coming was really the catalyst for that. Being able to see people, getting vaccinated and then being able to go out and things opening again, and all the [coronavirus] rates dropping. Now life is pretty much back to normal where I'm living. And it's just amazing to see people again. I was so scared to go home and see my family because of my grandmother — she was not doing well, so I didn't wanna be the reason that somebody in my family got sick and then gave her something. It's just so nice to have some sense of normalcy back, and I think that's really helped me out a lot."

According to Adam, nothing positive has come out of the pandemic in his life. "It's kind of fucked up. The only thing I really took from it is that I never want to go through anything like that again," he said. "And it's so funny — I know Jesse talks about depression and anxiety all the time, which runs in my family. Every one of my siblings has had to deal with something. And they're either on some form of medication or they have to do some form of crazy meditation to keep their thoughts at bay. I never truly experienced the depth of it until this last year and how controlling it can be. I always just assumed, like, 'Just have a fucking beer and have a chat with a good friend, and it'll help fix things.' And from what I went through last year, I realized now nothing fixes it — nothing fixes it. It's like the most hopeless feeling you could ever have. It's really fucking crazy. And I truly know now what it means to be depressed."

Last month, Dutkiewicz and Leach released the second album from their TIMES OF GRACE project, "Songs Of Loss And Separation", via the band's own imprint label, Wicked Good Records, distributed by ADA Worldwide.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will return to the road this fall, touring with SLIPKNOT, FEVER 333 and CODE ORANGE as part of the "Knotfest Roadshow". The band will also appear at several key fall festivals.

IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, who tested positive for COVID-19 last month after being fully vaccinated, discussed his battle with the disease in a new interview with Forbes. "I'm absolutely fine," he said during the chat, which was conducted in late August. "Literally, I'm just waiting for these little lateral flow test things that you have to do, self-testing. I'm taking those every day, I'm thinking of making a collage out of them or something at the end. I don't know. It's just going through whatever it is, the 10-day isolation at home because I did get COVID. I tested positive for it, just like a week yesterday, basically. And I've been absolutely fine. I have the same symptoms that you would get from like a... you feel a bit shitty for two or three days, you sweat a bit, you have a bit of a stuffy nose, a small cough in my case and my sense of smell kind of went AWOL, but it's kind of coming back now.

"I'm not particularly a vaccine skeptic in the slightest," he continued. "I've had both doses and if somebody wants me to have another couple, I'll be first in the queue because I think I would have been probably potentially a lot more sick had I not been vaccinated. Me and my partner, I had the Pfizer vaccine, she had the AstraZeneca, we both got sick. She's over it all. Basically, I'm pretty much over it now, I'm just waiting for my little test to go negative before I unleash myself on the supermarket.

"I'm absolutely fine, honestly," he reiterated. "Just about everybody I know who's been vaccinated and has had this has had really mild side effects. I know a few people that haven't been vaccinated and have had it and they're not so happy. Even if they haven't died — God forbid — but they've not been well for quite a long period of time afterwards. And that's not just people who are over 50 and stuff — this is young people, 30 and under, extremely healthy — just didn't happen to get the vaccine in time perhaps and got sick with it. They'd been out for two, three weeks. It's a nasty bug and if you can avoid getting it, I'd avoid getting it. And if you did get it, make sure you've had the vaccine when you do get it. And most of us may very well get it at some point."

Dickinson previously told Rolling Stone magazine that he doesn't personally believe that fans attending concerts should be required to get vaccinated, calling it "a personal choice," However, he said that he hopes everyone will get the shot. "Personally, I think people are just very badly advised if they don't go and get themselves double jabbed as quickly as possible, not for the reasons of going into concerts, but for their own health," he said. "Having said that, even if you've had a double jab, you can still get COVID, and therefore you can spread it to other people who might not have been vaccinated and they might get very sick and die. Now you cannot legislate against mortality. There are many things in this world that kill people and they're not illegal but are unfortunate. Cancer kills a lot of people. Heart attacks kill a lot of people. Obesity kills a lot of people. Malaria kills a shitload of people every year… So at some point, we have to just go, 'We're probably going to have to live with this. And if we're going to live with it, then you have your vaccination.'"

IRON MAIDEN's new album, "Senjutsu", will be released on September 3 via BMG. It was recorded in Paris with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley and co-produced by bassist Steve Harris.

The video for the LP's first single, "The Writing On The Wall", was made by BlinkInk based on a concept by Dickinson with two former Pixar executives. It followed a month-long teaser campaign and global "treasure hunt" for clues about the track title and conc

In a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, Myles Kennedy confirmed that SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS has completed work on a new album. The effort will be the follow-up to "Living The Dream", which came out in September 2018 via Slash's own label Snakepit Records, in partnership with Roadrunner Records. The disc was Slash's fourth solo album, and third with Slash and his CONSPIRATORS bandmates Kennedy, Todd Kerns (bass, vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Frank Sidoris (guitar and vocals).

Myles said: "We made a record earlier this year, and it's in the can. And I think the goal is just to — when the time's appropriate, we're gonna put it out. Hopefully next year — hopefully early next year. And it's number — I'm trying to remember which number record it is. It's hard to believe we've been doing this for… Gosh, I think the first songs I recorded with Slash were in 2009, which is crazy. So, yeah, [it's] definitely a long run there.

Asked about the sound and style of the new SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS LP, Myles said: "The thing about the record is that it's got a live vibe to it. It was a record that was recorded in kind of an old-school way. So, with that said, without giving too much away, it definitely has a bit of that energy and that vibe that a lot of us listened to growing up. So, it was fun. It was a fun record to make."

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS' new album will be released via Gibson Records, the recently launched label from Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, alongside a strategic partnership with BMG.

When the Gibson deal was first announced in July, Slash said in a statement: "It's an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records. It's a zenith in our partnership for sure and having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with. It's perfect."

Last December, Slash told Cleveland.com that SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS had written 20 songs during "a week of initial pre-production" for the band's next LP.

In November 2019, Slash told "The Marshall Podcast" that the road was "the only place" he and THE CONSPIRATORS "really do get a chance to work" on new music. "If we're doing theaters and arenas and all that kind of stuff, we have our soundchecks, so I work on that stuff during that time," he said. "Because that's when I do all the writing — during the road trip. So when the tour is over, at some point, we all get together and we revisit all that material that we worked on while we were on the road. Which is actually what all the records we've done so far are a culmination of."

Complicating the creative process is the fact that Myles Kennedy and THE CONSPIRATORS don't live in the same town as Slash. "Myles is in Washington state, and I'm in L.A. and the rest of the guys are in [Las] Vegas," Slash explained. "So I fly everybody to L.A. and we'll stay there and we'll do pre-production and go in and do a record. But now that GUNS N' ROSES has become a thing, I have to do that. But I will have accumulated enough material out [out on the road] that when the time comes to work on CONSPIRATORS stuff, I already have the material."

Speaking in more detail about how songs come together with THE CONSPIRATORS, Slash said: "We write the whole time. I write the music ideas, and then I'll bring it into a soundcheck situation. For me, the most important thing is the drums. So I'll start working on an idea with Brent, as well as Todd, and even Frank — we'll all stand there together and do it. And then just see if it catches, if it's a cool idea with all the other instruments involved. That's the thing about guitar players — you write bitchin' guitar stuff all day long, but is it a song? So we start working it up. And then Myles will be there and he'll catch it and maybe start recording something into his phone. And we'll just sort of get the nucleus of an idea, and in some cases work on it for a few days until we have an arrangement. And then there's some stuff that we didn't ever get to play in soundcheck that I recorded on my phone in my room and I'll bring that up later."

In September 2019, SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS released "Living The Dream Tour" on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2 CD, 3LP black vinyl, limited-edition 3LP red vinyl, digital video and digital audio via Eagle Vision. The set was shot on location on February 20, 2019 at London, England's Eventim Apollo.

During an appearance on the latest episode of Metal Edge magazine's "Another FN Podcast", former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate shared his thoughts on the recent death of Charlie Watts, drummer and core member of THE ROLLING STONES for the past six decades,

"For me, he was the benchmark," Geoff said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "THE STONES really represent the benchmark of what you can achieve and what you have to look forward to, in a sense, as a musician. As long as they're still doing it, I can do it. A lot of guys my age, that was sort of the mantra that you would recite: 'If Keith's [Richards, THE ROLLING STONES guitarist] doing it, I can do it.' He's 80. [Laughs] So, with Charlie passing, man, it's, like, you start seeing your own mortality on the horizon. So, it was a sobering experience for me. I actually started looking at my life very carefully when I heard that news and making sure I got on that treadmill every day and making sure I went outside and hiked up the mountain several times a week to keep myself [in shape], so at least I can make it to 80. I wanna get that far. I wanna keep doing this for as long as I possibly can.

"I'm sad to see him go," Tate added. "To me, THE ROLLING STONES were the greatest rock and roll band in the world. And I'm devastated by it."

Watts's publicist said that he "passed away peacefully" on August 24 "in a London hospital 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.

The 12-date "No Filter" tour will reportedly take place as scheduled, with Steve Jordan taking Watts's place.

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.

In a new interview with Kirby Ray of the Cape Girardeau, Missouri radio station Real Rock 99.3, JUDAS PRIEST drummer Scott Travis spoke about what fans can expect from the band's first pandemic-era tour, the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American trek, which will kick off on September 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania and conclude on November 5 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

"We have a whole new set designed and the production — meaning the lights and the video screens behind the band, the actual stage set," Scott said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "We have some props we've never used before that are gonna make appearances throughout the show. And so all of that is new, as you have to do with every tour — you have to just come up with all new stuff. It's almost like a wardrobe; you can't wear the same thing twice. So, that's all new. And because JUDAS PRIEST have a 50-year catalog, it's a blessing and it's a curse in the sense that you've got a 50-year catalog, if you will, to choose from, but at the same time you can't do everything. So we are gonna pull out some new old songs — songs that JUDAS PRIEST recorded way back when and either never had played live or if they did play it live, it was literally 40, 45 years ago. So we're doing some of that again. And then playing some newer new songs, if that makes sense. In other words, something off maybe 'Painkiller' we haven't done in a while or 'Firepower' that we haven't done. And an amalgamation of that, along with some classics, and you've got a new JUDAS PRIEST set."

JUDAS PRIEST played its first concert in more than two years on August 15 at the Bloodstock Open Air festival, which took place at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom. The British heavy metal legends, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary, were rejoined by guitarist Glenn Tipton for three songs. The band also pulled out a number of surprises in its set, including first-ever performances of "One Shot At Glory" and "Invader", as well as several tracks that hadn't been played in a long time, such as "Rocka Rolla (performed for the first time since 1976), "Exciter" (first time since 2005), "Hell Patrol" (first time since 2009), "A Touch Of Evil" (first time since 2005), "Dissident Aggressor" (first time since 2009) and "Blood Red Skies" (first time since 2012).

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 JUDAS PRIEST's latest studio album, "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.

As he has done a number of other times over the course of the last three and a half years, Tipton joined PRIEST onstage on Bloodstock for the encore, performing "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".

In early April, JUDAS PRIEST's European tour, which was scheduled to kick off in late May, was once again postponed due to "ongoing COVID-19 vaccine issues." The trek will now run from May 27, 2022 in Moscow, Russia until July 31, 2022 in Oberhausen, Germany.

Scorpions have uploaded footage from their show at Taratata 1996. In the video below, the German legends perform “Wild Child” from the Pure Instinct album.





Scorpions recently received The European Culture Prize, which is presented annually to individuals and organisations who have contributed to the idea of a unified Europe.


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Says the band: "What an honour to receive the wonderful European Culture Award 2021 in Bonn, Germany. Thank you so much… it was truly a night to remember."

Scorpions recently offered fans a first glance at their new music. The currently untitled effort will be the band's 19th studio album.


Scorpions singer Klaus Meine, along with guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs uploaded the following video to social media from Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany.


According to Klaus: "We're in the studio right now, as you can see — Peppermint Park in Hannover — and this morning, we decided to give you guys a little snippet. We're here for a year. We spent so much time in here working with the recording sessions. And right now it's so very exciting to finally listen to the mixes coming in from Berlin the other day. And we just wanted to share this moment with all of you out there. And believe me, we can't wait — not only to give you a little snippet but to play you the whole damn album. All right? And we'll see you out there."


Scorpions' recently recorded new album is expected in early 2022. The album was recorded at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, and mixed at Hansa Studios in Berlin. Stay tuned for updates.






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UK rockers Wayward Sons are preparing to unleash their third album, Even Up The Score on October 8, 2021 via Frontiers Records Srl. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Toby Jepson, who is joined by Nic Wastell (bass), Phil Martini (drums), and Sam Wood (guitar), plus Dave Kemp (keyboards) for the recording of the album, Wayward Sons continue to deal in energetic rock 'n roll coupled with thoughtful, insightful lyrics.


Anticipated by the release of two singles, the title track, “Even Up the Score” in late 2020 and 'Big Day' in April 2021 (both of which were released while the band was still in the midst of recording the album), the brand new album is once again a full-blooded rock album, containing songs that define the band as writers and players. A record built on the passion and commitment of its members, with an eye on modernity and the human condition, and at this moment in history, have we ever been more challenged? Well, Wayward Sons intend to defy the times and bring a little hope to rock n roll!


Passionate, honest music made by passionate honest musicians who have come together to create rock music that reflects their heroes from the ‘70s and ‘80s, while also touching on the present – modernity through homage, if you will. 


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The return of former Little Angels singer Toby Jepson to the UK rock scene with Wayward Sons was a welcome event in the British hard rock music scene when it transpired some five years ago. After the overwhelming success of Little Angels, including a number one album, millions of records sold, massive sell out shows and numerous hit singles, Toby had been busy in the prior years in movie work as well as performing with Fastway, Gun, and Dio’s Disciples and producing albums for numerous bands (Saxon, Fastway, The Virginmarys, Toseland, and more).


His heart, however, was always in writing and performing and so the concept of Wayward Sons was born – a new band, built for playing live. A new direction with Toby’s songs taking center stage was introduced on the debut album “Ghosts Of Yet To Come”. The album was greeted with outstanding critical acclaim and earned Wayward Sons the title of "Best New Band" at the Planet Rock awards 2018. More and increasing success followed with the release of the sophomore album, “The Truth Ain’t What It Used to Be."


In support, the band played an outstanding number of shows in and outside the UK, either as a supporting act for Saxon, Inglorious, Steel Panther, Living Color and UFO or at such festivals as Download and Ramblin Man Fair and of course their own run of headlining dates. 


As is their modus operandi, the band will hit the road in earnest in support of album number three, Even Up The Score.





Tracklisting:


“Even Up The Score”
“Big Day”
“Sign Of The Times”
“Bloody Typical”
“Faith In Fools”
“Fake”
“Downfall”
“Tip Of My Tongue”
“Looking For A Reason”
“Land Of The Blind”
“They Know”


“Bloody Typical” video:








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One of the places that made the strongest impression on Bjørnson & Selvik during the initial research and following performances that created their second collaborative piece Hugsjá was the area of Hardanger, a few hours from their base in Bergen, Norway. Hardanger is mysterious, pure and able to blow the minds of even the most experienced hikers and nature dwellers. It is also assumed to be the area in the Germanic tribe of the Harudes settled in ancient times, becoming the first Western Norwegians.


The title track celebrates the history of this land being populated from both the Harudes and other peoples migrating, meeting and melting together - thus creating what we now know as Norway. It is a percussion-heavy track, with ores of both traditional and exotic melody lines crossing and moving steadily through the sonic landscape of Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik. The song features guest appearances by Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna, Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne), Grutle Kjellson and Iver Sandøy (the latter two both from Enslaved).





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The other song on the EP is “Heim til Yggdrasil”, a re-imagination of Enslaved’s much loved song “Return to Yggdrasill” - selected by Einar Selvik for the Hugsjá live-tour. The song fitted so well into the IB & ES tapestry that they eventually decided to invite the entire live band (Silje Solberg on Hardanger fiddle, Iver Sandøy on drums/ vocals and Håkon Vinje on piano/ vocals) to record it with them for this release.


To complete the circle, the remaining two Enslaved-members joined in; Ice Dale joined on acoustic guitar while Grutle Kjellson added his signature spoken word-voice to Einar’s passionate vocals. 


Set for release on November5, Hardanger will be available as:
- Black and Grey 12” vinyl with etched B-side
- Limited White and Green 12” vinyl with etched B-side – Online stores exclusive
- Digital


Preorder at ByNorseStore.net.


Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik’s Skuggsjá – By Norse Music re-issue, out on November 5. All formats feature a completely renewed artwork with the full lyrics and English translations (previously available only in long sold-out limited editions).


Skuggsjá was originally conceived as a commissioned musical work written by Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik. The arrangement was performed by Enslaved and Wardruna as a concert piece in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution at the Eidsivablot festival in Eidsvoll, Norway on September 13, 2014.





By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, Skuggsjá speak of the history of Norway and reflect relevant aspects from the past into our present day. Using metal instrumentation as well as some of Scandinavia’s oldest instruments and poetry in Norse and Norwegian, Skuggsjá represents a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.


The By Norse Music re-issues on CD and 2LP feature a completely renewed artwork with the full lyrics and English translations (previously available only in long sold-out limited editions)!


Set for release on November 5, Skuggsjá reissue will be available as:
-Hard cover Digibook with 24-pages booklet 
-2x12” Black vinyl in Gatefold
-Limited color and splatter 2x12” vinyl editions in Gatefold – Online stores exclusive





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Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû, which constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy, will release its debut/self-titled album on November 26 via Agonia Records.


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


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


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


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


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





Formats:


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


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


Pre-order here





Tracklisting:


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





Lineup:


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


(Photo - Scott Kincade & M. Zvyagina)





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Atmospheric black metallers, Ghost Bath, will release their fourth full-length album, Self Loather, on October 29 via Nuclear Blast Records. On the album, the band closes out the trilogy - tragedy, ecstasy, and dread/hatred - and hosts their most devastating and dark music to date.


Today, the band releases a visualizer video for the second single, "Hide From The Sun", featuring CJ McMahon of Thy Art Is Murder. Watch the video, created by Randy Edwards Photos, below.


Dennis Mikula comments, "'Hide from the Sun' is the most DSBM track on the record. We've managed to achieve a devastating sound while keeping the track catchy and groovy. We worked with our friend CJ from Thy Art Is Murder who killed it on vocals and gave the tune a unique twist. It incorporates our new sound while staying true to Ghost Bath style."


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Pre-order your copy of Self Loather here. Pre-save the album here.





Self Loather will be available in the following formats:


- CD Jewel
- CD Digipak
- Vinyl
 * Grey | White Swirl With Black Splatter
 * Clear With Red Splatter
 * Black | Grey Swirl
 * Purple With Black Swirl
- Cassette
 * White
 * Black
- CD Jewel + T-Shirt





Self Loather tracklisting:


"Convince Me To Bleed"
"Hide From The Sun"  (Feat. CJ McMahon Of Thy Art Is Murder)
"Shrines Of Bone"
"Sanguine Mask"
"Crystal Lattice"
"Sinew And Vein" (Feat. Graf Of Psychonaut 4)
"I Hope Death Finds Me Well"
"For It Is A Veil"
"Unbearable"
"Flickering Wicks Of Black"


"Convince Me To Bleed" video:





Ghost Bath is:


Dennis Mikula - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Synths, Lyrics
Tim Church - Guitar
John Olivier - Guitar
Josh Jaye - Bass
Jason Hirt - Drums





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