Juno award-nominated symphonic death metal band, Ex Deo, recently announced the release of their upcoming full-length album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, out August 27 via Napalm Records. On The Thirteen Years Of Nero, the collective transports the listener back to Ancient Rome with 10 cinematic masterpieces that tell the conceptual story of the reign of Emperor Nero. Accented by sounds of ancient instruments like lyra and harp and detailing the harrowing stories of Nero’s surroundings, close allies and enemies, listeners will connect with intense psychological tones of political turmoil and paranoia.       

Today, following the release of their bludgeoning first single "Imperator” and its equally brutal, bloody music video, Ex Deo have revealed their standout second single, "Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)" featuring the powerful pipes of Unleash The Archers frontwoman Brittney Slayes.

Frontman Maurizio Iacono says about “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)”: “Queen Boudicca has been a symbol of freedom and rebellion in England since her ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield defending her people and their beliefs. Rome, in full expansion and under the rule of emperor Nero, was on a mission to annex Britain as a Roman province after the death of King Prasutagus (Boudicca's husband). The Roman treaty died, and so did peace. The song embodies the tense exchange and mind frame of Boudicca against the Roman Empire's invasion and occupation. We are thrilled that Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers accepted the invitation to guest and deliver a powerful performance on this song. There's no one that better embodies the fighting spirit of Boudicca in metal than Brittney - the choice was clear. Prepare to be transported to ancient times of war and let the metal flow!"

Guest vocalist Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers adds: "I was beyond excited to get the invite to be a part of this project! I am a huge Ex Deo fan, plus I love the history and mythology they always incorporate into their albums, so it was a huge honour. Not to mention getting to 'play' the role of the iconic and powerful Boudicca was the chance of a lifetime! I have always been inspired by the warrior queen of the Iceni and could not wait to lend my voice to her part. Here's hoping everyone enjoys this track as much as I do!"

Ex Deo returns with more massive, brutal soundscapes than ever on their upcoming full-length album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero. The Canadian unit is led by founding frontman Maurizio Iacono (Kataklysm) and producer/guitarist Jean-François Dagenais (Kataklysm, Misery Index, Despised Icon), with the stylings of Stephane Barbe (Kataklysm) on lead guitar, Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc.) on drums, Dano Apekian (Ashes of Eden) on bass and Clemens Wijers (Carach Angren, Lindemann) manning the intense orchestral score.

The Thirteen Years Of Nero pierces through the silence with its first auditory spear, “The Fall Of Claudius”, immediately drawing the listener in with a savagely heavy, grooving riff, ground-shaking swells and warning strings and horns. Discordant harmonies collide as a mosh-worthy battle riff chugs and pinches through the center of the song, showcasing the ruthlessness to come. “The Head Of The Snake” and unforgivingly immense “Britannia: The 9th At Camulodonum” balance sinister, spectral-like channels with up-tempo elements, racing like a chariot of symphonic death metal influences that careen the listener back to a sonic dimension of time forgotten. Standout opus “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” features the deft vocal stylings of Unleash The Archers frontwoman Brittney Slayes, the album’s weightiest thunderous percussion work and a glistening guitar solo, while the embers of pulsing “The Fiddle & The Fire” spark as the track traverses methodically yet steadfastly, like an iron striking a blade. “Son Of The Deified” and “What Artist Dies In Me…” bestow some of the album’s most strikingly dynamic guitar work, as well as ominous instrumentals, orchestral and choral pathways, before closing with the superb epic “The Revolt of Galba”. The track ebbs and flows between grooving, eerie piano-laden riffs and crystal-clear flourishes bestrewn with soaring strings.

With The Thirteen Years Of Nero, Ex Deo have released their finest work yet while telling a timeless story of political intrigue, suspicion, evil and tyranny!
 
Maurizio Iacono says about The Thirteen Years Of Nero: “When it comes to Ancient Rome, the content is long, rich and extensive, the personalities reflect every society imaginable from just, fair and generous to greed, evil and merciless. The world we live in today was shaped by Rome – it doesn’t take much see it all around you in the simplest things. For this record, it was the proper time to fallow the timeline of one Rome’s most controversial figures, Nero. On this album, we follow him through his thirteen-year journey as emperor of Rome and unveil the true face of one of the world’s most worshiped villains.”

The Thirteen Years Of Nero will be available in the following formats:

- 4 page CD Digipack
- LP Gatefold Black
- LP Gatefold Marbled Black & White (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)
- Deluxe Wooden Box Edition: Digipack, Bonus Orchestral CD, Roman Coin, Band Logo Patch and Roman Banner (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 500)
- CD Digipack & Shirt Bundle (RoW Napalm mailorder only)
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

The Thirteen Years Of Nero tracklisting:

"The Fall of Claudius"
"Imperator"
"The Head of the Snake"
"Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni)" Feat. Brittney Slayes
"Britannia: The 9th at Camulodonum"
"Trial of the Gods (Intermezzo)"
"The Fiddle & the Fire"
"Son of the Deified
"What Artist Dies in Me..."
"The Revolt of Galba"

"Imperator" video:

Ex Deo is:

Maurizio Iacono - Vocals
Jean-François Dagenais - Guitars
Stephane Barbe - Lead Guitar
Dano Apekian - Bass
Jeramie Kling - Drums
Clements Wijers - Orchestral Score

(Photo - Suzzy Iacono)




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Alcatrazz guitarist Joe Stump has issued a new update along with a video clip:

"Neo-Classical Masterclass I did recently featured in the new issue of  Young Guitar Magazine. August issue just out with the man himself - the legendary Yngwie Malmsteen on the cover.  For me, an awesome issue to be a part of."

Stump's new solo instrumental record, Diabolical Ferocity, is due to be released on September 17th through Lion Music. The cover artwork and tracklist are available below.

Tracklist:

"Ignition"
"Burn It Down"
"King Of The Underworld"
"The Snake Charmer's Fate"
"Nacht" (J.S. Bach)
"Sneak Attack"
"Die By The Sword"
"Viking Pillage"
"Maximum Damage"
"Forever Moore"

Stump recently released  "Forever Moore" from the album, a gut wrenching, emotionally charged instrumental guitar ballad fueled by the influence of Irish guitar giant the late great legendary Gary Moore. Stump comments

Joe Stump says:

“While it’s extremely well documented who my favorite guitarists and main influences are and of course the new record is filled with everything you’d expect from one of my releases; ridiculously technical playing, neo-classical shredding, killer riff action and strong melodies.  For me Gary Moore is still the one guitarist that really reaches me on an emotional level like no one else. I frequently listen to all eras of Gary’s work to this day and I often say to myself why the fuck aren’t I listening to him even more. Every time without fail it’s an inspirational learning experience. On this tune I tried my best to keep it honest, channel his great impact on me and play from my heart. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as it’s meant with nothing but the utmost admiration and respect for someone that left us way too soon.”




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Italian symphonic folk metallers Aexylium are sharing their first single "The Bridge" from their forthcoming album The Fifth Season due out October 29, 2021 via Rockshots Records.

The opening track of the full length, "The Bridge" is an instant war call, a powerful rush of drums, symphonic speed, and heaviness to immediately convey this clan's followers ready for battle. 

The lyric video for "The Bridge" is streaming below.

Mixing traditional folk instruments (Flute, Violin, Bouzouki) with the modern symphonic metal, Aexylium's sophomore full length follows 2018's Tales From This Land (Underground Symphony Records) and their 2016 self-produced EP The Blind Crow. Tales From This Land has had over 110k streams on Spotify along with its powerful single "Revive The Village” placing on the top 200 metal song charts in Germany on Apple Music. Aexylium has also released fan-praised covers of Game of Thrones and Vikings main themes with reinterpreted folk metal sounds.

Since their inception in 2014, the Varese, Italy band has performed at renowned festivals in Europe such as Dumeltica International Music Festival, Montelago Celtic Festival, Malpaga Folk & Metal, Rock Inn Somma, Druidia and Strigarium along with sharing the stage with Elvenking, Wind Rose, Nervosa, Furor Gallico, Temperance and more. In August 2020, despite Covid restrictions, Aexylium was chosen by the city of Milan to perform at the historical Castello Sforzesco.

The Fifth Season is a concrete step towards growth and musical maturity with its offering of festive ballads, tighter riffs, advanced orchestrations and heavier dark songs that are all inspired by Norse Mythology. The record also features guest vocals from Samuele Faulisi (Atlas Pain), Arianna Bellinaso and the members of Coro Facoltà di Musicologia Vocal Ensemble. The album was recorded at Twilight Studio by Davide Tavecchia with the artwork done by Jan Yrlund of Darkgrove Design (Manowar, Testament, Korpiklaani.

The band adds: “This work is the result of different approaches toward music, and different interests between the members of the band. For example, ‘An Damhsa Mór’ – one of our completely acoustic pieces - reflects the interest of our flutist for Irish tradition and Gaeilge, while ‘Yggrdasil’ is obviously a reference to Norse mythology, which our singer is passionate about. The title track is dedicated to something we would prefer to avoid, but, on the contrary, since the world we are facing is showing its environmental and social limits, the song ‘The Fifth Season’ seems to express all our doubts and anxieties toward the future.”

The Fifth Season is due out October 29, 2021 via Rockshots Records and is available for pre-order at Rockshots Records .

Tracklisting:

“The Bridge”
“Mountains”
“Immortal Blood”
“Battle Of Tettenhall”
“Skål”
“Vinland”
“The Fifth Season”
“Spirit Of The North”
“On The Cliff’s Edge”

“The Bridge”:




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Coming from the coldest, windiest, snowiest, and foggiest city in Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland's Artach is heavily influenced by nature and even takes after the bleak climate they are surrounded by. The result of months of winter provides inspiration for their raw, epic black metal that is in their new album Sworn To Avenge, which was recently unleashed this past June via Depressive Illusions Records.

Today the band presents their latest lyric video for their opening track “Tuiteam An Duine”.

"This one kicks off the album, it's immediate. It blasts then calms, the savagery, then the relative calmness. We wanted to have an opener that was somewhat in line with the opener on our debut, which is an often mentioned favourite from the first album. The song lyrics are about how humankind overall views themselves atop the food and intelligence chain. We are not. And this will be our undoing. We didn't want the lyrics to be preachy so the ideas are not meant to pound you over the head totally. The title ‘Tuiteam An Duine’ translates to the fall of man."

Sworn To Avenge is an inescapable, cold and at times unhinged grimness. Raw aggression tempered with bouts of melody evoking the grandmasters of the genre while incorporating first and second wave black metal influences.

Raw and epic black metal, Artach is recommended listening for fans of Immortal, Celtic Frost, and Darkthrone.

Sworn To Avenge is available to order on Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Tuiteam An Duine”
“Ice Throne”
“Shimmer”
“Endless Tundra”
“Into The Frozen Woodlands”
“She Gathers Leaves”
“Mistress Of Black Thorns”
“Winter’s End”

“She Gathers Leaves” lyric video:




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Notoriously, Begotten became the last band to release a record on legendary stoner/doom label Man’s Ruin two decades ago today. Now Black Farm Records announces the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Vinyl of the band's self-titled release. The label, based in northern France, specializes in high quality collectible vinyl releases. The album is currently streaming on Spotify here.

New York City in the late nineties was all about hardcore, punk and fast rock. -Playing doom and stoner rock was an act of rebellion. The original self-titled Begotten album was recorded analog reel to reel and came out with Man’s Ruin’s dying breath. This was shortly before the World Trade Center went crashing down – which among all the other horrors also brought Begotten and many other NYC bands to a crashing halt. The demise of Man’s Ruin Records was as harsh a blow to the music scene, as the fall of the towers were to the City.  

Two decades later, the 20th anniversary limited edition vinyl emerges just as a global plague begins to dissipate in the US. The meaning behind songs like “Electric Hell”, “Judges”, “Garabed’s Freedom”, resonates perhaps more than ever now. What can be heard on the album is the music of three people who have remained loyal to each other, loyal to the spirit of the music, and loyal to themselves. The album has been remastered for vinyl by Roger Lian (of Slayer fame) – the same guy who mastered it the first time for CD from the reel to reel mixes.

Begotten is Matthew Anselmo on Guitar, vox, (and synth on "Narkotizer"); Rob Sefcik on drums; Amanda Topaz on bass, vox (and bullwhip on "Garabed’s Freedom").




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Michael Sweet of openly Christian rockers STRYPER has urged his fellow believers to hold on to faith through disappointment, tragedy and loss, explaining that we shouldn't "blame God for every bad thing that happens to us."

Earlier today, Sweet took to his Facebook page to deliver the latest installment of his "coffee talk" where he offers his opinion on various topics related to his personal and professional life. He wrote: "Why is it that we as humans often praise God when things are going well yet curse God when things are going bad? We give God glory when something good happens but we also give God grief when something bad happens. I've always found that to be quite interesting. I've done it myself and do it myself.

"God isn't (IMO) a puppeteer on a cloud pulling our strings and deciding to make our days good or bad. That's up to us. The choices we make and how we handle the outcome of those choices is ours. God has given us all free will and with that comes responsibility. Taking responsibility for our own actions.

"Often we blame God if we don't get that new car, or that new home, or that new job," he continued. "We blame God if someone close to us is sick or if we lose a loved one. We blame God for the state of our country, the state of our world. At the same time we'll praise God when we get some unexpected cash in the mail or when we get a discount on a new toy or when someone we love is sick and they get better.

"Being human is an emotional and spiritual roller coaster ride and we all have an 'unlimited' day pass to ride. That's life. I don't believe however that God is pulling the strings as much as we think. I do believe that there are many things that determine how our lives turn out. From what we eat or don't eat to how we manage our own bodies. For example, my cholesterol is on the higher side these days and that's on me, not God. I'm doing something about it but I'm not waking up every day and praying for God to lower my cholesterol. He has nothing to do with it. If I have heart disease based on my diet that's not Gods fault. That's my fault.

"What's my point? Let's not blame God for every bad thing that happens to us. Let's take responsibility for our own actions and be realistic about our expectations from God. He's there, He cares and He's obviously in control of the universe but there are also many circumstances that have nothing to do with God. They have everything to do with us.

"I certainly could have turned my back on God when Kyle died," Michael added, referencing his late wife. "We devoted our lives to Him yet she was stricken with cancer. I had two choices — to either blame God and be bitter for the rest of my life or to realize that life is about tests and tribulations. Faith is about tests and tribulations. We live in a world that is imperfect and because of that we will all face adversity. The sooner we realize that it's not Gods fault but part of the plan itself, the better off we'll all be.

"I thank God for all that I have, all that I've done and all that comes my way".

Formed 38 years ago, STRYPER is the first overtly Christian metal band to go mainstream. The group's name comes from Isaiah 53:5, which states: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

In a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Michael said that STRYPER was never fully embraced by the heavy metal and hard rock communities, largely because of the band's Christian lyrics.

"We've never been accepted by either side," he said. "The secular side, the mainstream, they've never accepted us to this day. We're probably that band that everyone's going to go to whenever there's a time to mock. We'll be the band used for that in most cases. Now on the Christian side, we've never really had the full support of the Christian side because we don't fit into their little club. We're not wearing suits and ties and going to every church and preaching."

STRYPER's albums include "To Hell With The Devil", "Second Coming", the aforementioned "No More Hell To Pay", "Fallen" and the band's latest effort, "Even The Devil Believes".

Michael is joined in STRYPER by his brother Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Perry Richardson (bass).


One more “coffee talk” for the week:

Why is it that we as humans often praise God when things are going well yet curse...

Posted by Michael Sweet on Thursday, July 22, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


























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NMB (Neal Morse Band) will release their fourth studio album, Innocence & Danger, on August 27. The band has released a video for the song, "Bird On A Wire", which can be seen below:

A "making of" trailer for the Innocence & Danger documentary included with the album can be seen below:

With NMB’s previous two releases being concept albums, it’s perhaps remarkable that Innocence & Danger is a series of unrelated songs, but drummer Mike Portnoy says, “After two sprawling back to back double concept albums in a row, it was refreshing to get back to writing a collection of unrelated individual songs in the vein of our first album.”

Indeed, making this album came easy to the band; while the initial inspiration came particularly from Bill Hubauer (keyboards) and Randy George (bass), the ideas flowed from everybody from there on, as George recalls: “I am excited about the level of collaboration that we achieved on this one. We even went in with a lot of ideas that weren’t necessarily developed, and I think in the end we have something that represents the best of everybody in the band.”

In fact - like its two acclaimed predecessors - Innocence & Danger is a double album by inspiration, rather than design, as Portnoy explains: “As much as we wanted to try and keep it to a single album after having just done two double albums, we wrote so much material that we found ourselves with our third double album in a row! That’s pretty prog!”

There is also plenty in Innocence & Danger to excite those prog fans who have a thirst for epics, as Neal Morse explains: “There's one half hour epic and another that's about 20 minutes long. I really didn't realise that they were that long when we were recording them, which I guess is great because if a movie is really good, you don't realise that it's three hours long! But there are also some shorter songs: some have poppier elements, some are heavier and some have three part acoustic sections. I’m excited about all of it, really.”

The album will be released as a Limited 2CD+DVD Digipak (featuring a Making Of documentary), 3LP+2CD Boxset, Standard 2CD Jewelcase & Digital Album, featuring artwork by Thomas Ewerhard (Transatlantic). Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

CD 1 (Innocence):
"Do It All Again"
"Bird On A Wire"
"Your Place In The Sun"
"Another Story To Tell"
"The Way It Had To Be"
"Emergence"
"Not Afraid Pt. 1"
"Bridge Over Troubled Water"

CD 2 (Danger):
"Not Afraid Pt. 2"
"Beyond The Years"

"Do It All Again" video:

The Neal Morse Band (now NMB) was formed in 2012, featuring long-time collaborators Neal Morse (vocals, keyboards and guitars), Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals) and Randy George (bass), as well as Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals) and Eric Gillette (guitars, vocals). The band’s first album, The Grand Experiment, showed both a freshness and maturity that was further developed in 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream, 2019’s The Great Adventure and 2021’s Innocence & Danger.




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Faber & Faber has set a September 23 release date for Paul Brannigan's unauthorized Eddie Van Halen biography, "Eruption: The Eddie Van Halen Story".

To mark the first anniversary of Van Halen's early death comes his first full-length biography — a searching, affectionate and in-depth look at the life and legends of this true musical virtuoso.

Arriving in California as a young boy in the early 1960s, Edward Van Halen and his brother Alex were ripe for the coming musical revolution. The sons of a Dutch, saxophone-playing father, the brothers discovered THE BEATLES, CREAM and others.

From the moment their hugely influential 1978 debut landed, VAN HALEN set a high bar for the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, creating an entirely new style of post-'60s hard rock and becoming the quintessential Californian band of the 1980s. But there was also an undercurrent of tragedy to their story, as Eddie's struggles played out in public, from his difficult relationship with the band's original singer, David Lee Roth, to substance abuse, divorce and his long-running battle with cancer.

With unique insights, Paul Brannigan's "Eruption" reaches beyond the boundaries of a conventional rock biography to explore the cultural, political, and social contexts that shaped an icon while turning up the volume on a life lived in the fast lane.

Faber & Faber originally acquired "Eruption" in 2013. Angus Cargill, senior editor, bought UK + Commonwealth rights, plus Canada, from Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander.

Brannigan is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling biography of Dave Grohl, "This Is A Call", and co-author of the two-volume biography of METALLICA, "Birth School Metallica Death".

Eddie passed away last October at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. The axeman died from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

Eddie and Alex formed VAN HALEN in 1972 in Pasadena, California, with David Lee Roth on lead vocals and Michael Anthony on bass.

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

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

After undergoing hip replacement surgery in 1999 due to a chronic joint problem, Eddie was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000 and had to have part of his tongue surgically removed. He later battled throat cancer and reportedly had been receiving radiation treatment in Germany. It is believed that his heavy smoking over the years led to his long battle with cancer.




Keyword: Unauthorized. https://t.co/ZFGudGgxIo

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) July 21, 2021

Almost 20 years after the release of his fourth solo album, Roger Glover has announced the long-awaited re-release of "Snapshot". The album is out October 8 on CD, with vinyl arriving on November 19.

In 2002, the DEEP PURPLE bassist joined forces with the Guilty Party, teaming up with vocalist Randall Bramblett, daughter Gillian Glover, and guitarist Warren Haynes, among others, to deliver this blues rock album. It's a true highlight of Glover's solo career, peppered with swing, reggae, and jazz influences.

The re-release comes with a big plus, as it not only brings back these 14 wonderful blues songs but also comes fully remastered with five previously unreleased bonus demo tracks, which show the album in a completely new light. New liner notes by Roger Glover himself complete the additional content and give an insight into the recording and song writing process behind this album. The album will also be issued on vinyl for the first time ever, with new artwork.

"Snapshot" re-release track listing:

01. My Turn

02. Burn Me Up Slowly

03. Beyond Emily

04. Queen Of England

05. No Place To Go

06. The Bargain Basement

07. What You Don't Say

08. Nothing Else

09. Could Have Been Me

10. The More I Find

11. When It Comes To You

12. Some Hope

13. If I Could Fly

14. It's Only Life

15. Burn Me Up Slowly (Demo)

16. My Turn (Demo)

17. Beyond Emily (Demo)

18. Nothing Else (Demo)

19. The Bargain Basement (Demo)

Last December, Glover confirmed that he is still planning on releasing his autobiography. "I've been toying with writing a book for several years, but not really doing much about it," he said in a new fan interview which was posted on the YouTube channel of the band's record company, earMUSIC. "But since this pandemic situation and being stuck at home, I've actually started with a great deal of energy and I've made great progress. The only problem is, as much progress as I make, I realize how much there is yet to come that's very important. I've got to about the point now where I'm joining PURPLE. And a lot of that was easy, because I kept diaries in the '60s. So a lot of notes and gig lists and stuff were in the diaries. But when I joined PURPLE, I stopped writing, so it's all gone. It's all whatever I can think of now, so it's difficult. But I'm gonna do it — I'm determined."

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "Whoosh!", was released in August 2020 via earMUSIC. The LP was once again helmed by Canadian producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER), who also worked on the band's previous two studio albums, 2017's "Infinite" and 2013's "Now What?!"

Author Jeff Wagner is set to release his new book, Destination Onward: The Story Of Fates Warning.

Says Jeff: "Here's what I've been working on for the past couple years (or three?). The book cover was based on an idea of my own, executed and made reality by Scott Hoffman and Patrick Crawford.

"'Destination Onward' is based on many hours of exclusive and recent interviews conducted with all members of Fates Warning past and present. I also interviewed various friends, roadies, family, peer musicians and record label folk. It's a fun, serious, nerdy, and occasionally hilarious look at one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

"Writing 'Destination Onward' was a total labor of love. Fates Warning's music has captivated and nourished me since 1985. I know some of you share this devotion.

"More info forthcoming in the weeks and months to come!"

Pre-orders for Destination Onward: The Story Of Fates Warning will not be available until mid-autumn 2021. There will be an eBook version to follow sometime in 2022.

Stay tuned for updates.




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After a five-year hiatus, Las Vegas-based horror rockers VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE have returned with their new track "Witch", having been freshly signed with Cleopatra Records. Not only that, but the band has also announced a new string of fall 2021 tour dates.

Speaking on the news, frontman Michael Vampire shares: "I am super proud of 'Witch', our first single off our upcoming EP on Cleopatra Records, 'The Awakening'. Me and Craig Pirtle (my guitar player) set out to write an album based on our love of 808s, the emerging shift in rock culture and goth rock. We wanted to stray far away from our last musical endeavor with DGA and write something purely based on our love of music. We didn't want to focus directly on radio and took a more organic approach to the writing. It's been over six years since I screamed in that specific tonality and knew it would be special. We decided to write all the songs on 'The Awakening' based on synth beat lines. We wanted the beat of the song to tell the story before I even laid down the vocals. I can say it's been a massive learning experience writing like that and I found it super refreshing! I also wanted to focus on the sound all the fans are used to and loved throughout the band's past 11 years. When you listen to the EP as a whole, you will instantly feel VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE nostalgia with a fresh twist of 2021! I wanted an album my fans would love but also wanted to keep things up to date and fresh feeling. Nothing is worse than dated rock music!!!

"I am excited to announce VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE has signed to the iconic Los Angeles-based record label Cleopatra Records! Cleopatra is known for its eclectic roster and legendary artists ranging from MEGADETH and SMASH MOUTH all the way to DMX (RIP). I am very grateful to be part of the Cleopatra family and stoked that they believe in my vision. Cleopatra has kept the goth scene alive for decades and it's an honor to be a part of their amazing legacy! Great things to come!"

VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE fans will have the chance to catch the band on the road this fall with ASSUMING WE SURVIVE, THE BUNNY THE BEAR and FATE DESTROYED.

VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE was conceptualized in early 2010 by Michael Orlando, later known as Michael Vampire. The band started its journey in Hollywood, California based on the idea of bringing a fresh feel to an already saturated metalcore market. Michael has been obsessed with the 1987 cult classic film "The Lost Boys" since age 13 and wanted to start a band around his love for the movie and his passion for rock music. The band quickly gained notoriety in 2010 with its debut music video for "Immortal Love" which hit half a million views and landed on the iconic MTV "Headbangers Ball". A few months later, VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE was signed to Century Media Records and toured with BLACK VEIL BRIDES on the Hot Topic tour around the United States. The band also landed an opening spot for X JAPAN's first North American run, playing for over 5,000 people a night, and to this day is the only band to open for X JAPAN in the U.S. After an amazing run on the 2012 Warped Tour, the band was asked by Kevin Lyman to headline Rob Zombie's Great Adventure in Pomona, California. VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE have since toured with the likes of MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, AIDEN, ALESANA, ORGY, FILTER, FALLING IN REVERSE, and countless others.

Former SEX PISTOLS frontman John Lydon has blasted the agreement he and his bandmates made in 1998, saying it was "like a total trap or prison" and likening it to "slave labor".

Two members of the SEX PISTOLS are suing Lydon 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 the agreement thet signed with Lydon means decisions regarding licensing requests can be determined on a "majority rules basis."

Lydon's lawyer, Mark Cunningham, said in written arguments that Jones's memoir portrayed him "in a hostile and unflattering light," referring to Lydon at one point as an "annoying little brat with the great bone structure who's always asking for more." Jones denied this was the case, telling the court the dispute was "not about slagging anyone off in this TV series."

Appearing in court in London on Wednesday, Lydon said: "I care very much about this band and its reputation and its quality control and I will always have a say if I think anything is being done to harm or damage [it].

"I don't want anything I'm involved in to victimize any one of us. It would destroy the whole point and purpose of the band and so I don't understand the [bandmember agreement]... I don't remember signing it."

He added: "You can't let your history be rewritten for us by a complete stranger with no interest in it. This is my life here. This is my history. I didn't write these songs [for them] to be given off to nonsense."

According to BBC News, Lydon went on to say 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.

"I don't understand how Steve and Paul think they have the right to insist that I do something that I so morally heart-and-soul disagree with without any involvement," he said.

"My fear is that they're demanding that I agree to sign over the rights to a drama documentary that I am not allowed any access to.

"I don't think the [bandmember agreement] applies," the 65-year-old said. "I didn't ask for this court case, it was brought to me, so I will naturally defend myself.

"There is no point in me being here or ever was if it is the case that I can just be completely outvoted by the vested interests of all in one management camp."

Earlier this week, 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."

This past 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 fascinating 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.




Pistol – First Look images released for Danny Boyle's Sex Pistols Limited Series. Details here https://t.co/8wdEaOs7pQ#SexPistols #DannyBoyle #Pistol pic.twitter.com/ByKKNV7sxW

— Phil Edwards (@Live_for_Films) March 3, 2021








Pistol – first look pictures released from Danny Boyle Sex Pistols biopic https://t.co/tmfdszkyRi pic.twitter.com/9XQHUGvfjN

— BetaSeries News (@BetaSeries_News) March 3, 2021

Red Fang have announced an online streaming event for July 30 at 7 PM, Pacific/10 PM Eastern, with the performance including songs from their recently released album Arrows, as well as tracks from Murder The Mountains. The Mississippi Studios set performance will feature two segments in which 10 fans will join Red Fang for a live meet and greet at the venue (meet and greet spots are first come, first serve).

$5 tickets for the online stream are on-sale now, and available here.

Guitarist/vocalist Bryan Giles comments: “It has been a LONG time since we've been able to play a show, but we're finally doing it! Our good friend Whitey offered to help us put together a streaming event to share our return to the stage with you. We couldn't be more excited to get this party started again! We're playing songs from Murder the Mountains to celebrate its 10-year anniversary along with numbers from our brand new album, Arrows. Please join us, it's going to be a hoot."

The band has also shared new limited vinyl variants of Murder The Mountains, Whales And Leeches, and Only Ghosts. Order them here.

Red Fang return to the road this fall for a US tour that sees the Portland-based band trek across the continent, including the group's first Alaskan performance.

A complete list of dates and ticket links can be found here.

(Photo - James Rexroad)




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METALLICA has shared a previously unreleased live recording of "Wherever I May Roam" performed at Day On The Green in Oakland, California on October 12, 1991. The track is taken from the remastered deluxe box set of METALLICA's self-titled fifth album — also known as "The Black Album" — due on September 10 via the band's own Blackened Recordings. Check it out below.

The Black Album is one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed records of all time. Its 1991 release not only gave METALLICA its first No. 1 album in no fewer than 10 countries, including a four-week run at No. 1 in the U.S., its unrelenting series of singles — "Enter Sandman", "The Unforgiven", "Nothing Else Matters", "Wherever I May Roam" and "Sad But True" — fueled the band's rise to stadium headlining, radio and MTV dominating household name status. The album's reception from the press was similarly charged, building over the years from the top 10 of the 1991 Village Voice Pazz & Jop national critics poll to becoming a constant presence in the likes of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. The album's impact and relevance continue to grow — as proven by one indisputable fact: The Black Album remains unchallenged as the best-selling album in the history of Nielsen SoundScan, outselling every release in every genre over the past 30 years.

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the Grammy-winning, 16-times-platinum-certified Black Album is receiving its definitive re-release. Remastered for ultimate sound quality, The Black Album remaster will be available in multiple configurations including 180-gram double vinyl LP, standard CD and 3 CD expanded edition, digital, and limited-edition deluxe box set (containing the album remastered on 180-gram 2LP, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs (containing rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows), 6 DVDs (containing outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, live shows), a 120-page hardcover book, four tour laminates, three lithos, three guitar picks, a METALLICA lanyard, a folder with lyric sheets, and a download card).

Much more than a mere tribute album, "The Metallica Blacklist" celebrates the enduring influence of this musical milestone with one of the most ambitious projects ever conceived by the METALLICA team: An unprecedented 50+ artists spanning an unbelievably vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more, each contributing a unique interpretation of their favorite Black Album cut.

"The Metallica Blacklist" offers up new dimensions of the record whose gravitational pull first drew the mainstream to METALLICA — and provides new insights into the universal and timeless appeal that kept it there: the boundary-smashing influence these 12 songs have had on fans and musicians of all stripes. "The Metallica Blacklist"'s 53 tracks find singer songwriters, country artists, electronic and hip hop artists sharing their love of these songs alongside punk rockers, indie darlings, icons of rock, metal, world music and many, many more… and for 50+ good causes: Profits will be divided evenly between charities of the artist's choice and METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation.

"The Metallica Blacklist" is a fitting and limitless homage, one that features bands who've shared stages with METALLICA alongside artists who are younger than the original album. It's a truly staggering, at times mystifying assemblage of musicians, dozens of whom have little to nothing in common other than the shared passion for the music that's united them for this album: 1 Album. 12 Songs. 53 Artists. Unlimited Possibilities.

"The Metallica Blacklist" will be available in formats including digital, four-CD and a limited-edition seven-LP vinyl pressing. Pre-orders will instantly receive multi-platinum selling recording artist, songwriter, philanthropist and trailblazer Miley Cyrus's version of "Nothing Else Matters" featuring Andrew Watt, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith, and Colombian-born rock/pop superstar, and winner of 20+ Grammy and Latin Music Grammy Awards Juanes's interpretation of "Enter Sandman".

All profits from "The Metallica Blacklist" will be split evenly between the All Within My Hands foundation and 50+ charities chosen by the artists who play on the album. All Within My Hands was founded by the band in 2017 as a way for the entire METALLICA family to give back to communities that have supported the band by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.

"The Metallica Blacklist" features the following tracks:

* ALESSIA CARA & THE WARNING - Enter Sandman

* MAC DEMARCO - Enter Sandman

* GHOST - Enter Sandman

* JUANES - Enter Sandman

* RINA SAWAYAMA - Enter Sandman

* WEEZER - Enter Sandman

* SAM FENDER - Sad But True (Live)

* JASON ISBELL - Sad But True

* MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND FEAT. LA PERLA & GERA MX - Sad But True

* ROYAL BLOOD - Sad But True

* ST. VINCENT - Sad But True

* WHITE REAPER - Sad But True

* YB - Sad But True

* BIFFY CLYRO - Holier Than Thou

* THE CHATS - Holier Than Thou

* OFF! - Holier Than Thou

* PUP - Holier Than Thou

* COREY TAYLOR - Holier Than Thou

* CAGE THE ELEPHANT - The Unforgiven

* VISHAL DADLANI, DIVINE, SHOR POLICE - The Unforgiven

* DIET CIG - The Unforgiven

* FLATBUSH ZOMBIES FEAT. DJ SCRATCH - The Unforgiven

* HA*ASH - The Unforgiven

* JOSÉ MADERO - The Unforgiven

* MOSES SUMNEY - The Unforgiven

* J BALVIN - Wherever I May Roam

* CHASE & STATUS FEAT. BACKROAD GEE - Wherever I May Roam

* THE NEPTUNES - Wherever I May Roam

* JON PARDI - Wherever I May Roam

* SEBASTIAN - Don't Tread On Else Matters

* PORTUGAL. THE MAN FEAT. AARON BEAM - Don't Tread On Me

* VOLBEAT - Don't Tread On Me

* THE HU - Through The Never

* TOMI OWÓ - Through The Never

* PHOEBE BRIDGERS - Nothing Else Matters

* MILEY CYRUS FEAT. WATT, ELTON JOHN, YO-YO MA, ROBERT TRUJILLO, CHAD SMITH - Nothing Else Matters

* DAVE GAHAN - Nothing Else Matters

* MICKEY GUYTON - Nothing Else Matters

* DERMOT KENNEDY - Nothing Else Matters

* MON LAFERTE - Nothing Else Matters

* IGOR LEVIT - Nothing Else Matters

* MY MORNING JACKET - Nothing Else Matters

* PG ROXETTE - Nothing Else Matters

* DARIUS RUCKER - Nothing Else Matters

* CHRIS STAPLETON - Nothing Else Matters

* TRESOR - Nothing Else Matters

* GOODNIGHT, TEXAS - Of Wolf And Man

* IDLES - The God That Failed

* IMELDA MAY - the god that failed

* CHERRY GLAZERR - My Friend Of Misery

* IZÏA - My Friend Of Misery

* KAMASI WASHINGTON - My Friend Of Misery

* RODRIGO Y GABRIELA - The Struggle Within

Back in 2017, METALLICA announced that it was preparing deluxe remastered versions of its "…And Justice For All" (1988) and "Metallica" (1991) albums and reached out to its hardcore fans for help to get content for the new editions. "…And Justice For All" has since been reissued for its 30th anniversary in 2018.

METALLICA's self-titled LP in 2014 became the first album to sell 16 million copies since Nielsen SoundScan started tracking sales in 1991.

"Metallica" was already certified 16 times platinum on December 13, 2012 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for shipments in excess of 16 million copies in the U.S.

The album in 2009 surpassed SHANIA TWAIN's 1997 record, "Come On Over", as the best-selling CD of the SoundScan era.

"Metallica" was the first of four collaborations with producer Bob Rock, with whom the band clashed throughout the recording of the disc.

METALLICA performed "the black album" in its entirety at a number of European festivals in 2012.

OTHERWISE and Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group have presented the second reveal from the band's upcoming EP titled "Defiance". The song is in some respects a celebration and rallying cry for the band's now-hometown football team the Raiders. Titled "Silver And Black", the recording can be previewed below.

Adrian Patrick reflects: "Growing up in Las Vegas, we never had our own professional sports team. So, for a lot us football fans, the closest thing was our second west coast home: Los Angeles. The Raiders have always been known as the 'bad boys' of the NFL and we can totally relate with that, from a rock 'n' roll perspective. My first starter brand ball cap was a Raiders hat and anyone who is a huge fan of N.W.A. (like we are), knows how cool that cap made me feel as a kiddo! With all of the illustrious musical artists that call Vegas home, we'd love to be the first to present our new hometown team with their un/official anthem: 'Silver And Black'. With arms open and horns up, we welcome the Raider Nation to our beloved Sin City... just win, baby!"

The lead track shared was a recording of "Halo". Patrick stated about the song: "We've had 'Halo' hidden in our six-demon bag for quite some time. Written in Los Angeles and recorded in Las Vegas, it personally functions as a celestial middle finger to every hypocrite out there… including the ones in the mirror." The collected body of work will feature B-sides, live recordings, and special guests. Further detail will be shared in the coming months.

Patrick reflects back on the last eighteen months sharing: "The pandemic basically brought a screeching halt to the album cycle for 'Defy', and it was honestly heartbreaking. But we took the huge, perpetual chip on our shoulder and made an opportunity from it, one in which we could breathe new life into our art by revisiting the music in a live acoustic setting, as well as fully producing some of our favorite songs from the 'Defy' sessions that may not have been given due diligence. Thus, in the spirit of being rock n roll soul-rebels, we've named this upcoming release 'Defiance'." Cumulative streams of repertoire featured on "Defy" exceed 11 million plays, while the singles "Lifted" and "Crossfire" charted at Active Rock radio.

Canadian innovative metallers VOIVOD will enter RadicArt studios at the end of the month with producer Francis Perron to begin recording their new album, expected for release in 2022 via Century Media Records.

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin stated: "Presently, we are fine-tuning the music for the next album, which we will start recording next week. I must say it's a real thrill to write new material with Chewy, Rocky and Snake."

Two months ago, VOIVOD guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain of told The Metal Voice that he and his bandmates were "still in the writing process" for follow-up to 2018's "The Wake". He said: "We're still sharing files and trying to catch up and put more time into it. I think the situation will get better and maybe we'll have a chance to meet more often and jam together; that's where the magic happens, usually. But we've learned to work in this context as well. And that's cool, because I received a bunch of tracks from Away, who is programming drums in Logic [audio software] with his computer, and it sounded exactly like Away's playing. I was super impressed, because sometimes when you use a computer, it kind of sounds square. But everything was perfect. So it's really fun to do. It's a different way. So it's gonna bring it different ideas, I think, if we welcome it in a creative way."

Regarding the musical direction of the new VOIVOD material, Mongrain said: "[It's] hard to tell at the moment, but personally, I feel like [injecting] a little bit more thrashy [elements and] some dirtiness, so to speak, to the sound. Compexity has always been part of my influence in songwriting — I don't know what's the problem with me, but it's always there, so I'm not worrying about that side. But maybe [make it] a bit less polished and more rock and roll, I guess."

VOIVOD released a new live album, "Lost Machine - Live", in November via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for "The Wake".

Last summer, VOIVOD released a new three-track 12-inch vinyl and digital EP titled "The End Of Dormancy" via Century Media Records. The EP is centered around a special "Metal Section" version of the title track (off VOIVOD's latest album, "The Wake") with added trumpets, saxophone and trombones. The complementary songs on this release are exclusive live versions of "The End Of Dormancy (Metal Section)" and the group's classic "The Unknown Knows", recorded at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019.

"The End Of Dormancy" EP came with artwork by Langevin and is available on 180-fram 12-inch vinyl.

"The Wake" was released in September 2018 via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron. The album's artwork was once again created by Away

STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis mistakenly performed the band's hit song "It's Been A While" twice during his solo concert last night (Friday, July 21) in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

After playing "It's Been A While" at Bottle & Cork earlier in the set, Lewis revisited the track at a later point, only becoming aware of his error as he was finishing the song for the second time.

"You know what I'm realizing right this second? That I'm drunk enough that I should be playing 'Outside' right now, and instead I'm playing a fucking song I already played tonight," he told the crowd. "Which means I might be slightly overserved. So should I play the fucking song that I was supposed to be playing the whole fucking time? Because maybe I might have smoked a little bit too much weed tonight. I will say that's a first. That's a first right there… I'll hear about that one tomorrow. Actually, I'm gonna call you out and we'll see whether you guys out me tomorrow for that. So I guess we'll just see how much y'all love me, 'cause no one else except everybody in this room just saw that happen, so you can give me a free pass. It is entirely and totally up to you, so we'll see whether I'm hiding my face in shame tomorrow, 'cause I have definitely seen a whole lot of cameras recording this, which… super comfortable."

Two days ago, Lewis announced a fall 2021 tour, beginning October 2 and running through mid-December.

Unlike his other solo acoustic tours, Aaron will be performing with a full band.

Earlier this month, Aaron dropped a new single, "Am I The Only One", from his forthcoming album, to be released later this year. The single debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, No. 2 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales and No. 14 on the Hot Oct. 0. The track also drew four million U.S. streams in the tracking week.

Throughout his more than two-decade career, whether topping the charts as front man of hard rock band STAIND, or as No. 1 artist on the country charts as a solo artist, Lewis has always been painfully honest in his music.

"That's all I've ever done," said Aaron. "My songs have always been me wearing my heart, emotions, misfortunes and sins on my sleeve. I don't feel like it would be genuine or worthy if it wasn't."

Lewis first dipped his toes into country music with his 2011 EP, "Town Line". His second full-length album, "Sinner", arrived in the fall of 2016 and was followed by a stand-alone single, "Folded Flag".

Lewis released his third full-length country album, "State I'm In", in April 2019 via Big Machine imprint Valory Music.

World-renowned guitarist/songwriter Mark Tremonti will release the fifth album from his solo band TREMONTI, titled "Marching In Time", on September 24, 2021 via Napalm Records. The official music video for the LP's first single, "If Not For You", can be seen below. The clip is a frenetic, high-energy performance video that visually complements the single that will be impacting radio this month.

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

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

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

"Marching In Time" track listing:

01. A World Away

02. Now And Forever

03. If Not For You

04. Thrown Further

05. Let That Be Us

06. The Last One Of Us

07. In One Piece

08. Under The Sun

09. Not Afraid To Lose

10. Bleak

11. Would You Kill

12. Marching In Time

TREMONTI will hit the road in advance of the release of "Marching In Time", starting on September 3 in the U.S. with longtime friends SEVENDUST.

Photo credit: Scott Diussa

Today Live Nation announced it is celebrating the return to live concerts this summer by offering fans $20 all-in tickets to nearly 1,000 shows this year. As Live Nation's outdoor venues across the U.S. begin to open, the time is here to get outside and catch live music with friends, family and loved ones at over 40 Live Nation amphitheaters all across the country. For a limited time only next week, fans will have access to exclusive $20 tickets to participating Live Nation shows, including taxes and fees.

"We can't wait to get back on the road and in front of our fans, it means so much to be able to bring live music back to the people that support us the most," said the JONAS BROTHERS.

The special promotion marks the highly-anticipated return of live music in the U.S. as artists ready to hit the stage and fans can't wait to see their favorite acts live in-person once again. Participating artists include some of today's biggest acts across genres including country, hip-hop, latin, metal, pop, rock and more. See full list below.

"We couldn't be more excited to get back out on the road," said Zac Brown. "It's been a long, difficult year for everyone and we're fired up to be reuniting with our crew, sharing new music with our fans, and celebrating a brand new world."

The $20 tickets will be available to the general public starting next Wednesday, July 28 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on LiveNation.com for a limited time only, while supplies last.

T-Mobile and Sprint customers can score exclusive 24-hour early access to the $20 all-in tickets through T-Mobile Tuesdays starting Tuesday, July 27 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

Participating artists celebrating the return to live concerts include:

311

JASON ALDEAN

MEGADETH

3 DOORS DOWN

JONAS BROTHERS

NF

ALANIS MORISSETTE

JUDAS PRIEST

PITBULL

ALICE COOPER

KINGS OF LEON

PRIMUS

BRAD PAISLEY

KISS

RISE AGAINST

BRETT ELDREDGE

KORN

ROD WAVE

BROOKS & DUNN

LADY A

SLIPKNOT

BROTHERS OSBORNE

LIL BABY

THE BLACK CROWES

COHEED AND CAMBRIA

LINDSEY STIRLING

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

DIERKS BENTLEY

LUKE BRYAN

THOMAS RHETT

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

LYNYRD SKYNYRD

TRIPPIE REDD

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES

MAROON 5

ZAC BROWN BAND

Live Nation Entertainment is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts and Live Nation Sponsorship

KK'S PRIEST, the new band featuring former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals), along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE), will release its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", on October 1 (postponed from the previously announced August 20) via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

KK'S PRIEST has also announced a limited collector's piece, a scroll that chronicles the lyrical content of "Sermons Of The Sinner". The scroll features lyrics of all 10 tracks on the forthcoming album; spanning 14X50" on parchment paper rolled on metal pole ends. Also included is a certificate of authenticity signed by Downing. It can be found here.

Fans are able to pre-order the debut album in various configurations including an exclusive limited-edition autographed metal vinyl (silver disc) with bonus CD album, via the band's online store. The album can be pre-saved via all global digital streaming partners as well.

The album cover features a mysterious figure robed in a monk's habit, whom Downing slyly states may or may not be him, holding a book of sermons. He says the "sinner" in the title refers to his famous solo in that classic song of the same name and also reflects his sense of alienation from the groundbreaking group that he helped create. "The whole concept is the fact that I continue proudly to be who I am and what I am and do what I do," declares Downing. "It's been nearly 10 years. I'm back making music."

And his disciples are ready to receive his sermons. He's brought a former bandmate along for the ride, and they have unleashed an album with a modern sound that hearkens back to what fans have always loved about Downing and his music and which still sounds fresh. "All of my life, people always wanted an album that we've made in the past," muses Downing. "'What's the new album like? Will it be anything like 'British Steel'? Will it be anything like 'Sad Wings'?' People hoping you're going to make a record that you've already made. So in a way this record just sounds like something that has already been made or should have been be made. It does have a lot of things that are connected to the past. For example, 'Brothers Of The Road'. If you take all the lyrics off and just listen to the music, maybe you could be listening to 'You've Got Another Thing Comin''."

After years of quietly enjoying life away from the rigors of the road and intense studio recording, Downing emerged again on stage in August 2019. From there, the conversation led to Downing performing a few songs with Ross The Boss at Bloodstock Open Air. The performance electrified the crowd and reinvigorated Downing. In November of that year, he put on a show in Wolverhampton, U.K. with Owens, Binks, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and HOSTILE guitarist A.J. Mills. Downing had produced two albums for the latter band. Spanning JUDAS PRIEST's catalog, this superb and successful show sent shockwaves throughout the metal world: K.K. was back and the fans were clearly hungry for more.

Rather than simply rely on his past successes and go on the road performing classic JUDAS PRIEST songs, the renowned guitarist did what he has always done — make new music. And songs that fans would want to hear and sing along to in concert. Downing assembled Owens, Mills, Newton and Elg to create "Sermons Of The Sinner", an album that celebrates his classic metal roots and encourages us to cherish those iconic pioneers whom we still have with us. He jokes that KK'S PRIEST is "like a new old band. Or an old new band."

"The ultimate message is we've moved away from this music that we loved for so long and we're so dedicated to, and now we're in a situation where lots of people are actually passing away," explains Downing. "We've lost a lot of great people — [Ronnie James] Dio, Lemmy, I could go on — and that's gonna be accelerated over the coming years. Basically, enjoy everything that's left of this brand of metal including from me. It's not going to last forever."

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the '80s. (Can you pick them out?) After partnering with Explorer1 Music Group, the album was originally intended for release a year ago, but with the COVID-19 pandemic curtailing everyone's release and touring plans, Downing pulled back and spent two more months tweaking the album to how he wanted it. The extra time paid off.

High-speed album opener "Hellfire Thunderbolt" offers a fictitious take on how metal arrived before the masses were ready for it, so it gestated in the late '60s before exploding in the '70s and '80s. Rousing rockers like "Raise Your Fists" and "Wild And Free" revel in the passion and excess that metal fans embrace. The guitar interplay is intense and inspiring, and the band is firing on all cylinders.

"The Return Of The Sentinel" is a bold choice to close the album. Not only is it a sequel to the classic track from JUDAS PRIEST's 1984's platinum-selling "Defenders Of The Faith" album, it's a nine-minute epic that doesn't play by the rules. The first half is stirring metal, and the latter half is somber and subdued, which reflects the tale of a being who, once a dispenser of justice and death, now faces his own mortality.

Conversely, KK'S PRIEST is alive and vital. They have plans to tour later this year with some Ripper-era JUDAS PRIEST songs tossed into the mix, and Binks hopes to make appearances at shows.

"Les was able to do the short set at the Steel Mill," says Downing. "But he had a wrist injury after that and wasn't able to do the album. Les wants to jump on the stage and a play a couple of songs, although he is not going to be able to play a full set. He will be our special guest."

Downing is hoping to reach as many headbangers as he can worldwide — from Europe to North and South America. "Sermons Of The Sinner" is a love letter to the music he helped create and evolve and to the devoted followers who have supported it. "I'm talking about the diehard fans that are not going anywhere," says Downing. "They're not certainly going to jump on a different genre of music just because a lot of their heroes are unfortunately passing away. And that sentiment is in this album where we said in the title track, 'time is running out for us, things may never be the same, but the sermons of the sinner center can help us rise again.' Because you never know when the last gig is going to be the last gig, so to speak. I'm pretty optimistic. I'm working on material for the second album."

"Sermons Of The Sinner" track listing:

01. Incarnation

02. Hellfire Thunderbolt

03. Sermons Of The Sinner

04. Sacerdote Y Diablo

05. Raise Your Fists

06. Brothers Of The Road

07. Metal Through And Through

08. Wild And Free

09. Hail For The Priest

10. Return Of The Sentinel

KK'S PRIEST, which pays homage to Downing's past, will play select shows to mark the 50th anniversary of PRIEST and Downing's career as a founding member. KK'S PRIEST's setlist will consist of PRIEST classics and new songs.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.

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

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

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

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

In a new interview with Australia's Heavy magazine, SEETHER frontman Shaun Morgan was asked to name his "top three commandments of rock." He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I would say there are a few things that I think are important. The first commandment would be you've gotta be true to yourself. And by that I mean don't follow a trend. Don't try to be part of a movement. Just write music that makes you happy; write music for music's sake. So, the first one is just stay true to yourself. The second one is write from the heart lyrically, 'cause it's easy to write lyrics that allude to this party-type lifestyle. I guess there's a time and place for that, so, really, whatever. If that's what you wanna do [lyrically], then go back to rule one. And then the third one is that they have fun. There's so many people that take themselves so seriously, and they drink their own Kool-Aid, so to speak, and they allow themselves to believe the hype and then they become different people. And we've had many friends along the way become not friends anymore, because, in my mind, when you start out and you're wide-eyed and bushy-tailed and this whole thing is all so overwhelming and exciting and fun, you understand that it's this amazing opportunity and you've got to take this opportunity and you're out there playing and living the dream. And then, all too often, a lot of these guys and girls, they'll have people tell 'em how great they are for long enough, and then they start believing that they're super great, and they think they're better than everybody else because they're in a band. I think the third could be have fun, but also don't take your stuff too seriously. I have opinions and stuff — I don't really try and express them to everybody, 'cause I don't think that they're important unless somebody asks me for an opinion. But there's a lot of people that'll give you their opinion regardless. I think there's some [musicians] that need to learn how to listen instead of talk about themselves."

SEETHER will release "Wasteland - The Purgatory" EP digitally and on CD July 30 and on vinyl October 22 via Fantasy Records. The five-track set includes the fan favorite "Wasteland", from the band's most recent album, and features three never-before-heard songs, and an alternate/stripped down version of "Wasteland". Written and produced by Shaun Morgan, engineered by the band's newest member Corey Lowery, and mixed by Matt Hyde, "Wasteland - The Purgatory" EP follows the August 2020 release of SEETHER's eighth album, the acclaimed "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" ("If You Want Peace, Prepare For War.") The first two singles from the album both hit No. 1 on the Active Rock and Rock charts: the anthemic "Dangerous" and hard-hitting "Bruised And Bloodied".

"Wasteland - The Purgatory" EP special vinyl edition will be released on 45rpm 12-inch vinyl on October 22. The band's online store will have a 500-unit super limited-edition custom Smoke and Translucent Red split color vinyl and a limited-edition Custom Clear with Smoky White Swirls color vinyl, while record stores will carry Custom Mixed Translucent Red with Smoky Black Swirls color vinyl.

Last month, SEETHER announced they will join 3 DOORS DOWN on the latter band's "The Better Life" 20th-anniversary tour as special guests on select dates throughout the summer. Additionally, this fall will see SEETHER play several festivals, including Louder Than Life 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky and the sold-out Aftershock festival 2021 in Sacramento, California.

Photo credit: Laura E. Partain

THE ROLLING STONES have announced the make-up dates for their postponed 2020 tour. The 13-date trek will kick off on September 26 at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and will conclude on November 20 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Also included are shows in Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Minneapolis, Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit, as well as three new dates, at the New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival on October 13, in Los Angeles on October 17 at SoFi Stadium, and in Las Vegas on November 6 at Allegiant Stadium.

Previously scheduled dates for Vancouver, Louisville, Cleveland and Buffalo could not be rescheduled. Fans with tickets to canceled shows will be contacted by Ticketmaster with information about refunds, and they will also be given a possible "priority offer" to tickets in nearby cities.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored at the rescheduled performances.

Tickets for the new shows will go on sale July 30.

"I'm so excited to get back on the stage again," singer Mick Jagger said in a statement, "and want to thank everyone for their patience. See you soon!"

"We're back on the road!" added guitarist Keith Richards. "See you there!"

THE ROLLING STONES' U.S. tour was originally slated to take place between May and July last year but was postponed due to the pandemic.

"We're hugely disappointed to have to postpone the tour," the band said at the time. "We are sorry to all the fans who were looking forward to it as much as we were, but the health and safety of everyone has to take priority. We will all get through this together — and we'll see you very soon."

THE ROLLING STONES "No Filter" USA 2021 tour dates:

Sep. 26 - St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center

Sep. 30 - Charlotte, NC @ Bank Of America Stadium

Oct. 04 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Field

Oct. 09 - Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium

Oct. 13 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Oct. 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium

Oct. 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium

Oct. 29 - Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium

Nov. 02 - Dallas, TX @ Cotton Bowl Stadium

Nov. 06 - Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium

Nov. 11 - Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Nov. 15 - Detroit, MI @ Ford Field

Nov. 20 - Austin, TX @ Circuit of The Americas


The Rolling Stones - US Tour Announcement (Rescheduled Dates + New Shows)

THE NEWS YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

We are thrilled to be able to announce the rescheduled dates for the Rolling Stones 2020 US tour, which will now go ahead this Fall!

Tickets are on sale now at rollingstones.com/tour

We want to thank you all for your patience during this very difficult and unprecedented time.

All previously purchased tickets will be honoured at the rescheduled dates, unfortunately there are a few dates that we were unable to reschedule - Ticketmaster will communicate directly with all purchasers of these tickets with more information. Where feasible, a priority offer for ticketholders will be available for nearby shows.

We also have some new dates added! The pre-sale for the Stones mailing list for New Orleans, Los Angeles & Las Vegas shows will commence on Wednesday 28 July at 12pm (local) to Thursday 29 July at 10pm (local). General sale commences Friday 30th July 10am (local).

Sign up to the mailing list now to access the pre-sale: https://the-rolling-stones.lnk.to/PreSaleSignUpSo

2021 TOUR DATES

Sep 26 - The Dome - ST. LOUIS, MO

Sep 30 - Bank of America Stadium - CHARLOTTE, NC

Oct 04 - Heinz Field - PITTSBURGH, PA

Oct 09 - Nissan Stadium - NASHVILLE, TN

Oct 13 - New Orleans Jazz Fest - *NEW ORLEANS, LA

Oct 17 - SoFi Stadium - *LOS ANGELES, CA

Oct 24 - U.S. Bank Stadium - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Oct 29 - Raymond James Stadium - TAMPA, FL

Nov 02 - Cotton Bowl - DALLAS, TX

Nov 06 - Allegiant Stadium - *LAS VEGAS, NV

Nov 11 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium - ATLANTA, GA

Nov 15 - Ford Field - DETROIT, MI

Nov 20 - Circuit of The Americas - AUSTIN, TX

*New Dates

Posted by The Rolling Stones on Wednesday, July 21, 2021

HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske recently spoke to Planet Rock's "My Planet Rocks" about the lessons he learned by exiting the band in 1993, only to return 24 years later. "It was very important for me," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "As difficult as it was in the beginning to be suddenly completely on your own, it was really good for me. It shaped my personality. I was figuring out ideals; I was figuring out why I wanna do what and how. And this whole process of getting into these fights and arguments with my former bandmates and being massively disappointed about how it went down, about the industry, about the business, about the scenes and all that, and going through all that over the years and actually coming out of it again more mature and making peace with them again, on a human level, that's what really matters.

"When we live, we always look at things from an ego point of view, and, of course, out of our egos, we want certain things — we always just want the sugar pies: we want success, we wanna be beautiful, we wanna be healthy, we wanna get the prettiest women, we just want the stuff that feeds the ego," he continued. "But we're really growing out of the suffering we go through. As long as it doesn't destroy us, we get stronger out of the challenges, and this whole negative experience that I've been through, especially during the '90s, I don't wanna miss it. It was very, very important for me. It was very necessary. And I'm very happy that we were able to make peace again and to forgive and forget and do something like this together now."

Last month, the new LP from the reunited expanded classic lineup of HELLOWEEN entered the official album chart in the band's home country of Germany at position No. 1.

The "Pumpkins United" lineup of HELLOWEEN features Kiske and returning guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside singer Andi Deris, guitarists Michael Weikath and Sascha Gerstner, bassist Markus Grosskopf and drummer Daniel Löble.

Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, the new HELLOWEEN LP was recorded in part at the H.O.M.E. Studios in Hamburg (where everything started in 1984). The same recording console used for such HELLOWEEN albums as "Master Of The Rings", "Time Of The Oath" and "Better Than Raw" was utilized to record the band's new material. The effort was mixed at the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, RAMMSTEIN).

HELLOWEEN's new album saw the legendary German power metallers going "back to the roots," with the band recording fully analog and Löble playing the drum kit previously used by HELLOWEEN's original drummer, the late Ingo Schwichtenberg, on the legendary "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" recordings.

The "Pumpkins United" tour marked the first time Kiske had played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, had been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set featured several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including "Kids Of The Century", "Rise And Fall" and "Livin' Ain't No Crime". Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sang a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including "Ride The Sky", "Judas", "Starlight" and "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)".

HELLOWEEN's European "United Alive World Tour Part II", which was originally scheduled to take place in September and October will now take place next y

On July 15, 2021, progressive rock project exo-X-xeno launches its anticipated second single filled with fluid proggy riffs and elevated harmonic vocals that break through the stratosphere, called “Reaching For Beyond”.

This epic song release, along with a companion conceptual promo video, continues the band’s musical journey with a polychromatic tapestry of celestial rock sounds.  

“Being part of the collaborative exo-X-xeno project, along with Craig Maher, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen, is an ongoing musically uplifting and inspiring experience for me,” says Moraz.  

About exo-X-xeno:

The exo-X-xeno band, which launched at the beginning of 2021, pushes the prog rock boundaries of space and time with expansive, melodious vocals and sonic instrumental layering - all accomplished with a star-studded roster of musical greats.  

Founded by composer, vocalist and guitarist Craig Maher, exo-X-xeno is a musical constellation consisting of bassist and backing vocalist Billy Sherwood (YES, Toto and Conspiracy with Chris Squire), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, YES and Asia), and legendary keyboardist Patrick Moraz (Refugee, YES and The Moody Blues). The group’s release of several singles this year will be fused into the final conceptual album (designed by Maher), entitled, Luminous Voyage.  

The band’s first single, “Onward, Love,” successfully debuted on January 15, 2021 to an enthusiastic global prog rock audience.  

About Craig Maher, Founder of exo-X-xeno:

Craig Maher’s musical journey as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, and recording and visual artist is sprinkled with celestial eclecticism. Throughout his 30 years of playing, studying and composing guitar-based music, he released two records, Through the Garden of Temptation, and Propel (2009). He composed the music score for the film Brooklyn Lobster, with Danny Aiello and Jane Curtin (2005). Maher has performed in a plethora of venues spanning from the U.S. to Europe and is looking forward to touring with exo-X-xeno in the near future.

“Craig’s exceptional talent for composing, authoring, guitar playing and singing are at the highest level of an amazing creativity,” says Moraz.  

What’s Ahead:  

Stay tuned for the upcoming release of another exo-X-xeno single entitled, “Vitruvian Man”, featuring the Maher/Schellan/Moraz lineup, to be accompanied by another video launch. The single “Reaching For Beyond” will be available for digital download on the official exo-X-xeno website and on Bandcamp on July 15, with limited CD printed versions released on Shine-ON Records.




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FOO FIGHTERS have teamed up with MSG Entertainment to release a mini-documentary chronicling the band's concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City following 466 days without live music.

The official description for the nine-minute documentary, which can be seen below, reads as follows: "On June 20, 2021, after 466 days without live music, FOO FIGHTERS reopened Madison Square Garden to a sold-out crowd, marking the first full capacity concert in a New York arena since the start of the pandemic."

Dubbed "The Day The Music Came Back", the featurette includes a mix of live footage and backstage testimonials from the crew of the iconic venue, which asked all audience members to show proof of vaccination to enter.

To warm up for the MSG gig, FOO FIGHTERS performed five days earlier at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. Canyon Club also required ticket buyers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend.

Last November, FOO FIGHTERS played a livestreamed concert for fans at The Roxy in West Hollywood, California. Six months later, they participated in the televised "Live Vax" concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

FOO FIGHTERS will next perform at the Forum in Los Angeles on July 17.

The band is continuing to promote its latest album, "Medicine At Midnight", which landed at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart with first-week sales of 64,000 copies in the U.S.

FOO FIGHTERS previously topped the chart with 2017's "Concrete And Gold" and 2011's "Wasting Light".

23,000 of "Medicine At Midnight"'s first-week sales came from vinyl LP sales, with CDs and digital albums registering 20,000 each.

"Medicine At Midnight" came out on February 5 via Roswell Records/RCA Records. The LP is a nine-song, 37-minute effort which was produced by the FOO FIGHTERS and Greg Kurstin.

FIREHOUSE singer CJ Snare was forced to miss the band's concert Friday night (July 9) in Moline, Illinois after coming down with an undisclosed illness. Filling in for him was LAST IN LINE frontman Andrew Freeman.

Earlier on Friday, Snare took to his Facebook page to write: "So, I woke up this morning and was sick in my stomach. Headed to the doctor. Don't need prayers, thoughts, or hugs. I just need people to understand that I won't be in Moline or Ashland to do the FIREHOUSE shows. My apologies to everyone involved. Our good friend, Andrew Freeman will be singing in my place for the weekend and I hope that you all welcome him at these shows. Please, have fun. I'll be back next week singing in Ohio. Big love to my band and all of our listeners. RAWK ON !!! See ya next week."

In addition to playing with LAST IN LINE, Freeman has performed with three of BULLETBOYS' original members (guitarist Mick Sweda, bassist Lonnie Vencent and drummer Jimmy D'Anda) in LIES, DECEIT & TREACHERY and famously filled in for Joe Elliott when DEF LEPPARD played on the "Hysteria On The High Seas" cruise in January 2016.

FIREHOUSE hasn't released a studio album since 2011's "Full Circle", which featured re-recorded versions of some of the band's older songs. The group's last collection of new material, "Prime Time", came out in 2003.

FIREHOUSE reached stardom during the early '90s with hits like "Reach For The Sky", "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "All She Wrote", as well as its signature power ballads "I Live My Life For You", "Love Of A Lifetime" and "When I Look Into Your Eyes".


So, I woke up this morning and was sick in my stomach. Headed to the doctor. Don’t need prayers, thoughts, or hugs. I...

Posted by Cj Snare on Friday, July 9, 2021

Frontiers Music Srl recently released the debut album, Kings In The North, from Crowne, the new Swedish melodic hard rock supergroup. The band is comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitarist/keyboardist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe) and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles).

Watch a lyric video for "Save Me From Myself" below, and order the CD and Limited Edition Color LP versions of the album and save the digital version here.

Crowne is hands-down the most exciting, thrilling supergroup ever created out of the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. This stellar cast of some of the most outstanding musicians from the scene have been gathered together to create this absolute beast of a debut album, the title of which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Crowne's music is the result of these amazing talents coming together and realizing a musical vision under the passionate and watchful guidance of Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records. This is a melodic hard rock barnburner with enormous melodies, delivering rock 'n' roll like there is no tomorrow. Quite simply, this is going to blow you away, so prepare yourself for what's to come.

Tracklisting:

"Kings In The North"
"Perceval"
"Sharoline"
"Unbreakable"
"Mad World"
"One In A Million"
"Sum Of All Fears"
"Set Me Free"
"Make A Stand"
"Cross To Bear"
"Save Me From Myself"

"Save Me From Myself" lyric video:

"Kings In The North" lyric video:

"Unbreakable" lyric video:

"Perceval" video:

"Sharoline" video:

"Mad World":

Lineup:

Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums

Additional Musicians:

Love Magnusson – Guest Guitar Solos




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LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe has welcomed the removal of the statue that sparked the deadly "Unite The Right" rally four years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying that the the point of the statue coming down is not to "erase history" but to provide a more accurate representation of it.

The statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee was removed Saturday, as was the statue of another Confederate general, Stonewall Jackson, that sat nearby, though the stone bases of both statues will remain for now.

Both Lee and Jackson were slave owners who fought against the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Civil War. Their statues will now be placed in storage.

On Sunday (July 11), Blythe took to his Instagram to write: "Yesterday morning I went to Charlottesville, VA with a friend to shoot photos of the removal of the statues of Robert E. Lee & Stonewall Jackson, but when we got there Lee was already gone, & we just barely caught Jackson being wheeled away. I stood there looking at the empty plinth Lee stood on & thought back to 2017, when a 20 year old neo-Nazi came all the way here from Ohio to join a bunch of other hate-filled people, people who marched with torches through this sleepy town chanting 'Jews will not replace us!' shouting the language of the Reich, of fascism, of the Führer, of the mechanized killing machines of Auschwitz. This deluded young man was so filled with hatred that he drove his car full speed into a crowd of people, injuring 35 people & killing a 32 year old Virginia girl. That man will never leave prison, sentenced to life + 419 years. Heather Heyer is dead & gone, & she will never feel the sunshine on her face again. For what? A stupid hunk of metal & stone? Because other people don't have the same skin color? I will never understand that way of thinking.

"People say 'You can't erase history by taking those statues down.' They are right, but that's not the point of those statues coming down- no one is trying to forget history at all- they are striving for an accurate recounting of it. And a much better instructional source than statues are actual letters from the time period we are studying. We can & should learn from those writings, so here's a couple of quotes from the letters of a man who was very much opposed such monuments, categorically refusing to have anything to do with them after the Civil War ended:

"'As regards the erection of such a monument as is contemplated, my conviction is, that however grateful it would be to the feelings of the South, the attempt ... would have the effect of ... continuing, if not adding to, the difficulties under which the Southern people labour.' - Robert E. Lee

"'I think it wiser not to keep open the sores of war but to follow the examples of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife, to commit to oblivion the feelings engendered.' - Robert E. Lee

"Pay attention to history."

The debate regarding Confederate monuments has been polarizing in cities across the country for many years. Randy's hometown of Richmond and communities across the nation are confronting the crisis of racism which has afflicted our country for generations.

The most recent removal push focused on the Lee monument began in 2016 and led to the aforementioned violent "Unite The Right" rally when white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups descended on Charlottesville to protest efforts to remove monuments to the infamous 19th-century military leaders.

At least 160 symbols honoring the Confederacy were removed in 2020, including 94 monuments.
























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In a brand new interview with Pierre Gutierrez, former ANTHRAX and current ARMORED SAINT frontman John Bush was once again asked whether he is still open to the idea of embarking on a special tour during which he would perform material from his time as the singer of ANTHRAX. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Some ideas are being explored right now regarding doing it in some capacity. So we're just trying to figure out the right scenario to make it happen. But it's becoming a very good possibility."

Bush also once again said he wanted former ANTHRAX guitarist Paul Crook to be involved in the hypothetical ANTHRAX tour featuring material from his era of the band. "I love Paul," he said. "And we have been talking about some things. Once again, it's just whether or not all the situations kind of merge together and make it work. You've gotta kind of deal with all that logistics and stuff."

John continued: "For me, it would be a little bit [difficult to put together], only because I'm just really lazy. All I wanna do is kind of do the singing, and I don't wanna do all the nuts-and-bolts things about putting the band together and getting rehearsals and doing some of the business. That's the daunting part. If I could just go on stage and, like, 'Okay.' I have to learn those songs again too, if I do it. But there's all that stuff that is just a little bit different than just going out and singing. So, we'll see."

Last September, Bush told Canada's The Metal Voice that he first talked to his booking agent about the ANTHRAX tour idea "several years ago." He said: "We talked about it, and I think he sniffed around for some feelers to see what people would think. And I don't think we got the response that we really wanted to. It wasn't like we were looking for millions of dollars or anything, but we wanted to make it worthwhile to do it, and do the proper shows. It's not like something I wanna go out and do six months of touring with. It'd be fun to do some sporadic shows. I'd have to put a band together to do it. I'm probably a little lazy about that, quite honestly. But that's what would be involved in doing it. And I don't think we were pleased enough with the response that we tried to push it ahead and make it happen."

Bush went on to say that he was "caught by surprise" by ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian's comment that was not opposed to taking part in a special concert featuring most of the singers that have fronted the band over the course of its nearly four-decade existence. "I was, like, 'Wow. Okay.' And I thought that's a great idea. That would be really cool," Bush said. "I think that would be an amazing thing for the fanbase. But what I keep saying is that Joey Belladonna is the singer of ANTHRAX, and Joey should be the singer of ANTHRAX, as far as I'm concerned. And if this happens, it needs to have his approval, really, quite honestly. Because I wouldn't want him to feel like, 'Well, this is not my idea, and I don't wanna do this,' because he is the singer who'd be sharing the stage [with the rest of us], quite honestly. So I think it would be something that Joey would have to give endorsement to, for that to happen, if that's an idea. And again, I think it would be a fun thing to do a couple of handful of shows, sporadic stuff."

ANTHRAX has had a number of vocalists — including Bush, Belladonna, Neil Turbin and Dan Nelson — over the last 39 years, with Ian and drummer Charlie Benante remaining the sole bandmembers who have appeared on every one of the group's studio albums.

Turbin sang on ANTHRAX's debut LP, 1984's "Fistful Of Metal", before getting booted and being replaced by Belladonna. Belladonna performed on four ANTHRAX albums, including the fan favorite "Among The Living" (1987) before he himself was fired over creative and stylistic differences. Bush fronted ANTHRAX between 1992 and 2005 but was sidelined when the band reunited with Belladonna for a 20th-anniversary tour. When that collapsed, and relationships disintegrated with next frontman Nelson, Bush returned for a time before Belladonna took the job back in 2010.