MACHINE HEAD has just released a new three-song single, "Arrows In Words From The Sky". Featuring the tracks "Become The Firestorm", "Rotten" and "Arrows In Words From The Sky", the effort was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Joining MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern during the sessions were drummer Navene Koperweiss (ENTHEOS, WHITECHAPEL, ANIMALS AS LEADERS) and producer Zack Ohren.

Said Flynn: "These three songs represent MACHINE HEAD better than anything I could ever try to explain. The way these songs grew and took shape over time tells us our future is more exciting than even we would like to admit. Being able to corral all the chaos, pain, confusion, and, yes, hope into music has never made me feel more alive. These songs will hopefully do the same for you. After all, that's who they were written for."

In November, MACHINE HEAD released a new single, "My Hands Are Empty", via Nuclear Blast. The song marked the first musical collaboration between Flynn and original "Burn My Eyes" guitarist Logan Mader in 24 years.

"My Hands Are Empty" was just one in a line of singles to be released by MACHINE HEAD, which issued "Do Or Die" in October 2019, "Circle The Drain" in February 2020, and the two-song digital single "Civil Unrest", consisting of "Stop The Bleeding" and "Bulletproof", in June 2020. "Stop The Bleeding" featured guest vocals from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach, and was written and recorded just days after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

On Thursday (June 10), MACHINE HEAD announced that it was abandoning plans to resume its "Burn My Eyes" 25th-anniversary tour now that the pandemic is slowing down.

Last July, MACHINE HEAD canceled its previously announced rescheduled 2020 tour dates for Europe and Australia due to the coronavirus crisis which was sweeping the globe. At the time, it was assumed that those shows would finally happen once the band was able to return to the road.

Flynn said that the "Burn My Eyes" tour, which saw him and MacEachern play the band's classic debut album in its entirety for the first time ever, with original "Burn My Eyes"-era drummer Chris Kontos and Mader joining in, would not pick up at such a time as MACHINE HEAD can continue touring. Flynn also confirmed that MacEachern is still a member of MACHINE HEAD alongside new recruits, guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka (DECAPITATED) and British drummer Matt Alston (DEVILMENT, EASTERN FRONT), all of whom also performed on the "Burn My Eyes" 25th-anniversary tour.

Founding JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing spoke to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about his decision to call his new band KK'S PRIEST, an obious nod to his former group.

"I felt that it was justified for me, because of my long legacy and, obviously, being there in the very beginning, that I was still entitled," Downing said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

"Lots of things happened, and even though I [released my autobiography in 2018], I didn't put everything in the book; there's so much I could have put in that book.

"When things happened… For example, the year when I got angry and quit [JUDAS PRIEST], Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer] had released two solo albums — studio albums — that year, in 2010. And he did a tour with Ozzy [Osbourne], he went to Peru, he did all of those things. All these things were building up. We were getting pressured to do an EP. And I wasn't enjoying the performances because Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist] just liked too many beers and stuff like that. But it was all kind of building up in me.

"Having said all that, what people don't know, but it is true that I was gonna do [one final] tour [with PRIEST in 2011]. And I was speaking to Ian [Hill, bass] for a whole week about doing the tour. And I even had him send me over the setlist. But the day after Ian sent me the set list — 'cause I called him back and I said, 'I really like it.' 'Cause I was gonna do the tour — I was gonna do it. But the press release got released the very next morning [announcing my exit from the band], and that's when I got really angry and sent in my second [resignation] letter. And that was a real kind of sayonara. Which is a sad situation, because I was waiting for the guys. They would have known that I was anticipating doing the tour and having a change of mind. But nobody — even Ian, who I was talking to — was not really encouraging me. And I felt pretty deflated. But they made a press release.

"But anyway, without delving into that too much, it was all a sad state of affairs," Downing added. "But at the end of the day, we all agreed to retire. We were all gonna do the 'Epitaph' final tour. I wasn't the only one that was… We all agreed to finish the band. So all I was quitting on was doing the last tour, because I couldn't bring myself to face doing it, to start with, but I did change my mind. I mean, I bought an Axe [guitar] effects unit from Germany — it was two thousand pounds — to do that tour. But it's just the way it unraveled. But the second letter I sent it, Glenn and Jayne [Andrews from PRIEST's management] obviously didn't like what was said. [Laughs] And the rest is history. The door was closed, I guess. Because I have written to the guys on two or three separate occasions to let me back in, but the answer's been no. So I've just moved on with KK'S PRIEST. And I feel justified that I should. And so I will."

KK'S PRIEST, which features Downing alongside Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals), 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 August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records. The LP's first single, "Hellfire Thunderbolt", was released last month.

KK'S PRIEST 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.

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.

Downing later said that he believed his second resignation letter — which was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties" — was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Downing's autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", was released in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.

Los Angeles metallers Slizard are streaming three new songs from their debut album: “Monsters”, “Vampire Zombies”, and “Skinwalker”. Their self-titled debut album was just released on May 28 via Mega Metal, a sublabel of Canadian label Maple Metal Records.

The band was formed in 2019, and features LA singer Liz Fawcett on vocals, Pat "Buzz" Belrose on guitars, bass & vocals, and Todd "Toad" Resmen on drums.

Singing sensation Liz Fawcett has been described by a few LA music industry reps as a "badass" singer that has an instantly recognizable voice. Pat "Buzz" Belrose has previously played guitar for LA bands Spoiled Rotten, & World Jungle who were popular acts, especially on the local LA scene in the 90's, but has also recorded two albums with Canadian metal band Jade in the mid-80's. Buzz currently also has his own band appropriately named BUZZ ZA.

The Slizard album cover art is designed by well-known Finnish artist Jan Yrlund, of Darkgrove Studios, Tampere, Finland.

Slizard is produced & mixed by Chris Wood, a 3-time Grammy Award nominated L.A. producer, & mix engineer. Chris Wood has worked with a variety of artists in multiple music genres, but in the rock world most notably with Slash, Lenny Kravitz, Vivian Campbell guitarist of Dio & Def Leppard.

The album is mastered by Chris Crerar at Metalworks Studios (Guns N' Roses, Rush, Triumph) in Toronto, Canada. John Belrose (Exciter - Heavy Metal Maniac) is executive producer for this album.

Tracklisting:

"Monsters"
"Mr. Hyde"
"Caught Up In The Gears"
"Crack The Whip"
"Skinwalker"
"Watch N' Listen"
"Vampire Zombies"
"Runnin' Towards The Zombies"
"Madness Of The Queen"
"Neverland"
"Down By The River"
"Spooks In The Trees"
"Broken Dreams"
"Will You Still Be There"
"Slow Motion Suicide"

Sampler #1:

Sampler #2:




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L.A. GUNS, featuring Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns, will release a new live album, "Cocked & Loaded Live", on July 9 via Frontiers Music Srl. As the title implies, the performance celebrates the band's treasured second album, "Cocked & Loaded". Fans can get another taste of the performance with the track "Wheels Of Fire". "Cocked & Loaded Live" will precede the release of a brand new studio album from Lewis, Guns and company, "Checkered Past", which is due in November.

As everyone knows at this point, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a difficult blow to the entire live music business. While artists, road crews, venues, and fans all collectively eagerly await a return to normalcy, artists have gotten busy bringing live music to fans' living rooms. While they had just commenced work on an upcoming new studio album, in November 2020, L.A. GUNS wanted to get together and do one of the things they love most, which is play a "live" show. The band announced a special gig at the Fremont Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada that would celebrate the 31st anniversary of "Cocked and Loaded".

Lewis, Guns, Ace Von Johnson, Johnny Martin and Scot Coogan, thus played a one-of-a-kind show which was streamed worldwide to fans in the comfort of their own homes. The band performed all the classic proper studio tracks from "Cocked & Loaded" and, as usual, delivered a killer show. Picking right up where they left off from their previous incessant touring cycles and relieved to finally be onstage again, the band tore through all the classic album tracks that fans know and love. From "Rip And Tear" to "Never Enough" to "The Ballad Of Jayne" to "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "Malaria", this was a primal, visceral performance. And while celebrating a milestone in their career, the band also acknowledged the present and played "Speed" from their more recent album "The Missing Peace".

"We played only 'Cocked & Loaded' and 'Speed' — one extra song — and the recording is fantastic," Tracii told TotalRock. "And it was a really meager kind of weird gig — it was weird — but the recording is great; it really turned out great. So Frontiers asked if we could put it out, and [we said], 'Yeah. Okay.' So the packaging is great. The album is great. And that comes out. So that's definitely for all the L.A. GUNS fans that wanna hear great versions of those songs live."

"Cocked & Loaded Live" track listing:

01. Slap In The Face

02. Rip And Tear

03. Sleazy Come Easy Go

04. Never Enough

05. Malaria

06. The Ballad Of Jayne

07. Magdalaine

08. Give A Little

09. Speed

10. 17 Crash

11. Showdown (Riot On Sunset)

12. Wheels Of Fire

13. I Wanna Be Your Man

This past April, a settlement was reached between drummer Steve Riley and Guns and Lewis over the rights to the L.A. GUNS name. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Guns and Lewis will continue to operate under the L.A. GUNS trademark, while Riley and his bandmates from the other version of L.A. GUNS will now operate under the new name RILEY'S L.A. GUNS.

In May 2020, L.A. GUNS released a new single, "Let You Down". The song was written and recorded while the band was in the midst of working on its next studio album.

L.A. GUNS is:

Phil Lewis - vocals

Tracii Guns - guitars

Ace Von Johnson - guitars

Johnny Martin - bass

Scot Coogan - drums

Off Yer Rocka Recordings sister label Heavy Rocka Recordings recently announced the arrival of the brilliantly twisted sleazy punk'n'flamenco rollers Gypsy Pistoleros to the family. The band have signed a new two-album deal with Off Yer Rocka (Heavy Rocka Records) joining such stellar artists as The Quireboys, Twister, Ryders Creed, Gorilla Riot, Ward XVI, Black Aces, Gin Annie, and Massive. Gypsy Pistoleros’ new album, The Mescalito Vampires, will be released on August 14. Preorder at OffYerRocka.com. New single and video, "Mescalito Vampires (Welcome To The Hotel De La Muerto)" is streaming below.

The Mescalito Vampires was recorded in Black Tree Recording Studios, Tardebigge, Worcestershire with guitarist Mark Westwood engineering and producing (The Beat, Dogs D’Amour, Chumbawamba, Arena, Hazel O’Connor, Dreadzone).

Tracklisting:

“Lost In A Town Called Nowhere”
“Viva La Revolution, Viva Zapata”
“The Mescalito Vampires (Welcome To The Hotel De La Muerto)”
“Soho Daze, Just Another Friday Night”
“Roses, Gallows And The Wild Preachers Daughter”
“The Forsaken”
“The Name’s Django”
“Cisco Kid”
“Gonna Die With A Gun In My Hand”
“Alone Again”

"The Mescalito Vampires (Welcome To The Hotel De La Muerto)" video:

“The Name’s Django” video:




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Classic French heavy metallers Sortilège have returned and will release the album, Phoenix, on August 27 via Verycords / Warner. Phoenix features 12 rerecorded songs from their catalog plus two new tracks.

Phoenix was mixed by the band and Anthony Arconte and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound Studios. 

The band’s self-titled song was first released on April 13, 1983 and was seen for the first time on National French TV, TF1. Here a rerecorded version of “Sortilège” through digital avenues here.

 




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Leading independent label and artist development company Better Noise Music has signed ASKING ALEXANDRIA to its roster. The new U.K. deal, announced by Better Noise president Dan Waite from the label's U.K. office, starts this month with the band already in the studio working on new music, which is expected to be released later this year.

"Today we welcome ASKING ALEXANDRIA into the Better Noise Music label, and we are thrilled to join them on the next chapter of their musical journey," Waite said. "The fact that ASKING ALEXANDRIA are from the U.K. with a worldwide audience, gives us the opportunity to deepen their strong connections with fans on both a local and international level across Better Noise Music's global offices. As a global touring act they have over one billion cumulative streams and views, and we look forward to building on that success."

Ben Bruce, founding member of ASKING ALEXANDRIA and lead guitarist, spoke on behalf of the band in a statement, saying: "We are all extremely excited to be part of the passionate team at Better Noise Music. Over the past ten years, we've been so grateful to connect with fans all over the world. While we've concentrated particularly on our North American fanbase in the past, our goal for the future is that our music and live shows become more accessible to audiences on a global scale. That is why we jumped at the chance to sign to Better Noise. Working with the team out of the label's U.K. branch gives us the opportunity to be more connected as a band to our home country, while simultaneously working with all of their international offices to reach our goals. We are all extremely proud to hail from England and getting back in touch with our roots is something that is beyond exciting to us. We are more focused, more driven and more determined than ever before. Thank you to everyone who has helped us and supported us over the years. It truly means the world to us. Here's to the future."

Since 2008, ASKING ALEXANDRIA, formed and based in the U.K., has paved a path of its own, distilling danger and excess into an equally dangerous hybrid of stadium rock ambition, metallic energy, and electronic ecstasy. Against all odds, they achieved unprecedented success earmarked by two gold-certified singles (namely, "Final Episode (Let's Change The Channel)" and "Not The American Average"), over a billion cumulative streams and views, and three consecutive top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 — "Reckless & Relentless" (2011), "From Death To Destiny" (2013) and "The Black" (2016). In addition to headlining packed gigs on five continents, they destroyed stages alongside GUNS N' ROSES, GREEN DAY, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALICE IN CHAINS and SLIPKNOT, to name a few. Meanwhile, 2017's self-titled "Asking Alexandria" spawned two of the group's biggest singles to date: "Alone In A Room" (40 million Spotify streams) and "Into the Fire" (30 million Spotify streams). The quintet — Ben Bruce (guitar, backing vocals), Danny Worsnop (lead vocals), James Cassells (drums), Cameron Liddell (guitar) and Sam Bettley (bass) — recently saw critical acclaim with their 2020 sixth full-length LP, "Like A House On Fire". Worsnop recently collaborated with Better Noise artist PAPA ROACH for their track "Broken As Me", which appeared on the band's "Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: The Better Noise Years", released in March.

Diony Sepulveda, veteran talent executive and the band's manager, added: "ASKING ALEXANDRIA accomplished a lot in their first decade, and most of it was done on instinct, guts, heart and pure drive. But while the band is already part of the hard rock culture in America, they wanted more, especially internationally. At a time where information and analytics play an ever-increasingly crucial role in the record business, the Better Noise team has cracked the code on obtaining key data from their digital partners, analyzing it efficiently, translating it to the artist, and utilizing it to help maximize and grow the band's digital footprint. So we jumped at the chance to see what their team could do to help elevate the band on a global level. I truly cannot wait for the world to experience the results of this exciting new partnership."

Better Noise reached a historic radio victory in 2020, when Mediabase named it the number one rock label for the third consecutive year in the U.S., and Billboard crowned it the top mainstream rock label of the y

RATT singer Stephen Pearcy spoke to Vintage Rock Pod about his various projects, which include a sixth solo album, a new docuseries and plans for a new book. He also spoke about recently deceased 1980s hard rock video star Tawny Kitaen (who once dated RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby), Eddie Van Halen and his time in the 1980s.

On the topic of his upcoming follow-up to 2018's "View To A Thrill" solo album, Pearcy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "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."

Less than two months ago, the 64-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 sixth solo album, tentatively due later this year. The follow-up to 2018's "View To A Thrill" will reportedly feature 13 tracks.

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 guitarist Jordan Ziff (RAZER).

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.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian spoke to the "RRBG Podcast" about being a cannabis advocate and founder of the cannabis lifestyle brand 22Red, which focuses on cannabis, fashion, music, and wellness. Speaking about how he first got involved in the cannabis industry, Shavo said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been a smoker since I was about 20, 21 years old. I became a connoisseur on our first tour when I met Arjan Roskam, who's the owner of the Green House Seed Company in Amsterdam, who invented the White Widow and the Super Silver and the Super Lemon Haze and all that stuff. I met him accidentally, and we hit it off. And I tried all these strains. In L.A., you can try strains — whatever was available, you got to smoke. Here was a menu and shit. So I was, like, 'Let me have a little bit of everything.' And I took it to my room and I smoked it. Long story short, he invited me to that season's harvest tasting, and it was a table with bowls of weed. I think you can find that on YouTube. If you put in 'SYSTEM getting high' or something, it's in there — a small amount of it — 'cause they were filming at the time. And that just turned me into the connoisseur."

He continued: "I don't wanna get high-high; I just want a taste, and I wanna look at it and I wanna smell it. It all became a part of me. So throughout the years, I just kept smoking — not just to get high. Some people just smoke to get high and sit on the couch. Not me. I do stuff. I'm very go-getter and high energy, so I smoke and I do things. And everyone wanted me to have a strain when it got medically legal in L.A., Cali — everyone wanted me to have a strain, and I just didn't wanna get involved; it was not my thing. I should have — it would have gone crazy — but I didn't. I waited. And when I was introduced to one of my partners, who actually is one of the founding growers from Cali from back in '06 or '07 — or maybe '10. In '09 or 2010, he was one of the first people to grow OG back then, with, of course, the legends out there, like Kenji and all those other guys, and Wonderbrett. He's one of those guys.

"When I started to grow, I was, like, 'I can represent this,'" he explained. "I said, 'This is really cool.' And we were already doing a lifestyle brand. We didn't have the name 22 yet. And it kind of was, like, 'Let's just make it full-encompassing.' It was 2017, and Cali was gonna get legalized to recreational, which was a good time for me to get in and not worry about anything. I said, 'I can do this now and speak about it without having to have that weird stigma.' But who cares? I never was one to care about stigmas. But I met the right people at a good time in my life. I had clarity. I had to clean myself up of a lot of stuff that I had dabbled in a little while back. So I was this newfound person. And I've got my kids, I've got my wife. Everyone's settled. Let's go. A new thing on the horizon. And that's what it was. And we built it. We started in Cali. Three guys. No investment — just us putting some money in, doing what we can. Now we're in three states. We have a full company. We have a CEO, we have a COO. It's going, bro. We're hoping to scale to three more states within 2021, 2022 — three to five more states that we're looking at at the moment, and see where it takes us. And we have high-quality apparel that I helped design. 'Cause if it was gonna be a nice brand thing, I don't want it to be like band merch, where it's just like get any shirt, any fit, throw your name on it and sell it. I'm checking out every shirt. Very minimal branding. The 22 shirts are blank with 2s on the back or something on the sleeve. I have writings inside. It's for stoners, so when you look inside, you're, like, 'Oh, shit. It said something to me.' The quality has to be the best on the cannabis. I do the quality control myself. I send my grower to other states to make sure that they're growing the way we do here in Cali. We're trying to do it right, man — stay consistent. Not one person has ever complained about the quality of our cannabis or our clothing — ever. So, that's good."

22Red started in California, but it is now sold in Nevada and Arizona as well. According to Las Vegas Weekly, the company's strains include the indica-dominant hybrid Animal Mint; the heavy-hitting indica White Sabbath (which Odadjian recommends for nighttime); the sativa-dominant hybrid Mimosa 22; the "very potent" indica-dominant hybrid 22 OG; and a lighter indica-dominant hybrid called So Delicious. 22Red also carries three different vapes — a sativa called Kinetic, an indica called Peace and a CBD-THC two-in-one called Eleven — plus four flavored CBD Hemp Direct vape pens: watermelon, strawberry sorbet, cereal killer and orange mint.

According to its web site, 22Red's mission is "to create an amplified cannabis lifestyle that celebrates the creatives of the world" across cannabis, music, art and fashion.

Lita Ford performed last night (Saturday, June 5) at the Live United Live Music Festival in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Lita recently completed recording her long-awaited new solo album. The follow-up to 2012's "Living Like A Runaway" was once again helmed by guitarist/producer Gary Hoey, who contributes some guitar playing to the disc, alongside the rest of Ford's backing band, which continues to consist of guitarist Patrick Kennison, drummer Bobby Rock and bassist Marty O'Brien.

This past January, Lita told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that her new album contains "some of the best guitar playing" she has heard "in decades." She added: "And I'm not blowing smoke up my own ass, but Gary and I just nailed it with the guitar playing on this record.

"I'm a huge fan of people like Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter from Alice Cooper's 'Welcome To My Nightmare'. I mean, there's some really great duo guitar players — [JUDAS PRIEST's] Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing… Those guitar players don't exist anymore — they just don't exist. If you wanna hear them, you have to go back in time a little bit and dig them up into your favorite library, favorite music catalog. But I think Gary and I really nailed it on this next record. It's, like, oh my God. I'm crying — I'm just, like, crying listening to this stuff. It's so badass."

In 2019, Lita told The Metal Voice that her new album will include a song called "Monsters", which was inspired by infamous cult leaders like Charles Manson and David Koresh. "It's just really dark and nasty stuff — brainwashing people and all the stuff [Koresh] did, and got all those people to drink Kool-Aid," she said. "But then again, it could be someone like your attorney, or it could be someone like your mom who is the monster in your life. It could be your manager. You never know who the monster in your life is gonna turn out to be."

Ford's last release was 2016's "Time Capsule", a collection of songs that were recorded by Lita in the past, but never before made available.

Five years ago, Lita released an autobiography, "Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir", via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.






























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Former GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell and TRIXTER's Steve Brown and P.J. Farley joined WARRANT on stage last night (Saturday, June 5) at the Live United Live Music Festival in Sunbury, Pennsylvania to perform the classic WARRANT song "Cherry Pie". Fan-filmed video footage of their appearance can be seen below.

Back in 2010, former WARRANT vocalist Jani Lane filled in for Russell at a number of GREAT WHITE shows while Jack was recovering from major surgery after suffering a perforated bowel (a medical emergency in which a hole in the bowel opens to allow its contents to empty into the rest of the abdominal cavity).

"I've been friends with Jack for decades," Lane told Syracuse.com at the time. "We've always had a good relationship. And I've known all the [GREAT WHITE] guys for awhile."

Lane said that he didn't immediately accept the invitation to fill in while Russell recovered from a perforated bowel. "I had to talk to Jack first," Jani explained. "I've been on the other end of this, where I was the last to know who was going to replace me and sing the songs I wrote, which is a very uncomfortable place to be in."

Lane spoke to Russell while Jack was still in the hospital. "He was great," Jani said. "He said, 'Go do it. Keep the fire alive.' I said, 'Get back on your feet, and the second you're back, I'm gone and you kick ass.'"

Lane recorded several albums with WARRANT in late 1980s and early 1990s but left the group several times. The band's seventh studio LP, "Born Again", was released in 2006 and featured Jaime St. James as the lead singer. In 2008, Lane returned to WARRANT temporarily and toured with the group. In September that year, WARRANT announced that Jani had left again. The band replaced him with Robert Mason and released its eighth studio album, "Rockaholic", in 2011.

Lane died in August 2011 at age 47. Paramedics found his body in a Comfort Inn motel room in Woodland Hills, California, which is near Los Angeles. Lane had battled alcohol abuse for years.


























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Video of DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen performing the song "River Of Rain" with his wife, singer-songwriter Lauren Monroe, can be seen below. The track is taken from Monroe's new album, "Under the Wolf Moon", which was released in February via Cherry Bomb Records, a division of Mailboat Records.

"Under The Wolf Moon" launched directly after Lauren's extraordinary response to the entertainment industry's extreme hardship emotionally and financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of live performances throughout the world. Legendary producer Jim Scott's influence is significant and easily recognizable in the vibe, paying homage to Monroe's recurring themes of spiritual healing, lifting each other and speaking to the heart of empowerment. Allen's drumming can be heard on several tracks, and this collaboration celebrates love, life, and purpose. It's a powerful message, and the music delivers.

The album's prevailing theme underlying the music is that of transformation, and that speaks to Monroe's core: the transformative power of her music and that of taking on the challenge of the stress of the performance community.

Lauren says: "'Under The Wolf Moon' is a cross-genre album that reaches from the heart of Americana, rootsy rock and soul that is supported by my own stories and experiences of guiding people as a healing artist and teacher. The record is a collection of songs that can inspire, teach and heal us as we face the greatest emotional challenges of life. Each song carries emotional and spiritual messages that can open our hearts: how to trust, how to heal, how to die, how to love and overcome. Every song is steeped with symbolism and teachings of healing and connecting to the inner knowing we all carry.

"As we move deeper into this metamorphosis of times, the passing of days and events are asking us to reflect on who we are as human beings, how we can reach into the places of suffering within ourselves to become braver, stronger and more connected to one another. This record reflects that journey and our ability to grow and thrive with a deeper understanding of what love truly is."

Vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva (Torn Between Two Worlds / ex-Cradle Of Filth) has checked in with the following update:

"I / we have decided to re record two tracks from A Sign Of Sublime. I personally do not take that choice lightly. I am not sure I want to revisit that part of my life, however, whilst going through my old emails on my old Mac, I found an email from 'said person' that he only owns the master copy of the album, I am free to do what I wish with this album. 

The biggest problem I, Max (the drummer of Mendeed) and Ken the guitar player had was the sound because of the over editing and general 'not giving a s**t' by the person who recorded it, so my mate Dan, who was mixing it didn't stand a chance and nor did we. I had a choice: refuse to let the album get released and get threatened and bullied, or release it and have our names trashed and just hope that anyone listening to the metal tracks was deaf. 

I know some of you do not understand this, but it's like painting the best painting ever and then having ya cat chuck up a furball over it. I am proud of the non-metal tracks, even the title track which still isn't perfect, but that album damaged ALL chances of me being taken seriously as a frontwoman. It also damaged Max and Ken too. 

The plan is to re-record 'A Sign Of Sublime' and 'They Called Her Lady Tyranny'... for now. The music will be released online only and not on a CD. No record company = no money and no backing. We are doing this for us and for you. I will reveal more details later."

A Sign of Sublime is Sarah's debut solo album, released in February 2010 on Rising Records.

Torn Between Two Worlds, featuring former Angtoria bandmates Sarah Jezebel Deva and Chris Rehn, recently released their debut single, "The Beauty Of Deception". The follow-up single, "All Eyes On Me" is now available here. Check out the official video below.

Sarah: "The video and song  is about how we are judged, how we let negativity hold us back. How people’s vindictive actions can change our path  in life, sometimes resulting in the worst possible outcome. As an example, online bullying and trolling can take its toll on children, which has lead to an increase in child suicide.

I wanted a bunch of people to come together without a fear of being judged.   I wanted people to be themselves and not give a damn. It seems these days we are afraid of being stupid, afraid of just letting ourselves go!

From experience, I have let peoples views get the better of me, we all have. Being told I wasn’t good enough, being dictated to so it holds me back and destroying my dream. Suddenly something or someone wakes you up, some one woke me up, followed by a lot of other people agreeing with her and then supporting me. You learn not to give a damn anymore and you understand that confidence is envied. Don’t hurt any one or anything, but don’t let nastiness destroy you."

Go to the official Torn Between Two Worlds Bandcamp page here. The official lyric video for "The Beauty Of Deception" is available below.

Photo by Tim Tronckoe




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Fan-filmed video footage of GEORGE LYNCH & THE ELECTRIC FREEDOM's June 5 performance at the Live United Live Music Festival in Sunbury, Pennsylvania can be seen below.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Lynch has set ELECTRIC FREEDOM as the new name of his "touring entity" after deciding to retire the LYNCH MOB band name last year.

Last August, Lynch announced that he was ending LYNCH MOB due to the racial insensitivity of the moniker, saying he will no longer record or perform under that name.

The news of Lynch's new band name was broken by BULLETBOYS drummer Jimmy D'Anda, who occasionally performs live with George. D'Anda revealed on his Instagram that he would join Lynch and bassist Michael Devin (WHITESNAKE) at the Live United Live Music Festival. He wrote: "On our way to the @georgelynchofficial electric freedom (his new band name) gig he done went 3 piece Michael Devin moi and senior Spooky #rocknroll #summer #comingsoon".

Five months ago, Lynch offered a lengthy explanation for why he was ending LYNCH MOB during an interview with George Dionne of Metal Express Radio. Addressing questions about why it took him three decades to call it quits with LYNCH MOB, George said: "When we first formed the band in '89, the name had sort of already been around. While I was in DOKKEN, it's what I called our little group of guitar fans — I had picks made; it was kind of a little subculture within DOKKEN. When we started working on developing and building the band after DOKKEN broke up, that was just the name that we always thought we'd use, 'cause it was a perfect fit — it's my name, and it describes it pretty well. And, of course, the negative connotations were always there, and I was aware of 'em, but not as aware as I probably should have been. [Laughs]

"I had made numerous attempts over the decades to kind of let that name go and had walked that back for multiple reasons — usually because of business considerations," he continued. "For instance, if you try to go out on a tour and not use the name, promoters aren't gonna be happy with you changing it. People aren't gonna know who you are. They're not gonna show up, because what's THE GEORGE LYNCH EXPERIENCE, or whatever you call it. Or record labels are not interested, because it's a brand that they can count on and sell a certain many albums or whatever.

"For instance, the LYNCH MOB record 'Smoke This' that came out, I think, in '99 or 2000, that was not supposed to be a LYNCH MOB record; that really wasn't anything to do with LYNCH MOB. At the end of the day, after the record was done and we were delivering it to the label, they insisted on using that name as insurance. And if I hadn't agreed to that, we wouldn't have had a record. That's the kind of pressure I'm talking about.

"But then, with the onset of everything that's happened in the last year, I didn't have that kind of pressure anymore," George added. "I could take it or leave it at this point. And I didn't really feel comfortable with it; I didn't feel comfortable with the name. 'Cause I'm a very progressive person politically, and it just so flies in the face of everything I believe in, and it makes it hard. It makes it hard to have relationships with people and explain yourself, and I got tired of rationalizing it. I think the music is bigger than that, and it's had a great run.

"Another reason, too, is the band fell apart again. The band has fallen apart so many times, I can't even count. And it was just, like, 'No more Oni [Logan, vocals], no more Brian Tichy [drums], no more this guy, no more that guy. Oh, great. Now what do I do?' It's, like, 'Okay, build another band from scratch, call it LYNCH MOB?' No. How about just build something new? It gives me a lot more freedom to basically play anything I want live… I can go out and play everything from my catalog — new, old, covers, jams, you name it, and go deep and have fun and change it up every night."

Oni first hooked up with LYNCH MOB in 1990, but exited the group after the release of its first album, only to rejoin the outfit in the late 2000s.

Logan is featured on five of LYNCH MOB's eight albums, including 1990's "Wicked Sensation", as well as 2009's "Smoke And Mirrors", 2014's "Sun Red Sun", 2015's "Rebel" and 2017's "The Brotherhood".

Last August, LYNCH MOB celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Wicked Sensation" with a special limited print/deluxe edition of the album. "Wicked Sensation Reimagined" features re-worked and re-recorded versions of the LP's classic songs, and was made available via Rat Pak Records.

Ted Nugent has once again repeated the baseless conspiracy theory that the riot at the U.S. Capitol was orchestrated by Antifa and Black Lives Matter.

On January 6, supporters of former president Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, vandalized the building and assaulted police officers. Five people died, including a Capitol police officer, Brian Sicknick, and a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, Ashli Babbit, shot by police.

Many top political figures have accused Trump of personally inciting the attack by repeatedly intimating that his followers should take action in order to demand legislators address his baseless claims of voter fraud. At a rally preceding the riot, Trump gave an inflammatory speech, urging the crowd to go to the Capitol, "show strength" and "fight much harder."

In the wake of the attack, Twitter permanently suspended Trump's account, citing "the risk of further incitement of violence."

Nugent discussed the Capitol riot fallout during a June 7 YouTube livestream. The outspoken conservative rocker said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We know that the January 6th event at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., those weren't Trump supporters destroying stuff and breaking windows and being vandals. Those were Antifa and Black Lives Matter wearing Trump shirts and hats. I wanna be on record right now for that. Insurrection my ass.

"So let me make it clear: January 6th wasn't an insurrection. Those were terrorists, like Black Lives Matter and Antifa dressed in Donald Trump shirts doing all the damage. The real Trump supporters were conservatives that believe in God, family, country, law and order trying to stop them. And I would ask… So why were the cops waving them in? And here's the question America demands an answer to: who was the cop that shot the Navy vet? Was it Navy or Air Force? It doesn't matter, 'cause warriors of the military are all heroes and warriors anyhow. I wanna know the cop's name that shot the lady, and I wanna know what's gonna happen to him."

Nugent previously made similar claims during the January 11 episode of his Internet show "Spirit Campfire". At the time, the outspoken conservative rocker said about the events of January 6: "I think everybody knows that every possible deception was applied to the recent election, and Donald Trump wanted Americans who believe that, witnessed that and know that to make a peaceful protest out of the First Amendment. And I am convinced equally to those statements I just made that Antifa and Black Lives Matter terrorists infiltrated that peaceful protest, and they are the ones who initiated the violence.

"Did some overzealous Trumpsters get out of hand? I don't believe they hurt anyone; I don't believe they damaged anything," he said. "And if they did, and if I see evidence to that end, I will admit it. Nobody's pure; nobody's soul is incapable of mistakes."

According to The Washington Post, FBI director Christopher A. Wray testified repeatedly to the Senate Judiciary Committee that there was no evidence that Antifa, anarchists or provocateurs who didn't support Trump were involved in the Capitol siege.

Babbitt, who was a vocal supporter of Trump, was shot once by an officer as she tried to climb through the broken glass window of a door to the lobby of the Capitol, which had been barricaded from the inside with furniture. Her family told news outlets after her death that Babbitt had gone to Washington on January 6 to protest Congress's certification of President Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.

Leading up to the 2020 presidential election, Nugent teamed up with Donald Trump Jr. on the campaign trail.

Ted has called Donald Trump "the greatest president in our lifetime," and has said that the billionaire real estate mogul represents "the heart and soul of the best American families out there."

In a new interview with Revolver, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia was asked if she and her bandmates have used the coronavirus downtime to work on new music. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Not during the quarantine, because we didn't want to force the fact that because we were home, we had to write music. We always thought that to write music, you need to be inspired. And inspiration comes from the outside, comes from experiences that you have, things that you live. At least this is valid for us.

"Everything we do in a regular life, in a normal life enriches us and gives us input that we can put in our music," she explained. "And also we like to write together. So, if Marco [Coti Zelati, bass] creates the basis of the music together with the other musicians in the band, then Andrea [Ferro, vocals] and I jump in with the lyrics and vocal lines. But we do that together. We need to enter in songwriting mode. So we didn't really like the fact that we had to write separately just because we have to put a record [together] because it's quarantine. Now we are starting to collect ideas 'cause we feel a little bit happier."

Scabbia added: "We didn't want anything connected to the negativity of the pandemic… That's why I used my time to do something completely different. Because I know that what I did that it's completely different from what I usually do will make me start again to do what I did before with passion — with the same passion. I was just afraid that if I would have used all the downtime making music when I didn't really want to, it would have had a negative influence on me. And it would have been, like, 'I really don't want to do that.' And I also wanted to prove to myself that, yeah, music is main passion. I love what I do for a living, and I hope that I can do it until the day I die. But I also wanted to show myself that I can be capable of doing something else as well."

LACUNA COIL will release a new live album, "Live From The Apocalypse", on June 25 via Century Media. The effort was recorded at the band's special September 2020 livestream event where LACUNA COIL performed its latest album, "Black Anima", in its entirety. This very special show will now be released on vinyl and CD as well as a digital album. The physical album formats come with a bonus DVD featuring the footage of the original live stream.

In February, LACUNA COIL took part in an initiative dubbed "L'Ultimo Concerto?" (Last Concert) to highlight the increasingly uncertain future of music venues. Instead of delivering live performances as part of a scheduled free virtual stream on February 27, each of around 130 Italian artists was filmed taking the stage at a different venue and then standing there in silence as a way of commemorating the one-year mark since the first Italian venues closed.

Former NEVERMORE and current ARCH ENEMY guitarist Jeff Loomis has joined Graham Bonnet's version of ALCATRAZZ.

Bonnet announced Loomis's addition to the band in a statement earlier today. He said: "The cat's out of the bag! It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I am announcing that Jeff Loomis is officially the new guitar player of GRAHAM BONNET'S ALCATRAZZ. Jeff is a power-house of a musician, a brilliant writer and a great guy. His skills are unparalleled and I am thrilled at the prospect of recreating the magic of the early days of ALCATRAZZ but with a modern, heavier sound.

"When I first heard Jeff, I was astonished by his technique coupled with his great feel and incredible melodies. You can have a little taste of it on the upcoming GRAHAM BONNET BAND album as Jeff is one of our guests.

"Just to be clear, Jeff is still an active member of ARCH ENEMY as I am still with the GRAHAM BONNET BAND. More news coming soon."

Jeff commented: "I'm super excited to be working with Graham Bonnet. I've been a longtime fan of his vocals and lyrics for many years, and it's going to be an honor to craft some amazing music together and play some select live shows.

"I want to let you all know I'm still a very active member of ARCH ENEMY and will be seeing you all on the road very soon with them."

Graham's version of ALCATRAZZ is not to be confused with the band featuring original members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea, along with new vocalist Doogie White (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST), drummer Mark Benquechea and guitarist Joe Stump, which released a new single, "Turn Of The Wheel", earlier this month.

"Turn Of The Wheel" came out six months after Waldo, Stump, Shea and Benquechea issued a statement saying that would be joined by White for all their 2021 touring. Just a month earlier, Bonnet said that he was "no longer affiliated" with ALCATRAZZ's manager Giles Lavery." At the time, the other ALCATRAZZ members shot back, saying that they were "still represented" by Lavery and blasting Bonnet for "dictat[ing] to us who our collective or individual manager may or may not be."

Not long after, Bonnet released a statement via his social media in which he said that he "will still be recording and performing with ALCATRAZZ. I am the founder and main songwriter and have been since the band's inception in '83." He added that he will "be announcing the incredible new ALCATRAZZ lineup in the spring" and promised to take the new band on the road.

Bonnet's comments naturally created confusion within ALCATRAZZ's fan base, prompting him to issue a follow-up statement explaining his position.

Graham wrote: "When my manager resigned in June [2020], I asked the band collectively if they would be interested in touring to support the new album. They informed me that they were only interested in touring if my former manager was included. No one was 'fired,' we just parted ways. As that signaled the end of this version of ALCATRAZZ, I immediately began to seek new players for yet another new ALCATRAZZ line-up.

"I have performed with other versions of ALCATRAZZ since the demise of the original band, this was just the first time I played with any original members and the first time I recorded using the name ALCATRAZZ. The day my manager resigned, he also removed me as admin of the 'Graham Bonnet and ALCATRAZZ' band FB page so I was unable to let fans know what was happening until recently when FB returned my page.

"The first misunderstanding happened when I posted on the band page that 'Graham Bonnet and ALCATRAZZ' were no longer associated with Giles Lavery management. When I said that, I wasn't referring to the recent line-up. They had already informed me months earlier that they would only tour with my former manager and to me, that meant that they had quit. My reference was to my new version of ALCATRAZZ. I have no plans to relinquish the name ALCATRAZZ and I expect that they don't either. This is an old story, bands break up and there becomes two versions. I'm not bothered by it. I've toured with Doogie the past few years with [MICHAEL] SCHENKER FEST and he is a good friend and a damn fine performer. In my opinion, there is no such thing as too much music. People can listen to one or the other or both versions and choose whatever they like. I'm not interested in squabbling over a name, I'd rather just make music."

When Waldo, Stump, Shea and Benquechea announced that they were working with White, they vowed to put on "an explosive live show featuring all of the ALCATRAZZ classics that you know, plus added selections from Doogie's work with RAINBOW and MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST/TEMPLE OF ROCK."

Waldo, Stump, Shea and Benquechea's version of ALCATRAZZ has launched a Facebook page where they will be posting all their news going forward.


Hi all! Graham here. The cat's out of the bag! It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I am announcing that Jeff...

Posted by Graham Bonnet on Tuesday, June 8, 2021

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian concludes the series of visual accompaniments for his recently released "Elasticity" EP with the arrival of the Roger Kupelian-directed ("The Lord Of The Rings", "X-Men") "How Many Times?" video.

"It's amazing to be working with my good friend Roger Kupelian again whose images of the two kings (The Argonath) in 'The Lord Of The Rings' are stamps in New Zealand," offers Tankian. "He also directed 'Honking Antelope' and 'Reconstructive Demonstrations' for us years ago. Excited to share this video."

Previously released videos from the five-song "Elasticity" EP (Alchemy Recordings/BMG) include "Your Mom", "Elasticity", "Electric Yerevan" and "Rumi".

Available across all formats, including limited-edition, signed vinyl, "Elasticity" has received widespread accolades. New York Magazine said the collection sees Tankian's "rock-and-roll impulses return in vibrant, mischievous form," Loudwire dubbed it "an exercise in eccentricity," and The Ringer praised the EP, saying Tankian's "full range of … writing talents are on full display." Tankian is featured on the current cover of Revolver.

The critically acclaimed documentary "Truth To Power" (Oscilloscope Laboratories/Live Nation Productions), is now also available digitally. The film has been lauded as an "explosive, much-needed call to action" (San Jose Mercury News), "inspiring" (Rolling Stone) viewers with exclusive interviews, adventures, and some original footage personally filmed by Tankian, allowing audiences backstage access to an international rock star whose faith in music not only revolutionized heavy metal, but also world events. Throughout his life, the musician has pursued social justice, harnessing the power of his songs and celebrity for real political change. Serj's voice is equally likely to take on American corporate greed as lambast the previous corrupt regime of his homeland. His decades-long campaign for formal U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide was finally adopted by Congress in December of 2019, with President Biden officially recognizing the murders in April of this year.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

The Heavy Metal Truants, a group of heavy metal-loving cyclists from all corners of the world, have come together for the past two weeks in a collective fund-raising challenge for leading British children's charities. In a Herculean effort between them they have cycled, run and walked 37,917 miles — which is beyond the equivalent of the planet's circumference — in just 12 days and smashed their target of bringing their long-term total of funds raised to over £1 million (approximately $1.4 million).

Founded in 2012 by IRON MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood and ex-Metal Hammer magazine editor-in-chief Alexander Milas, the Heavy Metal Truants have brought together fans, musicians and entertainment executives for an annual fund-raising cycle ride from London to Donington to coincide with the Download festival.

Having traditionally been a 175-mile ride with an average of 40 participants, 2020 became the first virtual cycle ride due to the COVID pandemic, with riders clocking up their miles on local roads and cycling machines. This new format enabled many more cyclists from around the globe to join in and for 2021's event, the ninth Heavy Metal Truants adventure, more than 260 participants — including IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, along with walkers and runners for the first time — joined forces in the same fashion.

Sponsored by friends, family, colleagues, employers and acquaintances they have raised a staggering amount for disadvantaged children, a cause even more essential in a prolonged period when charities are suffering so badly.

The Heavy Metal Truants have now been named as the official charity partner for this year's special Download Pilot event, a government approved test event with 10,000 fans, taking place June 18-20 in Donington Park.

Smallwood comments: "Download's support for the Heavy Metal Truants from day one has been absolutely terrific and much appreciated. It's especially important now given how hard these charities have been hit by the pandemic, we sincerely thank Andy and Melvyn for their incredible support. It's all about the kids and these four amazing charities after all — that's why we do it!"

Festival Republic's Melvin Benn says: "We're delighted to be able to support the Heavy Metal Truants as the official charity partner of the Download Pilot. It's a very special event and a very special milestone for the Truants as they've hit over a million pounds raised for these four incredible charities."

Live Nation and Download organizer Andy Copping says: "It's always an honor to be able to support the Heavy Metal Truants. Cycling the equivalent of the whole way around the earth in twelve days? That's an incredible achievement. We couldn't be prouder to be partners with them."

Milas adds: "The Heavy Metal Truants are a tremendous expression of our musical community. So many people — fans, artists, and indeed industry — have joined us or supported us over the years so hats, or indeed cycling helmets off to them. A million pounds isn't the finish line for us — we are just getting started so watch this space!"

The Heavy Metal Truants have seen tremendous support from the music industry over the years. From Copping and John Giddings who runs Isle Of Wight festival, to musicians from bands, including SAXON, TRIVIUM, PARADISE LOST and more, they have all joined fans to put on the lycra and pedal the miles. The 2017 event was even waved off from Alexandra Palace by the one and only Brian Blessed!

To help raise even more for the kids, the Heavy Metal Truants have also run auctions including memorabilia personally donated by QUEEN, METALLICA, KISS, BON JOVI, MAIDEN and many more, alongside spoken-word events with legends of the heavy rock scene and even Heavy Metal Curry Nights.

The ninth annual Heavy Metal Truants ride involved 260 riders from Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and USA.

It's the long-awaited return of the full-capacity arena rock show, as FOO FIGHTERS and Madison Square Garden welcome fans back to the iconic venue on June 20, 2021 for the first 100% capacity concert in a New York arena since March 2020. This historic moment will mark FOO FIGHTERS ushering in the post-COVID arena rock era with Madison Square Garden's first concert in more than 460 days.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

"We've been waiting for this day for over a year," said Dave Grohl.""And Madison Square Garden is going to feel that HARD. New York, get ready for a long-ass night of screaming our heads off together to 26 years of Foos."

FOO FIGHTERS first headlined a sold-out Garden in February 2008 on their "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" tour, returning to rock the venue for another sell-out show in November 2011 on the "Wasting Light" tour. Most recently, the band sold-out two nights at The World's Most Famous Arena in July 2018, on their "Concrete And Gold" tour. The announcement of the June 20 MSG show follows the news of FOO FIGHTERS' first six U.S. dates of their upcoming "26th Anniversary" tour.

Tickets for FOO FIGHTERS' historic return of rock to the Garden will be available for purchase by the general public beginning June 11 at 10:00 a.m. via this location and Ticketmaster Charge by Phone (1-866-858-0008).

Citi is the official presale credit card of the FOO FIGHTERS tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, June 8 at 11 a.m. ET until Thursday, June 10 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment.

Rocklahoma will make its highly anticipated return this year — taking place on Friday, September 3, Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5 at Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds in Pryor, Oklahoma, just outside of Tulsa. Previously taking place over Memorial Day Weekend, Rocklahoma will celebrate America's biggest Labor Day Weekend Party in 2021. Now in its 15th year, the three-day camping festival features some of today's top rock artists, including SLIPKNOT, LIMP BIZKIT, ROB ZOMBIE, CHEVELLE, HALESTORM, ANTHRAX, FALLING IN REVERSE, and many more.

Produced by AEG Presents, Rocklahoma showcases the best new rock acts and classic artists performing on three stages. With onsite camping amenities and unparalleled VIP packages, Rocklahoma lives up to its motto of "Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Rock."

The music lineup for Rocklahoma 2021 is as follows (subject to change):

SLIPKNOT

LIMP BIZKIT

ROB ZOMBIE

CHEVELLE

HALESTORM

ANTHRAX

FALLING IN REVERSE

PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS

SEVENDUST

THE HU

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE

POP EVIL

BADFLOWER

GRANDSON

JELLY ROLL

CANDLEBOX

PUDDLE OF MUDD

STEPHEN PEARCY

ANDREW W.K.

KNOCKED LOOSE

FROM ASHES TO NEW

TREMONTI

JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES

AYRON JONES

ALL GOOD THINGS

LIGHT THE TORCH

ZERO 9:36

BONES UK

BUTCHER BABIES

GEORGE LYNCH & THE ELECTRIC FREEDOM

DIAMANTE

AUSTIN MEADE

CORY MARKS

JERIS JOHNSON

BULLETBOYS

LILIAC

ANOTHER DAY DAWNS

DEAD METAL SOCIETY

COLOR OF CHAOS

EAST SIDE GAMBLERS

BUDDERSIDE

PARALANDRA

FIST OF RAGE

TRAVIS BOND & THE REBEL SOULS

OUTLAW DEVILS

90LB WRENCH

SEVERMIND

LOVE SICK RADIO

MIND OF FURY

JESSIKILL

STRAIGHT SIX

THE RUMOURS

CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE

SLIPKNOT's M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan says: "Cannot wait until we play Labor Day Weekend in Pryor, Oklahoma. Our first time at a festival is always very special. We all know that this will be one of those days. See you all soon. Stay (sic)."

Passes go on sale at early bird pricing on Friday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. CT at www.Rocklahoma.com, and will increase to phase 2 pricing on Friday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Payment plan options are also available, allowing purchasers to split the cost into monthly payments. Fans are encouraged to buy early and save.

Limited quantities of Groupie, Roadie, and Rockstar VIP Packages are also available.

Current pass pricing is as follows, while supplies last:

Weekend Admission Passes:

* Weekend GA: $144 plus fees

* Weekend Military GA: $120 plus fees

* Weekend GA 4-Pack: $516 plus fees

* Weekend Reserved Admission (comes with food & soft drinks): $399 plus fees

VIP Packages:

* Groupie Package: $700 per person for pit / $800 per person for reserved plus fees

* Roadie Package: $1,125 per person plus fees

* Rockstar Package $2,650 per pair for camping / $3,350 per pair for Hotel plus fees

Note: All Weekend tickets are for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

New for 2021, Rocklahoma will offer two new packages to get away from the crowds:

* Big Shot Boxes: $3,400 plus fees

Private, shaded, elevated boxes located at the main stage for you and three friends north of the reserved seats. Couches, chairs, and beverage service plus access to the VIP Tent and Stage 2 VIP lounge.

* The Garage package: $4,500 plus fees

Private, shaded 10x20 tent near the main stage for up to six people. Couches, chairs, and beverage service for you and your guests.

The campgrounds are a unique part of the Rocklahoma experience, and will be open from Sunday, August 29 at noon CT through Tuesday, September 7 at noon CT. New in the campgrounds, Rocklahoma will offer two high-end glamping packages. General Admission and VIP camping are available at checkout and are only available with weekend ticket purchases.

Fans are invited to kick off the party early at The Roadhouse where local Oklahoma favorites, top tribute acts, and national legends will headline the D&B Concerts Stage each day. The Roadhouse will also feature food trucks, a full-service bar, and a great place to hang with your friends throughout Rocklahoma.

Festival doors open at 2:00 p.m. daily, and doors for The Roadhouse open at 11:00 a.m. daily.

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, Oklahoma. The Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds is a premier destination for a multi-day festival and includes onsite camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas and much more.

Organizers of the annual Summer Breeze festival, which takes place in Dinkelsbühl, Germany, have checked in with an unfortunate update regarding the 2021 edition of the festival.

Forced to cancel the 2020 edition due to the global pandemic, the 2021 edition, which was supposed to take place from August 18th - 21st, will no longer happen. Bands that had been slated for the festival included Paradise Lost, Alestorm, Exodus, Testament, Finntroll, Unleash The Archers and more.

"The Summer Breeze 2021 has to be cancelled!

We have fought with all the strength our team could muster, but as of now it is certain:
The Summer Breeze 2021 cannot take place in a form adapted to the state of the pandemic and must be cancelled.

In advance: We are currently preparing all options regarding tickets for the beginning of July and will inform you by then.

Unfortunately, with the relevant political decision-makers unable to provide us with a desperately needed reliable framework, today’s step is unavoidable.

At Summer Breeze, you as fans have always been the most important people to us. And it will stay that way! When it comes to staging our festival, it is a huge concern for us that we can offer what has made our festival so strong, especially in recent years. The biggest acts from different genres, world stars of the metal scene, side by side with a whole lot of up-and-coming young bands, a colorful merchant mile, variety in food and drink – all in what is basically a family atmosphere. However, with the current uncertainties to the pandemic and its development, more and more bands are forced to cancel and postpone their summer tours. Of course, this also affects our program.

What was already the case in 2020 is all the more important to us today: we continue to hope for your unbelievable patience and support to cope with the enormous upcoming tasks.

The Summer Breeze belongs to all of us. By that we mean fans, whether they act in front of or behind the stage. We mean every single band, every crew member. We're in this together, and we're going to make sure that we can celebrate the Summer Breeze in Dinkelsbühl for many more years to come. We, together with you, and you with us!

This experience of celebrating together in Dinkelsbühl will be denied to us in August 2021. We are still convinced of the strength of our concept for infection control, which we presented in April. However, our proposal has not found support with the political decision-makers. In fact, we were denied any constructive exchange. Instead, our concept was shunted from table to table - and the state government failed to schedule a meeting to work constructively on the concept.

However, we would like to express our gratitude to the city of Dinkelsbühl and the municipality of Wittelshofen, as well as all local and national partners, who were always cooperative, open-minded, and supportive.

Both, we and our industry are in urgent need of a perspective. But unfortunately, the responsible politicians have still not come up with a concrete, realistic and implementable roadmap! Neighboring countries such as Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and England are miles ahead of us considering their far-reaching roadmaps and full range opening scenarios, including the provision of related framework conditions.

In Germany and Bavaria, on the other hand, the authorities remain in a state of shock - with fatal consequences for the continued existence of cultural activities and, as a result, serious economic uncertainty for those who create them. Bavaria's great opportunity to take the lead in a pioneering role, and to gather crucial insights into the pandemics in August continues to be wasted. Also, the fact that events can create vaccination incentives for the young population continues to be fatally ignored.

We have done everything in our power to offer a safe Summer Breeze 2021 - but have failed due to our politicians’ lacking willingness to talk, rendering us unable to make binding decisions.

Despite this deep blow for all of us, we will continue to pursue our activities behind the scenes in numerous task forces, so that by August 2022 at the latest, we will be back on the field together with you in Dinkelsbühl! Maybe even sooner, who knows?

Thank you for sticking with us!
Your Summer Breeze Team."

Watch for updates via the official Summer Breeze website here.

 




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