According to Chart Data, NIRVANA's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, making it the band's first song to reach the milestone.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" opened NIRVANA's breakthrough release "Nevermind" (Geffen/UMe) which hit No. 1 around the world, selling more than 30 million copies worldwide. The single made its radio debut on August 27, 1991 and the accompanying video showed the band playing background music for a truly spirited high-school cheerleading squad.

"Nevermind" would come to be much more than one of the most successful and influential albums of all time. It returned rock 'n' roll integrity and passion to the top of the charts and continues to be a singular inspiration to fans and musicians alike over the last three decades — and generations to come. It has been credited over the years with helping to kill off hair metal.

Charles R. Cross, the author of "Heavier Than Heaven", a biography of NIRVANA frontman Kurt Cobain, told Today.com about the mega-success of "Nevermind": "It's an incredible album. It would have been a hit whenever it was released. But at the same time, the timing was right for there to be a superstar act like NIRVANA. It came right at the end of the death knell of hair metal and the world was screaming for rock music that would be meaningful again. And the timing for a new generation wanting a voice was also ideal. It just so happened that everything came together at the exact right moment when rock needed a revolution."

Back in December 2019, NIRVANA's video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" officially hit one billion views on YouTube.

Earlier this month, LINKIN PARK's "In The End" also joined Spotify's Billion Streams Club.

Spotify recently launched its "Billions Club" playlist — which currently features more than 150 songs — highlighting the megahits that have surpassed the one billion streams mark.




.@Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has now surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.

— chart data (@chartdata) June 28, 2021

Brian May’s first solo hit, and the unforgettable TV ad it was made for, came from the most unlikely of origins. “Driven By You” is, without doubt, one of rock’s most rousing and lasting anthems. Originally written for a Ford car television commercial, the solo track was a worldwide hit when it first debuted as a single off May’s 1992 Back To The Light album. But the unforgettable song had its beginnings oceans away from the open roads of the UK countryside that were framed in that TV ad.

Originally released in November 1991, “Driven By You” saw success worldwide including reaching No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 9 on the US Billboard Album Rock Chart. Re-released to download on June 25 ahead of the forthcoming remastered reissue of May’s Back To The Light album on August 6, the reissue of the track comes with a scorching new 30th Anniversary video edit. The performance was originally filmed when the Queen legend sang the track live for the first time at the 1991 Guitar Legends concert in Seville, Spain, and during his 1992 South America tour.

The energetic footage features Brian performing the song with an all-star band including Cozy Powell on drums, Neil Murray on bass and Steve Vai on rhythm guitar. Plus, Rick Wakeman and Mike Moran on keyboards, alongside Maggie Ryder, Miriam Stockley and Chris Moran on backing vocals. That music video can be seen in its updated form below.

Sharing the backstory to “Driven By You,” May cites a Los Angeles pool bathroom as the unlikely starting point for his classic song. “There’s a kind of mystery about writing songs. You never know where they come from. All I know is I was sitting around a swimming pool in Los Angeles with an ad producer. He’s sitting there sunning himself. I’m there with my future wife sunning myself by the pool, and we get talking. And he says, ‘Oh, you write songs don’t you?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I write songs.’ He said, ‘Well could you write a song for an advert? Have you ever done that?’ And I went, ‘No, I’ve never done it.’ He asked, ‘Would you like to?’ And I said, 'Yes, I’d be very interested.’ He then asked me how I would feel about a slogan that goes, ‘Everything we do, we do for you’.

“And I went, ‘Yeah, I could relate to that’ because I can feel that in my own mind about my own self. And it got modified later on. It became ‘Everything we do is driven by you’ because it was about cars and I liked that even more. And as soon as he said that, I went off to the bathroom with my little tape recorder and sang some stuff into the tape recorder. I sang most of the verse and a bit of the chorus, which is the way it happens with me. Suddenly a light goes on and I could hear it in my head, I could hear the whole thing, ‘Driven By You’, and I wrote it for them, for the Ford Car Company, and completed it very quickly. I went into the studio when I got back, completed it quickly for them, and then they liked it.”

Revisiting “Driven By You” today, May has also revealed how the song helped create a special understanding with Freddie Mercury in his final days and how the Queen singer encouraged his dear friend and bandmate to ‘find his wings’ in his solo career.

Talking of Freddie, May says: “I played it to Freddie and I said, ‘Freddie, you know if this becomes a Queen track, which it might do, obviously you should sing it.’ He listened and went, ‘You’ve done it very well darling, and I think you should sing it’. Now whether that’s because he really did think I sang it well or just because he didn’t want to sing anything, I don’t know. But he said, ‘It’s beautiful, it’s great, it’s very complete in its own way, you should do it.’ And he said something very profound at the time. He said, ‘You know we’re all thinking and wondering what’s going to happen to me, and you don’t have to feel embarrassed about it. You know you should be thinking about your solo career at this time and if this is the beginning of your solo career then it’s a very worthy beginning. This is probably the beginning of your finding your wings as you need to do.’ So Freddie was very far-sighted and very generous as always and sort of gave me permission to do this as a solo track, which I did.

“I rewrote the words as a piece of relationship therapy, you know, ‘Everything I do is driven by you’ and put it out as a single and it was a hit. So it was a nice boost to me to feel I could do things on my own. I wasn’t just a piece of Queen. And that’s what I believe about the core of songs; sometimes you don’t know why you’re writing them. You don’t know where it’s coming from, but it can be channelled into a way which makes sense in various ways. And things are always about life for me; they’re always about relationships. Either my relationships or relationships with people around me. It’s about humans interacting. That to me is the most exciting thing in the world; the most important thing and the hardest thing to get right in your life. A lot of people can do great stuff. You know, fly aeroplanes, go to the Moon. Relationships… not so easy. So it’s about that as always.”

“Driven By You” is available to download and stream now.

“Anybody fancy a season of BM re-releases with lots of juicy extras?” asked Brian May through his Instagram feed in 2020. “We’re working on a plan!!!” The first stage of that plan comes to fruition now, with the long-awaited reissue of the legendary Queen guitarist’s superlative debut solo album. Almost 30 years on from its initial release, Back To The Light stands as an intimate and expansive testament to the talent and tenacity of one of the foremost guitarists and songwriters of his generation.

On its release in September 1992, Back To The Light was an unqualified hit. Hitting No. 6 in the UK album charts, it produced a brace of indelible singles. Introduced to Queen fans during an emotive performance at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, Wembley Stadium, in April 1992, “Too Much Love Will Kill You” reached No. 5 in the UK. “Driven By You” had already peaked at No. 6. The anthemic “Back To The Light” and rollicking “Resurrection” also charted, while the instrumental “Last Horizon” would become a staple of both The Brian May Band’s solo concerts and May’s later live return to Queen.

Sometimes rocking, sometimes reflective, the singles give a sense of the album’s depth and reach. “The Dark” reconfigures Queen’s “We Will Rock You” to introspective ends and builds to a symphonic crescendo, before the full-blooded title-track sets out May’s stall between its multi-tracked voices, euphoric chorus and crunchy guitars. “Love Token” is one of Brian’s “momma and poppa” songs, a tale of a break-up plotted over blues-rock backing. Co-credited to drummer Cozy Powell and featuring revered rock musician Don Airey on keyboards, “Resurrection” is a glittering high energy rocker, with probably as many operatic overdubs as “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Featuring a tour de force from May on guitar and cataclysmic drum pyrotechnics from Powell, for many this is the outstanding track of the album. Lyrically, it is mounted on personal foundations, troubled at the heart but determined to find hope in “the promise of the future.”

“Too Much Love Will Kill You” is a scorching confessional, which Brian cites as possibly the most important recording of his life. It earned a coveted Ivor Novello Award (Best Song Musically and Lyrically) and reappeared later in a different incarnation as a Queen track. “Driven by You” is a harmonious HIT rocker with a rousing chorus, the result of Brian accepting a challenge to create a track for a Ford Motor car TV ad. Bandmate Freddie complimented Brian on this vocal delivery! The heart-breaking “Nothin’ But Blue” is co-credited to Cozy Powell and is the sister track to “Somewhere In Time” from his The Drums Are Back album. The song was written by Brian the night before Freddie Mercury passed away. Queen’s John Deacon makes a rare guest appearance on bass.

The roistering “I’m Scared” wears Brian’s fears on its sleeve, while “Last Horizon” reaches for a sense of serenity in its expressive guitar work. Written for skiffle star Lonnie Donegan, “Let Your Heart Rule Your Head” proves Brian’s easy way with buoyant melody. “Just One Life” is a poignant elegy to a lost loved one, but very unusual in that Brian wrote the song about someone he never met – only came to know at a celebration of his life.

Finally, a joyful cover – the only one on the album - of the Small Faces’ “Rollin’ Over” realigns Brian with some of his early rock roots.

Throughout, the many flavors of Back To The Light remind us how vital Brian’s writing was to Queen. Besides his unmistakable guitar work, his songwriting credits include ballads (“Save Me”), multi-part epics (“The Prophet’s Song”), movie themes (“Flash’s Theme”), bluesy workouts (“Sleeping on the Sidewalk”) and numerous full-bore rockers – including, of course, stomping live tentpole “We Will Rock You.”

Written during a period of immense personal upheaval between 1988 and 1992, Back To The Light finds Brian assuming the spotlight with cathartic honesty and artistry. It followed the losses of his father and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and the temporary cessation of the band’s activities. It also followed May’s separation from his first wife in 1988 and relationship with Anita Dobson, which made him the unwilling recipient of tabloid attention. In interviews, he talked about the struggles he experienced as a result of these life changes, describing the album as a kind of therapy.

In its making, he drew support from friends and storied collaborators. Alongside Deacon, Powell and Airey, guests included Neil Murray and Gary Tibbs (Adam & The Ants, Roxy Music) on bass, Geoff Dugmore on drums (“Let Your Heart Rule Your Head,” “Rollin’ Over”), and Mike Moran on piano/keyboards across three tracks. Vocal assistance came from famed British singer Chris Thompson, with backing vocals at various junctures from Miriam Stockley, Maggie Ryder, Suzie O’List and Gill O’Donovan.

Long unavailable on CD, vinyl, digital download and streaming services, the reissue arrives with audio supervision from Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson. On the original release’s liner notes, Shirley-Smith received an affectionate namecheck for, writes Brian, “dealing with my erratic recording habits” in his role as co-producer and engineer. “Brian is a perfectionist and he won’t leave something until he’s happy,” says Shirley-Smith, whose work for Queen stretches back to 1984.

Sound engineer Fredriksson wanted to see that perfectionism reflected in the reissue. “If it hasn’t been available and we’re going to reissue it,” he notes, “we thought why not get it remastered by the best mastering engineer in the world?” Enter Grammy-winner Bob Ludwig, who worked from the original restored flat mixes to ensure this new edition of Back To The Light sounds better than ever.

Meanwhile, Fredriksson cast the net wide to source bonus tracks for a second disc, Out Of The Light. Brian’s Red Special speaks on haunting instrumental versions of “Nothin’ but Blue,” “Too Much Love Will Kill You” and “Just One Life.” “Driven by You Two,” the Ford advert version of “Driven by You” and “Driven by You” (Cozy and Neil Version ’93) also feature alongside some live cuts. ‘’39/Let Your Heart Rule Your Head,” “Last Horizon” and “We Will Rock You” were recorded at a triumphant Brixton Academy show on June 15, 1993, documented on the Live at the Brixton Academy album and film, where The Brian May Band featured Powell (drums), Spike Edney (keyboards), Jamie Moses (guitar), Neil Murray (bass) and, on backing vocals, Catherine Porter and Shelley Preston. The live version of “Too Much Love Will Kill You” was recorded at the Palace Theater, Los Angeles, on April 6, 1993; the night before, Brian and a special guest tore through Queen concert favorite “Tie Your Mother Down” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. “Welcome, Mr Slash,” says Brian, as the Guns N’ Roses guitarist serves notice of May’s multi-generational influence.

To mark the occasion of the reissue, Back To The Light will be available in a Collector’s Edition box set featuring an exclusive white-vinyl LP, two CDs, a 32-page book, a 12” art print, a download card and an enamel badge all presented in a lift-lid box. A limited-edition (x1,000) of the same box-set is available exclusively on Queen Online Store with a signed 12” art print.

The album will also be released on 1LP black 180g vinyl, 1CD, Deluxe 2CD, Cassette and digital formats, with Out Of The Light available in the box set, on the 2CD and digital formats. A limited-edition 1LP Picture Disc will also be available exclusively on Queen Online Store.

Pre-order here.

On all fronts, Back To The Light stands tall as an album of heart and resilience, uplift and sensitivity. “In my mind, this album was always called Back To The Light,” wrote Brian on the original sleeve notes. “At its beginning I felt no real hope of finding the light; now it glimmers dimly, encouragingly, but always intermittently in the hall of mirrors around me.”

Almost three decades on, Brian’s new sleeve notes include a tribute to the late, great Cozy Powell, along with a reflection on the search the album documents. “In 2021, proudly and fondly presenting this work to a new audience,” writes Brian, “and noting carefully my original liner notes, I can report that I am still on the quest of finding answers to most of the questions posed in this suite of songs, and to this day, the Light still glimmers darkly, tantalisingly, always a little out of reach. Music gets us through.” Lit up with emotional honesty, big tunes, rock’n’roll vim and world-class guitar work, Back To The Light shines on.

“This is part of a series. The Brian May Gold Series. Each of them will have a little gold stamp on. And each one of them will give me the opportunity to rediscover the road that I travelled. I really found this fascinating. I was a little nervous at the beginning, thinking what is this going to dredge up in me? But I loved getting back in there. I’m really just hoping it will connect with people who have never heard this stuff before. They know me as guitarist for Queen. Some know me as an astronomer. Some know me as a campaigner for animal rights. I’m a sort of evangelist for 3-D Victorian Stereoscopy. But very few people have heard my solo output. So I’m excited to see how this turns out. I found it fascinating going back in there and rediscovering why I wrote certain things. What they meant to me. How we recorded. Some of it is so massive in the recording I can hardly believe we pulled it off - it’s very epic, some of it. And I like that. And at the same time, there’s little corners of it which are very simple, very understated, very emotionally naked. I discovered so much of what I’m saying in the album I still feel. I still feel those dangers, those fears, those hopes, those dreams.”

Tracklistings:

Back To The Light

"The Dark"
"Back To The Light"
"Love Token"
"Resurrection"
"Too Much Love Will Kill You"
"Driven By You"
"Nothin’ But Blue"
"I’m Scared"
"Last Horizon"
"Let Your Heart Rule Your Head"
"Just One Life"
"Rollin’ Over"

- Produced by Brian May.
- Co-produced and engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith.
- All vocals, backing vocals, guitars, keyboards and anything else around – by Brian May unless otherwise stated.

Out Of The Light

"Nothin’ But Blue" - Guitar Version
"Too Much Love Will Kill You" – Guitar Version
"Just One Life" – Guitar Version
"Driven By You Two"
"Driven By You" – Ford Ad Version
"Tie Your Mother Down" (Featuring Slash) - Live on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 5th April 1993
"Too Much Love Will Kill You" - Live at the Palace Theatre, Los Angeles, 6th April 1993
"’39 / Let Your Heart Rule Your Head" - Live at the Brixton Academy, 15th June 1993
"Last Horizon" - Live at the Brixton Academy, 15th June 1993
"We Will Rock You" - Live at the Brixton Academy 15 June 1993
"Driven By You" - Cozy and Neil Version ’93

- The Live tracks are played by The Brian May Band from the ‘Back To The Light’ Tour 1993.
- Brian May: Vocals/Guitar, Cozy Powell: Drums. Neil Murray: Bass, Spike Edney: Keyboards, Jamie Moses: Guitar/Vocals, Cathy Porter: Vocals, Shelley Preston: Vocals.
- “And a special thank you to Slash”.

- Audio Supervised by Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson.
- Mastered by Bob Ludwig & Adam Ayan, Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME.
- Audio Restoration Kris Fredriksson.
- Half Speed vinyl mastering Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.




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Swedish band Mad Invasion combines vintage 70’s hard rock influences with a modern approach and soundscape. The vast experience of the band members as musicians, songwriters and performing artists −includes numerous album releases and tours over the years.

In September, Mad Invasion release their long-awaited debut album, Edge Of The World, an album that offers a wide range of heavy songs with bone crushing guitars, airy keyboards, and a dynamic rhythm section - adding the fnal touches to the very distinct Mad Invasion sound. Pre-order here.

The first three videos also feature special guest Mikkey Dee from Motörhead and Scorpions. Join the Mad Invasion journey and rediscover the golden age of rock - in a new suit of armour.

About the song and video...

"The writing process typically starts with Björn laying down some basic guitar tracks in our studio, to try out a new song idea. Next Pete will get introduced to the song and some ideas for lyrics and arrangements. Once the he has a feel for the song he will write the lyrics and the vocals are then recorded. This part of the process is a bit different since Pete likes to record his vocals just to the guitars and a click track – without any backgrounds or effects in his listening. After the vocals, Hal comes into the picture and the recorded tracks are transferred to the computer where the actual music production project is officially born. Hal then adds keyboards, sounds and effects, as well as working with the rhythm section and overall arrangement of the song. At this point the final bass guitar and background vocals are recorded. Throughout recording and production process, the song is continuously iterated within the band for input and ideas until all feel satisfied with the result."

The band had an idea about filming this video in a castle and the local Trolleholm Castle seemed like a good choice since the environment there fitted well with the band's concept of vintage rock and the song's theme of demons and angels. As in several of the band´s other videos, both the evil and good angel appear to illustrate the constant battle between the two forces. The fortune teller is also part of the story, warning the band about bad things to come and that these can come at any time. For the intro of the video, the band wanted a reporter to be part of the story, desperately trying to interview the band – but without success. The video features special guest Mikkey Dee in superb form, adding to the visual expression of the song.




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QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre and guitarist Michael Wilton have regrouped with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris in La Torre's home state of Florida to resume work on demos for the band's upcoming follow-up to 2019's "The Verdict" album. A couple of photos from the latest sessions, which were posted on Todd's Twitter, can be seen below.

Two months ago, Wilton, La Torre and QUEENSRŸCHE bassist Eddie Jackson engaged in another writing session with Zeuss at wrestling icon Hulk Hogan's former estate in Belleair, Florida.

Wilton told Canada's The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the new QUEENSRŸCHE material: "It is what it is. I can't describe it. I have a hard time telling people what my guitar style is. I have no idea what I do technically or whatever. This is — I think it's just organically happening. We've got a lot of ideas. So now we're just building it. And that's kind of the joy of doing this as a band, is we get to see it happen in real time and see the songs build from the riff to the finished song. And we're in that process right now. So it's kind of hard to say where we're going or what we're doing. Our producer, Zeuss, if this is any indication, he says it sounds like QUEENSRŸCHE … I think we're just going with our gut right now. You don't wanna take too many drastic chances in this day and age. So I think it's more of a continuation of 'The Verdict', maybe, in some sense. We're riding that wave. It's been good to us. [Laughs]"

QUEENSRŸCHE's next disc will apparently mark the recording debut with the band of Casey Grillo, who replaced original drummer Scott Rockenfield in 2017.

This past January, Rockenfield shot down suggestions that he quit QUEENSRŸCHE or retired from playing music. The drummer, who hasn't performed with QUEENSRŸCHE in more than four years, took to his Facebook page to say that fans "have not been given the facts by any means" and implied that he would offer more details at a later date.

Scott's comments marked the first time he had publicly addressed his status with QUEENSRŸCHE.

The drum tracks on "The Verdict", were laid down by QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre.




Quick break here in sunny Florida while songwriting sessions continue ? Good stuff in the works ?@MikeoftheRyche @zeuss1 @queensryche pic.twitter.com/xCgWQvhGUE

— Todd La Torre (@ToddLaTorre) June 27, 2021








New sessions in progress.

Ryche#4@queensryche pic.twitter.com/OHdbu2WInv

— Todd La Torre (@ToddLaTorre) June 22, 2021

German power/thrash metal legends Paradox will release part 2 of their 1989 classic album Heresy on September 24 via AFM Records. The band managed to capture that special vibe on their new single "The Visitors" as well and adds another classic to their already impressive résumé.

Fans can expect 75 minutes of finest melodic trash metal on Heresy II – End Of A Legend which sounds even in the year 2021 as fresh and new as in its commercial heydays at the end of the 1980s. 

The roots of Paradox go way back to 1981. After several changes of names, Paradox was born in 1986. The debut Product of Imagination (1987) was like a fresh breeze blowing through the scene, the concept album Heresy was an international success and catapulted Paradox in the first league of cult thrashers. More than 30 years later, it’s time for the eighth studio album Heresy II – End of a Legend. Preorders available on the AFM webshop.

Tracklisting:

“Escape From The Burning”
“Mountains And Caves”
“The Visitors”
“Children Of A Virgin”
“Journey Into Fear”
“Burying A Treasure”
“A Meeting Of Minds”
“Priestly Vows”
“Unholy Conspiracy”
“A Man Of Sorrow (Prologue)”
“A Man Of Sorrow”
“The Great Denial”
“End Of A Legend”

“The Visitor” video:




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Three years since their latest album, Purgatorio, Gothenburg metal force Manimal has announced to return with a brand new studio record this fall. Armageddon is slated for a release on October 8, 2021 via AFM Records.

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

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

Each single marked for the release of Armageddon proves that. After Manimal shared a first album sneak peek with the previously- released single "Forged In Metal", today the Swedish four- piece unleashed a brand new song, the epic album closing track "The Inevitable End".

"The song represents the more melodic side of Manimal," Nyman reveals, "with strong harmonies and a catchy chorus.”

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

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

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

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

Tracklisting:

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

“The Inevitable End”:




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In a new interview with Alicia Vitarelli of Philadelphia's 6 ABC Action News, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was asked to confirm that "End Of The Road" is, in fact, the band's last-ever tour. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is. And I'll tell you why. I'm 71, although I'm in great shape. The hand doesn't shake. I never got high or drunk in my life. I never smoked cigarettes; I never did anything of that… So, we're in great shape and we can't wait to get out there and do what we do. But there is such a thing as getting off the stage while the getting's good.

"I was a massive Muhammad Ali fan. He stayed in the ring too long," he continued. "Go out on top. If you're gonna go surfing, ride that tsunami — that's a hundred-foot wave — and then don't get back out there when there's a little baby [wave]. Go out on top.

"So, we are going out one last time. We started off the New Year New Year's Eve in Dubai, where it was completely safe, with the largest pyro show of any entity other than the military, and the Guinness book of [world] records was there to capture it. Hundreds of millions of people on earth recorded it, and so on. It was streamed. I hate streaming. I want people to witness it live. You don't wanna watch a Godzilla movie; you wanna be in the city as it's being destroyed when Godzilla's coming down. That's what you want.

"So, we're gonna go out on top," Gene added. "I don't wanna stay on stage too long. You don't wanna ruin the legacy. So you can go to Las Vegas, play golf at the KISS golf course at the Rio hotel. You can go on the Kiss Kruises… You wanna have some pride in what you do, and don't wait too long. It's like picking fruit — pick that fruit when it's ripe. Don't wait too long; it'll get rotten. There's a point of diminishing returns. This is the right time. And we're gonna do a hundred and 10 more cities around the world, and then we're gonna hang up our boots. But that doesn't mean there can't be KISS in other forms. There's a Netflix movie coming, our four-hour documentary, there's gonna be a KISS cartoon. It's gonna be Planet KISS — and by the way, that's trademarked too — and you're just all living in it."

KISS's farewell trek was launched in January 2019 and was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Simmons and guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss (drums) and Ace Frehley (guitar), KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

In its 48-year career, KISS has accumulated 23 gold and platinum albums — more than any other U.S. band.

The incendiary opening track of FOO FIGHTERS' critical and commercial smash album "Medicine At Midnight" — also the first song in the encore of the band's triumphant Madison Square Garden show — blazes in a whole new way with "Making A Fire: Mark Ronson Re-Version".

Produced by Mark Ronson, the re-version features members of ANTIBALAS, THE BUDOS BAND, THE DAP-KINGS, EL MICHELS AFFAIR, LA BUYA, MENAHAN STREET BAND), THE TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND and TUATARA — all providing a combustible new backdrop to Dave Grohl's unmistakable vocal, as well as the irresistible refrain by a back-up vocal quartet featuring Violet Grohl.

Dave recently revealed that "Making A Fire" was the first track FOO FIGHTERS recorded for "Medicine At Midnight". "We started with that 'Making A Fire' song, and I remember, after we finished that, I thought, 'Oh, we're gonna make a record that doesn't sound like any of other records,'" he said. "First of all, that house where we recorded it had the best drum sounds… That song, 'Making A Fire', started with just a riff. It's funny, someone gave me as a present this weird guitar. It was really light. I picked that thing up and wrote so many of the new songs on it. That was the first thing I played on it… It was such a weird riff, I had to kind of try to find a melody. That was the hardest part with that song."

"Medicine At Midnight" 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.

The first single from the disc, "Shame Shame", was released in November. An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Paola Kudacki and co-stars FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl and Sofia Boutella. "Shame Shame" renders in stunning black and white an interpretation of a recurring dream that's haunted Grohl since his childhood days.

Photo credit: Danny Clinch

KING'S X has apparently completed work on its long-awaited new studio album.

Earlier today (Friday, June 25), KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick tweeted out a short video clip of him at the Bernie Grundman Mastering facility in Hollywood, California, and he included the following message: "At Bernie Grundman Mastering, where they are mastering the new KING'S X!!!"

This past April, Pinnick told Shawn Ratches of Laughingmonkeymusic about the progress of the recording sessions of the band's long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "XV" album: "I brought 25 songs in. And Ty [Tabor, guitar] and Jerry [Gaskill, drums] brought a slew of songs in, too. We got 17 songs out of the whole record. We're not gonna put 'em all on the record, but we have a lot to choose from now. And Michael Parnin, who produced it and engineered it, he's mixing it right now."

According to Pinnick, "it's gonna take a good while" to complete the album "because of the pandemic and the uncertainty of touring and all that stuff. 'Cause who knows — at our age, this could be our last record," the 70-year-old bassist/vocalist explained. "And we wanna do it right. We don't wanna just put it out there in the middle of the pandemic and hope somebody buys it. We wanna put it out, go on tour and do videos. I mean, do it like we're supposed to do it. So we're telling our fans to just kind of be patient with us, because we really, really are hoping that this is as good as [1994's] 'Dogman' and [1989's] 'Gretchen [Goes To Nebraska]', which is what everybody wants. But it's not a rehash of it. In fact, this record doesn't sound like either one.

"I think that we worked really, really hard on this record, like we haven't since the early days — around 'Gretchen' and 'Dogman'," he continued. "I can tell it in the songs, how we're all singing and everybody's contributing to it. They're not just doing my songs, and I'm not just doing Ty's songs. We're really putting ourselves into it."

Regarding the musical direction of the new KING'S X material, Pinnick said: "I had some pretty crazy songs, time-change-wise, 'cause I've been listening to a lot of MESHUGGAH and shit like that. It's not KING'S X, but that flavor comes in. Imagine John Bonham playing with MESHUGGAH… But Ty and Jerry are singing a lot too. I tell people, it's like from [THE BEATLES' classic song] 'Penny Lane' to the heaviest MESHUGGAH — it's a blend of something in between there. And one song to another almost sounds different, almost to the point where they're individual pieces themselves, like PINK FLOYD used to do. We've got violins and other things in it. I've got some keyboards and all kinds of things to enhance things — piano. Nothing overboard, but just like [Jimi] Hendrix did and people like that — big things coming in and out that gives it that longevity, I would say. Things that you hear and go, 'Oh, wow. That's cool.' That little thing over there. So it's taken Michael a long time to mix it, 'cause he's got a lot of tracks."

KING'S X was sidelined by several health scares in recent years, including Pinnick's two hernia operations and two near-fatal heart attacks suffered by Gaskill.

In October 2019, KING'S X canceled all of its previously announced tour dates for the year so that Gaskill could undergo undisclosed heart "procedures."

"XV" was KING'S X's highest-charting album since 1996's "Ear Candy".

In 2005, VH1 included KING'S X in its list of "100 Greatest Artists In Hard Rock."




pic.twitter.com/D5LHQKcQ9j

— dUg pinnick (@dUgpinnick_) June 25, 2021

In a new interview with Sweetwater's Nick Bowcott, founding JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about the band's upcoming touring plans. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There's a festival in Britain called Bloodstock. We're doing that one in August, which is great, because we will rehearse over here anyway [for the American upcoming tour] — musically and the production, 'cause the gear is here, basically. It'll be a great warm-up show, a great reintroduction to everything. It'll be the first show that we've done for two years. And then we ship everything back out to the States to start the American leg, which starts — I think the first date is on the 9th of September somewhere; I can't remember where. We'll do a week or so rehearsals in the States as well. And then we're on our way."

He continued: "The stuff that we should be doing this year has been put back to next year, which is the European dates. Which is not too much of a hassle, really, because most of them are festivals anyway, and they happen all on the same weekends, if you know what I mean, every year. And then after that one, we'll just have to see how the rest of the world is getting on. We still need to get to, obviously, South America and Japan, maybe another stint in the States. We only did two legs anyway. But the [fall 2021] American dates, as of yet, they're in, and they're solid."

Asked if there will be any surprises in terms of PRIEST's setlist for the upcoming tour, Hill said: "Yeah, there will be surprises. There's a couple of things we haven't played before. We [will be bringing] a few things out of the woodwork as well. We're gonna cover as many albums as we can. It's difficult, because you've got so many albums; something somewhere is gonna have to give. We'll try and keep something from at least most of the albums. And yeah, there are a couple of things we haven't played yet, which we're all looking forward to."

Earlier this month, JUDAS PRIEST announced the rescheduled dates for the North American leg of its 50th-anniversary tour. Produced by Live Nation, the "50 Heavy Metal Years" trek will feature SABATON as openers. It will kick off on September 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania and run through October before concluding on November 5 in Hamilton, Ontario.

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

Last September, JUDAS PRIEST and Rufus Publications announced the publication of the first-ever official JUDAS PRIEST book documenting the band's extensive history over the last 50 years. Titled "Judas Priest - 50 Heavy Metal Years", the book has been put together by David Silver, Ross Halfin and Jayne Andrews.

The official lyric video for "Reveries" from STYX can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest studio album, "Crash Of The Crown", which came out on June 18 via the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe.

The legendary rockers — James "JY" Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals — wrote "Crash Of The Crown" pre-pandemic and recorded it during the trying times of the coronavirus crisis.

The "Crash Of The Crown" song breaks some brave new world ground for STYX. Actually, it's the first cut in the band's storied canon to feature three lead vocalists, seeing how it has Young unleashed at the starting gate, Shaw heading up the heroic stacked-vocal middle section, and Gowan leading the vocal charge for the final verse.

"I'm always looking for the one different thing we can do and still have it be STYX," the ever-ebullient Gowan notes, "and that's the song I'm most proud of. The beauty of it is that it's the culmination of all our talents crammed together into one song, 'Abbey Road'-style. I also got to use some gear I never thought I'd have the chance to play on a STYX record like Tommy's Hammond B3 organ, my Minimoog, and my Mellotron."

Efforts to record "Crash Of The Crown" began in earnest at Shaw's home studio in Nashville during the fall of 2019, with Gowan — STYX's criminally minded showman extraordinaire and keyboardist/vocalist since 1999 — in the room together with Shaw and the album's producer, Will Evankovich, as he conjured up the album's first song to be recorded, with cosmetic flourishes that reign over the insistent, yearning call for togetherness, "Common Ground". But the global pandemic that inevitably transformed the way we all wound up living in 2020 changed the course for how many of the band's home-and-away recording sessions ultimately had to set socially distanced sail. Safety precautions took precedent for all involved STYX bandmembers and production compatriots with much diligent quarantining and testing required before any one of them could travel to Shaw's tranquility homebase to spread the uniquely ingrained STYX stardust that's been duly sprinkled across the album's cosmically chosen 15 tracks.

Of all those who made the trek to Nashville, original STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo — who, along with his late twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, formed the initial nucleus of STYX when they began jamming together in their basement on the south side of Chicago in 1961 — is hands down the most effusive about the experience.

"I'm constantly amazed at how Tommy's songwriting continues to connect with the social consciousness that spans across generations," marvels Chuck, who plays on "Our Wonderful Lives" and "Lost At Sea". Lawrence's all-too-brief aquatic fever dream. "Both he and Will have been able to tap into the core elements of the human condition, which is something that's not going to change that much in 50 years — or even 500 years. That's why STYX remains relevant after all this time, because we're part of the human condition."

Whether it's the heady rush of the groundwork-laying opening track "The Fight of Our Lives", the wistfully observational treatise of "Reveries", the cautionary extended hand of comfort and redemption that frames "Hold Back The Darkness", the undeniable uplift of "Our Wonderful Lives" (a beautiful sentiment further embellished by a most welcome, first-ever appearance by a banjo on a STYX album!), or the elegiac clarion call for shared grace in "To Those", "Crash Of The Crown" is music that is both concurrently of its time and truly timeless all at once. Although the official release date for this landmark album may be time-stamped as 2021, the omnisciently observational content of "Crash Of The Crown" readily brings to mind an amalgamation of historical events that occurred in 1066, 1455, 1775, 1861, 1941, and even 2001 without citing any of them by name — Winston Churchill's prescient wartime observations that permeate the pervasive pleas of "Save Us From Ourselves" notwithstanding. In essence, "Crash Of The Crown" is a modern-day sonic chronograph of the endless regenerative cycle of the rise and fall — and rise again — of our shared human experience.

"We've never been a protest band. We're more like a gospel caravan trying to send out positive messages wherever we go," observes Shaw, who joined STYX in December 1975 as a guitarist/vocalist and instantly became one of the band's most important songwriters. "In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything's going to be alright. That's a very important part of how we do what we do."

Though "Crash Of The Crown" takes a hard look at some inherently dark subjects, the prevalent light at the end of the tunnel eventually becomes each song's focal point — a persistent fervor to keep moving forward and achieve the greater good.

STYX's holy mission for cutting "Crash Of The Crown" was crystal-clear to its co-creator from the get-go. "Absolutely no obstacles were going to get in the way of how we approached creating this album," Shaw concludes about the herculean recording efforts of his fellow "Crash Of The Crown" makers. "And everything came out exactly the way we wanted to hear it."

"Crash Of The Crown" is the follow-up to STYX's 16th studio album, "The Mission" (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called "a masterpiece") which was released June 16, 2017 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of "The Mission" was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album's 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

Legendary hard rockers NIGHT RANGER will release their 12th studio album, "ATBPO", on August 6 via Frontiers Music Srl. "ATBPO" stands for "And The Band Played On", an ode to making music during the COVID-19 era. It will be available on CD and vinyl (several limited-edition, color vinyl versions), as well as digitally across all streaming platforms.

Today, fans can get another taste of the album with the release of "Bring It All Home To Me", the second single and music video from the LP.

NIGHT RANGER began writing the album in early 2020, amid the onset of the global pandemic. After narrowing down the song selection and tightening them up to their well-known rock and roll sound, the band hit the studio, although separately, due to the times we are in. Throughout "ATBPO", we hear NIGHT RANGER continuing their hot streak that kicked off with 2011's "Somewhere In California". Ten years on, and two highly acclaimed albums later, "High Road" and "Don't Let Up", the band's latest studio work shows them still burning with that high-octane hard rock energy they are known for. NIGHT RANGER has always had a knack for killer melodies, intricate instrumentation, and captivating lyrics; "ATBPO" delivers all of that and more.

"The process was strange but the outcome rocks," said Jack Blades.

Added Kelly Keagy: "This record was incredibly hard to do as we could not be in a room together with all the COVID-19 issues that were going on. But sometimes you do your best work when there's a deadline approaching."

States Brad Gillis: "It's been a crazy but fun task trying to write and finish this new record in a COVID situation. A few zoom video gatherings got us started. With everybody in the band having their own home studios, we were all able to elaborate and add our own textures to each song. As a vintage guitar collector, I was able to add some great classic sounds to rhythm and solos using my 57 Strat and 52 Goldtop! I hope everyone enjoys the record!"

Having sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed across more than 4,000 stages, and enjoyed a radio audience that exceeds one billion, NIGHT RANGER has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. With multiple songs having a significant impact on popular culture, NIGHT RANGER continues to grow its fanbase. The band is proof that powerful songs alongside incredibly talented musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

NIGHT RANGER is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

A bonus track, "Savior", appears on the CD and LP versions of "ATBPO" only.

"ATBPO" track listing.

01. Coming For You

02. Bring It All Home To Me

03. Breakout

04. Hard To Make It Easy

05. Can't Afford A Hero

06. Cold As December

07. Dance

08. The Hardest Road

09. Monkey

10. A Lucky Man

11. Tomorrow

12. Savior (bonus track; CD and LP versions only)

Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, has announced its offering of the world-renowned rock drummer and lyricist Neil Peart's collection of classic cars at its 17th annual Pebble Beach Auctions. The incredible opportunity to bid on these extraordinary classic cars, dubbed the "Silver Surfers" by the legendary musician, will take place at the company's two-day sale on August 13 and 14, 2021.

Considered one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, the late Neil Peart had a highly distinguished career as the percussionist and lyricist for the groundbreaking band RUSH, hailing from Toronto, Canada. Since its early days, RUSH achieved immense global success and established a legacy as pioneers of sound, a feat no doubt made possible due to Peart's musical genius. Throughout his legendary career spanning nearly five decades, Peart inspired countless numbers of fellow rock stars and aspiring young musicians alike. He and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013, and received numerous other honors, including the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor.

Neil also had a formidable intellect which was conveyed in his lyrics, books and numerous articles for a variety of publications. He was a prolific writer who constantly worked on his craft during his down time from the band. His profound lyrics based on literature, science, philosophy and his own life experiences dubbed him the name "The Professor" by the fans. He was revered as much for his lyrics as he was for his drumming, as certain recurring themes such as alienation, the angst of growing up, and the loneliness of being an outsider deeply resonated with a generation of young fans.

Peart's love of cars was a lifelong passion, and his hunger for knowledge included learning everything there is to know about automobiles, inside and out. Classic cars were what he dreamed of owning for many years, and upon purchasing his first, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5, he exclaimed that he had dreamed of owning this car since he was a boy. Finally in a position to purchase classic cars of this quality, he slowly and carefully acquired each car until his dream collection, the "Silver Surfers," was complete. Sadly enough, after bravely battling brain cancer for three and a half years, Peart passed away on January 7, 2020.

On the naming of his collection, Peart wrote: "The title 'Silver Surfers' for my collection of cars occurred to me while driving the DB5 up and down the Pacific Ocean. Because it felt right to me, I guess — the idea that I was just one of the wave riders.

"I had moved from Toronto to Los Angeles in 2000 (cherchez la femme), and in search of natural peace I often drove out that way and up into the Santa Monica Mountains. Out past Malibu to Ventura County, I'd weave along barren ridges of rock and vegetation, the ocean always on one big side. Some days would be misted by the marine layer, while other days the sun blared through a clear sky. The waves were slow and gentle, or churned out a powerful, rolling rhythm… It was during one of these drives when out of nowhere, it just occurred to me that the color of the ocean had influenced the silver palette of the collection. What other color looks as good in a blue photo? Not black, not white — silver. And a fortunate risk for the framers' art, too: silver frames."

"We are beyond honored and humbled to be entrusted with the sale of Mr. Peart's beloved collection of classic cars," states Gooding & Company president and founder David Gooding. "Neil Peart touched the lives of so many through his groundbreaking career in music, including my own, and we are confident that his personal curation of classic cars will resonate with passionate collectors, finding them new homes with the same appreciation for them as the icon himself held."

For more information and photos, visit goodingco.com

Original KISS drummer Peter Criss makes a guest appearance on the new album from John 5.

The former MARILYN MANSON and current ROB ZOMBIE guitarist revealed Criss's participation in the project during an appearance on Sirius XM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" on Wednesday (June 23).

"I have a new record coming out. It's called 'Sinner', and it is a new JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES record," John 5, whose real name is John William Lowery, said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "It's all new tracks. And this is something that's really cool. Peter Criss is playing drums on the song 'Georgia On My Mind', which is the last song on the record. And I'm telling you… This guy… Barry Pointer, my producer, flew out to Peter's house, set up a couple of mics. Now, this is a jazz type of song, and Peter is known for that jazz feel he has. I shit you not, he sat behind those drums, played two takes. Barry's mouth was dropped open. Wait till you hear this. I mean, it was perfect."

John 5 continued: "It's something you can't teach, is this feel and this vibe. And he nailed it in two takes. And Barry was, like, 'Well, what do we do now?' It took him, like, literally probably eight minutes. And it was just perfect. He was, like, 'There's nothing else we can do. That was perfect.'"

In a 2014 interview, Criss said that he had been working with John 5 on material for a new rock solo album, which he promised would be "heavier" than the stuff he had done in the past.

Criss first left KISS in 1980. Since then he's worked with other bands and released solo albums. He teamed up with KISS again for a reunion tour in the 1990s and most recently in 2004. He was replaced by Eric Singer.

In addition to playing drums in KISS, Peter also provided lead vocals for a number the band's most popular and memorable songs, including "Beth", "Black Diamond" and "Hard Luck Woman".

Criss, who was known as "Catman," released his last solo CD, titled "One For All", in 2007. Peter produced the album himself for the first time, and was joined by guest musicians that included keyboardist Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee of "Late Night With David Letterman". The album featured a range of styles, from rock and jazz to blues and Broadway, and included covers of "What A Difference A Day Makes" and "Send In The Clowns".

Criss, who turned 75 last December, played what was being billed as his final U.S. concert in June 2017 at the Cutting Room in New York C

It has been over seven human years since the former lead singer of GWAR, the one and only Oderus Urungus, departed this plane of existence. Now, High On Plastic Toys and GWAR have teamed up to give you 10 solid inches of the Immortal Corrupter himself.

GWAR's The Berserker Blóthar has this to say: "I've had a blast with this little guy. I got blackout drunk and played with it in the bathtub. I got a little carried anyway, and I wound up at the ER to have it removed from my No No spot. Just like the old days with Oderus!!!"

Starting today, you can fork over your hard-earned cash for your very own Oderus Urungus toy. This limited edition measures in at 10 inches tall and is made of hand-pulled premium Sofubi vinyl by HOPtoys. These are packaged in a polybag with a premium art card. Pre-order yours today.

The toy will be available in three variants:

* Fully Painted

* Glow In The Dark Translucent Blue (GWAR.net exclusive 150 pieces only)

* Orange With Green Ooze (GWAR.net exclusive 150 pieces only)

Dave Brockie, who fronted GWAR under the name Oderus Urungus, was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia in March 2014. According to Virginia's State Medical Examiner's Office, he died from acute heroin toxicity by accidental means.

Brockie was last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 37 years ago. He was 50 years old.

The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the bandmembers performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human r

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", which is available today. Watch the accompanying music video below. 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.

SEETHER frontman Shaun Morgan comments on this new release: "We are really excited to release 'The Purgatory' EP as a companion to our latest single, 'Wasteland'. I'm especially proud of how the alternate version of the track turned out and really happy that people will finally hear it!"

"Wasteland - The Purgatory" EP demonstrates SEETHER's dynamism and creative versatility. Seething with dark muscularity, the urgent "What Would You Do?" is a beautiful and cathartic baptism-by-fire that never lets up. With PIXIES undertones and BEATLES accents, "Will It Ever End?" is a startling, pandemic appropriate head trip that, like the voice in your head, goes to places unforeseen and unforgiven. "Feast Or Famine" sounds like the unholy progeny of AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne-era BLACK SABBATH. The EP is bookended by two versions of "Wasteland", the original album version and a stripped-down alternate version that features touches of piano and cello, but still retains the original's tormented drive. This latest release finds SEETHER, one of hard rock's most enduring and prolific bands, at the very top of their very productive game.

Earlier this 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. These shows kick off on July 17 in Huber Heights, Ohio and will see the bands play amphitheaters in major markets across the U.S. Tickets and VIP packages are on sale now. 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.

"Wasteland - The Purgatory" EP track listing:

01. Wasteland (original album version)

02. What Would You Do?

03. Will It Ever End?

04. Feast Or Famine

05. Wasteland (alternate version)

Photo credit: Laura E. Partain

Grammy Award-nominated progressive metallers BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will release a new album, "Colors II", on August 20 via Sumerian Records.

To celebrate the announcement, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME has dropped the first single, "Fix The Error". The track premiered on SiriusXM's Liquid Metal and features drum solos from an ironclad trifecta of Mike Portnoy, Navene Koperweis and Ken Schalk.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME built its influential 2007 album, "Colors", on an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. They've only fortified that commitment on "Colors II". The circumstances surrounding both records bear key similarities, yet the North Carolina quintet — Tommy Rogers (lead vocals, keyboards), Paul Waggoner (lead and rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals), Dustie Waring (rhythm and lead guitar), Blake Richardson (drums) and Dan Briggs (bass, keyboards) — once again stretch the boundaries of their signature sound and heavy music at large.

"Especially with 2020, we really wanted to give it all we could and show the world we're still here," explains Tommy. "That's part of the reason we named it 'Colors II'. We were in a similar spot when we did the first 'Colors'. Back then, we had just gotten done with Ozzfest. We were wondering, 'Where do we belong in this music scene?' We still struggle with that. At both of these moments in our career, we decided to just be ourselves and write the best album we can. We came out guns blazing, and I feel like it's some of our most creative material in a long time."

"'Colors' was very much our attempt at a do-or-die statement," recalls Paul. "We had to establish our identity and be who we really wanted to be in order to have a career. This time around, our industry was shutdown for a year. Once tours were canceled due to the pandemic, we were, like, 'We've got to write a record, and it's got to be good.' We had to do something next level."

"Colors II" track listing:

01. Monochrome

02. The Double Helix of Extinction

03. Revolution In Limbo

04. Fix The Error

05. Never Seen/Future Shock

06. Stare Into The Abyss

07. Prehistory

08. Bad Habits

09. The Future Is Behind Us

10. Turbulent

11. Sfumato

12. Human Is Hell (Another One With Love)

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will be hitting the road later this summer for the "An Evening With Between The Buried And Me" tour. In celebration of their 21 years as a band, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME will play two special sets each evening, the first consisting of a career spanning set-list and the second, playing their album, "The Great Misdirect" in full.

Tour dates:

Aug. 03 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

Aug. 04 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club

Aug. 05 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tla

Aug. 06 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat

Aug. 08 - New York, NY @ Gramercy

Aug. 09 - New York, NY @ Gramercy

Aug. 10 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium

Aug. 11 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater

Aug. 13 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance

Aug. 14 - Rochester, NY @ Anthology

Aug. 15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls

Aug. 16 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

Aug. 17 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick

Aug. 19 - St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House

Aug. 20 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues

Aug. 21 - Minneapolis, MN @ Lyric Theater

Aug. 22 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada

Aug. 23 - Denver, CO @ Summit

Aug. 25 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

Aug. 26 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory

Aug. 28 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

Aug. 29 - Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

Aug. 31 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades

Sep. 01 - Garden Grove, CA @ Garden Grove Amp.

Sep. 02 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram

Sep. 03 - Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club

Sep. 04 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent

Sep. 06 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

Sep. 07 - San Antonio, TX @ Rock Box

Sep. 08 - Houston, TX @ Rise

Sep. 10 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl

Sep. 11 - Tampa, FL @ Orpheum

Sep. 12 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ The Culture Room

Sep. 15 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

Sep. 16 - Charlotte, NC @ Underground

Sep. 17 - Charlotte, NC @ Underground

Green Lung have re-emerged from their mulchy catacombs to present the follow-up to their debut album, Woodland Rites. Black Harvest will be released this autumn on October 22 via Svart Records. Black Harvest will be available on heavy-weight vinyl, CD, and digital formats, and is available to preorder here.

Green Lung vocalist Tom Templar comments: "After reissuing Woodland Rites we were beset by the plague and the cancellation of our tour schedule. But these events gave us the chance to hide away like hermits in the middle of nowhere and create the definitive soundtrack to the folk horror film in our heads. We are grateful to all our fans for their patience, and we can’t wait to finally bring these songs to life onstage later this year."

Recorded at Giant Wafer Studios in rural mid-Wales over the course of two weeks with longtime producer Wayne Adams (Petbrick, Big Lad), before being mastered by John Davis at Metropolis (Led Zeppelin, Royal Blood), it’s a more expansive and textured record than anything the band have done before, boasting a cinematic quality and more attention to detail. All samples were sourced from the local countryside and from instruments found in the studio, including the haunting opening vocal of The Harrowing which was recorded on a whim after the band broke into the local church (the organ can be heard creaking in the background). 

Picking up where the self-released Woodland Rites left off, on Black Harvest, Green Lung continues to draw inspiration from Britain's rich history of folklore, from witchcraft, and from cultish horror films. Nature - as always - is woven into the fabric of the songs; this time around the album was recorded in late autumn, and the seasonal atmosphere seeped into the music, which is redolent of mists, falling leaves, and the crumbling glory of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, the city the band calls home.

Tracklisting:

“The Harrowing”
“Old Gods”
“Leaders Of The Blind”
“Upon The Altar”
“Graveyard Sun”
“Black Harvest”
“You Bear The Mark”
“Reaper’s Scythe”
“Doomsayer”
“Born To A Dying World”

Green Lung will play a series of dates to support the album in September 2021, including an album launch show at The Dome, Tufnell Park on September 1.

Dates:

Septemer
1 – London – The Dome
2 – Manchester – The Bread Shed
3 – Edinburgh – Opium
4 – Glasgow – Ivory Blacks
5 – Bristol – The Exchange 




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Black Stone Cherry and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have announced the digital-only release of an expanded edition of the band’s seventh studio album, The Human Condition, on August 27.

The first new recording shared is a newly recorded version of Tracy Chapman’s classic, “Give Me One Reason”, which can be previewed below.

The band shares, “Tracy Chapman’s voice and songs are absolutely timeless. We have always been fans of her music, especially 'Give Me One Reason'. Chris has always sounded so great singing this song, so we decided to record a quick version in the studio. We would have never imagined the positive feedback we received from something we thought was just a fun version of an already great song! We hope y’all dig it!”

The Human Condition was completed mere days before the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed and as events progressed, it became apparent that the album the Kentucky band were completing featured lyrics that were eerily prescient. At the time of the album announcement, drummer John Fred Young offered, “There was a real urgency and fear of the unknown during those sessions - it was a scary time.  Every song on this album tells a story of the experiences we all go through - our happiness, our struggles, and how we have to adapt.”

To date, cumulative streaming of the repertoire featured on the album exceeds 24 million plays. The single “Alone,” which was a Top 15 hit on the Active Rock charts, accounts for 15 million of these streams. The complete track listing of the upcoming expanded edition will be announced in the coming weeks.

(Photo - Mike Rodway)




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In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio statio, Don Dokken praised METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich whose band's image took a tremendous beating in the eyes of music fans after METALLICA launched legal action against the pioneering music file-sharing service Napster in 2000.

"The Internet, especially Napster, they killed us," Don said. "You bust your ass for nine months making a great record. You put it out on a Monday, and on Wednesday, it's a free download. It hurt us financially.

"[Lars] took the bullet, and I give him high praise," Dokken continued. "He had the balls to go up in front of Congress, and he was a soothsayer. Lars said, 'If you allow this to keep happening, it will be the end of the music industry,' and he was right — Lars was right.

"All these people say, 'Oh, man, it's METALLICA. They're rich. They're famous. What do they care if some people download their stuff for free? They're making millions.' That wasn't his point. If I spent a year painting a painting, an oil painting, a year of my life and all the materials, and I get it done, and I go to sell it at an art gallery, and I show up, and somebody outside the gallery's got 80 copies of it on a poster for five bucks, that's not fair. It's my art, my music. You have no right to take my art and give it away."

METALLICA sued Napster after the band discovered that a leaked demo version of its song "I Disappear" was circulating on the pioneering music file-sharing service before it was released.

In May 2000, Ulrich famously delivered a literal truckload of paper to Napster Inc., listing hundreds of thousands of people who allegedly used the company's software to share unauthorized MP3s of METALLICA's songs.

METALLICA representatives compiled the more than 60,000-page list of 335,435 Napster user IDs over one weekend in response to Napster's promise to terminate the accounts of users who trade material without permission. Real names were not included in the list.

In later years, METALLICA embraced digital music: in December 2012, the band made all of its studio albums, as well as various live material, singles, remixes and collaborations, available on Spotify.

Legendary death metal maniacs Aborted, under the charismatic leadership of Sven Caluwe, have returned to take over the earth with their highly anticipated 11th studio album, ManiaCult

In cooperation with G13 Production House (Behemoth, Accept, Kreator) the band presents their most terrifying and disturbing video so far, for the first single “Impetus Odi”. Find the clip below. Viewer discretion is advised - you have been warned!

Join the ManiaCult and you can never leave - at least not with your life intact. Aborted have crafted the perfect soundtrack to this sick sect, which demands human sacrifices to summon Lovecraftian demons. The sinister sound aptly snarls and snakes like the heads that worm their way out from the cult leader’s back.

It’s the same type of authority Aborted have had over the death metal masses for the 26 years since vocalist Sven de Caluwé formed the band in Belgium. As the lone original member, he’s directed the band like a demented conductor: each musician that filters through the ranks a tendril he waves around like a baton.

Aborted are shapeshifters, evolving from blazing deathgrind to groovier fare before settling into a technical approach on death metal. On 11th album ManiaCult, they split the difference between the over-the-top shred of TerrorVision and the dripping dark atmosphere achieved on follow-up La Grande Mascarade. That EP was their first as the current four-piece lineup, rounded out by drummer Ken Bedene, guitarist Ian Jekelis and bassist Stefano Franceschini.

ManiaCult will be officially released on Septenber 10 and will be available in the following formats:

- CD Jewelcase – all outlets
- Gatefold black LP+CD & Poster – all outlets
- Gatefold ultra clear LP+CD & Poster – Bandshop
- Gatefold neon green LP+CD & Poster - Bandshop (200 Units)
- Gatefold neon yellow LP+CD & Poster - EMP (300 Units)
- Gatefold opaque hot pinkLP+CD & Poster - Nuclear Blast (300 Units)

Disclaimer: Due to the high demand for vinyl manufacturing, production times are subject to possible delay. Everything will be done to ensure that we meet the original deadlines, and product is delivered as promised. However, customers are advised that the potential exists for delays beyond our control.

The pre-sale has officially started - so be fast and grab your copy here. The band will also offer a strictly limited amount of liquid filled vinyl and their own exclusive action figure on their band shop. Check out their band shop here.

Tracklisting:

"Verderf"
"ManiaCult"
"Impetus Odi"
"Portal To Vacuity"
"Dementophobia"
"A Vulgar Quagmire"
"Verbolgen"
"Ceremonial Ineptitude"
"Drag Me To Hell"
"Grotesque"
"I Prediletti: The Folly Of The Gods"

"Impetus Odi" video:




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German hard rock guitar wizard, Axel Rudi Pell, will release his new album, Diamonds Unlocked II, on July 30 via Steamhammer/SPV. The successor to last year’s  Sign Of The Times is the follow-up to his 2007 cover recording Diamonds Unlocked. Pell’s carefully considered decision not to release brand-new material for the first time in almost 15 years is mainly based on the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions on live concerts. The 61-year-old explains that, “it makes no sense at all to put out new songs that we will not be able to perform live.”

Pell has released a lyric video for his cover of Sammy Hagar's "There's Only One Way To Rock", featured on the album. Find the clip below.

Axel Rudi Pell had been flirting with the concept of Diamonds Unlocked II for two or three years, and he’s also aware of the vast number of cover versions currently floating on the Internet, which he sees as a challenge. Of course it depends on the selection and variety of the material, but first and foremost it is the transformation of each individual track that matters. The result is so outstanding that he is justly proud of his latest offering. “Without patting myself on the back too loudly – this is an album worth listening to from start to finish.” Instead of delivering every single note so that it sounds exactly like the original, a cover album should, above all, be fun. And entertain and inspire the listener, an audio algorithm which makes you get out the original versions or the whole back catalogue of the artists presented. In this respect, Diamonds Unlocked II is an offer that no self-respecting hard rock fan can refuse.

Diamonds Unlocked II will be released in the following configurations:

- DigiPak incl. poster
- 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, black vinyl, printed inner sleeves
- Download / Streaming

Pre-order here.

- 2LP Gatefold exclusive coloured editions only at the Napalm shop

Pre-order here.

- Exclusive CD/LP Bundle with a T-shirt only at the Steamhammer shop

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Der Schwarze Abt (Intro)
"There’s Only One Way To Rock" (original by Sammy Hagar)
"Lady Of The Lake" (original by Rainbow)
"She’s A Lady" (original by Paul Anka)
"Black Cat Woman" (original by Geordie)
"Room With A View" (original by Tony Carey)
"Sarah (You Take My Breath Away)" (original by Chris Norman)
"Rock N’ Roll Queen" (original by The Subways)
"Paint It Black" (original by the Rolling Stones)
"I Put A Spell On You" (original by Screamin' Jay Hawkins)
"Eagle" (original by Abba)  

"There’s Only One Way To Rock" lyric video:

Lineup:

Johnny Gioeli - Lead and Backing Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards
Volker Krawczak - Bass
Bobby Rondinelli - Drums




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The sequel to EXODUS's best-selling guitar book is finally here. "Pleasures Of The Frets: The Guitar Anthology Volume 2" features guitar tab and notation for 12 killer songs from the EXODUS catalog. All songs were transcribed note for note from the original recordings by EXODUS's touring guitarist Kragen Lum (also of HEATHEN) and Ernie Ball's "Match The Master" award winner Evan Bradley. Learn how to play the songs exactly as the band plays them with these 100% accurate transcriptions. Presented in two-guitar format so you can learn to play every riff and solo just as Gary Holt, Rick Hunolt and Lee Altus played them on the albums. Includes a foreword by EXODUS guitar legend Rick Hunolt. 256 pages.

The deluxe print edition of the book also includes an exclusive EXODUS "Pleasures Of The Frets" guitar pick and two-sided bookmark set plus a digital copy of the book in PDF format. The deluxe print edition is only available through SubLevel Records. Print edition and eBook also available. Physical books shipping on August 6. Digital copy and eBook available now.

Songs included:

* And Then There Were None

* Brain Dead

* Deathamphetamine

* Deranged

* Funeral Hymn

* Good Day To Die

* Impact Is Imminent

* Impaler

* The Last Act Of Defiance

* Only Death Decides

* Piranha

* Salt The Wound

Pre-order now and download your digital copy or eBook immediately.

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

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH bassist Chris Kael joined STEEL PANTHER on stage this past Friday, June 25 at Emo's in Austin, Texas to perform a cover of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "You've Got Another Thing Comin'". Video footage of his appearance — courtesy of That Just Happened — can be seen below.

Kael joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in 2011 as the replacement for Matt Snell, who left the group a year earlier for reasons that have not been disclosed. Originally from Kentucky, Kael moved to FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's home base of Las Vegas to pursue playing music full-time. He said in a statement about landing the job: "Never give up on your dreams. I'm living proof that with hard work and a little bit of luck, they can come true."

This past April, STEEL PANTHER confirmed that it has commenced the recording process for its sixth studio album. The follow-up to 2019's "Heavy Metal Rules" will tentatively arrive before the end of the year.

Last December, STEEL PANTHER released a re-worked version of its song "Fuck Everybody" from "Heavy Metal Rules", now re-titled "Fuck 2020". The newly recorded version included updated verses that reflect the insanity of last year.

"Heavy Metal Rules" was released in September 2019. The disc, which is described in a press release as a "heavy metal version of a self-help manual and ultimate party album combined," was once again produced by Jay Ruston, who collaborated with the band on all of its previous recordings, including 2017's "Lower The Bar".

STEEL PANTHER specializes in imitating and exaggerating the less flattering aspects of 1980s hair metal, with unrepentantly crude, non-PC sexual content as a favorite lyrical theme.

The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."

Thirteen years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.






@5FDPChrisKael Thanks for hanging last night! @Steel_Panther pic.twitter.com/xgWvPjnm71

— Neeko_Lionheart (@Neeko_LionHeart) June 27, 2021

Michael Sweet (STRYPER), Todd Kerns (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS), Rachel Bolan (SKID ROW) and Scotti Hill (SKID ROW) are among the rockers who have reacted to the passing of Johnny Solinger, SKID ROW's longest-tenured singer. The Arkansas-born rocker died on Saturday (June 26) at the age of 55.

Solinger joined SKID ROW when it reformed in 1999, following a three-year hiatus, replacing the group's previous singer, Sebastian Bach. He was a member of SKID ROW from 1999 to 2015, and appeared on the "Thickskin" and "Revolutions Per Minute" albums, as well as the "United World Rebellion" and "Rise Of The Damnation Army" EPs.

More than a month ago, Solinger announced that he was suffering from liver failure. In a social media post at the time, he asked fans for their support, explaining "as with most musicians I do not have health insurance."

SKID ROW shared the news of Solinger's passing, writing: "We are saddened to hear the news of our brother Johnny Solinger. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans. Godspeed Singo. Say hello to Scrappy for us."

In a separate post on his Instagram, Bolan said: "RIP Singo. Get yourself a piece of pie with Scrappy."

Kerns posted several photographs of him with Solinger, and he included the following message: "Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my brother in music Johnny Solinger," he wrote. "He was a big, bold flash of life. He will be dearly missed. Keep the mic warm for me when I get up there so we can rock together once more."

Michael Sweet of openly Christian rockers STRYPER sent prayers to Solinger's family, friends and fans, writing: "God Bless you Johnny and May God hold you in His hands for all eternity."

Solinger reportedly married actress Paula Marcenaro in 2011. She broke the news of his passing on Saturday, writing: "Johnny has passed. I was holding his hand. He went in peace."

Solinger was fired by SKID ROW in April 2015 and replaced by TNT singer Tony Harnell. Tony quit the group only eight months later, and was succeeded by the South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart, who previously fronted DRAGONFORCE, TANK and I AM I.

In late 2019, Solinger sustained injuries in a car crash and was forced to reschedule some of his solo shows.


Johnny has passed. I was holding his hand. He went in peace. Thank you all.

I will take a break from everything but please know I am forever grateful for your love.

Posted by Paula Marcenaro on Saturday, June 26, 2021



I have made the decision to transition to comfort care. It is time to let him go in peace.

I thank you all immensely...

Posted by Paula Marcenaro on Saturday, June 26, 2021



Update. Not the best news… whatever needs to happen, is gonna happen soon. Unfortunately there is some fluid in his lung...

Posted by Paula Marcenaro on Tuesday, June 22, 2021





A good man with a good soul taken way too soon. Thank you Johnny for everything you gave us. God bless you and your family. pic.twitter.com/muKqOHgi8v

— sNAKE sABO (@sNAKEsABO) June 27, 2021






I sit here with a heavy heart as I heard the news of my Skid Row brother John "Johnny Singo" Solinger. A great human, A...

Posted by Phil Varone on Saturday, June 26, 2021



So sorry to hear about the passing of Johnny Solinger. Many prayers and thoughts to Johnnys family, friends and fans worldwide? God Bless you Johnny and May God hold you in His hands for all eternity??

Posted by Michael Sweet on Saturday, June 26, 2021



RIP Johnny Solinger. We miss you brother. Proud to have rocked with you. Here are a few memories.

Posted by Raiding The Rock Vault on Saturday, June 26, 2021



Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my brother in music Johnny Solinger

He was a big, bold flash of life. He will...

Posted by Todd Kerns on Saturday, June 26, 2021



So sad to hear of the passing of former Skid Row vocalist Johnny Solinger. A sweet guy, a bundle of laughs, and some killer vocal pipes. Rest peacefully Johnny! ????

Posted by Tony Franklin on Saturday, June 26, 2021



Rest In Peace to our beloved Johnny ?. I will cherish the hour conversation we had last month, talking about rescuing...

Posted by Michael T. Ross on Saturday, June 26, 2021



We were sad to hear of Johnny Solinger (official)’s passing tonight before our show in NW Indiana …

We send this out to you …. Rest peacefully..

Posted by CHEAP THRILL on Sunday, June 27, 2021



Rest In Peace Johnny Solinger…. It was awesome to share the stage with you and I always loved you posts showing off your fishing adventures….. gonna miss you buddy ?

Posted by Alex Grossi on Saturday, June 26, 2021



Johnny Solinger is dead.

I just woke up and got the message.

The former lead singer of my favourite band SKID ROW died...

Posted by Andy Brings on Saturday, June 26, 2021

























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NONPOINT drummer Robb Rivera has weighed in on Vince Neil's disastrous comeback performance at an Iowa festival last month.

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

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

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

Rivera discussed Neil's return to the stage during a brand new interview with Sofa King Cool. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I feel bad for Vince. MÖTLEY CRÜE is such a great band. He's got a year to get it together for [the 2022 start of CRÜE's 'The Stadium Tour' with DEF LEPPARD and POISON]. And it's sad, but I still love MÖTLEY CRÜE regardless. I know he's had some struggles, and getting older, stuff like that, it happens. Not everyone can be a Rob Halford, or like Ronnie James Dio before he passed — he was still singing at a high level. You have to take care of yourself. I don't know Vince personally, but I hope he takes the right steps. 'Cause I know that DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY CRÜE together is gonna be an amazing tour. Anybody who lived that era, it's gonna be like high school all over again."

"The Stadium Tour" was originally scheduled to take place last summer but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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

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

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

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

LAST IN LINE bassist Phil Soussan spoke to Metal-Net.com about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for the band's third album. The follow-up to 2019's "II" is tentatively due in 2022 via an as-yet-undisclosed record label.

"I've been quite motivational with the band," Phil said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I'm trying to keep things happening. We wanted to work on a few different aspects [during the pandemic]. I find things that we could do… We had some considerations with LAST IN LINE. I was trying to plan a streaming show. We were not able to do it because Vivian [Campbell, LAST IN LINE and DEF LEPPARD guitarist] has some preexisting health issues and he's not really able to travel until we have some assurance that he's going to be healthy and able to do so. So, out of respect, we tried to do some other things. We have a TV show, which was like a Zoom chat show that we would do occasionally, and that was fun. And we also had to go about getting a new record deal — we were changing labels — so that's something we're in the process of doing, and we're getting pretty close now. But part of that was writing a third record. So we've been hard at work trying to write a third record and even record that third record while we've been in different locations around the world. And, obviously, this band works as a unit in every sense of the word, so it's a real handicap not being able to be in the same room as everybody and trying to make it happen."

This past February, drummer Vinny Appice told Metal From The Inside that former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson, who produced both "II" and 2016's "Heavy Crown", is not involved with the upcoming LAST IN LINE album. "We made a change," he said. "Actually, the guy who mixed the last record, Chris Collier — he's great; he's working with KORN — he recorded this record. And we're kind of producing it ourselves, between all of us.

"Jeff is great — Jeff's a great producer, and [he has] great ideas and stuff, but we just felt that we could probably do what we wanna do now that we're a band, we've been on the road, and we know what we wanna hear," he explained. "But it's coming out great. The stuff sounds fantastic.

"And yeah, I've been through a lot with Jeff Pilson. I've known him for years. He's a great guy. He's like my brother."

Also in February, Soussan told the "Pat's Soundbytes Unplugged" podcast that the band was working on "a very, very special song that we're gonna be putting out fairly soon. I can't tell you any more than that, but it is something in the interim between us coming out with a new album, or releasing a new album, and now," he said. "So we'll do this as a video single."

As for the musical direction of the new LAST IN LINE material, Phil said: "The songs are another progression from the last album — the difference between 'Heavy Crown' and 'II', and now 'II' and whatever this next album is gonna be called; we don't know yet, by the way. But it's definitely evolved even more; it's gone into even more of an evolution, but we are always trying to keep the characteristics of LAST IN LINE there. I mean, you can't shake those things — you can't shake Vinny's drumming, you can't shake Vivian's playing. And I'd like to say the same thing about myself, and, of course, Andrew."

Some of the early recording sessions for LAST IN LINE's third album took place in January 2020 at Steakhouse studio in North Hollywood, California.

Formed in 2012 by Appice, Campbell and bassist Jimmy Bain — Ronnie James Dio's co-conspirators and co-writers on the "Holy Diver", "Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart" albums — LAST IN LINE's initial intent was to celebrate Ronnie James Dio's early work by reuniting the members of the original DIO lineup. After playing shows that featured a setlist composed exclusively of material from the first three DIO albums, the band decided to move forward and create new music in a similar vein.

LAST IN LINE's debut album, "Heavy Crown", was released in February 2016, landing at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Initially, the release had been preceded by tragedy when Bain unexpectedly passed away at the age of 68 on January 23, 2016. LAST IN LINE, honoring what they knew would be Bain's wish to keep the band moving, brought in Soussan and committed to sustained touring in support of the album before beginning work on the follow-up release, the aforementioned "II".

RATT has recruited guitarist Frankie Lindia for its summer 2021 tour dates following last year's departure of Chris Sanders.

Lindia, a Los Angeles-based guitarist/multi-instrumentalist and music teacher who played with David Lee Roth on the VAN HALEN singer's 2020 tour, made his live debut with RATT this past Thursday (June 24) at the Lakes Jam in Brainerd, Minnesota. Video footage and photos of the concert are available below.

On Friday, Lindia shared a photo of him performing with fellow RATT guitarist Jordan Ziff, and he included the following caption: "STOKED to be jammin in RATT with my boi!"

Singer Stephen 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. Also joining them in the band is drummer Pete Holmes (BLACK 'N BLUE, RATT'S JUAN CROUCIER).

Sanders joined RATT in 2018 after the departure of original axeman Warren DeMartini. Sanders spent almost two years playing sporadic shows with the band's most recent lineup before quitting the group left RATT in early 2020, saying in a statement that he was retiring from the music industry.

According to Ziff, RATT was planning to play several gigs early last year as a four-piece following Sanders's exit from the group, "but we only did one show where I was the only guitar player in the band," he said during an appearance on a video podcast hosted by Todd Kerns. "And it was in February. And then that was it. And then COVID [hit]."

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

RATT — featuring Pearcy, Croucier and DeMartini — played a number of shows in 2017 after reforming a year earlier in the midst of a highly publicized legal battle with drummer Bobby Blotzer over the rights to the RATT name. They were joined at the gigs by ex-QUIET RIOT guitarist Carlos Cavazo, who played on "Infestation", and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, who previously played with Y&T, WHITE LION and MEGADETH, among others.

In recent months, Pearcy and Blotzer have mended their differences, as was apparent during the RATT singer's livestream concert on April 2 from the world-famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip where Bobby made a special guest appearance on several songs.






Thank you Brainerd, Minn. You kicked ass last night! @theRATTpack 2021. #stephenpearcy pic.twitter.com/cUiBEStvWc

— STEPHEN E PEARCY (@StephenEPearcy) June 25, 2021






STOKED to be jammin in RATT with my boi!

Posted by Frankie Lindia on Friday, June 25, 2021

Tony Iommi says that he is contemplating remixing BLACK SABBATH's "Born Again" album for future release.

Issued in August 1983, "Born Again" was the only album SABBATH recorded with lead vocalist Ian Gillan, best known for his work with DEEP PURPLE. It was was also the last of SABBATH's studio albums to feature drummer Bill Ward.

In a new interview with News.in-24 to promote the reissue of SABBATH's "Sabotage" LP, Iommi spoke about his plan to release deluxe versions of other albums from the band's catalog.

"There should be a box set from the Tony Martin era [1987-1991 and 1994-1996]," the guitarist said. "I'm also thinking of remixing the album 'Born Again', the one with Ian Gillan, now that we have found the original tapes."

Following the departure of lead singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice after the studio mixing of the "Live Evil" album, BLACK SABBATH was once again on the lookout for yet another lead vocalist to fill the significant void left at stage front. The band turned to Gillan.

The resultant album and live touring certainly made for one of the more curious associations in the world of heavy metal. Much of this era of BLACK SABBATH has passed into rock folklore and was actually the source for the material used in the rockumentary movie "This Is Spinal Tap". From the replica stage production of Stonehenge, which was too large for some of the venues on the world tour, to the employment of a dwarf to dress up and play the part of the "devil-baby" from the LP front cover, the world of BLACK SABBATH took on a distinct air of the surreal.

While the well-received "Born Again" album and live dates succeeded in stoking the embers and kept the SABBATH flames burning, this would ultimately be a marriage built more on friendship and respect as opposed to any long-standing and compatible musical association. After one tour, Ian Gillan would eventually bid farewell and re-join his old sparring partners for the Mk. II reunion of DEEP PURPLE and leave BLACK SABBATH once more gazing into the crystal ball hoping the face of yet another lead vocalist would reveal itself.

For Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ward, Gillan, and keyboardist Geoff Nicholls, work would swiftly commence in May of '83 at the Manor Studios in the village of Shiptonon-Cherwell, Oxfordshire. Produced by BLACK SABBATH and co-producer Robin Black, who had also worked on 1975's "Sabotage", 1976's "Technical Ecstasy", and 1978's "Never Say Die", SABBATH's eleventh studio release would represent a radical departure from the gloomy atmospherics and blackened lyricism that had forged their identity and spawned innumerable descendants.

Gillan's approach to songwriting bespoke a lighter-hearted approach to what had, until then, been the primary concern of Butler. Album opener "Trashed", for instance, was inspired by Gillan's boozed-up race around the Manor's grounds in Bill Ward's car that ended in near-catastrophe and a wrecked vehicle. "Disturbing The Priest" was the result of a door in the studio having been left open during playback, and a local vicar appearing in the doorway asking for the volume to be turned down as it was disturbing choir practice in the adjacent village.

For all of its off-kilter appearance however, "Born Again" was still SABBATH through and through. Musically twisted and possessed with more than a whiff of brimstone, the album is a thrilling glimpse into an alternative world.

In a 2018 interview with SiriusXM, Gillan said that "Born Again" began with a bender at the Bear Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, England.

"How it started is was just 'cause we got drunk together one night," the DEEP PURPLE frontman said. "I went for a drink with Tony and Geezer, and we ended up under the table. And I can't remember much more that happened. But I got a call from my manager the next day saying, 'Don't you think you should call me if you're gonna make decisions like this?' I said, 'What are you talking about?' He said, 'Well, apparently you… I just got a call. You agreed to join SABBATH.' So that's how it happened. I was at a kind of loose end anyway, having just finished with my own band and PURPLE not really being anything viable at the time. So we set a one-year plan, and it was to do an album and a tour. Nobody knew what was gonna happen, so we pitched up and I pitched my tent, literally, at the old manor in Oxfordshire. And we made an album. I didn't see much of 'em. They were night people, so they slept all day and worked all night. I got up in the morning, cooked my breakfast, went to the studio to hear what they had recorded the night before and write a song over it. And that's how the album was made."

Gillan went on to describe the making of "Born Again" as "a challenge for me. It was a bit like doing [Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera] 'Jesus Christ Superstar' or singing with [opera singer Luciano] Pavarotti; it's just something completely different," he explained. "But Tony is such a great writer. You know what to expect with Tony. There's no multidirectional approach. He is the father of everything that came out of Seattle, I believe. He's just very direct, and that's how he evolved from the early days.

"I found it very easy to sing and write songs with [Tony]," Ian continued. "And we had a couple of good ones. There was always a narrative. My favorite song from that album is 'Trashed', which was a true story about a racetrack and too much drink and spinning a car and crashing it and going upside down. It was exciting times."

The second track on "Born Again" was a brief instrumental called "Stonehenge", and on SABBATH's 1983 tour, the band hilariously had to shelve a Stonehenge stage concept because the scenery was much too big to use.

"We had a production company called Light And Sound Design; they were in Birmingham, where the band was based," Gillan recalled. "And after rehearsal one day, we had a kind of meeting to go the office, and as we were walking through these corridors, one of the guys said, 'By the way, anyone got any idea of a concept for a stage set or anything?' And Geezer Butler said, 'Yeah. Stonehenge.' And the guy said, 'Wow! That's great.' He said, 'How do you visualize it?' And Geezer said, 'Well, lifesize, of course.' We didn't quite go lifesize, but it was about two-thirds. And we could never get it all up on a stage. We played some huge arenas, and places, stadiums, and you couldn't get it [up there]. So there are parts of it, there are monoliths that are all lying around in docklands somewhere and are spotted around the world, as far as I know."

A longtime treasure among hardcore SABBATH fans, "Born Again" was re-released in the spring of 2011 as a special two-CD set featuring a 1983 live performance from the Reading Festival.

At the time of its initial release, "Born Again" was a commercial success. It was the highest-charting BLACK SABBATH album in the United Kingdom since "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" and became an American Top 40 hit. Despite this, it became the first BLACK SABBATH album to not have any RIAA certification (gold or platinum) in the U.S.

The new, self-titled album from the reunited expanded classic lineup of German power metallers HELLOWEEN has entered the official album chart in the band's home country at position No. 1.

"For us, this is the highest form of honor and we are very proud, thank you very much," says guitarist and founding member Michael Weikath.

"In my eyes, artists shouldn't primarily be looking at charts and sales figures, but, of course, you're really happy to get such a response for such a special album," adds vocalist Michael Kiske.

Singer Andi Deris states: "I have been traveling around the world with our music for 30 years, but a number 1 album in my own home country is probably THE dream par excellence for all musicians ... WOW ... we actually achieved it. Unity makes us strong — Pumpkins United we are!"

"This album is more than a masterpiece — this album is heavy metal history", says Markus Staiger, CEO of Nuclear Blast Tonträger Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH: "The number 1 in Germany is well deserved and was our goal. I am proud of our team, they did a great job, of the fruitful cooperation with Bottom Row, the management of HELLOWEEN, as well as all freelancers and once again the band for this fantastic album!"

The cover artwork for "Helloween", which can be seen below, was painted by artist Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH and SODOM, among others.

The "Pumpkins United" lineup features returning singer Kiske and guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen alongside frontman Deris, guitarists 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).

Said Löble: "This record is the coronation of the 'Pumpkins United' journey. I have always been fascinated by the different character traits and facets of HELLOWEEN's history. For example, the legendary voices of Michi, Andi and Kai. To enjoy them now together on one record, under one flag, is the ultimate HELLOWEEN experience."

Musical dexterity aside, it is also the immense passion of the band that defines HELLOWEEN. Weikath described it thusly: "It is the incomprehensible encounter of seven musicians who are working as friends and even family who have created something that no one would have thought could be possible. It is like awaking from a sleep but still being in an incredible dream."

Hansen reflected: "Being in the studio with my old companions after 30 years away was very emotional for me. But at the same time, it was a completely different experience with the 'new' boys. The collaboration of different songwriters, each of them strong characters in their own right, has made the album very special. A unique mix which draws from all chapters of the band's history.

"HELLOWEEN is a big part of my life and I am looking forward to celebrating the songs live for and with our fans!"

Grosskopf agreed: "For me, being one of the last 'survivors' who played every note from the beginning, it was a fantastic experience and a very emotional process. I think everyone can hear it on this album. I love it."

HELLOWEEN's new album saw the legendary German power metallers going "back to the roots," with the band recording fully analogue 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 year.