An incredible music lineup has been announced for the sixth Louder Than Life, set to take place September 23-26, 2021 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. METALLICA (two nights / two unique sets), NINE INCH NAILS and KORN will headline the largest rock festival in America, which will also feature performances from JUDAS PRIEST, Snoop Dogg, JANE'S ADDICTION, STAIND, RISE AGAINST, MUDVAYNE, CYPRESS HILL, Machine Gun Kelly, ANTHRAX, GOJIRA, GHOSTEMANE, SEETHER, PENNYWISE, BEARTOOTH, THE DISTILLERS, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and many more.

Single-day and weekend passes for Louder Than Life are on sale now at www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com starting at $99.50* for a single day and $249.50* for four days (*plus fees).

Perry Farrell of JANE'S ADDICTION says: "'Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over' — Mark Twain. And I'm on the lookout for the best drinking whiskey in Kentucky."

Adds Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents: "DWP has always considered Louisville home, so to be able to bring America's Biggest Rock Festival back in 2021 means everything to us. After a year filled with challenge after challenge, we worked incredibly hard to curate a lineup worth the wait for our fans. Weather got in the way of NINE INCH NAILS in 2018, the pandemic derailed our plans for two big METALLICA sets in 2020 — so to have them both back for 2021, along with KORN and the rest of this incredible lineup over four days, that's the kind of 'new normal' that we're all looking forward to."

The current Louder Than Life lineup is as follows (subject to change):

Thursday, September 23:

KORN

STAIND

CYPRESS HILL

ANTHRAX

BEARTOOTH

SEVENDUST

KNOCKED LOOSE

WAGE WAR

HELMET

ESCAPE THE FATE

ZERO 9:36

HYRO THE HERO

TEENAGE WRIST

CURRENTS

JERIS JOHNSON

ANOTHER DAY DAWNS

BLAME MY YOUTH

Friday, September 24:

METALLICA

JANE'S ADDICTION

RISE AGAINST

GOJIRA

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

STARSET

AVATAR

FEVER 333

TURNSTILE

CLEOPATRICK

DEAD SARA

'68

THE BLUE STONES

SOUTH OF EDEN

TALLAH

JOYOUS WOLF

CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE

Saturday, September 25:

NINE INCH NAILS

SNOOP DOGG

MACHINE GUN KELLY

GHOSTEMANE

THE DISTILLERS

ASKING ALEXANDRIA

GRANDSON

CODE ORANGE

ICE NINE KILLS

SPIRITBOX

RED

BUTCHER BABIES

BONES UK

DIAMANTE

SIIICKBRAIN

UNITYTX

DANA DENTATA

THE MESSENGER BIRDS

Sunday, September 26:

METALLICA

JUDAS PRIEST

MUDVAYNE

SEETHER

PENNYWISE

SKILLET

SABATON

THE HU

BADFLOWER

MAMMOTH WVH

FOZZY

RED FANG

AYRON JONES

FROM ASHES TO NEW

AVOID

TEMPT

DEAD POET SOCIETY

LIKE MACHINES

Louder Than Life will feature nearly 70 music acts over four days, with performances on three stages, along with award-winning bourbons, whiskey, spirits, craft beer, and the best food Louisville has to offer. Festival attendees will enjoy a variety of onsite food and beverage experiences, as well as sponsor activations that celebrate the bourbon culture and culinary heritage of this unique American city.

Single-day and weekend general admission and VIP passes for Louder Than Life are on sale now. Festivalgoers are encouraged to buy early and save, since pass prices will increase in the coming weeks. A limited number of specially priced tickets for military personnel are on sale now via GovX. A limited number of Weekend Camping Packages are available for both car + tent and RVs. Admission to the festival is not included in Weekend Camping Packages and must be purchased separately.

VIP pass perks include (but are not limited to) access to all general admission areas in the festival grounds, as well as a dedicated festival entrance, access to a shaded "hang area" with dedicated bars, live audio/video streams of main stages, access to a front-of-stage VIP viewing area, dedicated merch tent, premium dedicated food and drink (for purchase), air-conditioned restrooms and a commemorative laminate.

Top Shelf VIP is presented by Angel's Envy and passes will include all the above plus an air-conditioned tent, front-of-stage viewing for the right main stage, additional viewing deck, all-inclusive premium drinks and complimentary hors d'oeuvres.

Louder Than Life is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America. Since debuting in 2014, Louder Than Life continues to develop and grow. For 2021, festival organizers added a fourth day, with the festival kicking off on Thursday.

Over the coming months, Danny Wimmer Presents will be working with local officials to make sure the festival conforms to then-current social distancing protocols.

The Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center are located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville, KY.

For more information, visit www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees NINE INCH NAILS will headline the festival's 2021 edition, alongside the SMASHING PUMPKINS and RUN THE JEWELS. New additions for this September's festival include FAITH NO MORE, a recently reunited MR. BUNGLE, DEVO, NOFX, DINOSAUR JR., THE GHOST INSIDE, MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, along with many others.

2021 attendees are no doubt ready for the return of NINE INCH NAILS, whose striking headlining set at Riot Fest 2017 was widely regarded as one of the best performances in the festival's 17-year history (a 2019 fan vote chose NINE INCH NAILS as the No. 1 Riot Fest set ever). Since then, Trent Reznor and his groundbreaking industrial rock group have been decorated with multiple awards — most notably, an induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year, an Emmy for Reznor and Atticus Ross's score for HBO's 2019 "Watchmen" limited series, and an Oscar for their score to Pixar's 2020 film "Soul".

Their headlining set at Riot Fest 2021 will be one of the first NINE INCH NAILS live performance since their 2020 Hall Of Fame induction. As for next year, fans can start planning extra early: The long-awaited return of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE will come to Riot Fest 2022, September 16–18, 2022 — a hotly-anticipated reunion that Riot Fest fans have long hoped for, finally realized.

As a treat to fans, previous ticket holders can purchase 2022 passes at a special price for a limited time; ticket transfers to next year, refunds, and layaway options are also available (more info is available on Riot Fest's web site).

Safety measures regarding COVID-19 — a top priority this year — will be frequently updated, as directed by local health and public safety officials.

Founded in 2005, Riot Fest is an independent music festival featuring the best of punk, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, metal, alternative, and just about everything in between. Founder Riot Mike is credited with helping to reunite iconic bands like NAKED RAYGUN, THE REPLACEMENTS, MISFITS and JAWBREAKER, among many other reunions — a staple of Riot Fest, alongside full album performances, carnival rides, and the occasional butter sculpture.

Riot Fest 2021 lineup:

NINE INCH NAILS

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS

RUN THE JEWELS

PIXIES

FAITH NO MORE

DEVO

MR. BUNGLE

COHEED AND CAMBRIA

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

DIRTY HEADS

SUBLIME WITH ROME

LUPE FIASCO (performing "The Cool")

VIC MENSA

NOFX

NEW FOUND GLORY

CIRCLE JERKS

SIMPLE PLAN

DINOSAUR JR.

THE GHOST INSIDE

GOGOL BORDELLO

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK

THRICE

CIRCA SURVIVE

STATE CHAMPS

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES

K.FLAY

BEST COAST

BAYSIDE

THE LAWRENCE ARMS

LES SAVY FAV

MEG MYERS

BEACH BUNNY

BIG FREEDIA

MAYDAY PARADE

PUP

ANDREW W.K.

THE BLED

GWAR

FEVER 333

LIVING COLOUR

SAVES THE DAY

THURSDAY

THE SOUNDS

MOTHER MOTHER

HEPCAT

ALEX G

ANTI-FLAG

JOYWAVE

FISHBONE

FUCKED UP

KENNYHOOPLA

HEALTH

THE GORIES

AMIGO THE DEVIL

WHITE LUNG

RATBOYS

BEACH GOONS

EYEDRESS

MEET ME @ THE ALTAR

NIGHT MOVES

SERATONES

JUST FRIENDS

RADKEY

HOLY FAWN

MELKBELLY

GANSER

HOSPITAL BRACELET

Last fall, British metal legends PARADISE LOST exorcised the demons and ghosts of a dreary dry spell without concerts and thrilled the world with their stunning livestream "At The Mill". Today, the band is proud to announce the captured testimony of this special night to be relaeased as live album on July 16.

Captured at The Mill nightclub near the band's hometown in Yorkshire, England, the recording of the Blu-ray was directed by Ash Pears, who previously worked with the band on their music videos for "Medusa" and "Obsidian". Mixed by Les Smith and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano, the audio version of the show will be available in various formats including CD, Blu-ray and different vinyl colours.

To bring back first bittersweet memories from better days when concerts were still a thing, the band releases a haunting yet beautiful live version from "Darker Thoughts" that you can watch below.

"Due to the ban on live music, we, like many other bands, have had to adapt and do something we never thought we'd have to do," reflects guitarist and songwriter Greg Mackintosh. "No, not stacking shelves in Aldi like METALLICA, but playing a show at a disused mill in Yorkshire with no one else there. We decided against trying to pretend there was an audience in the room with us, opting instead for a rather moribund version of a live lounge show. Whilst never being pleased with anything, we were however slightly less miserable at the result. It was also almost fun playing some of our new album 'Obsidian' within the set for the first time too. We can now announce that we will be releasing this show as an official CD/Blu-ray and vinyl imaginatively entitled 'At The Mill'."

PARADISE LOST's latest album, "Obsidian", was released in May 2020 via Nuclear Blast. The group's sixteenth studio LP was recorded with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano.

Singer Nick Holmes told Invisible Oranges about "Obsidian": "The last album [2017's 'Medusa'] was very much a specific attempt to make a death-doom metal album. That was absolutely the intention with the last album where we didn't want to wander too far off. I guess any time we start to write a new album, the last one is the model we look at for where to go next, and bearing that in mind, we just thought we'd vary this one up a little bit. Actually, the first song we wrote, 'Fall From Grace', is very reminiscent of the last album. From there, you kind of get a vibe for where you're going after about three songs. I suppose these sorts of influences from different eras are in this album, but I think it's very, very much a PARADISE LOST album. I have no doubt about that. I also think it's a very, very dark album as well. In many ways, darker than the last one, even if it's not as heavy. I think we don't wander too far away from what we're known for, but we still added a few new kind of gothy extra bits which we haven't done for a while. Perhaps a more gothic slant in a couple of songs."

Misha Mansoor, the highly innovative musician renowned for his acclaimed guitar acrobatics, is set to release his first proper solo album using the longtime BULB moniker that earned him internet fame in his pre-PERIPHERY days. The LP, "Moderately Fast, Adequately Furious", arrives on July 16 via 3DOT Recordings.

An introduction to the 11-song album arrives via the newly released "Parabolica" video, which can be seen below.

"I can't tell you guys how excited I am and how cathartic it feels to finally be able to put out my first solo album. 'Moderately Fast, Adequately Furious' has technically been about 15 years in the making, so your patience has been appreciated," explains Mansoor. "It was important that I felt genuinely happy with this BULB debut, but I can say that I finally put together something that I am proud of. This album represents something important to me, and that was both the impetus and the goal in its creation and completion. With that said, I do hope that you enjoy it too!"

BULB is known within guitar circles as the online moniker Mansoor used as he shared demos and playthroughs via fan forums, eventually coming to international attention for his groundbreaking guitar playing via his Grammy-nominated and highly influential band PERIPHERY. In the years since, BULB has become both an enduring nickname as well as a reference to Mansoor's solo work. Over the latter half of 2020, Mansoor released ten archival BULB albums featuring 110 tracks from those early aughts explorations.

Album pre-orders, including the first-ever BULB vinyl (limited to 300 pieces), can be found now via the 3DOT Recordings' webstore as well as the standard digital service providers.

"Moderately Fast, Adequately Furious" track listing:

01. Unleash The Pwnies Redux

02. Echo Teuffel

03. Breeze Redux

04. Parabolica

05. Two Brothers

06. Far Too High (feat. Axel Mansoor)

07. Füf Redux

08. Press Enter Redux

09. Upload Apathy

10. Download Happiness

11. And Yet, This Man Will Soar

Photo credit: Ekaterina Gorbachva

Italian metallers LACUNA COIL will release a new live album, "Live From The Apocalypse", on June 25 via Century Media.

A live version of the song "Apocalypse", which originally appeared on LACUNA COIL's latest studio album, "Black Anima", can be seen below.

Says vocalist Cristina Scabbia: "'Apocalypse' is factual and actual in today's pandemic, though we couldn't foresee this when we wrote it: the separation, the solitude, the confusion, the resilience. We keep on fighting for our will to survive."

Adds co-vocalist Andrea Ferro: "'Apocalypse' is usually a huge concept involving destruction or damage and the way the world ends. In our vision, there's no big apocalypse — just endless little ones. Ignorance, complacency, selfishness alone can bring apocalypse."

"Live From The Apocalypse" is the fruit of an unprecedented time. Unlike previous live efforts the Italians, under the yoke of the pandemic, cleverly devised a way for their devoted fan base to hear and see them on stage by organizing a special livestream event performing their latest album, "Black Anima", in its entirety, in September 2020. This very special show will now be released on vinyl and CD as well as a digital album. The physical album formats come with a bonus DVD featuring the footage of the original live stream.

"Live From The Apocalypse" will be available in the following formats:

* CD+DVD digipak

* Gatefold 2LP+DVD and LP booklet

* Digital album

The vinyl version will be available in the following colors and limitations:

* Black vinyl, unlimited

* Neon yellow, limited to 300 copies worldwide, available at CMDistro EU

* Red vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, only available at EMP

* White vinyl, limited to 300 copies worldwide, only available at the band's official store

* Silver vinyl, limited to 300 copies worldwide, only available at Century Media U.S.

* Orange vinyl, limited to 300 copies worldwide, only available at Revolver

"Live From The Apocalypse" track listing:

01. Anima Nera

02. Sword Of Anger

03. Save Me

04. Now Or Never

05. Reckless

06. Through The Flames

07. Apocalypse

08. Black Feathers

09. Under The Surface

10. The End Is All I Can See

11. Veneficium

12. Black Dried Up Heart

13. Bad Things

14. Layers Of Time

15. Black Anima

16. Save Me (Apocalypse Version)

By all accounts, this was no ordinary gig. Even though LACUNA COIL was in its hometown of Milan — at the famed Alcatraz Club — there were no fans to greet them. No roar of anticipation; no claps of adulation; no interaction with the people who had become deeply involved in and had a profound love for LACUNA COIL's music and live shows over two-plus decades. The livestream energy was different. It had to be. With hearts on their sleeves, cameras rolling, and the world tuning in online, LACUNA COIL brought "Black Anima: Live From The Apocalypse" to life.

"On one hand, it felt awkward to play for a huge empty room," says vocalist Andrea Ferro. " But on the other hand, it felt great to finally reconnect with our fans at home and with the people working behind the scenes. A lot of people enjoyed the show — it was definitely a one-off event loaded with a lot of emotions and feelings. 'Live From The Apocalypse' is an opportunity to offer a new release to our fans while the COVID-19 crisis is still a real thing, affecting them and us. The live album represents a unique moment in our career (and life) that will be forever remembered as that one time when we literally 'rose from the Apocalypse.'"

This past March, Scabbia told The Pit's podcast "Last Words" that she and her bandmates have not used the coronavirus downtime to work on new music. "To be honest, no, because we didn't want any of our music to be connected with this period, because it wasn't something that we wanted to talk about," she explained. "Of course, unconsciously, it will be inspiring us for the next record, because everything everything you live translates into music and lyrics unconsciously.

"The thing is that when you write a new record, it's because you're inspired by something," she continued. "But if you don't travel, if you don't live experiences, if you don't meet new people and [see] new cultures, I find it hard to find inspiration only through movies and — I don't know — series on TV. I need to live to be inspired, and the same for the guys [in the band]."

Cristina went on to say that she and the rest of LACUNA COIL have previously used negative personal experiences as fuel for their songwriting. "I feel really inspired when something bad is happening, but at least something is happening, and I'm living it," she said. "But this [pandemic] situation is really static."

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

With years of combined experience and hundreds of gigs around the world, bassist Henri "Henkka T. Blacksmith" Seppälä, vocalist Ville Malja (LAPKO), guitarist Jussi Ylikoski and drummer Mikko Hakila (DISCO ENSEMBLE) united last year to form MOON SHOT. Following the success of their debut tracks "Big Bang" and "Blood Looks Cool", the band is ready to release its most candid single yet, "Confession", now available on all streaming platforms.

In "Confession", MOON SHOT shows the bare bones of its writing prowess and once again interlap the melodies delivered by Malja with a chilling visual experience in the form of a video directed by Sami Joensuu. You can check out the video below.

"'Confession' is such a song you don't write every day. It's like a gift — a beautiful, noisy thing that appears when planets happen to be in the perfect position," explains Ylikoski. "Feels really good to be part of the band making this kind of music."

The momentum is there for the Finnish four-piece, which is creating a feeling of timelessness with its releases, described in a press release as "the true 21st-century rock band."

Ylikoski states: "MOON SHOT is something completely new, made from scratch. This lineup, the new songs, the team behind us. It's just amazing and makes me humble. I feel lucky to be alive and part of this band in this day and age. Can't wait to get up on stage."

Seppälä announced his decision to join MOON SHOT almost a year and a half ago, writing in a social media post: "When the decision to quit with BODOM became real in the end of spring 2019, I wasn't determined to do anything new as a musician. This might sound naïve, but I always thought I couldn't play anything else than BODOM, I was pretty sure nothing would inspire me enough. But then the most unexpected thing happened; the news about my situation reached these certain three guys who were brainstorming in Helsinki to find a perfect fit for bass in their brand new group.

"For me the classic 'one door closing blah blah' quote felt now very much on point.

"The idea of a new band felt scary, not only musically but also because it came so quickly after the biggest and scariest decision of my life. At the same time I saw it as a gift, new chance to do music with friends, musicians whose careers I have had the pleasure to follow with admiration. I didn't wanna miss this rare chance.

"Things came together quite quickly, as you might know, my plans for life after BODOM...well, actually there was no plans really…

"So here I am, introducing MOON SHOT to you. MOON SHOT is far from melodic death metal. It's a blend of alternative rock, some crossover elements, lots of melodies — but like always in music; you judge it and define it yourself."

The official music video for "My Lucky Card", the latest single from ZZ TOP frontman Billy Gibbons, can be seen below. The track is the third single from Gibbons's upcoming solo album, "Hardware", which will be released on June 4 via Concord Records. The LP was recorded at Escape Studio in California's high desert, near Palm Springs, and was produced by Gibbons along with Matt Sorum and Mike Fiorentino, with engineer Chad Shlosser providing additional production.

Sorum, veteran of GUNS 'N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER and THE CULT, also serves as "Hardware"'s drummer and was joined in the album's core band by guitarist Austin Hanks. The same Gibbons-Sorum-Hanks aggregation recorded "The Big Bad Blues", Gibbons's earlier solo effort for Concord and winner of the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Award.

In contrast to "The Big Bad Blues" and "Perfectamundo", Gibbons's debut solo album, almost all of the "Hardware" repertoire is original and rock-oriented with eleven of the album's twelve songs written by Gibbons, Sorum, Fiorentino and Shlosser. The sole exception is "Hey Baby, Que Paso", originally recorded by the TEXAS TORNADOS. The album's title is a tribute to legendary recording engineer the late Joe Hardy who worked with Gibbons and ZZ TOP dating back to the mid-1980s. Sonically, the album was influenced by the high desert circumstance of its recording. Says Gibbons: "The desert settings, replete with shifting sands, cacti and rattlesnakes makes for the kind of backdrop that lends an element of intrigue reflected in the sounds created out there."

"Stackin' Bones", one of the album's standouts, features a guest appearance by LARKIN POE, with whom Gibbons has been familiar and friendly for quite a while. He initially met them through the good offices of Tyler Bryant, husband of LARKIN POE's Megan Lovell; he had toured extensively with ZZ TOP in the past. LARKIN POE also shared a bill with Billy at New York's "Love Rocks NYC" benefit in 2019 and the "Hardware" collaboration grew from there.

While a truly broad spectrum of approaches is notable on the album's hard driving tracks there is, to be sure, no mistaking the remarkable tone and growling vocals that are hallmarks of Billy Gibbons's artistry. Elements of traditional hard rock, neo-metal, country rock, new wave, blues and even surf music make "Hardware" difficult to categorize and it would be a fool's game to do so. In fact, "Desert High", the album's last track, is a spoken-word piece accompanied by a sinewy guitar that evokes the legend Graham Parsons, whose death 48 years ago took place very close to where "Hardware" was recorded.

Billy sums up the album's ecumenical construct: "We holed up in the desert for a few weeks in the heat of the summer and that in itself was pretty intense. To let off steam we just 'let it rock' and that's what Hardware is really all about. For the most part, it's a raging rocker but always mindful of the desert's implicit mystery."

"Hardware" track listing:

01. My Lucky Card

02. She's On Fire

03. More-More-More

04. Shuffle, Step & Slide

05. Vagabond Man

06. Spanish Fly

07. West Coast Junkie

08. Stackin' Bones (featuring LARKIN POE)

09. I Was A Highway

10. S-G-L-M-B-B-R

11. Hey Baby, Que Paso

12. Desert High

Photo credit: Blain Clausen

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA will release a new EP, "ZII", on May 21 via Solid State Records. The track "Nightfall", taken from the effort, can be streamed below.

"Sonically, I think 'Nightfall' is a celebration of what the band did for a long while," says vocalist Mike Hranica. "I remember that it's the first song I completed vocally and I know that it's straightforward — very much straightforward. Lyrically, an atmosphere is created concerning the attack rather than the anatomic details of the undead themselves. It's a thumper with no introduction to kick off the EP."

The original "Zombie" EP dropped all the way back in August 2010 and remains an intense fan favorite. While not a chronological release in the THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA catalog, "ZII" is the next chapter.

"There's no question that the 'Zombie' EP is a fan favorite and a record that really set the pace for us as a heavier band," THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA said, offering insight into this EP in relation to their catalog. "A goal we had for this EP was to pay tribute to 'ZI' while honing in on the characteristics that we enjoy about heavy music today and the directions we want to see it heading."

The band continued: "We just had our first song go to radio with 'Chemical', and now in the same year, we will be releasing the heaviest music of our career with 'ZII'. This isn't just a new chapter for the 'Zombie' EP; this is a new chapter for us as a band, and an opportunity to lean into both sounds in ways that feel better than ever. We've found our footing with these six members. Now we're stepping on the gas and not letting up."

The band finished: "Before, there were five songs about how to fend off the apocalypse. Now, there are five songs of hopelessness against the hoard."

"ZII" EP track listing:

01. Nightfall

02. Forlorn

03. Termination

04. Nora

05. Contagion

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has also planned a livestream event for Saturday, May 15, during which they will play the entire "ZII" EP in full. Fans can purchase tickets along with the pre-order of the EP.

Following its 2005 emergence, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA served up 2009's seminal "With Roots Above And Branches Below". In its wake, the group achieved two back-to-back Top 10 entries on the Billboard Top 200 with the "Zombie" EP (2010) and "Dead Throne" (2011). The group kept up a prolific pace on "8:18" (2013), "Space" EP (2015) and "Transit Blues" (2016) and "The Act" (2019). This output of new music garnered widespread acclaim from Kerrang!, Revolver, Rock Sound, New Noise and Alternative Press who proclaimed it "an impressive step forward." In addition to selling out countless headline shows, the musicians toured with everyone from SLIPKNOT to SLAYER. Not to mention, their total stream tally impressively nearing 200 million in 2020.

JIZZY PEARL'S LOVE/HATE has released a new single, "Soul Mama", via all digital platforms. The track is described in a press release as "a rockin'-sockin', hard-hitting rock anthem in the tradition of AC/DC and LED ZEPPELIN."

"Soul Mama" is taken from JIZZY PEARL'S LOVE/HATE upcoming album, "Hell, CA", due for release in 2022.

Pearl has been a fixture on the world-famous Hollywood Sunset Strip since his edgy street rock band LOVE/HATE released its debut album, "Blackout In The Red Room", in 1990. "Blackout In The Red Room" received "Album Of The Year" honors from Kerrang! and Metal Hammer in addition to being a fan and critics favorite. It Their second LP, "Wasted In America", followed in 1992, and the band hit the road with the likes of SKID ROW, DIO, AC/DC and OZZY OSBOURNE.

Since then, Jizzy has played, recorded and toured with platinum artists like RATT and L.A. GUNS, including a stint with GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler in ADLER'S APPETITE, while currently fronting the legendary QUIET RIOT. Jizzy has also released several critically acclaimed solo albums, the most recent being 2018's "All You Need Is Soul" on Frontiers Music Srl.

Last year, JIZZY PEARL'S LOVE/HATE celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Blackout In The Red Room" by playing the album in full.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has released an Amazon Original cover of CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG's "Carry On", available now to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music. On this never-before-heard track, Taylor tackles the legendary opening track to CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG's iconic album "Déjà Vu".

"Growing up, the harmonies of CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG always captivated me," says Taylor. "What they could do felt more like superpowers than music. Showing them appreciation is just my way of thanking them for inspiring me."

Taylor is best known as the frontman for Grammy Award-winning hard rock leaders SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR, and has collaborated with everyone from Dave Grohl to Travis Barker and CODE ORANGE. Last fall, Taylor released his genre-spanning debut solo album "CMFT" via Roadrunner Records. Incorporating a variety of musical styles from hard and classic rock to punk and hip-hop, and featuring special guests Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie, the album garnered widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Kerrang!, Billboard and NME, who called it "the most fun record the SLIPKNOT frontman has ever produced."

"Déjà Vu" was the most-anticipated new album in America in 1970. More than 50 years later, it's one of the most famous albums in rock history with legendary songs that still resonate today. On May 14, Rhino will honor the intense creative journey that led to this milestone album with the release of "Déjà Vu: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition", an expansive collection that includes a pristine version of the original album on both 180-gram vinyl and CD, plus hours of rare and unreleased studio recordings that provide incredible insight into the making of the record.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary reissue of "Déjà Vu", Amazon Music has launched two new "[Re]discover" and "[Re]dux" playlists focused on CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG. Curated by Amazon Music's music experts, the "[Re]discover" CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG playlist takes listeners on a career-spanning journey of musical discovery, or re-discovery, through the group's body of work. "[Re]dux" CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG places the group's music in context, highlighting not only their best works but also their influences and contemporaries, as well as the musicians they inspired.

Amazon Music listeners can find Taylor's Amazon Original cover of "Carry On" on Amazon Music's "Rock Arena" playlist. Customers can also simply ask, "Alexa play the Amazon Original by Corey Taylor" in the Amazon app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition to Taylor, Amazon Music listeners can access hundreds of Amazon Originals featuring both emerging and established artists across numerous genres, available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

Taylor is heading out on a 25 date U.S. tour, kicking off on May 17 in Tempe, Arizona. Support on all dates is the CHERRY BOMBS, led by Taylor's wife Alicia Taylor.

As Devin Townsend announced earlier this year, he has been using the Covid downtime to work on new material for upcoming albums, and for a current lack of touring possibilities and encounters with fans on the road he decided to do a series of live albums, quarantine albums, and generally interesting projects that keep people entertained while he’s busy on his next larger releases. The series is called the Devolution Series.

Devin comments in this video:

“So we bring to you the Devolution Series: a grouping of oddities and interesting material that I would like people to hear, but don’t necessarily want to present as a ‘major release’. The series will include all the quarantine songs and concerts, as well as various live shows from the past few years. I’m am currently deep in the writing of my new projects and am very excited to be doing so. Thanks for facilitating my ability to do that, and I hope you enjoy the Devolution Series.”

The second release under the Devolution Series moniker will be the Devolution Series #2 - Galactic Quarantine album, scheduled for June 25. It was recorded in 2020 in various places around the world as a replacement show for the COVID affected Empath Vol 2 European Tour and cancelled summer festivals. It originally aired on September 5 on StageIt.com.

For a first impression of what to expect, see the video for "Aftermath" below.
https://youtu.be/4rOhiHLPT9Q

Devolution Series #2 - Galactic Quarantine will be available as Ltd. CD + Blu-ray Digipak, 180g Gatefold 2LP (incl. the album on CD) and as Digital Album. You can pre-order it here.

Devolution Series #2 - Galactic Quarantine tracklisting:

"Velvet Kevorkian" (Virtually Live 2020)
"All Hail The New Flesh" (Virtually Live 2020)
"By Your Command" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Almost Again" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Juular" (Virtually Live 2020)
"March Of The Poozers" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Supercrush!" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Hyperdrive" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Stormbending" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Deadhead" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Aftermath" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Love?" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Spirits Will Collide" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Kingdom" (Virtually Live 2020)
"Detox" (Virtually Live 2020)

"Aftermath" video:




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In a new interview with Music Is Win's "Guitar Villains" podcast, Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) pushed back against the idea that certain musicians can be better than all the others, saying that most such polls are nothing more than popularity contests.

"When we say, 'Who's the best guitar player?' or 'Who's the best drummer?' or 'Who's the best singer?' or 'Who's the best…' whatever, right? When that debate always comes up, [it] is kind of a weird thing," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "Even King Edward [Eddie Van Halen] always said, he goes, 'Music, it's not sports.' It's not a powerlifting meet where you know who the strongest guy is because, obviously, his numbers are the highest. Whoever benched the most, whoever deadlifted the most, whoever had the highest numbers wins the meet. Or sports — baseball game or a football game — there's a winner at the end of the game. But music, it's not who's the best; it's who is your favorite. It's like pizza — what's your favorite pizza? They're all good. They're all slamming. It's just, like, 'Do you like it just plain? Or do you like it with garlic and mushroom? Do you like it with pepperoni? Do you like it with sausage?' It's just like saying, 'What's your favorite [LED] ZEPPELIN record?' There is no favorite [record]; they're all good. They're all amazing, actually. It's like I'm wearing out 'II' for a while, so I'm listening to 'Presence' now because I haven't listened to that for a while. So, yeah, it really is the truth — it's what's your favorite, or whatever mood you're in for that day."

Earlier in the month, Wylde told Detroit's WRIF radio station that BLACK LABEL SOCIETY was in the process of recording the follow-up to "Grimmest Hits" album for a tentative November release.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "None More Black" box set, containing remastered versions of all 12 of the band's original studio recordings on gorgeous color vinyl, came out in April. The box set comes with a hardcover 32-page photo book, chronicling BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's legendary career. It arrives in an indestructible black-on-black embossed collection box. It includes "The Song Remains Not The Same II", featuring reworked versions of the original songs.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY spent a couple of years touring in support of "Grimmest Hits".

The band celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first album, "Sonic Brew", in 2019.

Zakk has been the on-again-off-again guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne since 1987, although he does not appear on the legendary heavy metal singer's latest LP, "Ordinary Man".

In the spirit of legendary power trios such as RUSH, KING'S X, NIRVANA and PRIMUS emerges an unprecedented power duo — featuring a familiar character. Guitarist/vocalist Douglas Blair, known for his searing and emotional lead work with W.A.S.P., introduces his well-kept secret to the world — the innovative SIGNAL2NOISE.

Blair's self-invented eight-string GuitarCross creates a wall of thunder, atom-smashing guitar and bass — while drummer Toxy London (SANTA CRUZ) slices the concoction to pieces. Blair states: "The power duo simply employs the very core of every successful collaboration — two artists, bringing their halves of the equation to the table in the most streamlined manner!"

The portmanteau title "Generica" alludes to Blair's widely shared frustration with the ubiquitous, generic nature of society — while the lyric "I long to be someone other than me" succinctly sums up the direct result of such an environment. L.A.'s uber-talented ORCHID QUARTET contributes an entwining and powerful string composition, representing the journey of reflective self-assessment — which, of course, culminates in a smashed television.

To recognize May as Mental Health Awareness month, all proceeds from the sale of "Generica" will be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It can be downloaded via Bandcamp.

The SIGNAL2NOISE debut nine-song offering, tentatively titled "Fighting Mental Illness", is nearing completion and will be released by Platform West LLC.

"I believe we all deal with various degrees of mental illness in our lives. We're each affected and influenced differently, leading to widely disparate outcomes," says Blair. "I've witnessed so many of these scenarios in our industry and beyond, so I'm really honoured to pitch in for the Mental Health Awareness cause!"

DREAM THEATER, the two-time Grammy-nominated legends of progressive music, have announced the "Lost Not Forgotten Archives". This fresh collaboration between the band and record label InsideOut Music will see the virtuosic quintet's long-standing Ytsejam Records catalog reissued, alongside some brand new additions to this special collectors series. (Ytsejam is the label imprint which DREAM THEATER had been using for years to release official bootlegs of live recordings ["Ytsejam" is "Majesty" spelled backwards; MAJESTY was DREAM THEATER's original band name].)

Ytsejam Records previously played host to DREAM THEATER's official bootleg release collection comprising of live shows, demos and studio outtakes from throughout the band's prolific career. As part of the "Lost Not Forgotten Archives", the entirety of the collection will be reissued on CD, as well as for the very first time on vinyl and digital, with brand new artwork and packaging. The band has also been busy digging into its encyclopedic vault to find some very special, previously unreleased material. The first brand new release in the reinvigorated archival series will be a recording of the band's start-to-finish performance of its classic second studio album, "Images & Words", taken from its performance at Tokyo, Japan's legendary Budokan venue in September of 2017.

Following this inaugural "Lost Not Forgotten Archives" release, the extensive back catalogue of Ytsejam Records offerings will start to be reissued throughout the next several years. Plenty more previously unreleased material will get its initial publication, presenting an absolute treasure trove of DREAM THEATER music for fans both old and new to explore.

Back in 2012, DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie denied that Ytsejam Records died with the departure of DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy in 2010, LaBrie replied, "No, it didn't die," he said. "I've been taking care of that, so I've got each night's recordings, and I've documented it. There is so much stuff from all around the world from this last tour that I already have documented and put into a master list that these particular nights… What I did is I took them from certain areas of the world, and it sounds incredible. It's just a matter of it making sense for us, when we're gonna release the next Ytsejam [recording]. But it will happen. I can guarantee you — it will happen. At this point, it's not a priority. But the stuff is there. Right now we have more than enough that we can release an amazing Ytsejam release right now — definitely. So it's just gonna be when we feel, as a band, 'Okay, let's finally put it together and let's get it out there.' I have a few ideas where it could be really… something cool, some added features that would be really cool. And the other guys are involved, too, so it's very collective as to how we want the first Ytsejam [release] — post-Mike's involvement, with all those previous Ytsejam [releases]… We want it to have a really big impact."




Dream Theater, in conjunction with @insideouteu are pleased to officially announce the 'Lost Not Forgotten Archives’, which will see the Ytsejam Records catalog reissued and remastered alongside some brand new additions to this special collectors series. https://t.co/6sxl50PDdd pic.twitter.com/uBQGvEvLPu

— Dream Theater (@dreamtheaternet) May 5, 2021

Drummer Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad of Norwegian black metallers SATYRICON spoke to the "Heavy Demons" radio show about his relatively recent adoption of a mostly vegan diet. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It has to do with what is good for my health, and in turn what is good for me as a drummer. Because I understood more and more over the years that everything that you do will also have an impact on your work. Since what I do is very physical, I basically need to bring in some of an athlete's mind in order to do my best. I have to pay attention to very many of those things that athletes do. I should never consider it being any type of sports, because that would reduce it, but there's definitely an element of it. And that also means that I have to think a little and deal a little as an athlete would think and do. And athletes care a lot about nutrition — they think about what they drink and what they eat."

He continued: "I realized at some point that plant-based foods seem to make the body happier. It's as simple as that, really. If I eat a meal based on meat, it will take a serious while for me to digest that meal. In the meantime, I will feel a little low with energy, I will feel a little tired and perhaps sleepy. And I just discovered that there are so many times where that is something that I can't really have. I mean, if I go to rehearsal but also perhaps might be hungry, then I should have something to eat in order to make it through the rehearsal. But on the other hand, I should try to avoid eating something that is heavy to digest, and that means basically any kind of meat. And I just had so many discoveries where when I eat plant-based foods, I can basically install myself behind the drum kit and start to play; I didn't really need lots of time to digest the food or to rest in between or any such things. And that just told me that it seems like the body reacts in a certain way to plant-based food that it doesn't do when I eat meat, and vice versa. And as I had these discoveries, I started also to be a little more interested in how to get good sources of energy but without eating meat."

Frost added: "Obviously, since you do something that is rather physical, you will need a little bit of proteins and various kinds of nutritions, or else you're gonna be hardly struck by fatigue. And indeed, there was a time where I lost quite a bit of weight and I experienced quite a lot of fatigue. So I just had to learn all of those tricks that people doing sports but also being vegetarians or vegans do. So that is something that I still try to learn. But I get better at it, and I find that there are lots of things that you can eat that will give you all the energy that you need and it will give you all the building blocks — meaning proteins — and you will get the various carbs and the vitamins you need and all of that, no problem."

The vegan diet means eliminating all animal products from your diet — as in meat, fish, poultry, dairy and eggs.

According to Vox, 2020 sales figures showed that plant-based food retail sales grew much faster (27 percent) than the total U.S. retail food market (15 percent).

Plant-based meat sales grew by 45 percent and plant-based milk sales were up 20 percent from 2019.

Elsewhere in the "Heavy Demons" chat, Frost confirmed that SATYRICON is working on the follow-up to 2017's "Deep Calleth Upon Deep" album for a 2022 release.

"Deep Calleth Upon Deep" was released in September 2017 via Napalm Records. The disc was recorded in Oslo, Norway and Vancouver, Canada, during early 2017 and mixed together with revered studio guru Mike Fraser (who previously worked on SATYRICON's 2006 album, "Now, Diabolical").

SATYRICON's first two albums, 1993's "Dark Medieval Times" and 1994's "The Shadowthrone", will be released as remixed and remastered reissues with altered cover artworks, on May 28 via Napalm Records.

Tommy Clufetos says that he has no regrets about the way he left Rob Zombie's band in order to play with Ozzy Osbourne. Clufetos was hired by Ozzy in 2010, leaving Zombie in desperate need of a drummer.

"In life, you get certain opportunities and you have to make a choice: am I gonna go with this opportunity or am I gonna stay in the situation that I'm in?" Tommy told Rocking With Jam Man (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "So when Ozzy called, I had to go in that opportunity.

"Sometimes people may get hurt and feelings may get hurt, especially in music, 'cause we're all emotional people and we love what we do, and it's not just a business to us — it's an emotional thing.

"Rob was great to me," Tommy added. "And was it easy to leave him because I respect him? It wasn't easy, but it was just something that I had to do for myself. And I'm sure time has passed on with both of us. I've spoken to Rob — we actually did one of the last Ozzy gigs on a New Year's Eve here [in Los Angeles] at the Forum [with Rob Zombie also on the bill] — and I saw Rob, and everything's totally fine. So there's no hard feelings on either side. It's just that we love what we do and we're emotional about our craft. And sometimes feelings come into play and people react. But me and Rob are totally cool, and Ozzy's totally cool, and it's all good."

In a 2010 interview with the Artisan News Service, Zombie stated about his musicians being hired away by Ozzy: "I think there's ways to do things and I think there's ways to not do things and I think the way they've chosen to do things is not how I would do things; I think it's kind of rude. I mean, if my guys that I have wanna go play with other people, that's fine; I don't own them. But I think there's ways to do things in a respectful way and there's ways to just be shitty, and I feel that the way things have gone down lately has been pretty shitty... I'm just happy because every time I've lost somebody, I've gotten somebody ten times better, so I'm thankful for that. So if somebody's band wants to be made up of my cast-offs, enjoy."

Zombie and Ozzy have been friends for a long time. They collaborated on a song called "Iron Head" for Zombie's second solo album, 2001's "The Sinister Urge", and Zombie directed a video for Ozzy's 2001 single "Dreamer". Zombie has also toured with Ozzy several times.

Clufetos's new band TOMMY'S ROCKTRIP, where he offers his take on the rock 'n roll influences that made him one of the most sought-after drummers in the current hard rock scene, will release its debut album, "Beat Up By Rock 'N' Roll", on May 7 via Frontiers Music Srl. Eric Dover, known for singing and playing guitar with JELLYFISH, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Alice Cooper, handles lead vocals on the LP (though Tommy grabs the mic for three tracks). Eliot Lorengo (bass), Hank Schneekluth (guitar) and Nao Nakashima (guitar) round out the supporting cast.

Tracii Guns has once again commented on last month's out-of-court resolution of the legal dispute over the rights to the L.A. GUNS name. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, he and singer Phil Lewis will continue to operate under the L.A. GUNS trademark, while Steve Riley and his bandmates from the other version of L.A. GUNS will now operate under the new name RILEY'S L.A. GUNS.

Speaking to Robert Cavuoto of Sonic Perspectives, the guitarist said: "I could have spent more money and eliminate it. There is a saying, 'Turn that country into glass.' At the end of the day, I wouldn't have gotten any compensation. When you sue a rock, rocks don't have money. You have to be wise and know how far to take it. I'm satisfied where we ended up."

He continued: "I will never understand why a professional musician would choose to use someone else's name other than their own. It's so humiliating. It would essentially be like me going out and using the name GUNS N' ROSES. [Laughs] To take something that someone else created for a very minimal gain. You are completely selling your soul. It was so expensive, boring and a waste of time and energy to end up with what was mine."

Tracii went on to say that Riley is "locked into" using the name RILEY'S L.A. GUNS for his new band. "That's how the license works," he said. "He can't do anything else. The running joke in our camp is, you pull into a truck stop, and someone asks, are you musicians, and what band are you in? You respond, 'L.A. GUNS,' and they go, 'Okay. Whatever.' [Laughs]. A least we have closure."

Guns also addressed the fact that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS played at the M3 Rock Festival in 2019 and released a full-length album under the L.A. GUNS name, last year's "Renegades". He said: "Dude, when they did those couple of shows, we got so much angry e-mail from our fans. People were, like, 'What the fuck? None of you guys were there!' We would have to explain it's a different band with the same name. When I say a lot, I'm talking over a thousand e-mails. Then they put out a record using the name L.A. GUNS, [and] the emails just escalated. That was the point where some from our family stepped who had unlimited funds, which we used to stop this. It was what we needed to do, and it is done. Can you imagine, now they have to make up their legal fees? In what reality is it worth it? For Steve Riley to spend $80,000, and they will never make that back with RILEY'S L.A. GUNS. There is no logic, and it's so bizarre."

RILEY'S L.A. GUNS features Riley alongside Orlando, Florida-based guitarist/vocalist Kurt Frohlich, bassist Kelly Nickels (a member of L.A. GUNS' "classic" incarnation) and guitarist Scott Griffin (who played bass for the band from 2007 until 2009, and then again from 2011 to 2014).

In January 2020, Riley was sued by Lewis and Guns in California District Court. Joining Riley as defendants in the case were the three musicians who performed in his rival version of L.A. GUNS; that group's manager, booking agent and merchandiser; and Golden Robot Records. The complaint, which requested a trial by jury, alleged that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS (referred to in the case docket as "the infringing L.A. GUNS") was creating "unfair competition" through its unauthorized usage of the L.A. GUNS trademark. In addition, Guns and Lewis were seeking relief from and/or against false advertising, breach of contract and unauthorized usage of their likenes

In a new interview with Ireland's Overdrive, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante spoke about how his covers album, "Silver Linings", influenced the creative process for the band's upcoming follow-up to 2016's "For All Kings". He said: "This gave me the freedom to explore and I guess… A few years ago I would have had some limitations. But now, I no longer have any limitations with my creativity, because people are open to more things these days.

"I find new music, in general, to be quite boring," he continued. "A couple of years back, I believe music, as in 'the sound' of music, took a backseat, with people becoming more interested in the way people look and the overall image of the artists, which is just sad.

"When we're doing an ANTHRAX record, you wouldn't believe how much I fucking nitpick at the ideas, and that's even before I bring those ideas to the rest of the band. It goes through so many compartments in my head and I'm, like, 'Okay, let me store that idea for a while and bring it out when I feel that it's right.'

"Doing 'Silver Linings' gave me a different perspective on the way I do things," he added. "I'm now more, like, 'Fuck it. Let's just try this idea. So what if it's a kind of jazz-inspired part. How is that gonna sound when it's filtered through the band?' The way the other guys interpret things is really interesting and that's one of the things that keeps me so inspired. And because of that, in my opinion, the next ANTHRAX record is gonna be the best LP we've ever released."

Benante later elaborated on how making "Silver Linings" helped reshape his compositional process.

"Writing this new ANTHRAX record in light of this new fresh creative perspective has really opened my mind to approaching things differently," he said. "For example, learning how to create new sounds, how to mix, how to create a video that doesn't cost the band over a hundred thousand dollars, etc. I've figured out that with an understanding of certain advanced tech programs, I can do most of this stuff myself now. I just need certain key players, such as my musician friends, mixing engineer Andy Lagis, and my video editor, Dima Levanchuk."

"Silver Linings" will be released on May 14 via Megaforce Records. The 14-track effort features an all-star cast of "who's who" in the thrash, metal, and rock worlds, with all cuts culled from Benante's acclaimed "quarantine jam" video series.

"For All Kings" was called by some critics ANTHRAX's strongest album to date. Its arrival followed a five-year period during which the group experienced a rebirth of sorts, beginning with ANTHRAX's inclusion on the "Big Four" tour, and continuing with the 2011 release of comeback LP "Worship Music"

Roman Empire-inspired epic death metal band Ex Deo - featuring mastermind Maurizio Iacono of Kataklysm - plans to release their new album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, this summer. Iacono has checked in with a new update:

"We have an official release date for Ex Deo revolutionary new album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero: out worldwide on August 28th. Plans are underway this month  for a new cinematographic video clip for the first single. Full details coming soon on pre-orders and what to expect next. One of the year's most anticipated albums is coming roaring. 

I have made many records in my life and proud of all to them but this one stands amongst my favorite work ever! This will be Ex Deo's finest moment.  AVE ROMA!!"

After three years since the release of their latest acclaimed full-length, The Immortal Wars, Ex Deo returned in March 2020 with a new single, entitled "The Philosopher King". The track features very special guest Francesco Ferrini of Italian symphonic metallers Fleshgod Apocalypse.

Ferrini provided the stunning orchestral score for the colossal track, which tells the tale of one of Rome’s greatest emperors, Marcus Aurelius - an important historical figure that Maurizio Iacono feels a deep connection with. The track also features pummeling production by Colin Richardson (Slipknot, Machine Head, Bullet For My Valentine) and Chris Clancy (Mutiny Within).

Iacono offers: “It’s been three years since the release of The Immortal Wars - an album that propelled Ex Deo to a new level. This time, we didn’t want to wait another five years to release new material, so we decided to release a standalone new single called, 'The Philosopher King' while we wait for the follow up album to The Immortal Wars. For this track, we asked our brother, the talented Francesco Ferrini, for his contribution on the orchestral score.

"The song is based on the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It’s a song that strikes a chord with me personally, exploring my life experiences and tribulations. I find myself very close to this man’s philosophical ideals - some I have struggled to understand, some I have adopted. He is the author of the famous book “Meditations” (now you know the influence behind the recent Kataklysm album). Stoicism is something I have been applying more and more to my life in recent years - self-control, discipline. Marcus Aurelius, while commanding the world’s largest army and the most advanced society in ancient times, was perceived as one of the most regarded and prosperous emperors not only economically, but also in military and social triumphs. This is an homage to one of Rome’s greatest, The Philosopher King!”

Francesco Ferrini adds, “When Maurizio suggested to join forces on a brand new Ex Deo release, he had me bought in straight away! This song was incredibly inspiring to work on, being such a powerful combination of drama and epicness. I’m sure everyone will love it as much as we do.”




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Finnish power quartet MegaSnake has released their first single "Sun Don't Shine". The band's line-up features singer Richard "Tipe" Johnson (Leningrad Cowboys, Gringos Locos, Apocalyptica's live line-up), drummer Twist Twist Erkinharju (Peer Günt, Leningrad Cowboys, Los Bastardos Finlandeses), guitarist Samuel Hjelt (Kings of Modesty, ex-Ancara) and bassist Henrik Tuura (Kings of Modesty, Killer Kachina). The new single was released through Inverse Records, the official video can be viewed below.

"What’s in a name?

A: Everything
B: Nothing

MegaSnake?! WTF?! Really!?

MegaSnake is a four piece Rock band from Finland, who carry their name with dignity and pride. They are out to have a good time, putting smiles on people's faces (and their own) with high energy rock n' roll. As far as previous history goes (former bands / projects, etc.) the MegaSnake gentlemen have it and then some.

Having been around the block several times the guys also know how to take their music seriously, while not themselves too seriously. We might grow older but we’ll never grow up.

So, what’s in a name? The guys in MegaSnake choose A and B. Maybe playing covers by Megadeath and Whitesnake explains everything. Or then again nothing."

 




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When two greats of the German folk rock and medieval scene get together, there’s nothing but magic taking place - not even a prevailing pandemic can change that. Today, Subway To Sally drop their captivating performance of the Saltatio Mortis hit “IX”, cut from the band’s upcoming, unique Blu-Ray/DVD/CD highlight, Eisheilige Nacht - Back To Lindenpark, out June 18 via Napalm Records.

The original song can be found on the Saltatio Mortis full-length Das Schwarze Einmaleins (2013) and is now captured for eternity, presented by both bands as an exclusive version on Eisheilige Nacht - Back To Lindenpark.

Subway To Sally states: “We covered ‘IX’ and put it into our very own Subway To Sally version. Our long-time companions from Saltatio Mortis wanted us to cover the song for a bonus CD that’s part of their album Zirkus Zeitgeist (2015). Within a short time, the track became very popular amongst our fans and even pushed a few of our classics out of our streaming top 5 temporarily. After a joint tour playing the track together with Saltatio Mortis, we enjoyed it so much that we decided to keep it in our regular live set for some time. Or in other words: a Saltatio Mortis cover version became part of the Subway To Sally set! I don't think there can be a better alliance within our scene and so we were really looking forward to performing the song again with our friends at Eisheilige Nacht - Back to Lindenpark.“
 
Watch the official live video for “IX”:

Subway To Sally demonstrate their exceptional live presence once more, carving a unique stage experience in stone with the upcoming release, Eisheilige Nacht - Back To Lindenpark. In an intimate setting, the Potsdam based unit drops a colorful bunch of songs taken off their multifaceted discography and invites its listeners to be part of an exciting adventure. Supported by many great artists, Subway To Sally created an unforgettable evening that offers numerous surprises and specials neither seen nor heard until now.

Subway To Sally on Eisheilige Nacht - Back To Lindenpark: “After 11 years of our "Eisheilige Nacht-tradition", we definitely did not want that 2020 will be seen as a red "X" in the history of our festival series. So we thought about how we could provide our fans with the Eisheilige Nacht feeling at their homes, when we weren't allowed to tour ourselves. An online concert wasn't enough for us: Eisheilige Nacht is not only about meeting friends, but also being a highlight of the year - with several befriended bands performing live on stage. We wanted to implement all of this in one experience. We wanted to record this very special event where the Eisheilige Nacht originally began. Instead of playing a concert in an empty hall, we used the size of the hall, lined up in a circle and placed our guest musicians into our midst. This created new insights that have never been seen before in any Subway To Sally concert film! We are very pleased that we can now, as requested by countless fans, record this event for eternity as a special concert film!"

Since their foundation in the early ‘90s, Subway To Sally have established themselves at the top of the scene. Having released thirteen studio records so far, the seven-piece featuring the remarkable Eric Fish on vocal duties never fails in surprising their devotees with an ingenious symbiosis of folk, heavy metal and rock. In the course of time, it became a tradition to celebrate every year with numerous fans and a final live show on December 30 at the venue Lindenpark in the band's hometown of Potsdam. Due to great demand, in 2009 the band decided to move to a bigger location in the same area. The Eisheilige Nacht was born and turned into a whole annual festival tour shortly after, where top-notch bands heeded the call to join Subway To Sally for some magical evenings.

In 2020, Subway To Sally returned to Lindenpark and - supported by many great artists like Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost), Feuerschwanz, Schandmaul, Saltatio Mortis, MajorVoice and Patty Gurdy - created an extraordinary lockdown live experience. In an intimate setting, the recording starts with “Messias” and “Königin der Käfer” from the band’s latest chart-breaking full-length, Hey! (DE #5). Subway To Sally then continue to not only travel through their own discography with songs like eerie “Unsterblich”, animated “Tanz auf dem Vulkan” and live-sensation “Grausame Schwester”, but also present a bunch of enchanting features as well: Don’t miss when highly talented Birgit Muggenthaler-Schmack and Saskia Maria Forkert (Schandmaul) join Subway To Sally for Schandmaul’s “Dein Anblick” and a premier version of “Kleid aus Rosen”, or when the band sets the exceptional stage on fire for an explosive performance with Saltatio Mortis on their hit “Sie Tanzt allein” - just to name a selection.

This unique experience will be available in the following formats:

- Deluxe-Bundle (incl. Deluxe Fan Gym Bag, Mediabook, Pendant, Lanyard, Pass) – strictly limited to 300 copies
- BD/DVD/2-CD Mediabook (vertical format)
- 3-LP Gatefold BLACK (incl. DVD)
- Digital Album
[Deluxe-Bundle (incl. Deluxe Fan Gym Bag, Mediabook, Pendant, Lanyard, Pass)
– strictly limited to 300 copies]

Pre-order Eisheilige Nacht – Back To Lindenpark here.

Eisheilige Nacht - Back To Lindenpark tracklisting:

CD 1
Intro
"Messias"
"Königin der Käfer"
"Unsterblich"
"Imperator Rex Graecourm"
"Dein Anblick"
"Kleid aus Rosen"
"Das Elfte Gebot"
"Sieben"
"Kalte Winde"
"Minne" (FAUN Version)
"Henkersbraut"
"Falscher Heiland"
"Tanz auf dem Vulkan"

CD 2
"Drag Me to Hell"
"Island"
"Kein Meer zu Tief"
"Arme Ellen Schmitt"
"Eisblumen"
"Sie tanzt allein"
"IX"
"Veitstanz (2014 Version)
"Grausame Schwester""
"Alles was das Herz will"
"Aufgewacht"
"Ausgeträumt"
Outro
"Julia und die Räuber"

"Veitstanz" (2014 Version) video:

Trailer:

Subway To Sally are:

Eric Fish - vocals
Ally Storch - violine
Ingo Hampf - guitar
Bodenski - guitar, vocals, hurdy-gurdy
Simon - guitar, vocals
Sugar Ray - bass
Simon Michael - drums

(Photo - Alexander Schlesier)




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August Burns Red - JB Brubaker (lead guitar), Brent Rambler (rhythm guitar), Matt Greiner (drums), Jake Luhrs (lead vocals), and Dustin Davidson (bass) - are gearing up to release Leveler: 10th Anniversary Edition. The band re-recorded its fourth album, which was originally released on June 21, 2011, with special guests, brand new guitar solos, alternate tunings, and more.

Leveler: 10th Anniversary Edition will be available digitally May 21. It will be self-released on ABR Records. Pre-order it here.

The band has shared the new version of "Pangaea", which features a guitar solo from Periphery's Misha "Bulb" Mansoor. Listen below.

"'Pangaea' has always been one of my favorite tracks on Leveler," says Brubaker. "It may be the most progressive song on the album so it felt like a natural fit to have Misha from Periphery perform on the track. He delivered quite possibly the most head-spinning guitar solo that we’ve ever had on an ABR song. We're very excited to share this new version of 'Pangaea' with everyone, and think fans are going to appreciate the song on a whole new level."

The release will also be available on CD and a variety of colored vinyl directly from the band. Pre-order here. There will be new merch with the pre-order bundles.

Leveler: 10th Anniversary Edition was produced, mixed, and mastered by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio. The vinyl was mastered by Will Putney.

ABR will perform Leveler in full, with an encore of songs from 2009's Constellations, during their next livestream on Saturday, May 22 at 8 PM, ET/5 PM, PT. It will be streaming on demand for 48 hours afterwards. The show will feature the largest and most exciting production the band has ever done. Tickets and merch bundles are available here.

"Leveler is a record we've always been proud of, and we wanted to do something special for its ten-year anniversary," says Brubaker. "We've done some cool remix projects for previous albums when they've turned 10, but with Leveler, we decided to kick things up a notch. COVID has kept us off the road for such a long time that we found ourselves with a rare opportunity to take on this unique project."

He continues, "We dove into this record and dissected the songs, rewriting solos, changing the tunings, adding new textures and elements, and got a few of our friends to do some guest spots as well. Our longtime producers Carson Slovak and Grand McFarland handled the recording/mixing and helped us take Leveler to new sonic heights. I think this is the best-sounding ABR record we've ever made, and it's going to allow people to experience the record in a whole new way. I can't wait to share this with everyone."

Tracklisting:

"X"
"Empire"
"Internal Cannon" (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
"Divisions"
 "Cutting the Ties"
"Pangaea" (feat. Misha "Bulb" Mansoor)
"Carpe Diem"
"40 Nights"
"Salt & Light"
"Poor Millionaire" (feat. Ryan Kirby)
"1/16/2011"
"Boys of Fall"
"Leveler"

"Poor Millionaire" (feat. Ryan Kirby):




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Death Pop Radio will release their self-titled debut album on May 7 via Dark Star Records. Preorders are available here. BraveWords is premiering the new video for "Flatliners"; watch below!

"‘Flatliners’ is about those that no longer think or act for themselves, you're dead, a Flatliner." Eric Lljehorn - Vocals

"The music for ‘Flatliners’ was based on a really cool drumbeat that our drummer Jimmy sent me. The beat was so badass the guitar part wrote itself." Dee J Nelson - Guitars

Death Pop Radio began their journey as a song, not a band. A fun collaboration that quickly blossomed into a full-blown hard-pop-grunge melting pot of backstories and musical experience.

"This album, for Death Pop Radio, was a perfect reflection of what happens when you take four guys with a wide range of tastes musically, mix in self-reflection, some humor, some horror, a pandemic, and heat it all up over a flame of desire to create something you were waiting for someone else to do." - Death Pop Radio.

"Death Pop Radio has the fire, the image, the sound and the songs that will destroy all in its path... the road ahead looks clear, once unleashed there will be no stopping this monster." - Jeffrey A. Swanson / President of Dark Star Records 

Their debut single and video, “Ravens”, had thousands of views and hits within days. Death Pop Radio was born and came into the world with a natural buzz within the Chicago music scene.

The band started in late 2017 when guitarist Dee J Nelson ran into lead vocalist Eric Liljehorn at a King’s X show in Chicago. A few quick word; a potential collaboration and mutual love for all things musical blossomed. The two began working on a few of Dee J’s songs together and both could tell something right away was simply “clicking”. Shortly after the release of “Ravens”, it was clear a full band was in order. In need of a name, the band started out by temporarily using the title of its flagship song "Ravens" and while the temp name stuck longer than expected the guys eventually found the name that would fit them and their unique blend of rock and grunge - Death Pop Radio.

Tracklisting:

“Monster TV”
“Ravens”
“Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em”
“Bitten Lips”
“Wake Up Drop Dead”
“Roses And Disdain”
“Knocked Down”
“Rat Tail”
“Flatliners”
“Fuck It”
“Like A Bomb” (The Joy Thieves Remix)
“Fuck It” (Radio Edit)
“Knocked Down” (Radio Edit)

“Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em” video:




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Former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry has paid tribute to recording engineer Al Schmitt, who died Monday (April 26) at the age of 91.

Over the course of his career, Schmitt received 23 Grammy Awards — more than any other engineer — and was the first person to win both the Grammy and Latin Grammy for "Album Of The Year." Schmitt received Grammys in six consecutive decades, and in 2006 he was honored with a Recording Academy Trustees Award.

Earlier today, Perry took to his social media to write: "One of my biggest heroes in my life passed last night at 91. Al Schmitt was an amazing recording engineer and mixer. He recorded many of Sam Cooke's hits. Over the years we became friends.

"One day I was hanging at one of Al's sessions, and I met composer Patrick Williams. I asked if there were any words to these amazing strings I was listening to. I was told Patrick had just written the composition and simply wanted to record it. Al and Patrick gave me an 'end of day' stereo board mix and some weeks later at Patrick's home, he and his composer assistant Jason Lee and I used that stereo music track to write and record 'October In New York'. That music track Al recorded is on my 'Traces' LP.

"Al was a huge fan of music and was always reaching for all emotional aspects of sincere music. He is missed."

On Schmitt's Facebook page, his family posted the following note: "Al Schmitt's wife Lisa, his five children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren would like his friends and extended recording industry family to know that he passed away Monday afternoon, April 26.

"The world has lost a much loved and respected extraordinary individual, who led an extraordinary life. The most honored and awarded recording producer/engineer of all time, his parting words at any speaking engagement were, 'Please be kind to all living things.'

"Loved and admired by his recording colleagues, and by the countless artists he worked with, from JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Dr. John, Natalie Cole and Jackson Browne to Bob Dylan — and so many more — Al will be sorely missed. He was a man who loved deeply, and the friendships, love and admiration he received in return enriched his life and truly mattered to him.

"A light has dimmed in the world, but we all learned so much from him in his time on earth, and are so very grateful to have known him."


RIP Al Schmitt

Posted by Steve Perry on Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Even though it's been less than a year since BUSH released its latest album, "The Kingdom", frontman Gavin Rossdale has confirmed to "The Jeremy White Podcast"that he has used some of the downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to work on material for the follow-up effort.

"I'm halfway through a bunch of songs," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And then I also plan to go collaborate — see what the band have got, see what ['The Kingdom' producer/collaborator] Tyler's [Bates] got. I just wanna do a great record. I'm already 10 songs into a new record.

"We have 30 million plays of 'The Kingdom'. Now, would we have had 100 million if we'd gone on tour? Maybe," he continued/ "But, look, people were dying. We stayed safe. The world collapsed. I didn't moan for one minute about it. Everyone's dealing with different situations. I think it's gonna be like the Roaring Twenties when we go back [to playing live concerts].

"I want everyone to come to the shows and lose inhibitions and have fun and hang out," Gavin added. "It's gonna be such a celebration of life. So I think it would be smart — if you guys agree — [for us to] make a new record and then go later in the year, or come next year, and tour everything, tour all the records. Who cares?"

Last November, BUSH played two drive-in shows across Southern California to celebrate the release of "The Kingdom Deluxe Edition". The record features six bonus songs, including "Heroes", a special tribute to David Bowie, as well as live performances of the title track "The Kingdom" and hard-charging single "Flowers On A Grave", which went Top 10 on Active Rock Radio.

BUSH's current lineup also includes guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz and drummer Nik Hughes.

The group, which broke up in 2002 but reunited in 2010, has released four albums since reforming.

The first single from "The Kingdom", "Flowers On A Grave", was unveiled in March 2020. The track, co-produced by Erik Ron and Rossdale, was the follow-up to "Bullet Holes", heard atop the end credits to "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum".

Nita Strauss, the Los Angeles-based guitar shredder for the ALICE COOPER band, spoke to Wrestling Inc. managing editor Nick Hausman about her upcoming second solo album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Asked what fans can expect from the effort, Nita said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I am so excited about it. And the big departure is I'm actually gonna have some guest vocalists on this one. That's something I didn't do previously. I just wanted to sort of make a stand as an instrumental guitar player. And this time around, I kind of wanna show what I can do as a songwriter as well. So there's gonna be a couple of songs that are more traditional hard rock songs that have guest vocalists on it that I'm really excited about."

Pressed about the identities of some of the guest singers on her new LP, Nita said: "I cannot say just yet. But I will say that one that I have confirmed is one of my favorite female singers out there on the scene right now, and I'm very, very excited to finally get to collaborate with her on something."

Strauss also broached the subject of Cooper himself possibly appearing on her new album saying: "That's something that I've been kind of throwing around the idea. Of course everybody asks it. Everybody asked about the last one too, and we didn't do it, so maybe it's time. I don't know."

Strauss's new disc will be the follow-up to her first solo LP, "Controlled Chaos", released in 2018 via Sumerian Records.

Last year, Nita told Heavy New York that her second solo album will still be "an instrumental shred record. I put a lot of different facets of my personality — of which there are many — on 'Controlled Chaos', so you'll see the more aggressive side still, you'll see the lighter side and the happier side, the more peaceful side," she said. "I just finished one of the ballads for this record, and I'm immensely proud of how it came out. So there will definitely be a wide spectrum of different emotions going on. And the biggest change, I guess, would be I am gonna have a guest singer or two on a couple of songs on this one. So that would be the main difference between the two records."

In April 2020, Nita launched "Rock Guitar Fundamentals" — a three-module online guitar teaching program suitable for learners of all levels. The course is available at www.iwanttoplayguitar.com.

Nita's live show is mostly instrumental in nature, combining originals with covers.

Strauss has been playing with Alice Cooper since 2014 when she replaced Australian musician and former Michael Jackson player Orianthi. She joined Alice in time for a mammoth MÖTLEY CRÜE tour. She was recommended to Cooper by the legendary rocker's former bass player and WINGER frontman Kip Winger.

Progressive rockers STYX have released a new video for their song "Brave New World", the title track of their 1999 album.

The band said in a statement: "In 1999 we released our thirteenth studio album called 'Brave New World'. Now, 21 years later we've created a new video for the title track and we can't wait for you to see it."

STYX is currently recording the follow-up to "The Mission". Released in June 2017, that disc marked STYX's first new LP in 14 years. It was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, co-produced and co-written with Will Evankovich, a longtime collaborator of guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw's in the SHAW/BLADES band and who also plays with THE GUESS WHO.

Drummer Todd Sucherman recently told Audio Ink Radio that the new STYX material "definitely leans to a progressive side with always a big, heavy emphasis on melody and lyrics."

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, four straight STYX albums sold at least two million copies — "The Grand Illusion" (1977), "Pieces Of Eight" (1978), "Cornerstone" (1979) and "Paradise Theatre" (1981). The band eventually replaced original singer/keyboardist/songwriter Dennis DeYoung in 1999 with Gowan.