The world’s favourite Pirate Metal Drinking Crew, Alestorm, are taking you on a wild, wet ride across the seven seas with their new live album/DVD/BluRay, Live In Tilburg, out May 28 via Napalm Records. Today, the wild bunch releases another song off the live DVD from their tremendous show in Tilburg, Netherlands.

Alestorm makes the instructions for Tilburg’s live crowd very clear: "Drink“! This fist-pumping fan-favorite is a heavy metal powerhouse and the bands most successful single of all time. 36 million views on YouTube and 30 million clicks on Spotify make this song standout - and the new version comes with a very authentic live production.

Excellently produced and mixed by the renowned Lasse Lammert, who has already been involved in Alestorm’s studio albums Curse Of The Crystal Coconut, No Grave But The Sea, Sunset On The Golden Age and many more, Live In Tilburg features an amazing mix of Alestorm’s most beloved hits like “Drink“, “Mexico”, “Alestorm”, “Hangover”, “The Sunk’n Norwegian” and of course, “Fucked With An Anchor”.

The live album will be available in various colored vinyl formats, and the special edition of Live In Tilburg comes in a wooden box, along with a CD+DVD, a mediabook and a 7-inch vinyl featuring two new acoustic Alestorm cover songs. Live In Tilburg’s immersive experience is the true definition of what Alestorm is all about - an endless fountain of foot-stomping, riff-busting, piratical singalong fun. A must-have for all the filthy landlubbers out there.

Live In Tilburg will be available in the following formats:

- Deluxe Wooden Box: Mediabook, 7" Single (2 Acoustic Cover Songs), Lanyard + Pass, Alestorm Flag
- 2-LP Gatefold (Mint) + DVD
- 2-LP Gatefold (Yellow) + DVD, Slipmat & Patch
- 2-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Black) + DVD
- BluRay/DVD/CD Mediabook
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

Intro
"Keelhauled"
"Alestorm"
"Magnetic North"
"Mexico"
"Over The Seas"
"The Sunk'n Norwegian"
"No Grave But The Sea"
"Nancy The Tavern Wench"
"Rumpelkombo"
"1741 (The Battle Of Cartagena)"
"Drunken Sailor"
"Hangover"
"Pegleg Potion"
"Bar ünd Imbiss"
"Captain Morgan's Revenge"
"Shipwrecked"
"Drink"
"Wolves Of The Sea"
"Fucked With An Anchor"

Lineup:

Christopher Bowes - vocals, keytar
Gareth Murdock - bass
Mate Bodor - guitar
Peter Alcorn - drums
Elliot Vernon - keyboard

(Photo - Robert Zembrzycki)




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Season Of Mist has announced the signing of epic horror metal act, Opera Diabolicus. The band will be releasing their sophomore full-length, Death On A Pale Horse, which features appearances from Mats Levén (Candlemass, Therion, Skyblood, etc.), Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame, etc.), Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) and Michael Denner (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate), later this year.

Opera Diabolicus guitarist David Grimoire comments, "We’re thrilled to have joined the legion of Season of Mist. We feel that this is the perfect direction for us and we’re beyond excited to see what the future of this partnership holds."

Established by the two antagonists David Grimore and Adrian de Crow in Gothenburg in the mid-2000s, Swedish entity Opera Diabolicus seeks to scourge the earth with their music, mischief, and schemes.

Through burning hatred and mutual dislike to one another and with one prior album released under their belt (entitled †1614, released 2012), they’ve now conjured their sophomore offspring with music that could be described as epic horror metal, and thus would greatly appeal to fans of acts like King Diamond, Candlemass, Mercyful Fate and so forth.

With a little help from their friends, whom brilliantly have assisted with their tools of their trade, plus the eminent Jens Bogren’s (Opeth, Sepultura, Rotting Christ, Dimmu Borgir) mixing and mastering skill, the result speaks for itself.  

Lineup:

David Grimoire: guitar, keys
Adrian de Crow: bass




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Raging Speedhorn released a video for "Doom Machine", and have announced their first headline show of 2021, with Earthtone9 and Heriot as support. The show will take place at The Dome in London on December 10.

The band had this to say on the dual announcement: “Directed by our man Dan Cook and filmed by Zero visuals. A lot of work went it to this, and we really can’t wait to see people’s reactions and we’re excited to play London with our good friends in Earthtone9 and Heriot in December. It’ll be our first London show in over three years and we can’t wait to finally play songs from our new record “Hard To Kill”. Go grab yourself a ticket now.”

Recorded with Russ Russell (Napalm Death, At The Gates) at Parlour Studios in Kettering, Hard To Kill saw Raging Speedhorn once again upping their own ante in terms of song-writing finesse; playing riff-fuelled dirty heavy metal with aplomb.

“The album is straight-up Raging Speedhorn - with added extras,” says founding co-frontman Frank Regan. “Right now, the band is on fire, the vibe is amazing, and we’re so happy to be back playing music. Six albums in and we’re still loving what we do.”

The album - the follow-up to 2016’s Lost Ritual - was the first to feature new vocalist Dan Cook who replaced long-standing co-vocalist John Loughlin. John stood down after 21 years during the recording of Hard To Kill leaving the mantle open for Dan. RSH also welcomed new guitarist Dave Leese and former Hundred Reasons bassist Andy Gilmour who join founding members Regan, drummer Gordon Morison, and guitarist Jim Palmer.

Tickets for the London show can be bought here.

Over the course of 20 years Raging Speedhorn have built a solid and long-standing reputation as one of the UK’s leading metal outfits. Since the release of their eponymous debut in 2000, the sextet have enjoyed a career built on stunning, raucous live shows and albums to boot. A career that has seen the sextet play worldwide shows and festivals and sharing stages with the likes of Slipknot, Clutch, Enter Shikari and many more.

Hard To Kill was released on vinyl, CD, download and all streaming platforms via the band’s own label imprint Red Weed Records on October 23, 2020.




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Today, Swiss/Dutch heavy metal coven, Burning Witches, unleash the title track of their upcoming new studio album, "The Witch Of The North," and their first ever high-quality music video to go along with it. The band has issued the following statement:

"It was a big dream of us, to finally produce a video clip with an acclaimed company like Grupa 13 and a bit of a bigger budget. The title track of the new album was the perfect song to transpose visually, it is not a typical single, it is more of an epic grower. This way we have visually reflected the song for eternity! We hope you will love it as much as we do!”

The Witch Of The North can be pre-ordered in various formats here.

Tracklisting:

"Winter's Wrath"
"The Witch Of the North"
"Tainted Ritual"
"We Stand As One"
"Flight Of The Valkyries"
"The Circle Of Five"
"Lady Of The Woods"
"Thrall"
"Omen"
"Nine Worlds"
"For Eternity"
"Dragon's Dream"
"Eternal Frost"

"Flight Of The Valkyries" visualizer:




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Pig Destroyer share Pornographers Of Sound: Live in NYC recorded live at Saint Vitus Bar across two dates in October 2019. Listen to the full album here. A limited edition one time vinyl pressing and additional pre-orders are available at this location. Physical pre-orders are officially out June 11, 2021.

Pig Destroyer comments: “We love playing St. Vitus, and had a blast recording these two sets there in October of 2019. Although we are currently writing a new record, we hope this document will fill in the gap for no live shows!” 

Pornographers Of Sound: Live In NYC features 23 tracks spanning Pig Destroyer’s massive discography including classics and extreme deep cuts!

Tracklisting:

"Sys"
"The American’s Head"
"Eve"
"Loathsome"
"Scarlet Hourglass"
"Thumbsucker"
"The Gentleman"
"Sourheart"
"Concrete Beast"
"Rotten Yellow"
"Deathtripper"
"Circle River"
"Totaled"
"Crippled Horses"
"Gravedancer"
"The Machete Twins"
"Jennifer"
"Cheerleader Corpses"
"Scatology Homework"
"Trojan Whore"
"Piss Angel"
"Starbelly"
"Junkyard God"

(Photo credit: Jay Dixon)

 




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SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor took time out from signing autographs at the Spooky Empire convention at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida on Friday, April 30 to take a stab at playing the accordion. Fan-filmed video footage of the moment (courtesy of YouTube user "Kaylen Clay") can be seen below.

Spooky Empire is an American multigenre convention focused primarily on horror and science fiction. The convention, which is billed as "the dark side of Comic-Con", features vendors, a film and tattoo festival, music, and celebrity guests.

Taylor will embark on the "CMFTour" later this month. The trek will see Corey and his band performing for fans socially distanced and following state recommended health guidelines. Support on all dates comes from girl gang dance squad CHERRY BOMBS, led by Taylor's wife Alicia Taylor.

Taylor decided to launch this tour for a few significant and personal reasons. As always, he endeavors to deliver an unforgettable show for fans, but just as importantly, he recognizes the massive impact that the ongoing global pandemic has had on live music venues and touring crews alike. It upholds his staunch commitment to supporting live music and the industry surrounding it as illustrated last year through his popular eBay guitar auction, which raised $150,000 for COVID-19 relief, and his COVID-19 safe secret L.A. show benefiting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund — a 501(c)(3) non-profit healing musicians and music industry workers in need.

As for the show itself, Taylor and his band will run through anthems from his critically acclaimed solo debut "CMFT", choice cuts from his SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR catalogs, and various covers and surprises. Additionally, CHERRY BOMBS will kick off each night of the tour with a high-octane, high-flying performance.

"It's the full shebang," Taylor told Rolling Stone about the tour. "The CHERRY BOMBS are gonna do their show, with fire and aerial and rock and all the good stuff, then me and the boys will get up and play for, like, two hours."

Regarding how the idea for the tour came about, Taylor said: "We'd been looking for opportunities to play here and there constantly, but it wasn't until a promoter friend of ours asked us how we would approach a tour with the kinds of safeguards we were interested in that we realized we could put a tour together. We'll be taking as many precautions as we can: the usual social distancing, pod seating (sectioned off area with an allotted number of people who came together allowed inside), temperature checks, waivers signed at the door, masks in place everywhere but your pod, etc. We're encouraging everyone to get vaccinated as well before the tour."




Shout out to Corey Taylor for picking up an original from me at Spooky Empire Official Event - April ???

Posted by Artetak on Sunday, May 2, 2021



Corey Taylor came to hang out for a bit a Spooky Empire today!

Posted by James D. Banks on Sunday, May 2, 2021



such a incredible day at Spooky Empire Official Event - April Got to host my first live panel for Corey Taylor ????

Posted by Heather Reicher on Saturday, May 1, 2021



Posted by HOPToys on Sunday, May 2, 2021



Posted by HOPToys on Sunday, May 2, 2021



Corey Taylor-SlipKnot/Stone Sour

Posted by Amanda Hartsock on Sunday, May 2, 2021



COREY TAYLOR(SLIPKNOT)(STONE SOUR)

Posted by James Bailey on Saturday, May 1, 2021



COREY TAYLOR(SLIPKNOT)(STONE SOUR)

Posted by James Bailey on Saturday, May 1, 2021



Posted by Sean Getek on Sunday, May 2, 2021



Posted by Reg Padgett Home Lender on Saturday, May 1, 2021



Posted by Hether Williams on Saturday, May 1, 2021

The Cold Stares will release their new album, Heavy Shoes, via Mascot Records on August 13, 2021. 

Dirty fuzzed-up rock and roll meets blues, garage, desert rock and a Southern Gothic sensibility, visualising the music sitting alongside contemporary artists such as Mark Lanegan, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Black Angels and The Dead Weather – bands that have the blues-rock template, but go darker or heavier with it. Sombre storytelling is etched into their songs with unflinching honesty. For Chris Tapp and Brian Mullins, authenticity is their hallmark.

Their story alone would be enough for a drama series – cancer, suicide, betrayal, divorce, loss, self-identity crisis, survival, and ancestral skeletons. Write about what you know, they say. There's a richness running through the songs with dark, multi-layered narratives that course through every twist and turn.

Most of the album was recorded in a single day at Sam Phillips fabled recording studio in Memphis, and the Memphis vibe has seeped deep into the record. Check out the new video for "In The Night Time", and get yourselves some Heavy Shoes at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Heavy Shoes"
"40 Dead Men"
"Take This Body From Me"
"Hard Times"
"In The Night Time"
"Strange Light"
"Prosecution Blues"
"It's A Game"
"Save You From You"
"You Wanted Love"
"Election Blues"
"Dust In My Hands"

A little bit about the album artwork: "With the amount of work and time we had invested in making Heavy Shoes, we knew we had to make the cover and art work special. So many ideas and visuals have already been done, it can be difficult to create something new. Enter our friend @theboothbee from the Rick and Morty show. What started as a daydream became reality. Ties and cues from the songs on the album, and a love and respect for Dia de los Muertos brought us to the themes we used. Hope you guys dig it and the subtleties hidden in the art. Made for a killer vinyl with a solid gold LP and some great posters. Thanks to Corey and everyone involved at Mascot Records who helped us bring a day dream to life."

"In The Night Time" lyric video:

 




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DEATH ANGEL has announced another concert livestream. Dubbed "The Bastard Tracks", the event will take place at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and will see the Bay Area metallers digging deep into their catalog to perform older favorites, newer classics and songs that have never been performed live before. You'll hear the stories behind the songs, and get a glimpse into the collective minds and souls of DEATH ANGEL.

"The Bastard Tracks" will air worldwide on Saturday, May 29 beginning at 3:00 p.m. PDT.

General admission tickets are available for $20 from Afton Tickets. The more expensive "Mosh Pit Bundle" and "VIP Access" options are also available.

Last December, DEATH ANGEL streamed its seventh annual "Another Death Angel XMas Show" from The Great Northern in San Francisco.

This past January, DEATH ANGEL drummer Will Carroll confirmed to EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza's YouTube channel, Zetro's Toxic Vault, that he and his bandmates have spent part of their coronavirus downtime putting together material for the follow-up to the Grammy-nominated "Humanicide" album.

Last October, DEATH ANGEL released a four-song EP, "Under Pressure". The effort included a cover of QUEEN + David Bowie's "Under Pressure", followed by a new track titled "Faded Remains", plus acoustic versions of "Act III"'s classic "A Room With A View" and "Humanicide"'s "Revelation Song". The EP was mixed by Max Norman (OZZY OSBOURNE, MEGADETH, BAD COMPANY) and mastered by Ted Jensen (LAMB OF GOD, MACHINE HEAD, HALESTORM).

Released in May 2019 via Nuclear Blast, "Humanicide" saw DEATH ANGEL returning to producer and friend Jason Suecof (DEICIDE, TRIVIUM) of Audiohammer studios for the recording and mixing, along with the mastering of the legendary Ted Jensen (SLIPKNOT, PANTERA) of Sterling Sound, who added the final touches and brought it all to life, with artist Brent Elliott White (LAMB OF GOD, MEGADETH) providing the ominous cover artwork.

In March 2020, Carroll spent almost two weeks on a ventilator in an intensive care unit at a Northern California hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. He first got sick when he and the rest of DEATH ANGEL spent more than a month on the road in Europe with TESTAMENT and EXODUS as part of "The Bay Strikes Back 2020" tour.

"A little something from us to you," says Collateral. Such a modest statement from a band that's about to become next level. 

“Can’t Hold Me Down” is the first piece of new material to feature Collateral’s expanded six-piece lineup which includes new members Robert Fenning (keyboards) and Louis Malagodi (guitar), alongside original members Angelo Tristan (lead vocals, guitar), Todd Winger (guitar), Jack Bentley-Smith (bass), and Ben Atkinson (drums). 

The new single symbolises hope in a world that has seen industries, businesses and even families collapse in recent months due to the pandemic. "Can’t Hold Me Down"’s message inspires individuals to always be their best, no matter what the obstacles are, no matter what is thrown at them.

Says Collateral frontman Angelo Tristan, “Many bands were struck hard at the start of the year, with Collateral being struck half way through their debut album tour that reached Top 5 in the Official UK Rock Charts. So, there is no surprise that frustration would lead to an empowering full out rock song that would hopefully inspire people across the world to keep focus on the light at the end of the tunnel… and that is exactly what they have done.”

“Can’t Hold Me Down is a song that has many layers and stories that ultimately comes back to one thing, ‘I won’t be held down’,” says Angelo. Starting with the lyric, “I used to be the one with my head in the clouds, chasing the dream to write the perfect rhyme,” to the monstrous multi-voice Queen style chorus with “You Can’t Hold Me Down.”

“We didn’t want to write a typical Covid song. What’s the point?” says Angelo. “The 6 o’clock news is doing that for you day in day out. People don’t need that right now. Some people might see this as a rebellious track. Maybe it is. Our intention is only to try and inspire people to get through the other side of this with a track that brings comfort and a hard pounding beat.”

“Can’t Hold Me Down” is different from the other singles that we have released. It’s less angry than “Lullaby”, it’s more modern than “Mr Big Shot”, it has more balls than “Midnight Queen”, and it completely contradicts “Merry Go Round”. I think our fans are beginning to see a variation starting to appear in our sound and writing which is keeping everyone on their toes, including the band.”

(Photo Credit: Rob Nankivell)

 

 




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Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has checked in with another video performance:

"Had the great pleasure of being featured on this tune by The Groove Project entitled "Spellbound By Two". It is the first single on their upcoming concept album. Joining me is the amazing Douglas Lira on saxophone."

Rudess recently checked in with the following announcement:

"Just announced! I will be performing live May 20th at Caffe Lena in Saratoga, NY and at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA on June 25th, 2021 as part of my A Chapter In Time Tour! I’ll be playing tracks from my new album, as well as other originals and covers. Some of the dates will offer Live Stream options for those who can’t attend in person.

For all current dates and tickets, visit JordanRudess.com.

I’m very excited to get back out and share a live concert experience with you! I’ll see you on the road!"

Rudess recently released a video for "I Surrender" from his new solo album, A Chapter In Time. Get the album here, and watch the new clip below.

Tracklisting:

"Weightless"
"I Surrender"
"Light As A Feather"
"The Quiet Mind"
"After The Storm"
"Once Upon A Time"
"Empty Streets"
"And Breathe"
"Into Sleep"
"Flying"
"Patterns Of Thought"
"Touching Light"
"Twilight Rain"
"Stellar Enigma"
"Beyond The Clouds"

"I Surrender" video:

"Weightless" video:




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Dee Snider says that he has "no financial interest" in the copyright case involving Australian politician Clive Palmer and TWISTED SISTER's classic song "We're Not Gonna Take It".

On Friday (April 30), Palmer was ordered on Friday to pay Universal Music more than $1 million for using "We're Not Gonna Take It" in his party's advertising.

Several hours after the judgment was announced, Snider, who had testified the use of his hit in a political ad campaign was "not good for my heavy metal image," took to his Twitter to write: "I have no financial interest in this settlement. Never did. Like many artists I sold my catalog years ago (for a fortune). I fought this fight to defend my creation & to stand up against bullies for every creative who's ever been shit on & hasn't been in the position to fight."

In 2015, Snider sold his Snidest Music music publishing catalog of 69 songs — including "We're Not Gonna Take It" and another classic TWISTED SISTER rock anthem, "I Wanna Rock" — to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for what he later said was "a lot of money."

The songs in the catalog have been featured in numerous national commercials, films, television and the Broadway musical "Rock Of Ages", which had a three-year residency at the Venetian and then a one-year residency at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas until January 2017.

In a January 2018 interview with SiriusXM's Eddie Trunk, Snider described how his deal with UMPG was set up. "They look at its annual income, and then they offer you multiple — say, 'We will give you seven years, 10 years, 14 years…'" he said. "This is the negotiation. And the appeal of that is when you're in — this isn't bragging; rich rock star. Sorry. I mean, I've worked hard for that. But you're in your 40-, 50-percent tax bracket. The money that you get each year goes in there. When you sell it, you sell it as a capital gain. So you're only paying 20 percent instead of 50 percent. So you get a multiple of 10, 12 years, then you're only gonna pay 20-percent tax on the money instead of paying nearly half of it. And you sort of weigh it up and you look at your life expectancy. Plus, you can say [about] a song, 'Oh, I expect it to do good forever.' But, you know, it may; it may not. You have up years, you have down years. If you take the money, you can invest it. And so now you've got an actual almost set income stream coming from your investment, and you're paying much less taxes. So there's a reason to do it at a certain point in your career. The time not to do it is when you're in your 20s. The time to do it is when you're retirement age."

"We're Not Gonna Take It", which was written solely by Snider, and "Stay Hungry" were the biggest hit single and album, respectively, in TWISTED SISTER's career. Snider said "We're Not Gonna Take It" is now part of America's cultural fabric. "[It has proven] itself to be a folk song," he said. "It was just in that Steven Spielberg movie, 'Ready Player One'; it was the finale of that movie. Here, all these years later, the big finale of Steven Spielberg's big movie, and the guys holds up a boombox, and the entire battle scene is set to 'We're Not Gonna Take It'."

Snider went on to say that he is now glad he didn't got an offer for the catalog a couple of decades ago when he really needed the money. "I bottomed out in the '90s; I was dead broke," he said. "If I had been made an offer for anything, for nothing, I would have sold. [But] there was zero interest — zero. [That stuff was thought of as] buried and over. No one saw it coming back. Metal was a dirty word. You couldn't touch my catalog with a 10-foot pole — thankfully, because I would have [done it for] pennies [on the dollar]. Because I was broke."

"We're Not Gonna Take It" has been used in commercials for hotel chain Extended Stay America, Claritin, Walmart, Stanley Steamer and Yaz birth control.

The song's lyrics say in part "Oh you're so condescending/Your gall is never ending/We don't want nothin'/Not a thing from you."

"We're Not Gonna Take It" was first released as a single (with B-side song "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll") on April 27, 1984. The "Stay Hungry" album was released two weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single made #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, making it TWISTED SISTER's only Top 40 single, and the song was ranked #47 on VH1's "100 Greatest '80s Songs".

In 2019, Palmer adopted the melody and rhythm of "We're Not Gonna Take It" in his political advertisements for the United Australia Party. The advertisements feature a vocalist singing the TWISTED SISTER song's melody along with the lyrics: "Australia ain't gonna cop it, no Australia's not gonna cop it, Aussies not gonna cop it any more."

In TWISTED SISTER's original, Snider sings: "Oh we're not gonna take it, no we ain't gonna take it, oh we're not gonna take it anymore."

Universal Music, which acquired publishing rights to "We're Not Gonna Take It" from Snider in 2015, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Palmer in February 2020.

During the trial, Palmer accused TWISTED SISTER of "swindling its hit song from a famous Christmas carol." Snider had previously admitted that glam rock band SLADE and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" were influences while he was writing "We're Not Gonna Take It".

The opening five words in the lyrics of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" have the same melody as the song in the ad, as well as the chorus of "We're Not Gonna Take It", but the Christmas carol follows a different chord progression and is traditionally played in a different musical style to both the ad and the TWISTED SISTER classic.

Palmer's attorney played a mashup of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "We're Not Gonna Take It", performed during a live Christmas concert in Chicago, which was featured in the 2014 stage musical "Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale".

Snider said the two songs were "rhythmically different, and that is inspiration not duplication." He added the songs had to be "shoehorned" together to create the versions used in his musical and the 2006 cover. "It was very difficult," he said.

Universal attorney Patrick Flynn told the court that Palmer had balked at paying a $150,000 copyright fee to use the song, instead offering just $35,000.

Along with having to pay AUS$1.5 million in damages, Palmer has also been ordered to cover legal costs and to remove all copies of his song and video from the Internet.

Snider celebrated the win, tweeting: "HALLELUJAH!! Just found out that the copyright infringement of 'We're Not Gonna Take It' by 'politician' Clive Palmer in Australia has been decided MAJORLY in favor of myself as writer and @UMG as publishers! WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ANY MORE!!"




I have no financial interest in this settlement. Never did. Like many artists I sold my catalog years ago (for a fortune). I fought this fight to defend my creation & to stand up against bullies for every creative who's ever been shit on & hasn't been in the position to fight. https://t.co/8sVMChGyHm

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) May 1, 2021

Australian politician Clive Palmer has been ordered to pay AUS$1.5 million (approximately $1.17 million) in damages after losing a copyright case involving TWISTED SISTER's classic song "We're Not Gonna Take It".

In 2019, Palmer adopted the melody and rhythm of "We're Not Gonna Take It" in his political advertisements for the United Australia Party. The advertisements feature a vocalist singing the TWISTED SISTER song's melody along with the lyrics: "Australia ain't gonna cop it, no Australia's not gonna cop it, Aussies not gonna cop it any more."

In TWISTED SISTER's original, Dee Snider sings: "Oh we're not gonna take it, no we ain't gonna take it, oh we're not gonna take it anymore."

Universal Music, which acquired publishing rights to "We're Not Gonna Take It" from Snider in 2015, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Palmer in February 2020.

During the trial, Palmer accused TWISTED SISTER of "swindling its hit song from a famous Christmas carol." Snider had previously admitted that glam rock band SLADE and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" were influences while he was writing "We're Not Gonna Take It".

The opening five words in the lyrics of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" have the same melody as the song in the ad, as well as the chorus of "We're Not Gonna Take It", but the Christmas carol follows a different chord progression and is traditionally played in a different musical style to both the ad and the TWISTED SISTER classic.

Palmer's attorney played a mashup of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "We're Not Gonna Take It", performed during a live Christmas concert in Chicago, which was featured in the 2014 stage musical "Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale".

Snider said the two songs were "rhythmically different, and that is inspiration not duplication." He added the songs had to be "shoehorned" together to create the versions used in his musical and the 2006 cover. "It was very difficult," he said.

Universal attorney Patrick Flynn told the court that Palmer had balked at paying a $150,000 copyright fee to use the song, instead offering just $35,000.

On Friday (April 30), Federal Court Justice Anna Katzmann ruled that Palmer was guilty of infringing the copyright of both the musical and literary work of the original track.

"Mr. Palmer's use of [the song] was opportunistic," she wrote in her judgment, according to ABC. "He saw political and personal advantage in both its notoriety or popularity and the message it conveyed and he thought that he could get away with using it merely by altering some of the words. He was wrong."

Along with having to cop $1.5 million in damages, Palmer has also been ordered to pay legal costs and to remove all copies of his song and video from the Internet.

Snider celebrated the win, tweeting: "HALLELUJAH!! Just found out that the copyright infringement of 'We're Not Gonna Take It' by 'politician' Clive Palmer in Australia has been decided MAJORLY in favor of myself as writer and @UMG as publishers! WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ANY MORE!!"




HALLELUJAH!! Just found out that the copyright infringement of "We're Not Gonna Take It" by "politician" Clive Palmer in Australia has been decided MAJORLY in favor of myself as writer and @UMG as publishers! WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ANY MORE!!

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) April 30, 2021

Fan-filmed video footage of former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens performing the PRIEST songs "Electric Eye", "One On One" and "Living After Midnight", as well as the BLACK SABBATH classic "Heaven And Hell" on April 24 at The Music Factory in Battle Creek, Michigan can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "addresses").

Last month, Michigan became the newest coronavirus epicenter in the United States, with new cases currently popping up at a rate of 37.21 per 100,000 people, according to Johns Hopkins tracking data.

As of April 29, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Michigan were trending downward following a recent surge.

Currently, Michigan bars, restaurants, theaters, casinos and more can operate at 50% capacity. Gyms can run at 30% while stadiums and arenas can seat 20% capacity. These restrictions are all in place until May 24.

Last year, Owens announced a collaboration with founding PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing and ex-PRIEST drummer Les Binks in KK'S PRIEST. The band, which pays homage to Downing's past, is rounded out by guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE) and bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX).

KK'S PRIEST's debut LP will be released later this year via Explorer1 Music Group. The group will also play select shows to mark the 50th anniversary of PRIEST and Downing's career as a founding member. KK'S PRIEST's setlist will consist of PRIEST classics and new songs.

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

Downing, Binks and Owens performed a full-length set of PRIEST classics with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson in November 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Joining them on second guitar was Mills of HOSTILE, the British metal band whose two albums, "Eve Of Destruction" and "The New World Disorder", were both produced by Downing.

JIZZY PEARL'S LOVE/HATE will release a new single, "Soul Mama", on May 14 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.

The official Josh Stone-directed music video for CHEVELLE's song "Mars Simula" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's follow-up to 2016's "The North Corridor", "Niratias" (Nothing Is Real And This Is A Simulation), which came out on March 5.

"Niratias" (Nothing Is Real And This Is A Simulation) stands out as CHEVELLE's most pummeling and provocative record yet. Teaming with longtime producer Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE), CHEVELLE recorded throughout 2019 and 2020 and pieced together an intriguing and inimitable body of work, with themes that will reveal themselves soon. The album artwork is by Boris Vallejo. The famed and award-winning artist is responsible for the posters used for films like "Knightriders" and "National Lampoon's Vacation", as well as iconic 1970s and 1980s science fiction novel covers and magazines (such as Heavy Metal).

CHEVELLE frontman Pete Loeffler and drummer Sam Loeffler spoke to Lou Brutus or HardDrive Radio about "Niratias". According to Pete, the follow-up to 2016's "The North Corridor" was recorded over a couple of different sessions spread over a 12-month period prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We went into the studio in 2019 — in the [spring]," he said. "So, eight songs were recorded in 2019. And then we did a couple of tours, wrote some more music, went back in March of 2020. And we, under a lot of duress — 'cause everything was starting to happen; they were closing down [due to the pandemic] — and we recorded five more tracks, give or take, and completed the album. And then we skedaddled back to Chicagoland March 18th, which was the day that they shut down all the restaurants in L.A., which is where we were. And then we hunkered down for 2020."

Elaborating on the recording process for "Niratias", Sam said: "We did this album with Joe Barresi. It's our fourth album with him, which is great. I think he's tired of us now… But he was great. We did it at his studio [in Pasadena, California]. We would have probably done stuff earlier, but he had this idea for us that he — he had some songs in his head that he wanted us to write. Not literally, but he was just, like, 'I want you to go back and keep writing, and focus on this or that.' And then Pete did. And I remember when he sent in one of the songs, Joe called back, and he's, like, 'You did it. I can't stop playing this song. This is what I was looking for from you. Now just write five more of those.'"

Added Pete: "It was a low point to hear him say, 'I like these eight. I don't like these other eight. Go back. And it was, like, a low point. But then what that did was, once I got the hurt aspect of that, we got back to work, and then the next song we wrote was a song called 'Mother Earth'. And he listened to it three times in a row and called us excited. And that was one of the best feelings I had on the whole process. So I knew we were on to something."

Pete previously told "Loudwire Nights"' about the overall lyrical direction of "Niratias": "It has a lot of space to it, a lot of interstellar travel to it. You've got Elon Musk trying to get to Mars and that was completely fascinating to me so when I write lyrics, it's just kind of made its way in there. As you'll see with the cover, it's sort of space themed as well.

He added: "I love the idea of the cosmos and I love Carl Sagan and Elon Musk and Neil deGrasse Tyson and all these people that look beyond and look to the future. Getting off this planet is part of that future if we can do it. It's funny when you started to delve into it how difficult that really is. How are you gonna deal with radiation out in a spaceship for nine months or longer than that? It's fascinating. It just made its way into the music."

"Niratias" bowed in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. It debuted at No. 9, and was the first new release to chart within the Top 10 in over three weeks. In addition, "Niratias" achieved several other accolades. The LP impressively debuted at No. 1 on several Billboard charts, including Rock Album, Alternative Album, Hard Music, Overall Album, Digital Album and Internet Album. "Self Destructor", the album's acclaimed lead single, also reached the summit of the Active Rock radio chart this week, marking CHEVELLE's 12th No. 1 single at the format.

A benefit concert for EXODUS drummer Tom Hunting will be held on Saturday, July 17 at One The Y in Sacramento, California. Appearing on the bill will be BLIND ILLUSION, BONELESS ONES (featuring former FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero and MACHINE HEAD drummer Chris Kontos) and JESUS CRISIS. On The Y reportedly has a 100-person capacity.

A GoFundMe campaign started less than two weeks ago to help Hunting in his battle with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach has already raised nearly more than $89,000 — including $5,000 from Tom's former EXODUS bandmate, current METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett, and $1,500 from FOZZY singer and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho.

The 56-year-old musician revealed the diagnosis in a statement released on April 13. He said at the time: "Today I will be starting treatment for a squamous cell carcinoma. It's a gastric tumor that was diagnosed in my upper stomach in February.

"I'm making this public to raise awareness for people to pay attention to symptoms of stomach and esophageal issues. If they persist, please go get it checked out.

"I'm not gonna be sheepish talking about it. I feel that if I can help someone with what I've learned, or someone out there has information to share with me, it's a win-win! When you can name the enemy, it's empowering, and you're 1 step closer to killing it!

"Ok, you've heard the bad news. The good news is he feels great physically! I'm gonna beat this like a fucking snare drum that owes me money!!! I've had great doctors and a great support system that is an army in itself. I'm ready for the fight!"

After Hunting went public with his diagnosis, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt said that the band will "delay" the release of its recently completed new album, "Persona Non Grata", "so that when Tom has defeated this, he will be back to full strength to hit the road and pummel his drums like only he can! When he has kicked cancer's ass like we know he will, we will resume kicking YOUR asses with the sickest record yet!" he said.

The squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach is a very uncommon entity, with worldwide incidence of 0.04% to 0.07% of all gastric cancers.

"Persona Non Grata" 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.

HEART's Ann Wilson made a special guest appearance during the closing concert of GOV'T MULE's three-night stand Sunday night (May 2) at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut. Wilson joined GOV'T MULE for a cover of LED ZEPPELIN's "Immigrant Song", a take on Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth" incorporating Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me", versions of ZEPPELIN's "Black Dog" and "No Quarter", a cover of TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS' "Luna" and the HEART song "Magic Man". Check out fan-filmed video footage below.

A few days ago, Ann said in an interview that there are no plans for HEART to work on new music in the immediate future.

A couple of weeks earlier, Ann released another new single, "Black Wing". It is one of several songs the HEART frontwoman recorded last fall in Seattle with the help of local musicians, including current HEART bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker. In addition to "Black Wing", Wilson recorded "Tender Heart" as well as covers of Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now" and ALICE IN CHAINS' "Rooster", all three of which have already been released as singles, plus another original, "The Hammer", which came out in February.

HEART toured North America in the summer of 2019 after a nasty split that kept the Wilson sisters estranged for three years.

Ann and Nancy had a falling out during HEART's 2016 tour, when Ann's husband Dean Welter was arrested for assaulting Nancy's then-16-year-old twin sons in a backstage altercation at a gig near their hometown of Seattle. He pleaded guilty to two lesser assault charges to avoid jail time.

Ann's 2018 solo album, "Immortal", contained cover versions of classic songs by artists who have passed away.

In a new interview with Two Doods Reviews, guitarist Ben Wells of Kentucky rockers BLACK STONE CHERRY was asked what advice he had for new rock artists looking to create "brand and band awareness" in 2021. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I would say take full advantage of every technology, app, whatever is out there. There are superstarts on TikTok right now. So take advantage of it, 'cause that's stuff that we didn't have even when we started. We had MySpace. That was it. But also, don't be afraid to get out there and hustle. If you use technology, you should use it to your advantage, but don't use it as a crutch, because I think there's something to be said to for going out there and drawing up your own flyers, getting a bunch of copies made and promoting a show that way. Word of mouth. Get out there and hustle. If there's one thing I don't like, [it's] when bands say, 'Well, we put it on Facebook. We had an event, and nobody showed up.' I'm, like, 'Dude, you can't rely on that. You have to get out there and sell that show — sell the show.''

He continued: "Don't sign away your publishing. And even though record deals are great, you shoudn't look at that being the 'end all' for your career. So many bands now are doing it on their own, and they're getting more creative, figuring out ways to release music and cutting out… Not that the record label is always the middle man. We love our record label, but we were able to sign a distribution deal with them, so our deal is a little different where we can keep all of our creative rights and they put it out. They've been really great to work with. But I can't say that for every label."

Ben added: "Don't sign a 360 deal. Don't sign away your publishing rights."

BLACK STONE CHERRY's seventh studio album, "The Human Condition", came out last October via Mascot Label Group. The disc was produced by the bandmembers themselves and tracked in BSC bassist Jon Lawhon's recording facility, Monocle Studios. The release was completed mere days before the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed and as events progressed, it became apparent that the album the band was completing featured lyrics that were eerily prescient.

KROKUS vocalist Marc Storace says that he is "ready" to put his band's long-running feud with TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider behind him.

In his autobiography, "Shut Up And Give Me The Mic", Snider had nothing nice to say about KROKUS. For an entire chapter, he raged about the band, calling them "Krapus" and stating, "You have no idea how close you came landing on the bottom of a lake."

The reason for his outburst: KROKUS commissioned Snider's wife Suzette in 1982 to sew stage outfits for the band's U.S. tour, but the former KROKUS tour manager refused to pay her for her services.

"These guys ripped off my wife and threatened her," said Snider, who pointed out that his wife's mother emigrated from Switzerland.

"I was proud of this rock band from the home country of my mother," said Suzette. But the pride has turned into rage.

In a brand new interview with the Tulsa Music Stream, Storace was asked if he and his KROKUS bandmates have "buried the hatchet" with Snider. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We never had a 'hatchet.' He's the one who created the hatchet, because all it was was we just didn't like the stage clothes that his wife did for us, and we didn't wanna buy 'em. That's all. I mean, human rights. [Laughs] I'm not paying for something I didn't buy. And then we got into an argument, and I think our tour manager threw 'em into a bin and burned them. [Laughs] That's rock and roll. And you live and move forward, and you forget.

"But what happened a few years ago [was] I was supposed to do [the] Wacken [Open Air festival in Germany] with Dee Snider, on the same bill, and this was me solo together with 'Rock Meets Classic'," Marc continued. "You have a whole orchestra and a rock band and these guest singers. And I was on the list. And Dee was invited as a headliner, and he said, 'I'll only do it if you kick Storace out of the show.' So these guys were put on the spot, because I've done it before. This would have been the third time that I worked with that organization. And they said, 'Oh, we're so sorry, Marc. But it's up to you. He said he won't do it. It's up to you.' And I said, 'Look, I'm stepping down. Because [this gig] is good for you, guys. And another time.' But I was ready, before I heard all about this, 'cause I knew we were gonna be on the same bill, I was ready to go up to Dee and say, 'Hey, man, c'mon, let's shake it and drink a beer. C'mon. Cool down.'"

Storace previously discussed the Snider beef during a 2013 interview with "The Metal Voice". At the time, he called Dee's comments "so childish. We gave [his wife] a chance," he said. "I mean, how do you do?! Before you buy a truckload of wine, you wanna taste a bottle. So we just wanted to have samples… to see some clothes. And our tour manager, he sent off the sizes and… I can't even remember the details; it's ridiculous. In the end, she came with the stuff, we tried it on, and it looked horrible. I'm sorry. I mean, I'm sorry. And they got so offended, and it was such a great insult to them. And they wanted their money. And [our tour manager] said, 'Hey, we're not buying. Keep the clothes. Sorry. No deal.'"

KROKUS bassist/producer Chris Von Rohr also weighed in on the incident, recalling nearly a decade ago: "The clothes did not match at all our expectations. Too much harlequin style. So we made a bonfire of it."

Many years have passed and KROKUS are older and wiser. "If we have not treated his wife with due respect, we are sorry," Von Rohr said.

In 2013, Von Rohr proposed to Dee and his wife to bury the hatchet and drink a beer or two together at a festival where both bands were supposed to perform in reconciliation of an event that happened nearly four decades ago.

Swiss newspaper Blick reached Snider by phone and submitted KROKUS's peace offer. "If they are serious, I think it's a nice gesture," Snider was quoted as saying at the time. "But I have to ask my wife first if she is ready to forgive KROKUS."

Four year ago, Snider stated about his request to remove Storace from the billing of the "Rock Meets Classic" at the 2015 Wacken Open Air: "'Rock Meets Classic' is an amazing thing. I don't know who is on the bill, but the day before I'm ready to head there, I find out that the singer of Krapus is on the bill. No, no, no, no, no. I call my people and tell them, 'Kick him off the bill or I'm not playing, I don't care. They don't have to kick him off. I won't play. I'll go home because I have no problem with not playing.' The most dangerous person in the room is the person with nothing to lose. I don't have to do a show. I do a show because I want to. Needless to say, the singer of Krapus was kicked off the bill and nobody cared."


Tulsa Music Stream - Marc Storace of KROKUS Episode 27

Tulsa Music Stream interviews Marc Storace, the legendary front man from the band Krokus! He will be talking to us live from Switzerland Sat, May 1 at 1 p.m. CDT. Submit your questions for Marc via our chat room.

Sponsored by GreggShipman.com, DEB Concerts and Identity Merch.

THANKS FOR LIKING OUR TMS PAGE AND GROUP AND SHARING OUR STREAM!

Posted by Tulsa Music Stream on Saturday, May 1, 2021





No krapus. It was Motorhead, ZZ Top, Blue Oyster Cult, Whitesnake, Twisted, Thin Lizzy and...? https://t.co/G0FkMto3DP

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) July 11, 2020








Recorded interview WITH @Suzette_Snider yesterday! Watch for it coming soon! Bonus questions for subscribers only about how @HowardStern and the band Krapus both nearly had hits executed on them! SUBSCRIBE TO I WANNA TALK THROUGH @gasdigital https://t.co/JLQiN4yihQ

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) April 15, 2019

In a new interview with Brazil's Kazagastão, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked what he has lined up for the coming months as the pandemic slowly subsides. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Now the world is opening up, and we need to get back on the road. Because, God, we are so missing our fans. We miss seeing our fans. We miss seeing each other [in person]. We haven't seen each other for over a year. We do a lot of Zooms [video chats], but we haven't seen each other forever. So we can't wait to be a band together and start rehearsing and so forth and get ready for some shows.

"We've got a bunch of great new ideas for [PRIEST] tracks, lots of really strong demos," he continued. "It's gonna be a very potent record, 'cause we know we have to follow [2018's] 'Firepower'. But I've gotta tell you, 'Firepower' turned the metal up for all of us in the band; it really gave us a tremendous boost this far on. And so, as a result of that, we carried all the energy from 'Firepower', we carried all the energy from the shows, and we took that with us when we went into the writing sessions last March — not this March, but last March — and you can sense it in the writing. So we already have some extremely potent, strong material.

"So, the next, what? I would say at least the next three to five years, it's PRIEST, PRIEST, PRIEST," Rob added. "It's gonna be another really special, important moment for PRIEST. So that's on the way in the not-too-distant metal future."

JUDAS PRIEST's European tour, which was scheduled to kick off in late May, was recently 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.

In November, Halford addressed the COVID-19 crisis in an interview with Canada's iHeart Radio. He said: "We're gonna have to learn to live with this thing. It's like the flu. And this vaccine is just one tool in the way of recovery. But the facts are, believe the scientists, 'cause they are the experts. This is what they do. They are committed to making lives better for people. And the prognosis is that everything should be secure enough for us all to start going out again.

"Whoever made this choice or decision [to push back the PRIEST tour], I think they made the right move, because I think it's gonna be very tricky for bands to try and go out on January the 1st of 2021," he continued. "I think by the summer, everything will be settled, and hopefully the vaccine will have been administered to hundreds of millions of people. I think we'll still have to go through some protocol, which is a small price to pay — getting the temperature done and maybe wear a mask. It doesn't matter. We'll be back with each other again."

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 U.S. leg of PRIEST's "50 Heavy Metal Years" tour is still due to launch September 11 in Orlando, Florida and wrap up on October 30 in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

One of the "Big Four" turns the Big 4-0 this year and is celebrating with a number of special activities and events to honor the landmark anniversary. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.

Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four". The band has built a strong reputation with fans as well as the record industry. With the lineup including Ian, bassist Frank Bello, drummer Charlie Benante, singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Jon Donais, the band is being feted on their 40th anniversary by a wide range of friends and music contemporaries.

Each week beginning today (Monday, May 3), on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and wrapping on the band's official founding anniversary of July 18, ANTHRAX's social media accounts will offer a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos will honor each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, "Fistful Of Metal". Check out the first clip below.

The 11-week series will include video contributions from Chuck D, Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Dave Mustaine, Gary Holt, Gene Simmons, Henry Rollins, John Carpenter, Kerry King, Mike Patton, Nergal, Norman Reedus, Michael Poulsen, Rob Zombie, Robert Trujillo, Roger Miret, Darryl McDaniels (RUN DMC), Slash, Tom Morello and more. There will also be video clips from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Dan Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.

The finale will come as a very special livestream performance from ANTHRAX on Friday, July 16, featuring a deep cuts set that will pull from the band's entire career-spanning catalog. All details including ticketing information will be announced shortly.

Fans will also be able to get their hands on a special 40th anniversary-edition bottle of ANTHRAX bourbon to enjoy during the livestream and keep as a commemorative keepsake. More details will be coming soon.

May 03 - "Fistful Of Metal"

May 10 - "Spreading The Disease"

May 17 - "Among The Living"

May 24 - "State Of Euphoria"

May 31 - "Persistence Of Time"

June 07 - "Sound Of White Noise"

June 14 - "Stomp 442"

June 21 - "Volume 8"

June 28 - "We’ve Come For You All"

July 05 - "Worship Music"

July 12 - "For All Kings"

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson joined FOO FIGHTERS on stage during Sunday night's (May 2) filming of Global Citizen's "Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World" at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California to perform the AC/DC classic "Back In Black". Fan-filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

"Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World" will air on Saturday, May 8, 2021 on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube, iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio app, "Vax Live" will start at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. The concert will also air on Fox at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen, prime minister of Italy and G20 chair Mario Draghi, and president Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, prime minister of Norway Erna Solberg, prime minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, and the State of California, the special, hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress and producer Selena Gomez, will include a night of musical performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, FOO FIGHTERS, J Balvin and H.E.R.

Two months ago, FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl told "Anders Bøtters Tiny TV" about the first time he met AC/DC. He said: "I wasn't performing at the Grammys; I was presenting an award or something. I'm lucky to say that Paul McCartney is a friend, and I love him very much. As much as he's a hero of mine, he's also a very sweet man and a friend. And so he was in town too. And he called and said, 'What are you doing after the Grammys?' I said, 'I think maybe me and [FOO FIGHTERS bandmates] Pat and Taylor are just gonna have dinner.' And he said, 'Do you mind if me and Nancy [Paul's wife] come?' I'm, like, 'No. That'd be great.' So then he bumps into AC/DC in a hotel or something. And then they say, 'What are you doing after the show?' And he says, 'I'm gonna go have dinner with the FOO FIGHTERS.' And Paul said, 'Do you wanna come?' So Paul's wife calls my wife, and then my wife says, 'Hey, do you mind if AC/DC comes to dinner?' And I had never met AC/DC.

"When I was maybe — I don't know — 10 years old, I went to see that movie 'Let There Be Rock', the [AC/DC] live concert film, in a movie theater," Dave continued. "This is before I was punk rock. That was the first time I saw a performance and heard music that made me wanna fucking break something. And still to this day, I use that as reference for how I like to play a show. I wanna be like AC/DC 'Let There Be Rock'. That's a live band."

Circling back to the first time he met AC/DC, Dave concluded: "So then we had this beautiful night. And there was this jazz band. And it was one of the greatest nights of my entire life."

After Malcolm Young died in November 2017, Grohl posted a touching tribute to AC/DC's founding rhythm guitarist on social media. He wrote: "37 years ago, my friend Larry Hinkle and I went to see a midnight movie on a Friday night at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C. It was 1980. We were 11 years old. The movie was 'Let There Be Rock'. And it changed my life.

"That film, a live AC/DC performance from Paris [in] 1979, is everything that live [rock] and roll should be. Sweaty. Loose. Loud. A relentless performance from the perfect band. It was the first time I lost control to music. The first time I wanted to be in a band. I didn't want to play my guitar anymore, I wanted to smash it.

"Thank you, Malcolm, for the songs, and the feel, and the cool, and the years of losing control to your rock and roll."

FOO FIGHTERS are continuing to promote their latest album, "Medicine At Midnight", which recently 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 in February via Roswell Records/RCA Records. The LP is a nine-song, 37-minute effort which was produced by the FOO FIGHTERS and Greg Kurstin.






Foo Fighters trouxe de surpresa AC/DC’s Brian Johnson! #vaxlive pic.twitter.com/iFamqC1Wb2

— Cleide Klock (@CleKlock) May 3, 2021








At ‘Vax Live’ Stadium Shoot, Foo Fighters and Brian Johnson Are ‘Back in Black,’ and J.Lo Is Back With Mom https://t.co/2awT100CCP pic.twitter.com/WaG6vthrR4

— Variety_TV (@Variety_TV) May 3, 2021

TALAS singer Phil Naro has passed away after a battle with tongue cancer. He was 63 years old.

The news of Naro's death was broken by his family earlier today. They said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our son, father, friend and musician Phillip Sampognaro, known professionally as Phil Naro.

"Phil fought a valiant battle against cancer over the last few years but left this earth last night surrounded by his family and closest friends. A citizen of both the United States and Canada, he died at his home in Rochester. Funeral arrangements and tributes will be announced shortly. He is survived by sons James and John; brother Joseph; and his mother, Maria, who he loved dearly.

"Phil was one of those rare individuals known as a 'singer's singer.' A staple of both the Canadian and U.S. music scene, Phil had become a mainstay in venues ranging from clubs to large performing arts centers and massive arenas. He had just completed the debut album from the band LIPS TURN BLUE (formerly D DRIVE) which had secured a worldwide record deal, and a reunion album with Billy Sheehan and TALAS, of which he was a member in the 1980s. Phil had successfully balanced an in-demand solo career with a number of high-profile projects with other superstar musicians from bands such as THE RASCALS, VANILLA FUDGE, WHITESNAKE, YES, ASIA, and guitarist Ron Thal (ex-GUNS N' ROSES) as a member of THE PLATINUM ROCK ALL STARS. Phil was capable of an extraordinary number of music styles all built around his unmistakably powerful voice. Fortunately, Phil left us with an extraordinary amount of recorded music, which will allow his artistic legacy to live on forever."

In October, Naro revealed to iHeartRadio.ca that his cancer returned in the fall of 2019, six years after he had a tumor removed from his neck.

Last year, Naro reunited with bassist Billy Sheehan to record a new TALAS album, which is tentatively due before the end of 2021. "I managed to finish recording before I started my treatments," Phil told iHeartRadio.ca . "It was painful at times to sing, but I managed to finish."

A GoFundMe campaign was also launched "to help reduce some of this burden away from Phil during this incredibly arduous journey." More than $25,000 was raised before the fundraiser stopped accepting donations.

"I'm not going down," Naro told iHeartRadio.ca in October. "I'm going to fight this cancer right till the bitter end."

After fronting TALAS in the 1980s, Naro paired his powerful voice on a number of recording projects with KISS founding member Peter Criss and later with Canadian rockers CONEY HATCH. Phil also co-wrote and recorded several tracks with guitarist and founding member of THE RASCALS, Gene Cornish, and co-wrote three songs for Canadian artist Lee Aaron for her 1989 album "Bodyrock".

TALAS's new album will be released through Metal Blade Records.

Kings of the Buffalo, New York bar circuit, TALAS slogged it out through the 1970s and 1980s, hoping for the breakthrough that never quite came. When David Lee Roth left VAN HALEN, Sheehan immediately joined Roth's band, putting an effective end to TALAS.

Earlier today, Sheehan took to social media to pay tribute to Naro, writing: "Phil Naro. One of the finest human beings I have ever known. I'm deeply saddened to report his passing. He fought a valiant battle till the end, and inspired all who knew him to stay positive and keep going against all odds.

"A dear friend, spectacular singer and performer, songwriter, and lead singer in the 'version 2' TALAS — actually version 7 or 8 — as we were just completing a new record together, we found out the situation. Phil fought like a champion and brilliantly performed and completed vocals for the album, in spite of shouldering the knowledge that he was in a serious health situation.

"On behalf of myself and all who were lucky enough to know him, I wish him peace for all eternity, and thank him for sharing his life, love, friendship and talent with the world.

"God bless you, Phil. Rest in peace dear friend. We will meet again. My deepest condolences to his wonderful family, his dear sweet Mom, and his two sons."

Photo courtesy of Phil Naro's Facebook page


Posted by Billy Sheehan on Monday, May 3, 2021

In a new interview with New York's Q104.3 radio station, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith was asked what fans can expect from the band in the coming months. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There's a gag order on me. I do so many Zooms [video interviews], and they're, like, 'Why'd you say that?'" He then went on to confirm that "there's something coming. I can say this: we're making a record, we're making new music, and it's very exciting," he said. "I don't know when it's coming out, but we can't wait for people to hear it, and we can't wait to perform for people. Just like everybody else that really misses that experience."

Smith's interview focused primarily on his upcoming stint as the featured guest artist and host of the Ad Art Show 2021. The virtual opening is May 3 at 4 p.m. EST on mvvoart.com during Frieze Week. Artworks by Smith will be exhibited on the monumental screens of the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center the final weekend of the show (May 29-30).

Last October, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante, who rejoined the band in December 2019, told the Australian digital radio station Double J that playing with his RHCP bandmates Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Smith once again was like "returning to family. I'm extremely comfortable with those people. It was as if no time had gone by at all when we started playing, pretty much, with a couple of minor exceptions, like how Chad and I gradually got our communication together in a new way. Basically, we're all just as comfortable with each other as we ever were, and it just felt like that right off the bat."

Frusciante rejoined RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS after the dismissal of Josh Klinghoffer, who had been in the band for 10 years.

Klinghoffer, who took over for Frusciante in 2010, told Rolling Stone that he received the news from his bandmates during a meeting at bassist Flea's house. Klinghoffer said he suspected the seeds for Frusciante's return had been planted far earlier, with the guitarist reaching out to singer Anthony Kiedis and their tour manager as much as 18 months prior.

He explained: "[John] was definitely showing his face in CHILI PEPPER world a little bit just with emails and apologizing about past behavior. So every time I would hear a story about that, I thought, 'What is he doing? Does he want to come back?'"

Klinghoffer said his firing was "a total blindside" as the band were "so far into the writing of a new record," adding, "Here was an album that was more than half written, but I guess I let my guard down because I thought we had done so much work." Klinghoffer said he expected the band to scrap the music they worked on and start over. The guitarist also said that he was "not particularly fond of the two records" he wrote and recorded on — 2011's "I'm With You" and 2016's "The Getaway".

Photo credit: Laura Glass

In conjunction with the release of "Every Twenty Years", a EP celebrating the 20th anniversary of SALIVA's major label debut, "Every Six Seconds", the group has released a short documentary detailing its 25-year journey.

"We felt like it would be cool to give the fans a little peek behind the curtain of the history of SALIVA, so to speak," says guitarist Wayne Swinny.

Adds drummer Paul Crosby: "Twenty years is a long time ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Making this documentary brought back memories of some really magical times."

At just under 20 minutes, the killDevil Films-produced documentary encapsules SALIVA's quarter-century career, from forming in Memphis in 1996 to rising to fame with "Every Six Seconds" and the addition of vocalist Bobby Amaru after the departure of Josey Scott a decade ago. The film also includes an appearance by producer Bob Marlette, who recounts his work with SALIVA on "Every Six Seconds".

"My decade in the band has been a great chapter in my life," Amaru says. "This documentary was something we wanted to do for the fans to have an inside look because without them, SALIVA doesn't exist. The 'Every Six Seconds' record has carried this band for 20 years and more. That's special!"

"Every Twenty Years" will be released on May 7 via Megaforce.

"Every Twenty Years" track listing:

01. Your Disease (2021 Version)

02. Click Click Boom (2021 Version)

03. After Me (2021 Version)

04. Greater Than/Less Than (2021 Version)

05. Spyhunter (2021 Version)

06. Spoonman (2021 Version)

Formed in Memphis is 1996, SALIVA released a self-titled a debut album the following year. After selling 10,000 copies of the self-released album, Island Records took notice of the band. "Every Six Seconds" and its hit singles, the Grammy-nominated "Your Disease" and "Click Click Boom", catapulted SALIVA into the mainstream and is now certified double platinum.

Two months ago, it was announced that SALIVA had abandoned its previously announced plan to reunite with Scott.

Scott broke the news of his return to SALIVA in October 2019 during an appearance on "The Morning Dump", a podcast hosted by "The Big Mad Morning Show" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the time, Josey said that he wanted to get together with SALIVA and "write a badass record."

SALIVA guitarist Wayne Swinny addressed Scott's status with the band during a March 2021 interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station. Asked if there are still plans for Josey to reunite with SALIVA for a possible album and/or a tour, Wayne said: "There was preliminary discussions, but it never really got off the ground. We just basically had to make plans and keep this train rolling, so to speak. It didn't make sense to me to stop what we were doing. 'Cause this unit, we've been together, it's been almost 10 years now, with Bobby in the band. Brad came along shortly after that. We're tight. We get along. It's a well-oiled machine. We've got a great crew, a great bus driver. It would throw a monkey wrench into the actual SALIVA."

SALIVA is:

Bobby Amaru - vocals

Wayne Swinny - guitar

Paul Crosby - drums

Brad Stewart - bass

Paying respects to the Soviet Union forces in WWII and in time for the Russian Victory Day on May 9, Swedish heavy metal heroes SABATON will release their new single, "Defence Of Moscow", on May 7. The song is a cover from Russian superstar Radio Tapok who has a huge following in Russian-speaking countries and who gained popularity by covering rock and metal songs in the Russian language.

"Defence Of Moscow" follows last year’s successful collaboration between SABATON and Radio Tapok on the live version of "The Attack Of The Dead Men". Covering the song in English and giving the song their unique SABATON style, the band is about to release another epic masterpiece that once again highlights an important turning point in European war history.

In order to give "Defence Of Moscow" the salute it deserves, SABATON created an extraordinary and strictly limited seven-inch vinyl single in red with a beautifully etched B-side. This rarity is only available for pre-order between May 7 and May 9, so make sure you place your order before it is too late. Keep an eye on SABATON's social media channels and website for information on how to purchase the vinyl.

SABATON bassist Pär Sundström states: "May 9 is celebrated as V-Day in Russia, the day to commemorate the victory over the Nazis in WW2. This year we participate in the memory of this event by releasing a song dedicated to the brave men who fought in the battle of Moscow.

"This track was originally written in Russian by our friend Radio Tapok. It's a very strong song and we thought it made sense that SABATON should give it a try to make a honorable cover of this song.

"We love to surprise everyone, and this is a great surprise."

Last month, SABATON released the English-language version of its latest single, "Livgardet" ("The Royal Guard").

SABATON's first new music since 2019's "The Great War", "The Royal Guard" honors the Swedish Royal Guards first established in the year 1521.

SABATON is arguably one of the most important bands to emerge from the modern metal scene, journeying forth with confidence on a steady ascendence that's rewarded them with five Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards (including "Best Live Band" three different years) and multiple nominations for the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the Grammis. In 2016, "The Last Stand" debuted at No. 1 in three different European countries and cracked the Top 3 in four others. Joakim Brodén, Sundström, Chris Rörland (guitars), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Tommy Johansson (guitars) curate a festival of their own, Sabaton Open Air, that started back in 2008, as well as their own forward-thinking Sabaton Cruise, that is being held since 2009.

SABATON's ninth album centered on World War I, often referred to as "The Great War." "The Last Stand" delved into various "last stands" throughout history. "Livgardet" strengthens the band's well-known reputation as experts, aficionados, and storytellers regarding the triumph and tragedy of battle.

SABATON headlined London's Wembley Arena in February 2020. JUDAS PRIEST chose them as main support on their "50 Heavy Metal Years" tour of North America, scheduled for September and October 2021. The group will kick off 2022 with an unprecedented 29-city tour of their home country.

In a brand new interview with Brazil's "Inside With Paulo Baron", JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked why the band's founding guitarist K.K. Downing decided to exit the group a decade ago. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I'm not gonna talk too much about this subject because it's what we call a 'hop topic.' But I think K.K. spoke for himself. K.K. wanted to retire and he wanted to do other things. Again, I can only reinforce that we give him our best and give him great wishes and good luck with everything that he's doing now. And that's it for me.

"I know what it's like when there are these things that happen in bands — whether it's PRIEST, whether it's IRON MAIDEN, whether it's MÖTLEY CRÜE, whether it's VAN HALEN, whether it's KISS. All bands have gone through these kinds of changes for various reasons. And they're very deep — emotionally, they're very deep.

"So, that's it. That's as much as I'm gonna say."

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

Last year, Downing announced the formation of KK'S PRIEST, in which he is joined by fellow former PRIEST members Les Binks (drums) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals). The band, which pays homage to Downing's past, is rounded out by guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE) and bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX).

In 2019, Halford didn't rule out Downing's reunion with PRIEST, saying "what will happen will happen." But bassist Ian Hill has said that there are no plans for PRIEST to invite Downing to return to the band. "Richie took over from Ken," Hill told Riff Magazine. "He's done an absolutely tremendous job, he really has. And he's made Ken's parts his own now. He's got his own angle on the lead breaks. Ken's part's been taken, and there's no plans to have Ken back, really. Hey, listen, never say never. But at the moment, we're going along quite well without Ken, so it could stay like that, I think, at least for the foreseeable future."

In 2018, Downing dismissed as a "load of bollocks" Hill's explanation for why K.K. wasn't invited to rejoin the band after fellow guitarist Glenn Tipton's Parkinson's diagnosis was made public. "We were like brothers; we went to infant school together and secondary school together, and we lived our career together," Downing said. "But I'm not totally happy about what's being said. Ian seems to be [saying] things like, 'None of the fans are missing K.K.,' and, 'Richie has brought a new energy to the band.' And I'm going, 'Ian, dude, on that last tour, I was the energy. I slowed down because people weren't keeping up with me.'… So I'm thinking, Ian, get a grip with yourself, mate. You've just replaced the energy with some energy. Fine — well, great. But that's not moving forward, Ian."

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease seven years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in February 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower".

Three years ago, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties." Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Halford's autobiography, "Confess", was released in September via Hachette Books. It was written with Ian Gittins, co-writer of "The Heroin Diaries" by Nikki Sixx.

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

Melbourne based rock band Shotgun Mistress have released their first track for 2021, "Bleed Me Out", via Crusader Records and it's available now on all digital platforms. It has been a great start for the band, with the single already landing at #1 on the Australian iTunes Rock Single Charts and getting up to #20 on the Australian iTunes Overall Single Charts.

Is is now available via digital platforms found here.

Shotgun Mistress was formed by Matt Wilcock (The Berzerker, Akercocke, Abramelin), internationally renowned death-metal demon guitarist best known for playing at light speeds. He hooked up with “Diamond” David Lee on drums to jam out LA Strip-era rock. Ben Curnow (Earth) joined on bass, along with vocalist Glenn Patrick (Collegians).

Shotgun Mistress is the first Australian band to join Golden Robot’s new metal label Crusader Records.




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Devin Townsend recently announced yet another Quarantine Project livestream: this time, Dev performed his iconic album Ocean Machine: Biomech in its entirety via Single Music’s livestream platform on May 1st. Check out the entire stream below, which was shot outdoors using drones and features re-recorded instrumentation for the purpose of the stream.

Setlist:

"Seventh Wave"
"Life"
"Night"
"Hide Nowhere"
"Sister"
"3 A.M."
"Voices In The Fan"
"Greetings"
"Regulator"
"Funeral"
"Bastard"
"The Death of Music"
"Things Beyond Things"
(Dev speaks)
"Ocean Machines" (partial)

Devin Townsend released Ocean Machine: Biomech in 1997 via his own label, Hevy Devy Records.




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