DarWin first grabbed attention with the epic 17-track double album, Origin of Species, in 2019. It won over fans and critics alike with its mix of virtuoso playing, heavy guitars, and symphonic rock, co-produced by Simon Phillips. The punchy follow up album DarWin 2 : A Frozen War took the concept a stage further, adding musicians Billy Sheehan, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe and Derek Sherinian to the mix.

Now comes DarWin 3: Unplugged, a collection of orchestral and stripped back versions of tracks from the first two albums. Highlights range from the sweeping instrumental takes of “Escape The Maze” and “The Last Chance” recorded at Abbey Road Studios, ”Nightmare of My Dreams” recorded in Iceland, to a poignant acapella version of “Another Year.”

The album, once again produced by Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who, Santana), features DarWin (guitars), Matt Bissonette (Elton John, Jeff Beck) on bass and vocals, The Chamber Orchestra of London, and The Reykjavik Quartet across its eight tracks. Phillips also adds his signature percussion and effects to the album.

The songs first appeared as a bonus addition to the limited edition DarWin 2 : A Frozen War double vinyl LP, and are now being given a stand-alone release in DarWin 3 on April 16.

DarWin says, “Upon completing our first and second albums, we quickly realized that completely different interpretations of the songs were possible by isolating the strings or acoustic instruments as much as possible. Indeed, they sounded like completely different songs, although the fundamental concepts and spirit of the songs remained intact. Simon went to work on doing new mixes with the exact same instruments and tracks from the recordings in the earlier albums to create these ‘unplugged’ versions of the songs. Matt Bissonette also recorded two new solo versions of ‘Slowly Melting’ and ‘One Horizon,’ with just his voice and bass.  Simple and pure. ‘Slowly Melting’ was recorded on a live take with the voice and bass parts simultaneously. Many of these songs were deeply emotional journeys, and that character tends to shine through in these unplugged versions.”

DarWin’s debut Origin Of Species was the first instalment in an epic saga that addresses the challenges of mankind in our coming era. It depicts the role of a changing planet, and the potential, as well as limitations, of technology to help solve mankind’s greatest challenges. A complex project that eschews the hollow immediacy of much contemporary art. A story that demands attention and imagination. With music sweeping in scope, at times evoking hard rock virtuoso shredding, alongside grand orchestral compositions, warm harmonies and soaring choruses. A project that is even more relevant in the strange times we live in.

DarWin 3: Unplugged tracklisting:

"Escape The Maze" (Orchestral)
"Nightmare Of My Dreams" (Orchestral)
"Slowly Melting" (Unplugged)
"Forever" (Orchestral):
"One Horizon" (Unplugged)
"Rise" (Orchestral)
"Last Chance" (Orchestral)
"Another Year" (Acapella)




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Canadian alt-metal / hard rock crossover stars, Sumo Cyco, recently announced the release of their upcoming full-length album, Initiation, out May 7 via Napalm Records. Interlaced with infectious heavy metal grooves, pop-perfected hooks, electronic undertones and a dose of punk flavor, Initiation breaks all the rules while delivering a cohesive yet purely unbridled sonic adventure.

Sumo Cyco's explosive first single/video, "Bystander", burst with attention upon its release in mid-February, garnering over 100,000 YouTube views in just four days. Now, the multi-faceted musical powerhouse has returned with another single - the chaotic, sauntering "No Surrender". Packing a punch with pop star-turned-rock frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam's dynamic vocal delivery and an impassioned, riffy chorus, the track coincides with an introspective music video.
 
Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “No Surrender” and its video: “'No Surrender' is about the struggle to be your authentic self, living your truth and battling inner demons. The music video depicts four characterized versions of myself representing different sides of my personality and how I see myself. They’re lurking in the darkness over my shoulder, always questioning each other’s decisions. The song is written from the perspective of the voice or voices in my head. Telling me to run one moment and another to hold my ground and another to fight back. In between some epic rocking out with the band, I wanted the viewers to visualize the colorful juxtaposition that goes on in my mind.”

Watch the intense new music video for “No Surrender”:

Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City.” But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to.

Sweetnam adds about the album: "The album’s title, Initiation, stems from wanting to invite the audience to be 'initiated' into our world. There are usually two congruent themes to each of our albums – one is real-world inspiration, and the other is 'Cyco City', a comic book-esque alternate universe where all our music videos take place. With Initiation, we introduce four gangs or clubs. Our music videos for Initiation all include a theme of these clubs – whether it’s gang vs. gang, a forbidden love between opposing sides, or the idea of having to choose where you belong."

"Outside of the story, the lyrics relate to the polarization of the world we live in now. We all have a longing to belong, but what makes one feel accepted or ostracized from a group? To be INITIATED, would you be willing to try to understand another point of view? I have always written lyrics about internal struggle, the war within oneself. Throughout the album, we bounce back and forth between struggle and overcoming. It reflects the times, and there are moments that seem a bit dark."

At the album’s start, Sumo Cyco lights a spark with the seductively hooked track “Love You Wrong”, connecting like a punch and setting the stage for the vigor to come. The blitz continues with standouts like lethal room-mover “Bystander” and electronic-infused, in-your-face rock anthem “Vertigo” – the latter standing tall with its airtight, gritty pop sensibility and featuring the production mastery of Juno Award-winning producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach). Swiftly followed by erratic, addictive nod-to-the-times “Bad News” and heavy, creeping success “No Surrender”, Initiation proves not even halfway through that the band’s songwriting ability and the commanding performance prowess frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake, bassist Oscar Anesetti and drummer Matt "Trozzi" blend a recipe for greatness. The album continues winding through a mastery of heavy-meets-pop execution before ending with the full-throttle, sugar n’ salt packed album closer “This Dance Is Doomed” (while various editions cap off with sultry, confident “Awakened”).

By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly Sumo Cyco can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

Initiation will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album
- CD Digipak
- LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl
- Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

Initiation tracklisting:*

"Love You Wrong"
"Bystander"
"Vertigo"
"Bad News"
"No Surrender"
"M.I.A."
"Cyclone"
"Run With The Giants"
"Overdrive"
"Power & Control"
"This Dance Is Doomed"
"Awakened" (not available on standard digital version)

*Various new tracks, such as “New Jive” and “We Are The Nation” are available in different groupings on various formats of Initiation (i.e. Die Hard Limited Edition).

"Bystander" video:

(Photo by Francesca Ludikar)




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Greek modern metal five-piece, Scar Of The Sun, is poised to reach the next level with the release of their otherworldly third full-length, Inertia, out May 14 via Napalm Records. The album delivers a fresh take on melodic, atmospheric, often progressively-influenced metal while forging a unique path, and acts as a follow up to their self-titled demo (2005), debut full-length A Series Of Unfortunate Concurrencies (2011) and sophomore offering In Flood (2016).

After sharing the stage with outstanding acts such as Dark Tranquillity and Insomnium, as well as compatriots Rotting Christ, Scar Of The Sun has made a name for themselves with the very special ability to merge modern metal sound with atmospheric soundscapes and dynamic riffs. Inertia's first offering, “I Am The Circle”, along with a captivating, dynamic official music video, serves as an exciting taste of lies ahead: Razor-sharp riffs kick off this energetic modern metal smasher, altering between fast-paced and atmospheric moments as frontman Terry Nikas presents his full vocal ability, from aggressive growls to clear singing.

Vocalist Terry Nikas on the first single: “New, heavier and groovier Scar Of The Sun, but always catchy! Years of fighting compressed our anger in a few minutes shape!”

Watch the official music video for “I Am The Circle” (shot & directed by Achilleas Gatsopoulos) below.

"’I Am The Circle’ is the first video from our upcoming album Inertia. It acts as a dynamic and direct introduction to our sound and band presence. The video was directed by Achilleas Gatsopoulos who has been responsible for the overall visual aesthetic of the band since the beginning. The look is a solid combination of raw performance and our distinct graphic design approach. We will explore the world of Inertia even deeper with the release of the next videos in the following months, leading to the release of the album in May.”

On Inertia, Scar Of The Sun utilizes scientific terminology to transmit their impassioned messages of difficult trials and social awareness lyrically, conveying an overarching theme that reflects one of society’s heaviest burdens – that financial gain has flourished at the expense of humanity and the livelihoods of everyday people.

Terry Nikas about the album: “Third strike, this album is our punch to the world disarray! The most aggressive album we’ve done so far indicates our current intentions! The main concept of Inertia deals with how financial interests act against the lives of everyday normal people, no matter where you come from, since profit knows no ethics and nationalities. We become lab rats and we struggle in our everyday life while at the same time that extreme minority that runs the financial interests see people like numbers and value our lives like ants. These are matters that concern and annoy me and I had to get them out of my chest.”

Instrumental intro “Hydrogen” stirs things up before kicking in with hard-hitting title track “Inertia”, evoking a truly thunderous verse and, propelled by blasting drums, leads into an undeniably catchy chorus, while the “Quantum Leap Zero”-trilogy conveys very intense and dramatic events that occured in Greece in 2015: Suppression, rise/revolution and huge defeat in the end. Beginning with “Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control”, Scar Of The Sun unveils a whole new instrumental facet of the record, splicing their soundscapes with distinctively desolate vibes. “Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence”, on the other hand, calls for an untamed storm to annihilate everything, followed by atmospheric “Oxygen”, smashing “The Fallible Experiment” and poignant trilogy-closer “Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust”. Inertia ends with “Anastasis” (Greek for “resurrection”), an intense track about the terrible pain of losing someone you love. With this closer, Scar Of The Sun manages to put agony into words and turn this palpable despair into emotive music.

Inertia was recorded and mixed by singer and songwriting mastermind Terry Nikas at Zero Gravity Studios in Athens, Greece and mastered by the legendary Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dimmu Borgir) at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden.

Inertia will be available in the following formats:

-1LP Gatefold Transparent Green + Black Marbled
-1LP Gatefold Black
-Shirt & Digpack Bundle
-CD Digipack
-Full Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Inertia tracklisting:

"Hydrogen"
"Inertia"
"I Am The Circle"
"Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control"
"Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence"
"Oxygen"
"The Fallible Experiment"
"Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust"
"Singularity Collapse"
"Zenith To Minos"
"Anastasis"

"I Am The Circle" video:

Lineup:

Terry Nikas - vocals
Alexi Charalampous - guitars
Greg Eleftheriou- guitars
Panagiotis Gatsopoulos - bass
Thanos Pappas - drums
 
(Photo - Cristina Alossi)




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Windsor’s Devilz By Definition is a band that has been recreated many times in the past decade, and the current iteration is gearing up to drop a new EP The Bitter Remains Of Human Consumption. The initial tease from this release is the single “Peace by Piece”, a four and a half minute, groove-heavy track that boasts thrashy licks and catchy lyrics.

After honing their skills with a full-length and two EPs, Devilz By Definition has come into their own, and The Bitter Remains is by far the most refined music they’ve ever created. Its insidious groove permeates the brain to get feet tapping and heads banging. Compared to previous efforts, this EP is heavier, groovier, and more technical, which will leave fans hungry for another.

The band prides itself on bringing forth a message or sense of morality in their music, evident in the single, which relates to mental health awareness. The band explains it in their own words:

“This EP represents the world we live in and the changes that are tearing us apart as individuals and as a race. It is also about the unity that music brings into this darkness. The premise of the single is that the pieces of ourselves that sometimes get lost along the way and the effort of putting them back together ‘Peace By Piece.’ In essence, life is a puzzle and we are all the pieces.”

The Bitter Remains Of Human Consumption delivers an unforgettable experience of headbanging, grooving, and face-melting guitar solos. The lyrics are memorable and easily relatable.

Devilz by Definition’s brand of groove thrash is recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Pantera, and Parkway Drive.

BraveWords is premiering the “Peace By Piece” lyric video; check it out below!

The Bitter Remains Of Human Consumption is set for release on April 20, 2021 and will be available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Tracklisting:

“Time Is Near”
“Peace By Piece”
“The Bitter Remains”




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Chris Wyse has presented a new video tied to his band OWL. Wyse is an innovative composer and artist, recognized as one of the few who performs with an upright bass in the world of rock. Owl plans to release a collection of new music bundled with a t-shirt and other items in the coming months. On the release of “Embryo” and “Children Of The Grave” Wyse, offers, “Sabbath is one of my great influences. Playing bass on one of Ozzy’s records, and being in the room hearing his voice in an intimate setting, inspired me to cut these tracks.”

Chris Wyse (vocals / bass), Dan Dinsmore (drums / The Clay People), and Eric Bradley (guitar) are OWL. Wyse and Dinsmore have a history of collaborating in bands as far back as high school. Eric Bradley and Wyse hit it off as members of the Jerry Cantrell band and have been friends ever since. Wyse approaches the performances utilizing his stand-up bass and bow. He offers, “We had a lot of fun covering one of the most epic of Black Sabbath songs. It really came to life when I layered bowed bass on top of the track. Dans drums are pounding. Eric’s guitar is screaming and it was magic singing and harmonizing with him. This song is truly a beast with the perfect intro ‘Embryo’ and a haunting spooky outro."

Wyse is member of Hollywood Vampires alongside Alice Copper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, Glen Sobel and Buck Johnson. He has recorded and played with a vast universe of artists including Ace Frehley, Ozzy, The Cult, Jerry Cantrell, Scott Weiland, Tal Bachman, and many more. Wyse is also working on a comic book and solo album that will be titled Wyse. For more detail on Wyse and future plans visit ChrisWyse.com and OwlTheBand.net.




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In a new interview with Vulture, Serj Tankian discussed the fact that fans are always asking him to make new music with SYSTEM OF A DOWN, even though it's been 16 years since the band released its last full-length album. He said: "Look, the fact that a lot of people are interested in us having new music is the biggest compliment in the world. It's not frustrating to me. It's always a compliment, because if people forgot about you as an artist, and no longer care whether you put out music or not, that would be worse, right? So, I think it's always a compliment when there's all that attention, and love, and wanting the new music. Now, when people come and say, 'Fuck you. I don't care what you think. Just give me another SYSTEM record,' that's kind of rude. That I'll respond to, and say 'Go fuck yourself.' I don't like the attitude, but I love the fact that people love the band and the music, to a point of frustration, and I'm sorry that people are frustrated. But it is what it is. You know? As an artist, you have to make the music that you feel most comfortable with."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN has toured intermittently since ending its hiatus in 2011, but has only managed to record two songs in the last 16 years, "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz". Released last November, the tracks were motivated by the recently erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with all proceeds supporting humanitarian efforts in SYSTEM OF A DOWN's ancestral homeland of Armenia. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they have raised over $600,000 so far.

In 2018, guitarist Daron Malakian publicly accused Tankian of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM's creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only band member to speak to the press.

In a recent interview with Guitar World magazine, Malakian was asked about the chances of more new music from SYSTEM OF A DOWN in the near future. He responded: "Look, I never say never. We didn't even know this was going to happen. I was on my way to releasing these songs with my other band SCARS ON BROADWAY. Then the situation in Armenia happened and put our differences aside. And our differences are only within the band.

"Personally and outside of the band, everybody gets along reasonably well. There is no hate for each other in SYSTEM OF A DOWN. We're like a family. A lot of people think, 'Oh, Serj and Daron don't get along!' and no, that's not true. Serj and Daron get along just fine. But Serj and Daron, or Shavo and Serj, different people in the band will have a different idea of how they want the band to move forward. That's kinda where our disagreements are at."

Pressed about whether there's a chance new music from SYSTEM OF A DOWN could happen, Daron said: "I never say never, but at the same time, I'm not expecting to do any more with SYSTEM OF A DOWN right away or immediately after this. It really does seem like our fans like these new songs. That's important to me.

"We've added two new songs to the SYSTEM catalog that are on the level with everything else that we've put out and our fans have accepted it that way, which means a lot to me. That's kinda where we're gonna leave it for now. If more happens later on, then we'll talk about that, but for now I will continue doing what I'm doing and everyone else will just continue what they're doing. It's all cool though, I'm really pleased with the response we g

In a new interview with The Mercury News, Tony Iommi was asked about the possibility of another BLACK SABBATH tour at some point in the not-too-distant future. He laughed and replied: "I wouldn't think so. But it's a strange thing with SABBATH — how many times we thought we were with Ozzy [Osbourne], then we had [Ronnie James] Dio, then back to Ozzy, then Dio again, and then Ian Gillan and Tony Martin and Dio and back to Tony Martin. It's gone backwards and forwards at different stages. So, you just never know.

"I think it's highly unlikely that we'd get back onstage again," he said. "It certainly wouldn't be touring. We'd only do so many shows, if anything.

"I would like to play with the guys again. But I can't see that happening.

"The reason we stopped touring in the first place was basically my fault, because I had to be careful of my health," Iommi explained. "When you book a tour — and it's always an 18-month tour — it doesn't sound a lot when you talk about it at first. But when you get out there, and you are touring, it's bloody hard work. And it wasn't particularly good for my health, because of the blood cancer. So, I said, 'Look, you know, this should the last tour, I think.' But I really do miss it. I really miss playing onstage. I miss seeing the audience."

Iommi revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled "13", and the subsequent tour to promote it.

Iommi said in 2016 interview that "the lowest moment" for him was being diagnosed. He explained: "You automatically wind yourself up saying, 'That's it then,' but that is not always the case. When they tell you, you think, 'Oh God.' That was a low time. I have had a few low times in my life like everybody has, but that was one that stuck in the head."

Osbourne told The Pulse Of Radio in 2014 that Iommi never let his condition slow him down. "My hat goes off to him 'cause he really is Iron Man," he said. "I mean, that chemotherapy knocks you sideways, you know. I mean, when my wife had cancer a few years back, she was having three chemo things a month and it would knock the life out of — literally every time she'd have a treatment, she'd have a seizure. It's scary stuff. But he came down, plugged in and carried on. He's my hero, I swear to God he is."

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

"13" was the first album in 35 years to feature Osbourne, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi can no longer travel for extended amounts of t

**UPDATE** After BLABBERMOUTH.NET published this article earlier today, Geezer Butler took to his Twitter to clarify that he did not say invented the "devil horns" hand sign. "I always used it in the song 'Black Sabbath'," he wrote. "I merely shared an onstage moment between Ronnie [James Dio] and me. Ronnie made it famous, and it will always be associated with him, regardless of what anyone else says… Also, I do not want people to think that I was dissing Ronnie in any way. He was one of my dearest friends ever, and I will always miss him and our friendship."

The original article follows below.

Geezer Butler says that he was using the so-called "devil horns" years before Ronnie James Dio adopted it a his own.

The late BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW singer is frequently recognized for making the hand gesture mainstream — a staple at rock concerts for decades. However, Butler claims that Ronnie actually got the idea to use it after watching his onetime SABBATH bandmate make the sign at every concert.

"I've been doing that sign since — I've got pictures of me doing it since 1971," Butler said during an appearance Monday (March 8) on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And I always used to do it in the breakdown in the song 'Black Sabbath' — just before it goes into the fast part at the end, I'd do that sign to the audience. And on the first couple of 'Heaven And Hell' tour shows, Ronnie was saying, 'When I'm going on stage, everybody is doing the peace sign to me, and that's an Ozzy thing," referring to original SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne, whom Ronnie replaced. "I feel like I should be doing something back to them.' He says, 'What's that sign that you do in 'Black Sabbath'?' And I showed him the devil horns sign. And he started doing it from there and made it famous."

Asked why he had never publicly revealed before that he was responsible for showing Dio the devil horns, Butler said: "I didn't really think much of it. As I say, I've got pictures of me doing it in 1971. And it was just an alternative to Ozzy's peace signs, I was doing it. And if you look at the 'Yellow Submarine' album cover [from THE BEATLES], John Lennon's cartoon character is doing it, in 1966 or whatever it was. So it's an old sign. I was just doing it 'cause [English occultist] Aleister Crowley used to do it."

According to Geezer, the devil horns isn't the only thing that Ronnie took credit for that he didn't come up with on his own. "There's a lot of things that he nicked off me that he claimed that he was the originator," Butler said. "But he made it famous, so I didn't care. The [DIO] album title 'Sacred Heart'; that's where I used to go to school. And he called one of his songs 'One Foot In The Grave'. I jokingly said, 'We should call the album 'One Foot In The Grave'.' And then when he left [SABBATH], he called one of his songs that. He was very naughty about things like that. And when I did an autograph, I'd write 'Magic'. So Ronnie started writing 'Magic' as well. In fact, he called his [DIO] album 'Magica'. He was very naughty about things like that."

Asked if he ever confronted Ronnie about it, Geezer said: "Nah. Only about the devil horn sign."

Ronnie wasn't the only high-profile rocker to take credit for the devil horns. Back in June 2017, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a trademark on the hand signal fans and rockers alike hold up during shows, in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended, the middle and ring finger are curled into the palm, and the thumb either sticks out from the hand like an errant branch from a tree or is also curled into the palm. Gene claimed the gesture was first used in commerce on November 14, 1974, which corresponds to KISS's "Hotter Than Hell" tour. He wrote in his signed declaration that he believes "no other person, firm, corporation or association has the right to use said mark in commerce, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance." Less than two weeks later, Simmons withdrew the application.

Most music fans slammed Simmons for the trademark request, saying the symbol has become ubiquitous and means different things to different people.

During an appearance on the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast, Simmons said that his version of the hand gesture is actually "I love you" in American Sign Language, with the thumb extended, rather than the thumb holding two middle fingers close to the palm as popularized by Ronnie James Dio and used by everyone from rock stars to chefs as a salute of musical inclusiveness and triumph since the '70s.

"When [KISS] first started doing photos in 1973, in the last century, I was doing an homage," he explained. "I didn't know what to do with my hands… 'cause I had wings [as part of my costume] and I wanted to show the wings. So you spread your arms, kind of like a Christ-like pose, but I didn't know what to do with my fingers. So I did what an artist named Steve Ditko did with Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, both of whom did the hand signal. So when Spider-Man shot the webbing, he would do the two middle fingers. And the eternal Vishanti doing the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, that's Doctor Strange. So I was just giving an homage to Steve Ditko, and it caught on. And so when we were playing live, I wanted to wave back at the fans who were just, like, 'Wow, you guys are kind of hot shit,' but I'm holding the pick in my hand. So I'm trying to hold up both my fingers. And so they all started to do that. To this day, whether you're going to a soccer match in Ukraine or in Africa, or wherever, the fans may not even think about Gene Simmons, but they'll do a version of those outstretched fingers and stick their tongue out without knowing why. It's become the thing. I don't care if you're Rihanna or Chubby Checker, everybody does that stuff, although they may not realize it started with the powerful and attractive Gene Simmons."

Asked why he eventually decided to withdraw his application to trademark the gesture, Simmons told "Talk Is Jericho": "The uneducated, the uninformed and the otherwise passionate got so hot under the collar that I just didn't think it was worth it.

He continued: "People from the peanut gallery, and I love 'em… But the idea that everybody's opinion is worth the same as everybody else is… I don't wanna say 'bullshit,' but it's uninformed. You know, your car breaks down and some guy walks up and says, 'Here's what's wrong with it.' That's one opinion. The other guy that walks over is a mechanic who works on cars all the time. Both those opinions are not equal. One is more important because it's based on resume and qualification, and the other one is based on popcorn farts — he knows nothing. Well, your opinion is worth nothing, 'cause it's based on nothing and no experience. Mostly people that have opinions express them just because they have no qualification or resume.

"So, it just wasn't important enough for me to go do that, 'cause everybody's doing my hand gesture anyway — whether it's the Dalai Lama or the Pope. I win."

Simmons added: "But, truly, when somebody criticizes you or whatever, take a moment to think about, 'Gee, I wonder what they've done.' In other words, it's not what somebody says — who's saying it? If I get criticized as a bad person, as an example, by somebody standing next to me, that's not the same as the Pope or my rabbi or somebody in a ethical position of power. I might still object, but that's a qualified opinion."

Copyright lawyer Ronald Abrams told Forbes that it's unlikely Simmons would have succeeded in his attempt to trademark the "devil's horns" symbol, explaining that such hand gestures can't be trademarked unless they are part of a logo. Trademark attorney Michael Cohen with Cohen IP Law Group in Beverly Hills, who deals with trademark, patent and copyright infringement cases, concurred, telling the Los Angeles Times that it would have been very difficult for Simmons's application to be approved because the gesture has become "genericized."

Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley said that he had no idea why Simmons attempted to trademark the hand gesture, telling the Loudwire Podcast: "Well, you know, Gene elicits some very strong reactions from people. And what he does he does for the reasons that only he knows. So I can't really say that I have really any thought about it. It was really something that he wanted to pursue, and the reaction was how people felt about it. So I don't know why he pulled it, and I don't know why he started it. I really have no… I haven't asked him."

During an episode of her show "The Talk", Sharon Osbourne slammed Simmons for the trademark request, accusing the rocker of "trying to make money from posters and t-shirts." She said: "He's crazy. He's trying to get money from the merch where you see this [gesture] on merch, but actually this [symbol], in Italian, which has been going for hundreds of years, means 'the devil.' That's what it means. And so kids at concerts have been doing it for years and years and years. And in '74? Where were you in the '60s when they were doing it, kid, because they've been doing it forever."

Ronnie James Dio's widow Wendy also criticized Simmons for attempting to trademark the hand sign. She told TheWrap: "To try to make money off of something like this is disgusting. It belongs to everyone — it doesn't belong to anyone. It's a public domain, it shouldn't be trademarked."

Ronnie himself said his Italian grandmother often invoked the horns to ward off the malocchio (the evil eye), bad luck or malevolent spirits.

"Gene Simmons will tell you that he invented it," Ronnie once said. "But then again, Gene invented breathing and shoes and everything else."




Just to clarify..I did not say I invented the ‘devil horns’ hand sign, I always used it in the song Black Sabbath. I merely shared an onstage moment between Ronnie and me. Ronnie made it famous, and it will always be associated with him, regardless of what anyone else says.

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) March 9, 2021








Also, I do not want people to think that I was dissing Ronnie in any way. He was one of my dearest friends ever, and I will always miss him and our friendship.

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) March 9, 2021

Rollin' Coffin is the brainchild of former Bloodsimple and Vision Of Disorder frontman, Tim Williams. The new band is poised to release their debut single, “Runaway”, on April 2 through Static Era Records and produced by Jon Markson (Drug Church, Such Gold).

“Runaway” comes at you with a driving sound that is very different from the aggressive metal stylings that you would expect from Williams. The band pays homage to its early influences by using a blend of classic and indie garage rock, that evokes a 90’s grunge feel with a modern alternative rock sound. Don’t get it twisted, though. Rollin' Coffin are doing their own thing and have found a contemporary sound that's all it’s own.

Describing the motivations for the project, Williams says, "these songs are a stripped down version of myself, creatively, coming from an honest place. Sonically, I wanted to achieve a unique sound. A loose, almost dangerous, approach to a different chapter in my musical journey."

Static Era Records CEO, Jay Reason, had this to say about his new signing: "I’ve been a Tim Williams fan from the first time I heard Vision Of Disorder. Tim has been a huge influence in the hardcore and metal scenes and I’m extremely happy and honored that he has trusted Static Era to launch his new musical endeavour."

Rollin' Coffin is the next chapter in the storied career of a musician who is constantly evolving. Every step in Williams' musical journey has been an interesting one. From his early days in the Long Island hardcore scene through his time as a touring artist in a national Heavy Metal act, the path he takes with this new project is sure to be an interesting one. Buckle up, climb aboard, and enjoy the ride!

For more on Rollin’ Coffin, including behind the scenes and in-studio updates, head here.




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TOMMY'S ROCKTRIP is drummer Tommy Clufetos's (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK SABBATH) new hard rock outfit, 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. "Beat Up By Rock 'N' Roll", TOMMY'S ROCKTRIP's debut album, will arrive 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.

The official music video for the disc's first single, "Got To Play Some Rock 'N Roll", is available below.

Clufetos said: "I wanted to make an album that I would enjoy listening to, while injecting some of the characteristics that I love about my favorite rock 'n' roll. Hopefully when you listen to it in your car, you realize you are driving way over the speed limit."

Regarding "Got To Play Some Rock 'N Roll", Clufetos said: "The lyrics of this song are pretty obvious if you are in the game of music.... If you're a spectator....not so much. Just as a great band once said, 'It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll.' This business is a bitch, BUT you ride through it all with a smile 'cause...you 'Got To Play Some Rock 'N Roll'!!!"

"Beat Up By Rock N' Roll" track listing:

01. Heavy Load

02. Welcome To The Show

03. You Got The Cash, I Got The Flash

04. Make Me Smile

05. Do It Again

06. Kid Blood

07. Don't Be Afraid

08. Beat Up By Rock N' Roll

09. Got To Play Some Rock N' Roll

10. The Longevity

11. Power Of Three

Recording lineup:

Tommy Clufetos - Drums, Lead Vocals on Tracks 4, 8 and 11

Eric Dover - Lead Vocals

Eliot Lorengo - Bass Guitar

Hank Schneekluth - Lead Guitar

Nao Nakashima - Rhythm Guitar

Tommy C - Saxophone on “Power Of Three”

John Schreffler - Guitar Solo on “Beat Up By Rock 'N’ Roll"

Doug Organ - Hammond B3

Clufetos worked with such rock icons as Nugent, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie before joining Ozzy Osbourne in 2010. That led to a spot as the drummer on BLACK SABBATH's last two world tours.

RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero has denied trying to steal jobs away from Joe Lynn Turner, insisting that the former RAINBOW frontman is one of his "favorite" vocalists.

In January, Frontiers announced that going forward, SUNSTORM will now be a vehicle for "one of the most impressive vocal talents to emerge in recent years" in the form of Romero. Romero's debut album with SUNSTORM, "Afterlife", will arrive on March 12. The first taste of the LP came with the release of the single and video for the track "Swan Song".

A short time after Frontiers' announcement, Turner, who recorded five albums with SUNSTORM between 2006 and 2018, gave an interview to Vintage Rock Pod in which he blasted Frontiers Music Srl for continuing SUNSTORM without him, claiming that he had "no idea" the Italian record label would replace him in the project and accusing Frontiers of "lying" about the reasons he is no longer involved with the brand.

Romero, who is originally from Chile but is now settled in Romania after living in Madrid, Spain for a number of years, spoke about Turner's comments during a recent interview with the "Aftershocks" podcast. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's funny that it looks like I'm always chasing Joe Lynn and trying to steal his jobs. [Laughs] For sure, he has this feeling with me. But it's exactly the opposite. Somebody asked me about [how I got the] RAINBOW [gig], and I said I was just sitting on my couch one day and I got a call from Ritchie Blackmore. I didn't call Ritchie, first of all. I was not chasing Ritchie: 'Put me in the RAINBOW band.' I got the call — that's it. And, obviously, you cannot say something different [than] 'yes' to Ritchie Blackmore. I didn't have any idea about any previous negotiation or something else that Joe had with RAINBOW or anything else like that. And then with this SUNSTORM thing, it was totally the same thing. I just got a call from the record label, and, actually, my first question was — because I'm a huge fan of SUNSTORM — I said, 'But what happened with Joe? Everything is okay if I do this?' And they said, 'Everything is okay.' Obviously, it was not that okay. [Laughs] But I can separate the idol from the person."

Ronnie went on to say that Joe is one of his favorite singers. "I know the [Ronnie James] Dio fans are gonna kill me, but he's my favorite singer from RAINBOW; my favorite era from RAINBOW is with Joe Lynn Turner. I just love him. With my fiancée, we're singing all the time 'Stone Cold' at home. But then you read this kind of statement and that kind of thing, and I can understand — he's angry inside because of the record label, or whatever. But it's not my deal, it's not my fight. I'm just doing the music, I'm just getting paid for that, and that's it."

A year ago, Turner once again slammed Blackmore for the guitarist's decision to go out and perform classic DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW material with a new group musicians instead of reforming RAINBOW with a more "authentic" lineup.

Blackmore stepped away from his Renaissance-inspired brand of music with BLACKMORE'S NIGHT for the first time in 2016 to perform a handful of shows with a brand-new lineup of the band he had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

The current incarnation of RAINBOW includes Romero, as well as STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT), and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.

Turner criticized RAINBOW's current lineup, saying "the RAINBOW [Ritchie] put together is nostalgic, but it is not RAINBOW. They never did an album, and all they do is these spot dates. And anybody who goes to see them, it's all over YouTube. And that's really all I've gotta say about it. If you ask me, he's cheating the public. And that wasn't my intention [when I approached him about reforming RAINBOW]. So happily I go along. Ritchie is allowed to do whatever he wants to do, and so I am. And I don't need the hassle. So it's great."

Joe sang on the RAINBOW album "Difficult To Cure", which featured the band's most successful U.K. single, "I Surrender".

During Turner's time with RAINBOW, the band had its first USA chart success and recorded songs that helped define the melodic rock genre.

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has confirmed to Matt Pinfield of 95.5 KLOS's "New & Approved" series that he and his bandmates have commenced work on the follow-up to 2019's "We Are Not Your Kind" album. He said (see video below): "We've compiled a lot of material. Me and Clown [percussionist Shawn Crahan] have talked about something really, really cool, if we can pull it off. There's a chance that it could be conceptual — if we can really do it right. I mean, the music is brilliant. It expands on what we did with 'We Are Not Your Kind' — it kind of blossoms from there — but the great thing is, it's got not only that, but it's got everything that you would want from a SLIPKNOT project; there's the heavy stuff, there's the dark stuff, there's the melodic stuff, there's the weird stuff. We have so many different flavors that we can play with that, now, at this point, it's just us kind of mixing and matching and seeing what excites us."

He continued: "That's all I can say for right now. But I can tell you that it's really, really good, man. We're entering a realm that we've never been, and that, to us, is exciting. Especially after all of these years, we pride ourselves on always being able to try and top ourselves, and if we can pull this off, this may be the ultimate 'top ourselves.'"

Taylor's latest comments come four months after he told "Good Company" that SLIPKNOT is "thinking about putting another album out maybe [in 2021]. But I don't know. I don't know what the plan is yet. But I know that we were talking about doing it, 'cause we only have one album left on our contract [with our record label]."

In October, Crahan confirmed that the band has been using some of the downtime during the coronavirus crisis to work on new material.

"We Are Not Your Kind" came out in August 2019. The disc sold 118,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Furthermore, the album made an impact worldwide with No. 1 debuts in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, as well as Top 5 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

"We Are Not Your Kind"'s sales in the U.S. were boosted by a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer with SLIPKNOT's summer 2019 tour.

In early 2020, Crahan said that a set of 11 previously unreleased songs recorded by four members of SLIPKNOT during the sessions for its 2008 LP "All Hope Is Gone" will arrive at some point during the "We Are Not Your Kind" touring cycle.

Crahan revealed the existence of the music in 2018, saying that he, Taylor, guitarist Jim Root and DJ Sid Wilson wrote and laid down the more psychedelic-flavored tunes at a separate studio during an impasse in the recording of "All Hope Is Gone".

In a new interview with SiriusXM Canada's "Canada Now With Jeff Sammut", KISS frontman Paul Stanley was asked if he would agree with his bandmate Gene Simmons's recent declaration that "rock is dead." He responded (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think that life, rock, whatever it is, is never a constant. Let's say, for example, if you take somebody's pulse and it's weak, it doesn't mean they're dead. It means that the pulse is weak. And it doesn't mean it won't come back stronger.

"I don't think that music can ever be dead," he continued. "I don't think that bands can be dead, rock can be dead. It just takes somebody to reignite it to the level that it has been at some time in the past.

"A computer will never take the place of flesh-and-blood people making music. People may be enamored with it, and it may eclipse the other, but ultimately, it all comes full circle — it all comes back. It doesn't go away. It may be sleeping. But there are bands out there making great music.

"Nobody's complaining about FOO FIGHTERS," Stanley added. "Dave [Grohl] is passionate about what he's doing and they're terrific. So there are bands out there. As far as new bands, somebody will come along. Somebody will pick up the flag and go forward.

"Like I said, the pulse may be a little weak, but the patient's coming back."

A few years ago, Simmons told Esquire magazine that "rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed and now it won't because it's that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it."

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have weighed in on the topic in a variety of interviews over the last several years, with some digging a little deeper into Simmons's full remarks and others just glossing over the headline.

The "rock is dead" argument has popped up again and again throughout the years, including in 2018 after MAROON 5 lead singer Adam Levine told Variety magazine that "rock music is nowhere, really. I don't know where it is," he said. "If it's around, no one's invited me to the party. All of the innovation and the incredible things happening in music are in hip-hop. It's better than everything else. Hip-hop is weird and avant-garde and flawed and real, and that's why people love it."

Alice Cooper has dismissed the notion that rock is dead, saying that "rock and roll is where it should be right now."

While rock and roll has been king of the music world for decades, in the past few years, it's been unseated by the growing popularity of hip-hop. This has caused many pundits to proclaim the genre "dead" from an industry perspective, noting that it has been eclipsed in all measures by pop, hip-hop, and EDM.

A few years ago, KISS bassist/vocalist Simmons told Esquire magazine that "rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed and now it won't because it's that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it."

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have weighed in on the topic in a variety of interviews over the last several years, with some digging a little deeper into Simmons's full remarks and others just glossing over the headline.

Cooper, who is promoting his new album, "Detroit Stories", spoke about rock's supposed diminishing status during a recent interview with NME. Addressing the whole "rock is dead" debate, Alice said (see video below): "Gene Simmons — I would like him to do my taxes, 'cause he's a businessman, and business-wise, [his claim that rock is dead is] valid. But I guarantee you right now, in London somewhere, in garages, they're learning AEROSMITH, they're learning GUNS N' ROSES — a bunch of 18-year-kids are in there with guitars and drums, and they are learning hard rock. It's the same with the United States — there's all these young bands that wanna resurge that whole area of hard rock and outlaws. So, in some ways, rock and roll is where it should be right now. We're not in the Grammys; we're not in the mainstream. Rock and roll is outside looking in now, and I think that gives us that outlaw attitude. And I think that's very good for rock and roll, 'cause that's how rock and roll started; we were all outlaws at the time, and then we became mainstream. But now, hey, FOO FIGHTERS, GREEN DAY — a lot of great hard rock bands out there."

He continued: "The one [kind of] music, if you think of it, that started and never ended was hard rock. Because it went to punk, it went to disco, it went to hip-hop, it went to grunge — it did all these things — but the one thing that went right to the middle of it was hard rock. THE ROLLING STONES were still THE ROLLING STONES; AEROSMITH was still AEROSMITH; Alice Cooper was still Alice Cooper. We survived those things because guitar-driven hard rock is the only thing that will still be going 30 years from now, 40 years from now. And I think music will go all over the place, but you're gonna find those hard rock bands still there."

The "rock is dead" argument has popped up again and again throughout the years, including in 2018 after MAROON 5 lead singer Adam Levine told Variety magazine that "rock music is nowhere, really. I don't know where it is," he said. "If it's around, no one's invited me to the party. All of the innovation and the incredible things happening in music are in hip-hop. It's better than everything else. Hip-hop is weird and avant-garde and flawed and real, and that's why people love it."

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has once again repeated his claim that rock is dead, saying that the current business model "just doesn't work."

While rock 'n' roll has been king of the music world for decades, in the past few years, it's been unseated by the growing popularity of hip-hop. This has caused many pundits to proclaim the genre "dead" from an industry perspective, noting that it has been eclipsed in all measures by pop, hip-hop, and EDM.

Simmons spoke about rock's supposed diminishing status during a recent interview with Consequence Of Sound. Addressing the whole "rock is dead" debate, Gene said: "The point is, yeah, rock is dead because if we play the game from 1958 until 1988, which is 30 years, you had Elvis [Presley], THE BEATLES, THE [ROLLING] STONES, PINK FLOYD, and on and on and on. And you can go to the heavy part of it, which is METALLICA, [IRON] MAIDEN, if you want to put KISS in there, that's fine. AC/DC, on and on and on. Even U2, Prince, [David] Bowie, EAGLES. And then you get to disco stuff, and Madonna, and that stuff, and Motown, of course. And then from 1988 until today, who's the new BEATLES? I've heard a reaction of FOO FIGHTERS, one of my favorite bands, but you're kidding yourself. There's also the boy bands: NSYNC, ONE DIRECTION, BTS, and [sarcastically] XYZ, PTA, and good for them that they've got success. Don't kid yourself. As soon as those girls are gonna grow a little bit older, that's going to go away. It's like sugar: you taste it, it gives you that little energy boost, and then it's gone forever and you don't care. But don't kid yourself, it ain't THE BEATLES. They don't write songs, they don't play instruments, it ain't that. And we all love Elvis; [he] never wrote a song in his life. There's just nothing that compares to THE BEATLES. The reason for that is not because there's a lack of talent, but because young folks, that kid living in his mom's basement, decided one day that he didn't want to pay for music. He wanted to download and file share. And that's what killed the chances for the next generation of great bands. The fact that the music was for free. So nowadays new bands don't have a chance."

He continued: "It's like flowers — people water them and make sure there's enough sun and all that stuff. And as soon as you take your eyes off and you don't water the flowers, they will die. And people wonder why there aren't beautiful flowers. Well, because you don't water them. You get what you pay for. So nowadays, if you download a song, the artist will get 1/100th of one cent. Even Spotify … the artist sees very little of that. So you get what you pay for.

"Rock is dead — you bet your ass it is — not because the talent isn't there, but because the business model just doesn't work," Simmons added. "And so that leaves live performances. And I really hope once this vaccine takes hold — you better get shot up twice — that people go out to the local clubs and see all the new bands and support new bands. Like a baby that's on the floor, go up there, pick that baby up and coddle it, give it love, because those new bands need your love.

"It's not going to affect me. I make a living, but the new bands need the love and attention. Don't just go see METALLICA and Taylor [Swift] or KISS. On the weekends, go to a place that's got live music. And I don't mean guys that press a button and do EDM. That's fine, too. But that guy, if you put an instrument in his hands, wouldn't have a clue what to do with it — never wrote a song, wouldn't know what an A minor, A major or a seventh is. You need to support the new generation of talented people who are musicians and writers and so on. Don't let the robots take away everything."

The "rock is dead" argument has popped up again and again throughout the years, including in 2018 after MAROON 5 lead singer Adam Levine told Variety magazine that "rock music is nowhere, really. I don't know where it is," he said. "If it's around, no one's invited me to the party. All of the innovation and the incredible things happening in music are in hip-hop. It's better than everything else. Hip-hop is weird and avant-garde and flawed and real, and that's why people love it."

A few years ago, Simmons told Esquire magazine that "rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed and now it won't because it's that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it."

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have weighed in on the topic in a variety of interviews over the last several years, with some digging a little deeper into Simmons's full remarks and others just glossing over the headl

In a recent interview with RockSverige, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith looked back on his involvement with "Stars", the 1985 charity single for famine relief released under the HEAR 'N AID banner.

On May 20 and May 21, 1985, 40 artists from the metal community gathered at A&M Records Studios in Hollywood, California to participate in the making of a record called "Stars" as a part of a very special fundraising project spearheaded by Ronnie James Dio known as HEAR 'N AID. The "Stars" single and a video documentary on the making of the record was used to raise money for famine relief efforts in Africa and around the world. These 40 artists — including members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, QUIET RIOT, TWISTED SISTER, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and even SPINAL TAP — along with hundreds of other volunteers, donated their time and talent over four months to make HEAR 'N AID a reality. "Stars" was a plea for unity in the fight against world hunger.

Speaking about his experience recording "Stars", Smith told RockSverige: "Well, I knew [then-DIO bassist] Jimmy Bain a bit from just hanging around in L.A. a bit, and he asked us to do it, and it was a charity, so we couldn't say no. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. There were all these shredders there, and in those days, everyone was trying to outdo each other and play faster and play louder, and I just wasn't interested in it. I did it because Jimmy asked and it was for charity.

"Dave [Murray, IRON MAIDEN guitarist] and I went there, and I said to Dave, 'I don't really wanna try and compete with these shredders,'" Adrian continued. "Vivian Campbell and Yngwie Malmsteen [were there], and I was, like, 'Jesus!' So I said, 'Let's do something melodic.' We just played a melodic line on this chorus and Ronnie was standing there, and he was, like, really surprised. He said, 'Thank god. I was dreading for you coming in and playing, like, a hundred notes per second over everyone else. I'm glad you did something musical.'

"I loved Ronnie. He was a lovely guy. It was one of those ones… it was like a scene out of a movie about rock music. [It] was all full of groupies in the control room. There must've been about 30 people in the control room while we were trying to work, which I hated. I just kind of gritted my teeth and got on with it. It was, like, chicks, people smoking joints… it was real old school. [Laughs] I actually said to Jimmy, 'It's a really good song you've got here.' And he said, 'Yeah, I know. We should've put it on our [DIO] album.' And he sort of regretted it a little bit that they didn't put it on their latest album, but it went out for charity."

Due to contract differences with the labels, the "Stars" song and album weren't released until New Year's Day, 1986, and were only ever made available on vinyl and cassette. But Ronnie's wife and manager Wendy Dio has said in recent years that she is continuing her efforts to correct that.

Wendy previously revealed that one of the reasons the HEAR 'N AID reissue was taking so long to come out was the "legal stuff" that needed to be taken care of. "You can always get the bands to do something, but it's the legal licensing of talking with the record labels they're on and the management and so on, to get something off the ground," she said. "So we're hoping to do that."

Brazilian rockers Electric Mob have released a video for "Higher Than Your Heels", a track from their debut album, Discharge (Frontiers Music Srl.). Watch the clip below, and order the album here.

Tracklisting:

"Awaken"
"Devil You Know"
"King’s Ale"
"Got Me Runnin’"
"Far Off"
"Your Ghost"
"Gypsy Touch"
"123 Burn"
"Upside Down"
"Higher Than Your Heels"
"Brand New Rope"
"We Are Wrong"

"Higher Than Your Heels" video:

"Far Off" video:

"King’s Ale":

"Devil You Know" video:

Lineup:

Renan Zonta - Vocals
Ben Hur Auwarter - Guitar
Yuri Elero - Bass
André Leister - Drums




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Infinite & Divine is a new collaboration between two Swedes, musician/songwriter/producer Jan Åkesson and vocalist Tezzi (aka Terese Persson). Their debut album, Silver Lining, will be released on April 9 via Frontiers Music Srl. Listen to the single "I Feel Alive" below, and pre-order/save Silver Lining here.

"We are excited to finally get to share this album with you all. It’s been a great creative experience making this album and along the road sharing and learning about each other’s strengths and influences in music, with everything from '80s hard rock to modern metal. The collaboration just felt relaxed and natural from the start and the pieces kind of just fell into place. We’ve had a lot of fun creating this together and we’re not stopping here," say Jan and Tezzi.

In the summer of 2019, Jan and Tezzi met and shortly after that decided to join forces creating what is now their debut Infinite & Divine album, Silver Lining. The combination of Jan’s energetic heavy riffs and the variety in the music with Tezzi’s melodic, yet raw vocals creates a sound not quite like anything else. While the music style is very melodic, there are a few twists and turns that make it unique and appealing.

Jan started out as a songwriter while also appearing as lead guitarist in several bands, before he decided to step back from the live scene to focus on writing and producing songs. He started the band StoneLake, who released seven studio albums, while at the same time writing songs for other artists around the world, all who were performing different styles of music. In 2017, he also released the album Ascension by his solo project Shadow Rain.

At age 17, Tezzi started doing local troubadour gigs, but before that had already started writing her own songs and lyrics, which were soon recorded. Over the years, she appeared in many different musical projects both as a lead singer in metal and progressive rock bands, as well as doing backup vocals for various Swedish artists. In 2013, she also appeared on the second album, Fantasmagoria, from Epysode (featuring Mike Lepond of Symphony X, Simone Mularoni of DGM, and Tom Englund of Evergrey among others) as one of the five lead singers.

Tracklisting:

"I Feel Alive"
"Infinite & Divine"
"Keep On Moving"
"Not Too Late"
"Wasteland"
"Burn No More"
"We Are One"
"Off The End Of The World"
"You And I"
"While You’re Looking For Love"
"Perplexed Perfection"

"I Feel Alive":

"Infinite & Divine" video:

Lineup:

Tezzi - Lead vocals and backing vocals
Jan Åkesson - Guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals and Programming

Additional Musicians:

Jens Westberg - Drums

- Produced & Mixed by Jan Åkesson
- Mastered by Jacob Hansen




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In a new interview with Finland's Kaaos TV, drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz of veteran Floridian death metallers CANNIBAL CORPSE was asked if he will get the COVID-19 vaccine to help stop the novel coronavirus from spreading. He responded (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know. I'm not one for that kind of stuff, so I don't know. I think we may have no choice, maybe, being who we are, kind of a thing. Before all this, obviously, going to certain countries, [they would tell us], 'Hey, you need that vaccine, you need that shot,' because of the diseases that may be happening — like in South America, or something like that — or you're not going to that country. So you had no choice. So that may be the reason for us to have to get the vaccine, is, 'Hey, you wanna come to Europe? Well, you have no choice.' So it kind of stinks.

"In a personal sense, I don't know if I would [get the vaccine], per se," he continued. "It's a good question. I'm not sure. The flu shot has been readily available, obviously, for years, and so many people always just got a flu shot, and I know a lot of them as well. But it wasn't anything that I felt that I neeed to get. So, yeah, I'm just weird about being forced to take something. It's a touchy subject, of course, so I don't know if I will get one or not, unless, like I said, I have to."

A new poll from the Pew Research Center showed that more than two-thirds of U.S. adults plan on getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

The poll, released on Friday, found that 69 percent of adults say they are going to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

The Pew poll showed that 19% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, 32% say they will definitely get the vaccine and 17% say they will probably get it.

The nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has estimated that about 70-85% of Americans would need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity.

America's two main vaccines have shown 95% efficacy against the coronavirus.

As of late January, the CDC discovered that only 11 per 1 million people experienced severe reactions from the Pfizer vaccine, and only 2.5 per 1 million people who received the Moderna dose.

Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, which became available in the United States earlier this month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave it emergency use authorization, was tested with new variants of COVID-19, and has shown to be effective against them; Pfizer and Moderna were tested prior to the emergence of these variants.

A DAY TO REMEMBER has shared an official Reel Bear Media-directed music video for its single "Everything We Need", which is featured on its recently released album "You're Welcome". Co-written by A DAY TO REMEMBER's Jeremy McKinnon with multi-platinum superstar Jon Bellion, Nick Long and Collin "Doc" Brittain, "Everything We Need" is an understated, yet uplifting exhale of emotion. The track is currently impacting Active Rock Radio, rising to Top 25 this week on the airplay charts and approaching 2.5 million streams worldwide. "You're Welcome" is available now on all streaming platforms, with exclusive merch bundles and multiple vinyl variants of the LP available in the band's official store.

Pegged as one of the "Most Anticipated Rock Albums of 2021" by Forbes, Consequence Of Sound, Kerrang! and more, "You're Welcome" is largely produced by Brittain and McKinnon. The 14-track collection represents another major step forward for the acclaimed quintet, and is highlighted by early singles "Brick Wall", "Degenerates", "Resentment" and "Mindreader". Additional album standouts include "Bloodsucker", which ravages with an infectious intensity, as well as "F.Y.M." which spouts punk energy through an unforgettable chorus. The band shows its versatility and multifaceted songwriting with towering stadium-sized tracks like "Viva La Mexico", while "Everything We Need" closes out the album with a plaintive melody and acoustic eloquence.

Having amassed over 1.6 billion global streams to date, A DAY TO REMEMBER is now inciting critical applause with "You're Welcome". Revolver declared, "['Brick Wall'] showcases the group's signature mix of post-hardcore heaviness and pop-rock hooks," while Consequence Of Sound wrote, "the Florida rockers' new LP will continue their wide-ranging sound that ranges from infectious pop-punk to crushing metalcore." Forbes put it simply, "It seems A DAY TO REMEMBER are only just getting started," and Billboard praised the band's "anthemic hybrid of post-hardcore and pop." Popdust avowed A DAY TO REMEMBER "have all but mastered their niche melding of pop melodies with hardcore music," while Kerrang! attested, "'You're Welcome' is the perfect soundtrack to this strange and uncertain world that we live in."

Earlier this year, A DAY TO REMEMBER unveiled ots first-ever acoustic livestream event, "A Day To Remember: Live at The Audio Compound". After premiering the stream on its official YouTube channel, the band surprised audiences everywhere by releasing the career-spanning nine-song performance as an acoustic live album, "Live At The Audio Compound", which is available now on all DSPs.

A DAY TO REMEMBER is: Jeremy McKinnon (vocals), Alex Shelnutt (drums), Kevin Skaff (guitar, vocals), Neil Westfall (guitar, vocals) and Joshua Woodard (bass).

Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine

CHEAP TRICK has released Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll, the latest single from the band's eagerly anticipated 20th studio album, "In Another World", arriving via BMG on Friday, April 9 digitally as well as on standard black vinyl and CD. Limited-edition blue and white splattered vinyl will be available at independent record stores nationwide. In addition, a limited-edition picture disc will be available exclusively via Target.

Produced by longtime associate Julian Raymond, "In Another World" sees CHEAP TRICK doing what they do better than anyone — crafting indelible rock 'n' roll with oversized hooks, mischievous lyrics, and seemingly inexorable energy. Trademark anthems like "Light Up The Fire" and "Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll" are countered by more introspective — but no less exuberant — considerations of times past, present, and unknowable future on such strikingly potent new tracks as "Another World" and "I'll See You Again". "In Another World" — which marks CHEAP TRICK's first new LP since 2017's double-header of "We're All Alright!" and "Christmas Christmas" — further showcases CHEAP TRICK at their most eclectic, touching on a myriad of distinct sounds and song approaches, from the swampy Chicago blues number "Final Days" (featuring fiery harmonica from Grammy Award-nominated singer and WET WILLIE frontman Jimmy Hall) to a timely rendition of John Lennon's still-relevant "Gimme Some Truth", originally released for Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 and featuring the instantly recognizable guitar sound of erstwhile SEX PISTOLS member Steve Jones. As irresistible and immediate as anything in their already awesome catalog, "In Another World" is CHEAP TRICK at their irrepressible best, infinitely entertaining and utterly unstoppable.

"In Another World" track listing:

01. Here Comes The Summer

02. Quit Waking Me Up

03. Another World

04. Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll

05. The Party

06. Final Days

07. So It Goes

08. Light Up The Fire

09. Passing Through

10. Here's Looking At You

11. Another World Reprise

12. I'll See You Again

13. Gimme Some Truth

CHEAP TRICK's current lineup includes three of its original members: singer Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson. Drummer Bun E. Carlos stopped touring with the band in 2010 and was replaced by Nielsen's son Daxx.

Founded in 1974, CHEAP TRICK are an indisputable American institution, beloved around the globe for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential, brand of pop rock 'n' roll. The band are true pioneers with an unparalleled streak of certifiably classic tunes, from "He's A Whore", "California Man" and "Dream Police" to "Surrender", "I Want You To Want Me" and the worldwide #1 hit single "The Flame". 2016 saw CHEAP TRICK inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, a long-overdue acknowledgement of a nearly five-decade career that has earned them more than 40 international gold and platinum certifications, myriad awards and industry honors, featured appearances on over 20 movie soundtracks, and total record sales well in excess of 20 million.

CHEAP TRICK are, of course, one of rock's hardest working live acts, lighting it up at arenas, concert halls, and amphitheatres worldwide more than 150 nights each year. Alas, recent events have forced the band off the road for perhaps the longest hiatus of their storied history. CHEAP TRICK plan to return to the endless highway later as soon as they can, including North American and U.K. tour dates.

"This band is held together by music," says Zander. "It's the super glue that keeps us writing and putting records out. The reason we started the band in the first place was to tour and write songs and put records out. If all that went away, there would be no point then, would there?"

In September, CHEAP TRICK released a cover version of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel". The track was engineered and produced by Jack Douglas.

Back in 2018, CHEAP TRICK released a single called "The Summer Looks Good On You" and followed it up with 2019 updates of Harry Nilsson's "Ambush" and John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth".

SION, the new project featuring former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones and modern guitar virtuoso/content creator Jared Dines, has released the official music video for its debut single, "The Blade". Check it out below.

Speaking about how their collaboration came about, Dines told Rock Feed: "Way back [in] 2018 was the TRIVIUM tour that I filled in for that Howard was on with his band LIGHT THE TORCH. And, of course, we met and we talked and we just kind of randomly started talking [about working together]. I think Howard mentioned, 'Down the road, let's maybe talk about doing something.' And, of course, I was, like, 'Yeah, that sounds awesome.' So that's kind of where it started. And then maybe just until [early 2020], I think [he] reached out and had said that [he] had some free time, and I had some free time, so we figured why not start now and start writing some songs. So that's kind of how it started. It was just very casual, and it's just been that way — very natural, and not, like, [with] any type of real plan."

Regarding SION's musical direction, Dines said: "I think there's a lot of natural influence I have from bands like KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, AS I LAY DYING, et cetera, et cetera, because that's the era I grew up on, so that's kind of imprinted into my playing as it is. So it's very natural for me just to flow out these very, you could call it KILLSWITCH ENGAGE-sounding songs, but that's not the intent, what we were going for. But, yeah, they're going to sound, when you hear them, of course, because of Howard and because of my influence and my style, they will be similar to that sound — just naturally. [KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's third album, 2004's] 'The End Of Heartache', of course, for me, was my favorite and what influenced me the most, so I would say it's probably gonna sound more like that, as far as instrumentally. And whatever Howard wants to do with it, it's gonna sound like Howard. It's gonna sound like me and Howard, whatever that sounds like."

Jones left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2012 and battled manic depression and bipolar disorder before forming a new project, DEVIL YOU KNOW, with guitarist Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and drummer John Sankey (DEVOLVED). Along with bassist Ryan Wombacher (BLEEDING THROUGH), they recorded and toured behind two well-received albums, 2014's "The Beauty Of Destruction" and 2015's "They Bleed Red". In 2017, the band changed its name to LIGHT THE TORCH following a bitter dispute with Sankey, a part owner of the name.

Asked what made him get back into music after leaving KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, Howard told Heavy New York: "Honestly, I think it was because I was just kind of tired of doing nothing and I don't do much else other than music. I felt like I needed to venture out because I was basically agoraphobic for three years. It's kind of well known. I went off the grid. I didn't have a cell phone for three years — I was gone. It felt, like, 'Okay, maybe I should dip my toe in. I don't have to do it full time. I don't have to do what I don't want to do.' That's all I was thinking. I started moving, I started doing things. It was definitely a struggle, especially for the first few years. I was, like, 'What am I doing?' There's been few things in my life that has been consistent other than music. I just did it. It just took some time, then all of the sudden, the spark showed up. I fell back in love with what I was doing. I really can't explain it. It just sort of happened."

In a 2014 interview with Fishing World, Jones stated about his musical influences: "Well, just about anything I can listen to. AC/DC and KISS were the first bands that introduced me to heavy music. After that, I just absorbed anything I could get my hands on. Some favourites are FAITH NO MORE, HIM, ALICE IN CHAINS, PORTISHEAD ... My taste is kind of all over the place."

Jones makes an appearance on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's latest album, "Atonement", contributing guest vocals to the song "The Signal Fire".

Dines has redefined the very idea of a guitar hero online. His YouTube channel boasts a staggering 2.92 million subscribers and more than 700 million views. He also has collaborated with everyone from Post Malone to BREAKING BENJAMIN. His recorded output includes "Rest", "Repose", "Daddy Rock" and "Dissimilator", to name a few. He made history as "the first YouTuber" to grace the cover of Guitar World magazine. Meanwhile, he teamed up with Music Man for a signature Stingray guitar.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has released a lyric video for "I Refuse". The song was included on the second instalment of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2", which came out in October.

"A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2" contains four previously unreleased tracks: "Broken World", the Steve Aoki remix of "Bad Company", a Joe Hahn remix of "Wash It All Away", a Felmax remix of "Trouble" and a new acoustic version of "Wrong Side Of Heaven".

In October, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH confirmed that it officially parted ways with guitarist Jason Hook back in February 2020, during the band's sold-out European arena tour. He has since been replaced by renowned British virtuoso Andy James, who is also featured on "Broken World".

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, "F8", was released in February 2020. The follow-up to 2018's "And Justice For None" capped a turbulent period for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in which singer Ivan Moody finally got sober after a near-fatal struggle with addiction, while co-founding drummer Jeremy Spencer bowed out of the band due to physical issues.

Much of "F8"'s lyrical content deals with Moody's battle with addiction, its aftermath and his recovery. The singer celebrated two years of sobriety in March.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's new disc was once again helmed by Kevin Churko, the Canadian record producer/engineer and songwriter who currently lives in Las Vegas, where he works out of his private studio, The Hideout Recording Studio. The drums on the LP were laid down by Charlie "The Engine" Engen, who made his live debut with the group during its fall 2018 tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN.

In an interview with Berlin, Germany's Star FM, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory spoke about the inspiration for the title of "F8". He said: "Originally, we were just gonna call it '8', sort of. We thought it's the eighth record, and if you wanted to be esoteric about it, we figured, well, if you turn the '8' sideways, it's the symbol of infinity. There was some play with the visuals. I do most of the design and the graphics for the merch in the band in general… So, I was playing around with the graphics and I thought it maybe needs a bit more. And we were bouncing around ideas, and we added the letter 'F.' So it was, like, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's eighth record. At the same time, if you want to read it phonetically, it could be 'fate.'"

Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio the band felt a different kind of vibe when it finally got into the studio to make "F8". "After eight records, I don't think we have to say, 'Well, we are here to stay,'" he said. "But there was this image of getting into the studio and 'Let's light this on fire.' This was this different sort of power, this different sort of energy that was driving us."

SCORPIONS have announced the rescheduled dates for their "Sin City Nights" Las Vegas residency. The run of shows, which was originally slated to take place in July 2020 and was later pushed back to May 2021, will now happen in March-April, 2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Support will come from QUEENSRŸCHE.

"Sin City Nights" 2022 dates:

March26

March 30

April 1

April 3

April 7

April 9

April 12

April 14

April 16

Fans who purchased tickets to an affected performance will have their tickets automatically transferred to a new date with the exact same seats, including VIP packages, where applicable. If you are unable to attend that date, please visit your original point of purchase for a refund. Those interested in purchasing tickets for the new dates can do so at this location.

SCORPIONS previously played a Las Vegas mini-residency in May 2016, consisting of five shows at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

SCORPIONS' new album is tentatively due later in the year. The disc was recorded in part at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany and will mark the German hard rock legends' first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of SCORPIONS' new and classic material.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, most of the work so far has been done remotely, with Fidelman taking part via Zoom.

Fidelman began his career as the guitarist and songwriter for RHINO BUCKET before launching his career as a producer, engineer and mixer, finding an early mentor in Rick Rubin.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Mikkey Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.




Our Sin City Nights Vegas Residency dates May 8 - 30, 2021 at Zappos Theater have been rescheduled to March 26 – April...

Posted by Scorpions on Wednesday, March 10, 2021

CHEVELLE has released a lyric video for "Endlessly". The track is taken from the band's ninth full-length album, "Niratias", which is being released today (Friday, March 5) via Epic Records.

Prior to its arrival, the band unloaded a salvo of singles, all released to acclaim. Lead single "Self Destructor" has already eclipsed close to five million streams globally and over one million YouTube views on the music video. After emerging as the "#1 Most Added Song," it just broke into the Top 3 at Active Rock, adding to their robust catalogue of hits. Closing in on over two million streams, "Peach" garnered critical acclaim right out of the gate.

"Niratias" is an acronym for "Nothing Is Real and This Is a Simulation", and it represents CHEVELLE at its dimension-blurring best. The body of work twists and turns through crushing guitars and haunting melodies like a cosmically heavy roller coaster at the edge of existence. The instrumental opener "Verruckt" sets the tone with its gnashing distortion and laser-precise groove. "So Long, Mother Earth" doubles as a eulogy for our planet carried by an overpowering scream and searing solo. Clocking in at almost six minutes, "Ghost And Razor" culminates on one final distorted exorcism before a pensive spoken word echoes barely above a whisper on "Lost In Digital Woods".

"Niratias" stands out as CHEVELLE's most pummeling and provocative record yet. Teaming with longtime producer Joe Barresi, the band 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 '70s and '80s science fiction novel covers and magazines (such as Heavy Metal).

Throughout its career, CHEVELLE has transformed rock music as tried-and-true outliers. The Chicago rock band has generated close to 1.7 billion global streams, earned 11 number one hits, and sold out shows worldwide. Their catalog spans the double-platinum "Wonder What's Next" highlighted by the double-platinum smash "The Red" and platinum "Send The Pain Below" as well as the platinum "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)" and gold "Vena Sera". They've landed four Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, including "Sci-Fi Crimes" (2009), "Hats Off To The Bull" (2011), "La Gárgola" (2014) and "The North Corridor" (2016). The latter two each captured No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart.