British musician Andy James, who joined FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH last year as the replacement for the band's longtime guitarist Jason Hook, spoke about how he landed the gig during a recent video chat with Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G. (FIREWIND, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE).

"I knew Charlie [Engen], the [current FIVE FINGER] drummer, 'cause we'd toured before with Angel Vivaldi, and he was the drummer for Angel and SCALE THE SUMMIT," Andy recalled (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "We had that one song that we did that we all kind of jammed together at the end, so we got to play together and got to know each other on that. I was really stoked when he was announced as the new drummer for FIVE FINGER. And I guess they just kind of got talking.

"Zoltan [Bathory, FIVE FINGER guitarist and founder] is a big fan of guitar players in general — going on Instagram and seeing what's new and who's about," he continued. "I think he's always interested in seeing who's around and what things are out there. And I think I came up in conversation at one point, and Charlie had told him that we knew each other. I think [Zoltan] was working with BUTCHER BABIES, trying to help them to further their career a little bit, and was thinking that maybe they could do with another guitar player. So he contacted me via Instagram, and we got chatting for a bit. I think it was really only a couple of weeks later after that I ended up in Hollywood anyway, in L.A. And then I met the [BUTCHER BABIES] guys and stuff, and then we went in the studio. And at that point, Zoltan came out to the studio and we hung out and stuff like that. So that's pretty much how we met.

"I was about to embark on doing some bits and pieces with the BUTCHER BABIES, having done 'Dimebash', and that was kind of our first gig — 'here's our new bass player and new guitar player,' 'cause they got a new bass player at the same time as well," James added. "And then, right before going and actually doing a music video shoot for one of their songs, Zoltan contacted and was just, like, 'Yeah, we might need you to come out and finish up the rest of our tour, 'cause we've had a bit of a kind of issue with Jason Hook' — I think a health issue, stuff like that. So, yeah, 'stand by' kind of thing. And then literally the following day, there was like a fucking ticket waiting for me at LAX [Los Angeles International Airport]. So I was literally playing guitar in first class the whole flight back, because I was still learning the shit on the way to England — 17 songs, something like that. Obviously, I'd been a fan of the band, so I knew the music and everything, so it wasn't a case of having to learn the arrangements — assuming that none of the stuff had been changed that much for live, that part of it was kind of already in my head. But I had to just sit down and work out the physical aspect of doing some of their stuff."

Andy went on to say that he was pleased things worked out the way they did. "I'm happy that it happened, but, obviously, it's to the detriment of somebody else's life and career," he said, referring to Hook's dismissal from FIVE FINGER. "But I think things just naturally move on, and this is just one of those things."

James made his recording debut with FIVE FINGER on the song "Broken World", which is featured on the second installment of the band's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2".

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.

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.

LA Pop Art has joined forces with KISS to launch a branded "Word Art" line of apparel that celebrates the legendary band's enduring magic.

LA Pop Art company founder Joseph Leibovic states: "'You wanted the best; you got the best!' We couldn't be more excited and honored to be working with one of the most iconic rock bands of all time and, more importantly, being able to offer the KISS Army something so unique."

Just in time to commemorate KISS's "End Of The Road" final tour, LA Pop Art has created the iconic KISS logo out of their popular song titles and the famous makeup of the Demon, Starchild, Catman, and Spaceman. T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and more are now available for men, women, and children.

"There has never been a band like KISS and there will never be another band like them," Leibovic adds. "We wanted to honor their legend with a truly one-of-a-kind design that is a must-have for any KISS fan."

This fully licensed KISS merchandise is boldly printed with pride in the USA and available for purchase at LAPopArt.com, Macys.com, Amazon.com and other select quality retailers.

LA Pop Art worked with KISS's licensing agency, Epic Rights, to facilitate this partnership.

LA Pop Art is the exclusive home to unique "Word Art" apparel that combines the visual images of pop culture's most celebrated icons with the language that made them famous, creating unique works of art.

The company creates text-based artwork, entirely drawn by hand, using the ancient technique of micrography, an art form of writing text in very small letters to form the illusion of an image.

LA Pop Art is the premier Pop Art micrographic imaging firm with a portfolio of film, music, and pop-culture artwork from the biggest names in the business, and has been featured in top magazines, movies, TV shows and in major art collections and exhibits.

To learn more, visit lapopart.com.

During an appearance on the latest edition of "Trunk Nation LA Invasion: Live From The Rainbow Bar & Grill" on SiriusXM, bassist Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), guitarist Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL, VINCE NEIL), drummer Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) and singer Franky Perez (APOCALYPTICA) spoke about the formation of their new collaborative project, DEADLAND RITUAL.

Asked how band came together, Franky said: "Matt, myself and Steve have been friends with years. And we've been talking about doing a project. And we had an opportunity to play with Geezer at the Adopt The Arts benefit, and I remember turning to Matt and saying, 'This is it, man. This is unreal.' And when it came time to put the band together, it just made sense."

Added Matt: "Slash actually called me one time and said, 'Hey, man. I found this singer [Franky]. And would you check him out with CAMP FREDDY? And I'm gonna come down and watch.' We were looking for a singer for VELVET REVOLVER. And then, long story short, we kind of worked on that for a while. That didn't come to fruition. And then I remained friends with Franky. I loved his voice and I kept playing with him in different situations.

"I have a charity group for kids here in L.A. called Adopt The Arts," he continued. "And we did a big benefit. And I called Geezer, 'cause I had just played with him with Alice Cooper and the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES. We did a gig here at The Roxy. Geezer got up and we played… I think we played a [Jimi] Hendrix tune, 'Manic Depression'. And it was just great. And then I think I got his number. So then I called him and we went up for my Adopt The Arts thing and we played [BLACK SABBATH's] 'War Pigs', 'cause he knows that one. And we all know it as well, we love it, so we said, 'Can we please play that song?' And he obliged and said yes. And it was Steve, Franky and myself playing [with Geezer] that night, and I remember, it just felt explosive. We all looked at each other and we were, like, 'That was really cool.' At that point, time went on and we started talking about doing a project. And I called Geezer. And I sent him a demo that we had — another song that we haven't put out yet that's great — and he liked it. And that was pretty much how it started. And then we got together and started writing songs."

Geezer said that he initially had no plans to join another band after SABBATH completed its "The End" farewell tour.

"Well, I retired after the last SABBATH show," he said. "I just traveled and did everything that I wanted to do when I was retired for a year. And then I got fed up watching the TV every day. And I started writing stuff again, 'cause that's what you do. I've been doing it for 50 years, so it's in your blood. You can't just stop, especially when it's your hobby as well. And I just got back into writing stuff. I was planning on doing another solo album, a GZR thing. And I got a few songs together for that. And then Matt got in touch with me about DEADLAND RITUAL."

Asked what appealed to him about being in a band again, Geezer said: "It's what I've known since I started when I was 16; I was in a band. When you're doing solo stuff, it's just you writing stuff. There's nobody to bounce off, and I really missed that. It's good to have people saying, 'That's good. That'll work.' Or, 'That's not so good.' And I missed having that. The guitarist that I worked with in GZR, he's just moved to the East Coast and he's got other things on his plate at the moment. With DEADLAND RITUAL, everybody's local, so it's easy to get together. And you don't have to plan months in advance to do an album or write songs. If I feel like writing a song today, I call up Steve, go around to Steve's house, and we try something."

DEADLAND RITUAL recently released its first song, "Down In Flames". The track, which was produced by Greg Fidelman (METALLICA, SLIPKNOT), was made available via Sonik Riot Records/AWAL powered by Kobalt.

According to Matt, DEADLAND RITUAL now has "a whole bunch of songs we're stacking up. And we're working towards a record down the line a little bit. We've got about three [tracks] in the can right now," he said. "We've been working with Greg Fidelman, who just did miraculous things for METALLICA on their new record. And I told Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] it's one of my favorite records they've done in years. And he comes from the Rick Rubin camp. And he did the last SABBATH record as well — he engineered that record — and the new SLIPKNOT stuff. So he was a perfect fit. He was amazing to work with. So we loved that process. And I think the tracks sound awesome."

DEADLAND RITUAL will make two European summer festival appearances in June — Download in the U.K on June 14 and Hellfest in France on June 22.

DEADLAND RITUAL promises the live shows will be something special, mixing original material with deeper cuts from the bandmembers' collective past. "Not the typical songs you would expect," according to Sorum.

Dee Snider's upcoming solo album, "Leave A Scar", will include a duet with CANNIBAL CORPSE frontman George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher.

The TWISTED SISTER singer broke the news of the collaboration in a tweet on Wednesday. He wrote: "HOLY HELL!! Just heard mix of a duet (if you can call something this brutal that) with me and #corpsegrinder of CANNIBAL CORPSE for my next album! 'Time to Chose' is BEYOND HEAVY! @jameyjasta @CorpseOfficial #HAAAAAARD !!!"

Last week, Snider told New York's Q104.3 radio station that his new LP will be "very heavy," but added that "there are some surprises on there that I think people are gonna really be excited about."

Snider's next solo album will be the follow-up to "For The Love Of Metal", which was released in July 2018 via Napalm Records. That effort, which was produced by HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta, featured contributions from Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and Charlie Bellmore (KINGDOM OF SORROW).

Snider previously spoke about his upcoming solo LP during an October 2020 interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. At the time, he said: "[I'm] working with the same amazing team — the Bellmore brothers, Charlie [on guitar] and Nickey. Nickey plays drums, but also is the engineer and mixer — an amazing, talented guy. And Jamey Jasta is the producer and curator. He is the gatekeeper, the master. As all ideas are brought in, they're filtered through Jamey, his ears, and have to get a thumbs-up from him before it makes it to the record. But now we no longer have to do that 'Is this gonna work?' thing. And for me, it's, 'Do I trust these guys?' I mean, I trusted them in the sense that they were friends, but when Jamey challenged me to do the metal record, I had my doubts. I don't wanna say it's doubts, but [I thought], 'How is this gonna work?' So there was an initial thing where we were all feeling each other out. Now, after two years of working together, touring with the Bellmore brothers, locking in a band with Nick 'Taz' Petrino on guitar and Russ Pizzuto on bass guitar, we come in and we don't have to waste any time with that. There is trust, we do know our direction, we do know what works for Dee Snider and for this project, and we just go full steam ahead."

Snider's latest release was "For The Love Of Metal Live!", which came out in July 2020 via Napalm Records. The DVD/Blu-ray and accompanying live album (available in various formats) features audio captured from several Snider festival performances worldwide — from the United States to Europe, Australia and beyond. In addition to tracks from Snider's solo catalog, like "I Am The Hurricane" and "For The Love Of Metal", TWISTED SISTER favorites such as "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It", and even a cover of AC/DC's "Highway To Hell", the audio portion of "For The Love Of Metal Live!" also features a brand new original studio track, "Prove Me Wrong".

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour.




HOLY HELL!! Just heard mix of a duet (if you can call something this brutal that) with me and #corpsegrinder of Cannibal Corpse for my next album! “Time to Chose” is BEYOND HEAVY! @jameyjasta @CorpseOfficial #HAAAAAARD !!!

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) March 10, 2021

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of DEFTONES' legendary platinum-certified album "White Pony", the band has partnered with Abre Ojos Tequila to release a limited-edition Añejo Tequila.

The limited-edition Añejo was handcrafted in the town of Tequila, Jalisco. It is aged up to two years in American Oak used whiskey barrels, creating caramel, vanilla, hazelnut and chocolate notes. The buttery taste ends with a smoky, mature flavor. It is meant to sip and enjoy.

Last December, DEFTONES released "Black Stallion", the long-awaited "White Pony" companion album featuring an eclectic cast of contributors re-imagining its songs and their far-reaching impact across the worlds of metal, hip-hop, indie, and electronic music.

DEFTONES announced their plans for a "White Pony" remix album during a virtual press conference in June. At the time, singer Chino Moreno stated: "We're going to be releasing later in the year a reissue of ['White Pony'] and we're going to do sort of a split side of the record, a remixed version of it titled 'Black Stallion'. So we have a bunch of different people on it, some that actually inspired some of the writing of the record itself, the original album. So it's kind of come full circle."

DJ Frank Delgado revealed that "Black Stallion" was in the works before "White Pony" even saw the light of day.

"We would talk about ['White Pony' before it came out], how good it was going to be, and we'd immediately jump to, 'It's going to be so good, we're going to have [DJ] Shadow remix it and we'll call it 'Black Stallion'. I think one time we actually hit him up. He was playing here in town and I was opening DJing and me and Chino kind of cornered him."

"White Pony (20th Anniversary)" is available in three physical formats: 2 CD + digital download; limited-edition deluxe box set (2 double LPs + 2 CDs); and a vinyl box set (2 double LPs).

DEFTONES' ninth album, "Ohms", arrived in September.

Korpiklaani are proud to announce that their very own Korpiklaani Vodka has been awarded the "World's Best Infused & Botanical Vodka" at the International World Vodka Awards competition. This spruce flavored Vodka is produced by Pyynikin Distilling Company from Tampere who have won several international awards.

One can safely say their years of traveling around the world, drinking a fair amount of Vodka along the way, has finally paid off with providing an certain expertise to produce of award-winning vodka. You can watch a commercial for Korpiklaani Vodka below.

Jarkko comments:"We had several sessions with Samuli the Distiller where we went through many different versions of the vodka. The correct amount of spruce was crucial in getting the flavor exactly right and even tiny changes made a huge difference in the final product. We 're very happy to see that the jury appreciated the same things and actually understood the amount of love and care that went into making this vodka."

"When Korpiklaani suggested making a vodka in cooperation, I could not have been more excited! Korpiklaani was my absolute favorite band in my youth and I still listen to them a lot. In my opinion, spruce is one of the most Finnish flavors and aromas, and it also fits very well with the look of Korpiklaani, so from the beginning it was clear what would be used in this vodka. We went collecting spruce twigs ourselves from the forest for distillation. The end result is a grain-based vodka flavored with spruce, which is wooded and fresh, like the forest in a bottle," says  Samuli Peltonummi , the main distiller of  Pyynikin Distilling Company




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On March 12, internationally renowned Renaissance folk rock band, Blackmore’s Night, will release their new studio album, Nature’s Light. Find a full album preview below, and pre-order the album here.

Blackmore’s Night have crafted a 20+ year legacy of merging medieval melodies with rock elements. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night seamlessly blends her ethereal vocals and lyrics, along with a command of numerous classic woodwinds. With Ritchie Blackmore traversing all matter of six-string instruments, from acoustic and electric guitar to mandola, hurdy-gurdy and nyckelharpa and their wonderful band of minstrels, the result is a truly unique listening experience.

The ten new tracks make for a quintessential Blackmore’s Night album. Once again, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night successfully mix the tradition of Folk music and their love for the Renaissance era, inspired by the myths and legends of ancient times.

“The story of Nature’s Light is the story of nature being the true queen and the simplicity and magic of everyday miracles that happen right before your eyes”, says Candice Night. “If you feel stagnant or repressed in your surroundings, it is important to take a break from the mundane and go where your heart leads you. It allows you to recharge and begin again with fresh and renewed energy. For some it is the ocean, for some the woods, for some feeling the sun on your face. Our music is an escape from the stress and pressure of modern times. Journey back through time with us, to a simpler, magical time where music enters your heart and soul.”

Nature’s Light will be released on multiple formats via earMUSIC. Among these is a Strictly Limited 2CD Hardcover Mediabook Edition including a bonus CD featuring a carefully selected set of Blackmore’s Night’s masterpieces from their extensive back catalogue. Furthermore, the album will become available as a CD Digipak Edition, a Strictly Limited Heavyweight 1LP Gatefold Edition on Yellow Vinyl, a 180g 1LP Gatefold Edition on Black Vinyl as well as Digital.

Tracklisting:

"Once Upon December"
"Four Winds"
"Feather In The Wind"
"Darker Shade Of Black" (Instrumental)
"The Twisted Oak"
"Nature’s Light"
"Der Letzte Musketier" (Instrumental)
"Wish You Were Here" (2021)
"Going To The Faire"
"Second Element"

Album preview:

"Nature’s Light" video:

"Four Winds" lyric video:

"Once Upon December" lyric video:




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Pink Floyd Live at Knebworth 1990 will be released for the first time on CD, double vinyl and digital platforms on Friday, April 30. The concert was part of the star-studded 1990 Silver Clef Winners performance at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, headlined by Pink Floyd.

The monumentous Knebworth concert saw Pink Floyd topping the all-star bill that included Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Genesis, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant (with Jimmy Page), Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton, and Tears For Fears. Around 120,000 music fans saw these giants of rock appear on the hallowed stage of Knebworth, all in aid of the Nordoff Robbins charity, profits from which went towards setting up the BRIT School. The concert was broadcast globally on MTV.

Pink Floyd - David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright - were joined on stage by members of their touring band including Guy Pratt, Jon Carin, Tim Renwick, and Gary Wallis. Backing vocals came from Durga McBroom, Sam Brown and her mother Vicki, and (original The Great Gig in the Sky vocalist) Clare Torry. Pink Floyd also welcomed guest musicians including sax player Candy Dulfer and keyboard player and composer Michael Kamen.

David Gilmour and Andy Jackson have remixed the audio from this iconic concert featuring all seven tracks performed on the day, and the album features new artwork shot by Floyd collaborator Aubrey 'Po' Powell of Hipgnosis and designed by Peter Curzon of StormStudios.

Pre-order here and listen to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (Pts. 1-5) below.




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Escape Music announces the signing of Bulgarian band Kikimora, featuring the multi-talented musician, Maestro Nikolo Kotzev (Brazen Abbot). The new album, Dirty Nails, will be released on May 14.

Kikimora was founded back in 2011 by Nikolo Kotzev (Brazen Abbot, Nostradamus the rock opera, Robin Gibb), immediately after moving back to his home country Bulgaria. The name of the band comes from an ancient evil spirit in the Slavic mythology.

Nikolo’s idea was to write new songs in Bulgarian language, focusing on live performances on local ground. Soon the band took a leading position on the Bulgarian rock scene, started playing large outdoor shows and headlining festivals in the country. The band started enjoying quite a large media attention and made many appearances on TV and radio shows.

Along with Nikolo’s own material, the band performed many legendary rock anthems from great bands like Deep Purple, Rainbow, AC/DC among others. During the years Kikimora backed up guest singers like Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White and Jörn Lande and made quite a few shows with them in Bulgaria.

Along with the live work, Nikolo created original material, which was released in 2015 with the album called "Kikimora".

Around 2016 the band participated in a spectacle with a symphonic orchestra, performing opera classics in rock arrangements with opera singers, plus the bands own singer Nikola Zdravkov. After a few showcases, the band carried on with three of the country’s Opera houses, performing a similar show called “One Night In The Opera” drawing large crowds around the country.

After quite a few successful concerts, the band made another crossover, “Children In Time”,  a tribute to Deep Purple and Rainbow, performed again with a symphonic orchestra. They followed that up with another one, called ”Here We Go Again”, a Whitesnake tribute. The next one was called “They Say Rock Is Dead?” a tribute to the rock music of the 70s and the 80s.

In late 2019 Nikolo began building a recording studio. Shortly after the studio was completed, a decision was made to record a new album in English language. Work began in July 2020 and the album was finished in February 2021. The end result is explosive!

Updates to follow.

Lineup:

 Nikolo Kotzev – Guitars (Brazen Abbot)
Nikola Zdravkov - vocals
Nikolay Todorov - drums and vocals
Nikolay Tsvetkov - bass

(Photo - Escape Music Ltd.)




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Austin's Jason McMaster and New Jersey's Dan Lorenzo have been in many bands over the years. Lorenzo most notably in Hades and Non-Fiction, and McMaster in Watchtower and Broken Teeth to name a few, but up until now the two have never written together.

McMaster has sung the covers "Mr. Speed" and "Sight For Sore Eye"s under the moniker Cassius King (Lorenzo, Lipnicki, Schulman and different vocalists and guests), but the two have just released the single "Traveler", along with Jimmy Schulman and Ron Lipnicki who both play with Lorenzo in his doom band Vessel Of Light.

"The last 3 years is the most music I've written in my life", Lorenzo stated. "I've become obsessed with Vessel Of Light, but I have always had an eye to writing with Jason. We both have a shared love for 70s era KISS, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick... of course you would never know that listening to the first song we are releasing.
It's more in a Sabbathy direction."

Cassius King are speaking with several labels about a full release and hope to have their debut LP out by the end of this year. The first single, "Traveler" can be heard here, and below:

Traveler by CASSIUS KING




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Ross “The Boss” Friedman and his band, Ross The Boss, have released a video for "Glory To The Slain", the opening track of their latest album, Born Of Fire, out now via AFM Records. Order the album here, and watch the new clip below:

Born Of Fire is the fourth album from Friedman and his band, which arrives not even two years after their chart breaking 2018 effort, By Blood Sworn. Born Of Fire is pounding yet fresher and heavier out of the speakers than before, but isn’t lacking any of the typical Ross The Boss trademarks.

Tracklisting:

"Glory To The Slain"
"Fight The Fight"
"Denied By The Cross"
"Maiden Of Shadows"
"I Am The Sword"
"Shotgun Evolution"
"Born Of Fire"
"Godkiller"
"The Blackest Heart"
"Demon Holiday"
"Undying"
"Waking The Moon"

"Glory To The Slain" video:

"Born Of Fire" video:

"Maiden Of Shadows" video:

"Denied By The Cross" lyric video:




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Frontiers Music Srl announces the signing of Indian hard rockers, Girish & The Chronicles (GATC), to the label for a multi-album deal.

The band’s singer Girish Pradhan says, "Frontiers is home to some of the most legendary artists, some of whom we actually idolized as kids and it is a truly wonderful feeling to be a part of this family. We had hoped for this for quite some time and we had no idea that we would be the first Indian band to do this! We really look forward to creating some crazy albums together and adding to the legacy!"

GATC plans to head to the studio very soon to start the recordings of their third record which is expected to be released in early 2022. Girish concludes: "We are very excited for this. We have already started making demos and they sound KICK ASS! As always, we want to take this album to the next level. It will have all the musical elements that we love to hear, in our day to day lives, which of course revolves around good old Rock 'n Roll. From the Sunset Strip to NWOBHM and more. Our audience can expect some great anthems!"  

Girish continues, "We are a hard rock/melodic rock/heavy metal band. We like making the kind of music that we grew up listening to, which revolves around the '80s. However, we do like including a song or two that may have a very different vibe. Could be in the form of a progressive song or maybe a riff that has a bit of "India" in it. All in all, we think of it as a roller coaster ride with the meanest in-your-face songs to beautiful ballads. We feel no matter how dedicated we are to the art, we still should not stop ourselves from exploring more, but without losing the essence of what we truly love."

GATC has released two albums, their debut Back On Earth on Universal Music India and the more recent Rock The Highway, which was released independently outside of India as well.

For the uninitiated, you can hear what the band sounds like via the below music videos.

Coming from the city of Bengaluru in Sikkim, India, GATC are known for their soaring, powerful vocals, biting guitars, thunderous bass, and pounding drums, staying true to the authentic ‘80s heavy metal/hard rock sound which they grew up with. Many rock outlets, listed GATC’s "Rock the Highway" on their list of top Top Rock/Metal Albums of 2020 and the group has gained a cult following with '80's and '90s hair metal and hard rock aficionados.

GATC is also well known in the Indian rock scene for electrifying live shows and have toured across the nation and beyond. The group has supported bands ranging in variety from American alt rockers Hoobastank to Finnish rockers Poets of the Fall to German thrashers Destruction. Additionally, the band has been part of various leading music festivals in India consistently. They also recently toured with/backed ex-Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler during his performances in India. Vocalist Girish Pradhan is also part of the international metal group, Firstborne, which is led by Chris Adler, James Lomenzo and Hugh B. Myrone. He has also toured the UK, France, Spain, Portugal and other territories with his other side projects in the past. In their 11 year existence, they have been credited by many fans for bringing the classic hard rock culture back in India and are an inspiration to many new and upcoming bands in the scene.




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Finnish melodic death/doom metal strikers, Marianas Rest, will unleash their third studio album, Fata Morgana, on March 12 via Napalm Records. As their final harbinger, the six-piece now unveils its intense, third offering, “Pointless Tale”.

Along with a visually palpable lyric video, this inexorable track draws the listener even deeper into the maelstrom and essence of Marianas Rest: A scream of despair shaking to the core immediately draws the listener into a dark vortex and gets the song started without making any compromises. While deep growls and doomy tunes pervade the verse, the chorus unleashes an incarnate furious beast, smashing its despair and hopelessness out to the world.

Jaakko Mäntymaa on their third single: “'Pointless Tale' tries to sum up the desperation that you sometimes feel when looking at how this world works. It is easy to break structures that someone has spent a lifetime building. And a lot of the time we build things without stopping to think what for.”

Watch the lyric video for “Pointless Tale":

Fata Morgana marks the final chapter of a trilogy that began when Marianas Rest released their first full-length, 2016’s Horror Vacui, followed by the critically acclaimed full-length Ruins (2019). The series encompasses themes of isolation, eventual mental collapse and emergence from that woeful state, respectively - however, the band invites fans to experience the concept from their own perspectives.

The upcoming eight-song epos delivers atmospheric melodies that are as endless and fascinating as the overwhelming beauty of Finnish nature, which tracks like the expressive “The Weight” or authentic “Pointless Tale” are evidence of. Topped by guest appearances of Timo Virkkala, who shares his awesome cello magic, and the bewitching backing vocals of Lindsay Matheson/Schoolcraft (ex-Cradle Of Filth), Marianas Rest take their creative output to the next level and make Fata Morgana a must-have for fans of bands like Insomnium and My Dying Bride.

Marianas Rest on Fata Morgana: "Fata Morgana is a voyage into isolation. A passage to a place where minds get distorted by the cold."

This melodic melancholy is produced by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum) and Marianas Rest, recorded and mixed by Teemu Aalto at Teemu Aalto Music Productions and mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers, who received a Grammy nomination with Candlemass feat. Tony Iommi for Best Metal Performance.

Fata Morgana will be available in the following formats:

- 2LP Gatefold Marbled Black/White (Napalm Mailorder Only)
- 2LP Gatefold Black
- CD Digipack
- Digital Album

Pre-order your copy of Fata Morgana here.

Tracklisting:

"Sacrificial"
"Glow From The Edge"
"Pointless Tale
"The Weight"
"Horrokseen"
"Fata Morgana"
"Advent Of Nihilism"
"South Of Vostok"

“South Of Vostok” video:

“Glow From The Edge” video:

“Glow From The Edge” behind the scenes:

As a special bonus, Marianas Rest will release a limited edition reissue of their aforementioned second studio album, Ruins, on vinyl for the first time ever on March 12 via Napalm Records. Unleashed back in April 2019, the Finns’ full-length tells the story of how a mind slowly crumbles, about introversion, putting up mental walls and eventually disappearing inside your own head.

Available as a 2LP Gatefold Marbled Black/White vinyl (limited to 300 copies), this is a must have for fans of this somber manifest of heavy riffs and grieving melodies.

Pre-order Ruins here.

Tracklisting:

"Kairos"
"The Spiral"
"Hole In Nothing"
"The Defiant"
"Unsinkable"
"Shadows"
"Restitution"
"Omega"

Marianas Rest are:

Jaakko Mäntymaa - vocals
Aapo Koivisto - keys
Nico Mänttäri - guitar
Harri Sunila - guitar
Niko Lindman - bass
Nico Heininen - drums

(Photo - Miikka Järvinen)




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Former Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum recently guested on Rock On The Rocks and revealed during the interview, found below, that he has teamed up with Brazil-based Companhia Brasileira de Cerveja Artesanal (CBCA) for his very own signature beer, aptly called The Drummer.

The interview with Sorum begins at the 24 minute mark. He talks about the beer starting at the 1 hour mark.

Sorum: "This is an American lager, and then I've got an IPA coming. There's 12 Bristol Farms stores (in the US) right now, and next year we'll go wider with it... distribute it everywhere, I hope."

Sorum was originally scheduled to release his autobiography, Double Talkin' Jive: True Rock 'N' Roll Stories From The Drummer Of Guns N' Roses, The Cult, And Velvet Revolver, on April 7th, 2020 via Chicago Review Press. That date was pushed back three months to July 7th, 2020. and then the fall on 2020, but the book never surfaced.

Word has come down via Amazon that Sorum's book will be released on September 7th, 2021 via Rare Bird Books. Stay tuned for updates.

The official book description reads as follows:

Cocaine smuggling, shoot-outs, and never-ending decadent parties: Matt Sorum's 'Double Talkin' Jive' could almost be described as the autobiographical equivalent of the film, Blow. But rather than becoming a premier drug smugglers, Matt Sorum becomes a world-famous drummer in Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver and The Cult. Sorum drops out of high school to become a drummer, but turns to selling pot to support himself, and later smuggling large quantities of cocaine. When Sorum is given the chance to play in The Cult, he is finally able to make a living as a drummer. The very next year, Slash and Duff McKagan recruit Matt to join Guns N' Roses, and with that, Matt's life is transformed.

When Axl Rose starts turning up at the recording studio more and more sporadically, sometimes not at all, Matt recounts in keen detail how he and the band stagger toward their downfall. Matt and his Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Duff form Velvet Revolver with Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland. When Weiland suddenly leaves the band, Matt steps in as drummer for Motörhead during their U.S. tour, and then starts his own all-star band, Kings Of Chaos.

During his time as a professional drummer, Matt battles alcohol and coke addictions, but meeting his girlfriend, Ace Harper, helps him manage to go clean. Matt Sorum's autobiography, written with writer duo Leif Eriksson and Martin Svensson, avoids all the usual rock biography clichés.




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Power metallers Trick Or Treat have revealed the details of the previously announced compilation album that will come out in the spring.

The Unlocked Songs falls in between an album of unreleased music and a collection of assorted goodies scattered over almost two decades of brilliant career.

A compelling and amusing “B-sides greatest hits”, The Unlocked Songs includes unreleased songs, remixes, covers, rare bonus-tracks, acoustic versions and demo tracks that will just make you feel better. The album highlights include a thrilling cover of the Misfits’ classic hit “Scream” and the outstanding voice of the late, great Andre Matos in “Prince With A 1000 Enemies”, which was originally released in 2012.

Uplifting heavy metal for these dark times: Trick Or Treat are men on a mission and, most of all, men of their word. The Unlocked Songs is out on May 21 via Scarlet Records.

Artwork by vocalist Alessandro Conti:

Tracklisting:

“Hungarian Hangover”
“Almost Gone”
“I Cavalieri dello Zodiaco”
“Dragonborn – Skyrim”
“Heavy Metal Bunga Bunga”
“Prince With A 1000 Enemies” (feat. Andre Matos)
“Scream”
“Human Drama”
“Hampshire Landscapes”
“Sagittarius – Golden Arrow” (Acoustic-Orchestral)
“Evil Needs Christmas Too”
“Like Donald Duck” (2004 Demo)

Lineup:
Leone Villani Conti – bass
Guido Benedetti – guitars
Alessandro Conti – vocals
Luca Setti – drums
Luca Venturelli – guitars 




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Heaven And Hell Records has announced they will soon be reissuing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s High Voltage's Written In Stone EP.

The Steel City is well known as a city that has had their share of talented rock bands, but few were of the caliber and energy as the quartet made up of vocalist Josh Holmes, guitarist Nick Catanese, bassist Mike Mizia, drummer John (Karbo) Karbowski and keyboardist John Fuechslin- better known as High Voltage.

Formed in 1985, while the members were still in high school, High Voltage would mature and progress musically as the four musicians would themselves. It would not take long for the band to hit the local club scene and seize many opportunities to open for national touring acts passing through the area. Supporting acts such as Bang Tango, Danger Danger, The Outlaws, Blue Murder, Leatherwolf and Kings X would put High Voltage in front of large audiences that would help to quickly gain the band a reputation for being one of Pittsburgh's premier hard rock bands. It would not take long for their fan base to begin to grow outward into other areas of Pennsylvania, into Ohio and parts of West Virginia.

High Voltage’s first self-released four-song demo of original material was released in 1989 and initiated an overwhelming response. Soon after its release, radio stations surrounding the Pittsburgh area picked up on the tunes and High Voltage saw its first air time. The band continued to ascend up the echelon of the rock world by winning the 1989 Edinboro Hotel Evergreen’s Battle of the Bands and appearing on the compilation disc Get To The Point. In 1990, High Voltage contracted Gourmet P.A. to run their sound production. Progress continued with the release of their second studio demo in 1991 that would also receive extended airplay and become a highlight of the local WDVE Homegrown show.

Receiving the top notch Heaven And Hell Records treatment; High Voltage’s Written In Stone EP has been fully remastered and will also include the band’s 1991 self-titled 4-song EP, as well as three additional bonus tracks with a several page booklet with photos and complete lyrics. New artwork provided by Steven Cobb. The release will be limited to 500 copies worldwide.  Release date not yet confirmed.

Tracklisting:

“Troubled Eyes”
“King Soul”
“Written Stone”
“It’s Raining”
“7th Day”
“Fall From Grace”
“Fire Dancer”
“Hi Time”
“Night Alone”
“I’ll Give You The World”
“Crossfire”
“Lightning In The Window”
“Faraway”




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In a brand new interview with I Ask No One With Kevin Re, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was asked if he ever got any piece of advice from METALLICA's James Hetfield when the two bands toured together more than a decade ago. He responded (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "James is a cool dude. I got sober on a METALICA tour — I got sober on a METALLICA tour in Australia. And I'll just say that James Hetfield helped me out a lot with that. Actually, four of give guys on METALLICA's crew were sober. Three of us actually got sober on that tour and have been sober to this day. And that was over 10 years ago.

"James is a good dude, man," he reiterated. "The last time I saw James was in Oakland when we took C.O.C. out, and James showed up and played a song with C.O.C. He hung out for a little bit. He had driven a Tesla. He had this super-fast fuckin'… He's like a gearhead. We were backstage at this place in Oakland, and I was, like, 'Woah! That's a fucking expensive-looking car. I wonder whose car that is.' And then somebody [said], 'Oh, that's James's.' And I was, like, 'Duh.' He's a total gearhead.

"He's a good guy, man — a really good guy with a really good heart," Blythe added. "I love him to death."

Randy went on to praise Hetfield's bandmates, saying, "All the guys in METALLICA were nothing but absolutely lovely to us — absolutely lovely. People will be, like, talking [crap] about their later music or whatever. And it's, like, 'Did you write 'Master Of Puppets'? No, you did not. Shut the fuck up.' You know what I mean? Or, 'Did you write any classic records that will go down in rock and roll history? No, you did not. They did. So shut the fuck up.'

"METALLICA does not have to carry anyone out as openers," he continued. "Their shows sell out before the openers are announced. They don't have to do that. They carry bands out that they wanna give a shot [to]. And you're definitely playing to a METALLICA crowd when you [are opening for them], so you've gotta keep that cognizant. These people are there to see METALLICA, so you'd better bring your fucking A-game. But they're super fucking cool. And it's not like when you're backstage where it's, like, 'Oh, METALLICA is over there. Don't look at them,' whatever. It's, like, you see 'em — they're just regular fucking human beings."

LAMB OF GOD will issue a three-disc deluxe edition of last year's critically acclaimed self-titled album featuring the full record with two bonus tracks and a live version of the album, along with a DVD performance of "Lamb Of God" on March 26 via Epic Records.

Pre-orders for the set are available now, along with the bonus track "Ghost Shaped People". The live CD and DVD portion of the deluxe edition features the first of LAMB OF GOD's two ultra-successful live stream events from September 2020, in which the band performed their critically acclaimed, self-titled album "Lamb Of God" in full, plus an encore of four songs, including "Ruin", "Contractor", "512" and the debut live performance of "The Death Of Us", a new song the band wrote and recorded in quarantine for the "Bill & Ted Face The Music" movie and soundtrack. The DVD includes a new director's cut with bonus material.

Join an exclusive global live streaming event celebrating the release of Anneke van Giersbergen’s new album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, taking place Sunday, March 28 - 2 PM, EST / 9 PM, CEST.

This broadcast features a solo acoustic performance focusing largely on Anneke’s new album. The setlist also includes a couple of songs from her back catalogue that most fans will be hearing for the first time in an intimate setting. The event furthermore showcases five music videos and some behind the scenes footage. Running time is approximately 60 minutes (excluding bonus tracks).

There are a variety of packages available, allowing fans to customize their experience. These options include access to bonus tracks and a virtual Meet & Greet with Anneke.

Anneke comments: “As I won’t be able to tour for the foreseeable future, I wanted to create something special to celebrate the release of my new album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest. This streaming event features a solo acoustic live performance, complemented with 5 music videos. I'm so happy to have this opportunity to stay connected with my worldwide audience and I’m very excited to share this experience together with you!"

Get tickets here.

The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest is available as eco-friendly CD Digipak (plastic-free), as 180g Gatefold LP (incl. the album on CD) & as digital album. Click here to order.

Tracklisting:

"Agape"
"Hurricane"
"My Promise"
"I Saw A Car"
"The Soul Knows"
"The End"
"Keep It Simple"
"Lo And Behold"
"Losing You"
"Survive"
"Love You Like I Love You"

“I Saw A Car” video:

“Agape” lyric video:

“Hurricane” video:

“My Promise” video:




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Liquid Tension Experiment, the legendary supergroup comprised of Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Sons Of Apollo), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), return with a new album, LTE3, out March 26 via InsideOutMusic, twenty-two years after the bands’ last studio album.

The band recently released the video for the album’s second single, “Beating The Odds”, and have now released a new album trailer, in which the guys discuss the single. Watch below:

The official video for "Beating The Odds", created by Christian Rios, can be seen below:

The new album will be available in the following formats:

• Limited deluxe hot pink 3LP+2CD+Blu-ray Box Set (incl. a poster and 4 artcards, Blu-ray includes a 5.1 surround mix with visuals, and full band interview from the studio)
• Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook
• Limited 2CD Digipak
• Gatefold black 2LP+CD
• Digital album (2CD)

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Hypersonic"
"Beating The Odds"
"Liquid Evolution"
"The Passage Of Time"
"Chris & Kevin’s Amazing Odyssey"
"Rhapsody In Blue"
"Shades Of Hope"
"Key To The Imagination"

Bonus Disc: Includes almost an hour of improvised jams.

“The Passage Of Time” video:

Teaser:

In 1997, Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, and Tony Levin, joined forces to create Liquid Tension Experiment. The foursome would release their iconic, self-titled debut album in 1998 and the dazzling follow-up, LTE2 in 1999, creating a dynamic, frantic, and inventive sound all their own. The incredible creativity between the collective would prompt Petrucci and Portnoy to invite Rudess to join Dream Theater, effectively marking the end of this side project.  However, since that time, there have been few reunions more in demand. Now, with the world in lockdown and calendars unexpectedly aligned, the inconceivable has finally happened… a new Liquid Tension Experiment album.

(Photo - Tony Levin)




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Touch was the first band to play at the inaugural Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington in 1980, along with Rainbow, Scorpions, Judas Priest and Saxon. A live version of their hit, "Don't You Know What Love Is", appeared on the compilation LP Monsters Of Rock, documenting the performances at the festival.

Touch's first album was released on Atco Records and their first singles, "Don't You Know What Love Is" and "When The Spirit Moves You", charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Their follow-up album was recorded in 1982 and produced by Todd Rundgren, The record never came out and Touch disbanded thereafter.

They are known for memorable and diverse songs, stellar musicianship, lush vocal harmonies and dynamic stage performance. One of the top AOR bands, their debut album is considered by many to be among the best melodic rock albums of all time. The original band have now reformed after almost 40 years to create the new album, Tomorrow Never Comes, which is already being hailed as their best work to date.

Keyboardist Mark Mangold had this to say about the making of this new album, “Feels like déjà vu all over again.” Guitarist Craig Brooks continues, “The things you see when you ain’t got a gun”. Doug adds, “I’ll have the shark sandwich, please, Toasted.” Glenn concludes,  “It’s not over till it’s over”.

Check out the new album's title track, "Tomorrow Never Comes", below. The album will be released on April 30.

For a limited time you can get the Tomorrow Never Comes CD and Tee Bundle (while supplies last), which can be ordered here.

Bundle includes:

One (1) Touch "Tomorrow Never Comes" CD
One (1) Touch T Shirt

Tomorrow Never Comes tracklisting:

"Tomorrow Never Comes"
"Let It Come"
"Swan Song"
"Try To Let Go"
"Fire and Ice"
"Trippin' Over Shadows"
"Frozen Ground"
"Lil Bit of Rock N Roll"
"Glass"
"Scream at the Sky"
"Wanna Hear You Say"
"Run For Your Life"

"Tomorrow Never Comes":




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German power metal institution, Orden Ogan, will release their new album, Final Days, on March 12 via AFM Records. The digipak and limited box set edition of the album include a bonus DVD. Watch a live video for "The Things We Believe In" from the bonus DVD, below:

Pre-order the album here.

The record features guest appearances by Firewind guitarist Gus G. and Brothers Of Metal vocalist Ylva Eriksson.

Where to go from the Wild West? Singer and producer Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann explains: "Final Days is a dark-science-fiction-concept-record and it features all Orden Ogan trademarks such as fat and modern riffs, epic chorusses and melancholic orchestral arrangements. On this record you will find the best songs that we have ever written. Gunmen was a strong and important record for us, but Final Days takes it to the next level."

Tracklist:

"Heart Of The Android"
"In The Dawn Of The AI"
"Inferno"
"Let The Fire Rain"
"Interstellar" (featuring Gus G.)
"Alone in The Dark" (featuring Ylva Eriksson)
"Hollow"
"It Is Over"

"Inferno" video:

"In The Dawn Of The AI" video:

"Heart Of The Android" lyric video:




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August Burns Red - JB Brubaker (lead guitar), Brent Rambler (rhythm guitar), Matt Greiner (drums), Jake Luhrs (lead vocals), and Dustin Davidson (bass) - have dropped their cover of the theme song to the acclaimed HBO series, Westworld. Listen below. The track is available here.

"The soundtrack to Westworld has been a favorite of mine as long as the HBO series has existed," shares Brubaker. "I started working on a metal version of the main theme to the show back in 2018, but pushed it to the backburner as other projects took priority. When COVID sent us into lockdown, the first thing I did with my time at home was finish the Westworld cover. We recorded it in the summer of 2020 and I'm really proud of how it came out. I hope fans of the show will feel we did it justice!"




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Ellefson Flims has set an October 12, 2021 release date for its award-winning film "Dwellers" on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital.

"Dwellers" is a found-footage horror film produced by Grammy Award-winning MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, and written, directed and starring Drew Fortier. The film has already gained over 20 official selections from film festivals around the world, a number that is still growing. "Dwellers" has amassed glowing reviews while garnering a plethora of nominations and already winning five awards:

* Best Feature (Screamwriting Festival)

* Best Director (The Thing in the Basement Horror Fest)

* Best Horror Feature (Mad Monster Party Film Fest)

* Best Documentary (Hollywood Blood Horror Festival)

* Most Disturbing Scenes (Horror Bowl Movie Awards)

The physical release is planned to be packed with bonus features. More details to be released in the coming months, along with pre-order information.

The film will be screened virtually on Saturday, March 20 as a part of the HorrorHound Film Festival's "Midnight Madness" feature. There will also be a special virtual question-and-answer session after the screening that will feature cast members from "Dwellers".

Ticketing information can be found here.

"Dwellers" has been described as "'C.H.U.D.' if it were shot like 'The Blair Witch Project'." The film stars Fortier, James L. Edwards ("Her Name Was Christa"), Douglas Esper ("The Nutshell") and Omar Baig ("Let's Make A Movie"). It also features cameos from Ellefson and former MUSHROOMHEAD vocalist Jeff Hatrix.

The film's plot is as follows: While shooting a documentary on the suspicious disappearances within the homeless community, a filmmaker and his crew go missing while uncovering a terrifying and vicious secret below the city's surface.

Ellefson will make various appearances throughout the year at horror conventions and fan expos to screen "Dwellers".

In a brand new interview with Talking Metal, former MOTÖRHEAD and current SCORPIONS drummer Mikkey Dee discussed his battle with COVID-19. He said (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That [happened] one year exactly ago — it was in March '20. I have to say me and my wife, we were very sick — influenza sick. But I've been even sicker. I think I had influenza one time before in my life. I was in Australia; that was with MOTÖRHEAD a little while ago. And I was really, really sick at that time as well. And this time, yes, we got knocked out for a couple of weeks, and after that, I recovered. The more I was playing ice hockey and being outside and being busy, the better I felt the next day, basically. So I just went hard out to exercise lungs, and my body was back in shape in a couple of weeks, what I felt. And I'm full of antibodies."

Asked if he experienced any lingering symptoms of COVID-19 in the months after his diagnosis, he said: "No. We call it 'corona brain,' I guess, as a joke, if you forget stuff. But I feel fine, and I'm ready to go back out there and play. I can't wait to get back on the road."

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.

The official video for HALESTORM's cover version of THE WHO's "Long Live Rock" can be seen below. The song was recorded in connection with the upcoming film "Long Live Rock…Celebrate The Chaos", which will premiere worldwide on March 12 as a Watch Now @ Home Cinema Release via global distributor Abramorama.

"Long Live Rock…Celebrate The Chaos" is a deep dive into the culture of hard rock music. This genre, beloved by its millions of fans, is often misunderstood and maligned by media and the music industry. In intimate interviews, titans of rock discuss the genre and the special relationship they have with their diehard audience. Featuring members of METALLICA, GUNS N’ ROSES, SLIPKNOT, KORN, ROB ZOMBIE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, GRETA VAN FLEET, HALESTORM, Machine Gun Kelly, SHINEDOWN and many more, "Long Live Rock" was filmed over the last few years at various U.S. rock festivals, following passionate fans as they take time out from their everyday lives to commune with their "rock families."

Veteran film, TV producer and longtime music supervisor Jonathan McHugh makes his directorial debut with "Long Live Rock", and also co-produced the film, along with Gary Spivack and Jonathan Platt.

McHugh says: "Gary Spivack and I wanted to make a film celebrating the chaos of rock culture. Growing up in New York City, I would do whatever it took to get in to see bands like [LED] ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH and other rock icons. We are so proud to shine a light on the most passionate fans in the world and the music that drives them."

"Jonathan and Gary did a terrific job showing how powerful the communal experience is at rock shows everywhere," says Abramorama's head of music Evan Saxon. "All skin colors, religions, professions, political views and levels of financial status are welcomed into this one family…the audience. Our team at Abramorama is very pleased to share 'Long Live Rock…Celebrate The Chaos' with fans around the globe."

"Long Live Rock" will launch with an online global premiere screening event March 11, including a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers, bandmembers and some surprise guests. The following day, "Long Live Rock" will be available to music fans around the world @ LongLiveRockMovie.com.

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has released an acoustic version of his solo single "Samantha's Gone". The song is taken from his debut solo album, "CMFT", which came out in October. Corey recorded the effort with his band consisting of Jason Christopher on bass, Dustin Schoenhofer on drums, and Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) on guitar. The LP was completed at Kevin Churko's The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER and STONE SOUR, among others.

The official music video for the album version of "Samantha's Gone" was made available in January. Joining Corey in the clip were a number of his friends, including Tom Sandoval of Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules", actor Dean Cameron ("Summer School", "Ski School", "Straight Outta Compton"), STEEL PANTHER, plus actor Greg Grunberg, Ace Von Johnson, Travis Miguel and Jonah Nimoy.

About the visual, Taylor told Bravo's "The Daily Dish": "The video for 'Samantha's Gone' served two purposes: making fun of so-called 'indie rock' bands and getting all my friends together to hang out and have a good time. We all went back and forth between having fun and social distancing. Watching the first 'band' was great, then being fired from our OWN song in favor of STEEL PANTHER was the icing on the cake."

Taylor recently made history as he reached No. 1 at Active Rock Radio with his powerful single "Black Eyes Blue". The achievement put Taylor in a class all his own, making him the first artist in the history of the format to reach No. 1 with three separate projects, following chart-topping efforts from SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR.

"CMFT" made impressive debuts on charts around the world in October, entering at No. 1 on Billboard's Current Hard Rock Albums chart, while claiming No. 2 on Current Rock Albums, No. 6 on Vinyl Albums, and No. 9 on the Top Albums charts. Furthermore, "CMFT" landed Top 10 on the official album charts in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with Top 20 debuts in the United Kingdom, Finland and Japan (international chart).

Featured in Rolling Stone's "Fall Album Preview 2020," "CMFT" has been garnering widespread critical applause, with Forbes affirming, "Corey Taylor's singing is undeniably the best it's ever been. From SLIPKNOT's last album to his new solo material, Taylor is easily among the best sounding rock singers alive." Kerrang! raved, "Corey Taylor certainly couldn't have predicted how important a sense of uninhibited joy would be on his debut solo effort, it's just what 2020 needs — and, even more importantly, exactly what he delivers." The Daily Beast attested, "'CMFT' finds the singer broadening his horizons and showing off his considerable versatility," while Stereogum noted, "Corey Taylor's lived several lives in the span that it takes most of us to push through just one, and it's clear that he cherishes every experience he's had so far." New York magazine added that "CMFT" "bridges his vast tastes and influences, dabbling in punk rock, metal, reflective acoustic tunes, plaintive piano ballads, and hip-hop, with Taylor's power-house vocals and introspective lyrics acting as a guide."

"CMFT" is highlighted by the singles "Culture Head", "HWY 666", "CMFT Must Be Stopped" (featuring Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie), and the Active Rock radio hit "Black Eyes Blue". Taylor also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Songwriters chart following the unprecedented debut of "Black Eyes Blue" and "CMFT Must Be Stopped", the latter of which has racked up more than four million YouTube views for its star-studded music video. Furthermore, Taylor debuted the pummeling "Culture Head" during WWE's NXT broadcast on the USA network, illuminating yet another facet of "CMFT" and showcasing the broad spectrum of this fiery and fearless rock 'n' roll opus, as Taylor touches on lifelong influences ranging from hard rock to classic rock, punk rock to hip-hop. 14-time world champion and EVP of global talent strategy and development at WWE, Triple H, also shared a WWE exclusive performance of Taylor and his band tearing through the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades".

"CMFT" has been a long time coming for Taylor, with newly written tracks alongside some dating back to his teens.

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley has commented on the band's nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's class of 2021. The top vote-getters will be announced in May and inducted in a Cleveland, Ohio, ceremony in the fall.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the IRON MAIDEN members that would get inducted include the current lineup of singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, along with former guitarist Dennis Stratton, former singer Paul Di'Anno and former drummer Clive Burr.

Asked by Brazil's "Heavy Culture" what his reaction is to being excluded from the Rock Hall nomination, Blaze said (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, it's not the decision of the band. It's nothing to do with IRON MAIDEN, and it's nothing to do with IRON MAIDEN management. So it's all the people who run the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

"The most important thing to me is my friendship with the guys in IRON MAIDEN, and still being friends after so many years," he continued.

"I don't really care if I'm in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame or I'm not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame," Blaze said. "For me, I'm famous, and I don't have to be any more famous. I have wonderful fans in Brazil and Portugal and around the world, and that is enough for me, man. My fans support me and make this life possible. I live my dream because of my fans and their support — not because of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

Bayley fronted IRON MAIDEN from 1994 until 1999. The two MAIDEN albums he appeared on, "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI", sold considerably less than the band's prior releases and were their lowest-charting titles in the group's home country since 1981's "Killers".

Since leaving IRON MAIDEN in 1999, Bayley has released a number of albums, including several under the moniker BLAZE and more than a handful under his own name. He also appeared on 2012's "Wolfsbane Saves The World", the first album of new material by WOLFSBANE since the group's self-titled 1994 effort.

To be eligible for this year's ballot, each nominee's first single or album had to have been released in 1995 or earlier.

A voter pool of more than 1,000 artists, historians, journalists, and members of the music industry will select the new class. Fans also have a chance to take part in the process by voting at Rockhall.com or at an interactive kiosk at the museum in Cleveland. Their selections will count as a single "fan ballot" that gets tabulated along with the others.

Having been eligible for induction for more than a decade and a half, IRON MAIDEN is one of the biggest bands on the planet. Since the release of their self-titled debut album, the British heavy metal legends have released a further 15 full-length studio records, and sold over 100 million copies.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

Blaze will release a new studio album, "War Within Me", on April 9. All songs were written and produced by Blaze and guitarist Christopher Appleton.

"War Within Me" finds Blaze moving forward from the success of his "Infinite Entanglement" trilogy released in consecutive years 2016-2018. The 10 brand new songs draw influences from Blaze's experience with IRON MAIDEN (1994-1999), plus his extensive solo career which started with his "Silicon Messiah" album in year 2000.

"War Within Me" is not a concept album but does include a positive thread throughout. The LP was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze's studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton's studio in Greater Manchester. The now-very-consistent lineup, chosen from British metal band ABSOLVA, played on the album — Christopher Appleton (guitar, backing vocals), Martin McNee (drums), Karl Schramm (bass). Blaze and Appleton shared the work mixing and producing, while Ade Emsley (IRON MAIDEN, TANK, BRITISH LION, VOODOO SIX) handled the mastering. The striking and detailed artwork is provided by Akirant Illustration (IRON MAIDEN, "Star Wars").

The five nominees for the 2021 JUNO Award for "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" have been announced. Fighting it out this year are:

- Annihilator - Ballistic, Sadistic (Silver Lining/Warner)
- Kataklysm - Unconquered (Nuclear Blast/AEC/Believe)
- Protest The Hero - Palimpsest (Independent)
- Unleash The Archers - Abyss (Napalm/Sony)
- Vile Creature - Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm! (Prosthetic/The Orchard)

A complete list of JUNO Award nominees can be found here.

The 50th annual JUNO Awards ceremony will air May 16 on CBC TV, CBC Gem and CBCMusic.ca/junos.




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Portuguese dark metal godfathers, Moonspell, have released a guitar playthrough video for "Common Prayers", featured on the band's 13th studio album, Hermitage, out now via Napalm Records. Watch below:

With Hermitage, Moonspell is not only approaching their 30th band anniversary more ambitiously and stronger than ever, but they take us on an entertaining and emotional ride through the darkest days of human existence. Moonspell’s new record is a wonderfully intuitive, yet epic masterpiece, and a testament to what the band has always loved the most: Honest metal that binds us even in these dark times.

Hermitage was recorded, mixed and mastered this past summer by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Primordial, Ghost, Sólstafir & many more) at the Orgone Studios in the UK. Building upon the album’s dark, revolutionary and sensitive facets, it’s a wonderfully intuitive and epic ride by one of the most distinctive dark metal bands of all time, and a testament to what they’ve always loved the most: Honest, emotional metal that binds us even in the darkest times.

Hermitage is available in several highly limited and collectible Deluxe and Die-Hard Editions, Mediabook, and Cassette (all of them including the Candlemass cover "Darkness In Paradise") but also in Jewelcase and Digital formats. The Deluxe Box includes an etched 7’’ Vinyl with another special bonus track, “The Great Leap Forward", as well as much more exciting additional collectible items.

Order here.

Hermitage tracklisting:

"The Greater Good"
"Common Prayers"
"All Or Nothing"
"Hermitage"
"Entitlement"
"Solitarian"
"The Hermit Saints"
"Apophthegmata"
"Without Rule"
"City Quitter" (Outro)

Bonus tracks:

"Darkness In Paradise" (Candlemass Cover – LP, Box, Cassette + Mediabook)
"The Great Leap Forward" (7" Vinyl – Deluxe Box)

“The Hermit Saints” video:

"All Or Nothing" video:

"Common Prayers" video:

"The Greater Good" lyric video:

(Photo - Rui Vasco)




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While taking part in this past weekend's Headbangers Con, drummer Morgan Rose of SEVENDUST — whose frontman, Lajon Witherspoon, is African American — was asked by Rocking With Jam Man if he had his bandmates have ever experienced racism during their nearly three-decade-long career. He responded (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes, we have. A few times. Not as much as you would think. That never entered our ignorant, or naïve, minds when we started. We never looked at anything [in terms of race] — it had nothing to do with that. So when it happened, it was, like, 'Oh, shit!'

"I think the first time I really saw it and it freaked me out was [the] 'Tattoo The Earth' [tour in 2000]," he continued. "And we were playing in Phoenix, Arizona, which was a big city for us. And we were playing, and I'm in the middle of the show, and I hear 'clink, clink.' And I'm, like, 'What is that?', the sound of this dinging off of my stands. And I looked. My drum tech looks at me, and he lifts up this fucking rock. It was, like, big — that if it were to hit me in the face or in the head, it would do real damage. And they're all over the place. And I look out, and there's these guys with their shirts [pulled over the faces], and they're going like this [makes 'Sieg Heil' arm salute] in the back of the crowd. So we got off the stage and hauled ass immediately — like, literally, show's over, and we ran to get to 'em. And the police had already gotten there. But it happens. A few times that's happened to us."

Witherspoon discussed the issue of racism in metal during an appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show last September. At the time, he said: "I think today we definitely can see that there's been a lack of equality in this world that's being put in the forefront. Luckily, in the industry that I'm in, in the metal community, I feel like that's definitely something that's not tolerated, I would like to say, as far as I've seen. I feel like this community is incredibly welcoming, and I've been very blessed to be in it. I also feel like there's definitely a lot of people that are hiding behind masks that are racist out there. But if there's anything that I can do, I will never not be a leader of bringing peace, love and equality to this industry and to what I do. I can say love sees no color, but I do — I believe that people do see color, obviously. But I still want to bring everyone together and [have] it not be a problem.

"I feel like in our community, there's not only black — there's white, there's Asian, there's everybody — and that's what this world should [be like]," he added. "We should definitely get to that page and to the point, again, to where we don't have that problem. I pray that we get there. But me, musically, I feel like, thank you for letting us have our voices and to be able to speak and to bring people together. And I think that's something that we're able to do as SEVENDUST, as a band. People see us. and they see a bunch of different guys from different backgrounds and different ethnicities. It's something that we've done for 20-something years now — we haven't stopped — and I hope that's something that people will understand and see and learn from."

Earlier last year, SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery addressed his band's past use of the Confederate flag, explaining that it was done "as a spoof."

The Confederate battle emblem has long been decried as a symbol of racism and violence, and it has become a frequent target for protesters following the May 2020 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of police.

When SEVENDUST played Woodstock '99, SEVENDUST's Vince Hornsby played a bass with a Confederate flag on the body.

Asked in an interview with the "Talk Toomey" podcast how he feels about SEVENDUST's past association with such an offensive and divisive symbol, Clint said: "Our thing was funny, because we were doing it as a spoof. We were trying to kinda use it in this cynical way, so it's gonna be completely misunderstood now. We were using it in a smart-ass way… It's confusing.

"We're all being educated — everyone's being educated," he added. "Things we thought were cool before aren't cool anymore, and I understand why they're not cool anymore. And it's, like, okay, yeah, I didn't know enough about what the situation was to even have a… It was just ignorance. You do things as a younger person — you're, like, 'Oh yeah, this is cool. This is against the grain' — and you realize the sensitivities; you learn about it. And that's what I think that I'm trying to do — is, like, okay, that wasn't cool. That wasn't a decision that was something I'm very proud of. You live and learn, you admit when you do wrong and you change. And that's what everyone needs to do. I can't control anybody. I just do what I do, try to be as open and loving as I can. And that's it."

Witherspoon voiced his views on the Confederate flag during a 2018 interviw with Billboard. He said: "Listen, man, I used to wear a belt buckle that had a Confederate flag on it. Just 'cause I flew that flag doesn't mean I was a racist. We're just country boys, and that's a country-boy thing. That's what the cool thing about it was — that Vinnie would have a Confederate flag with me [a black man] standing beside him. At that point, love sees no color at all. But I can't say, 'This guy flies the flag the same as this guy,' because everyone has different values."

In a 2013 interview with Bloody Disgusting, Witherspoon was asked if he or SEVENDUST are viewed or treated differently because he is black. "No, not at all," he responded. "You know, if it is, I don't see it. I have no room for ignorance in my life. I think that we've built a relationship and… not a fanbase, but a family base that really doesn't tolerate that. I'm the kind of guy that says, 'If you don't like it, don't come,' you know what I mean? We're not forcing anything on anyone. I know that that's still there, but I don't have time for that ignorance. We just keep on moving because it can never be the way it was before."

Five years ago, Witherspoon told The Salt Lake Tribune he sometimes thinks about whether his race might have slowed the band's rise. "I've always wondered if I had not been a black man in SEVENDUST, would it have even gotten bigger?" he asked. "At the end of the day, I'm glad that it took this long because we're still here."