In a new interview with the "Fantasm" podcast, David Ellefson said that he believes there will be another installment of the MEGADETH-branded Megacruise. "All the cruises, of course, have now been pushed back to next year," he said (hear audio below). "But, yeah, it was successful, and the fans loved it — they just had the time of their life; they thought it was just such a great experience. So, yeah, I would say there's one in the future here."

The inaugural Megacruise departed from Los Angeles on October 13, 2019 on a round-trip voyage to San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico and returned on October 18, 2019. The at-sea music experience featured performances from ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, QUEENSRŸCHE, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT, DRAGONFORCE, OVERKILL and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, among others.

Official cruise hosts Eddie Trunk (VH1, SiriusXM, AXS), Jose Mangin (SiriusXM) and Lüc Carl (SiriusXM, Ozzy's Boneyard) moderated question-and-answer sessions and activities specially crafted for this voyage.

Megacruise offered fans a variety of events and activities that put cruisers up front and center with metal icons from fan and artist photo experiences to intimate morning coffee jams, music clinics to fan and artist sporting competitions and more ways to interact with the lineup.

Promoter Larry Morand — whose company On The Blue also produces the annual Monsters Of Rock, Cruise To The Edge and On The Blue music cruises — told Classic Rock the idea for the Megacruise originated several years ago during a phone call with the band's booking agent. "[He] said, 'Hey, I just picked up MEGADETH. They were going to do this other cruise [2014's Motörboat] and it didn't happen, but they'd really like to do one,'" Morand said. "I said, 'Would they like to host one?'... At that point, [we had] a bunch of different calls and meetings. It really flourished, and we started to build a marquee around it."

From there, Morand says he curated a list of potential performers for Dave Mustaine's approval. "Dave picked through it," Morand explained. "He wanted to be really hands-on... I thought it would be great to have something that shows the legacy of who they are. He totally agreed, so as we went through it, it was painstaking. It's funny what was curated and what [took] a bit of work."

Japan's Unlucky Morpheus recently released a cover album entitled Loud Playing Workshop, which features covers of instrumenals from Steve Vai, Dream Theater, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen and more. They have released an official video for their take on Dream Theater's "The Dance Of Eternity". Check it out below.

The track is taken from Dream Theater's Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory album, released in 1999.

They previously released a cover of Malmsteen's "Far Beyond The Sun" and violinist Jill's performance of "Eruption" in tribute to Eddie Van Halen.

Tracklist:

"Far Beyond The Sun" (Yngwie Malmsteen)
"The Dance of Eternity" (Dream Theater)
"Into the Arena" (Michael Schenker)
"Hundreds Of Thousands" (Tony MacAlpine)
"Scarified" (Racer X)
"Eruption" (Eddie Van Halen)
"For the Love of God" (Steve Vai)
"Technical Difficulties" (Racer X)
"17th Century Chicken Pickin'" (Chris Impellitteri)

"Far Beyond The Sun"

"Eruption"

Germany's Motorjesus play a high-octane mixture of classic heavy metal and dirty hard rock, with a tour history that includes supporting Motörhead, Anthrax, Prong and many more. Their last studio album, Race To Resurrection, hit the German Album Charts at #42 which was their highest position in Germany's Media Control Charts to date. 

They have released the title track from their upcoming album Hellbreaker, which is due to be released on April 9 via AFM Records. Check out the video below.

Tracklisting:

“Drive Through Fire”
“Battlezone”
“Hellbreaker”
“Beyond The Grave”
“Dead Rising”
“Car Wars”
“Firebreather”
“Lawgiver”
“Black Hole Overload”
“Back To The Bullet”

"Hellbreaker" video:

"Dead Rising" lyric video:

Check out the official Motorjesus Facebook page here for information and updates.

Madame Mayhem has released her new single "Cruel Heart" to all digital platforms. The single was co-written by Madame Mayhem and Keith Wallen (of Breaking Benjamin).

"This was one of the first songs Keith Wallen and I wrote together. I always have such a great experience co-writing with Keith. I remember listening to this demo on my way home after we finished writing and just getting so excited to share it. I have been patiently waiting for the right moment to release this single and I think now is as good a time as any! This song is near and dear to my heart and I am excited for the world to hear it!" says Madame Mayhem.

She adds, "I performed this song live on tour a few times prior to recording it, which only makes this release even more special because of the excitement the crowds had for "Cruel Heart" hearing it for the first time as an unknown song. I remember having conversations with fans after the shows about how much they connected with it, which means so much to me! I hope the song continues to connect with people through this release."

This song was produced and arranged by Johnny K (Disturbed, Megadeth, Sevendust, Finger Eleven), who also played bass on the track. Lead vocals and backing vocals were performed by Madame Mayhem, Keith Wallen performed guitars and backing vocals and Jason "JBomb" Harrison was on drums.

Malacoda have released the first video for their title track from their upcoming EP Crawling Chaos.

Malacoda adds: “Usually we do really elaborate music videos for our releases, but Covid prevented us from getting together and making something grandiose. We felt a performance/lyric video would be cool, we haven’t done one of those before. We filmed it at my studio ourselves and sent to a video editor we know in Sweden to make it a little bit more interesting. It was a fun process, and probably the quickest music video shoot I’ve ever done!”

While looking for a drummer, the band recorded throughout the rest of 2019/2020 with friends behind the drum kit.

Tracklisting:

“Crawling Chaos”
“Deadlights”
“From The Depths” (feat. James Delbridge)
“The Harsh Law”

"Crawling Chaos" lyric video:

Drummer/Vocalist/Lyricist Proscriptor (Russ R. Givens) of the new, Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû has issued the following statement:

"We have just completed the mixing process for the debut/self-titled album on Agonia Records. Earlier in 2020, I dissolved the 30-year old sanctuary of Absu to emphasize on a renewed songwriting concord. With this forthcoming record, my objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics. The only individual that sees outside the circles of time is Vorskaath, as we have discussed a musical collaboration for nearly three decades. Now, he has fulfilled voids where applicable: from frenetic to oscillate.”

Zemial’s Vorskaath recently said about his addition to the group’s new album: “As Proscriptor and I have traversed parallel pathways since 1991, it was with unadulterated pleasure that I bring my craft to this redesigned order of Sumerian lore and metaphysical Arcana. For the new album, it was my quest and charge to deliver an (a)ethereal and artistic element, which united this opus of labyrinthine chaos. And So It Is Done.”

Securing the ranks with Proscriptor and Vorskaath are bassist Ezezu and guitar/bass virtuoso Vaggreaz. 

Proscriptor continues regarding the album’s lyrical approach: “This album is written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge. I have (with vast exertion and detriment of time and space) collected knowledge deemed, in regard to my subject theories of ‘mythological occult metal:’ from Thelemic Magick and The Zos Vel Thanatos Formula to Fractal Ontology and (obviously) Near East Mythology.”

The album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both Proscriptor and J.T. Longoria and mastering by Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir/Vltimas), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus). To assemble the album’s packaging with ten separate portrait illustrations, the band has re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak.

Tracklisting:

“Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn Including Hierophantasmal Expounder”
“Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric”
“Quasaric Pestilence”
“Mirroracles”
“In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters”
“Jupiter In Capricornus”
“Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)”
“Caliginous Whorl”
“The Coagulating Respite”
“Prana: Therion: Akasha”
“Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû”
“Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without Including Totemic Thresholds”

(Photo by: Scott Kincade)

Big Big Train have released a lyric video, directed by Christian Rios, for the 23 minute title track from their reissued album The Underfall Yard, which will be released on April 9. The song includes a newly recorded guitar solo by former It Bites leader Francis Dunnery. 

“The music of It Bites was a big influence on me back in the day,” bassist Greg Spawton explains. “When we were originally working on the album in 2009, I knew that the title track needed a big guitar solo, so I reached out to Francis to ask if he would contribute a solo. Whilst he was keen to work with BBT, he was going through a stage where he wasn't interested in playing in the fluid, legato style he had mastered with It Bites, so the solo he played for us, whilst great, was different from what I was expecting. Subsequently, Francis has re-connected with the music of It Bites so I thought I would ask if he was prepared to have another run at the solo. He was up for it and has delivered a storming piece of guitar work for this new mix of The Underfall Yard.” 

“The Underfall Yard was an important album for BBT and we wanted the reissue to offer the best possible audio quality,” drummer Nick D’Virgilio adds. “Our sound engineer, Rob Aubrey, has immersed himself in the multi-track recordings and has used all of his considerable skills and experience to deliver a beautiful new mix.”

“Back in 2009 we made what was then a controversial decision to make the whole 23 minute title track available as a free download ahead of the album’s release,” vocalist David Longdon remembers. “Of course, that was before streaming really took off, so it doesn't seem so unusual in retrospect! At the time our decision helped us to get our music heard by a bigger audience, so we thought we would repeat the exercise, but this time with a film to accompany the song.”

“Christian Rios has made a beautiful film for The Underfall Yard,” Greg Spawton continues. “Amongst other things, the song is about Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the great Victorian engineers. Christian wanted Isambard to appear in a specific way in the film and decided there was only one thing for it: he had to don the outfit and cigar himself!”

The new release will be available as 2CD and 3LP Vinyl as well as in digital formats and will be available on March 25 (CD version in Japan via Marquee) and April 9 (rest of the world via English Electric/RSK/2 CD/digital version and Plane Groovy/RSK/3 LP version).

Released in December 2009, The Underfall Yard was the first Big Big Train album with vocalist David Longdon and drummer Nick D'Virgilio as full band members, the first to feature Dave Desmond's brass band and the first to include the guitar playing of Dave Gregory.

Alongside the remix of the original recordings, a second companion CD/third vinyl LP features 48 minutes of material, including a new 2020 studio recording of the title track, preceded by a previously unreleased brass prelude.

Also included is the Songs From The Shoreline suite, which was planned for the album’s original release in 2009. For this reissue, in 2020 the band completely rerecorded “Victorian Brickwork”, which segues into “Fat Billy Shouts Mine” (which has to date only been available on the Far Skies, Deep Time EP).

The final track on the second disc is “Brew And Burgh”, a newly composed song written by BBT founder and bassist Greg Spawton specifically as a companion piece for this reissue of the album. In addition, original album artist Jim Trainer has painted some new images for an expanded booklet.

“The Underfall Yard is where the story of the contemporary line-up of Big Big Train begins. For the reissue we asked BBT mixing engineer Rob Aubrey to open up the original sessions and to completely remix the album so that we could make a definitive version,” explains Greg Spawton. Rob had more time and a bigger budget to work with, plus the benefit of another decade of mixing experience. His new mix has significantly improved the sound and dynamic range of the album.”

“The Underfall Yard just missed out on the vinyl revival, so for some time we have been planning for a vinyl version of this reissue,” David Longdon adds. “We’re thrilled to have the album available on vinyl for the first time and so beautifully presented with Jim Trainer’s paintings.”

Preorder here.

Tracklisting:

CD1
“Evening Star”
“Master James Of St George”
“Victorian Brickwork”
“Last Train”
“Winchester Diver”
“The Underfall Yard”

CD2
“Songs From The Shoreline”
         (i) “Victorian Brickwork” (2020 Version)
         (ii) “Fat Billy Shouts Mine”
“Prelude To The Underfall Yard”
“The Underfall Yard” (2020 Version)
“Brew And Burgh”

"The Underfall Yard" lyric video:

After a successful release of the first single “The Fisherman”, Nad Sylvan has issued the second song “The Stolen Child” off of his new album Spiritus Mundi, to be released on April 9 2021. The album’s lyrics are based on poems by W.B. Yeats.

Nad comments on the new song as follows: “‘The Stolen Child’ is one of W B Yeats’ most popular early poems first published in Irish Monthly in 1896. Like much of his early work, it is based on the myths and legends he heard from local people while growing up in County Sligo. I feel this song is a very captivating take on the lyrical content and will place you in a colorful dreamy landscape which will take you back to your own gullible childhood. Let the fairies come and get you.”

Spiritus Mundi is available as Special Edition CD Digipak (incl. two bonus tracks), 180g Gatefold LP Vinyl Edition (incl. the entire album on CD) and as Digital Download. Preorder here.

Tracklisting:

“The Second Coming”
“Sailing To Byzantium”
“Cap And Bells”
“The Realists”
“The Stolen Child”
“To An Isle In The Water”
“The Hawk”
“The Witch And The Mermaid”
“The Fisherman”
“You’ve Got To Find A Way” (Bonus Track)
“To A Child Dancing In The Wind” (Bonus Track)

“The Stolen Child”:

“The Fisherman”:

Wett Cherry's debut album The High And Divine already is receiving airplay in 10 top U.S. cities. Producers Jason Futterman and Alex Santiago help bring out the band's retro ‘80s vibe, paying homage to Mötley Crüe with its sing-along lyrics and references to the counterculture generation.

It makes sense that all of the musicians— former Steel Mountain crossing guitarist /shredder Dennis DiNunzio, drummer Kevin Grisso, pansexual singer Andy/Andrea Jaggs, and bassist Bobby Hahm—are all from the tri state area. While three of the members are new to the rock scene, Dennis DiNunzio aka Dennis D previously played with Adam Pascal, Mina Caputo, Mayhem and Notorious B.I.G.

Few debut albums (or groups) have been met with such a warm reception. After years of touring bars and small clubs in the U.S., Wett Cherry will spend the next three months recording.  New single entitled "Crazy Jane" from the forthcoming record The High And Divine is streaming below. The High And Divine will be available in the spring on Bandcamp.

Crazy Jane by Dragon City Demo

Niji Entertainment and BMG have released the first two albums in the Dio Live Album Reissue Series with Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City and Holy Diver: Live. Watch a video for "Man On The Silver Mountain" from Holy Diver: Live below:

Reissue details...

Evil Or Divine: Live In New York City:

- Reissue of DIO’s long out of print 2005 live release
- Newly remastered & newly created cover art
- Limited edtion vinyl version includes lenticular 3D album sized art piece along with 3LP 180g black vinyl / triple gatefold
- Also Available in 2CD Deluxe Mediabook and 3LP 180g Black Vinyl / Triple Gatefold Standard Edition / Remastered Digital Version
- Features the complete live show experience as if you were there, including never before released version of “Lord Of The Last Day” and an amazing Simon Wright drum solo not on the original release!
- Both 3LP Vinyl Versions feature special mini 4 track bonus from the 1996-2004 studio albums featuring “This Is Your Life” (from Angry Machines), “Fever Dreams” (from Magica), “Push” (from Killing The Dragon), & “The Eyes” (from Master Of The Moon)

Lineup:

Vocals:  Ronnie James Dio
Guitar:  Doug Aldrich
Bass:  Jimmy Bain
Drums:  Simon Wright
Keyboards:  Scott Warren

Tracklisting:

Side A
"Killing The Dragon"
"Egypt (The Chains Are On)"
"Push"

Side B
Drum Solo – Simon Wright
"Stand Up And Shout"
"Rock and Roll"
"Don’t Talk To Strangers"

Side C
"Man On The Silver Mountain"
Guitar Solo – Doug Aldrich
"Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll"
"Lord Of The Last Day"

Side D
"Fever Dreams"
"Holy Diver"
"Heaven And Hell"

Side E
"The Last In Line"
"Rainbow In The Dark"
"We Rock"

Side F – Bonus – Best of studio albums 1996-2004 (On LP Configurations ONLY)
"This Is Your Life" – from Angry Machines
"Fever Dreams" – from Magica
"Push" – from Killing The Dragon
"The Eyes" – from Master Of The Moon

Order here.

Holy Diver: Live:  

- Reissue of DIO’s long out of print 2008 live release
- Newly remastered & newly created cover art
- Limited edtion vinyl version includes lenticular 3D album sized art piece along with 3LP 180g black vinyl / triple gatefold
- Also Available in 2CD Deluxe Mediabook and 3LP 180g Black Vinyl / Triple Gatefold Standard Edition / Remastered Digital Version
- Features the legendary DIO album HOLY DIVER performed live in its entirety plus DIO classics from across his career including Black Sabbath and Rainbow!
- Recorded Live at the London Astoria

Lineup:

Vocals:  Ronnie James Dio
Guitar:  Doug Aldrich
Bass:  Rudy Sarzo
Drums:  Simon Wright
Keyboards:  Scott Warren

Tracklisting:

Side A

Intro
"Stand Up And Shout"
"Holy Diver"
"Gypsy"
Drum Solo – Simon Wright

Side B
"Caught In The Middle"
"Don’t Talk To Strangers"
"Straight Through The Heart"
"Invisible"

Side C
"Rainbow In The Dark"
"Shame On The Night"
Guitar Solo – Doug Aldrich
"Holy Diver" (Reprise)

Side D
"Tarot Woman"
"Sign Of The Southern Cross"
"One Night In The City"

Side E
"Gates Of Babylon"
"Heaven And Hell"

Side F
"Man On The Silver Mountain"
"Catch The Rainbow"
"Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll"
"Call For Encore"
"We Rock"

Order here.

Inglorious have released a video for "Messiah", a track from their new album, We Will Ride, out now. Watch the clip below, and order We Will Ride from the Frontiers EU and US webstores, as well as the band's webstore.

Tracklisting:

"She Won't Let You Go"
"Messiah"
"Medusa"
"Eye Of The Storm"
"Cruel Intentions"
"My Misery"
"Do You Like It"
"He Will Provide"
"We Will Meet Again"
"God Of War"
"We Will Ride"

"Messiah" video:

"Medusa" video:

"She Won't Let You Go" video:

Athens, Greece-based thrash metal commando, Domination Inc., have released a new "Covid-Special" lyric video for the song "Dark City", taken from the band's latest album, Memoir 414. Watch below, and order the album here.

Tracklisting:

"Cutting Edge"
"Day VIII Deus‘ Ignorance"
"The Sickening"
"Dark City"
"Dehumanized"
"Crux, Nux, Lux..."
"The Eye"
"Culling"
"Love Me Forever"

"Dark City" lyric video:

"Cutting Edge" live video:

"The Eye" video:

"The Sickening" video:

Lineup:

Aggelos “Alpha” Karatzas - drums
Aris “Ares” Karatzas - guitar
Kostas Evangeliou - guitar
Theodore Papadopoulos - vocals
Jim Kakes - bass

The South African industrial thrash metal machine, Chaos Doctrine, is back with a brand new single. Its name, "Black Friday Bedlam". Its speed, 190 bpm. Its guest vocalist, Swedish death metal legend Jörgen Sandström (Grave, Entombed, Torture Division, Krux, The Project Hate MCMXCIX). Its claim, the fastest and perhaps heaviest thing Chaos Doctrine has done to date.

Following from the massive success the band had with their track Father Grigori in 2020, "Black Friday Bedlam" explodes Chaos Doctrine into 2021 with the tale of an everyday man who wakes up one morning and goes on a drive-by spree! The track kicks off with proper old school thrash metal, before settling into a vicious groove that underpins Mr Sandström's insanely powerful vocals. This is offset against the band's trademark key and sample arrangements. The groove continues through an epic bass bridge and rapid alternating guitar solos, before ending as fast and brutal as it started with Jörgen and Dr D's vocals finishing up this sonic apocalypse!

The track is the second single from Chaos Doctrine's forthcoming album, the name and track listing of which are finally revealed in this "Black Friday Bedlam" lyric video. This song was mixed, mastered and produced by the band's guitarist Alec Surridge at Gemini AD Studios. Attendees of Metal4Africa's SummerFest'21 Online Festival got a taste of the track  - but not this version featuring Mr Sandström.

Former Chaos Doctrine drummer Ralph Margo, whose drums feature on this track (and forthcoming album), gives the back story on how Jörgen Sandström's vocals ended up on the band's new single: "While we were writing this song, the tempo and vocal rhythm of its one part reminded me of the Project Hate track ‘At The Entrance Of Hell’s Unholy Fire’ (you really should check them out!), and since Jörgen mentioned to me many years before that if ever I wanted his voice on anything I just needed to ask. I suggested to the rest of the guys that we ask him to do this section and they were keen. So I asked if he’d do it and the rest is history. So awesome to collaborate with this death metal legend!”

Vocalist Dr D (Daniel Burger) adds: "We originally wrote "Black Friday Bedlam" for our debut album, but decided to let it stand over. When we started our new album, we dusted the song off, Alec rewrote some sections, and we did some rearrangements to polish it off. When Ralph suggested we ask Jörgen to do guest vocals, and he agreed, we were all beyond thrilled. Not only are we all huge fans of his work, but his brutal vocals amplify the hell out of the aggression we tried to bring with this track. I personally love how Alec blended my thrashy vocals with Jörgen's insane growls to bring the most vicious Chaos Doctrine assault to date!"

Guitarist Alec Surridge  had the following to say: "This track goes back a while, even before my time with the band so when it came to recording it I knew that it needed just a little modern flavour. It has that old school thrash element to it but also some newer heaviness which adds some colour and is great to play live. And having Jörgen on just makes it so much more powerful".

Bass guitarist Phil Carstens, who created the track's lyric video, noted: "This track has been a long time in the making, but certainly worth the wait and hard work. It perfectly blends elements of thrash, death and industrial metal - and what better way to top it off with the ferocious vocals from the legendary Jörgen Sandström! Big thanks to Ralph for setting that up for us!"

"Black Friday Bedlam" is available on all platforms

Joel Hoekstra, best known to rock fans as the current guitarist for Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and also known for his work with Night Ranger and the Broadway show Rock Of Ages), returns with his second album, Running Games from his electrifying solo project, Joel Hoekstra’s 13. Joined by Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Joel and company pick up where his debut, Dying To Live left off.

The new album is out now. Order here, and listen to the track "How Do You" below.

Hoekstra once again handles the bulk of the creative process, overseeing production, songwriting and arranging (music and lyrics), and crafting his vision for this powerful hard rock gem. Add Chris Collier’s masterful mixing and the result is ‘70s/’80s classic hard rock with 2020’s muscle. As with the debut, Running Games features an all-star cast of musicians including none other than Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards). The amazing Jeff Scott Soto also lends a helping hand with background vocals.

Says Joel, “Years ago, I released three solo albums that were mainly instrumental guitar music. With Joel Hoekstra's 13, I have started to work on something that showcases my production, writing, and playing in the genre that I'm known for, which is melodic hard rock.”

Like Dying To Live, Running Games can be described as Dio’ish at it’s heaviest, but is also influenced by the blues- based sound of Whitesnake as well as melodic bands like Foreigner, Journey, and the like.

Hoekstra says, "‘Hard To Say Goodbye’ definitely represents the more melodic sound of the album, but rock fans can also look forward to some aggressive tracks."

On Running Games, lyrically Joel focuses on escaping problems both past and present by providing playful, imaginary, and serious takes on the situations.

Long hailed for his fiery, tasteful guitar playing, Hoekstra’s playing here raises the bar to a new level.

Tracklisting:

"Finish Line"
"I’m Gonna Lose It"
"Hard To Say Goodbye"
"How Do You"
"Heart Attack"
"Fantasy"
"Lonely Days"
"Reach The Sky"
"Cried Enough For You"
"Take What’s Mine"
"Running Games"
"Lay Down Your Love" (Bonus Track - Digital)

"How Do You":

"Finish Line" video:

"Hard To Say Goodbye":

Lineup:

Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake/Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - guitars
Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob) - lead vocals, backing vocals
Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, DIO) - drums
Tony Franklin (ex-The Firm, Blue Murder) - bass
Derek Sherinian (Sons Of Apollo, Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) - keyboards
Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Appollo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - backing vocals

Special Guests:

Lenny Castro (Toto) - percussion
Chloe Lowery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - backing vocals
Dave Eggar (Evanescence, Coldplay) - cello
Katie Kresek (Adele, Five For Fighting) - violin, viola

On January 29, Accept released their new album, Too Mean To Die, via Nuclear Blast. The album has entered the official sales and streaming charts, with Top 10 entries all around the globe.

"We are completely overwhelmed by all the great response and fantastic feedback on Too Mean To Die and our thanks goes out to all of our fans worldwide", states Wolf Hoffman

Top chart results:

#1 USA Hard Music / #4 Rock / #12 Current Albums
#2 Germany
#3 UK (Rock)
#4 Finland / #2 physical
#4 Switzerland
#7 Sweden 7 / #1 Rock / #1 Physical
#8 Japan
#9 Austria
#10 Poland

Streaming / Download Charts
 iTunes
#1 Germany Top 200 Metal / #1 Top 200 Rock / #3 Top 200 All Genres
#1 Switzerland Top 200 All Genres / #1 Top 200 Rock
#1 Austria Top 200 Metal / #2 Top 200 Rock
#1 US Top 200 Metal / #2 Top 200 Rock  / #8 Top 200 All Genres
#1 Canada Top 200 Metal / #1 Top 200 Rock  / #4 Top 200 All Genres
#1 Sweden Top 200 Rock / #2 Top 200 All Genres
#1 Norway Top 200 All Genres / #1 Top 200 Rock
#1 Russia Top 200 All Genres
#1 Australia Top 200 Metal / #2 Top 200 Rock  / #8 Top 200 All Genres
#1 Brazil Top 200 Rock / #6 Top 200 All Genres
#2 UK Top 200 Rock
#2 Mexico Top 200 Rock / #10 Top 200 All Genres
#6 Japan Top 200 Rock

Deezer
#7 US Top 300 All Genres

Apple Music
#1 Luxembourg
#1 Norway
#2 Germany
#2 Sweden
#2 Uzbekistan
#2 Singapore
#4 Peru
#5 Spain
#5 Bulgaria
#6 Austria
#6 Estonia
#6 Slovakia
#7 Finland
#7 Japan
#8 Russian Federation
#9 Denmark
#10 Brazil
#10 Honduras

Too Mean To Die is available on CD, Cassette, 2-LP Vinyl in 8 colors plus as ltd. Edition Delux Box Set containing a CD Digipack, special colored 2-LP with a Pop-Out-Snake, cover patch and a signed autograph by the band as well as digital on all platforms.

Order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

"Zombie Apocalypse"
"Too Mean To Die"
"Overnight Sensation"
"No Ones Master"
"The Undertaker"
"Sucks To Be You"
"Symphony Of Pain"
"The Best Is Yet To Come"
"How Do We Sleep"
"Not My Problem"
"Samson And Delilah"

"Zombie Apocalypse" visualizer:

"The Undertaker" video:

"Too Mean To Die" lyric video:

Joseph Williams and The Players Club / Mascot Label Group present "Wilma Fingadoux," the third and final instant gratification release from his upcoming new studio album out February 26. The accompanying video was self-produced and directed by Williams can be screened below.

He offers, “’Wilma Fingadoux’ is the latest in a long line of musical messages, songs and poems to my mother who died at the age of 41. I was 13 years old. This song is a reflection of the painful yet wonderful place in my memory where I can speak to her.  Also singing with me are my daughters Hannah Ruick and Ray Williams. Their voices, their presence, makes me so proud of my beautiful girls and their unparalleled talent. And I feel relief also because in this way they too can speak to her through music the way I always have. My mom had such a sharp sense of humor. The title of the song is the punch line of one of my favorite jokes she used to tell…she taught me how to feel funny deep inside! This lyric is my release letter. Miss you Momma! Xojoe.”

Steve Lukather (aka “Luke”) and Joseph Williams will release individual solo albums on February 26 via The Players Club / Mascot Label Group. Both artists have made significant contributions to the other’s album.

Steve Lukather’s solo album titled I Found The Sun Again was co-produced by Ken Freeman, who also both engineered and mixed the new collection of repertoire.  The players feature many dignitaries that have been in Luke’s life for decades. Amongst those are drummer Gregg Bissonette, keyboardist Jeff Babko, and bassists Jorgen Carlsson and John Pierce. Life-long friend and Toto band-mate David Paich performs piano and organ across the album, while Joseph Williams sang on multiple tracks alongside writing string and horn arrangements and tracking keys on the aforementioned “Run To Me.”  Both Paich and Williams co-wrote that specific composition, while friend and band leader of the All-Starrs, Ringo Starr makes a special appearance on the recording and in the video.  Other co-writers include Stan Lynch, Jeff Babko, and of course Joseph Williams.

A portion of the proceeds from this album will be directed to The Ed Asner Family Center for Autism. For more information, head here.

Joseph Williams’ Denizen Tenant was self-produced outside of the compositions “Black Dahlia” and “No Lessons” which were arranged and produced by Jay Gruska and mixed by Dave Way. The musicians and singers who made contributions in the studio reads like a who’s who of players that have been in the artist’s life over the past four decades. Amongst these contributors are band-mates from Toto David Paich and Steve Lukather. Simon Phillips, Leland Sklar, Lenny Castro, Nathan East, all of whom enjoyed tenures in Toto are also featured players on the album. Additional contributions include performances by Oscar Bugarin, Jay Gruska, Mike Landau, Barbara Gruska, Steve Overton, Dylan Ronan, Hannah Ruick, Steve Tavaloni, Weston Wilson, Ray Williams, and Mark T. Williams.  The album was produced and mixed at Digbyroad Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA.

There are so many contributors with deep connections and history with the artist, all of whom have a significant footprint on Denizen Tenant. For a complete overview, click here.

The recordings will be available individually on both CD and LP, alongside on all streaming services globally. A limited-edition deluxe edition is available with the two titles bundled together. The pre-order is now live and available here: Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams.

Luke and Williams hope these albums present an enjoyable experience when listened to on shuffle.

At the end of last year, Anneke van Giersbergen announced the release of her new solo album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, one of the most important and personal albums in Anneke’s career to date. An album inspired by heartbreak - not something Anneke ever anticipated writing. It will be released on February 26.

The third single, “Agape”, sees the light of day today and Anneke is very excited to be sharing this new piece of music with the world. She comments: “Agape refers to the highest form of unconditional love, the type of love we all yearn for. I’ve tried to create a distinct echo of a love song from the ‘70s with a meditative guitar arrangement. The lush sound of a string quartet adds a dreamy quality to the song.”

Watch the lyric video for “Agape”:

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

“Hurricane” video:

“My Promise” video:

Spain-based rock outfit, Bala, have inked a deal with Century Media Records. The two-piece power horse will release their label debut, Maleza, on May 14. To celebrate the announcement, the band releases the video for their raw and fuzzy new track “Agitar”. Watch below, and stream the single here .

The band comments their signing to Century Media Records: “Well, what can we say...? We are tremendously excited to be able to carry on despite the circumstances and a new album and a new label are a delicious start to this new stage of the adventure. This is a reference label, which has given support to many bands that we have grown up with and we can't wait to see our name in the midst of  so many others. We hope that the general situation improves and that we can return as soon as possible to the road and to the heat of the concerts and we want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who in one way or another have accompanied us throughout this time.
Fire!”

Paco Fernandez, Label Manager Spain & Portugal: "I met Bala in Colombia back in 2018 and they immediately caught my attention. I followed them for months and it didn't take long before I realized that they had something really unique . The blend of influences, the energy of their live performances and the relentless raw attitude gets leaked in their timeless music. And now that they landed at Century Media, things couldn't long any better. I'm absolutely sure that we are just about to see the launch of an amazing travel."

Bala’s influences range from the different faces of grunge to the big names of punk or stoner rock. This unique blend of musical landscapes and pan-generational inspirations helped shaping the bands outstanding heavy sound and pays tribute to legends like Nirvana, Melvins, Fu Manchu and L7.

Pre-order the new album here.

Maleza tracklisting:

"Agitar"
"Hoy No"
"X"
"Mi Orden"
"Cien Obstáculos"
"Quieres Entrar"
"Rituais"
"Bessie"
"Una Selva"

"Agitar" video:

Lineup:

Anxela Baltar - Vocals, Guitars  
Violeta Mosquera - Vocals, Drums

(Photo - Mattias Monsterkid)

Legendary rock icons, Uriah Heep, performed at the thirtieth anniversary of Wacken Open Air in the summer of 2019. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set.

Setlist:

"Grazed By Heaven"
"Too Scared To Run"
"Take Away My Soul"
"Rainbow Demon"
"Knockin' At My Door"
"Gypsy"
"Look At Yourself"
"July Morning"
"Lady In Black"
"Sunrise"
"Easy Livin'"

In a recent interview with Drew Stone of The New York Hardcore Chronicles, ex-SEPULTURA drummer Igor "Iggor" Cavalera addressed the fact that he and some of his former bandmates were photographed during the group's early years (see video below) wearing t-shirts emblazoned with a symbol which is synonymous with the Nazi party, white supremacists and the persecution and killing of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

"There's some old pictures where I was wearing a t-shirt — not only me, Paulo [Xisto Pinto Jr., bass] [and] sometimes Max [Cavalera, guitar/vocals] — with a swastika on, which a lot of people are, like, 'What the hell were you guys doing?'" Igor said (see video below). "But, as you know, in those times, in 1982, '83, punk was pretty big, and Sid Vicious [SEX PISTOLS] had a t-shirt with a swastika, and we, as stupid kids, we thought it was cool to wear that. And I remember that at one point, one of our friends from a different band, DORSAL [ATLÂNTICA], he came up to us, and he was, like, 'Guys, this is not shocking. This is stupid.' And then, from that day on, we never wore the shirt again. But that was the thing with punk at that time — 'Oh, we wanna shock the world. We wanna wear this.' But it was just plain stupid.

"I think the most important thing and lesson about this is you need to learn and you need to evolve as a human," Igor continued. "And that's why I think education is so important, so people can be educated and they can know about history, about those things in a deeper context — not just wearing for the fact of shocking values. There's a lot more behind this."

Igor left SEPULTURA in June 2006 due to "artistic differences." His departure from the band came five months after he announced that he was taking a break from SEPULTURA's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their son (who was born in January 2006).

In 1996, Igor's brother Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band split with his wife Gloria as their manager.

For a decade and a half, Igor has been part of the MIXHELL DJ/hip-hop/electro project with his wife Laima Leyton.

Two years ago, Igor teamed up with Wayne Adams (BIG LAD, DEATH PEDALS, JOHNNY BROKE) to form the PETBRICK project. The band's debut album, "I", was released in October 2019 via Closed Casket Activities in the U.S.

Igor's other current musical projects include CAVALERA CONSPIRACY (alongside Max) and SOULWAX.






Igor “Skullcrusher” (Sepultura) 1985

Cliff:

Posted by Sepultura 1984-1997 on Thursday, January 29, 2015



La banda de rock brasilero-Sepultura, 1984. Max Calavera Possessed, Wagner Antichrist, Igor Skullcrusher.

Posted by Fernando Marcos Tachdjian de Abadjian on Sunday, November 29, 2015



Sepultura

Early years, young members

-Necromorbid

Posted by Only METAL Underground on Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Rob Zombie, a vegetarian since the age of 18 who went full vegan nine years ago, spoke to GQ about what led him to cut out meat from his diet.

"The vegetarian thing started when I was in high school," he said. "I never really liked eating meat. Whenever I was served pork chops or something, it would just taste awful to me. We're all brainwashed from the moment we're born that all the cows are happy and the pigs are happy and everybody's so happy and it's all 'Old McDonald Had a Farm.' And then I saw a movie that was the first time I really saw how brutal and disgusting factory farming was. That's when I was, like, 'I'm done.'

"Over the years I would eat cheese or put some creamer in my coffee or something. It was about nine years ago that I was eating eggs for breakfast. And I was just, like, 'This is disgusting and I'm done.' And that was it. I've been 100% vegan since that moment."

Asked what he likes to eat, Rob said: "My wife is an excellent cook, which makes my life easy. Every day we eat the exact same breakfast. I've always been like that — I could eat the same meal every day and never get bored of it. We have oatmeal, toast, and fruit. And I have coffee.

"Lunch always varies," he continued. "There's a lot of decent frozen vegan stuff if we're in a hurry, like frozen burritos or pad thai or different pasta dishes. Sheri's very good at making these super-elaborate salads. Salad used to be awful iceberg lettuce and a tasteful tomato. That's why so many people don't care about vegetables; we grew up eating vegetables that had no taste. When you get good vegetables that are prepared right, they're super delicious.

"We have a pretty big garden, and when you get stuff directly from your garden, you're, like, woah. I didn't realize the taste could vary that much. We also have a lot of peach trees."

Rob's seventh studio album, "The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy", will be released on March 12 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2016's "The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser" was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris

SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian, who will release a new five-song EP, "Elasticity", in March, told Kerrang! magazine that he's got several other projects in the works.

"All I can tell you is that I have some material ready from last year because lockdown was a musician's studio dream, in a way," he said. "You can get in and work because you don't need to travel or anything else. I was able to create and finish a lot of music as well.

He continued: "I was able to finish this EP, I've created another EP of a different genre of rock, more electronic and mellow and beautiful. That type of music. I've got two records of cinematic music, instrumental music of stuff that I've had that I created for the sake of it, and a 24-minute modern piano concerto that I'll be releasing this year."

Looking ahead to the future, he said: "I know I'm scheduled to do some film scores, and they're accompanying genres and flavors that I enjoy, because each film is different, each director wants a different thing. I'll end up with a record — a soundtrack — of music that I've never done before that I could completely create: that's an artist’s wet dream, right? Whatever comes to me from the universe in terms of the type of music, I have no idea…"

"Elasticity" will be released on March 19 via Alchemy Recordings/BMG. The EP will arrive four months after the release of "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz", SYSTEM OF A DOWN's first new songs in 15 years. The SYSTEM tracks were motivated by the recently erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, the latter aided by Turkey and accountable for the greatest violence the region has endured in 26 years.

Within a week of their release, "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz" landed at positions No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN hasn't released a full-length album since the "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" LPs, which came out in 2005.

Photo credit: George Tonikian

Roy Mayorga spoke to "That Jamieson Show" about what it was like to join HELLYEAH has as the replacement for PANTERA drum legend Vinnie Paul Abbott, who died nearly three years ago at his home in Las Vegas.

"I'm happy I was there to help the guys get through it and carry the torch for Vinnie," the 50-year-old drummer, who also plays in STONE SOUR, said (see video below). "He was a great guy. We love him and miss him. It's pretty heavy. Definitely honored to be the guy that they called to help them do that."

Mayorga went on to say that his friendship with Abbott "definitely had something to do with" why he was chosen to step in for Vinnie once HELLYEAH was ready to return to the road. "I've known all the guys for a long time," he said. "I've known Chad [Gray, HELLYEAH singer] even before he was in HELLYEAH and Tom [Maxwell, HELLYEAH guitarist] when he was in NOTHINGFACE. Kyle [Sanders, HELLYEAH bassist] I was in a band with, so I think that all made sense to them, I guess, to give me a call. And I was really good friends with Vinnie."

Elaborating what it's like to sit on a chair previously occupied by his longtime friend and drumming idol, Roy said: "While I'm playing the show, I'm not thinking about it, but it dawns on me every now and then, while I'm playing, that I'm, like, in his seat right now [and] there's his band [in front of me]. And it's just, like, a 'holy shit' moment. I get really upset just thinking about it — 'Oh my God. I can't believe this is reality.' And then the video montage comes on with Vinnie, and that's when it really hits.

"There's definitely some pressure there, man, 'cause I really wanna get his parts as close as possible," he explained. "'Cause his parts, they're not easy to play, especially the way he plays. He leads a lot with his left. That's kind of what I've realized when I was learning his parts. A lot of his footwork, he starts with his left foot, which I don't — I start with my right. He leads drum rolls with his left — some. It's weird how he plays. It's amazing. His style is just unbelievable. To me, he was like the John Bonham of metal — thrash metal, for sure."

Mayorga stepped in as Vinnie Paul's replacement for the touring activity in support of HELLYEAH's sixth album, "Welcome Home", which came out in September 2019.

Mayorga's addition to HELLYEAH was made official in May 2019. At the time, the band said Roy was the perfect guy to take Vinnie Paul's place. "These men had so much love and mutual respect for each other, this makes our transition so much easier," HELLYEAH said in a statement.

Mayorga previously played with Sanders in MEDICATION, the early 2000s outfit which also featured guitarist Logan Mader (MACHINE HEAD) and singer Whitfield Crane (UGLY KID JOE).

Vinnie Paul died in June 2018 of dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease. His death was the result of chronic weakening of the heart muscle — basically meaning his heart couldn't pump blood as well as a healthy heart.

Not long before his death, Vinnie laid down the drum tracks for "Welcome Home".

During an appearance yesterday (Tuesday, February 9) on the Talkulture Twitch channel, SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor revealed that he has started work on his fifth book. "I haven't really cracked the skin on it yet, but it's definitely starting to ferment — it's starting to solidify and become an idea," he said. "And it might not be released this year, but it will definitely be done this year."

He continued: "The last one took so much out of me that it really kind of left a bad taste in my mouth — it was just a lot of stress. And a lot of that could have been [due] to the living situation that I was in at the time with my previous relationship really kind of culminating to its end. But at the same time, it was exhausting making that book; it really messed me up. And it's taken me a long time to kind of get back to a place where I feel pretty good mentally and positive about writing books again. So I'm starting to kind of hint that I might be ready to do that."

Roughly one-third of Taylor's last book, 2017's "America 51", was dedicated to his derision for President Donald Trump.

Corey previously said that "writing a book" is "quite different" from writing songs. "With a book, I could just fucking vomit from the brain," he explained. "But with music, at least for me, I like the confines of it, I like the structure. I love songs, I love getting in, being concise, getting people with a hook, blasting them... Whether it's fucking angry or melodic, and then getting out and leaving them wanting more. So, to me, the book lets me unleash it and kinda take shit to its natural end, as far as that goes. Because my brain is fucked up. So I will take that as far as it will go until I kind of sit there and go, 'I have no way to beat that to the fucking death anymore.' And I kind of go from there. So it's good to kinda have no rules, and rules. It's refreshing."

Corey, who is often referred to as the "Great Big Mouth" due to his outspoken views, told the 94.3 KILO radio station in a 2017 interview that he is not worried about possible fallout from his comments. "That's part of being an American," he explained. "I mean, nothing drives me more crazy than when somebody says to celebrities or whatever, 'Why don't you just stick to acting?' And I'm, like, 'What? Leave politics to you? Why don't you stick to writing bad reviews in your mom's basement? Just shut your mouth. I'm just as American as you are, I have every right to say what I want, and you can shove that kind of attitude straight up your ass."

Taylor and the rest of SLIPKNOT are expected to return to the road larer this year in support of their latest album, "We Are Not Your Kind", which arrived in August 2019 via Roadrunner Records