Paul Stanley says that he doesn't know if there is any truth to the rumor that Eddie Van Halen almost joined KISS nearly four decades ago.

Paul discussed Eddie's supposed interest in becoming a KISS member during a new appearance on "The Jeremy White Podcast". Asked if it's true that the legendary VAN HALEN guitarist once showed an interest in playing with the makeup-adorned rockers, Stanley said (see video below): "I have to say, I didn't ever hear that. I was on the phone with him around that time. He was calling me, and I think there was tension in his band. He was asking me, for example, why we did solo albums, why we had to do that. I think he felt that fracturing within his band. But as far as anything beyond that, wanting to join us or anything like that, I can't say no and I wouldn't say no. I don't know. I'll leave that to Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist]."

Gene has claimed in several interviews that he once had to talk Eddie out of leaving VAN HALEN and teaming up with KISS. Asked in the April 2014 issue of Guitar World if it was true that Van Halen wanted to join KISS around the time of 1982's "Creatures Of The Night" album, Simmons said: "That is true. And he was very serious. He was so unhappy about how he and [David Lee] Roth were — or weren't — getting along. He couldn't stand him. And drugs were rampant. And so he took me to lunch, to a diner right across the street from the Record Plant. Vinnie Vincent, who was not yet in KISS, tagged along, too. Sneaky guy. And Eddie said, 'I want to join KISS. I don't want to fight anymore with Roth. I'm sick and tired of it.' But I told him, 'Eddie, there's not enough room. You need to be in a band where you can direct the music. You're not going to be happy in KISS.' I talked him out of it. It didn't fit."

During the 2018 "Kiss Kruise", Stanley was asked by a fan if there is any truth to the rumor that Eddie nearly ended up in KISS. Paul responded: "No. Eddie Van Halen did not almost join KISS. Eddie [came down to] the studio. I think there was some strife within the band [VAN HALEN] at that point, for him, and Eddie came down just to see what was going on. And I remember he was really blown away by the solo in [the song] 'Creatures [Of The Night]'. He said, 'Get that guy.' That guy who played the solo in 'Creatures' was a guy named Steve Farris, who was in a band called MISTER MISTER, who had a bunch of hits. But the guitar player was great. And at that point, Eddie was getting into keyboards. And I remember he brought some tapes of some of the songs he was working on. And it was, like, this guy is this unbelievable guitar player. [I thought], 'Eddie, what are you doing on keyboards?' But that was the start of 'Jump' and all that other stuff that came afterwards. But Eddie was never going to join KISS and was never almost in KISS."

In a 1995 interview with The Times Leader, Eddie was asked if it was true that he met with Gene and Paul in Los Angeles 13 years earlier to discuss the possibility of him joining KISS. He responded: "Not that I know of… Unless I was so fucked up [that] I don't remember. They might have asked me… They might have just asked me in passing, and I just kind of laughed it off, probably. If it happened, I'm sure I would have remembered. Maybe they did ask me and I just thought they were joking."

Simmons has repeatedly taken credit for "discovering" VAN HALEN and flying the band to New York to record a 15-song demo at Electric Lady Studios, with Gene at the production helm. But he ended up not working with the group after his KISS bandmates and manager, Bill Aucoin, expressed little interest in his demos. "I gave the demo back to the band, told them I had a tour to go on and afterward I would try to get them a record deal, but until then, I tore up our contract and set them free," he said. "It didn't take them long to get on Warner Bros."

QUEEN's Brian May and Roger Taylor have revealed to Classic Rock magazine that they tried to record a new song with singer Adam Lambert but they ultimately decided against releasing it.

"We did record a song which we haven't actually finished," Taylor said. "I can't remember what it's called. I think we were still discussing what we should call it."

Added May: "It was a song that we'd tried to adapt that had come from a friend. It had the makings of being a great song, but we couldn't crack it. We couldn't get there."

The recording sessions for track reportedly took place in Nashville during a QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT U.S. tour.

Taylor went on to say that he wouldn't rule out a new QUEEN album with Lambert on vocals.

"It would be nice to do some stuff," he said. "I wouldn't rule it out. Adam has said, 'Any time you want me to sing on something…' If the other two decide, 'Let's do something', I'd be there."

Lambert, May and Taylor first shared the stage during "American Idol" in May 2009 for a performance of "We Are The Champions". They teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland for an electrifying eight-minute finale of "The Show Must Go On", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" and in the summer of 2012, Lambert performed a series of shows with QUEEN across Europe as well as dates in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. They have since completed a number of tours and performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world.

In May 2019, Lambert said that he wasn't convinced it was the right move for him to record new music with QUEEN. Speaking to Hunger, he said: "People always ask if we want to record together, and I'm not sure it makes total sense, because it wouldn't really be QUEEN, because, to me, QUEEN is Freddie. My favorite thing is collaborating and putting these concerts together and creating on stage — it's super fulfilling and exciting. To present these ideas to these two gentlemen — especially when they like the idea."

May previously described Lambert as the only singer the band had found capable of filling the shoes of iconic frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 of complications from to AIDS. "Adam is the first person we've encountered who can do all the QUEEN catalogue without blinking," said May. "He is a gift from God." Taylor echoed the guitarist's sentiments, adding: "[Adam's] incredibly musical, and we certainly take anything he says quite seriously."

Lambert, for his part, downplayed the Mercury comparisons, saying: "There's never going to be another, and I'm not replacing him. That's not what I'm doing. I'm trying to keep the memory alive, and remind people how amazing he was, without imitating him. I'm trying to share with the audience how much he inspired me."

In 2004, QUEEN recruited BAD COMPANY singer Paul Rodgers, with whom they completed two world tours and released an album, "The Cosmos Rocks", in 2008. They amicably parted ways a year later when Rodgers returned to BAD COMPANY. Since 2011, QUEEN has been fronted by Lambert.




In the new issue of Classic Rock, we celebrate the glory and the majesty of the first 50 years of Queen by sitting down with the inimitable Dr Brian May and Roger Taylor for an in-depth conversation to reflect on their incredible story so farhttps://t.co/Zs7TxiNnmD

— Classic Rock Magazine (@ClassicRockMag) February 2, 2021

FALLING IN REVERSE has shared the video for the reimagined version of the classic fan-favorite "I'm Not A Vampire". The epic visual is dramatic and cinematic, and feels very Tim Burton-esque. Meanwhile, the new version of song is equally as epic and sprawling.

"'I'm Not a Vampire (Revamped)' was over 10 years in the making," says Ronnie Radke. "I wrote the original song, while sitting inside a maximum security prison, about drug addiction. I always believed songs such as this one had more to offer than its original form, so I wanted to give fans a new perspective and redefine who I am when it comes to expressing myself and being creative."

The original appears on the band's 2011-released album "The Drug In Me Is You", which achieved a gold certification last year.

FALLING IN REVERSE has also announced "Live From The Unknown", an immersive livestream experience. It will feature two totally unique concerts with different set lists taking place over a pair of Friday nights in April.

"'Live From The Unknown' is a two-part event I have created that has never been done," Radke explains. "It's two shows on separate nights with added elements that you just have to see to understand. Me trying to explain it now would ruin the live experience and also wouldn't do it justice. Make sure you grab your tickets cause it probably will never happen like this again!"

The dates for the "Live From The Unknown" are as follows:

Friday, April 16: Part 1 - 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST

Friday, April 30: Part 2 - 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST

Purchase your tickets here.

FALLING IN REVERSE's most recent single, "Popular Monster", enjoyed a multi-week stint at No. 1 on the rock radio charts. The song landed in the top spot on the Mediabase Active Rock chart, Billboard's Hot Hard Rock chart, and the Nielsen Rock chart. It marked the first No.1 single of the band's career. It also followed the gold certification of "The Drug In Me Is You" and a sold-out anniversary tour.

Video of DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie belting out a cappella versions of several of the band's songs — including "Space-Dye Vest" and "I Walk Beside You" — can be seen below.

LaBrie sang a couple of lines from each track while filming a new video message on Cameo, which lets users hire celebrities to record brief, personalized video messages about virtually any topic.

Cameo reportedly features more than 20,000 celebrities — from musicians and actors to drag queens and from YouTubers to Olympic gold medallists — who, for fees from $1 to $2,500, will offer video messages that mention another person by name. Happy birthday messages are common, as are baby announcements, but some celebrities have also recorded messages for Cameo users looking to quit their jobs or ask a potential date to a prom. The price for a video is determined by the celebrity.

LaBrie charges $55 for each of his Cameo videos.

Last fall, guitarist John Petrucci confirmed that DREAM THEATER has been using the coronavirus downtime to write and record the follow-up to 2019's "Distance Over Time" album.

"Distance Over Time" marked DREAM THEATER's first album for for Sony Music's progressive imprint InsideOut Music. The group spent the past 25 years recording under various labels in the Warner Music Group system, most recently Roadrunner Records, which released five albums by the band between 2007 and 2016.

DREAM THEATER recently released its ninth career live album, "Distant Memories - Live In London". Recorded at DREAM THEATER's sold-out show at the Apollo Theatre in London, the live release documents the band's popular world tour in support of "Distance Over Time" and the 20th anniversary of their seminal concept album "Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory".

Several more IRON MAIDEN titles will get the jigsaw puzzle treatment in April.

Zee Productions will release "The Trooper", "No Prayer For The Dying", "Fear Of The Dark", "The X Factor", "Virtual XI" and "The Book Of Souls" as 500-piece jigsaws on its Rock Saws imprint. "The Trooper" is also available as a 1000-piece jigsaw.

All 500-piece puzzles come in a vinyl-box-set-sized box, perfect to fit alongside a vinyl record collection.

Previously released IRON MAIDEN jigsaws include "Iron Maiden", "Killers", "Live After Death", "The Number Of The Beast", "Powerslave", "Somewhere In Time" and "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son".

According to Toy News, Rock Saws was originally developed by Zee Productions' own self-proclaimed metalhead Steve Beatty.

"I want to make jigsaws that are for the music fan," Beatty said. "Vinyl came back and I loved the idea of making great record sleeve art into jigsaws, maybe stick the record on and do together."

Beatty launched Rock Saws in 2019, promising to "revolutionize" and "breathe new life into" the puzzles scene by delivering artwork from some of the rock and heavy metal scene's most iconic album covers. The mission started with the launch of puzzles featuring artwork from albums by SLAYER and IRON MAIDEN.

"Rollin' And Tumblin'", focus track from "The Big Bad Blues", Billy Gibbons' award-winning solo album, is the subject of a new video set for release this week. The "Rollin' And Tumblin'" video follows the album's "Missin' Yo' Kissin'" that has become an online sensation. Sales of "The Big Bad Blues", both physical and digital, have soared since the video debuted this past spring.

As with "Missin' Yo' Kissin'", the concert footage seen in "Rolling And Tumblin'" was shot with the ZZ TOP frontman along with Matt Sorum (drums) and Austin Hanks (guitar). Texas filmmaker Harry Reese caught the act on camera at San Antonio's famous downtown Aztec Theatre at the conclusion of their nationwide tour.

The sepia-toned "Rollin' And Tumblin'" video clip combines Reese's live concert footage of Billy and the band's high-energy set with high-speed desertscapes and foreboding skyscapes; the combination of which evokes a genuine sense of manic, unearthly, mystery.

The song was a natural choice for inclusion in "The Big Bad Blues" that was produced by Billy and the late Joe Hardy. Chess Records released Muddy Waters's definitive version in 1950 on its Argo label although the song's roots date back almost more than 90 years to Hambone Willie Newbern's "Roll And Tumble Blues", released on Okeh Records. Other versions or derivations of the song released under various titles have been recorded by Robert Johnson, Sleepy John Estes, Sunnyland Slim, Charley Patton, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, CANNED HEAT, Johnny Shines, R.L. Burnside, CREAM, Johnny Winter, FLEETWOOD MAC, Jeff Beck, THE GRATEFUL DEAD and Bob Dylan, among others.

Gibbons commented: "'Rollin' And Tumblin'' is the musical embodiment of our favored slogan 'blues you can use.' No matter how it's interpreted, it's the sound of the now and the future, too! We're happy to have it out again as our contribution to continuum that is the blues."

"The Big Bad Blues" was named Best Blues Rock Album of the year at the Blues Music Awards in May of 2019 and has been a fixture on Billboard's Blues chart since its release. At present, Billy is working hard on the follow-up solo-album with Sorum and Hanks while arranging for the next ZZ TOP release.

Photo credit: Blain Clausen

A trailer for Alice Cooper's new studio album, "Detroit Stories", is available below. Due on February 26 via earMUSIC and named for the city that launched the original Alice Cooper group on the road to success, it follows 2019's "Breadcrumbs" EP as a modern-day homage to the toughest and craziest rock and roll scene there ever was.

In 1970, fledgling producer Bob Ezrin walked into a farmhouse on the outskirts of Detroit to work with the Alice Cooper band. Abandoning flower power Los Angeles, because they were the opposite of the hippie peace and love ideal, Alice had brought his decidedly darker gang back to his birthplace to the legendary rock scene that gave birth to hard rock, garage rock, soul, funk, punk...and more.

Ezrin drilled the band for 10 hours a day to define their signature sound. Whenever they nailed a song, the inmates at the hospital for the criminally insane across the road cheered and thus the classic Alice Cooper sound was born.

"Detroit was heavy rock central then," explains Alice, "You'd play the Eastown and it would be Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, THE STOOGES and THE WHO, for $4! The next weekend at the Grande it was MC5, BROWNSVILLE STATION and FLEETWOOD MAC, or SAVOY BROWN or the SMALL FACES. You couldn't be a soft-rock band or you'd get your ass kicked."

"Los Angeles had its sound with THE DOORS, LOVE and BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD," he says, "San Francisco had the GRATEFUL DEAD and JEFFERSON AIRPLANE. New York had THE RASCALS and THE VELVET UNDERGROUND. But Detroit was the birthplace of angry hard rock. After not fitting in anywhere in the U.S. (musically or image wise) Detroit was the only place that recognized the Alice Cooper guitar-driven hard rock sound and our crazy stage show. Detroit was a haven for the outcasts. And when they found out I was born in East Detroit... we were home."

50 years later, Alice and Ezrin gathered some legendary Detroit musicians in a Detroit studio to record "Detroit Stories", Alice Cooper's new album that celebrates that spirit for a new era. If 2019's "Breadcrumbs" EP laid down the trail to the city, "Detroit Stories" drives like a muscle car right down Woodward Ave.

"We recorded with Wayne Kramer (guitarist and writer from the MC5), Johnny "Bee" Badanjek (drums; from the legendary DETROIT WHEELS), Paul Randolph (legendary Detroit jazz and R&B bassist) as well as the Motor City Horns and other local musicians," explains Ezrin, "We had musical ideas and encouragement from John Varvatos, the support of the folks at Shinola, and we recorded at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak. This was made in detroit for Detroit by Detroit denizens!"

"Detroit Stories" will be available on CD, CD+DVD digipak, CD box set (including CD, Blu-ray, t-shirt, face mask, torch light and 3 stickers), and 2LP gatefold.

The DVD and Blu-ray will show the incredible live performance "A Paranormal Evening At The Olympia Paris" for the first time on video. With the whole concert culture being shut down due to covid-19, Alice Cooper felt the need to share one of his latest shows with his fans as he cannot wait to get back on the road — better than ever.

Track listing:

01. Rock 'N' Roll

02. Go Man Go (Album Version)

03. Our Love Will Change The World

04. Social Debris

05. $1000 High Heel Shoes

06. Hail Mary

07. Detroit City 2021 (Album Version)

08. Drunk And In Love

09. Independence Dave

10. I Hate You

11. Wonderful World

12. Sister Anne (Album Version)

13. Hanging On By A Thread (Don't Give Up)

14. Shut Up And Rock

15. East Side Story (Album Version)

"Shake Your Money Maker", the multi-platinum debut by the seminal rock 'n' roll band THE BLACK CROWES, will be re-released in multi-formats sets on February 26 through UMe/American Recordings. Band founders brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, with original producer George Drakoulias, oversaw the creation of the re-release. Most exciting are the 4LP and 3CD Super Deluxe versions, which includes the original album, remastered; three never-before-heard studio recordings; two previously unreleased demos from the band's early incarnation as MR. CROWE'S GARDEN; B-sides; a spectacular, high-energy 14-song unreleased concert recorded in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia in December 1990; reproductions of an early MR. CROWE'S GARDEN show flyer, setlist and tour laminate; a four-inch CROWES patch; and a 20-page book with liner notes by David Fricke.

The official music video for one of the previously unheard studio songs, "Charming Mess", which was originally slated to be the band's first single, but was ultimately left off of the album entirely, can be seen below.

A 2CD Deluxe version has the remastered album along with the unreleased studio songs, demos, and b-sides. There are also standard 1CD and 1LP versions that are the mastered version of the original.

"Shake Your Money Maker" was released originally in 1990 when rock was dominated by cheesy pop and hair metal. THE BLACK CROWES gave the genre a much-needed swift kick in the ass with their debut album. That album, fueled by singles "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard", "She Talks To Angels" and a rollicking cover of fellow Georgian Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle", the band immediately took the music world by storm, selling over five million records and topping Rolling Stone's "Best New American Band Readers Poll" in late 1990.

THE BLACK CROWES plan to hit the road this summer on "The Black Crowes Present: Shake Your Money Maker" tour and will play "Shake Your Money Maker" in its entirety, plus all of their hits.

"Shake Your Money Maker" 30th-anniversary 4LP box track listing:

LP 1: Shake Your Money Maker (2020 Remaster)

Side One:

01. Twice As Hard

02. Jealous Again

03. Sister Luck

04. Could I've Been So Blind

05. Seeing Things

Side Two:

01. Hard To Handle

02. Thick N' Thin

03. She Talks To Angels

04. Struttin' Blues

05. Stare It Cold

06. Mercy, Sweet Moan

LP 2: More Money Maker: Unreleased Songs and B-Sides

Side One:

01. Charming Mess

02. 30 Days In The Hole

03. Don't Wake Me

04. Jealous Guy

05. Waitin' Guilty

Side Two:

01. Hard To Handle (With Horns Remix)

02. Jealous Again (Acoustic Version)

03. She Talks To Angels (Acoustic Version)

04. She Talks To Angels (MR. CROWE'S GARDEN Demo)

05. Front Porch Sermon (MR. CROWE'S GARDEN Demo)

LP3 and 4 The Homecoming Concert: Atlanta, GA December 1990

Side One:

01. Introduction

02. Thick N' Thin

03. You're Wrong

04. Twice As Hard

05. Could I've Been So Blind

06. Seeing Things For The First Time

Side Two:

01. She Talks To Angels

02. Sister Luck

03. Hard To Handle

04. Shake 'Em On Down/Get Back

Side Three:

01. Struttin' Blues

02. Words You Throw Away

Side Four:

01. Stare It Cold

02. Jealous Again

The new lineup of THE BLACK CROWES played two concerts in November 2019 — in West Hollywood, California and in New York City.

Joining Chris and Rich Robinson in THE BLACK CROWES's current incarnation are EARTHLESS guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, former TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND bassist Tim Lefebvre along with ONCE AND FUTURE BAND members Joel Robinow on keyboards and Raj Ojha on drums.

Last April, Chris and Rich admitted that they were in no rush to jump back into the studio to make a new BLACK CROWES album.

Rich told Classic Rock: "I have a bunch of stuff, but we want to make sure we do this properly. We want to make sure we can do this before we get into a studio and make a record. That would be cool, but right now this is what we're focused on."

Asked if he wants to make a new CROWES album, Chris said: "I don't know. Yeah. Maybe. I definitely think Rich and I will write songs together in our future. I don't know how, when and where. But if Rich has songs, I'm down to hear them and do what I do. But I don't think we can do that until we see how this [tour] goes."

Chris and Rich met for the first time in six years over breakfast at L.A.'s famed Chateau Marmont hotel in the early summer of 2019. The brothers brought their respective kids, marking their first time some of the cousins had ever met each other. "They're, like, 'Holy shit. We're having breakfast with Uncle Rich and my cousins. This has never happened in our lives,'" Chris recalled. "Shit like that will open your heart."

Chris went on to explain why the brothers decided to move ahead without any of the previous members of the CROWES in the band. "It was the first thing on the table," he said. "Rich and I agreed on it. We just want to start with a clean slate. I'm not putting the blame on anyone else, I'm responsible for my own negative interactions with the rest of the band. But we didn't want to trigger anything. One little thing, and you're back to fighting on the bus in 2006, you know what I mean?"

Rich also dismissed accusations that this reunion tour is nothing more than a cynical cash grab.

"If it was just about money, we'd have done it years ago when people were calling and saying, 'There's a lot of money on the table.'" Rich said. "I'm far more interested in having a relationship with my brother again."

Witherfall have released an official video for "The River", a track from the new album, Curse Of Autumn. Watch below:

Curse Of Autumn is scheduled for a worldwide street date of March 5, with the US vinyl available April 2. The album was produced by Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards) for Ravencraft Productions, Joseph Michael (vocals, keyboards, also in Sanctuary) and Jake Dreyer (guitar, also in Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards). For the recording and mix they teamed up with Jim Morris (Savatage, Iced Earth, Kamelot, Death) while Tom Morris took over mastering duties.

The album art is once again another hand painted masterpiece by the legendary Kristian Wåhlin, the fourth painting in the Witherfall series.

Apart from the digital album, the following formats are available, please note that the luxurious Gatefold 2LP is coming with a poster and etching on Side D:

- Ltd. CD Digipak
- Gatefold black 2LP for all accounts
- 200x Gatefold Autumn Amber (transp. orange Vinyl) 2LP via CM Distro Wholesale and Onlineshop
- 200x Gatefold Ghost White (creamy white Vinyl) 2LP via EMP and Nuclear Blast

The US is carrying the following formats:

- CD Digipak
- Gatefold Fall Forest Green (translucent forest green Vinyl) 2LP for all accounts
- 200x Gatefold Tempest Frost (coke bottle clear Vinyl) 2LP via Revolver Magazine
- 200x Gatefold River Orchid Bloom (orchid Vinyl) via the CM US Onlineshop

Click here for multiple options.

Via the band’s official store were you can secure:

- 300x Gatefold Last Scar Blood Red (deep blood red Vinyl) 2LP

Tracklisting:

"Deliver Us Into The Arms Of Eternal Silence"
"The Last Scar"
"As I Lie Awake"
"Another Face"
"Tempest"
"Curse Of Autumn"
"The Unyielding Grip Of Each Passing Day"
"The Other Side Of Fear"
"The River"
"… And They All Blew Away"
"Long Time" (Acoustic Version)

"The Other Side Of Fear" video:

“As I Lie Awake” video

"Another Face" lyric video:

Witherfall are:

Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards (also in Sanctuary)
Jake Dreyer - Acoustic and Electric Guitars (also in Iced Earth/Demons And Wizards)
Anthony Crawford - Bass (Chon, Shalmor, Allan Holdsworth, Justin Timberlake, Kirk Whalum)
Marco Minnemann - Drums (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson, Tony Levin, Jordan Rudess, Necrophagist)
Alex Nasla - Live Keyboards

(Photo - Stephanie Cabral)

Nita Strauss, the Los Angeles-based guitar shredder for the ALICE COOPER band, spoke to Cassius Morris on WatchMojo's brand new music podcast "Innersleeve" about her upcoming second solo album. Asked if the LP will once again be an all-instrumental effort, Nita said (see video below): "Actually, I am gonna have some guest vocalists on this one. I'm not gonna do any singing, 'cause I want it to sound good… [Laughs] But I have people much more talented, I think, than me doing a couple of guest spots, and then the rest is gonna be instrumental."

Strauss's new disc, which is tentatively due later this year, will be the follow-up to her first solo LP, "Controlled Chaos", released in 2018 via Sumerian Records.

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

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

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

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

SAXON frontman Biff Byford has revealed to TotalRock's DJ Force X that the band's new album is tentatively scheduled to be released in February 2022. The disc's first single will likely arrive at the end of this year.

Last June, Biff told Metal Rules that the recording sessions for SAXON's follow-up to 2018's "Thunderbolt" were "coming along nicely. There is no pressure at the moment, to be honest, as I work better under pressure," he said. "We are recording our bits and pieces and have 11 songs that are done and ready to go. I did most of the writing, and I'm just waiting for the lockdown to be over so we can go to the studio and finish it off."

In March 2020, Biff told The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the new SAXON material: "It's heavy. I would say the direction is the same as 'Thunderbolt' and 'Battering Ram' [2015] [and] 'Sacrifice' [2013]. It's heavy and it's quite British[-sounding]; we like to retain that. Me and [bassist] Nibbs [Carter] wrote most of the songs again."

He continued: "What I do, I have a start time when I want the boys to start writing, and that's how we do albums. And Nibbs is just a fiend with it — he just writes so many ideas down; it's crazy. I'm getting ideas from all the boys, but predominantly most of them are from Nibbs.

"So, yeah, it's heavy," he added. "There's some great guitar playing on it from the boys. And Nigel's [Glockler] drumming is up there with much younger drummers, if you know what I mean — he's pushing himself very hard with it… Andy Sneap is producing it. So we'll see how it goes."

SAXON will release a covers album, "Inspirations", on March 19 via Silver Lining Music. The 11-track effort contains some of the classic rock songs that influenced Byford and the rest of the band.

Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

German medieval rock masters Feuerschwanz have released a black metal version of their own tremendous hit "Schubsetanz" together with an official video. The song will be available as a strictly limited 7'' picture vinyl, out April 22nd via Napalm Records, which also includes a live version of "Kampfzwerg" ("Fighting Dwarf") from the band’s latest chart-breaking studio album, Das Elfte Gebot, which landed at #3 in Germany.

Feuerschwanz premiered this diabolic offering for the first time at a recently-celebrated concert live stream, Die Letzte Schlacht. "Schubsetanz" (Black Metal Version) showcases a whole new facet of the six-piece in the most true and evil way.

About the song: "'Schubsetanz ist Rittersport' (Schubsetanz is a sport made for knights) - for years this song from the album Methämmer is a fan favourite at our concerts! We love the moment when hordes of metal-clad heavy metal warriors unite for the most beautiful of all dance styles, full of grace and violence: The 'Schubsetanz'! That's why the song made it onto the setlist of our legendary 11:0:A gig and was celebrated there in a special, Corona-compliant way - packed into airtight rubber balls and to the sound of a specially created black metal version, we celebrated the moshpit - 2020 Corona style!

However, fans noticed that this unpolished rough diamond in all its raw violence deserved its own version and immediately started an online petition demanding a full-length version. We, as humble servants of our fans, spared no expense and effort and descended through the nine circles of hell, broke the seventh seal and snatched the tape from the incarnate himself, where those sounds were banned, that should have been hidden."

Das Elfte Gebot is the successor of 2018's Methämmer album, and can be ordered here.

Das Elfte Gebot tracklisting:

"Meister der Minne"
"Metfest"
"Das elfte Gebot"
"Kampfzwerg"
"Im Bauch des Wals"
"Mission Eskalation"
"Schildmaid"
"Malleus Maleficarum"
"Lords Of Powermet"
"Totentanz"
"Unter dem Drachenbanner"

Die Sieben Todsünden (bonus covers album) tracklisting:

"Ding" (Seeed)
"Hier kommt Alex" (Die Toten Hosen)
"Amen & Attack" (Powerwolf)
"I See Fire" (Ed Sheeran)
"Gott mit uns" (Sabaton)
"Limit" (Deichkind)
"Engel" (Rammstein)

"Im Bauch des Wals" video:

"Ding" video:

"I See Fire" video:

Lineup:

Hauptmann Feuerschwanz - vocals, guitars
Johanna von der Vögelweide - fiddle, hurdy gurdy
Sir Lanzeflott - drums
Jarne Hodinsson - bass
Prinz Hodenherz - winds, vocals
Hans der Aufrechte - guitars

Necronomicon's new album, The Final Chapter, is in essence a new chapter for the band. It's the first time that the band has international members, so the sound is different because of Rik Charron (ex-Exciter) on the drums, and Glen Shannon on lead guitar. But, oddly enough, you still know it's Necronomicon - due to founding member Freddy, and his distinctive song writing style, and Marco Lohrenz on bass and backing vocals.

El Puerto Records will release The Final Chapter on March 26, 2021 in CD, Limited Edition Steelbox, and Digital formats.

Check out the first video release from the album, "Wall Of Pain", below.

The songs on The Final Chapter, Necronomicon's tenth album, are intricate, hard-hitting, full of force speed and power. There will be a song on this album that will please everyone from power metaller to thrasher. As with all the previous releases, the album bears the unmistakable and signature sound of Achim Köhler who was responsible for the mixing and mastering. This album is coming to tear the roof down with a blistering sonic assault, and maybe it's the final chapter? Beware of the beast!

Tracklisting:

"I Am The Violence"
"Give Me Fire"
"Wall Of Pain"
"Purgatory"
"Burning The Fury"
"Spilling Blood"
"Selling Nightmares"
"Justice"
"The Devil's Tears"
"The Unnamed"
"Me Against You"
"Stormreaper"

The Final Chapter Video Medley Preview:

New Rule is the debut EP by Melbourne dirty / sleaze rock band The Mercy Kills. Written and produced in 2010, this five-track release has strong elements of the four members influences, with elements of post-punk, grunge and rock 'n' roll. TMK are proud that it stands strong, alongside the music they have produced over the ten years since. 

Initially New Rule was only available as a short run of CDs and was never officially released. The band have always felt this as a thorn in their side and are now happy to see it released today (February 12th)  via Golden Robot Records.

"Fall" is the post-punk inspired song is about trying to keep in control of your life, while things feel like they are falling apart around you. This high energy track has always been a favourite between the band members and is still relevant to them today. 

Mix two parts dirty rock with two parts sleaze punk and you get a four shot cocktail called The Mercy Kills featuring Mark E (vocals, guitar), Jen X Costello (bass, vocals), Nathalie Gellé (guitar, vocals) and Josh Black (drums). Their tastes in music, the desire to write great songs and blast out a killer live show were the key factors shared by this four-piece outfit.  The Mercy Kills took their name from a line in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, "It was a mercy killing". 

Tracklist:

"I Wanna"
"New Rule"
"So Many Times"
"Fall" (2020 remastered)
"Go"

In the clip below, Eluveitie hurdy gurdy player Michalina Malisz performs five well known Children Of Bodom riffs in memory of frontman Alexi Laiho, who passed away at the end of 2020.

In 2020, the news was flooded: Led by the extremely talented Alexi Laiho, newly formed supergroup Bodom After Midnight was about to become the striking successor to legendary metal band Children Of Bodom. Their sonic plans were massive – including an EP release in the spring followed by a full-length album later in the year.

The EP, Paint The Sky With Blood (out April 23 via Napalm Records), was recorded in Finland back in 2020 and was meant to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Sadly, that chapter ended far too soon, and now, the three-track piece embodies a whole new meaning. Paint The Sky With Blood is an overwhelming tribute to an outstanding artist and an exceptional sonic heritage – matchless late guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho – and at the same time, a modern homage to the genre itself.  

A storm of raging guitars and blaring drums merge with Alexi Laiho’s versatile vocal power, leading into a heavy attack – title track “Paint The Sky With Blood” – opening the 14 minute EP of the same name. The track is strikingly reminiscent of early-Children Of Bodom elements, while also adding exciting modern influences into the fold. Second stunner “Payback’s A Bitch” and its massive riffing are on a quest for retribution, delivering a hard-hitting, second to none offense. The interplay of Alexi Laiho, guitarist Daniel Freyberg, drummer Waltteri Väyrynen (Paradise Lost), bassist Mitja Toivonen (ex-Santa Cruz) and live keyboardist Vili Itäpelto is not only a testament to the band's extraordinary musical ability, but also showcases their skill in deftly incorporating a variety of genre influences.

Closing cover track “Where Dead Angels Lie” is an absolute triumph – originally performed by Swedish extreme metal formation Dissection, the track shines as a timeless classic with a new edge. Eerie riffs and vocals alternating between menacing murmurs and characteristic guttural, distorted vocals stay faithful to the original while branding this version with an undeniable Bodom After Midnight punch.

Paint The Sky With Blood will be available in the following formats (preorder here):
- 10" Spined Sleeve Oxblood
- 10" Spined Sleeve Inkspot Ox/Black
- 10" Spined Sleeve Black
- Deluxe Box
- 1 Digipak Mini CD
- Digital Album

Cover art by Travis Smith:

Tracklisting:

“Paint The Sky With Blood”
“Payback’s A Bitch”
“Where Dead Angels Lie” (Dissection cover)

Prog-metal trio Vokonis has released their "Blackened Wings" video, which can be seen below.

Vokonis will release their fourth studio album, Odyssey, in spring 2021. More dynamically diverse than ever, the six new tracks feature guest musician Per Wiberg (Opeth, Spiritual Beggars) on keyboard. Odyssey is Vokonis' first true prog-record. A record for the new decade.

After the success of Vokonis' third album Grasping Time (2019), the band immediately went into recording more material. With the goal set to further expand the prog landscape, Vokonis crafted recordings that are more dynamically diverse and forward-thinking than ever before. The result is Odyssey, the upcoming fourth studio album by Vokonis. Ranging from full-blown doom to melodically blissful passages, the new album features guest musician Per Wiberg (Opeth, Spiritual Beggars) on keyboard. 

Tangible prog-influences combined with stand-out choruses, the six tracks on Odyssey further explores the sound that Vokonis introduced on 2019’s Grasping Time. Jonte’s clean vocal lines are effectively blended with Simon’s aggressive bark, creating tons of depth as the sound shift from dreamy psychedelia to faze-melting sludge heaviness. The new tracks are backed up by the rhythmical patterns provided by the band’s new drummer Peter Ottosson who, since his affiliation in early 2019, has proved to be a spark plug of inspiration for the band.

Odyssey was recorded in Studio Soundport, Sweden by Mikael Andersson, and mastered by Magnus Lindberg. The artwork for the album and its singles were made by Kyrre Bjurling (Grasping Time, Olde One Ascending Reissue). Odyssey will be released on The Sign Records on May 7th. The album will be available on digital, vinyl, and CD format. Get ready. 

 

Sweden’s Party Boys, the self-coined ‘street metallers’ Hardcore Superstar have signed a deal with global juggernauts Golden Robot Records (for Australia, New Zealand, South American, USA and Canada).

Paying little attention to the extreme death metal sounds of their hometown was renowned for, the four natives of Gothenburg, Sweden who formed Hardcore Superstar in 1998 drew upon melodic, glammed-up hard rock, especially the sleazy L.A. pop-metal sound of the ’80s.

Vocalist Jocke Berg, guitarist Silver Silver, bassist Martin Sandvik, and drummer Magnus Andreasson recorded an album titled It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll and released via Gain Records in 1998, attracting praise from Motorhead’s Lemmy.

After opening for Motorhead on a Scandinavian tour, Hardcore Superstar signed to Music For Nations and recorded their sophomore effort, Bad Sneakers And A Pina Colada, in 1999. They scored three Swedish Top Ten singles from the record and built up their audience through constant gigging. 

The punchy but laid-back Thank You (For Letting Us Be Ourselves) arrived in 2001, followed by No Regrets in 2003, the latter of which spawned the hit single "Honey Tongue". It would be their last outing for Music For Nations, having re-signed with Gain for the release of their eponymous fifth studio long-player in 2005. The album was widely praised and earned the group a Swedish Grammis nomination. 

Released in 2007, Dreamin’ In A Casket would be the last outing for guitarist Thomas Silver, who left the group in 2008. Crazy Lixx’s Vic Zino would eventually replace him, and make his studio debut with the band on 2009’s Beg For It, which was released via Nuclear Blast.

Split Your Lip arrived the following year, with the band’s first-ever compilation LP The Party Ain’t Over ‘Til We Say So, dropping in 2011. The singles "One More Minute" and "Above The Law" heralded the release of the group’s ninth full-length, 2013’s C’mon Take On Me, while 2015’s HCSS would be the first Hardcore Superstar outing to a feature a guest performer (Swedish reggae singer Etzia).

In late 2017 the band issued the single "Have Mercy On Me" in anticipation of the release of their 11th album, You Can’t Kill My Rock ‘N’ Roll which was well received in 2018.

Hardcore Superstar and Golden Robot Records have now joined forces for a brand-new album in 2021.

‘’I have been chasing Hardcore Superstar for years and to finally have them signed for a brand-new album in 2021, we are all over the moon. A fantastic band with a great history and we are honoured to be involved.’’ - Mark Alexander-Erber President & Founder | Golden Robot Global Entertainment 

Look forward to more classic tracks along the lines of all-time faves like "Wild Boys", "You Can't Kill My Rock 'N Roll", "Last Call For Alcohol", "Bring The House Down", "Above The Law" and "Someone Special".

 

New England-based extreme metal quintet Aversed is giving fans another taste of their upcoming album, Impermanent, with the release of its third single, “Abandoned”.

The inspiration for “Abandoned” started with guitarist Sungwoo Jeong, who arrived at band rehearsal with the word on his mind. “I want to write a song that sounds exactly like the word ‘abandoned,’” he told his fellow band members Haydee Irizarry (vocals), Alden Marchand (guitar), Peter Albert de Reyna (bass) and Jeff Saltzman (drums).

“As we constructed the song, the title began to take on the context of the heartbreak that both of us were experiencing at the time, even before any lyrics had been written,” Saltzman says. “The word ‘abandoned’ took on several meanings throughout the lyrical process. The person I loved the most in the world was about to move across the planet and our relationship became haunted by an end date when her flight was scheduled. She wanted to pursue her career and I intended to continue playing drums here in Boston, and so neither were willing to compromise and keep the relationship going. The song bears the scars of a relationship doomed, and the pull of a career even if it means sacrificing the person closest to you. We were abandoning each other; but simultaneously a society that emphasizes career goals over love has abandoned us. When Haydee then wrote her melody over the chorus, the song was solidified as our own melancholic metal breakup song.”

With the release of Impermanent, Aversed presents a metal experience cultivated of unprecedented beauty and torment. The third release following 2011’s self-titled EP and 2016’s Renewal EP, Impermanent marks a turning point for the New England scene veterans as they pivot from melodic death metal towards a nuanced balance of blackened and orchestral melodic metal. 

Aversed offered fans a first glimpse of Impermanent in December with a video for the title track, followed last month with a video for the second single, “Laboratory”. 

Impermanent is set for release on March 19. Mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Shadow Of Intent), Impermanent illustrates Aversed’s unique approach to songwriting with nine diverse compositions full of catchy hooks and vast melodies. Pre-orders for Impermanent are available now via bandcamp. In addition to the album, a variety of bundles are also available.

Tracklisting:

"Natsukashi"  
"Close My Eyes"
"Laboratory"
"Impermanent"
"Abandoned"
"The Solar Sea"
"Malaise"
"Spiraling"
"Nightshade"

"Impermanent":

"Laboratory":

Introducing Canadian metal band Suicide For A King. The group has premiered their new single and video for "The Worst In Us".

"Emotions play a significant role in the human experience itself and can have a profound impact on ones life both very positively and extremely negatively. Your life can be altered and a new path set because of a moment of indecision or the wrong decision," says the band.

Shortly after the pandemic hit in March of 2020, Suicide For A King hit the studio to begin writing new material. In November of 2020 the band released "Misconception" along with an accompanying music video. The pandemic of 2020 stopped the band from being on the road, but Suicide For A King hit the studio and pounded out material expected to appear on their upcoming release scheduled for 2021.

 

Death metal heavyweights No Raza have unleashed a brand new video clip for the track "Atrición".

No Raza vocalist Juan Guillermo Cano about the song: "'Atrición' (Attrition) is repentance through the eternal punishment and suffering of sin that is experienced by having harmed both living beings and our main goddess called Mother Earth, an offense that must be paid through tribulation and eternal martyrdom. This is a very special video because it was made during these difficult times for humanity, it is the result of everything that our kind has destroyed and damaged throughout his path in this planet, now it is only the beginning of an era of fury and condemnation from the sacred nature."

"Atrición" appears on No Raza's latest album, Transcending Material Sins, released in 2020 through German label Noble Demon, featuring artwork by Juan Guillermo Cano.

Tracklisting:

“On The Verge Of Dying Out”
“Ancient Wars”
“Reborn”
“Fratricide”
“Sail In Rot”
“Alteración mental”
“Decontamination”
“Scorn”
“Atrición”
“En carne y hueso”
“Transcending Material Sins” 

“Sail In Rot” lyric video featuring current Venom Inc. and former Venom and Atomkraft singer and bassist Tony Dolan. 

 

Portland’s Silver Talon has revealed the cover art for their forthcoming full-length debut, Decadence And Decay. The album cover was conceived and illustrated by noted fantasy artist Gerald Brom, whose work was ubiquitous in the worlds of role-playing games, comic books and video games, including Magic: The Gathering and World Of Warcraft. His distinctive visual style complements the epic aura generated by the band's three guitar-fueled heavy metal power.

Tentatively scheduled for a May release, Decadence And Decay – the follow-up to the band’s 2018 debut EP, Becoming A Demon – builds upon the thrilling combination of heavy metal hooks and guitar-driven virtuosity displayed by the band on their earlier effort. Highlights include “Resistance 2029” – which features a guest appearance by guitarist Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) – and the blistering leadoff track, “Deceiver, I Am”. A limited-edition “Deceiver, I Am” 7-inch vinyl pressing, backed with an exclusive B-side cover of Savatage's “Power Of The Night” is available now for purchase at this location.

“It’s an awesome feeling to get the blessing of not one, but two of our favorite artists for this album,” explains guitarist Bryce VanHoosen. “Brom’s cover art for Doom II and Diablo II/III practically shaped our adolescence, and his piece ‘Witchthorn’ provided the atmospheric inspiration for Decadence And Decay. We’re eternally grateful for his permission to use it as our album cover. And Andy La Rocque - what a legend! The creepy and melodic vibe he’s been able to capture with King Diamond has been a constant source of inspiration. We’re beyond excited for you to hear what he was able to add to the track ‘Resistance 2029.’”

More information about Decadence And Decay will be revealed in the weeks to come.

Ozzy Osbourne received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine earlier this week.

The legendary BLACK SABBATH singer revealed he got the shot while appearing, alongside his wife Sharon, on the British talk show "Loose Women".

Ozzy, who turned 72 in December, told the "Loose Women" panel he had the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday and the only side effect he suffered was a "sore arm." He went on to add he was "glad" he had gotten it and he was "absolutely relieved" as soon as the jab had been administered.

Noting that the virus has brought an "air of doom" to the world, Ozzy also spoke about how he felt when Sharon contracted the illness.

Ozzy explained he was "worried" about his wife, adding, "It's inevitable you’ll know someone who has had it before it's over.

"There's not a lot I could do. I just hope and prayed she didn't get really sick or even worse," he said.

Ozzy went on to admit that he would "struggle" without Sharon, saying his wife and manager was his "life."

Several days ago, Ozzy said during an episode of "Ozzy Speaks" on SiriusXM's Ozzy's Boneyard, that he was planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as he was able to.

"I look at it like this: if I don't get the shot and I get the virus, there's a good chance I ain't going to be here," he said.

Last November, Ozzy told GQ magazine that he suffers from a respiratory disease which puts him at an increased risk of severe pneumonia and poor outcomes if he was to develop COVID-19.

"I've got emphysema, so if I get this virus, I'm fucked," he said, referring to the type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and gets worse over time.

Last July, Ozzy said that he was still "not back to 100 percent" after suffering from several medical issues in 2019, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu. Ozzy also said that he was looking forward to performing again once he has regained his health and the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

In August, Ozzy blasted Donald Trump's coronavirus response, saying that America's 45th president was "acting like a fool." In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ozzy said: "In my lifetime, I've never known anything like this. It's getting worse, not better. And this guy's acting like a fool. I don't really like to talk politics that much, but I've got to say what I feel with this guy. There's not much hope left. Maybe he's got a trick up his sleeve and he's going to surprise us all, and I hope he has. [Recently], over a thousand more people died in one day [in America]. That's fucking crazy. People got to get with this social distancing and mask-wearing or else it's never gonna go away."

When the pandemic struck, Ozzy had just released his first solo album in a decade, "Ordinary Man", which he recorded in late 2019 while recovering from surgery and related illnesses. The BLACK SABBATH singer had previously canceled all his 2019 tour plans, and the rescheduled 2020 shows were also scrapped.

The official age-restricted music video for the song "The Rotting" from death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER can be seen by clicking on the YouTube link below. The track is taken from the band's 17th full-length album, "Nightmares Of The Decomposed", which was released last October via Metal Blade Records.

Vocalist Chris Barnes commented: "Working again after 25 years writing an album with my old bandmate from CANNIBAL CORPSE, Jack Owen [guitar], was like coming home...To a room full of dead bodies. Jack's writing and riff work on this album gave me the fuel to write some disturbing lyrics and really set my creative mind on fire."

Comprised of 12 tracks, "Nightmares Of The Decomposed" is a defining statement, making it very clear that more than twenty-five years into their career, SIX FEET UNDER remain at the forefront of the genre. Dynamic, heavy as hell, catchy, and uncompromising, it is everything that the band's longtime faithful have come to expect from the deadly unit, and is clearly the product of a lot of hard work by Barnes, guitarists Owen and Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell and drummer Marco Pitruzzella.

Tracked at various studios, including Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, which over the years has played host to the likes of AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH and AEROSMITH, among others, it was produced, engineered and mixed by Chris Carroll, who has given it a full and chunky feel. The album's mastering was handled by Chaz Najjar at Badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado. The finished product comes packaged in artwork by Luke Hunter and is packed with songs that will sound great live, and will sit comfortably alongside the classics already filling out their set lists, helping to drive the band ever closer to their fourth decade of existence.

"Nightmares Of The Decomposed" track listing:

01. Amputator

02. Zodiac

03. The Rotting

04. Death Will Follow

05. Migraine

06. The Noose

07. Blood Of The Zombie

08. Self Imposed Death Sentence

09. Dead Girls Don't Scream

10. Drink Blood Get High

11. Labyrinth Of Insanity

12. Without Your Life

SIX FEET UNDER is:

Chris Barnes - vocals

Jack Owen - rhythm and lead guitar

Ray Suhy - lead guitar

Jeff Hughell - bass

Marco Pitruzzella - drums

Photo credit: Gustavo Abdiel Torres

Southern California progressive metal quintet Sorizon has revealed a new video for the gut-punching title track from their upcoming third full-length album, Thanatos Rising.

“‘Thanatos Rising’ is about fixation with death, it overtaking your thoughts and not being able to escape the worry and fear of the unknown,” says vocalist Keith McIntosh.

Adds guitarist and video director Dr. Danny Mann, “There is tension and pain in the sound, so my working titles were ‘Torture’ and ‘Third Circle Of Hell’. I wanted the chugs to be extra powerful, taking some inspiration from Opeth and Gojira.”

The themes of Thanatos Rising resonate with the state of the world: death, fear of the unknown and the hope of renewal. Thanatos Rising brings Sodrizon's peak of songwriting and critically acclaimed production. Sorizon began building momentum for Thanatos Rising throughout 2020 by releasing eight singles from the upcoming album on all major online music platforms. 

Thanatos Rising, featuring powerful artwork painted by Eliran Kantor (Testament, Sodom, Havok), is scheduled for release digitally and on limited edition blood red and black galaxy vinyl on February 26. Music samples and pre-orders are available via Sorizon’s Bandcamp page. 

Thanatos Rising tracklisting:

"Descending Into Darkness"
"Thanatos Rising"
"A Distant Echo"
"Lost In A Dream"
"Eternity’s Door"
"Prisoner To Yourself"
"Hidden Evils"
"Imminent Contact"
"Destined For Despair"
"Awaken To This Light"
"Virtual Deception"
"Worth And Wisdom"

"Imminent Contact":

"Destined For Despair":

"Lost In A Dream":

(Photo - Karina Diane Concert Photography)

 

Ozzy Osbourne has released a new animated video for "It's A Raid" from his acclaimed 2020 "Ordinary Man" album. Check it out below.

At a SiriusXM listening party last year to celebrate the release of "Ordinary Man", Ozzy recounted the song's inspiration. While recording BLACK SABBATH's "Vol. 4" in Bel Air, California, Osbourne triggered the home's security alarm and police surrounded the home, which he says had "piles of marijuana and cocaine." Osbourne adds, "I'm shouting, 'IT'S A FUCKIN' RAIIIIID," before hiding the drugs and ingesting cocaine while hiding in one of the home's bathrooms."

In the video, directed by Tomas Lenert, Ozzy and Post Malone team up for a truly wild ride. The clip begins with Osbourne and Malone at the infamous Bel Air, California house (which served as the inspiration for the song) before they lead police through the streets of the city and passing iconic Los Angeles landmarks on their journey.

"A couple of years ago I didn't even know who Post Malone was," Ozzy says. "Since then we've worked together on two studio tracks and have performed together twice. Understandably COVID-19 made it difficult to get together to shoot a music video for 'It's A Raid' so we opted for this wildly imagined animated video for the final single from the 'Ordinary Man' album." Ozzy, who's been in the studio working on a new album with producer Andrew Watt, adds that he "can't wait to for everyone to hear my new music."

This marks Osbourne's second duet with Malone. The two previously teamed on "Take What You Want" from Post's "Hollywood's Bleeding" album (which they also performed at 2019's American Music Awards). The track was produced by Watt, who collaborated with Osbourne for "Ordinary Man" as both producer and co-writer. Watt, who also produced Malone and brought the two artists together, played guitar on Ozzy's latest LP, co-writing and performing the music with GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith.

"It was a lot of fun to do though it's a lot different from my other albums," Ozzy said. "We recorded it quickly, which I haven't done since the first BLACK SABBATH album. This made it a different process, which I actually enjoyed."

Beyond the core band, "Ordinary Man" features a who's-who of Ozzy friends and collaborators including Elton John and Tom Morello.

"It all just came together," Ozzy explains of the guest stars. "Slash is a dear friend of mine, as is Elton. When I was writing 'Ordinary Man', it reminded me of an old Elton song and I said to Sharon, 'I wonder if he would sing on it?' We asked, and lo and behold, he agreed and sings and play piano on the song."

In a new interview with Metal Hammer, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford discussed the photos he recently shared on Instagram of him wearing a tailored sports coat, tie with white skulls, leather gloves, jeans, cowboy hat and fabulous spiked platform heels while carrying a sophisticated dragonhead cane. Asked if that is a regular outfit Chez Halford these days, Rob responded: "Those heels were given to me by the beautiful Lzzy Hale, from HALESTORM. When PRIEST were on tour in New Zealand we worked with HALESTORM and I was chatting to Lzzy backstage and she had those particular heels on her feet. I was going, 'Oh my God, how do you even walk in them?' She said, 'Oh, you know, it's a girl thing...' But they looked so powerful and they scream 'heavy metal!'

"And so I was at the post office about a week ago and there was something for me there in the locker. And it was from Lzzy," he continued. "I hadn't a clue what it was, so I opened it up and there were those spectacular heavy metal heels! She wrote me this really sweet note saying, 'Hey, Rob, hope you're well, lots of love. We talked about these heels in New Zealand and I found a pair for you. Have fun! Love, Lzzy.' And I thought, 'How sweet is that?'

"If you'd have been in my house watching me do that photo, you'd have been roaring," Rob added. "It took me forever and I was blacking out in pain. Those heels fit me, but you're being pitched at this extraordinarily abnormal angle and then you try to keep your balance. I took about five or six pictures and I threw myself on the couch and ripped those shoes off and was massaging my feet, sweating from head to toe. It was absolutely fucking hilarious."

Last month, Rob also shared a couple of photos of him wearing black leather assless chaps. One of the people who reacted to the pictures was Halford's PRIEST bandmate Richie Faulkner, who posted the comment: "Bro! Next tour!! Less is more haha". Rob then replied: "70 this year bro no fucks left!"

After Halford came out in 1998, PRIEST's studs-and-black leather biker outfits — which defined the look of the heavy metal genre for years to come — took on an explicitly gay dimension, with some fans claiming that they were taken by surprise by his revelation.

Halford's autobiography, "Confess", arrived in September via Hachette Books. It was written with Ian Gittins, co-writer of "The Heroin Diaries" by Nikki Sixx. In the book, Halford discusses in detail what it was like becoming the first metal icon to announce he is gay in 1998 during an MTV interview, despite knowing about his sexuality since he was 10.

Last fall, JUDAS PRIEST and Rufus Publications announced the publication of the first-ever official JUDAS PRIEST book documenting the band's extensive history over the last 50 years. Titled "Judas Priest - 50 Heavy Metal Years", the book has been put together by David Silver, Ross Halfin and Jayne Andrews.
























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Incendium and Heavy Metal Entertainment have announced the launch of "Maledictus Athenaeum", a CRADLE OF FILTH comic book anthology series, under all-new music-focused Opus imprint.

In the ruined halls of the Maledictus Athenaeum lie occult histories, sealed records, and cursed artifacts. This unholy archive explores the far corners of CRADLE OF FILTH's musical legacy, a vast universe of Ageless Vampires, Mythical Creatures and Vengeful Gods. The Countess, The Huntress, Lilith, The Manticore, and many more, will be revisited in stories from an all-star roster of comics talent from the pages of Heavy Metal magazine and beyond.

"Maledictus Athenaeum" begins as a five-issue series. The first print edition of each issue will be released as a prestige format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering. Each first printing will be limited to 2500 copies at $16.66, and available to order from this location. The first issue is available to order now and ships May 2021.

"CRADLE OF FILTH's collaboration with Incendium for the forthcoming comic series and action figures provides an incredible opportunity for fans to indulge and explore the mythologies and murk at the heart of the band's lyrical compositions," says Dani Filth. "As an avid collector of horror figures for decades now — citing the enclosing walls and shelves of my home crammed with toys and memorabilia as an example — I was only too eager to embrace this emphatic union with a company that is as excited about bringing our brand of lascivious gothic darkness to glorious undeath as we are."

Incendium CEO Llexi Leon adds: "Dani has created such a rich mythology across CRADLE OF FILTH's discography and we're thrilled to explore those dark fantasy worlds with our 'Maledictus Athenaeum' anthology, an ever-growing gothic library that's sure enthral readers with an irresistible blend of horror, romance, mystery, and mayhem — featuring incredible visuals to inspire all manner of toys and collectibles across our lines."

The cursed tales of "Maledictus Athenaeum" will extend beyond the printed page into toys and collectibles. Dani Filth and the iconic Succubus of CRADLE OF FILTH's 2001 album "Bitter Suites To Succubi" make up Wave 1 of the CRADLE OF FILTH action figure range, also available to pre-order for $29.95 each from this location, shipping June 2021.

Filth adds: "To begin with are figures of 'yours ghoulie' Dani Filth resplendent in my onstage battle outfit; accompanied to war by the cruel, domineering Succubus from the 'Bitter Suites To Succubi' album cover art, who is explored further in the first of many comic book adaptations to be unleashed in 'Maledictus Athenaeum'. Both figures come delivered with classic action figure aplomb, whilst the comic book art is both visceral and evocative and is totally stunning. Naturally we cannot wait for fans and collectors alike to get their claws on these unique, exquisite treasures and given the depth of CRADLE OF FILTH's extensive discography and with a wealth of dark occultisms to draw upon — having tackled the morbid and sordid tales of Elizabeth Bathory, Gilles de Rais, Lucifer and Lilith as full-blown concept albums already — our collaboration with Incendium promises to be a marriage forged in Hell that prospers for aeons…"