In his new autobiography, "Confess", JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford opens up about an assault that happened early in his life at the hands of his father's friend. Asked in an interview with Variety how he has processed what happened to him and if writing the book helped, Rob said: "It's an important story. Sexual abuse is a horrible thing. At the time, it was terribly confusing and couldn't have happened at a worse time, for me as a young guy that was already dealing with trying to figure things out. Talking about it now, I can feel the horror and being totally frightened and wanting to run away, but at the same time feeling, 'Now this is affection, in a very crude brutal manner.' It was incredibly, incredibly complex. You can only imagine for a young man, dealing with that type of assault.

"Somebody asked me, 'Would you put that story in the book if your father was still alive?' and I hesitated. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have, because I would hate to have thought that my father felt that he was in some way complicit to that because he absolutely was not. When it comes to sexual abuse, people on the outside, they feel the guilt as well — 'Well, maybe I should have said something' or 'it's my fault for introducing this person to that person.' It has a domino effect. But it was an important story to tell.

"As a young person, you're impressionable, and it manifests itself in a way that really stays with you for the rest of your life, and turns you into the sexually dysfunctional person that I am now. I've come to terms with that in my adult life, [but] had those incidents never happened as a teenager, would I have turned out differently in the way that I'm intimate with people? Probably so."

Halford publicly declared his homosexuality back in 1998 during an appearance on MTV News.

"I think that most people know that I've been a gay man all of my life, and that it's only been in recent times that it's an issue that I feel comfortable to address, and an issue that has been with me ever since recognizing my own sexuality," Halford said at the time. "It's something that I've been comfortable with forever, something that I feel has a moment, and this is the moment to discuss it and to go into the reasons, and the whys and the wherefores as to the statement, the so-called coming-out phase."

Three years ago, Halford told Fox Sports 910 AM's "The Freaks With Kenny And Crash" radio show in Phoenix, Arizona that the response to his addressing his sexuality publicly for the first time was overwhelmingly positive.

"So I said that thing [during the MTV interview], and I went back to the hotel, and I thought, 'Oh, what have I done? There's gonna be a fallout,'" he admitted. "[But] I'd never seen such an outpouring of love from people in all my life — the letters, the faxes, the phone calls from everybody in the metal community: 'Rob, we just don't care. We want you to be who you are. We want you to sing those songs. We wanna come see you.' And that was a tremendously uplifting moment for me. And it was also a tremendously uplifting moment for metal. Because, for the longest time, metal was the underdog in rock and roll, metal was never getting any respect, metal was always at the back of the line. And so I thought, 'Well, isn't this great?' This just goes to show you that we in the metal community, as we call ourselves — probably because of the pushback that we felt because of the music that we love — we are the most tolerant, if you wanna say, the most open-minded, the most loving, the most accepting of all the kinds of music that we know in rock and roll. So it was a great moment."

"Confess" will arrive on September 29 via Hachette Books. The book has already been described by the U.K.'s The Telegraph as "one of the most candid and surprising memoirs of the year."

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor recently gave Men's Health the rundown on the best and worst money he has spent throughout his career explained what he's learned along the way.

"The absolute worst money I ever spent… A friend of mine, a tattoo artist, hit me up to invest in a tattoo shop," Corey said (see video below). "There weren't a lot of tattoo shops in Iowa, so I was, like, 'Yeah, it's great.' However, he decided to put it in the middle of nowhere, in a town in the middle of nowhere, where nobody could get to it. And then, a relative of mine convinced me to invest in pet stores, in supplying pets — fish — for pet stores around the area. And that was a lot. Needless to say, drugs got involved, and not only did the entire operation get seized, almost all the animals died, and then tax time came, and I didn't even know that you were supposed to set stuff aside for taxes. I found a really great accountant, money manager. He walked me through the steps that it would take to kind of get back to where we needed to be. Basically, it was a very, very, very expensive lesson.

"Suddenly, everyone's your friend, and everyone has a great way for you to triple your money," he continued. "They will not give you any charts, graphs, no numbers, no percentages, but they will take your money. It's hardcore, dude."

As for the "best money" he has ever spent, "there's two kinds of that," he explained. "There's fun money, which I know a lot of people get really crazy with. I don't get too crazy. I'm a geek. I have a thing for movies, comic books — things like that. I don't get into expensive cars. I have a Spider-Man pinball machine. I have fun stuff. I don't need a jet; I don't need any of that crap. There's nothing wrong with the occasional movie here and there, or the occasional signed Boba Fett helmet by George Lucas, which sometimes you just have to have that. Now that's the fun side of it. The other side is real estate. I've been able to, over the years, buy and resell, at a good profit, many houses that I've lived in. Here in [Las] Vegas, I have slowly but surely upgraded every house that I've lived in to get to the house that I live in right now. It's the first house that I've ever built, where I put every dent in this thing. Just because of the neighborhood that I'm in, I've already walked into equity. If you move into the right neighborhoods, and someone sells a house for one price, and it's more than what you paid for your house, you'll walk into money, and you didn't do anything. It's definitely something that I enjoyed learning over the years and learning more about."

Corey's debut solo album, "CMFT", was released on October 2 via Roadrunner Records. Taylor recorded the effort with his band consisting of Jason Christopher on bass, Dustin Schoenhofer on drums, and Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) on guitar. The LP was completed at Kevin Churko's The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER and STONE SOUR, among others.

Earlier in the year, SLIPKNOT canceled all of its previously announced summer 2020 tour dates, including the "Knotfest Roadshow", Knotfest UK and Knotfest At Sea, due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

METALLICA's Lars Ulrich recently joined Zane Lowe on Apple Music to run through his "At Home With" playlist. During the chat, the drummer was asked for his take on the current situation in America, both as a father and as a Danish immigrant. He replied: "I think the first word that comes to mind is just 'bewildering.'

"It's hard for me to talk about America without putting it in the context of where I come from — Denmark. So my equalizer is Denmark. In Denmark, everything is 'we,' everything is 'us,' everything is just five million Danes standing together and trying to figure out how to move forward together. So words like 'unity' and 'collective' are very present when I think about Denmark, and it's always about opening your door and being embracive and hospitable.

"Obviously, America is three hundred and thirty million people, and it covers more ground than most other countries on this planet," Ulrich, who moved to the U.S. in 1980 at the age of 17, continued. "And those ideals, I think, are just very hard or just difficult… You can't just say, 'Well, America is gonna be the same as Denmark.' I understand the difficulties, and I understand all of it, and it saddens me. But I'm not even [of the mindset] that 'glass is half full,' I'm 'the glass is spilling over' all the time positive and obviously feel that, spending most of my time in the future, that the future will always be better than the past. And I'm hopeful that unity is in front of America at some point soon.

"I can see it in my kids. [I have] a 22-year-old, [a] 19-year-old and [a] 13-year-old," Lars added. "I'm very hopeful. I don't want it to sound cheesy, I don't want it to sound cliché, but when I look at these kids, my kids and so many of their peers, I just feel like so many of them are really, really good kids. And it's not about whether they're successful or whether they're becoming doctors or lawyers or scientists or whatever — that bar, to me, doesn't even exist anymore. Now it's just, are they good kids or are they not good kids? And pretty much all of them are — they're good kids, they're global citizens, they're respectful, they have empathy, they care and they're involved."

Ulrich, who has made no secret of his liberal views, had previously voiced his dislike of Donald Trump, saying in a 2016 interview that he would consider moving back to Denmark if Trump were elected president.

In a 2016 interview with Vulture, Lars was asked if he ever discusses politics with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield, who has described himself as being somewhat conservative politically. "I swear to you, I talk to James Hetfield about most things on this planet, but I don't think I've ever willfully had a political conversation with him," Lars responded. "We've spent [more than] 35 years together, and obviously we've been in the same room when the conversation went toward politics, but James and I sitting down in a room and discussing our particular views on something like affordable health care? Never happened."

Asked if it doesn't seem weird to work with someone for more than 35 years and never talk about politics, Lars said: "The thing you've got to understand is that METALLICA is made up of four people from four different places who took four very different paths to where we are now. The one thing that unites us is the love of the music that we're playing and that all four of us felt like outsiders trying to figure out who the hell we were. We didn't come together because we were questioning this in the culture or that about politics. We came together because we were all a little lost and trying to get a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. I'll sit and talk politics with you all night, but I don't necessarily feel the need to do it in an interview. METALLICA is a collective, but we've just never been the kind of band to sit down and say, 'Okay, what's our common view of the world?'"

Ulrich also talked about his own personal view of the world these days. He said: "I grew up in a functioning social democracy. I grew up on affordable health care in a country where the word 'we' is more popular than the word 'I.' So, trust me, I have my opinions about this stuff, but I don't really need to shout it from the rooftops. Maybe one day I will, and there are times when it's difficult not to. I'm stunned about how truth and facts have become obsolete, and how if someone sees something they don't like, they just say 'the media made that up.' But I get plenty of shouting done about this stuff in my personal life."

Earlier this week, former WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp spoke to Dawn Osborne of U.K.'s TotalRock Radio about what the U.S. concert industry might look like post-pandemic. He said (see video below): "I don't ever believe that it'll be the same again. So there's sadness, but I'm also grateful that I had that chance, especially the last 10 years, where I've toured [America] and been on almost every highway and every gas station at every motel and something like that, even though I don't want it to end, I know that I have covered it and I know that I've done my part.

"It's horrible to sit and watch, and I don't have any words for it, and I can't engage in the social media and debating it, because it's an unwinnable war, and so on," he added. "But it's just horrible — it's completely horrible."

As for when he thinks he might be able to play shows outside his home country of Denmark again, Mike said: "I don't there will be any international shows in 2021 from Mike Tramp. But the quicker I accept that that's the way it's gonna be, the sooner I can start scheduling and planning instead of constantly canceling it and moving it every three months. And I've seen a lot of people doing it — they're doing it in sports events and things like that. We can't just build it up and then lock it down and then move on and build it up and stuff like that.

"I'm a little bit of news junkie, so I do my research and I check newspapers and press around the world, and I gather everything that's being said, and then I make my own decision out of that. I just don't see any hope in anything for a very long time."

Last month, Tramp released a best-of album celebrating 25 years as a solo artist, "Trampthology". The collection contains 16 of the biggest hits from his solo career, four brand new songs, and fresh liner notes.

"Trampthology" was released on 180-gram double gatefold black vinyl and double CD by Target Records. It is exclusively available through Targetshop.dk/miketramp.

Tramp previously stated about the collection: "As I started the process of writing songs for my first solo album, 'Capricorn', in late 1995. I was both apprehensive and curious of what the result would be like. For 20 years, I had been part of three bands and a collective songwriting team. But now I was on my own, and writing just for me, no one else. It became a wonderful journey where I both would discover who I am and where I come from, and also what my true inspirations and goals are. Now 25 years and 11 solo albums later. I feel safe and secure knowing that I am my songs and my songs are me. They are a musical scrapbook of the life I have lived and the life I continue living. They are not about paying the rent or alimony; they are a true and confident representation of the man I am."

Paul Stanley says that media platforms and elected officials should be held "accountable" for exacerbating and weaponizing disinformation.

Earlier today (Friday, January 22), the KISS frontman took to his Twitter to write: "The quickest way to end divisiveness in this country is to hold ALL 'news' media, personalities & elected officials accountable for lies, inaccuracies & fabrications. Freedom Of Speech should not cover the betrayal of the trust we rely on to make educated choices based on facts."

Stanley's latest comments come a little over a week after he defended his right to speak out on political issues, saying that he voices his opinions as a "proud citizen" of a country he loves deeply. He explained: "My profession should't disallow that as we all have that right so many have fought & died protecting. I also understand that the people who would like me to stay quiet are those who don't share my views. Sorry."

Two months ago, the KISS frontman criticized GOP senators for not publicly recognizing then-President-elect Biden's win and for not countering the promotion by Trump and his campaign of unfounded claims that voter fraud disrupted the presidential election.

Last April, Stanley blamed a shifting media environment for sharpening partisan divides, saying that Fox News and CNN viewers and live in "different realities."

"Any conversation I've had with somebody who feels contrary to [a particular point of view], they stick to their guns because their reality is based on information that they're getting from a source that has their own agenda," Stanley said during an appearance on Richard Marx's "Social Distancing" talk show. "I'm not saying that CNN is guiltless. It's really become the network of the Democrats versus the network of the Republicans, and your reality and what you see as the truth, not coincidentally, is based upon which network you watch. And that's terrible. We're living in separate universes. If you go from one channel to the other, you think you're in a different time.

"If I were to watch whatever network I watch that's called 'The News,' it's going to feed me what I believe to be reality," he added. "That's the basic truth of it. And, unfortunately, there seems to be different realities, alternate realities… There's gotta be a truth."




The quickest way to end divisiveness in this country is to hold ALL “news” media, personalities & elected officials accountable for lies, inaccuracies & fabrications. Freedom Of Speech should not cover the betrayal of the trust we rely on to make educated choices based on facts.

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) January 22, 2021

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke recently spoke to 80's Metal Recycle Bin about how the rise of grunge in the early 1990s forced most hard rock bands off the radio and MTV, with album and tour sales plummeting.

"There was a lot of talk of the climate changing — a lot of it," Gilby said (see video below). "'Cause, obviously, Axl [Rose, GN'R singer] was always on top of that stuff. He loved NIRVANA; he loved SOUNDGARDEN; he loved PEARL JAM. He liked a lot of those bands a lot more than, I would say, myself, Slash [GN'R guitarist] and Duff [McKagan, GN'R bassist]; we were a little slower to the change.

"I think when we really noticed the big change is when we got off the road," he continued. "I had made a solo record; Slash had made a solo record. We were playing stadiums one year, and next year we were playing clubs. Theaters sometimes and stuff — but two or three years earlier, and Slash's solo band would have been playing in an arena. So we could definitely tell the climate had changed at that point.

"I remember one thing that stuck with Slash and I when we were coming out of the Rainbow [in West Hollywood, California] one time. And this was around probably '92 [or] '93. And somebody saw Slash and goes, 'Oh, my God. Look, it's Slash.' But they were laughing, like he was a cartoon character, not Slash from GUNS N' ROSES, which, three or four years before that, was the coolest motherfucker on the planet.

"So that was a couple of things that we could kind of tell that things were changing a little bit," Clarke added. "Some bands were starting to be a little cartoonish rather than having the musical credibility."

Clarke replaced founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin in the GUNS lineup in 1991, during the "Use Your Illusion" tour, and stayed with the band for three years. After exiting GUNS N' ROSES, Clarke continued as a producer and solo artist, while also playing in SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, HEART and other acts.

Clarke, along with Slash, McKagan, and former GN'R drummers Steven Adler and Matt Sorum, performed three "Appetite For Destruction" songs with Myles Kennedy at the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in April 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Kennedy, who handles lead vocals in Slash's solo band and ALTER BRIDGE, sang "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City", with "Use Your Illusion"-era member Sorum sitting behind the drum kit on "Brownstone" and the man he replaced in GN'R, Adler, pounding the skins for the other two songs.

Clarke's new solo album, "The Gospel Truth", will be released later this year via Golden Robot Records.

According to Indiana Public Media, ICED EARTH leader Jon Schaffer has waived a preliminary hearing after he was charged with multiple federal crimes at this month's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and he will soon be extradited to Washington, D.C.

The 52-year-old musician, who resides in in Edinburgh, Indiana, is currently being held in the Marion County Jail after surrendering to police last Sunday.

The government lawyers and Schaffer's legal team have mutually agreed to handle all proceedings in Washington.

Earlier in the week, government lawyers asked the judge to not offer Schaffer a bond when he goes in front of U.S. magistrate.

Schaffer must prove to the federal magistrate that he is not a threat to himself or the public before being released on bail. Others who have been charged for insurrection at the Capitol have been given bail but ordered to surrender their firearms, avoid contact with other alleged Capitol rioters and stay away from all state capitol buildings. Some other alleged rioters have been prohibited from using social media and participating in any political rallies.

Schaffer made his first court appearance on Monday (January 18) after turning himself in to police in Hamilton County the day before. He faces six federal charges, including engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building.

Authorities say Schaffer was photographed and seen on surveillance video carrying a pepper-based bear repellant and arguing with Capitol Police officers inside the Capitol. In images captured from the January 6 riot, Schaffer can be seen wearing a baseball cap that says "Oath Keepers Lifetime Member." The Oath Keepers describe themselves as an association of former law enforcement and military personnel dedicated to "support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic." But the Anti-Defamation League describes it as "a large but loosely organized collection of right-wing anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights."

Just hours after the insurrection, ICED EARTH fans recognized Schaffer in a photo released by federal investigators in which he could be seen at the front of a mob, wearing black leather fingerless tactical gloves and pointing his finger while yelling at someone out of the frame.

Schaffer is believed to be one of at least 200 people who are being investigated by FBI officials over their roles in the insurrection. Additionally, the FBI has received roughly 140,000 digital media tips from the public.

While Schaffer has not yet said anything publicly about his involvement in the riot, his ICED EARTH bandmates put out a statement on Instagram and Facebook opposing the insurrection.

"We absolutely DO NOT condone nor do we support riots or the acts of violence that the rioters were involved in on January 6th at the US Capitol building," they wrote. "We hope that all those involved that day are brought to justice to be investigated and answer for their actions."

Earlier in the month, German daily newspaper Die Welt uploaded a video interview it conducted with Schaffer last November at a Washington, D.C. demonstration supporting Trump and protesting the 2020 presidential election results. In the chat, the guitarist said that "a group of thugs and criminals hijacked this country a long time ago" and warned that "they're messing with the wrong people here. Because now we see you, and you're going down. Mark my words."

Schaffer also seemingly threw his support behind Trump, saying "he's not your typical Republican" and claiming that America's 45th president is "dealing with a criminal mafia that has been in the shadows running the world, frankly, for a very long time. They wanna destroy all of our sovereignty and bring about global government," he added. "We're not having it… It will not happen. There will be a lot of blood shed, if it comes down to that — trust me. The American people will not go for that bullshit — once they understand what's actually happening. So, that's where we're at. Nobody wants this, but they're pushing us to a point where we have no choice."

Schaffer is also a member of power metal supergroup DEMONS & WIZARDS, which features BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch. He also had a solo project called SONS OF LIBERTY.

"My drums for DT15 are complete," begins Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini, referring to the as yet untitled 15th studio album from progressive metal stalwarts Dream Theater.

"I've not played on an album this energetically unrelenting start to finish since Annihilator. But the wild thing is the amount of vintage DT melody weaved on to that kind of energy. I've never tapped into more advanced uses of my old and new chops in musical ways because of a monumentally collaborative effort of five like-minded, organic/evolving individuals. Is it from the forced lockdown like other music I've heard released? Maybe. Is it from nobody individually or collectively trying to do anything specific musically except just play and be a daring 19-year-old again? Probably. I never say that any new album is better than another. It never seems to be to me after reading, 'this is our best blah blah blah.' What I'm communicating is exactly what it is about DT15 that sticks out as being significant and important to me. Better? That's pointless given so many different tastes. Who cares."

"However, it's really cool that the band and individuals can keep progressing at this career stage," continues Mangini. "But we're supposed to given how we're defined. Accordingly, there's all the 'familiarity' one needs in this new music, but it's definitely not the same old fills/chords/beats. Besides, what could be more boring than a defined 'progressive' musician not being creative, dynamic, and growing physically and creatively from album to album? That would be kinda like a poker machine spitting out the same hands game after game, year after year."

"Earning good mechanics is a great thing as it pertains to consistency and avoiding playing poorly. But A TRUE machine is a thing that doesn't grow. That's OK unless your thing, your claim, is to be a 'progressive' musician. We strive to 'complete' who we are even though nobody can fully 'complete' everything. No creative growth truly defines and = a 'BOT' so to speak. DT15 is no such thing and I'm excited to report back with so much joy."

As a footnote, Mangini added: "Please note - the drum tracks are done, but there's a way to go for 'it' to be done."

(Photo courtesy of Mike Mangini's official Facebook page)

 

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes spoke to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about the circumstances that led to his initial departure from the band.

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, the guitarist returned to W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Chris has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

"You take the first album of W.A.S.P., and it was a group of guys — a group, a band," Chris said. "And after that, the second album, it wasn't a group — it was a one-man show. And it's been a one-man show after that ever since. It's the way it is. Look at the records. It's the way it is in that band.

"W.A.S.P. never played any shows until I was in the band, so where does a band start — when they record or when they do their first show?" he continued. "I came in before the first show, and it was 'one for all, all for one.' But then when money came into it and fame, people changed — they change real bad. And I never changed. I don't change. I haven't changed the way I think, the way I am. I'm not gonna change. I am what I am.

"During the [making of the] second [album], I was told the manager wants to use Blackie's [Lawless, W.A.S.P. frontman] image [on the cover], which the manager didn't tell me that — Blackie told me that."

According to Chris, he, guitarist Randy Piper, drummer Tony Richards and Blackie were all part of W.A.S.P. initial management contract, but Blackie was the only one signed to the record label. "Everybody thinks we [all] signed to the label, but it wasn't [like that]," Holmes said.

"I never learned about the business till about 10 years ago," he explained. "How do you learn about the business? You've gotta be in there with the manager and all that stuff, so I was always kept from that… I put my trust into somebody, and [I found out later that he was] sticking a knife in my back. I didn't find that out until 2010 or '11.

"Once [W.A.S.P.] became [all about] one person, [my attitude was] 'Hey, I'll just do my thing, and leave me alone. I'll play my guitar.'"

Despite the fact that he only got songwriting credit on a a couple of the songs on each of the first four W.A.S.P. records, Holmes is adamant that his input was essential to the band's overall sound.

"If I would have quit after the first album, the way I play guitar, the way I play is really important to writing those songs," he said.

"If I hadn't joined in the beginning, it would have never worked. Blackie told me that the first day, when he came and talked to me to play in W.A.S.P. He says, 'I've got this band. It's not gonna work unless you're in it.' He told me that to my face."

Last October, Chris said that he would never consider returning to W.A.S.P. unless Lawless agreed to pay him the publishing royalties that he allegedly owes him. He told Canada's The Metal Voice: "A lot of people think I made money from W.A.S.P. I've never gotten my royalties, or even my songwriting. All the stuff that I wrote, I've never gotten paid one penny. And you know whose fault it is? It's my my fault for not knowing the business, how it is. I trusted somebody.

"After every album, when the album is done, how they split up the publishing with the publishing contracts, the publishing companies — that's where the money comes from," he continued. "I was never told about when that meeting was. Because the other guys in the band never wrote — I was the only one [other than Blackie]. So I'm the only one that they have to screw over to get all the publishing. So I was never told. Then when I dug into it in about 2006 or [2007], I went into Sanctuary Music, had a lawyer go in to find out where all my publishing is, and I was written in as a session player into all the records. And if you don't know about it, and you're not told, and you don't see, you don't know. So I trusted Blackie Lawless about that. And when I found out, it really kind of yanked me wrong. It yanks me wrong — it makes me see he was sticking a knife in my back from the first day, from the first album, and not telling me, and being my best friend."

During a November 2017 press conference in Moscow, Russia, Lawless was asked what he would say to those W.A.S.P. fans who continue to call for the band to reunite with Holmes. He responded: "People get divorced for certain reasons, and there's times when the kids want the parents to get back together, but sometimes it never happens. And this is one of those [times]. Sorry."

The documentary film "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes", written and directed by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart, was made available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on January 15. The project was born in 2014 after De Montremy and Hart had an opportunity to meet and direct Holmes in a music video for the Holmes-penned song "Let It Roar" in Cannes. At that time, the now-62-year-old rocker had more or less disappeared from the music scene, leaving his home in the U.S. to seek a new beginning with his wife Sarah in Fra

Adam Lambert has once again slammed Donald Trump, saying his presidency "was a disaster from day one."

The QUEEN singer and former "American Idol" runner-up discussed the real estate mogul during an appearance on "Good Morning Britain" before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as president and vice president, respectively, on Wednesday (January 20).

Speaking about the job facing the Biden/Harris team, Lambert said: "It is a tall order. I think that [Biden] needs to heal the country as best he can. And Kamala Harris by his side, I think, is an amazing panel for them to move forward and try to fix what's broken. Also, I feel like in many cases, anything is better than what we've experienced in the last four years [laughs], so ever since the election, I've been just trying to tune out the chaos that is Trump. Obviously, we can't fully ignore him, given what happened at the Capitol. I just hope that the public and the media don't give him nearly as much attention as he's been whoring about."

Adam also defended Biden, who has been lambasted for, among other things, his age, memory, and speech. America's 46th president has spoken publicly about his childhood experiences with stuttering and annotating his speeches to help with fluency.

"Obviously, public speaking is a big part of being president of the United States — no one's gonna argue that," Lambert said. "But in addition, I think it's also about listening to people, it's about putting together the right cabinet who can get the job done.

"How many people did Trump fire in four years? It was a disaster from day one," Adam insisted. "Not just this last year since COVID; it was a disaster since day one. So I think that with Biden and Harris leading the way here, I think they're gonna put together an appropriate cabinet to make the changes that we need, to heal the country, to help combat the COVID virus. I'm very hopeful that things are only gonna get better from here."

Lambert went on to say that he understands why voters would long for stability and a return to the status quo that Biden and his nearly five decades of federal government experience represented after nearly four divisive and drama-filled years of the Trump administration.

"We have to keep in mind that he's been in politics for so long, he knows how to work the system to try to get what we need," the singer argued. "I think we just dealt with four years with somebody that was being viewed as this outsider that'll shake things up. Well, he shook things up, but he didn't know what he was doing, so he kind of crashed the car. And I think now we're gonna have somebody that knows how to drive again."

Prior to the 2020 presidential election, Adam was frequently critical of Trump's policies on Twitter.

Last May, Lambert blasted Trump's response to COVID-19, saying "when he has a press conference and he speaks, it just makes things worse. So if he would just maybe let the professionals, the medical professionals, step in, I think if he delegated a little bit more responsibly, that might be good."

In June, Lambert called out Trump for his failure to "even try to act presidential amidst the chaos" over the death of George Floyd. He said: "Political views are one thing. Xenophobia and racism are not things I tolerate."






'They will make the changes we need.'

Asked what Joe Biden can do now, @adamlambert tells @piersmorgan and @susannareid100 that Biden will need to 'heal the country as best he can.'

He adds that in many cases 'anything is better than what we've experienced in the last 4 years.' pic.twitter.com/hdubOwh6yr

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) January 20, 2021

In the fall of 2018, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, Steve Perry, made his long-awaited return with the release of Traces, the legendary musician’s first new album in 25 years. The album’s personal expression of love, inspiration and renewal resonated with both critics and fans around the world, thrilled to have their voice of a generation making new music once again.

Now, on Traces (Alternative Versions & Sketches), available via Fantasy Records, Perry revisits several of his favourite tracks, stripping away the grand production touches, taking the songs down to their essence. Presented acoustic and raw, (including some in sketch form) tracks like "Sun Shines Gray", "No Erasin’, No More Cryin’", and "Most Of All" take on new and richer meaning. In this setting, Perry’s iconic soulful voice glides out-front vibrant, clear and warm while the lyrics take on greater significance as well, even more intimate than before.

Produced by Perry and his longtime collaborator and friend, Thom Flowers, Traces (Alternative Versions & Sketches) offers a fascinating glimpse into Perry’s creative process and a deeper understanding into an already treasured album.

“When writing these songs, the original inspiration is always my first compass – where the songs should go,” stated Perry. “Alternate Versions & Sketches is exactly that, and I’m very excited to have you hear the original seeds of these songs.”

Brand-new, special edition merchandise is now available exclusively on Perry’s online store. Order Traces (Alternative Versions & Sketches) here.

Listen to "We're Still Here" (Acoustic) from the release below.

Tracklisting:

"Most Of All" (Radio Mix)
"No Erasin’" (Acoustic)
"I Need You" (Acoustic)
"No More Cryin’" (Acoustic)
"Most Of All" (Stripped)
"We’re Still Here" (Acoustic)
"You Belong To Me" (Stripped)
"Sun Shines Gray" (Acoustic)

"We're Still Here" (Acoustic):

"No More Cryin'" (Acoustic):

"I Need You" (Acoustic):

"Most Of All" (Radio Mix):

"I Need You":

"No Erasin’" (Acoustic):

"Most Of All" (Stripped) visualizer:

"Most Of All" performance video:

(Photo - Myriam Santos)

In a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker was asked if he would ever consider playing with UFO or the SCORPIONS again. He responded (hear audio below): "No. I think it's all done. I don't wanna open another can of worms. Phil [Mogg, UFO singer] is happy having the name UFO back, which I owned 50 percent. I gave it back to him for free. The SCORPIONS have the SCORPIONS, and Michael Schenker has Michael Schenker. I think we are all happy; we are all doing our thing. And there's no need to get back into being controlled, like it used to be in the past."

He continued: "Eventually, it all trickles down. There was always a little bit of a possibility as time went on, but eventually, I really don't wanna open the can of worms and re-experience discomfort. We all do our thing, and we should just be happy with what we have. Getting back together, it would just create turbulence for me."

Schenker first joined UFO in 1973 and last played with the band in 2003,

Mogg, who has been the only constant member of UFO throughout the band's existence, announced his plans to retire from the group in 2018.

The singer, who will turn 73 in April, released a statement confirming that he will leave the band after UFO completes a farewell 50th-anniversary tour.

Michael gave a number of interviews in the last few years in which he questioned the integrity of his brother, SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker, going so far as to call Rudolf "a con artist" who "completely adopted [Michael's] image" as his own. He also denounced the SCORPIONS for "distorting" the story of his brief tenure with the band and criticized what he saw as ongoing efforts to minimize the contributions of the group's former drummer Herman Rarebell and ex-bassist Francis Buchholz, as well as SCORPIONS' long-running creative complacency.

Schenker first appeared on SCORPIONS' 1972 album "Lonesome Crow", earned acclaim in the 1970s on classic UFO albums such as "Phenomenon" and "Lights Out" before rejoining SCORPIONS for 1979's "Lovedrive". He departed soon thereafter to launch MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. And while his sometimes-erratic behavior have derailed parts of his career, Schenker remains one of hard rock and metal's most influential axemen.

GHOST frontman Papa Emeritus IV (a.k.a. Tobias Forge) joined THE HELLACOPTERS earlier tonight (Friday, January 22) on Swedish national broadcaster SVT's "På Spåret" (On The Track) quiz show to perform a cover of THE ROLLING STONES' "Sympathy For The Devil". You can watch video of his appearance below.

Last month, GHOST shared an end-of-year Facebook update indicating that announcements about new music and live shows will be forthcoming in the next few months. The Swedish act has been working on "several big things" for 2021 and will be issuing sporadic updates throughout the year.

Last October, Forge told Sweden Rock Magazine that he was planning to enter the studio in January to begin recording GHOST's fifth album. "The actual recording will last around six weeks and then there's two to three weeks of mixing and mastering," he said. "So sometime in March the record should be finished, but it won't be released until after the summer. As it looks now, knock on wood, we will then go on tour. We won't release an album until we know that we are actually going on tour. The album release will coincide with the start of a tour. Of course, we could announce an album release date and then, for some reason, it might not be possible to tour, but that's a whole other matter."

In March 2019, at the final concert of GHOST's "Prequelle" album cycle in Mexico City, the band introduced the new character who will front the act for its next LP phase: Papa Emeritus IV.

Forge performed as a "new" Papa Emeritus on each of the band's first three LPs, with each version of Papa replacing the one that came before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of 2018's "Prequelle" album.

In October 2019, Forge confirmed to U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine that there would be a new character fronting GHOST by the time the group's next LP sees the light of day.

"Prequelle" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and features the chart-topping singles "Rats" and "Dance Macabre".

In December 2018, GHOST nabbed two Grammy nominations, "Best Rock Album" for "Prequelle" and "Best Rock Song" for "Rats".

Five years ago, GHOST became the first Swedish rock band ever to win a Grammy — 2016's "Best Metal Performance" for the song "Cirice".

A box set containing previously unreleased music written and sung by Bon Scott has just been made available via Cherry Red Records.

Founded in Australia, rock band FRATERNITY will forever be associated with Scott, who would later join AC/DC and enjoy worldwide fame. However, Scott's tenure with FRATERNITY has been poorly documented on the reissue market. Of the two albums the band had issued at the time, "Livestock" and "Flaming Galah", neither album has been released officially. And their story has never been told accurately. Half a century later, "Seasons Of Change - The Complete Recordings 1970-1974" finally seeks to amend this oversight.

Curated in conjunction with surviving band members (Bruce Howe, John Freeman, Sam See, John Bisset, Uncle John Eyers and the estate of Mick Jurd) and their original manager Hamish Henry, this three-CD set seeks to offer the complete recorded output of FRATERNITY, including both their albums from 1971-72 (originally issued on Sweet Peach and RCA, respectively), utilizing the original master tapes and best possible remastering sources, adding all relevant non-albums singles As and Bs and EP tracks. Bonus tracks feature FRATERNITY backing THE VALENTINES' Vince Lovegrove and their victory at the National Battle Of The Sounds competition where they claimed the title of Australia's No. 1 band.

In addition, research by Victor Marshall for this package uncovered the long-lost Hamish Henry cache of session tapes which have been curated into FRATERNITY's third album "Second Chance". "Second Chance" also features live tracks recorded at PT Lincoln, South Australia as part of their historic Country Arts Tour and unheard songs including vocals and song writing contributions from Bon Scott. Famous artist Vytas Serelis, designer of the "Flaming Galah" cover returns with original cover artwork for "Second Chance".

Musically, from their base in Aldgate, South Australia, FRATERNITY ran the gamut of musical styles in vogue on the rock scene at the dawn of the 1970s, from proto-heavy metal to country and soft rock, progressive music and a nod here and there to the earlier psychedelic boom.

"Seasons Of Change - The Complete Recordings 1970-1974" is beautifully presented, with exhaustive 18,000-word sleeve notes and unseen photos of the band from The Grape Organisation, which has worked in conjunction with Cherry Red's Lemon label to create this new 50th-anniversary collection.

Disc One: Livestock

01. Livestock

02. Somerville

03. Raglan's Folly

04. Cool Spot

05. Grand Canyon Suites

06. Jupiter Landscape

07. You Have A God

08. It

Bonus tracks

09. Why Did It Have To Be Me?

10. Question

11. Seasons Of Change (Single Version)

12. Somerville (Single Version)

13. The Race Part 1

14. The Race Part 2

Disc Two: Flaming Galah

01. Welfare Boogie

02. Annabelle

03. Seasons Of Change

04. If You Got It

05. You Have A God

06. Hemming's Farm

07. Raglan's Folly

08. Getting Off

09. Somerville R.I.P.

10. Canyon Suite

Bonus tracks

11. The Shape I'm In

12. If You Got It

13. Raglan's Folly

14. You Have A God

15. Seasons Of Change / If You Got It (Hoadley's Battle Of The Sounds 1971)

Disc Three: Second Chance

01. Second Chance

02. Tiger

03. Going Down

04. Requiem

05. Patch Of Land

06. Cool Spot (Alternative Version)

07. Hogwash

08. Chest Fever

09. Little Queenie

10. The Memory

11. Just Another Whistle Stop

12. No Particular Place To Go

13. Livestock

14. Rented Room Blues

15. Get Myself Out Of This Place (Alias Getting Off)

16. That's Alright Momma

Original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has released a New Year's Day poem called "Happy New Year". Check it out below.

Ward has released a number of poems in recent months, some inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and others celebrating the fall–winter holiday season, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bill was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced nine years ago, but backed out soon after. The drummer later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

All four original members of SABBATH were present when the band announced its reunion in late 2011. But Ward split from the group in 2012, citing an "unsignable" contract, and singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler carried on with their Rick Rubin–produced "13" LP and extensive international touring without him.

Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio during SABBATH's last tour that Ward was not in shape to participate. "Bill Ward has got the most physically demanding job of the lot of us, 'cause he's the timekeeper," he said. "I don't think personally he had the chops to pull it off, you know. The saddest thing is that he needed to own up to that, and we could have worked around it, whether we had a drummer on the side with him or something."

It was rumored that SABBATH wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, something that Iommi confirmed in 2017 during a question-and-answer session about SABBATH's "Ten Year War" box set.

In 2015, Ward released his first solo album in 18 years. Titled "Accountable Beasts", the record can be purchased on iTunes.

In November 2017, Ward's band DAY OF ERRORS released its first two songs, "Day Of Errors" and "Blaspheming At Creation", via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon MP3 and Google Play. Two more tracks, "Dark" and "Ghost Train", followed in 2019.




#newyear pic.twitter.com/0bOVjH7K4N

— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) January 22, 2021








✨Happy Holidays✨ pic.twitter.com/50Ihmv0ku5

— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) December 17, 2020








? Happy Thanksgiving ? pic.twitter.com/q2QdiQ6WZ1

— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) November 26, 2020

On March 12, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT will release "Nature's Light", its eleventh studio album and the first in six years, via earMUSIC. Today, the band, founded in 1997 by award-winning vocalist Candice Night and legendary guitar icon Ritchie Blackmore, has revealed the disc's second single, "Four Winds".

"'Four Winds' is the story of two girls, actually inspired by two of my oldest friendships," says Candice. "One who left Long Island and moved to California, and one who left to move to Virginia. Going to across the country to California and living on the water was where the first girl felt the call to her soul, being able to watch the dolphins in the water and living the life by the ocean, while the other one took a very different path and felt the call to the woods inspired by wolves and other woodland creatures. They both have equal importance in this storyline and are ultimately a part of me and perhaps of everyone, being pulled away from the stress of their current surroundings and looking for escape.

"If you feel stagnant or repressed in your surroundings, it's important to take a break from the mundane and go where your heart leads you. It allows you to recharge and begin again with fresh and renewed energy. For some, it is the ocean, for some the woods, for some feeling the sun on your face, others need to immerse in moonlight. Ultimately, we are all a part of the same story, the same picture, and as the song says, 'we're all part of the trees and part of the seas and ready to start again...'."

The ten new tracks make for a quintessential BLACKMORE'S NIGHT album. Once again, Blackmore and Night successfully mix the tradition of folk music and their love for the Renaissance era, inspired by the myths and legends of ancient times.

While the album is rooted in a traditional approach, fans of Ritchie Blackmore's unique style will not be disappointed. Heartfelt ballads, such as a brand-new version of "Wish You Were Here", set the scene for the magical tales on "Four Winds" and "The Twisted Oak". On the two instrumental tracks — "Darker Shade Of Black" and "Der letzte Musketier" — Ritchie's guitar brilliance shines through.

"Nature's Light" will be released on multiple formats. Among these is a strictly limited 2CD hardcover mediabook edition, including a bonus CD featuring a carefully selected set of BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's masterpieces from their extensive back catalogue. Furthermore, the album will become available as a CD digipak edition, a strictly limited heavyweight 1LP gatefold edition on yellow vinyl, a 180g 1LP gatefold edition on black vinyl as well as digital.

"Nature's Light" track listing:

01. Once Upon December

02. Four Winds

03. Feather In The Wind

04. Darker Shade Of Black (instrumental)

05. The Twisted Oak

06. Nature's Light

07. Der Letzte Musketier (instrumental)

08. Wish You Were Here (2021)

09. Going To The Faire

10. Second Element

STITCHED UP HEART frontwoman Alecia "Mixi" Demner has told Portugal's Underground's Voice that the band is planning to release an expanded edition of its latest album, "Darkness". The original LP, which came out in March 2020 via Another Century, was produced by FROM FIRST TO LAST singer/guitarist Matt Good (producer of ASKING ALEXANDRIA and HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD).

"We wrote 70 songs for that album, so we plan to release a deluxe version of it with, I think, five new tracks," Mixi said. "They're a lot heavier; there's a lot more energy. It's a little different.

"The reason that they didn't make the record is because they weren't in the lane that we wanted the record to sound like specifically," she explained. "But they're still great songs. So we decided that we're just gonna release some of the ones we didn't put on the album. It's a lot of fun."

"Darkness" includes the song "Lost", which features a guest appearance by Sully Erna of GODSMACK.

Last year, Mixi told Consequence Of Sound about the "Darkness" album title: "A lot of the lyrical content on this album ties into one of the songs on the album that's called 'Darkness', and it's about going through dark times over and over again and not being afraid anymore, because you know you've made it out before. Lyrically, it isn't a sad album, but it's not like everything is okay and there's sunshine and rainbows. There's stuff you have to go through to get to this place and be strong."

Asked how the initial vision for "Darkness" evolved throughout the recording process, Mixi said: "It completely changed. Originally, I wanted to go into this album with the strength that you can do anything and nothing can stop you, but the songs I was writing were not coming out authentic. I can be strong sometimes, but it takes a lot of dark stuff to get to that strength and know you can overcome it. So, the vision changed to pulling from those things that made us strong."

In the clip below courtesty of Guitar World, Vinnie Moore focuses on the intro rhythm part from the song "Gainesville Station", from his latest record, Soul Shifter. Guitarist Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrd was a big inspiration for Moore, and he wrote this song as a tribute to Gaines' incredibly soulful playing style.

Moore, best known for his solo albums and work with rock icons UFO, recently released a new video for “Same Sun Shines”, from Soul Shifter.

Says Vinnie, “I wrote this song at a time when I was struggling to find some light at the end of the tunnel. It was me trying to lift myself up and reconnect with feeling positive and focusing on the good things. I was looking up at the sun and thinking about how it’s always there; always has been. We all go through cloudy patches, but just have to remember that beyond those clouds the light is still there and continues to shine. You will lose it at times, but can always find it again. Hopefully the song is uplifting to others as it was for me. It is one of my favorite songs on the Soul Shifter album and my first choice for a video. We’re all living through unprecedented times right now unfortunately, but have to believe we’re eventually going to come out the other side and find brighter times again.

“Wayne Joyner put this video together for me and created some very cool graphics which he mixed in with footage of me playing. He has also done videos for Kansas, Sevendust, Fozzy, LA Guns, Black Stone Cherry, Dream Theater, Robby Krieger, Jon Anderson, and Devin Townsend.”

Vinnie Moore released his new album, Soul Shifter, earlier this year via Mind’s Eye Music / Cargo Records UK. The follow-up to Aerial Visions (2015) is Vinnie's ninth solo album features guest appearances by legendary artists Rudy Sarzo and Jordan Rudess, with Richie Monica on drums, Michael Bean (bassist from Vinnie’s Time Odyssey album), John Cassidy (keyboards), and John Pessoni (drums).

Tracklisting:

"Funk Bone Jam"
"Same Sun Shines"
"Kung Fu Grip"
"Mystified"
"Brother Carlos"
"Gainesville Station"
"Soul Rider"
"Mirage"
"Heard You Were Gone"
"Across The Ages"

British rock singer Chez Kane has announced the release of her self-titled debut album on March 12, 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl. Produced by Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx, Chez Kane is a melodic rock record that harkens back to the glory days of the '80s when the genre was known for having multiple incredible frontwomen playing the style. She recently released the single and music video for “Too Late For Love”. A one-take vocal performance of the track is available below.

A talented, young vocalist who fronts, with her two sisters, the band Kane'd, Chez was brought to the attention of the label after conversations with Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx about the possibility of him scouting and producing some exciting new talent. Subsequently, Danny started working on some demos with Chez and the label did not pass up the opportunity to get involved with this incredible talent. Chez's debut solo album embraces the melodic rock style that both she and Danny so admire, while adding a new twist to the current takes on the genre.

“I feel so excited to have been asked to collaborate with Danny for a solo album. The second I heard the music, I instantly knew it was for me and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to launch my solo career this way. I am so humbled to have Frontiers on board. This is going to be killer and I can’t wait!” says Chez.

Producer Danny Rexon says, “Until now, I had only worked on the production of Crazy Lixx, but with this I can take a whole other role where I’m working on building up a brand new solo artist, which is quite refreshing....especially when we’re talking about creating something with a talented and hardworking singer like Chez.”

The concept behind the album started with a vision that Danny had in mind. “I’ve long felt that the contemporary melodic rock scene is missing an important piece of what I think made the genre, at least to some extent, so great in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and that is the quintessential female rocker. There are tons of bands in the melodic rock genre, but I feel like we’re missing that great female solo artist singing hard rock. A kind of Lee Aaron, Lita Ford, or Robin Beck for the new decade. So, the mission was clear to me from day one: Give the fans a female rocker that will remind them of the powerful rock anthems of the past. Having found Chez and discovering the potential in her voice, I have great faith in this endeavour and no doubt that this album will resonate well with fans both of my own band, Crazy Lixx and of the retro melodic rock genre at large.”

Chez adds that even “though I was born in the ‘90s, I have always had a major soft spot for that infectious ‘80s style, so from that aspect Danny’s songwriting fits me really well. We have the same vision, drive and passion to make this album an absolute belter!”

So what can listeners expect? “If you’re a fan of my stuff with Crazy Lixx, I bet you’ll enjoy the Chez Kane album too,” explains Danny. “I’ve written and arranged every song on the album, so it’s bound to have my signature style to it. However, this album will be a lot more radio friendly (at least if you go by what was considered radio friendly in 1989), a lot more keyboard oriented and of course, the fact that it’s a powerful female voice singing the songs will give the album a whole other dimension. And if you, like myself, are a fan of Lee Aaron, Vixen, Saraya, Chrissy Steele, Lita Ford, and similar artists and feel like the genre’s missing out this vital component, you’re going to love the debut album from Chez Kane!”

Tracklisting:

“Better Than Love”
“All Of It”
“Rocket On The Radio”
“Get It On”
“Too Late For Love”
“Defender Of The Heart”
“Ball N’ Chain”
“Midnight Rendezvous”
“Die In The Name Of Love”
“Dead End Street”

“Too Late For Love” video:

Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans guested on Let There Be Talk this week. He goes deep into his history with AC/DC including his audition, the early tours, frontman Bon Scott, and the recording of Let There Be Rock. Evans is now playing with the Australian legends Rose Tattoo and hopes to be back out on the road this year.

Evans: "After I got sacked from the band, it became pretty obvious I wasn't the right guy for the band, and it's very obvious that Cliff (Williams) is. That's one of the things I'm really pleased with. I think the line-up of the band now is exactly how it should be. In the perfect world, you've got Mal (Malcolm Young) there too, but it's pretty much, basically, Stevie's in for Malcolm - that's basically the Back In Black line-up I think, isn't it? And that's the way it should be and it's natural.

I like a philosophical attitude. Some people could get bent out of shape by something like that (getting fired), but I look back and I've just nothing but good memories. A lot of love and respect for the band."

Evans was a member of AC/DC from 1975 - 1977, performing on four albums: T.N.T. (1975), High Voltage (1976), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976), and Let There Be Rock (1977).

In a new Classic Rock interview celebrating the 40th anniversary of DIAMOND HEAD's "Lightning To The Nations" album, Lars Ulrich was asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for METALLICA's follow-up to 2016's "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" LP. He responded: "[It's been] glacial. These are the craziest of times and nothing is letting up. There's a little bit of movement [in that direction], but it's hard to do a lot when we're not together."

This past November, Ulrich said in an interview with Rolling Stone that METALLICA was nearly a month into "some pretty serious writing" sessions for its next studio album. A couple of weeks earlier, Lars told Kara Swisher at the CNBC Evolve Summit that he and his METALLICA bandmates have been working on new music for "the last six [to] eight weeks virtually." But he admitted that they have encountered a myriad of technical issues which have slowed their progress.

"Being a rock and roll band and working virtually is not super easy," Lars said. "Time delays, all these things make it really hard. The main thing we miss is being able to hear each other. [Laughs] So if we're all four in a room together, we can connect with each other and we can hear each other. If I'm playing here in San Francisco, and Kirk [Hammett] and James [Hetfield], our two guitar players, are either in O'ahu or Colorado, there are significant time delays. It's very hard for us to play at the same time. If I'm doing what we call steering, which means that I'm playing a beat and they're playing to me, I can't hear what they're playing, and vice versa. We can't all hear each other in a universal fashion. So there are some significant complications we have. Our recording team and our production team are speaking to software makers all over the world [about] how to crack the code on this. Nobody has quite figured it out yet."

Last May, the four members of METALLICA overcame social distancing to record a new version of their song "Blackened", with each member separated in his own home. The split-screen video was posted to the band's social media channels. That same month, Ulrich told Swedish talk show host Fredrik Skavlan that he and his bandmates were "sending ideas to each other via e-mail and via Zoom and [trying to] make music in these unusual situations."

In August, METALLICA broadcast a show to hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across the U.S. and Canada, as part of the "Encore Drive-In Nights" series. The concert was filmed nearly three weeks earlier, on August 10, at the Gundlach Bundschu winery, about a 30-minute car ride from the band's headquarters in San Rafael, California, and was subsequently edited and mixed by the band's award-winning production team to the highest standards possible.

METALLICA's "Live & Acoustic From HQ: Helping Hands Concert & Auction" was streamed live from the band's headquarters in November. The special acoustic show benefited METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundat

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale says that she is honored to be able to see Kamala Harris became the first female vice president in American history.

On Wednesday, after watching the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, Lzzy took to her Instagram to share a photo of Amanda Gorman, who became the youngest person to deliver a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration, and she included the following message: "Let's hear it for the Arts!!

"I know that the last few years have changed me. And the last year has taken a huge bite out my soul. Some challenges have had beautiful silver linings, others have brought my darkness to the surface. I've been carrying a heaviness in my heart. But today, I felt a little bit of that weight being lifted.

"The lightning bolt that struck me most during the inauguration today was a poem recited by the young but wise beyond her years @amandascgorman It moved me and coaxed my tears to fall. It reminded me once again that Art heals, Art Saves, Art is a doorway to change, enlightenment and understanding. Art is Hope.

"Today I'm so proud to be an artist, I'm proud to be an American, Im proud to be a woman, and I am proud stand beside you all as we take our first steps together into this new world.

"I am honored that I am able to see our first women Vice President step into office in my lifetime. A notion, that just a moment ago seemed like an impossible dream.

"Well, again I say...Nothing is Impossible! So, Go after your crazy dreams, chase your happiness... and Be your truest self!!

"I'm looking forward to seeing more petty barriers being broken down and I welcome a brighter future with open arms! We are in this together! United States!!

"Congratulations to our 46th President Joe Biden @potus, and Vice President Kamala Harris @kamalaHarris

"May compassion and love for your fellow humans guide you.

"Love, Peace & Rock n Roll."

In October, Lzzy urged her fans to vote for Biden in the 2020 presidential election, saying it was time to "vote against idiocracy."

About a month before the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Lzzy said that she was "into equality" and insisted that she couldn't "out of good conscience" vote for anybody who built his or her empire on "division and hate and inequality."

Although she initially said that she was a Bernie Sanders supporter, Lzzy later expressed concern that he would "die the first year in office" if he got into the White House. Hale went on to say that she would "definitely not" vote for Donald Trump, explaining that she has "just never been a fan."
























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A post shared by LZZY HALE (@officiallzzyhale)

In a new interview with the "Three Sides Of The Coin" podcast, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked how he and his bandmates have managed to keep the group together for five decades. He responded (see video below): "It's been tough. It's no different to KISS. Everybody has their ups and downs, especially bands that have had the great joy and incredible fan support. Because, as Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] said to me many, many years ago, 'Without your fans, you've got nothing,' and that's a fact. So the music is what represents you; the music is what it's all about. And as difficult as those times are when you do have a change in the lineup, the music is still there. That's your reference point, and that's what leads you on, that's what keeps you together. No matter how you are presenting yourself, you are keeping the band together in a musical sense. So when PRIEST go out now, we play songs from 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' or even 'Rocka Rolla' — you never know — to the present day. And the lineup has changed over the years, but the music hasn't; the music is still the same. The music is the reference, and that's a really important thing to remember."

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower", was released in March 2018 via Epic.

Halford is promoting his autobiography, "Confess", which arrived on September 29 via Hachette Books. The book has been described by the U.K.'s The Telegraph as "one of the most candid and surprising memoirs of the year."

Last month, 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.

Prior to being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, JUDAS PRIEST's spring/summer 2020 European tour was scheduled to kick off on May 30 in Helsinki, Finland and conclude on July 28 in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The band was also slated to headline the U.K's Bloodstock Open Air festival on August 9 at Catton Park, Derbyshire.

The U.S. leg of PRIEST's "50 Heavy Metal Years" tour was due to launch September 9 in Oxon Hill, Maryland and wrap up on October 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In a newly posted interview with music writer Joel Gausten, VOIVOD singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger discusses a variety of topics, including how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the band and its members.

It was a really difficult year for us and every band out there," Snake said. "I think we postponed four tours last year, but, of course, we have to be careful and be safe. During the confinement and lockdown, we did a stream from home at one point. Then we did another live stream of a full show in August on my birthday. As soon as we heard we could book a show, it was a maximum capacity of 250; that's what we were allowed to play. So, we booked two shows at a big place that holds like 1,500. We sold out for 250 people with the distancing and whatever. Finally, just a few weeks before it happened, we had to reconfine back to square one. It's so frustrating in a sense, but I guess that's the way it is."

He continued: "It's been a bit scary; the whole music industry is suffering a lot from it. I'm not just talking about bands — it's also promoters, venues and everything that goes around it. It's really hard, and some might not survive if it keeps going like this. Maybe in 2021… I don't know, maybe it's a psychological thing, but it's a step. Maybe — and I fucking hope so — there's going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm conscious that there are a lot of things that won't be the same anymore. That scares me a little bit, but I'm staying confident. We have no choice."

VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin recently told Metal Pilgrim that the band "recorded improvisations and bits" of new songs in January and February, and spent the last few months working on these "templates."

VOIVOD released a new live album, "Lost Machine - Live", in November via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for "The Wake".

Last summer, VOIVOD released a new three-track 12-inch vinyl and digital EP titled "The End Of Dormancy" via Century Media Records. The EP is centered around a special "Metal Section" version of the title track (off VOIVOD's latest album, "The Wake") with added trumpets, saxophone and trombones. The complementary songs on this release are exclusive live versions of "The End Of Dormancy (Metal Section)" and the group's classic "The Unknown Knows", recorded at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019.

"The End Of Dormancy" EP came with artwork by Langevin and is available on 180-fram 12-inch vinyl.

"The Wake" was released in September 2018 via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Recording Studio in Canada. The album's artwork was once again created by Away

Swedish dark rock pioneers, Lake Of Tears, will release their first new album in 10 years, Ominous, on February 19 via AFM Records. Pre-order here, and watch a lyric video for the song "In Wait And In Worries" below.

The new release is the perfect soundtrack for short, grey days and long, cold, dark nights. After nearly a decade of silence, Daniel Brennare, head and heart of the band, finally reveals his sinister world of thought.

"This is not a record where you should primarily listen to the individual songs. Instead it is a whole, where the artwork and songs are puzzled together," states Daniel.

Tracklisting:

"At The Destination"
"In Wait And In Worries"
"Lost In A Moment"
"Ominous One"
"Ominous Too"
"One Without Dreams"
"The End Of This World"
"Cosmic Sailor"
"In Gloom"

"In Wait And In Worries" lyric video:

"At The Destination" lyric video:

Former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley will release his 11th studio album, War Within Me, on April 9th. Pre-orders, in six different configurations, including CD, Vinyl and Deluxe Fanpack, are available now at this location. 

War Within Me is not a concept album but does include a positive thread throughout. In Blaze’s own words: "This is an album that I want to put on and feel very positive about. Whatever song you choose there’s some good feeling about it. As fans of metal music we tend to be damaged, strange and different in some way, and this album is (as I say in my live intro to the song 'Futureal') about taking your future in your own hands. It’s one of the things that really connects with people at my live shows." 

War Within Me was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze’s studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton’s studio in Greater Manchester. The now very consistent line-up, chosen from British metal band Absolva, played on the album - Christopher Appleton (guitar, backing vocals), Martin McNee (drums), Karl Schramm (bass). Blaze and Appleton shared the work mixing and producing, whilst Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Tank, British Lion, Voodoo Six) handled the mastering.

The album features art design by Akirant Illustration.

Tracklisting:

"War Within Me"
"303"
"Warrior"
"Pull Yourself Up"
"Witches Night"
"18 Flights"
"The Dream Of Alan Turing"
"The Power Of Nikola Tesla"
"The Unstoppable Stephen Hawking"
"Every Storm Ends"

For further details, follow Blaze Bayley on Facebook.

Photo by Artur Tarczewski