Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG) - the internationally acclaimed project formed by guitar virtuoso Tak Matsumoto with Jack Blades (Night Ranger) and Eric Martin (Mr. Big) - has unveiled its new single “Guitar Hero". The track is off their forthcoming new album, TMG II and is accompanied by a teaser video, available below. The album is available digitally today, with the physical CD release slated for December 6.


Tak Matsumoto originally formed TMG in 2004, bringing together rock legends Eric Martin and Jack Blades. Their debut album, TMG I, was a smash hit, topping the Oricon National Chart and spawning the single “Oh Japan – Our Time Is Now”, which became a theme song for Japanese television.


The group embarked on a sold-out tour across Japan, culminating in a legendary finale at the Nippon Budokan. TMG’s blend of Eastern and Western rock influences resonated with fans and critics alike, making them a force to be reckoned with in the world of hard rock.




This new work not only features Matsumoto's solid and delicate guitar playing, but also Eric Martin's vocals, which emotionally sing fantastic melodies, and Jack Blades bass lines, which aggressively liven up the song.


Listening to the album, fans will have the impression that the past 20 years, in which each member has continued to be active, was not a hiatus for the band, but a preparation period for the unique TMG rock sound to gain even more power: a full-fledged 2nd album!


Watch the teaser video for "Guitar Hero":





About the new album, Jack Blades comments: “TMG ll has a fresh and alive feel born out of the friendship and camaraderie that Tak, Eric and I share with each other. Throw in a healthy dose of my good buddy Matt Sorum on drums and you have a hell of a recipe for some seriously kick ass rock n roll. The songs tell the stories, the music rocks the soul, and woven throughout the fabric is the amazing guitar playing of Tak Matsumoto... a true “Guitar Hero”. Enjoy the ride!”


“I was the singer of the Tak Matsumoto group in 2004. We had an incredible experience, writing / recording a heavy melodic hard rock state of the art sounding record that went platinum, sold out tour all over Japan, It was perfect timing and one of the biggest highlights of my life”, states Eric Martin.


“Tak Matsumoto is the guitarist, main composer, producer of B’z!, the best music selling Rock act in Japan! So here we are, 20 years later… This time we have powerhouse drummer Matt Sorum from Guns & Roses /Velvet Revolver/ The Cult and B’z support guitarist / chorus Yukihide ‘YT’ Takiyama to round out the group”, continues Martin. “TMG ll has got a Japanese / American rock feel to it and it’s badass. We are on tour right now in Japan and killing it. I am hanging with the coolest musicians on the planet… Life is good. The record… is really good!”


After a 20-year hiatus, TMG returns with original members Tak Matsumoto (guitarist and member of the Japanese rock superstars B’z), Jack Blades (Night Ranger), and Eric Martin (Mr. Big), reigniting the powerhouse trio’s signature rock sound. Originally launched in 2004, TMG wowed fans worldwide with their unique fusion of hard-hitting rock and oriental influences. Now after two decades, they’re set to do it all again.


“Twenty-one years ago, I met Jack and Eric at The Fillmore in San Francisco. I suggested we collaborate, and that’s how TMG was born. We came together in LA to write our first single, “Oh Japan”, which sparked the creation of our debut album, TMG I, and an incredible tour throughout Japan, ending with a memorable performance at the Budokan. Though we’ve stayed in touch, life pulled us in different directions, and two decades slipped by. In 2022, I reached out with a proposal to reunite.”


“Now, in 2024, TMG has completed our latest album, TMG II, featuring the talented drummer Matt Sorum. We’re excited to share this album, a blend of Japanese and American musical sensibilities. We hope you enjoy it!”, adds Matsumoto.


Buy and listen to TMG II here.





TMG II tracklisting:


"Crash Down Love"
"Eternal

Original FOREIGNER drummer Dennis Elliott has revealed that he will not attend the band's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

In a post on his Facebook page earlier today (Thursday, October 17),Dennis wrote: ""Dear FOREIGNER Fans & Friends, Don't look too hard, we will not be there.

"We were finally given the schedule last night, and it is not to our satisfaction. So we are staying home.

"We have been asking for this for weeks, and they have waited until the very last minute to send it knowing we were all packed and going to bed. Totally unacceptable to us.

"Hope you have a good time."

In a separate post on FOREIGNER's official social media, the band said that "original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood and Rick Wills will be" at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame "to accept the awards on behalf of the band's leader and founder Mick Jones and Dennis Elliott, along [with] those of Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi who passed away some years ago."

Elliott was the drummer in FOREIGNER between 1976 and 1991.

At this year's Rock Hall, Sammy Hagar, Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato will honor FOREIGNER, with Hagar also set to induct the legendary rock act.

This past February, Jones revealed on social media that he was battling Parkinson's disease, which explained his absence from FOREIGNER's live shows since 2022.

The induction ceremony will be held on October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. It will air live on Disney+. An edited three-hour prime-time special will follow, premiering on New Year's Day on ABC, and become available for streaming the following day on Hulu and Disney+.

In an interview with News 8 WROC, Gramm stated about learning that he will be one of Rock Hall class of 2024 inductees: "It was a relief, because we have been eligible for a good long time. And we were wondering if we'd ever be in the Rock Hall Of Fame. We've aspired to be part of it, and it's very satisfying now that we're voted in. And I don't think I don't think we could be any happier."

Shortly after FOREIGNER's Rock Hall induction was first announced, Jones told Billboard that he would have no problems reuniting at the induction ceremony with Gramm, with whom he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame with in 2013.

"On a personal level, I have no hard feelings toward Lou," Jones said. "We did perform together at the 40th-anniversary concert. It has been so many years now since Lou left FOREIGNER; I like to think that those ill feelings are in the past. There is power in letting go of hard feelings and getting on with your life. Why carry the burden of hard feelings? It serves nothing in the long run.

When FOREIGNER was first nominated for the Rock Hall in February, Gramm released a video message expressing his gratitude. In the one-minute clip, which was posted to Lou's social media, the 74-year-old singer said: "I'd like to thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the honor of nomination. And I'd like to acknowledge Mick Jones for his courage as he faces Parkinson's. I'd like to thank my friends in the music and the acting industry for their support, especially over the last two or three weeks in helping us to receive the nomination. Now I've seen a lot of the videos and I've definitely been feeling the buzz. It's really exciting and it means a lot. It means a lot to me and all the guys in the band. Now [multi-instrumentalist] Ian McDonald and [bassist] Ed Gagliardi were vital contributing members of the early FOREIGNER, and I know they're somewhere in the hereafter fist pumping and cheering for this nomination."

Earlier that same month, Jones's stepson, Oscar-nominated producer/songwriter Mark Ronson enlisted Dave Grohl, Jack Black, Slash, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE frontman Josh Homme (along with Ronson himself) to create a video campaigning for FOREIGNER's Rock Hall bid.

"Yes, Mick is my stepdad and I love him more than anything," Ronson wrote in a message accompanying the video. "But I'm also a MEGA fan just like Dave, Jack, Slash, Chad and Josh… Enjoy this video and VOTE BABY VOTE!"

In the clip, Homme said: "You want to know what love is? Love is putting FOREIGNER in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame." Smith added: "I can't believe they’re not in already — oh my God."

"I've loved FOREIGNER since I got their debut record," Grohl said. "There's one drum riff that I have used in more than a few songs."

Black sang parts of FOREIGNER's "I Want To Know What Love Is" before pleading, "Hey, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, open the door! FOREIGNER's waiting outside. Let 'em in."

In his Instagram message, Ronson shared a brief history of FOREIGNER's influence, writing: "Everything that made me want to be a record producer came from being in the studio watching FOREIGNER make records. I'm still completely in awe of the sound of those first five albums. Guitars with swagger and bite. Heavy drums that groove like a mutha with the bass. Wide layers of synths. And then there’s that voice. And those songs. It's really crazy. It's also kind of crazy that this is the first time they've ever been on the ballot for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame — after 20 years of eligibility."

He added: "Fun Facts: FOREIGNER are the most played band on classic rock radio to not be in the hall of fame. They've been sung by our fave characters from the Simpsons, The Office, I, Tonya, Stranger Things and Wet Hot American Summer. They've been covered by Diana Ross and Mariah Carey (what the rock band can boast that??). They were sampled and turned into HOT FIRE by M.O.P. (remember that Cold As Ice joint?) and Tone-Loc who used them to concoct some Funky Cold Medina."

To be eligible for this year's ballot, each nominee's first single or album had to have been released in 1999 or earlier.

Eligible since 2002, FOREIGNER has had a huge number of rock hits, including "Cold As Ice", "Double Vision", "Hot Blooded", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, with no wins.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the FOREIGNER members that will get inducted include only the classic-era musicians Jones, Gramm, Elliott, Gagliardi, Greenwood, McDonald and Wills. McDonald and Gagliardi died in 2022 and 2014, respectively.

FOREIGNER Is greatly looking forward to Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The band will be...

Posted by Foreigner on Thursday, October 17, 2024

Dear Foreigner Fans & Friends,
Don't look too hard, we will not be there.
We were finally given the schedule last night,...

Posted by Dennis Elliott on Thursday, October 17, 2024

Swedish/Canadian/American extreme metal titans ARCH ENEMY have unveiled their latest single, "Liars & Thieves", from their upcoming album "Blood Dynasty". The LP announcement and the start of the pre-order phase coincided with the beginning of ARCH ENEMY's European co-headline tour, "Rising From The North", with IN FLAMES on October 3 in Glasgow.

Throughout the tour, "Liars & Thieves" has already been performed live, as the band teased the release of the new single on stage. Now, with the release of the digital single, fans worldwide can finally experience the track.

"Liars & Thieves" delivers a powerful message of resilience and inner struggle, wrapped in fierce melodic death metal with intense lyrics about battling deception and enduring hardship.

"Our second single from 'Blood Dynasty' is here," says ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott. "'Liars & Thieves' is a fast, heavy-hitting track, with a melody that's been getting stuck in people's heads — don't say I didn't warn you! We've been playing it live recently, and it's been an absolute beast in the pit. Now, it's time to check out the studio cut!"

He continues: "The accompanying video has been captured out here on our ongoing European tour by director Jens De Vos, highlighting the passion and metal madness of these amazing shows where fans and band are one!"

"Liars & Thieves" was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios.

ARCH ENEMY's twelfth studio album, "Blood Dynasty" will arrive on March 28, 2025 via Century Media Records.

Amott previously stated about the effort: "This new album pushes the boundaries of what we've done before — it's everything you've come to expect from this band, and then some! We can't wait for you to hear it and feel the energy we've poured into every track. Welcome to the 'Blood Dynasty'!"

"Blood Dynasty" track listing:

01. Dream Stealer
02. Illuminate the Path
03. March Of the Miscreants
04. A Million Suns
05. Don't Look Down
06. Presage
07. Blood Dynasty
08. Paper Tiger
09. Vivre Libre
10. The Pendulum
11. Liars & Thieves

Next to the limited deluxe editions that feature two exclusive bonus tracks, fans can direct their attention to the limited liquid blood vinyl that is exclusively available in the band stores and limited to 666 copies.

"Dream Stealer" marked ARCH ENEMY's first new music since the release of the "Deceivers" album, which came out in August 2022.

"Dream Stealer" was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The video was directed and produced by Patric Ullaeus.

Two months ago, Amott told Pulp Magazine about "Dream Stealer" and ARCH ENEMY's plans for new music: "We've been staying busy for sure and are really focused on writing and recording new stuff in between the touring we're doing. I'm kind of always coming up with new musical and lyrical ideas though — I just keep going as it's what I enjoy doing anyway. Making music is a natural process, and it's pretty much a daily thing, so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly when everything was conceived. I do, however, actually remember that the initial seed for 'Dream Stealer' was written during a songwriting session I did with Daniel [Erlandsson, drums] in Los Angeles, California, two years ago, and then it's been rearranged and updated a lot till it reached its final state that you're now hearing."

Asked if it was a conscious decision to go back to the "classic ARCH ENEMY" direction and approach with "Dream Stealer", Amott said: "I've seen some seriously great feedback from the fans, and that's always very encouraging, of course. Personally, I don't know if I’d necessarily say 'Dream Stealer' is a throwback to the sound of the past, but I get what they mean — the song has the energy and speed that is very exciting and infectious. Maybe there is a hint of vintage ARCH ENEMY in there, and why not? I'm looking forward to playing it live on stage — I think it is going to be intense as hell."

ARCH ENEMY played its first concert with new guitarist Joey Concepcion on April 24 at Musinsa Garage in Seoul, South Korea. The show was part of ARCH ENEMY's 2024 Asian tour.

Last December, ARCH ENEMY announced that it had "amicably" parted ways with longtime guitarist Jeff Loomis.

Jeff, who was the main songwriter in his previous group, NEVERMORE, joined ARCH ENEMY in late 2014, but was not involved in the writing for the latter act's last two albums, 2017's "Will To Power" and the aforementioned "Deceivers".

ARCH ENEMY is:

Alissa White-Gluz - Vocals
Michael Amott - Guitar
Joey Concepcion - Guitar
Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass
Daniel Erlandsson - Drums

Photo credit: Katja Kuhl

Jake E. Lee has offered an update on his health, two days after being shot in Las Vegas.

The 67-year-old former OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist was hit three times in a shooting about 10 miles from the Las Vegas Strip early on Tuesday, October 15. He was later taken to a hospital's intensive care unit, where he is fully conscious and "doing well," Lee's representative confirmed in a statement, adding that he's "expected to fully recover."

Earlier today (Thursday, October 17),Jake posted a photo of his dog on the RED DRAGON CARTEL Facebook page and included the following message: "Checking. Is this on? Been awhile since I posted here.

"Let's see: I deeply appreciate all the concern and well wishes. Makes everything going on a little better.

"To clarify, I was shot three times. I was on my way back home from walking my dog Coco (I didn't name him so don't!). Don't want to go into details now, I'm tired, but I feel relatively very lucky. The police found 15 shell casings at the scene which means he emptied his clip on me. I could only dodge so many so one bullet went through my forearm, one through my foot, and one in the back which broke a rib and damaged a lung. Priority now is to keep draining my lung till it's done crying. Then we can pull that tube out and concentrate on the more minor injuries.

"And by the way, Coco's fine and appreciates your inquiries!"

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lee was in his driveway about to walk his dog at about 2:40 a.m. when he was shot in the forearm; in the back, with the bullet breaking a rib; and in the foot. None of the shots hit a vital organ. A neighbor heard the shots, hid his kids, grabbed a gun and called 911. Lee's dog was unharmed.

Lee's management said in a statement that police think the shooting "was completely random and occurred while Lee took his dog out for a walk in the early morning hours."

"No further comments will be forthcoming. Lee and his family appreciate respecting their privacy at this time," his management said.

The Las Vegas Police Department later released a statement in which they said: "Officers responded to a shooting incident in the 11000 block of Alora Street. Officers arrived and located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to the hospital. No arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation."

Lee, who was tapped by Ozzy Osbourne to replace the late Randy Rhoads in the singer's solo band, played on two Ozzy records: 1983's "Bark At The Moon" and 1986's "The Ultimate Sin".

In a statement to TMZ, Ozzy said: "It's been 37 years since I've seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn't take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him today. It's just another senseless act of gun violence. I send my thoughts to him and his beautiful daughter, Jade. I just hope he'll be OK."

Bret Michaels of POISON wrote on X (formerly Twitter),"To our friend Jake E. Lee — our thoughts, prayers and concerns go out to you, my friend, after hearing the news of you being shot in Las Vegas today. We are all pulling for you & hoping that you will have a speedy & incredible recovery."

JOURNEY's Neal Schon also took to the social media platform. "Crazy world," he wrote. "take care Jake."

NIGHT RANGER's Brad Gillis, who also played guitar in Osbourne's band in the past, shared his own statement on X regarding the shooting. "I just heard about Jake E Lee. Glad to hear he is doing well," he said. "My thoughts are with ya, buddy!"

After performing with Ozzy, Lee formed the hard rock band BADLANDS. He released the solo albums "Retraced" and "Guitar Warrior" in 2005 and 2007, respectively. After a self-imposed exile from the music industry and the public eye, Lee returned with a new band called RED DRAGON CARTEL, releasing a self-titled album in 2013 followed by "Patina" in 2018.

Checking. Is this on? Been awhile since I posted here. Let's see:
I deeply appreciate all the concern and well wishes....

Posted by Jake E Lee's Red Dragon Cartel on Thursday, October 17, 2024

Timo Tolkki, the former guitarist and primary songwriter for Stratovarius, has released 4th Dimension Complete Demos, featuring demo versions of songs appearing on the band's 1995 album, Fourth Dimension.


Current vocalist Timo Kotipelto made his Stratovarius debut on Fourth Dimension, replacing Tolkki as the band's frontman. 4th Dimension Complete Demos features Tolkki's vocals on the tracks. 


Tolkki: "These demo recordings are part of power metal history. I composed these songs after we had done touring the renowned Dreamspace album. At that point I was planning to continue as a vocalist of Stratovarius. Timo Kotipelto joined the band sometime in the summer of 1995.

US black metal act Tryblith has released their brand new single "Grip Ov The Devil's Hand".


From the blizzard-born execution to the hypnotically linear songwriting, from the raw-yet-full production to the elegant cover artwork, Draconis Maleficium is a special record. Ten brand new tracks, packed with the band's captivating and distinctive sound, carrying the listener away on a journey into bleak and mesmerizing soundscapes.


Tryblith is a formidable black metal force that emerged from the depths of the Tri-State area in 2009, founded by A. on guitars, J. on drums, and L. on vocals. The trio quickly made their mark on the black metal scene, releasing a series of demos and an EP while performing extensively throughout the region. Their raw energy and dark sound resonated with audiences, establishing them as a rising power in the genre.

GOJIRA drummer Mario Duplantier has commented on the band's performance at this year's Olympic Games opening ceremony.

This past July, GOJIRA performed a surprise rendition of "Ah! Ça Ira", a popular song during the French Revolution, alongside opera singer Marina Viotti as well as a number of beheaded figures representing the slain Queen Marie Antoinette.

Asked by Heavy Consequence what it was like to be  the first heavy metal band to ever perform at the Olympics, Mario said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's mind-blowing actually. We are still a bit high, I feel, in the band. We are still trying to understand what really happened in terms of the impact of the ceremony and the impact in the world of metal.

"We felt like the stars were aligned because we're a French band, the ceremony was in France and two of the four guys who were the creators of this ceremony were big GOJIRA fans and they called us," Mario explained. "So, we also felt very lucky.

"There is not that many bands in France. Imagine if you have a ceremony in England, as an example, there is thousands of legendary bands. But in France, it's not really the case. You have a lot of bands who play outside of France, but the list is not that big. So, there [was] a good chance for us to be called. So we still feel very humble. It was such a great moment and a huge boost for our career."

Asked how long it was from the moment that it was mentioned to him and his GOJIRA bandmates that they would perform at the Olympics until the actual performance, Mario said: "We received the call back in November 2023, and the ceremony was in July 2024. So, a good couple of months. We had to keep it secret. We worked with the writer of the music of the ceremony, because we were not allowed to play our music. So at first we were, like, 'That's weird,' because we really thought if we could play a song, that would be amazing. But in fact, we really had to create something that fit with the theme of the revolution. So it was a big challenge, but a very fun challenge as well. And we worked together with Victor Le Manse, with the guy who writes the entire music of the entire ceremony. And, yeah, the relation was perfect — very chill. No drama, no tension, nothing. And Joe [GOJIRA frontman Joseph Duplantier] and I, because mainly we worked — Joe and I — on this project, we had a lot of things to say and we were very free to do almost whatever we wanted, as [long] as it fit with the theme and all that. So yeah, amazing."

Regarding how his life has changed in the two and a half months since performing at the Olympics, Mario said: "It's really subtle. Because we've been a band for 30 years and we already had a career and we were touring worldwide. But, yeah, it's a plus, it's a bonus. You go to a store and some people are, like, 'I saw you at the Olympics.' But it's not like a crazy change. Also, it's a band that played; it's not like one person. We're a band and an entity, so it's not like one of us was the main guy with a name. It's really GOJIRA performing over there, but many people don't realize I'm playing in GOJIRA, as a band also. But, no, what we can tell it's the overall respect for the band now, since we did that. And, as I said, we, we were very lucky to be able to do it and having this fucking bonus."

GOJIRA's fiery appearance at the Olympics angered some Christians online, who quickly branded it "satanic". Even the controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate accused the West of "worshipping the devil".

Posting a clip of GOJIRA's performance, Tate wrote: "Satanists control the west and they show you that they worship the devil. It's not a conspiracy theory. They literally show you. Are you blind?"

Asked in an interview with Rolling Stone about Tate's criticism that GOJIRA's performance was "satanic", Joseph said: "It's none of that. It's French history. It's French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine, and blood all over the place — it's romantic, it's normal. There's nothing satanic. [Laughs]

"France is a country that made a separation between the state and religion during the revolution. And it's something very important, very dear to the foundation of republican France. We call it laïcité. It's when the state is not religious anymore, so therefore it's free in terms of expression and symbolism. It's all about history and facts. We don't look too close closely at symbolism in terms of religion."

Regarding whether he and his GOJIRA bandmates thought much about the responsibility of representing metal on the world stage, Joseph said: "I try not to think too much about that because it continues to blow my mind. [Laughs] The Olympic Committee could have asked literally anybody to play. I'm thinking of bands like METALLICA or AC/DC that are household names and powerhouses in our genre that we all revere and are our heroes. We never considered ourselves the biggest band in the world that would be worthy to play the Olympics or anything like that. It's so weird.

"The way I think about it is it's a challenge in 2024 to give hope to people, to show something original. People have seen everything from landing on the moon to A.I. So it was a challenge for Paris and the Committee to express something fresh, new, and original [by booking us] and also show what France is all about.

"At least for our part, the fact that metal and opera had never been seen together on TV and in front of so many people before is a statement for the country of France. It's saying, 'Hey, look. We're still pushing the boundaries in the world.' So congrats to France for putting this together."

Regarding who picked the song "Ah! Ça Ira" for GOJIRA, Joseph said: "That wasn't us at all. That was the team of young people and composers and designers that decided the whole theme. We were in the dark when it came to the whole ceremony; we were just concentrating on that picture and that moment of Marie Antoinette. We didn't know how it was going to look or how it would fit in with a whole performance. I didn't know Lady Gaga or Celine Dion were going to be there. We were in [the Olympic Committee's] confidence, and we weren't allowed to tell our people that we were going to do this. We didn't know what was going to happen at all. We just went back and forth with the composer of the Olympic ceremony, Victor Le Manse. He threw us a tempo and a guideline. And then we did our thing."

GOJIRA is considered a standard-bearer for French rock and bringing French rock to an international audience. Metal Hammer declared GOJIRA "metal's most important band" in 2016.

GOJIRA has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times — twice in 2017, for "Best Metal Performance" and "Best Rock Album" ("Magma") and once in 2022 for "Best Metal Performance".

GOJIRA's latest album, "Fortitude", entered Billboard's Top Albums chart at No. 1 in May 2021, while also claiming the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Current Albums, Current Rock Albums and Current Hard Music Albums tallies. The release also marked a career high debut on the Billboard 200 for GOJIRA, arriving at No. 12, with several career high chart positions and Top 10 debuts in countries around the globe including: France (No. 2),United Kingdom (No. 6),Australia (No. 3),Germany (No. 8),Belgium (No. 2),Netherlands (No. 4),Denmark (No. 3),Portugal (No. 4),Finland (No. 2) and Norway (No. 10).

During an appearance on the latest episode of Steve-O's Wild Ride! podcast, KISS frontman Paul Stanley praised the upcoming KISS avatar show, saying it will be like "Cirque Du Soleil meets 'Star Wars' and a KISS concert."

The technology being used for the KISS avatars, originally developed for ABBA's "Voyage" show in London, will allow KISS to stay "on the road" in retirement.

The KISS avatars were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and were financed and produced by the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment, which is behind "ABBA Voyage".

Using cutting-edge technology, Pophouse Entertainment Group, which was founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, will create digital versions of KISS. The project was previewed at the final KISS concert in New York in December 2023.

Regarding his vision for the KISS avatar show, Stanley said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "What we'll be doing with these amazing avatars will take us to another place, another level. Now, those images [that were previewed at the end of KISS's final gig at] the Garden were really — I had mixed feelings about showing those because they're so early on, they look nothing like that. I mean, the avatars are identical. I mean, they look like us. And I think the idea was really just to show people that we're going to move on and continue, but it won't be like that. And what we're putting together with George Lucas and Pophouse, this amazing company out of Sweden, is an immersive experience that you'll come to, and there'll be heat and fire and wind and things flying around."

Stanley continued: "The idea of us making a recreation of a concert, I mean, how long can you look and go, 'Wow, that looks just like an amplifier'? That's not what we're doing. I would say it's Cirque Du Soleil meets 'Star Wars' and a KISS concert. So it's gonna be amazing."

Paul was also full of praise for "ABBA Voyage", which has been very lucrative since debuting in May 2022. In 2023, the holographic show's performances numbered 374 and attracted 1,097,597 attendees for an occupancy rate of 97.8%.

"Yeah, that lives in London, and that's sold out for four years now, I think — every night, eight shows a week," Stanley said. "And it's amazing because I've seen it twice and the audience is just thrilled and so much a part of it. It's not like, 'Oh, we're watching something that's not real.' It's real… I mean, you can see through the clothes. They move back and forth, they interact. It's unbelievable. And when I saw it the first time, at the end of the show, the curtain pulled back and [the] ABBA [members as they look] today, the four of them, came walking out. And I was, like, 'Wow, I'm here on this night to see [the four of them at the performance].' [But] it wasn't them. That's how good it is."

Paul also talked about KISS's decision to sell its entire music catalog, likeness and brand name to Pophouse. Asked if he and fellow KISS founder Gene Simmons will remain involved in the way the KISS brand is promoted and marketed going forward, Stanley said: "They want us involved, which is smart. And also it's a way to ensure, I hate to say purity, but a focus.

"Look, we got it this far," he explained. "And, they had no intentions of just taking it and them riding off into the sunset. This is a collaboration, and [it's] never been done before. I mean, bands sell publishing, songwriters sell their song rights. I dare say that there's not a band I can think of where anybody wants to buy the band's likeness and the logos and everything that goes with it."

Paul added: "You have to imagine that for us to create something and nurture it through the good and the bad for 50 years and then give it to a [someone else], it's like leaving home. Yeah, it's leaving home. But I'm still who I was. If I was the Starchild before, I'm Starchild now. That doesn't change. I'm who I've been. And it's such a unique situation that I don't think anybody else can ever fathom the magnitude, because people have a hard time giving up their publishing; that's like their babies. Well, we gave up our babies and the house and the block."

When Steve-O noted that the deal with Pophouse is a way to really ensure that the KISS legacy continues the way that he and Gene want it to, Stanley concurred. "Exactly," he said. "And to keep it going, as you said, continuously. Bands — I don't wanna say shelf life, but bands only have a certain amount of lifespan. Certain bands certainly live on through their music. What are we listening to inside? [LED] ZEPPELIN or THE BEATLES. But KISS is so unique, to keep it at the level we want it to be and for the personas to live on, this was a great way to do it. I had no thoughts of selling publishing — that didn't appeal to me — but this is kind of like finding, I don't wanna say foster parents, but we researched and did our due diligence and our homework and spent a lot of time with Pophouse also, and they're great people and totally understand what we are and what we're doing and what we wanna be."

Last month, Stanley was asked by Billboard's "Behind The Setlist" podcast about the reports that the KISS avatar show will debut in 2027 in Las Vegas. Paul said: "What I can tell you is that the technology that's being used, which is a furthering of the technology used on the ABBA show, has to be installed and basically a building has to be built around it. So this isn't something where you're in Kansas City today, and tomorrow you fly with your projector to do it. It demands an arena, so to speak that's really solely used for a show like this. But it's not something that can play on Wednesdays and Thursdays or Saturdays and Sundays, and then something else is in there during the week."

Regarding what other things KISS fans can expect to come out of the band's deal with Pophouse, Paul said: "Well, really with Pophouse, what we're doing is focusing on this show. That's really the main focus. Obviously, be it the music or the personas and all that goes along with KISS that's been there all along will continue and expand. I think at this point there's a lot more understanding of the possibilities, and there are people coming to the table, so to speak, who perhaps for a while saw a rock band in make-up, and clearly it's turning into so much more than that."

Asked if there is going to be a live music element to the KISS avatar show, like "ABBA Voyage" has, Paul said: "I really can't tell you the ultimate technology that we'll be using. We're sitting down in in the very near future just to start to fine-tune the show and the presentation. And then how we project the music or utilize the music, as far as technology, will be decided."

On the topic of how he feels that the KISS legacy has been treated over the years, Stanley said: "I think it's been treated — well, it runs the gamut. I think people who don't understand it or haven't understood it or for whatever self-serving reasons have looked down their nose at it have been far, far overwhelmed and eclipsed by the people who love what we do. So the people who dismissed it or haven't understood it, quite frankly, they've missed out. I find it puzzling that anybody could have a vehement response to a band or performer. It's just — that goes Psychology 101. 'Whoa, what's your problem?'"

In a recent interview with Henrique Inglez de Souza of Brazil's Rockast, Simmons,\ discussed the band's decision to sell its music catalogue, brand name and likeness to Pophouse. A biopic, an avatar show, and a KISS-themed experience are already in the works, with Simmons and Stanley playing key roles in the development of all these projects, working closely with Pophouse.

"There will be movies, cartoon shows, all kinds of things, but the avatars are the future of KISS," Gene explained. "And to say they're concerts is too small. It's bigger than that. And I don't wanna say too much. I'm not allowed to. Not yet."

Regarding KISS's apparent willingness to fully embrace modern technology, Simmons told Rockast: "Well, everything evolves. We didn't always stand up on two legs. A few million years ago, we were on four legs. Everything evolves, and you either evolve or you become obsolete or you die. So technology is here. A.I. is here. Virtual reality is here. Everything is here. And we don't wanna be yesterday's news. So even the end of something can be the beginning of something. But we're very excited — and proud. I keep saying proud, because that's what it is."

This past April, Simmons told People magazine that KISS's decision to sell its entire music catalog, likeness and brand name to Pophouse was the "natural thing" to do. "Life happens while you're busy making important plans," he explained. "We were planning our respectful, proud walking off into the sunset, because we've been touring, we had been touring for half a century.

"If you take a look at Mother Nature, you either evolve or you become extinct," he added.

While terms of the Pophouse deal were not officially announced, Bloomberg and Associated Press said it was worth upwards of $300 million. However, Simmons insisted that financial gain is "not what [the sale is] about. It's about enjoying life," while adding, "I'm certainly blessed."

In a separate interview with TMZ, Simmons defended KISS's plans for an avatar concert similar to ABBA's with digital versions of the group.

"A.I. [artificial intelligence] is here to stay," he said. "Technology is here to stay. And you either join in and try to adapt and try to figure out how that works with you or you're just yesterday's news in a very real way.

"Truthfully, KISS has stopped touring," he continued. "We will never tour as KISS again. However, the end is also the beginning. We're gonna do things that will blow your socks off. But we couldn't do this without our new best friends for life Pophouse. They're really remarkable people."

When the interviewer asked if fans will embrace the concept of a concert that is A.I.-driven and consists of nothing but holograms, Gene said: "It's not just, 'Okay, they're gonna show up on stage just like they did before, but it's holograms. No. That's an archaic term. Technology has advanced so far, you won't believe it.

"We spent some time at George Lucas's place and did motion capture stuff secretly," he continued. "We didn't talk to anybody — media or anything — about it, because we wanted this to be like nothing anybody's ever seen. And I will tell you, if you've seen the ABBA show in London, which is phenomenal, this is gonna be beyond anything you've ever seen.

"So the future is here, and with our friends at Pophouse, who are visionaries, we're gonna be doing things that no band and no musical — nobody's ever done before," Gene added. "Our events are going to be multi, I wanna say multidimensional. You just won't believe your eyes. Things are gonna be so much larger than life in front of you. You won't believe it. We've already seen the first fragments of that. It's just jaw-droppingly amazing."

Working closely with KISS, Pophouse will follow its unique, value-add approach of drawing upon its world-class, in-house creative and storytelling expertise to unlock new audiences and revenue streams. Pophouse will use its proven, industry-defining playbook to create new content and experiences to enrich the KISS catalog for fans, old and new, actively seeking to enrich and add value to the brands and artists it partners with. Inclusivity and community have always been vital to the KISS experience, and Pophouse is committed to nurture the close relationship between KISS and its devoted fans moving forward.

Johan Lagerlöf, head of investment at Pophouse, said: "KISS is one of the most recognized and iconic bands in the history of music. They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new uncharted territories. The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our mission is to fulfill the band's vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward. With the help of the fans' energy, the band, our expertise, and creativity we will make that vision happen."

Per Sundin, CEO at Pophouse Entertainment, said: "KISS has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture. The band's enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal. We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavors, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS."

As part of the partnership, Pophouse will create digital versions of KISS that will allow the band and their unique personas to live forever. The project, already underway, was previewed at the final KISS show in Madison Square Garden, New York on December 2, 2023, when, to the audience's surprise, KISS avatars closed the night with a rendition of "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" (resulting in international headlines). Through a magical combination of cutting-edge technology and unrivalled creativity, Pophouse will bring the full, authentic KISS experience to both existing and new fans for years to come. The avatar show is planned to launch in 2027.

Stanley said in a statement: "Our journey with Pophouse is fueled by the desire to eternally resonate across diverse facets of global culture. As we embark on this venture, we aim to weave our legacy into the tapestry of different worlds, ensuring that the KISS experience continues to captivate both our devoted fans and those yet to discover the thrill. This partnership is not just a chapter; it's an eternal symphony of rock 'n' roll immortality."

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee joined HALESTORM on stage last night (Tuesday, October 15) at the Vancouver stop of the two bands' joint Canadian tour to perform the HALESTORM song "Break In". Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.

In August 2020, HALESTORM released the official music video for a reimagined version of "Break In", featuring a guest appearance by Lee. The new version of the track, which originally appeared on HALESTORM's second album, 2012's "The Strange Case Of..." , was recorded in October 2019 at a Nashville studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who had previously worked with both bands. The clip captured Hale and Lee delivering an impassioned studio performance of the track.

The updated "Break In" appeared on "Halestorm Reimagined", a collection of reworked HALESTORM original songs as well as a cover of "I Will Always Love You", the love ballad made famous by Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton.

Lzzy and Amy performed a quarantine rendition of "Break In" in May 2020 on Hale's Internet show "Raise Your Horns With Lzzy Hale".

Speaking about the collaboration, Lzzy told Amy: "What I love about dueting on that song with you is that it started out as as love song that I wrote for my significant other" — referring to HALESTORM guitarist Joe Hottinger — "but when we sing it together, it's this act of unity, especially with the two of us being women and being women musicians. It's like we have each other's backs. And the lyrics mean something completely different when I sing it [with you]."

Regarding the way the new version of "Break In" was recorded, Lzzy said: "We did it performance-style, literally next to each other in the same room — from beginning of song to end of song, singing with each other.

"I've never done anything like that, but especially with a female singer of your prowess."

Amy added: "Nick always gets the challenge and gets the most out of me… So he made us stand there in the room and sing it live together a bunch of times. What that really means is that editing, you couldn't use when you did something cool but I messed up; it would have to be that we both nailed it for it to make the cut. So to do it in that way was really challenging and it was really cool and it fits the song so well.

"I remember you saying, and we both were saying, when we were listening back, it's really weird, at times — I know my part, but you can't pick out whose voice that is in that one particular moment, 'cause we started matching each other, 'cause it was on the spot. It's really cool how that happens.

"It feels like a match. It doesn't feel like any one person is pulling the other person along a little bit or leading the train. It really felt like an evenly matched dance."

Lzzy and Amy originally performed "Break In" together in 2012 during the "Carnival Of Madness" tour, which was headlined by EVANESCENCE and featured HALESTORM in the support slot. At the time, Hale told Zoiks! Online about how the live collaboration came about: "It's funny. We had talked in the beginning of the tour, 'Oh, we should do something.' What would we do? Do we do a cover? Do I come out during her set? She came up to me, I think it was two weeks in and said, 'I'm obsessed with your song 'Break In' right now.' I was like, 'Thank you so much.' Then she said, 'I know all of your parts, all the backing parts and everything.' I was like, 'Sweet, that's awesome.' Then she said, 'This is going to sound really weird and please feel free to say no, but do you think I could come up during that song and sing it with you?' I'm, like, 'Of course. This is awesome.' We didn't have a whole lot of time to rehearse. We literally ran through it once before our show in El Paso, right before the doors opened. It was perfect. I told her, queue insane crowd noise. She was like, 'Oh, I don't know.' 'No, seriously — they're going to freak when you walk out on stage.' ... [And] they did. We couldn't hear each other for the first four lines."

Back in 2021, EVANESCENCE and HALESTORM joined forces for a massive North American tour that ended up being a rousing success.

In a new interview with Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco Bay Area radio station 107.7 The Bone, SLAYER drummer Paul Bostaph reflected on the band's two reunion performances earlier this fall — on September 22 at the Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois and on October 10 at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California. Asked how he feels now that the gigs are behind him, Bostaph said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "How do I feel? Um, wow. That's a really good question. I'm kind of a bit drained. Sacramento was a lot of guests there, a lot of friends, not to mention the show. So it was a lot of energy just put out. But each one of the shows kind of felt that way because it was kind of overwhelming because I never thought it would happen again. So, yeah, it was a lot of relearning songs that you really thought you did know, but you hadn't played them for five years. So, I don't know — it was great. I feel like it was probably one of the best live experiences I had because the fans were really into it. They were hungry for it, and that kind of made it special."

On the topic of whether there will be more SLAYER shows in the future, Paul said: "We played our last one… If everybody's asking that question [about the possibility of more SLAYER gigs], I am too, but I don't have the answer to that question. So, yeah, Aftershock was the last one. And we all hope that there will be more."

He added: "It's fun to play SLAYER songs. So, hopefully that can happen in the future. But [as of right now], that was the last show."

At Riot Fest and Aftershock, SLAYER ran through a 20-song set that included opener "South Of Heaven", "Seasons In The Abyss", "Angel Of Death", "Hell Awaits", "Raining Blood" and the title track of SLAYER's final album, "Repentless".

SLAYER was also scheduled to play at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky on September 27, but that performance was canceled due to severe weather.

Five years after SLAYER played the last concert of what was being billed as the band's farewell tour and just weeks after SLAYER guitarist Kerry King unveiled the details of his solo project, Kerry and his longtime bandmates announced that they would play at Aftershock, Riot Fest and Louder Than Life.

The lineup for SLAYER's comeback was the same as the one which last toured in 2019: King and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, along with guitarist Gary Holt (also of EXODUS) and Bostaph.

Last month, Bostaph told the Los Angeles Times that he was surprised when the reunion dates were lined up. "I'm, like, 'You're kidding, right?' I really put that to bed," the drummer said. "When something like that ends, I'm not going to do that to myself: Gee, someday it'd be great to get back together again. Life is life and this is how it is, and I'm moving on to whatever the next thing is. I put that to bed and then all of a sudden the call comes."

In July, King told Metal Injection that he doesn't rule out more SLAYER shows in the future beyond the festival appearances this summer and fall. "I'm trying to be real and definitely say, hey, we're not gonna tour again," he explained. "And we're certainly not gonna record again, 'cause I have a means of doing that now with my band. [We're doing] three shows for now. And I say 'for now' because I know Europe's gonna come knocking, 'Hey, man, you guys played America. Come see us.' So it wouldn't surprise me if something like that happened, but it's certainly not on my books right now."

Earlier in July, Kerry told Guitar World magazine that he "was very surprised" when Araya agreed to play three SLAYER shows this year. "I made my comments [about SLAYER being finished] based on [Tom] not wanting to play anymore. As far as I was concerned, we were done and never going to play again. To be honest, I don't know what switched.

"We've been turning down offers to play shows for at least three years. So, one came up that, I guess, enticed Tom to the point where he wanted to roll the dice and try a couple. I don't know, but that's all it is."

Kerry added that he would be open to more SLAYER gigs in the future.

"There could be an instance where there's another one-off,” he said. "It just has to be the right offer at the right time, maybe someplace everybody loves to go. But touring, no, I don't see touring. But, you know, who's to say a one-off can't happen again?"

King previously told Total Guitar magazine about SLAYER's reunion shows: "It caught me off guard too. Do I wish the timing was different? Absolutely, but that's completely out of my hands."

King went on to say that fans shouldn't get their hopes up about a full-scale SLAYER reunion.

"Everyone thinks SLAYER are getting back together, but that couldn't be further from the truth," he explained. "We've been turning down gigs ever since we stopped. This one came and I thought, 'If we're ever going to do one, this could be cool because it's the five-year anniversary of our final tour.'

"We're not going to record anymore," he added. "That final tour was definitely our final tour. This is just a reason to have some fun the guys, play a few shows and then jump back in the coffin…"

In June, King was asked by Jonathan Clarke, host of "Out Of The Box" on Q104.3, New York's classic rock station, about how SLAYER's reunion shows came about. He responded: "I'll put it in the perspective everybody can understand. We've been turning down offers since beginning of 2020, pandemic and all. And then it started getting near the five-year anniversary of us stopping playing, so I'm, like, 'You know what? This is a three-show package. I think it would be fun to do.' It's kind of a five-year anniversary of our last tour. We're never gonna tour again — it ain't gonna happen. We're never gonna record again; that's not gonna happen either. But to do commemorative shows, I think that's kind of fun. I don't have to be married to it for a long time. Kids don't have to worry about it coming around on tour because we said we wouldn't. There's not a whole lot of weird diabolical shit going on here. I think people have just gotta say, 'Hey, it's anniversary celebration shows.' That's gonna be the end of it."

Days after SLAYER's reunion was announced, Tom Araya's wife wrote on social media that she "harassed him for over a year" before he "agreed finally" to play more shows with the band. "We shared that news with SLAYER's awesome managers and they did the rest!" she explained. "So yes without Tom it wouldn't have happened.. without me BUGGING HIM it wouldn't have happened."

Kerry's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", arrived on May 17 via Reigning Phoenix Music. All material for the LP was written by King, who was accompanied during the recording sessions by Bostaph and the rest of Kerry's solo band, consisting of guitarist Phil Demmel, bassist Kyle Sanders and singer Mark Osegueda.

SLIPKNOT's new drummer Eloy Casagrande has shared a drum-cam video of him performing the song "Surfacing" on September 7 at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington. Check it out below.

In an interview with Tone-Talk, SLIPKNOT guitarist Jim Root spoke about how Casagrande came to join SLIPKNOT and his impact on the band's overall sound. He said: "We didn't even try anybody else. Eloy's name came up. He contacted us, actually, about wanting to be a part of it and started sending a bunch of videos in. I think him and our bass player [Alessandro 'Vman' Venturella] might've had a little bit of a relationship before. I think they knew each other. They had mutual friends. And Vman's really in tune with a lot of really great, proggy, heavy musicians that are passionate about their instruments. And it just seemed like a no-brainer. And he's really respectful of the legacy of [SLIPKNOT's original drummer, the late] Joey [Jordison], and Joey was a huge influence on him. And he's so humble. The dude has so much humility. And you could tell he just lives and breathes his craft, to the point where I see his passion and it ignites my passion for my instrument. And Brazilians, South Americans in general, are so passionate about what they do. Our manager told me, he was out to dinner with four or five promoters from South America, and they were all really stoked. They're all, like, 'It's so good you've got a Brazilian drummer in SLIPKNOT now. We kind of feel like we've won the World Cup.' It's a cool feeling. And God, he just fits in so well. I don't know, man. I mean, there's a lot of things I can say about it. I'm just glad it happened when it did. And we're lucky to have him — we are really lucky to have that dude."

For its 2024 gigs so far, SLIPKNOT adopted a classic look, bringing back the 1999 red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks into their modern versions, tying into the fact that SLIPKNOT is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

After parting ways with Jay Weinberg last November, SLIPKNOT teased fans with a hint about a new drummer more than five months ago, posting a photo of a single broken drumstick online with the caption "Rehearsal."

The band explained in a statement that the split with Weinberg was a creative decision. Jay followed up with a statement of his own, saying that he was "heartbroken and blindsided" by his dismissal.

Weinberg has since joined SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and INFECTIOUS GROOVES.

Casagrande abruptly quit SEPULTURA six months ago, shortly before he was supposed to begin rehearsals for the band's recently launched 40th-anniversary farewell tour.

"February 6th, a few days prior to the first rehearsal, drummer Eloy Casagrande informed the band that he was leaving SEPULTURA to pursue a career in another project," the band said in a statement.

Casagrande joined SEPULTURA nearly 13 years ago as the replacement for Jean Dolabella.

SLIPKNOT's latest album "The End, So Far", arrived in August 2022. It marked the band's the last full-length LP before the departure of both keyboardist Craig Jones, who left the group in June 2023, and Weinberg.

SLIPKNOT recently completed the North American portion of the "Here Comes The Pain" tour. The band was celebrating the 25th anniversary of its seminal debut album, "Slipknot", which catapulted the band back in 1999. The "Here Comes The Pain" tour, produced by Live Nation, included arena plays nationwide this summer. Highlights included New York City's Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles's Intuit Dome, Austin's Moody Center and more with direct support from Kentucky's young and vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners KNOCKED LOOSE. ORBIT CULTURE and VENDED also provided support on select dates.

One of the most iconic voices in rock and roll history, Steve Perry will release "The Season 3" on November 8 via Dark Horse Records. The album expands on the former JOURNEY singer's exquisitely curated 2021 holiday album "The Season", which revealed him as a flawless interpreter of the classic Christmas songbook. "The Season 3" includes six newly recorded songs, including "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Let It Snow", as well as a moving duet with his late father, Ray Perry.

To celebrate the announcement, Perry has released a soulful, lilting rendition of "What A Wonderful World" alongside an animated video created by Magdalene Kennedy featuring archival family photos.

"The Season 3" marks Perry's first release on Dark Horse Records. He joins the highly curated home of legends on the label founded by George Harrison in 1974, alongside labelmates Joe Strummer, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Billy Idol, Nina Simone, and more.

On signing to Dark Horse Records, Perry says: "I am so pleased to announce that I have just signed with George Harrison's label, Dark Horse Records. I've so much music in me that has yet to be heard. To be able to work with a team of people who support and respect my creative expressions, is a dream come true."

On "The Season 3", Perry says, "I've always loved the magic in holiday songs. When I was a child, I would hear them on the radio in my grandmother's kitchen while she was cooking. Today when I hear those songs, they take me back to so many wonderful memories."

He continues: "The magic of music is a very emotional gift. The idea of me recording a holiday record started many years ago and now has grown into my latest collection, 'The Season 3'. I have added six new tracks to this latest compilation, which now totals 16. I hope this record brings you precious memories too.

"All the best to you and yours this holiday season."

"The Season 3" is co-produced by Perry and engineer Thom Flowers with an immaculately arranged and richly nuanced sound. Mainly recorded at Perry's home studio, "The Season" series came to life in collaboration with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa) and Dallas Kruse (a multi-instrumentalist who also worked with Perry on his acclaimed 2018 album "Traces"). While most of "The Season 3" encompasses an understated sonic palette — piano, strings, upright bass — each track leaves an indelible impact thanks to the soulful sincerity of Perry's vocal work. For both artist and audience alike, "The Season 3" ultimately serves as a form of emotional time travel, a direct conduit for the kind of memories that sustain the spirit and restore a sense of joyous serenity.

"The Season 3" track listing:

01. What A Wonderful World
02. The Christmas Song
03. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
04. This Christmas
05. Jingle Bell Rock
06. Call Me Irresponsible
07. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
08. Auld Lang Syne
09. Silver Bells
10. I'll Be Home For Christmas
11. Let It Snow
12. Maybe This Year
13. Winter Wonderland
14. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
15. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
16. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

One of the most iconic voices in rock and roll history, Perry has captivated generations with the sheer power of his range and extraordinary warmth of his tone. One of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers Of All Time," he fronted JOURNEY during the band's massively successful era and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Perry returned to music in 2018 with the release of his Fantasy album "Traces" which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard album charts and No. 6 overall — a personal best for his solo work.

Swedish hard rockers Seventh Crystal have shared their new single and official video “Blinded By The Light”, taken from their third studio album Entity, set for release on November 8, 2024, via Frontiers Music Srl.


The band describes the new single: “‘Blinded By The Light’ is the epicentre of the album’s storyline. It tells the story of a desperate person who experiences oppression and ostracism. In their desperation they strive to save others from the same fate and are prepared to die for the cause.


“In a polarized society where disinformation and fake news are commonplace, the experiences are many and different, but the outcome is the same. Total collapse and system failure with disproportionate consequences,” they add.




Preorder Entity here.


Describing the new single, the band had to say the following: “Have you ever been to a concert, or maybe visited a beautiful natural monument and thought, “Am I the only one experiencing this right here and now?” Everyone's looking at the world through a camera- or a smartphone screen, trying to get online affirmation, likes and reactions. No one is really living in the moment. 'Path Of The Absurd' is about getting caught in that web, pun intended. Addictive, quick impulses that trigger the reward system and then you're stuck. You become an asset to the system, and not the other way around...”


Seventh Crystal also explain the concept of the album: “We live in an age of social media, AI, filter bubbles and sensational headlines by unknown writers. Disinformation controls the masses and creates multiple truths where the reality remains unknown. The development of technology is largely about solving problems and fulfilling human needs. But can it also lead to the opposite and become its own master with humans as its subjects? A kind of being, an "Entity". “Entity” is a depiction of past and present in which this particular development is at the centre. “For good or bad?”, “Under or out of control?” - the listener is the one who gets to decide."


Seventh Crystal, who stormed on the melodic rock scene in 2021 since their debut album Delirium, with this third full-length work, Entity, take everything up a major level (or two, really).


The album sees the band exploring and expanding different genres, bringing their melodic rock formula, to progressive rock fields, sometimes little heavier and back to their unique rock style.


Seventh Crystal is a melodic hard rock band from Gothenburg formed by Kristian Fyhr in 2019. What started as a solo project by Kristian, quickly grew into a larger endeavour when Johan Älvsång and Olof Gadd joined the project. Shortly after, Anton Roos and Emil Dornerus also joined the band, completing the initial lineup.


In 2020, the band signed a deal with Frontiers Records and released their debut album Delirium in 2021, making waves all around the world. Due to the guitar-heavy parts on the album, the band realized that they needed one more guitarist to be able to perform the songs live. Gustav Linde, an old friend of Anton Roos, took on the job, and the band began to work on their slightly more guitar-oriented follow-up album, Wonderland.


Wonderland was released in 2023, alongside the Infinity EP, establishing the band as an act to be reckoned with. During the fall, Johan Älvsång decided to step aside, and the band continued as a five-piece into the recordings of a third album.


Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, from soft rock to hard-hitting heavy metal, Seventh Crystal showcase a diverse range of musical expression. The band aims to be authentic and serve as an inspiration, outlet, and escape for their audience. Their sound is characterised by bombastic productions, catchy hooks, and dramatic and emotional melodies.





Entity tracklisting:

Supercollab rock outfit, This Wild Darkness, recently released "The Wild Darkness", the sophomore single from their upcoming five-song concept EP, The Notorious Memphis Rains, set for release on October 25. A limited-edition vinyl version will also be available.


Stream the track here, and watch a new visualizer below.


Featuring Skid Row’s Scotti Hill, best known for his heavy metal skills, he swaps shredding for slide guitar on “The Wild Darkness,” delivering a haunting melody that echoes the feel of a classic Western film. The track places the concept project’s main character, Memphis Rains, at a pivotal crossroads. Lead singer Tommy Mars uses his powerful vocals to express the inner thoughts of Memphis through his decision of which road to take. Skilled guitars fly across the melodies, with soft acoustics juxtaposing the crisp electrics.




“I couldn't have been more flattered when Tommy asked me to contribute to this record and project,” Hill shares. “It’s been so much fun!”


United in a moment of musical brilliance, members of this supercollab rock outfit, This Wild Darkness, led by musical alchemist Tommy Marz, is a collective born from the pure joy of creation, where legendary musicians from diverse backgrounds converge to craft something poignant and dynamic. With a lineup boasting Arion Salazar (Third Eye Blind), Chuck Bartels (Sturgill Simpson), Jack Hues (Wang Chung), Jeff Schroeder (The Smashing Pumpkins), Scotti Hill (Skid Row), And Slim Gambill (Lady A), the group has harnessed their vast experiences to produce a powerful and evocative EP.


The EP’s lead single, “Dawn Rider”, debuted on September 18, offering a first look into the story of Memphis Rains. The track features a stunning guitar solo from longtime Smashing Pumpkins guitarist (2007–2023) Jeff Schroeder.


“Dawn Rider represents the ride and realization of Memphis’s actions and mistakes. This is him trying to make a run for it but uncertain that he’ll be able to escape,” Mars explains.


The project’s title hints at the profound themes explored within the collection, drawing inspiration from the historic tragedies of Memphis, TN, and West Memphis, AR. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the death of Elvis Presley, and the haunting story of the West Memphis Three served as a foundation for Marz as he crafted the character “Memphis Rains,” symbolizing the collective sorrow of these events.


“The entirety of this project is a concept based on searching for something that you want and being willing to do whatever it takes to get it,” says Marz, who also produced the album. “It also explores the consequences of those actions

Queen’s groundbreaking 1973 debut album, Queen, remixed, remastered and expanded in a 6CD+1LP box set Queen I Collector’s Edition will be released on October 25. Brian May unboxes the set in the new video below:





The 6CD + 1 LP Queen I box set contains 63 tracks with 43 brand new mixes, comprising the original album with its intended running order restored, intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the studio, demos, rare live tracks, and previously unheard recordings from Queen’s first ever live performance in London, August 1970. Absent from the 1973 release, the song “Mad the Swine” has been reinstated to its original place in the running order. A 108-page book containing handwritten lyrics and memorabilia accompanies the release.

f this month, on October 26, Portuguese dark metal pioneers, Moonspell, will play their first-ever symphonic show, entitled Opus Diabolicum, at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.





Where the power of the Moonspell metal meets the magnitude of the classic by the Lisbon Sinfonietta Orchestra, one of Portug

Funko have announced the November release of new Queen and Freddie Mercury Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures. Descriptions below.





Pop! Queen (Radio Ga Ga) 4-Pack:

In a new interview with Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, OPETH guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt discussed the band's upcoming album, "The Last Will And Testament", which will arrive on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music/Moderbolaget. On the record, Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and JETHRO TULL mainman Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on the songs "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4" and "§7".

Asked if it is true that Anderson playing flute on "The Last Will And Testament" was more of an afterthought after he was initially sought out for the narration, Mikael said: "It's no great secret, if you know this band, that [Ian is] one of the biggest influences for me — in more ways than just being a great musician, which he is, and a songwriter, just like a band leader as well. So I'm one of those guys, who, if I go on YouTube, I don't check Fail Army [videos] or whatever it's called, I go to, to look at interviews with people like Ian Anderson, Ritchie Blackmore, Joni Mitchell and stuff like that. But in this case, Ian Anderson's interviews that I found, I just thought that his voice was, like, that's a cool-sounding voice. And once the narrating aspect of this album popped into my head, I was, like, it has to be him. So that's why I reached out to him. He just had a fucking great voice. So I put him in there, or asked him to do this. And I think he was a bit surprised — at least he told me [he was]. He actually said it was surprising that somebody, as opposed to asking for a flute thing, which he's really famous for, of course, was asking for him to speak on a record. And he's, like, 'I can't recall if I ever had that question before.' So he accepted, and I was so happy, and it came out so good. But then he asked on an e-mail, like, 'Do you need some flute as well?' And I was, like, I said, 'Yes, yes, yes, Ian, I do. I do need some flute.' But at the time, I didn't really have a part for it. I just knew that I can't waste this opportunity. So I just shuffled through the songs and found this part on the song called 'Paragraph 4' that had like a slower section that would be perfect for him. So I sent that to him and he sent this awesome flute solo back."

Mikael added: "I've been hunting this guy for 15 years or something like that. He was asked to be on the 'Heritage' record, but didn't respond then. So now it's kind of — I don't know — it's amazing that he's on our record. It's crazy.

"I'm actually going to see them. I'm hoping to give him a bottle of something to say thanks, because he didn't want pay either. I couldn't pay him. So it's just amazing."

"The Last Will And Testament" was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (THE HEARD, ex-CRUCIFIED BARBARA). "The Last Will And Testament" was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (GHOST, THE HELLACOPTERS),engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (KILLING JOKE, ROBERT PLANT) and OPETH, with Boman, Åkerfeldt and the rest of OPETH mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on "The Last Will And Testament" were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (EGG, KHAN) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, QUEEN) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Joining Anderson, EUROPE's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2", while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".

"The Last Will And Testament" is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets. The narrative weaves through the patriarch's confessions, the reactions of his twin children, and the mysterious presence of a polio-ridden girl who the family have taken care of. The album begins with the reading of the father's will in his mansion. Among those in attendance is a young girl, who, despite being an orphan and polio-ridden, has been raised by the family. Her presence at the will reading raises suspicions and questions among the twins.

"The Last Will And Testament" is also the band's most fearlessly progressive. A concept album recounting the reading of one recently deceased man's will to an audience of his surviving family members, it brims with haunting melodrama, shocking revelations and some of the wildest and most unpredictable music that Åkerfeldt has ever written.

The follow-up to 2019's widely acclaimed "In Cauda Venenum", "The Last Will And Testament" is set in the shadowy, sepia-stained 1920s. It slowly reveals its secrets like some classic thriller from the distant, cobwebbed past, with each successive song shining more light on the stated machinations of our dead (but definitely not harmless) protagonist. The emotional chaos of the story is perfectly matched by OPETH's vivid but claustrophobic soundtrack, which artfully winds its way towards a crestfallen but sumptuous finale. Masters of their own idiosyncratic musical domain, OPETH have never sounded more unique.

"The Last Will And Testament" is destined to be a milestone in OPETH's illustrious recorded history. Only one of the album's eight songs has a title: closing ballad "A Story Never Told". The rest are simply labeled as numbered chapters in this slowly unfolding saga of deceit, recrimination and betrayal. Enigmatic, unsettling and immersive, "The Last Will And Testament" is a turbulent, prog metal tale like no other.

Making his recorded debut alongside OPETH's long-established lineup of Åkerfeldt, guitarist Fredrik Åkesson, bassist Martin Mendez and keyboard maestro Joakim Svalberg on "The Last Will And Testament" is new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, who joined the band in 2022.

OPETH has just embarked on a North American tour. The trek, which kicked off on October 11 in Milwaukee, includes stops in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Denver and more.

In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx discussed the band's decision to hire guitarist John 5 as Mick Mars's replacement following the latter's decision to no longer tour with the legendary rock act. Nikki said (as per Guitar.com): "It was becoming harder and harder and harder to get anything done with Mick because of his memory problems and just his physical ailments. And we have a lot of empathy for that."

The bassist continued: "When Mick left the band, we had to make a choice. And we made the right choice with John. We wish Mick nothing but the best."

Addressing the fact that MÖTLEY CRÜE opted to carry on without the band's founding guitarist, much to the dismay of some fans, Sixx said: "I run this band with an iron fist and nobody can get in and fuck with our band, legally, marketing-wise." He went on to say that MÖTLEY CRÜE had to make "a self-sufficient decision" regarding how to continue without Mars, which he insisted was "the right thing to do". "But doing the right thing isn't always fucking fun," Sixx added, "[with] fans believing we did something we didn't do."

Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS),a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis. After years of performing through the pain, he informed the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE in the summer of 2022 that he could no longer tour with them but would still be open to recording new music or performing at residencies that did not require much travel.

When Mars announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE, he maintained that he would remain a member of the band, with John 5 taking his place on the road. However, in early April 2023 the now-73-year-old musician filed a lawsuit against CRÜE in Los Angeles County's Superior Court claiming that, after his announcement, the rest of CRÜE tried to remove him as a significant stakeholder in the group's corporation and business holdings via a shareholders' meeting.

Mars said that when he refused to sign the papers reducing his share of touring royalties to only 5%, the band commenced an arbitration. His original filing said the group took it to arbitration "rather than a public lawsuit so that the public would not be aware of the deplorable manner in which they treated their 'brother' of 41 years."

This past April, Sixx told Angi Taylor of Chicago's Rock 95.5 radio station about Mars's departure from MÖTLEY CRÜE: "We didn't see this coming. We were out doing our stadium tour, and Mick had decided to leave. And we really had to sit down and go, 'Well, what do we do? Do we fold? Do we fold on the fans and [concert promoter] Live Nation [and 2022 and 203 tourmates] DEF LEPPARD?' John, we've all known John. I've worked with John. We kind of talked about it. And if we had to move on, it's moved on in a such a beautiful way. It's been great."

In August 2023, Nikki told Guitar World magazine about CRÜE's decision to hire John 5: "We never saw it coming that Mick wasn't going to be able to tour and was going to have to quit the band. In the middle — not even the middle — of a huge tour, we had to ask ourselves, 'Do we want to let the fans down? Do we want to let [concert promoters] Live Nation down? Do we want to let [tourmates] DEF LEPPARD down? Do we want to let ourselves down because an original member of our band can't tour anymore?' We had to have a deep, deep look into what we were going to do."

Sixx went on to say that John 5 was the obvious choice to step in for Mars in MÖTLEY CRÜE. He added: "[With John] knowing all the members of the band, and me having this relationship with him writing and as friends, and even being in the studio with him writing stuff with the band for [the soundtrack to] 'The Dirt', it felt like a no-brainer in a horrible situation something we did not ask for or want. And then it was just kind of obvious. If there was 'the guy', John was the guy. Like I said, we didn't choose this, but since we had to be put in this position, we're very happy with where we're at right now."

Mars — whose real name is Robert Alan Deal — served as MÖTLEY CRÜE's lead guitarist since the band's inception in 1981.

Although Sixx is responsible for penning the lion's share of the band's material, Mars did have a hand in co-writing some of the group's most famous tracks, including "Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)", "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Dr. Feelgood".

The only credit Mars has on the first two MÖTLEY CRÜE albums is the instrumental "God Bless The Children Of The Beast" on 1983's "Shout At The Devil".

Metal powerhouse Lords Of The Trident have released electrifying new music video for "Master Of Speed", the grand finale single from their latest EP, V.G.E.P. This high-octane visual caps off the release, showcasing the band's signature blend of blistering riffs and soaring vocals.


Frontman Fang VonWrathenstein explains:


"The initial intent of the 'Master of Speed' music video was to shoot it in an arcade. The Baron noted, 'Hey, the Mad With Power Fest pre-party is at an arcade, and all of our friends & fans will be there already...why don't we just shoot it there?' While this was a fantastic idea, it also filled me with dread, as I'm already losing sleep (and hair) over all the stress of running the fest, but good ideas always win out. The shoot was sweaty and chaotic, but thanks to the energy of our fans, we made it through with some certified SICK FOOTY!"







The EP made its "sudden drop" as an exclusive release for Lords Of The Trident's Patreon supporters. Anyone who pledges $5 or more to the Lords Of The Trident Patreon gets immediate access to download the full EP as well as the band's last four albums, 25+ live albums, 10+ singles, and more.


On the release of V.G.E.P., Fang VonWrathenstein adds:


"Very excited to finally (publicly) release the V.G.E.P.! We hope you enjoy cranking the new tunes while playing along to some of your favorite games! We'll be holding a CD release party with our buddies Psychostick in Madison, WI on 10/11, and then it's off to Japan in December. I wonder if there's going to be a divide over fans' favorite track in each country?"





Tracklisting:


“To Kill A God”
“Master Of Speed”
“Jet Set Cit

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Alex Van Halen weighed in on the proposed all-star VAN HALEN tour that never came to fruition, saying that David Lee Roth's refusal to the drummer's brother, legendary VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen, prevented such an event from materializing.

According to the article, Roth and Alex had begun rehearsing for the tour with members of the singer's solo band, with plans to fill out the lineup with former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani on lead guitar. During those early rehearsals, Alex started feeling numbness in his feet, symptomatic of peripheral neuropathy. He had also been in contact with QUEEN's Brian May about how to properly pay tribute to his late brother during the reunion shows, as QUEEN did with Freddie Mercury.

"The thing that broke the camel's back, and I can be honest about this now," Alex told Rolling Stone, "was I said, 'Dave, at some point, we have to have a very overt — not a bowing — but an acknowledgment of Ed in the gig. If you look at how QUEEN does it, they show old footage.' And the moment I said we gotta acknowledge Ed, Dave fuckin' popped a fuse.… The vitriol that came out was unbelievable."

According to Alex, David simply refused to pay tribute Eddie.

"I'm from the street," Alex said. "'You talk to me like that, motherfucker, I'm gonna beat your fucking brains out. You got it?' And I mean that. And that's how it ended."

Alex added: "It's just, my God. It's like I didn't know him anymore. I have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic and all that. But, Dave, you gotta work as a community, motherfucker. It's not you alone anymore."

Alex went on to say that would not have been physically able to do the tour anyway. "It's too bad on one hand, but it's fine on the other," he said. "Because now, in retrospect, playing the old songs is not really paying tribute to anybody. That's just like a jukebox, in my opinion.… To find a replacement for Ed? It's just not the same."

In April 2022, former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted revealed to The Palm Beach Post that he was approached by Alex about six months earlier about playing bass for the project. Newsted told the Florida newspaper that he agreed to go to California to jam with Alex and Joe Satriani and see if it felt right, but he eventually realized that it would be impossible to do justice to VAN HALEN's legacy.

In recent months, Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen, who played bass for VAN HALEN at the end of the band's recording and touring career, repeatedly said that "drama" in the VAN HALEN camp has prevented a proposed all-star VAN HALEN tribute project from materializing.

Wolfgang played three VAN HALEN songs over the course of two Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in September 2022 alongside FOO FIGHTERS members Dave Grohl on bass, Josh Freese on drums and THE DARKNESS's Justin Hawkins on vocals.

Wolfgang, who played "On Fire", "Hot For Teacher" and "Panama" at the Hawkins tribute concerts, told Classic Rock magazine that he was no longer actively interested in pursuing the idea of a standalone Eddie Van Halen tribute event. "I think I already did it with the Taylor Hawkins tributes," he explained. "I feel a lot of closure because my part of the show was a tribute to my father."

"When it comes to VAN HALEN and entities surrounding the band it's unfortunate, certainly compared to FOO FIGHTERS who have their shit together with interpersonal relationships," Wolfgang added.

"I don't know what it is with some bands but certain personalities just can't get over themselves to work collectively for one purpose. That's been the curse of VAN HALEN for its entire career. So my playing at the Taylor shows delivered that catharsis without the stresses of dealing with the VAN HALEN camp, and the players involved. Their camp is very dysfunctional — everyone! Hell, it was difficult to make plans even when the band was active."

Eddie died in October 2020 at the age of 65. The legendary VAN HALEN guitarist passed away at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

Alex is promoting his memoir "Brothers", which will arrive on October 22 via HarperCollins Publishers.

With no explanation offered, Van Halen singer, David Lee Roth, has shared the video below, entitled "LA River Yacht Club".





The Mojo Dojo's Ramses Rio recently released an animated video for David Lee Roth's cover of American folk duo Brewer & Shipley's "Tarkio Road". Check it out below:







Ramses Rios previously released a video for "Black Sand", featured on the DLR Band album from 1998. Ramses said: "Perhaps one of David Lee Roth’s greatest and most underrated tracks of his solo career, 'Black Sand' from the DLR Album is perfection. Matching the same type of vibe as 'Damn Good', Dave’s smooth voice and lyrical genius paired with Terry Kilgore’s guitar on this track is like combining JD & Coke.


"As you know, I am a die hard DLR fan. To me, DLR is not simply just legendary or my hero, like he is a hero to all. DLR is a lifestyle. My goal is to share my passion I have for illus