The Norwegian-based heavy metal band Tomorrow's Outlook have once again teamed up with the renowned guitarist/producer Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Judas Priest, Halford, Tribe of Gypsies).

In a short video update from the band the founder and co-songwriter, Trond Nicolaisen, enthusiastically speaks about the excitement of working with Roy:

"Hi! We have a big announcement! For the post production and mixing of our new album, Black Waves, we will continue to work with our good friend Roy Z. Roy has produced some of our all-time favourite albums with Bruce Dickinson, and has also worked with Rob Halford, Judas Priest, Helloween, Yngwie Malmsteen and also our good friends from Aria. Musically we are very much on the same page and we have high expectations that Roy will take this album to the next level. Roy will also play guitar on 5 songs on the album. Stay tuned for more news!"

Black Waves is the first recording made by the current line-up consisting of Andreas Stenseth (bass), Øystein Kvile Hanssen (guitars), Valentino Francavilla (guitars), Owe Lingvall (drums) and Tony Johannessen (vocals).

In June 2019 the band made their live debut in their own backyard at the Gressholman Festival outside Harstad.

The set list consisted of mostly tracks from their latest release, A Voice Unheard, but also presented some material from the upcoming album, Black Waves.

The latter is a concept album based on actual events from Gressholman itself, stretching from 1748 to the early 1900s. They tell the story of a brutal double murder which shook their small community in Northern Norway, and also about the once vital and important trading post which met its ultimate end in a fire centuries later.

Musically Black Waves is said to be a continuation of what the band did on their previous album, A Voice Unheard. Album is scheduled for release in mid-2021.

The artwork was created by the very talented Slovakian artist, Rado Javo:

Tracklisting:

“Eventide”
“Oceans Of Sadness”
“Black Hearts And Roses In Snow”
“Black Waves”
“Silver Ghost”
“Wait For The Sun”
“Procession To Pikeholme”
“Lament Of The Damned”
“When Falls The Axe”
“The Monument”
“The Calm” (Aria cover)

Hungarian folk metal band Dalriada has shared another new song called “Őszi ének” (English: Autumn Song), which is taken from their forthcoming album Őszelő to be released in spring 2021.

“Brothers and Sisters! We’re proud and happy to present you ‘Őszi ének’ (Autumn Song) from our Őszelő album. It’s one of our biggest favourite from the new record, and it’s a great summary of our thoughts about Hungarian folk metal these days. If you like it, or even if you don’t, please share your opinion with us, and share the song itself to let it reach as many people as possible!” - András Ficzek (vocals, guitars)

The band premiered the first song from Őszelő in June, “Ezer Csillag” (English: A Thousand Stars) is a unique ballad, an original composition with the authentic sound of traditional Hungarian folk music, featuring the band’s long time collaborators, Fajkusz Banda on violins, violas and double bass.

Rockshots Records announce they will be releasing Blue Hour Ghosts' new album, Due, on February 12. The album is the follow-up to their 2016 self-titled debut album. Teaming up once again with Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi (session musician for Fear Factory, Grenouer, Levania, Noveria), BHG's Due is their sophomore effort continuing their blend of progressive, classic, gothic metal, and alternative rock.

Taking a fresh, powerful, and intense melodic assault, Due depicts a wide range of soundscapes ranging from full metal aggression to soft, acoustic atmospheres, passing through infectious and catchy hooks and refrains that will enthral any music addict, along with sophisticated layered arrangements to satisfy the most demanding palates. Throughout the nine songs, all the ghosts hiding in the blue hour are made alive in the deep and heartfelt narration provided by both music and lyrics, offering a unique and compelling listening experience.

Keyboardist Simome Pedrazzi comments about the new album: "With Due, we are trying to engage new and established fans with an enjoyable, fresh, and yet sophisticated multi-level listening experience. All the nine songs offer an abundance of hooks that can stick into the ear from the first listen and remain impressed into the listener’s mind, stimulating his/her curiosity. There is no room for boredom, as within each song and throughout all the album, powerful and atmospheric sections alternate with each other in a seamless flow, thus keeping the attention high. The variety of musical colours displayed throughout the album and the extreme care we put into obtaining a lush and polished sound will allow for an extremely pleasant sonic experience."

The first single "Walking Backwards" can be heard below. Pre-save the album here. Pre-order the CD here.

Tracklisting:

"Walking Backwards"
"On Black Clouds"
"Dead In August"
"Damn Wrong"
"Shine"
"Fearless"
"Lower The Wires"
"Disheartened"
"Involved/Bored"

"Walking Backwards":

Former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate is working on the second album from his SWEET OBLIVION project for a 2021 release via Frontiers Music Srl. The upcoming effort is being produced by Aldo Lonobile (SECRET SPHERE, ARCHON ANGEL, TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON) and "will surprise everyone," according to Frontiers head honcho Serafino Perugino, by not only "keep[ing] the musical trademarks of the debut, but also enhanc[ing] them."

SWEET OBLIVION's self-titled debut album was released in June 2019 via Frontiers. The LP saw Tate teaming up with a stellar cast of Italian musicians led by Simone Mularoni, the mastermind of prog metal masters DGM. Musically, this album marked a return to the more melodic metal style for Tate and showcased a fine collection of songs highlighting the great talents of Mularoni and his cast of musicians.

Regarding how the SWEET OBLIVION debut came about, Tate told Sonically Disruptive: "I got contacted by a gentleman from my record company in Italy, who said he knew a guy, Simone Mularoni, who was an excellent guitar player [and] who was a huge fan of my music. He thought that it would be kind of fun to put the two of us together to see if we could do something together. That happened, and we started trading musical ideas and trading things over the internet. In time, we came up with the album. The unique thing about this record, I think, is it was all recorded and mixed and written over the Internet without us having ever been in the same room, which is cool. It's a really neat way of doing it — very 21st Century. In fact, we still have not actually spoken a word to each other — we just communicated via text and email, which is even cooler and really unique. [It was] the first time I've ever worked like that, and I actually quite like it."

Asked why he enjoyed working in that manner, Geoff said: "It's [an] unbelievable waste of time — all that chit-chat that goes on. You're just sitting for hours and hours, kind of held hostage in a room. I would much prefer to be in my own scene doing the work and then conferring back and forth and making changes and you go along. It's a cool way to work, and I really like it."

Speaking about what it was like to return to playing progressive metal with SWEET OBLIVION, Tate said: "My roots of what I do have always been into heavy rock, heavy metal music. It's what I've always done. What I've done over time is sort of revamp some of those old ideas and modernize the delivery and bring in more late 20th Century/early 21st Century perspectives on the music. That's kind of where my head is, but now and then, I like of like to return to a more retro, old kind of delivery, which is where this [SWEET OBLIVION] album is. It's very retro, and very much what I've done already in my life and my career. In fact, that was our meeting point with Simone and I — he was a big fan of what I had done in my career, so he was giving me his ideas that were based upon my ideas. It was a comfortable place to meet. It was familiar."

Earlier in the year, Tate was forced to postone a number of his tour dates due to the coronavirus pandemic that is spreading across the globe.

Tate spent the first two months of 2020 performing the QUEENSRŸCHE albums "Rage For Order" and "Empire" in their entirety on the "Empire 30th Anniversary Tour", which kicked off in January in Norway. Prior to that, Geoff celebrated the 30th anniversary of QUEENSRŸCHE's "Operation: Mindcrime" album on European and U.S. tours.

Tate's post-QUEENSRŸCHE band OPERATION: MINDCRIME released three albums over three years as part of a trilogy: "The Key" (September 2015), "Resurrection" (September 2016) and "The New Reality" (December 2017).

Venom Inc. frontman, Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan, announces the upcoming Black Sabbath tribute album from all-star project Sabbatonero, entitled L’Uomo Di Ferro - A Tribute To Black Sabbath.

Says Dolan: "Christmas Eve 2020 brings to an end one extraordinary year for us all... Therefore to do something positive and show the amazing talent and strength of our metal community across the globe... I’m presenting you... from Brazil to Japan... USA to Europe... our metal guests joining me with our ‘Tribute to Black Sabbath’ in our own styles but together and with our greatest respect for their amazing songs but even more their influence on us all."

All funds raised will go to frontline COVID workers in Italy, releasing in February 2021 on digital and followed by vinyl/CD versions.

L’Uomo Di Ferro - A Tribute To Black Sabbath tracklisting:

"Symptom Of The Universe"
"Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
"N.I.B."
"Killing Yourself To Live"
"Heaven & Hell"
"Paranoid"
"Children Of The Grave"
"A National Acrobat"
"Hole In the Sky"
"War Pigs"

Backing band:

Tony ‘Demolition’ Dolan (Venom Inc) - All bass & vocals on "N.I.B."
Francesco Conte (Necromega) - Guitars
Filippo Marcheggiani (Banco del Mutuo Soccorso) - Guitars
Riccardo Spilli (Balleto Di Bronzo) - Drums

Guest artists:

Vocalists:
Rasmus Bom Anderson (Diamond Head) - Vocals on "Symptom of the Universe"
Steve Sylvester (Death SS) - Vocals on "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Tony ‘Demolition’ Dolan (Venom Inc) - vocals on "N.I.B."
Maksymina Kuzianik (Scarceration) & Mayara Puertas (Torture Squad) - Vocal duet on "Killing Yourself To Live"
Tony D’Alessio (Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso) - Vocals on "Heaven & Hell"
Fleigas (Necrodeath) - Vocals on "Paranoid"
John Gallagher (Raven) - Vocals on "Children of the Grave"
Simone Salvatori (Spiritual Front) - Vocals on "A National Acrobat"
Andrea Zanetti (Monumentum) - Vocals on "Hole in the Sky"
James Rivera (Helstar) - Vocals on "War Pigs"

Guitar soloists:
Marty Friedman - "Symptom of the Universe"
Mantas (Venom Inc) - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Terence Hobbs (Suffocation)  - "N.I.B."
Prika Amaral (Nervosa) - "Killing Yourself To Live"
Ken Andrews (Obituary) - "Heaven & Hell"
Sonia Nusselder (Crypta/Cobra Spell/ex-Burning Witches) - "Paranoid"
Russ Tippins (Satan) - "Children of the Grave"
Atilla Voros (Leander Rising, ex-Tyr/Nevermore - "A National Acrobat"
Wiley Arnet (Sacred Reich) - "Hole In the Sky"
James Murphy (ex Death/Agent Steel/Obituary) - "War Pigs"

Guest drummers :
Snowy Shaw (Dream Evil/Mercyful Fate, etc) - Drums on "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Mark Jackson (Acid Reign ex-M:Pire of Evil) - Drums on "War Pigs"
Dario Casabona  (Schizo) - Drums on "Hole in the Sky"

Keyboard guests:
Freddy Delirio (Death SS) - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Heric Fittipaldi (Scenario) - "Heaven & Hell"

Cover Art by @weltyamatattoo
Design/Layout: Maxi Kuzianik/Tony Dolan

Recorded all over the planet, but...

Mixed by Francesco Conte
Stem Pre Mastering by Marco Mastrobuono, Francesco Conte and Filippo Marcheggiani at Kick Recording Studio Italy
Mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering Italy

Produced by Tony Dolan and Francesco Conte

Less than two weeks after Sharon Osbourne revealed that she had tested positive for coronavirus, she has been cleared to return home.

On Wednesday (December 23), Ozzy Osbourne's wife and manager shared an Instagram photo of her husband at home wearing a mask, along with their five dogs, and she included the following message: "Got the ok to go home after two negative test results and look at the joy waiting for me! So grateful to be home for the holidays and thank you all so much for your love and support. Stay safe and wishing you the happiest of holidays".

When the Emmy-winning host of "The Talk" first revealed her positive diagnosis on December 14, she said she was hospitalized for the infectious disease for a short time and was isolating away from Ozzy, who had tested negative.

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

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

Less than a month ago, Sharon announced that she was self-quarantining after being in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Just three months earlier, Sharon revealed that two of her and Ozzy's granddaughters, five-year-old Andy Rose and three-year-old Minnie, had been infected with the novel coronavirus. At the time, Sharon said that Minnie contracted the virus "from somebody who works for my son." She said her granddaughter's diagnosis "just goes to show you … that children can get COVID."

In September, Ozzy said he won't have a coronavirus vaccine despite his Parkinson's disease putting him at greater risk. Speaking on Rock Classics Radio on Apple Music Hits, he said: "I'm trying to recover so I can get... The only good thing about this pandemic, I couldn't work anyway because of my injuries. I'm hoping that I'll be booking 2022, I think.

"To be honest with you, I don't think it's gonna get ship shape until the end of next year. I think this winter is gonna be fucking bad, because you're gonna have the flu. People are, 'I'm not taking the flu shot.' You know what?

"You can give me anything, but I'm not gonna be number one on that fucking new vaccine. I don't know want to be the first one to wake up with a set of fucking antlers in the morning."

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

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

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
























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Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), Slash (GUNS N' ROSES), Neal Schon (JOURNEY), Joe Satriani, David Coverdale (WHITESNAKE), Joe Bonamassa, Joey DeMaio (MANOWAR), Rex Brown (PANTERA), Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL), Jeff Scott Soto (SONS OF APOLLO), Todd Kerns (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS) and Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY) are among the rockers who have reacted on social media to the passing of MOUNTAIN guitarist legend Leslie West.

West, born Leslie Weinstein, died earlier today (Wednesday, December 23) at the age of 75. The iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller has left a legacy that to this day is celebrated by peers and fans across the world.

Weinstein was born in New York City, and first emerged in the scene as a member of THE VAGRANTS. A few years later, he and Felix Pappalardi formed MOUNTAIN, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre later to become known as heavy metal. Hits that include "Mississippi Queen", "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day. In 1969, West brought his presence to the stage at Woodstock.

As the decade turned, he formed WEST, BRUCE AND LAING with his bandmate from MOUNTAIN drummer Corky Laing and CREAM's Jack Bruce. In, 1971, West contributed to THE WHO's "Who's Next" sessions in the city, performances which can be heard on the 1995 and 2003 reissues of that cornerstone album.

Alongside his significant contribution to pop culture as the face of MOUNTAIN, West appeared in films that include "Family Honor" (1973) and "The Money Pit" (1986). He was a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show", and over the course of decades remained a periodic visitor alongside enjoying a decades-long friendship with the talk show host.

West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists. Samples of his performances lived a secondary life on the masters of a who's who of hip-hop and rap stars.

The guitarist is renowned for helping popularize the Gibson Les Paul Jr. model with P-90 pick-ups to create a tone that is undisputedly his own. More recently, he enjoyed a long relationship with Dean Guitars, releasing several signature models.

West is survived by his wife Jenni — whom he married on stage after MOUNTAIN's performance at the Woodstock 40th-anniversary concert in Bethel, New York on August 15, 2009 — brother Larry and nephew Max.

From 1964 through today, few artists have left a more significant mark on music as we know it. Guitarists across the globe together will unite in sadness as the world says goodbye to a true original.


The last true love I’ll ever know....

Posted by Jenni West on Wednesday, December 23, 2020





Sad to hear of Leslie West's passing. Such a lovely bloke. He was fantastic to us when Sabbath supported Mountain on our first US tour. He came to see us at Mohegan Sun, even though he was wheelchair bound. Mississippi Queen one of, if not the, greatest riff of all time. RIP pic.twitter.com/DZ3FLWeGpQ

— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) December 23, 2020








Leslie West was the very first US guitar player I met when Humble Pie opened for Mountain here. Leslie’s playing and sound had me glued watching everything he did. He was a sweetheart and an extremely funny man. I love you Leslie and will miss you dear friend. RIP @lwestmountain

— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) December 23, 2020








R.I.P. Leslie West. We had some great times together onstage and some legendary laughs everyday on tour. Thank you for all the great music. My deepest condolences to the West family. @lwestmountain pic.twitter.com/7zDljGMRk1

— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) December 23, 2020








Wow ... I'm very saddened to hear this terrible news about Leslie West. He was a major influence on my playing. God Bless you Brother.. you are Soaring with Angels ??♥️ https://t.co/wEeLbJ6fXZ

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) December 23, 2020








R.I.P Leslie West...Yet another sad loss...I’ve never tired of listening to Mountain...???❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/6YjVnFLJOL

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) December 23, 2020








One of the GOAT.

This year will not be looked upon with fondness outside of marriages & childbirth.

Rest In Chords Of Power, Fatsby.

?

Leslie West, Mountain Guitarist Who Belted ‘Mississippi Queen,’ Dead at 75 https://t.co/9DwHERUTXN via @RollingStone

— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) December 24, 2020








Rest In Peace #LeslieWest. His guitar tone on “Mississippi Queen” is hands down the BADDEST guitar tone on record. pic.twitter.com/JYSt8MDjv6

— Tom Morello (@tmorello) December 24, 2020








So Sad to hear Leslie West past away. Leslie West was a force to be reckoned with My condolences to his family he will be gone but not forgotten and his vibrato  was like no other. More Cow Bell! RIP ?❤️? pic.twitter.com/4ekgHsnOAq

— Gary Hoey (@garyhoeyband) December 23, 2020








Holding the Mississippi Queen!

One of the baddest, true hard-core rock and roll guitar warriors that ever lived! Never In My Life did I find a legend like you. ? Great musicians will never die. Rest in Peace Leslie West. @lwestmountain pic.twitter.com/Fue0VkX8M3

— Lita Ford (@litaford) December 24, 2020








I am very saddened by the loss of one of my biggest guitar heroes Leslie West. His band Mountain was amazing, and his guitar tone was always a huge influence on me. I saw him live many times, and GFR played shows with Leslie on the same bill. Huge Rock Guitar Legend. 2020 sucks. pic.twitter.com/k48oSY4VQT

— Bruce Kulick (@brucekulick) December 24, 2020








Sorry to hear this. R.I.P. #LeslieWest #condolences https://t.co/nqmtkhwgq7

— BrianMayCom (@brianmaycom) December 24, 2020








So very sad to hear that my dear friend Leslie West as passed away.

A Pioneer, both singing and guitar playing , was absolutely beyond.

Brothers for five decades.

Gab and I love and miss you ..

Millions of music listeners will remember your music my brother.

Mountain

??? pic.twitter.com/a11JvOCGZW

— Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) December 24, 2020








Sad to hear that one of my big influences in my teenage years Leslie West passed away yesterday.Songs such as’Mississippi Queen’and’For Yasgur’s Farm’ by his band Mountain are some by of the favourites in the soundtrack of my life.

His legacy will live on.

R.I.P. Leslie ???? pic.twitter.com/1QtbTlT236

— adrian vandenberg (@Adriandenberg) December 24, 2020








2020 is not letting up....R.I.P. to one of the greatest riff masters ever!!!! Leslie West the guitar and voice of Mississippi Queen, Never In My Life, and Nantucket Sleighride...gone but never forgotten!!!! #2020cansuckit pic.twitter.com/o2bkSwU72x

— John Corabi (@Crablegs59) December 24, 2020








RIP guitar god: Leslie West, of the bad ass hard rock group Mountain, who rock n rolled and belted out the classic rock anthem "Mississippi Queen," has died at age 75. So sad, another huge loss in 20 f’ckn 20 ? pic.twitter.com/FK9bRpoB3V

— WARRANT (@warrantrocks) December 24, 2020








Just heard that Leslie West has passed away. One of the greatest guitar players, singers, and songwriters in the world; inspiration to many of us!

Now he will be reunited with one of the greatest bass players of all time, Felix Pappalardi.

RIP, Leslie#Mountain #Legend

— Joey DeMaio (@realJoeyDeMaio) December 23, 2020








RIP to the great Leslie West of Mountain. #lesliewest #mountain #guitar #legend #neverinmylife pic.twitter.com/SQ5EuEspKP

— BPMD (@BPMDofficial) December 23, 2020








Leslie West has moved on to go jam with EVH. As a fellow Queens N. Y. kid Leslie was our guy. From the days playing the Action House in Long Island with the Vagrants, Leslie was the best of the best. Do yourself a favor... take a trip back to 1971..... https://t.co/QRgVzfRHQo pic.twitter.com/bWERIjMqny

— Steve Stevens (@Stevestevens) December 23, 2020








So sad to hear of the passing of this legendary 'mountain' man Leslie West. I got to meet and hang with him for a few days through Al Pitrelli when Leslie was invited as a guest artist on a TSO tour years ago. RIP sir, you were a helluva guy and monstrous influence too many!! pic.twitter.com/vmiKXjyNU2

— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) December 23, 2020








RIP Leslie West. One of the greats. What a loss #riplesliewest pic.twitter.com/mSv6ar9kxH

— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) December 23, 2020








Damn 2020! #LeslieWest the legendary guitarist of the great band #mountain has left us. You were an inspiration to so many fans and guitar players. (I know @MW_Schenker mentioned you as big influence). God speed Mr. West. @lwestmountain #ripLeslieWest

— Marten Andersson (@anderssonmarten) December 23, 2020








Rest in Power #LeslieWest! I love his playing, singing and writing. A big influence on so many musicians, including myself. Leslie had THE SOUND in his hands. Was so cool to hang out with him at a NAMM dinner in ‘09, what a great friendly guy and phenomenal musician. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/WsV25hmnB9

— ??????? ????? (@Michael_Amott) December 23, 2020








RIP LESLIE WEST!! Everything about the man, from his Gtr sound to his Soul was Huge!! Cheers man!! pic.twitter.com/52XNQIKAJP

— REX BROWN (@REJASFROMTEJAS) December 23, 2020




























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Previously unreleased drum-cam footage of late MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza playing along to the band's classic song "Hangar 18" can be seen below.

The HD video, shot in a two-camera-angle mix, was filmed in March 2014 at Uberbeatz Studios in Seattle, Washington and is believed to be some of the final studio drum recordings of Menza before he passed away more than two years later.

The footage was supposed to be used for the late drummer's first-ever instructional DVD, "Intense Mega Drumming", that was to feature 10 re-recorded classic MEGADETH drum tracks with tons of tips and tricks from Menza's arsenal to help teach anybody out there become a better player. The DVD, which was produced and directed by Kari Pearson and Menza's manager, Robert Bolger, has since been shelved.

The unreleased video footage and audio from the session will be a featured highlight in the recently announced official Menza documentary film "This Was My Life - The Story of Nick Menza". It is described in a press release as "an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic 'Rust In Peace' lineup."

"This Was My Life" will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick's archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.

Bolger said: "I am very excited to be working with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment on Nick's official documentary.

"There's a lot of published misinformation out there about Nick that isn't true and I am very happy to bring the truth forth.

"Nick loved his fans and always said without the fans none this would be possible. I really think Nick's fans will enjoy this journey through his life."

Executive producer Holly Mollohan from Screaming Butterfly Entertainment added: "As both a filmmaker, and fellow metalhead who deeply values the metal community, I am honored and excited to go on this journey alongside all of you."

Menza's official autobiography, "Megalife: The Autobiography Of Nick Menza" by J. Marshall Craig, was released in December 2018 via Post Hill Press.

Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari in their band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Nick rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal's fiercest drummers during MEGADETH's 10-year commercial peak. The highlight of his career, Nick said, was playing Rock In Rio before more than 100,000 people. The lowest point was being fired by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine while he was still in a hospital bed after surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.

Ace Frehley (KISS) has paid tribute to MOUNTAIN's Leslie West, who died Wednesday (December 23) at the age of 75. The iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida on Monday (December 21) and was rushed to a hospital, where he never regained consciousness.

Earlier today, Ace took to his social media to write: "I lost a dear friend yesterday, he was Leslie West the lead guitarist from MOUNTAIN...Probably best known for their hit 'Mississippi Queen'...He was an amazing guitarist, and I was awaiting a call from him, since I did a remake of one of his songs on 'Origins Vol. 2'...but now I'll never get a chance to hear what he thought of the cover...It's so sad, we've lost so many great guitar players this year... My prayers are with his family & friends during this holiday season! He was one of the great guitarists and a good friend over the years!!! He will be missed in the Rock & Roll Community! I'm sure he's up in R&R Heaven w/all the other musicians we've lost!... R.I.P Mr. West!"

Weinstein was born in New York City, and first emerged in the scene as a member of THE VAGRANTS. A few years later, he and Felix Pappalardi formed MOUNTAIN, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre later to become known as heavy metal. Hits that include "Mississippi Queen", "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day. In 1969, West brought his presence to the stage at Woodstock.

As the decade turned, he formed WEST, BRUCE AND LAING with his bandmate from MOUNTAIN drummer Corky Laing and CREAM's Jack Bruce. In, 1971, West contributed to THE WHO's "Who's Next" sessions in the city, performances which can be heard on the 1995 and 2003 reissues of that cornerstone album.

Alongside his significant contribution to pop culture as the face of MOUNTAIN, West appeared in films that include "Family Honor" (1973) and "The Money Pit" (1986). He was a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show", and over the course of decades remained a periodic visitor alongside enjoying a decades-long friendship with the talk show host.

West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists. Samples of his performances lived a secondary life on the masters of a who's who of hip-hop and rap stars.

The guitarist is renowned for helping popularize the Gibson Les Paul Jr. model with P-90 pick-ups to create a tone that is undisputedly his own. More recently, he enjoyed a long relationship with Dean Guitars, releasing several signature models.

West is survived by his wife Jenni — whom he married on stage after MOUNTAIN's performance at the Woodstock 40th-anniversary concert in Bethel, New York on August 15, 2009 — brother Larry and nephew Max.


“I lost a dear friend yesterday, he was Leslie West the lead guitarist from “Mountain”...Probably best known for their...

Posted by Ace Frehley on Thursday, December 24, 2020

Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH) has paid tribute to MOUNTAIN's Leslie West, who died Wednesday (December 23) at the age of 75. The iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida on Monday (December 21) and was rushed to a hospital, where he never regained consciousness.

Earlier today, Tony took to his social media to write: " So sad to hear the news of Leslie West's passing. He was a great guitar player and his band MOUNTAIN were one of the first band that SABBATH supported on our early tour of America. We struck up a great relationship on that tour - they were a really good band and Leslie's playing and sound was just superb and he was a great singer too! When they came to the UK to tour he brought a gift of a similar Gibson to what he used on stage ....he was a really nice guy and will be sadly missed. RIP".

Weinstein was born in New York City, and first emerged in the scene as a member of THE VAGRANTS. A few years later, he and Felix Pappalardi formed MOUNTAIN, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre later to become known as heavy metal. Hits that include "Mississippi Queen", "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day. In 1969, West brought his presence to the stage at Woodstock.

As the decade turned, he formed WEST, BRUCE AND LAING with his bandmate from MOUNTAIN drummer Corky Laing and CREAM's Jack Bruce. In, 1971, West contributed to THE WHO's "Who's Next" sessions in the city, performances which can be heard on the 1995 and 2003 reissues of that cornerstone album.

Alongside his significant contribution to pop culture as the face of MOUNTAIN, West appeared in films that include "Family Honor" (1973) and "The Money Pit" (1986). He was a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show", and over the course of decades remained a periodic visitor alongside enjoying a decades-long friendship with the talk show host.

West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists. Samples of his performances lived a secondary life on the masters of a who's who of hip-hop and rap stars.

The guitarist is renowned for helping popularize the Gibson Les Paul Jr. model with P-90 pick-ups to create a tone that is undisputedly his own. More recently, he enjoyed a long relationship with Dean Guitars, releasing several signature models.

West is survived by his wife Jenni — whom he married on stage after MOUNTAIN's performance at the Woodstock 40th-anniversary concert in Bethel, New York on August 15, 2009 — brother Larry and nephew Max.


So sad to hear the news of Leslie West’s passing. He was a great guitar player and his band Mountain were one of the...

Posted by Tony Iommi on Thursday, December 24, 2020

It is with sadness that we have to tell you that our bass player and brother Dieter Horns is on a ventilator in an induced coma ,
at a Hamburg hospital, having contracted COVID 19 a week ago....
Dieter has had health problems over the last few months and the doctors have decided that an induced coma is hopefully the best way forward....
Our thought and prayers are with him and his long term partner Hannelore at this very difficult time.
Please take COVID 19 serious!!
Dieter & Hannelore, (who is not affected) have always been wearing masks, sanitising and self- isolating......unfortunately not everybody around them adhered to this...

On behalf of Lucifer’s Friend, vocalist John Lawton commented: ”We, Lucifer’s Friend are absolutely heartbroken to let you know that Dieter has passed this morning. He will be remembered for his musicianship and song writing and above all the respect of other musicians.

“I remember at our last gig together the ‘Hammer Of Doom Festival’, so many of the other band’s bass players wanted to see Dieter, as his style of playing was so well known and revered.

“On a personal note he was funny and always there if you needed help with anything. He was a very good cook and I could guarantee if I called him in the evening, he would be in the kitchen putting some recipe together and we would swap ideas for future dishes.
not Rock ‘n’ Roll, I know but that’s how we were.

“He was an avid collector of Elvis records and he has absolutely everything from bootlegs to album versions from all over the world. I will always remember the early times in the studio when we were recording, the 3 H’H’H’s – Hesslein, Horns & Hecht – would discuss for what seemed like an eternity on maybe a couple of notes while I was waiting patiently by the microphone to carry on with the vocals…they were good times and ones I shall always treasure.

“We celebrated 50 years as Lucifer’s Friend this year and Dieter was there from the very beginning…we miss him so much and the music will never be the same.

Our deepest thoughts are for his long time partner Hannelore, who is absolutely devastated at losing her life partner and best friend.
RIP my dear friend.”

In a new interview with U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine, Corey Taylor spoke about what it has been like not being able to tour with SLIPKNOT for the past few months while the coronavirus pandemic has been raging across the world.

"It's crazy," he said. "I was just saying this a couple of days ago: I never thought in a million years I would miss the curmudgeons in SLIPKNOT and being on the road with those growly pricks. [Laughs] But, man, it seems like a million years ago that we played those shows [in Europe earlier this year]. I can't even remember that tour, that's how long ago it was. I long for that, and I can't wait to get back on the road with SLIPKNOT and finish off that tour cycle when the time comes. Obviously, we don't really know when that is, but with the decent news that the vaccines are looking promising, we have a very good chance to turn things around next year. Even though the winter is a little darker, maybe there's some light at the end of the tunnel — we just need to get through this time and hopefully get back to normal next year. And I'm no anti-vaxxer, trust me! As soon as it's ready, I'm taking one, and I don't care what anybody says: I don't wear tin foil hats, and I certainly didn't vote for Trump, so I'm going to get a vaccine for this damn thing."

Asked how he has coped with the idea of the world shutting down, Corey said: "I mean, it was weird… this is the longest I've been off the road for 20 years, and when it first started, I was like, 'Okay, it'll be six months at the most…' But when it finally got into, 'Okay, we're getting into 2021 now and we're not really sure what's going on,' it was daunting. The first month or two I was almost shifting down into normal life, because my brain is so hardwired to not get settled for months at a time. Normally I get home [from tour] and I have a good month, and then I'm back on the road again. It was interesting to feel that shift, and getting to that point of embracing domestic life. But, at the same time, this was all also the catalyst for doing the solo album the way I did, realizing that I had an opportunity to go in [to the studio] and bang it out real quick, and make something really awesome… I didn't think it was going to have this sort of impact, which is rad. I was just excited to make it and see what would happen. The flipside of that coin, though, is that it made me miss touring even more because I want to play these songs, and play with these guys live. It was definitely a tease, let's put it that way. But it was still a great way to do something cool and put something out for people, and they've really enjoyed it."

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

Last month, Corey told "Good Company" that SLIPKNOT is "thinking about putting another album out maybe next year. But I don't know," he said. "I don't know what the plan is yet. But I know that we were talking about doing it, 'cause we only have one album left on our contract [with our record label]."

In October, SLIPKNOT percussionist M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan confirmed that the band has been using some of the downtime during the coronavirus crisis to work on new material.

"We Are Not Your Kind" came out in August 2019. The disc sold 118,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Furthermore, the album made an impact worldwide with No. 1 debuts in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, as well as Top 5 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

"We Are Not Your Kind"'s sales in the U.S. were boosted by a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer with SLIPKNOT's summer 2019 t

During an appearance on the latest episode of "Offstage With DWP", ASKING ALEXANDRIA singer Danny Worsnop discussed his decision to leave the band back in January 2015, a year and a half after the release of ASKING ALEXANDRIA's third studio album, "From Death To Destiny". He said (see video below): "There were a lot of factors that led to this and played into it. There was a massive, tremendous amount of conflict within our camp, and there was a lot of pressure on us. But it was pressure being put on us that didn't need to be there. And there were people telling us, basically, 'If you take a break, if you don't go on tour, if you take time off from touring for whatever is going on in your personal life, your career is done; you're gonna disappear.' So we were being controlled and being pushed, and anything that anybody wanted to do that wasn't ASKING ALEXANDRIA, that was seen as a threat. So then I started branching out and [said], 'I'd like to do some solo songs. They're different to this.' But it got to a point where there was just so much conflict, it wasn't a positive environment to be in. We ended up just really sad — we were sad, and we started resenting each other. And it's only in hindsight that we see we weren't actually mad at each other at all. We were mad at the situation, and we were just buckling under the pressure we were under, and we didn't know how to handle it or where to direct that frustration. And because we were just stuck with each other, that's where it went."

The reunion between Danny and ASKING ALEXANDRIA was confirmed in October 2016 following weeks of rumors and speculation regarding the status of Worsnop's replacement, Denis Shaforostov, who appeared on the band's 2016 album "The Black".

Regarding how he ended up coming back to ASKING ALEXANDRIA, Danny told "Offstage With DWP": "[Guitarist Ben Bruce and I] were tricked into seeing each other. I was in Los Angeles. I was auditioning for a Warner Brothers movie. Ben was filming pick-up stuff for 'American Satan', the movie he was doing. We hadn't spoken in, like, a year, and we were both tricked into being at the same house.

"We hung out that night, and it was cool," he explained. "No work was brought up at all. And then, I think the seed was planted and people started kind of just posing the question, like, 'Hey, the guys got rid of Denis. And they've got a tour booked. How would you feel about doing the tour?' And I was, like, 'I don't know.' And then it was, 'How do you feel about making some music?' We started slow, and we walked into it [with the attitude] 'Let's just see how it goes. No pressure. No strings. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. If it works, awesome.' And we got to the end of one tour, and it was, like, 'Okay. Yeah.'"

ASKING ALEXANDRIA's sixth full-length studio album, "Like A House On Fire", was released in May via Sumerian Records. The LO was once again recorded by producer Matt Good (HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, FROM FIRST TO LAST), who also helmed 2017's self-titled effort. The disc was recorded throughout 2019 in between a high-profile arena tour supporting SHINEDOWN and a direct support slot on the road with PAPA ROACH.

Earlier this month, Vicky Cornell and her children, Toni and Christopher, on behalf of The Chris Cornell Estate in conjunction with UMe, released "No One Sings Like You Anymore", Chris Cornell's handpicked collection of 10 cover songs, which he personally selected and sequenced to celebrate artists and songs that inspired him. Recorded by Chris in 2016, the album, which is his last fully completed studio album, features his renditions of John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels", GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY's "Sad Sad City", Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into The Fire", Carl Hall's "You Don't Know Nothing About Love", ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA's "Showdown", Terry Reid's "To Be Treated Rite", Lorraine Ellison's "Stay With Me Baby" (originally released for HBO's show "Vinyl"), "Get It While You Can", popularized by Janis Joplin, and a new studio recording of "Nothing Compares 2 U", written by Prince. Chris's cover of GUNS N' ROSES' "Patience", which was released on his birthday this year, and earned him his first solo Billboard No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart, is also included on the album.

The official lyric video for Chris Cornell's version of John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels" can be seen below.

All instruments on "No One Sings Like You Anymore" were played by Chris Cornell and Brendan O'Brien, who also produced and mixed the album. In time for the holiday's, the album is a special gift for Chris's fans and long-term supporters, but the Cornell family hopes that new fans and listeners will be inspired by Chris's powerful and unique voice in these stunning renditions.

"This album is so special because it is a complete work of art that Chris created from start to finish," said Vicky Cornell. "His choice of covers provides a personal look into his favorite artists and the songs that touched him. He couldn't wait to release it. This moment is bittersweet because he should be here doing it himself, but it is with both heartache and joy that we share this special album. All of us could use his voice to help heal and lift us this year, especially during the holiday season. I am so proud of him and this stunning record, which to me illustrates why he will always be beloved, honored, and one the greatest voices of our time."

Toni Cornell added: "When my dad was making this album, it was so fun — I remember waking up in the morning, having breakfast with him and going with him into the studio. We would take our piano lessons there, and Christopher would play video games with Brendan and my dad. We got to experience so much with him and have so many amazing memories. I'm really happy to be sharing this album. We love you, daddy."

Christopher Cornell said: "We had so much fun in the studio during this time, and on days off, we'd go to Tree People and hike around there. We would also play hide and go seek inside the Beverly Hills Hotel, and when security would show up, they would think it was so funny that my dad was running through fire escapes with us. For me, this album represents who my dad was. I'm really proud of him and his work. I hope you all love this record as much as I do."

"No One Sings Like You Anymore" is available for physical/vinyl pre-order. The physical album will be released on March 19.

"No One Sings Live You Anymore" track listing:

01. Get It While You Can

02. Jump Into The Fire

03. Sad Sad City

04. Patience

05. Nothing Compares 2 U

06. Watching The Wheels

07. You Don't Know Nothing About Love

08. Showdown

09. To Be Treated Rite

10. Stay With Me Baby

Photo credit: Andrew Stuart

Gunnar Nelson has once again taken issue with coronavirus lockdowns around the country, saying it was "stupid" for the United States to shut down at the beginning of the pandemic and cause "a lot of businesses" to go under.

Gunnar discussed the hot-button issue during a new interview with Australia's The Rockpit. Speaking about how destructive COVID-19 is, compared with other contagious respiratory illnesses, Gunnar said (hear audio below): "Dude, I already had it. It's the flu. It's not a big deal. I'm telling you. It's really not. It's not a big deal at all. My whole family had it. It's not a big deal.

"We all know who the high-risk people are," he continued. "Of course, somebody who's going through cancer treatment, or if they made some lifestyle choices that put them at risk or whatever, of course, they should stay home. I get it. But it's the flu. What can I say? It's the flu."

Gunnar also talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered so much of our lives, and that includes how we socialize.

"We're social creatures," he said. "I think the most difficult thing, to be honest with you… I don't know if you guys [in Australia] had mandates of lockdowns and stuff. We did here in the beginning of this whole thing, which I think was stupid for our country to do, and a lot of businesses went under. Then that breeds alcoholism and drug addiction and despair in general. I think it's just really been tough on humans, 'cause we're social creatures. It's just very difficult to not trust your neighbor and to not socialize with them. It's gonna have an impact."

COVID-19 is said to be more contagious, more deadly and causes more long-term complications than influenza.

"It kills more people," Dr. George Morris, incident commander of CentraCare's COVID-19 response, told SCTimes.com. "And it causes more death and destruction throughout your whole body."

About 2 percent of diagnosed coronavirus cases are lethal, compared with 0.1 percent of diagnosed flu cases, according to The Washington Post.

A recent study showed that COVID-19 patients had an in-hospital death rate two times higher than that of influenza patients.

Gunnar and his brother Nelson are the leaders of their band called NELSON which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of its double-platinum debut LP "After The Rain" this past June.

The Nelson are sons of rock royalty — their father was '50s and '60s rock and TV heartthrob Ricky Nelson — and grandsons of entertainers Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, and the nephews of celebrated actor Mark Harmon.

When Matthew and Gunnar hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart with NELSON's "(Can't Live Without Your) Love & Affection", it made the Nelsons the first family in history to have at least one No. 1 song across three generations.

NELSON had five Top 40 Billboard hits, four No. 1 MTV videos and has sold over 6.5 million albums worldwide.

TESLA bassist Brian Wheat, who is promoting his just-released autobiography, "Son Of A Milkman: My Crazy Life With Tesla", was asked in a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio if the band has been using the coronavirus downtime to work on new music. He responded (hear audio below): "No, no. We haven't really even seen each other. I mean, I see Jeff [Keith, TESLA singer] every once in a while when I come to Sacramento to do some work in my studio. But I haven't seen Frank [Hannon, guitar], I haven't seen Dave [Rude, guitar], and I've seen Troy [Luccketta, drums] once since February of last year. So, we haven't been together due to travel restrictions. We all have families and kids and elderly parents, so everyone's kind of freaked out about COVID. So, no, there's nothing new in the works for me to talk about as we speak. I think the first thing we'll do is get back together and play some concerts when we're allowed to."

In June, the members of TESLA got together — virtually — to jam out a quarantined version of "Breakin' Free" as part of their online series "Home To Home".

The original recording of "Breakin' Free" appeared on TESLA's 2008 album "Forever More".

"Son Of A Milkman: My Crazy Life With Tesla" arrived on December 15 via Post Hill Press. In this 304-page hardcover book, Wheat lifts the lid on living the rock 'n' roll life while struggling with anxiety, depression and other issues seldom discussed by musicians.

"Son Of A Milkman" features a foreword by DEF LEPPARD vocalist Joe Elliott, and was co-written with award-winning journalist and author Chris Epting, whose titles include "Adrenalized" (co-written with DEF LEPPARD's Phil Collen) and "Change Of Seasons" (co-written with John Oates).

Wheat co-founded TESLA, which became one of the biggest bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Brian owns a recording studio by the name of J Street Recorders in Sacramento, California. PAPA ROACH, TESLA, PAT TRAVERS, DEFTONES, KODIAK JACK, FLASHFIRES and many others have recorded there.

TESLA spent most of last year touring in support of its latest album, "Shock", which was released in March 2019 via UMe. The follow-up to 2014's "Simplicity" was produced by DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen.

Japanese pop-metal band BABYMETAL is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the release of a greatest-hits album titled "10 Babymetal Years". Ten songs are featured on ten special editions of the LP, including a Regular Edition released on CD and vinyl; First Press Limited Edition A, containing a Blu-ray with all 16 of BABYMETAL's music videos on it; First Press Limited Edition B, which comes in a special vinyl-size CD cover containing ten newly taken photos of Su-metal and Moametal; and First Press Limited Edition C, which includes a Blu-ray featuring 10 Legend Movies, a special video of ten songs chosen by fans in the 10 Legend Songs Tournament. Members of the BABYMETAL fan club, The One, can also purchase The One Edition A, which includes a karuta battle set (Japanese playing cards); and The One Edition B, which comes with the "Chronicle Set", featuring a video containing interviews with the bandmembers. Also being made available are the Su-metal Edition, Moametal Edition, and Kobametal Edition, each of which comes with all three different Prophet Cards included in all the other editions mentioned and each with unique serial codes. These three bandmember editions also contain ten songs chosen respectively by each member of their personal favorite tracks the band has released. A special X Edition will arrive at a later date and will come with a mystery item that "Only The Fox God Knows", which will serve as the final piece of the puzzle to "10 Babymetal Years".

A book about the first ten years of BABYMETAL, "Bessatsu Kadokawa Souryoku Tokushuu", was released in Japan in October. It contains a long interview with Su-metal and Moametal as well as never-before-heard stories from band producer Kobametal from BABYMETAL's decade-long history, photos taken from live shows, a discussion between Demon Kakka and Kobametal, and much more.

BABYMETAL's third studio album, "Metal Galaxy", was released in October 2019 via earMUSIC/Edel. The follow-up to 2016's "Metal Resistance" is based on the concept of "The Odyssey Of Metal Galaxy".

"Metal Galaxy" hit No. 19 in the U.K. official album chart, No. 1 No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, becoming the first Asian act to land at No. 1, and No. 18 on the German chart.

In the U.S., "Metal Galaxy" earned 28,000 equivalent album units (of which 27,000 were in album sales) in its first week of release. The album also topped the Hard Rock Albums chart.

"Metal Galaxy" entered the all-format Billboard 200 chart at No. 13. The group's previous disc, 2016's "Metal Resistance", peaked at No. 39.

"Metal Galaxy" contains 14 songs, including four singles that were released prior to the LP's arrival: "Pa Pa Ya!!", "Starlight", "Distortion" and "Elevator Girl". The album expresses light and darkness, emotions like duality and ambivalence, and "new metal" created by various chemical reactions as other entities evolved and expanded in this album.

The album includes five songs that feature guest appearances from worldwide musicians who were perfect to the character of each song. Vocalist Joakim Brodén from SABATON is featured on "Oh! Majinai". Guitarist Tim Henson and Scott LePage from POLYPHIA are featured on "Brand New Day". Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz from ARCH ENEMY is featured on "Distortion". Rapper F.Hero is featured in "Pa Pa Ya!!"

In 2018, BABYMETAL announced the departure of Yuimetal, who was formerly one of the members of the Japanese group's core trio. She exited the band, explaining in a statement that she would go on to pursue a solo career as Mizuno Yu.

Speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, Su-metal said that she and Moametal are still on good terms with their former bandmate.

"We've been together for a long time — Yuimetal is like a family member to this group," she said. "Although she has left, we'll continue to support her and hope that she can pursue what she'd like to do in the future."

BABYMETAL manager Kobametal admitted that he was initially concerned about how the duo would react to losing their longtime bandmate.

"Obviously I was worried about them, but at the same time I respect each member — and both of them have become adults, and each of them are continuing BABYMETAL because they want to," he said. "I definitely appreciate that. There's a sort of trust between this group and I trust that they want to do it."

Yuimetal had been absent from BABYMETAL's activities since December 2017, when she was a no-show at a concert in Hiroshima.

Supreme Unbeing has released their second animated video message, “Animals”, from their album Enter Reality, available now on all digital outlets from EMP Label Group.

Labelling their songs as messages, each “message” brings observations of modern-day society from vocalist/prophet Zac Red. Following up the success of the band’s first message, “You’ll Never Make It”, which has received almost 2 million views, the second message “Animals” dwells on the basic question if there is any difference between man and animal, and how the conclusion to that question may change our perception of reality.

The video, created by the legendary Balazs Grof, gives your second look at the animated visages of the mysterious band members, Zac Red, D. Vine, Unknown, and Al Mytee, plus some special cameos including Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and his EMP Label Group/Ellefson cohort Thom Hazaert.

The video can be seen below:

Supreme Unbeing is a mysterious rock/metal band led by vocalist/prophet Zac Red who acts as the physical form of our collective consciousness, the ambient quantum entanglement of our most personal thoughts. After observing the world for some 30 years, Zac Red has set out on a quest with fellow prophets D. Vine, Unknown and Al Mytee to shed some light over our present existence through the medium of heavy riffs, astounding solos, and philosophically intriguing lyrics.

Just a week after the release of the band's third album Dancing In Hell, Eleine has entered the Swedish music charts. Only beaten by the mighty AC/DC, they placed #2 on the Hard Rock chart and entered the overall album chart at #12.

A message states: "The success of Dancing In Hell is a FACT! We are humbled by placing #2 on the hard rock chart, only beaten by AC/DC, which really feels fair enough! Thank you ALL for buying music, you're keeping music alive."

Order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

"Enemies"
"Dancing In Hell"
"Ava Of Death"
"Crawl From The Ashes"
"As I Breathe"
"Memoriam"
"Where Your Rotting Corpse Lie"
"All Shall Burn"
"Die From Within"
"The World We Knew"
"Die From Within" – Symphonic Version

WDR Rockpalast has posted footage of a full Black Star Riders concert, filmed at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 24, 2015. Watch the professionally-filmed footage, including a good number of Thin Lizzy hits, below.

Setlist:

"Bound For Glory"
"Jailbreak"
"Kingdom Of The Lost"
"Are You Ready"
"Bloodshot"
"Charlie I Gotta Go"
"Bad Reputation"
"Soldierstown"
"Suicide"
"All Hell Breaks Loose"
"Through The Motions"
"Boys Are Back In Town"
"Finest Hour"
"Emerald"
"The Killer Instinct"
"Rosalie"
"Whiskey In The Jar"

With the new album in the starting blocks, The Very End are now officially signed to Apostasy Records. The new record is scheduled for release in early 2021.

Singer Björn Gooßes comments: "We're absolutely stoked to announce The Very End have signed to Apostasy Records! Giving a home to veterans like Fleshcrawl, Night In Gales or Obscenity, Apostasy definitely know how to work hard in the battlefield. We're looking forward to join forces and take care of the release of our new album, which we can't wait to unleash upon you. Here's to a bright future in these dismal times!"

Tomasz Wisniewski, label boss of Apostasy Records, states: "The Very End have always played their own game on the playground of extreme metal. Since 2004, the band from Germany’s infamous Ruhr-Area has constantly thought outside the box. Apostasy Records is proud to announce, that they are going to proof, they are still able to make the earth quake, even after more than eight years after their latest release Turn Off The World."

Guitarist René Bogdanski adds: "Searching for a label in Corona times was no mean feat. So it's all the more pleasing to have found such a promising and future-oriented partner in Apostasy. The studio work for the new album has been completed since the beginning of the year. So nothing stands in the way of a timely release."

The release of the fourth album is scheduled for the first half of 2021. The final release date is to be announced shortly.

Ricky Warwick has delivered an early Christmas present for fans of his former outfit The Almighty, revealing that a career-spanning box set will be released in 2021. The Black Star Riders frontman made the revelation exclusively to eonmusic, in a chat about new solo album When Life Was Hard And Fast, which is released via Nuclear Blast on February 19.

Warwick, who was the driving force behind the Scottish rockers, fronted the band from 1988 until 2002, with varying lineups that included mainstays Stumpy Monroe [drums], and bassist Floyd London. The band released seven albums including debut Blood Fire and Love [1989], and Powertrippin, which reached the UK top five in 1993.

Although the band’s debut and follow up Soul Destruction [1991] got deluxe reissues via Spinefarm Records in 2015, the rest of their catalogue has remained out of print.

Said Ricky; “I’ll give you an exclusive. I’ve got some good news coming. Next year, there is going to be an Almighty box set with everything and more; everything we’ve ever recorded; demos, you name it. Everything that was ever recorded by The Almighty will be available next year, in a box set."

The sometime Thin Lizzy singer continued; “It’s something we’ve been working on for years, just trying to get the licences and all that. We finally got it all together, so I’m excited about that. We’re still working on all the logistics of it, and a release date, but we’re almost there! With things being on so many different labels and all that stuff, the clearances take a while. But it’s there, and it’s going to happen, and more information will be revealed as soon as we get it."

When asked if the other former members of the band had contributed to the set, Warwick revealed a split in the camp with his former bandmates. “I’m in fairly regular contact with Stumpy”, he said; Him and I are still very close, and myself and Stumpy and my management have put the whole thing together. I talk to Tantrum [original guitarist] now and again; there's no problems there."

However relations with London, and guitarist Pete Friesen seem less amiable; “Pete and Floyd sort of removed themselves from the equation a few years ago, and really sort of decided they didn’t want any more contact with us, for whatever reason, which I’ve no idea why, because everything seemed to be fine one day, and didn’t seem to be fine the next!”, Ricky said.

He continued: “It’s mind-boggling, it’s very sad, but, I’ll state for the record; they’ve made their stance clear, and we have to respect that, so sadly there’s been no contact at all. I mean, I haven’t spoken to them in six years maybe, which is terrible, in my opinion, but that’s how it goes."

Read the full interview at eonmusic.

As mentioned, Ricky Warwick will be releasing his new studio album, When Life Was Hard And Fast, on February 19 via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order the album in various formats, including a 2CD digipack which includes the bonus covers album Stairwell Troubadour, here.

For the process of recording the album, Ricky was joined by Robert Crane (bass), Xavier Muriel (drums) and Keith Nelson (guitar) as well as a number of special guests including Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, Andy Taylor formerly of Duran Duran, Thunder's Luke Morley, Dizzy Reed of the mighty Guns 'N Roses and even Ricky's daughter Pepper. Keith also produced the new album, having previously worked with Buckcherry, Blackberry Smoke and Alice Cooper.

When Life Was Hard And Fast tracklisting:

"When Life Was Hard And Fast"
"You Don't Love Me"
"I'd Rather Be Hit"
"Gunslinger"
"Never Corner A Rat"
"Time Don't Seem To Matter"
"Fighting Heart"
"I Don't Feel At Home"
"Still Alive"
"Clown Of Misery"
"You're My Rock N Roll"

Stairwell Troubadour tracklisting:

"You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" (Dead Or Alive cover)
"Ooops!...I Did It Again" (Britney Spears cover)
"Summertime Blues" (Eddie Cochran cover)
"1000 Dollar Car" (Bottle Rockets cover)
"Cocaine Blues" (Johnny Cash cover)
"I Don't Want To Grow Up" (Ramones cover)
"I Fought The Law" (The Clash cover)
"Burning Love" (Elvis Presley cover)
"Jesus Loves You...But I Don't" (The Almighty cover)
"Wrathchild" (Iron Maiden cover)

"You Don't Love Me" video:

"Fighting Heart" video:

Avantasia guitarist Oliver Hartmann has released the 15th Anniversary Hartmann Livestream Concert /  15 Pearls And Gems Release Show that took place on June 26th at the Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, Germany. The 90 minute show is available in mp4 format via Hartman's online shop here.

The show features guest musicians Ina Morgan (Avantasia), Zlatko Jimmy Kresic (ex-Rock Meets Classic), and former keyboard player, Jürgen Wüst.

The setlist:

"Can't Stop This Train"
"You Will Make It"
"Walking On A Thin Line"
"Don’t Want Back Down"
"Simple Man"
"When The Rain Begins To Fall"
"The Sky Is Falling"
"After The Love Is Gone"
"The Sun's Still Rising"
"I Won’t Get Fooled Again"
"Don't Give Up Your Dream"
"Alive Again"
"Listen To Your Heart"
"Out In The Cold"
"Music"

 

 

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has praised director Thomas Vinterberg's new movie "Another Round", calling it "hands down my favorite film of 2020."

The Danish filmmaker is no stranger to METALLICA, having directed the music video for "The Day That Never Comes", the first single from METALLICA's ninth studio album, 2008's "Death Magnetic".

On Saturday (December 19), Ulrich — a fellow Dane — took to his Instagram to share the "Another Round" poster, and he included the following message: "Finally saw my friend Thomas Vinterberg's new movie 'Another Round', and it's hands down my favorite film of 2020.

"I remember being somewhat stunned and completely intrigued by the idea when he told me about it two summers ago. The movie was finally made last year and was supposed to premiere this year at Cannes.

"The universal themes of midlife crisis, camaraderie, relationships, self esteem and experimentation are set against a bit of a touchy subject and plays out in the most Danish of ways.

"Thomas has made a film that handles all of this with just the right balance of drama, comedy, empathy and a touch of outrageousness. Mads Mikkelsen is brilliant as always as school teacher and main character Martin.

"You may remember Thomas from back in 2008 when he directed our video for 'The Day That Never Comes'… easily one of METALLICA's best.

"This movie is now available on pay-per-view in the US and has been playing around Europe for a few months.

"Please do yourself a favor and see this."

Lars, who has appeared in a handful of films, told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that he gets a creative charge out of dabbling in movies. "I love being around creative processes and being around creative people, and any time you get a chance to be around creative people that are slightly outside of your own niche or whatever, it's always cool to just see how other people work and try to be inspired by that and bring something back to your day job," he said.

METALLICA has starred in two movies of its own — the 2004 documentary "Some Kind Of Monster" and the 2013 concert film "Through The Never" — while bassist Robert Trujillo produced a documentary on legendary bass player Jaco Pastorius.

Ulrich was also seen as himself in the 2010 comedy "Get Him To The Greek" and played Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens in the 2012 HBO film "Hemingway & Gellhorn".

Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio that while he enjoys appearing in movies, he's not interested in pursuing a full-fledged acting career. "The acting thing is not something that I'm chasing," he said. "The couple, three, four things I've done are all people that have come to me and asked me if I wanted to partake. I'm certainly interested in film, I'm passionate about film, but I can't tell you that it's something that I'm chasing, and I don't have any sort of aspirations about being some next-level actor or anything like that."
























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Earlier this year, SEPULTURA launched "SepulQuarta", a weekly event where the band gave insight into its colorful history, took part in question-and-answer sessions with fans and performed music while in quarantine. Some of the musical collaborations, including those with members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, TRIVIUM and SACRED REICH, will be released as a full-length album in 2021.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser said: "That's great that 'SepulQuarta' allowed us to do this. [We had] was 57 guests [in total]. That's a fucking amazing number.

"We started it on April 22nd — [that] was [when we did] the first one — and we did every week for many months, and then we [did] it every 15 days, and then we changed the [day of the week when we uploaded new episodes]. And it was an amazing experience. 28 songs we played. It was more than a three-hour concert. It was amazing. Really."

According to Kisser, the "SepulQuarta" album will be unlike anything that SEPULTURA has ever released before.

"I think it's really exciting, because it's very unique," he said. "Of course, we're gonna remix the sound and everything, make it the best that we can, but the versions are there. This is something [made] possible only because of the quarantine situation, of the lockdown. Imagine we're doing an album like that in normal circumstances; it would be impossible.

"And the great thing about that [is that] everybody was so excited to be a part of it and really happy to play SEPULTURA stuff," he added. "We [played with] people that influenced SEPULTURA; we had bands that were influenced by SEPULTURA, we had Brazilian artists; pop artists, metal artists. The version of 'Ratamahatta' was so unique, so different. And we didn't see any limitations. We used two drums [on some songs], we used two basses on songs, three guitars and two vocals — not any limitations — and we managed to [make it] work."

SEPULTURA's latest LP, "Quadra", was released in February via Nuclear Blast Records. It is a concept effort created at Sweden's Fascination Street Studios with renowned producer Jens Bogren.

SEPULTURA comprises Kisser, vocalist Derrick Green, bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr., and drummer Eloy Casagrande.

SEPULTURA was formed in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer with the band.

"Quadra" is the follow-up to "Machine Messiah", which was SEPULTURA's fourteenth studio album and the eighth since Green joined the ranks.

Canadian thrash metal veterans SACRIFICE have released a demo version of a new song called "World War V". Check it out below.

The band said: "[Here is] a small sampler of what we've been up to since the travel bans came into effect. Across the continent from our homes to yours. Enjoy."

War On Music Records released "The Ones I Condemn", the latest album from SACRIFICE, on vinyl for the first time in March 2010. It was made available as a limited-pressing gatefold LP. The first three albums from SACRIFICE — "Torment in Fire" (1986), "Forward to Termination" (1987) and "Soldiers Of Misfortune" (1990) — were also re-released on vinyl via War On Music Records in February 2010.

"The Ones I Condemn" was made available in July 2009 via Brazil's Marquee Records. The CD was recorded at Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto, Ontario with engineer Darius Szczepaniak, who had previously worked with I MOTHER EARTH, SUM 41 and EDWIN, among many others. Guest musicians on the album included Jed Simon (ZIMMERS HOLE, TENET, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ARMOROS), who "[laid] down a total whammy-bar barrage," and the band's old Scarborough metal comrade Dave Hewson (SLAUGHTER, STRAPPADO), who lent some guest vocals to "The Devil's Martyr".

The Canadian version of "The Ones I Condemn", featuring an exclusive bonus track — a cover of RUSH's "Athem" — was made available in the USA through Relapse, Metal Haven Chicago, The End Records and Century Media mailorders.

Photo by Kieran Palmerston

Florida death metal veterans DEICIDE have launched Devil's Dick, their own brand of hot sauce, featuring the tag line "it burns when you put it in your mouth." The habanero hot sauce comes in five-ounce bottles and can be purchased as part of a bundle that includes a t-shirt and a sticker.

Asked in a 2018 interview with Tampa Bay Times if he is still personally driven to write about Satanism and Christianity, DEICIDE frontman Glen Benton said: "Honestly, I have tried to write about other things. I really have, man. And you know what? I actually have one song on the new album where I got there. I was like, 'Hey you guys, you want to read through these lyrics, and then read the other ones?' And they were like, 'Oh, wow, let's go with the other one' — the original song that I had written, which is 'One With Satan'. I had given myself writer's block trying to go back and forth between the two. I just can't. If I fight it and try to push it in a certain direction other than where it wants to go, I just get writer's block."

Pressed about whether he still identifies as Satanist, Glen said: "No. I've always said this: They identify me as a Satanist. I identify myself as a free thinker and a kid that was tormented just like everybody else growing up. My mother did a stint as a Sunday school teacher. My father was so-called Catholic; I don't know what he was. And my mother was Lutheran. My grandma was into the whole Latin thing — when she went to church, you couldn't understand it. There was no English spoken. I was a little kid. That knd of stuff creeped the shit out of me. I had a lot of terrifying moments as a child with that shit. Growing up, people would call me an evil bastard. They referred to me as Damien from 'The Omen'.

"It's really odd, whenever I go places. I played Chile a couple of times, and a couple of days after playing there, there was always an earthquake. When we played South America this last tour, we were trying to get out of there, and we had a hurricane coming down on us from one direction, and as soon as we got out of there, they have a huge earthquake.

"It's weird seeing things like that shooting in Clearwater, that Stand Your Ground shooting. Dude, that store is directly across the street from the old Deicide house that my grandmother used to own. Directly across the street from the store, next to Coles Gun Shop. That's where DEICIDE started, was at that house. We used to rehearse in that garage. Here's the weird thing: The day before that shooting, I took my girl down there. I said, 'Let me show you where the old house is.' I was actually parked right there by that parking spot where the shooting happened, the day before it happened.

"Every time I go anywhere, something really stupid happens. I used to call it the DEICIDE black cloud, but now I'm starting to think there might be something to it. That's kind of been my life."

In 2019, DEICIDE parted ways with guitarist Mark English and replaced him with Chris Cannella.

English joined DEICIDE in 2016 following the departure of longtime guitarist Jack Owen.

DEICIDE's latest album, "Overtures Of Blasphemy", was released in September 2018 via Century Media.