FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson says that there is a "very, very simple" reason his band has not yet been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single. Criteria for inclusion includes "the influence and significance of the artist's contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll."

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.

Asked in a new interview with Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com why he thinks FOREIGNER has yet to get the Rock Hall nod, Pilson said: "I think it's very, very simple why, and that's because critics were never all that into FOREIGNER; they always viewed it as very commercial and corporate.

"You always have to see where critics are coming from, and to them, when something sells a lot of records, in most cases, they will view that as having been because of some kind of compromise made by the artist," he continued. "And I just don't feel like FOREIGNER did that. I feel like we made honest music that's just really good that people happen to like.

"So, to answer your question, I think that they just look down on the band, and that's okay — they're critics; that's what they do. But I have a feeling that that has a lot to do with it, because The [Recording] Academy and everything very much reflects on that whole credible side of things and FOREIGNER was just never included in that.

"I think over time, I think someday FOREIGNER will get inducted," Pilson added. "I don't think I will — nor necessarily should I — but I think the band will, and I do think the original guys really do deserve their due.

"I know bands, like DOKKEN that I was in in the eighties, we used FOREIGNER as an example. That was what helped us to solidify the idea of hard rock with great songs and big catchy choruses. That comes partly from FOREIGNER. So FOREIGNER does deserve its just due, and hopefully, with time, it will get it."

Three years ago, FOREIGNER guitarist Mick Jones was asked by Tigman of the Q103 radio station in Albany if it means anything to him to get inducted into the Rock Hall. Jones responded: "Well, let's say it's not something I wrestle with or something that affects my life. Of course, it would be nice, but sometimes you wonder if it's a political thing more than a musical [thing] or [anything to do with] achievement. Because as far as achievements, we've certainly achieved a tremendous amount with the band. And we'll see. I guess someday. Who knows?"

FOREIGNER's recent release of "Double Vision, Then & Now" is a DVD/CD package that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the iconic album. It features a stunning reunion concert that brings together the current and original band members playing all the hits at the top of their game.

FOREIGNER's last album, "Can't Slow Down", was the only full-length collection of new songs to have been released by the band since Kelly Hansen took over vocals after original singer Lou Gramm left the band for good in 2002. The album entered the Billboard Top 30, driven by the radio singles "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love". The band also has released a series of live albums and compilations, including 2016's "In Concert: Unplugged" and 2017's "40".

FOREIGNER's current lineup is rounded out by Tom Gimbel (rhythm guitar, sax, vocals), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Chris Frazier (drums) and Bruce Watson (guit

In a recent interview with Cryptic Rock, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith was asked to name the most important things he has learned from life on the road and everything which has transpired in his adult life. He responded: "Wow, I wish I knew then what I know now. [Laughs] I'm actually in a unique position because I left IRON MAIDEN for nine years and then rejoined. When I was in the band the first time, I was still a kid, really. I had no experience outside of being in a band to sort of compare anything with; I used to get very introspective and I was in my own little world. Having left the band, getting married, having kids, running a house, and being out in the real world gives you a different perspective. Having a second chance to join the band again has been amazing. I've probably enjoyed it more the second time around, so I have been lucky in that respect. I think I have been able to go back and do things a better way the second time around. I have enjoyed it more just from the benefit of having the time off and gaining a better perspective on it."

Smith is continuing to promote his memoir, "Monsters Of River & Rock", which was released in September via Virgin Books.

Last October, Smith spoke to "The Thinking Tackle Podcast" about how he copes with his band's heavy touring schedule and the pressure to perform day after day.

"It was more intense in the '80s, because I think when you're younger, you don't quite know how to handle things," he said. "I was only in my 20s when I joined; I was still a kid, really. I wasn't a very mature 24-year-old. And we were going out on the road, and we were doing all these shows. You've got a certain amount of responsibilities, especially when you start headlining. You can't be messing around, staying up all night and misbehaving.

"We played with some great bands," he continued. "For people who know, Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen opened up for MAIDEN. Now I grew up listening to those guys, and then they were opening up for us. That makes you think a little bit. You start examining yourself maybe a bit too much. And one thing leads to another… But when you're young, you go for it. And you have to dedicate yourself to one thing if you wanna make an impression."

Smith was born in Hackney, East London, on February 27, 1957. He joined IRON MAIDEN at the end of 1980. Adrian is the bandmember who has collaborated on the most side projects outside of IRON MAIDEN, as well as writing and recording a series of albums in the early '90s, before rejoining the band. IRON MAIDEN has sold 100 million albums, and tour the world playing to millions of fans. Onstage, Adrian uses Jackson and Gibson guitars. Offstage, he is an avid tennis player. However, his main hobby is fishing. He takes his rod and gear out on tour with him wherever he goes.

IRON MAIDEN's new double live album was released on November 20 via BMG. Containing over 100 minutes of classic MAIDEN music and available in multiple formats, including a limited-edition Mexican Flag, triple-colored (180g) vinyl and a limited-edition deluxe two-CD book format, "Nights Of The Dead, Legacy Of The Beast: Live In Mexico City" was recorded during the band's three sold-out arena shows there in September 2019 and is a celebration of their "Legacy Of The Beast" world tour which began in 2018 and will finish this summer in Eur

Danish one-man act Mother Of All have signed a record deal with Swedish label Black Lion Records. The band will soon reveal info on the first full length album, which will be released later this year. Stay tuned.

Martin Haumann on the signing: "Black Lion is the perfect home for Mother Of All. I have witnessed a dedication to sharing the very best of the underground with metal fans all over the world. Their appreciation and understanding of Mother Of All's new material and its roots really impressed me. For unleashing my upcoming album I know our partnership will be perfect!"

Oliver Dahlbäck of Black Lion Records comments: "We are pleased to welcome Mother Of All into the ever growing Black Lion roster. Martin approached us with his songs from a new full length album and I really enjoyed the style he portrays with Mother Of All! Despite being a new name, Martin is no stranger to the scene, having spent a good portion of his time playing drums for the renowned Danish band Myrkur and recorded with Afsky. The new material is very exciting!"

In a brand new interview with The Metal Voice, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker discussed the legacy of VAN HALEN icon Eddie Van Halen, who died in October at the age of 65.

"The weirdest thing is actually VAN HALEN was supporting UFO at the Starwood [club in Los Angeles]," Michael said (see video below). "I was 19 years old, I guess. That would have been '74 or '75. I heard that some people were saying a phenomenal guitarist was there, but it was five years before they broke out with 'Van Halen I', which, even though I'm not listening to any music for the last 50 years, sometimes [you would] hear things coming out of speakers everywhere. And when I heard Eddie, I went, like, 'Wow! This is amazing.' But I didn't know that he actually was doing the tapping technique. Because I was always wondering how on earth he got such a smooth guitar sound. Everybody was doing tapping later, and trashed Eddie. Just like they did with me — they copied my style; people copied my style; 80 percent of all guitarists in the '80s — and trashed my style too. But I always come up with something fresh, so I'm always a step ahead anyway.

"But with the tapping that was so extreme, it was, actually, in the end, it appeared to be easy to do for overnight success," he continued. "So there was thousands of guitarists going to guitar school, learning tapping to be a star in one or two years. Well, that shows that tapping is not all, and actually doesn't create much emotion.

"But the thing with Eddie Van Halen, he had rhythm [and] style," Michael added. "And by the way, Rudolf [Schenker, Michael's brother and SCORPIONS guitarist] told me that he actually heard something Eddie did earlier, because it looks like Eddie was actually a bit influenced by me. There was a melody line or several things that he did that sounded like me, and people were actually saying, 'Wow! It sounds like Michael Schenker.' But the thing is he took it — in the next five years — so far forwards that I was blown away by what he did. And his drummer, his brother being a drummer, so it's in the family gene that his sense of rhythm, his sense of melody, his sense of sound, tone quality, the way he actually entertained was so complete. He's the best."

Eddie died on October 6 at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Following his death, fans left flowers at his childhood home on Las Lunas Street in Pasadena, California. Additional flowers, candles and fan mementos were placed on Allen Avenue where Eddie and his brother, VAN HALEN drummer Alex, scratched their band's name into the wet cement of a sidewalk when they were teenagers.

VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

Death doom masters Ophis are currently working hard on new studio album, the follow-up to 2017's The Dismal Circle. The German four-piece will soon enter the studio, where they will start recording new music.

Full statement from the band: "So... a heavy new year to all of you. Most bands these days send some preview of what's to come the following year, and/or look back at the past one... We would too, but there simply isn't much to say. It is no use complaining about how much COVID-19 fucked the music world - first of all, we all know this, and second of all: we can't change it. It is what it is. At least we had the chance to play a real live show during lock-down at Barther Metal Open Air - and we really are thankful for that.

"As for 2021: yes, we are working on live dates. Yes, we did book studio time for recording the new album. BUT since the pandemic is not over yet, we decided to keep rather calm about it and just wait and see. Sure, we hope to pull things through as we plan them, but we take nothing for granted this year, and thus we will remain careful with any announcements and promises. No full blown optimism - remember, this is DOOM METAL!

"That's why there are only few postings going on. However, we hope to see you all back on the road very soon, so Olly can give you the finger again while ripping on his bass - hopefully with the new album in our backpacks!! Thanks for sticking with Ophis - we appreciate your support!"

In their last official 2020 statement, doom metal masters Monolithe revealed that in 2021 they will focus mainly on studio work. They are planning to release their ninth album in 2022.

Statement from Sylvain Bégot: ''On behalf of Monolithe I would like to wish you all a happy new year. 2020 has been an inept year for the reasons you already know, but we tried to make the best of it by composing a new album and arranging a bunch of cover songs. All of them are now finished and waiting to be transposed on tape.

"2021 doesn't seem to show much hope gig-wise (even though we'll be ready if unexpected opportunities arise) so the band is going to spend this coming year recording the new material. In my opinion the next album is going to be phenomenal, but perhaps I'm not exactly objective about it?

"Anyway, after completing the "Great Clockmaker" and the "Tame Stars" sagas, this new record is going to open a new chapter in the artistic life of this band. We are really eager to share the 9th Monolithe full-length album (which is NOT going to be made of 9 minutes songs!) as well as our reading of the 6 chosen songs we're going to cover. But we still have to go through a lot of work for that. Let's expect a 2022 release!"

After parting ways with Lars Nachtbraecker one month ago, Dutch folk metal band Heidevolk are in the search for a new vocalist. Despite this setback, the band spent the last couple of months working on new songs and plan to record new full length sometime later this year.

Heidevolk's massage: "Brothers and sisters, the last day of 2020. A year that started off with some nice shows, the initiation of Mat as official band member and loads of exciting stuff planned for later on...until it all came to a crashing halt in March. For Heidevolk the rest of 2020 has been a journey while standing still. Surviving the inactive COVID months while keeping a clear head and staying positive about the future. Man, did we curse 2020! Sadly our singer Lars left the band and we even had to cancel a live stream due to the strict lockdown. But we survived and we bent back, we spent the last months rehearsing and working on new songs as a team.

"So now we enter 2021, recovered and ready to rock! Our quest for a singer will start shortly and the progress of the new album quickens. It is unclear when live-shows are back on the menu but we await the promises 2021 holds. We wish you all the best for 2021 and hope to see you soon!"

Wolvennest are proud to announce the release of their new studio record, entitled Temple. It is going to be released on the 5th of March, 2021 as a double vinyl record, digipack CD and via the known digital channels. "Disappear" is the first official song from the upcoming effort, available for listening below.

Wolvennest commented: "Comrades, our third full length, named Temple, will be released the 5th of March via Ván Records. As always, it has been mixed at Opus Magnum Studios and benefits from the beautiful artwork made by Art of Maquenda.

"With such a long effort (double album), you can expect the typical, aetheric vibe we enjoy creating and some surprises, which is the case with the song "Disappear", featuring Déhà as lead singer, reinforced by Shazzula's choirs. "