RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero has decried the hardball nature of the music business, saying that "too many people" in the industry are "beyond the good and the evil."

Romero, who is originally from Chile but is now settled in Madrid, Spain, gave his scathing assessment of the music business while sharing a Christmas message via his official artist Facebook page.

The 39-year-old wrote: "I'm SO fucking tired of this dirty 'music' world. Everybody think they have the right to tell what to do or how to do it. Everybody think they have the right to judge you. Nobody is enough educated to be polite or at least talk to you as a 'person'. Everybody wants a piece of your cake and they want it FOR FREE, because if you tell your price they get offended. Everybody think you should kiss their hand because they 'give u the chance'. Nobody cares about your feelings, your thoughts, your dreams, your plans... and then when you are not agree with them you are an asshole... everything is so unfair, but you anyway you need to smile all the time, because show must go on. Everybody will blame on you anyway, from their couch or from their golden throne... too many people is beyond the good and the evil...

"I would love to tell all my experiences the last 5 years 'in the business'... some of you would be very surprised...

"Anyway, show must go on. Merry Christmas".

Romero made his live debut with RAINBOW in June 2016 after he was selected to front the latest version of the band guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had formed after quitting DEEP PURPLE.

Romero told Metal Shock Finland about his performances with RAINBOW: "I feel really good with my job, because I tried to make justice, not just to the songs, but all these singers — Ronnie James Dio, Joe Lynn Turner, Graham Bonnet, Ian Gillan and David Coverdale. I just tried to sing the songs in my own way and my own style, and I think the people appreciate that. I'm not just a copy of the other singers. I prefer to sing like Ronnie Romero singing these songs of Ronnie James Dio and David Coverdale and whatever. And I think the people prefer that, and they really appreciate the situation, because I think the people don't like to see a guy or pay for a ticket to see a guy try to sing like Ronnie James Dio. It's not a good idea. So I feel really good with my job and I know the people and the fans that have sent me messages and told me that they really appreciated [how I interpreted the songs]."

In addition to RAINBOW, Romero is also a member of LORDS OF BLACK, THE FERRYMEN and VANDENBERG.

Three years ago, Romero told Stargazed about how he first discovered hard rock: "I grew up in a family of musicians, so it was very easy to me to go into that. My father was a huge hard rock fan, and, of course, the first band that he show me was DEEP PURPLE, and they just blew me away. I mean, there are so many other bands that I love, like JOURNEY, DREAM THEATER, MASTERPLAN, KANSAS, QUEEN, but there is a special connection between DEEP PURPLE, my father (RIP) and me."


I’m SO fucking tired of this dirty “music” world. Everybody think they have the right to tell what to do or how to do...

Posted by Ronnie Romero Official Site on Saturday, December 26, 2020

Finland's To/Die/For have excited news to share. The five-piece has decided to reunite for one special live show next summer, where they will play songs from the first two albums - All Eternity (2000) and Epilogue (2001). To/Die/For will perform live at John Smith Rock Festival, taking place from 22 to 24 July in Peurunka, Laukaa - approx. 25 km from Jyväskylä (Finland).

Statement from the band: Next summer folks! We definitely want this to happen! Since we missed our All Eternity debut album's 20th anniversary jubileum extravaganza this year we'll make it up to you next summer. 2021 would actually be the 20th anniversary of our Epilogue album so we think we're gonna cook you up a very special setlist from our first two albums. Stay tuned."

Death metal purveyors Hate are currently stationed in Hertz Studios where the recording process of their next studio album is underway. Tentatively titled Rugia, the new material will feature 9 new tracks and is planned for summer 2021 release on Metal Blade Records.

Hate on the process: We have touched down in famous Hertz Studios to record our follow-up to 2019's Auric Gates Of Veles. Currently only bearing the working title "Rugya", the material contains 9 new songs which will chronicle this creatively fruitful time in our lives. HATE has always been a band that put exploration at the forefront of its priorities, and these last few years have definitely granted us passage towards new horizons."

Avantgarde death/black metal outfit Ad Nauseam eventually completed the works for their sophomore album, Imperative Imperceptible Impulse. The Italian band is known for taking its time when working on new music, in order to release the most seamless, refined material only, and the time has now come to send everything to the pressing plant. Imperative Imperceptible Impulse will be out on February 12th, 2021 on CD, LP and digital.


Album tracklist:

01. Sub Specie Aeternitatis
02. Inexorably Ousted Sente
03. Coincidentia Oppositorum
04. Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
05. Horror Vacui
06. Human Interface To No God

Envenom, the Lifeforce Records debut and third studio album by Swedish/German/Finnish doom death outfit Age Of Woe, is set to be released on February 26th, 2021. Additional details, track list and cover artwork, can be seen down under.


Track list as follows:

01. Inferno
02. Ghosts Who Hunt Alone
03. Förpestningen
04. Patriarch
05. A Feral Swarm
06. Avgrunden
07. The Twilight And The Dawn
08. Storm
09. Förbittringen
10. Envenom
11. Ljungeld

German progressive metal act Ivanhoe are pleased to introduce Chris Lorey (ex-Scenes) as the new guitarist and songwriter in the ranks.

Press Release statement: "Good things come to those who wait: Chris Lorey, formerly the mastermind behind Ludwigsburg's Scenes, has joined forces with prog metal veterans Ivanhoe as guitarist and songwriter. Chris has been connected to the band since their 90s release Symbols Of Time."

"Ivanhoe have additionally secured the services of drummer Micha Krebes (ex-Circuit Vision), who has also long been active in the Stuttgart prog music scene.

"Writing for the followup to their previous album, Blood & Gold, is currently underway in the Ivanhoe catacombs, for a planned release at the end of 2021."

Dark Essence Records have announced the details of Through Aureate Void, the second full-length album from Britain's Five The Hierophant, a band that uses unusual instruments to create a dark and drone-like universe where psychedelic black metal combines with jazz and doom to devastating effect. Set for release on the 26th February 2021, Through Aureate Void contains 5 tracks and features a cover by the legendary Norwegian painter Odd Nerdrum.

The band explains: "It took us longer than anticipated, as you can imagine, due to circumstances that befall us all. Nonetheless, the new album is finished, and ready to take you on a journey through aureate void. It's quite abstract, and there's lots of experimentation, both in regard to the sound and instruments used, and to the song structures. A lot of it comes from improvisation and leaving things to chance. I suppose we have taken it further than our debut album."


Track listing is as follows:

01. Leaf In The Current
02. Fire From Frozen Cloud
03. Berceuse (For Magnetic Sleep)
04. Pale Flare Over Marshes
05. The Hierophant (II)

Americans Between The Buried And Me have recently completed the tracking of their next studio album, the follow-up to 2018's Automata II. The process took place at The Basement Recording studio in North Carolina with producer Jamie King.

Comments the band: "2020 ain't been worth a lick, but guess what...tracking for the newest BTBAM is in the books! As always, we owe Jamie King a massive debt of gratitude. It cannot be overstated how much this guy means to us, and how important he has been to helping us evolve over the past 20 years. We can't wait for you all to hear what we've cooked up over here. Until then, be safe and don't be an asshole."

Death thrash metal quartet Rapture (GRE) have unveiled details and first track off their upcoming full length effort. Entitled Malevolent Demise Incarnation, it has been set for March 26th, 2021 official release on CD and Vinyl by FDA Records and tape by Headsplit Records. The album's title/opening track is now available for streaming as an official video clip.


Full album tracklist:

01. Malevolent Demise Incarnation
02. Inanimate Frigidity
03. Predatory Menace
04. After your Eternity
05. I Am Become Death
06. Birthrape Leftovers, Praising The Maggots
07. Herald Of Defiance
08. Requiem For A Woeful Dynasty (Memento Mori)

In a new interview with journalist Jenniffer Weigel, SMASHING PUMPKINS mainman Billy Corgan was asked about the possibility of making a Christmas album, either as a solo artist or with his band. He responded (see video below): "I actually started a Christmas album a couple of years ago. We kind of did it quick, and I wasn't satisfied with the results, so I junked it all. But I had written some songs, and I had found some cool obscure songs, and picked a couple of classics that I liked. I hope we get around to it some time, but at the moment, it's completely stalled."

Corgan previously floated the idea of making a PUMPKINS Christmas album in a 2018 interview with USA Today. Asked at the time if the LP would include covers or be all original material, Billy said: "It would be a mixture. I have released two Christmas songs, and I was thinking it would be nice to re-record those in the context of the record we would make. It would be probably lean more acoustic. I would think it's a bit weird [to make] wild Christmas records. Although, I also like 'Jingle Bell Rock', which is basically 1950s rockabilly. But I don't know. When I think Christmas music, I tend to think something you want to put on and sit around the tree with the kids and not rock out to. I don't see us doing a rocking-out Christmas album."

Back in 1997, Corgan wrote and recorded "Christmastime" for "A Very Special Christmas 3".

SMASHING PUMPKINS' new album, "Cyr", was released in November via Sumerian Records. The 20-song follow-up to 2018's "Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun." was produced by Corgan. It features founding members Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and James Iha, along with longtime guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

The "Cyr" title track premiered in late August. A second single, "The Colour Of Love", came out at the same time. Variety said the two tracks are "effortlessly taking their place alongside a catalog of cherished SMASHING PUMPKINS classics."

10-year-old music prodigy Nandi Bushell, who recently defeated Dave Grohl in a drum-off, has uploaded a video of her playing along to SLIPKNOT's song "Unsainted".

In a message accompanying the YouTube release of the one-minute clip, she wrote: "Yes! I am a total metal head! I love how awesome the drumming is in @Slipknot ! This is my first attempt at double pedals! Taking my playing to the next level. This song is called I #unstainted by #slipknot! Incredible drumming Jay Weinberg! This song brings my A game Corey Taylor #metalhead #metal #heavymetal #doublepedals. Thank you Ludwig Drums my new kits is sounding awesome! Zildjian Company Vicfirth Drum Sticks Roland #roland #vicfirth #zildjian #ludwig #zildjianfamily #zildjiancovers".

Several hours after Nandi posted the video, SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg retweeted the clip and wrote in an accompanying message: "Nandi!! You're unreal! I'm blown away by your passion and energy. Keep shredding on those drums! Next time we roll through your town, give me a shout — you gotta show me how you do that stick flip right there".

The young multi-instrumentalist, who lives in Ipswich, England, started playing the drums when she was just five years old. She now plays several instruments, including bass and guitar, and is said to be learning piano.

Last month, Grohl and Bushell announced that they were co-writing a song for Nandi to someday perform with the FOO FIGHTERS. They also met virtually for the first time, with Grohl asking her: "When the FOO FIGHTERS finally come back to the U.K., do you think that you would get up onstage and jam with us? But it has to be at the end of the set, because you're gonna steal the show. It can't be at the beginning of the set, because if you come out first, it's just all downhill from there."

"Yes, definitely, 100%," she responded.

Grohl is not the first high-profile rock musician who was impressed by Bushell's videos. Her cover of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's "Guerrilla Radio" was noticed by the band's guitarist Tom Morello, who later sent her one of his guitars.




Nandi!! You’re unreal! I’m blown away by your passion and energy. Keep shredding on those drums! Next time we roll through your town, give me a shout — you gotta show me how you do that stick flip right there ???? https://t.co/5JPvbPoALL

— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) December 26, 2020

Toronto-based punk n' rollers Piffbreak Arcade are showing fellow Canuckleheads Honeymoon Suite some love with a cover of the band's classic "Stay In The Light", taken from the self-titled debut album from 1984. Check it out below.

Piffbreak Arcade: "Cover-Alls EP is streaming everywhere now! What’s you’re favourite song on it? Check out 'Stay In The Light' by Honeymoon Suite.
A great tune by a classic Canadian band. This was a fun one to speed up and crank the distortion. Stoked on the guitars and vocals and how this song turned out! Stay up, stay safe, stay in the light!"

Check out Piffbreak Arcade's official Facebook page here. Go to the band's Spotify page here.

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted his Christmas Eve livestream on YouTube. Check it out below. Fans can check out the entire livestream via Rudess' Patreon page here.

Dream Theater have announced the Images, Words & Beyond Live in Japan 2017 streaming event, on January 30 at 7 PM, EST.

Filmed at the historic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, in September of 2017, this historic performance has never before been released worldwide. January 30, 2021 marks the first official release from Dream Theater’s Images, Words & Beyond tour, featuring a live performance of the classic album, Images & Words, captured in its entirety during their September 11, 2017 appearance in Tokyo. Don’t miss this presentation, in full HD, initially broadcast only for Japanese audiences, and now for the first time available to audiences worldwide.

Get tickets here, and watch a video trailer below:

Impellitteri guitarist Chris Impellitteri has checked in with the following message:

"Someone told me Impellitteri is the greatest band that no one has ever heard of!  Ha ha! I must admit we thrive in the underground and have loyal fans around the world that are like family. We are very fortunate to have that support. We have outlasted many of our peers and are going strong! 

I am looking forward to recording our next record and touring. The music we have written thus far is bad ass! There are some new musical ingredients within these songs that tell me we are still growing as a band."

Jimmy Kay and Perrin Wolfson of Canada's The Metal Voice spoke to Chris Impellitteri earlier this year under lockdown at his home in California and he spoke about possibly touring North America, being asked by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne to join the band in the ’80's and his guest appearance on the new studio Alcatrazz album (featuring Graham Bonnet) and more.

Some excerpts from the 60 minute chat streaming below are as follows:

Have you even been asked to join an established band in your career?

"Yes I have been offered multiple times to join big bands. I am not going to say who they are, cause some of the guitar players still exist in those bands. If I was to join an established band I have to recognize that I would need to be happy playing covers because really that is what you are doing is playing someone else's creations. There is nothing wrong with that but for me I like to be able to express myself as an artist."

Tell us about the time you were in discussions to join Ozzy's band

"This was long time ago even before Zakk Wylde. Forgive me if I get my years confused cause it was so long ago, maybe it was 1986-87 and I think Jake E Lee was still in the band. I was living in Hollywood and one of my roommate said you have to listen to this message on the answering machine. I played the message and it was Sharon Osbourne. Sharon basically said her and Ozzy were checking me out and wanted to know if I was interested in playing guitar for Ozzy. I remember thinking about it and at the time we had signed to Relativity Records and Sony to do the album 'Stand In Line' (with Graham Bonnet). I wanted to do join Ozzy because Randy Rhoads was such a hero of mine. I remember they called me a few more times, I probably talked to them five or six times but I knew that legally speaking I had a deal with Relativity Records so I couldn't go much further with it and that was the end of it. The reality is who knows how serious they really were because after 5-6 conversations it didn't go anywhere and the Jake E Lee thing kept going. I don't want to exaggerate the story too much let's just say they had an interest in me. I think the whole thing was initiated by some A and R guy on Atlantic records who was friends with the Osbournes, who turned them onto me. As a guitar player I am flattered to have even been called and obviously they saw something and there was intent but I don't know how serious it was."

Would you join Ozzy today if you were asked?

"I guess the answer would be yes, but I would want to do a record like Diary of a Madman but would the Osbournes allow it? I listened to Ozzy's newest record, Ozzy sounds great, a lot of the record sounds Pro Tooled. I listen to the album as a guitar player and I'm sorry it doesn't do a lot for me. It's good music, don't get me wrong. With someone like me, I'm hard headed. Let's pretend Ozzy called me again and if he would allow me to do another record like Diary of a Madman or Blizzard I would join in a heartbeat."

Primal Fear bassist and Rock Meets Classic master of ceremonies Mat Sinner has posted a new video clip along with the following message:

"Hope you had a great Xmas, stay safe guys! Here's some great unreleased footage of Eric Martin and RMC - check out the full video..."

The footage was shot on March 27th, 2015 in Regensburg, Germany at the Donau Arena. The song is taken from Mr. Big’s 1991 hit album. Lean Into It.

Rock Meets Classic recently confirmed Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider for the 2021 run of the annual tour. Snider will perform a Best Of Twisted Sister set for the duration of the tour.

Rock Meets Classic also confirmed that Europe frontman Joey Tempest will return as the headliner for the annual tour in 2021. This will be Tempest's second time with Rock Meets Classic, having headlined the 2016 run. Mike Tramp (White Lion), Midge Ure (Ultravox, Thin Lizzy) and Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords Of Black) have also been confirmed.

Below is the curent tour schedule for RMC 2021.

Snider previously performed with Rock Meets Classic with a special one-off set at Wacken Open Air 2015. Check out pro-shot footage below.

A true celebration of the grandiose, anthemic and breathtakingly fun hard rock music of the 1980s, Trapper brings together two of Canada’s brightest creative lights in a project that neither parrots nor parodies the genre that left an indelible stamp on millions of fans and pop culture. 

With Trapper, guitarist Sean Kelly (Lee Aaron, Helix, Honeymoon Suite) and vocalist Emm Gryner (David Bowie, Chris Hadfield) have discovered a truly organic creative force that will continue to write and record original material with that distinctly 1980s hard rock vibe, as well offering up their interpretations of other ‘lost’ 1980s rock gems. And the 1980s mentality is going to permeate every aspect of the band’s presentation. 

On Christmas Eve, Trapper released a brand new, original song featuring Tim Timlek on drums called "You Need An Angel". Check it out:

In November, Trapper issued "Winterlong", also featuring Tim Timleck on drums, from their forthcoming album due in Spring 2021.

For further details, visit Trapper on Facebook.

  

Portuguese melodic death metal titans Apotheus have released a new video for "Save Our Ship", which is taken from their latest release, The Far Star. Heavily inspired from Asimov sci-fi stories, Apotheus creates their own world which they describe in music and in a physical book. With the global pandemic, withdrawn from the stages, the band entered Redbox Studios to record a raw intimate performance.

"'Save Our Ship' is a song about obstacles, however it is also about overcoming those same obstacles," explains Apotheus. "We think that, given the circumstances in which we currently live, this topic becomes even more relevant. This song comes from our latest album The Far Star, and is a part of a more comprehensive story. In this story, as in real life, obstacles become part of what defines us. We too, in the present, will have to overcome this obstacle that haunts us now so much. We need to learn from it, and make our future a brighter one. As a way of lamenting, but never giving up, we decided to put our uniforms aside and record our most raw and heartfelt performance to date."

The Far Star artwork and tracklisting:

"Prelude" 
"Caves Of Steel" 
"Redshift" 
"Resolve To Remake" 
"The Darkest Sun" 
"The Pull Of Plexeus" 
"Save Our Ship" 
"Under A New Cloudy Sky" 
"The Brightest Sun" 
"Staring The Abyss" 
"A New Beginning" 

"Caves Of Steel": 

"A New Beginning":

 

Hranice Abyss seeks the union of visceral with aesthetic beauty, from pure catharsis to sublimation. Inspired by these concepts, the band releases the single together with the debut video “Violation Of Human Condition” through Slam Worldwide.

With several influences, ranging from The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decaptation, Necrophagist, Death, Lamb Of God and Slayer, mixing with more modern views of bands like Meshuggah, Slipknot and Decapitated, and contemplating productions from Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, Hranice Abyss is the new bet of death metal / deathcore and delivers a professional, modern work with reflective lyrics, which bring to philosophical issues of the cultural industry of Adorno and Horkheimer, of nihilism and the liberated life of Nietzsche, of the liquid relations of Bauman and Baudrillard simulations.

"We visited Freudian psychoanalysis and using the Byronesian poetics, to raise questions about where the postmodern man fits, of its complexes and traumas, the resignification of life, of affective relationships. In this media world where everything is a product and mental spaces are getting smaller, we want to face the abyss and contemplate the void that plagues our soul to find our meaning and transform it into art,” explains the band.

In August 2020, Brazilian guitarist Henrique De Fina and Brazilian vocalist Vic Ferreira joined forces to create Hranice Abyss, a modern and artistic project, which believes that it is possible to produce a lot, with quality and with little resources. The band gains notoriety for being DIY (Do It Yourself), producing, directing and recording all their material, from the videos to the EP. From the beginning, the idea was to do everything and be in control to present a quality and professional project.

“Violation Of Human Condition” marks the band's debut in the music market, and anticipates the first EP of their career, entitled Aphagy, which will be released in 2021.

 

Lost Sanctuary is the debut solo endeavour of Monument guitarist Dan Baune. Together with trusted friend and power-house drummer Sebastian Weiss, Dan greatly expands upon his NWOBHM roots and has written an album that is both extremely heavy and intensely melodic, showcasing his love for thrash, speed and power metal alike.

Dan covers guitar and bass duties on the entire album, as well as lead vocals on many songs. The concoction is completed by a number of acclaimed guest vocalists, including: Doogie White (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker), Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia), Rasmus Andersen (Diamond Head), Matt Mitchell (Furyon), Jennifer Diehl (Fire Red Empress) and Aliki Katriou (Eight Lives Down), as well as two guest soloists, Bob Katsionis (ex-Firewind, Outloud) on keys and Chris Webb (Solsikk, Biomechanical) on guitar.

ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records has announced the signing of a multi-album deal with Dan Baune’s Lost Sanctuary and welcome the band to the roster. More info on the band’s debut full-length album release date and details coming soon.

 

Swedish-American power metal supergroup Northtale are complete again and today, they introduce their new vocalist, Guilherme Hirose (Traumer) from Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Guitarist Bill Hudson states: "After a long and grueling audition process, we are ready to announce our new singer! I’ve auditioned about 40 of the best vocalists in the world, from very famous to complete newcomers, spread through 11 countries. I wish I could’ve hired more than one, but since we needed to make a decision, I’m happy to announce Guilherme Hirose as our new frontman! Guilherme blew my mind through his initial auditions, nailing the songs from the first album as if they were written for his own voice. But he really shined on our new songs. When he sent me the first recording, I knew he was the guy. I had no doubt. When I presented him to the band to get their opinions, they unanimously voted for him! We’re a band once again! We’re currently recording vocals at Dharma Studios in São Paulo, Brazil with engineer Rodrigo Oliveira partnering up with Dennis Ward to deliver amazing performances. We’re once again ready to hit the road!" 

Guilherme Hirose adds: "Well it’s just amazing being in a band with such great world class musicians. We’ve been talking since June, and in August I received a Bill’s call, telling I me was the chosen one. Things were shaping just great since, and the new songs sound just awesome (I know it’s a cliché, but that’s exactly how it feels). I’m very much looking forward to hitting the road, as soon as possible, having fun with the guys and with you in your city!"

Northtale are:

Guilherme Hirose - vocals
Bill Hudson - guitars
Mikael Planefeldt - bass
Jimmy Pitts - keyboard
Patrick Johansson - drums

Photo by Du Firmo / Antonio Cesar