Last week, Chris Cornell's estate surprise-released a new album of covers, "No One Sings Like You Anymore", featuring 10 tracks he personally selected and sequenced to celebrate artists and songs that inspired him. Recorded by Chris in 2016, the LP 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.

Asked in a new interview with USA Today if there is more unreleased music from Chris that could see the light of day, his widow Vicky said: "Yes. All of Chris's music, including SOUNDGARDEN, will see the light of day because there's nothing in the world that lifts me most than sharing Chris's gifts, having people speak his name, and having his music out there. He's alive that way and his legacy lives on. So it's the most important thing to me, seeing how much people love him, miss him, respect him, and how much we want more of his music out there. So everything will be released."

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 December 2019, Vicky Cornell filed a lawsuit against surviving SOUNDGARDEN members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd, alleging the group owed Cornell's estate hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid royalties. She called the move an "unlawful attempt to strong-arm Chris' Estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away."

Vicky claimed the seven unreleased songs were "solely authored by Chris; contain Chris' own vocal tracks; and were bequeathed to Chris' Estate" for the benefit of her and their kids.

Responding to Vicky's lawsuit, Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd claimed that they "don't have possession" of their "own creative work," and alleged that "Vicky Cornell has possession of the only existing multi-track recordings of the last SOUNDGARDEN tracks that include Chris Cornell's instrumental parts and vocals. All of the band members jointly worked on these final tracks, Vicky now claims ownership of the final SOUNDGARDEN album." They also insisted that all of the bandmembers, not just Cornell, are owed monies, but none of them will be paid until "expenses are paid and the partnership shares of earnings can be calculated and distributed."

In their court filing, Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd insisted they had been working on the unreleased songs as a band as far back as 2014. As evidence, they point to a February 2017 article where Chris himself spoke to Music Radar about SOUNDGARDEN's new material. They also claimed they last got together in the studio in April 2017 to do more work on the tracks but took a break to go on tour. A month later, Chris committed suicide by hanging himself in a hotel.

Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd also said they'd corresponded with Vicky about the songs, and she had admitted they were the band's property, not just Chris's solo work.

In her lawsuit, Vicky claimed that she had offered to share the unreleased recordings with SOUNDGARDEN, so they can be released in a way that respects Chris's wishes — including having his producer involved — but that the band refused. She also accused Thayil of putting her family in harm's way by making intentionally misleading comments to SOUNDGARDEN's "loyal, rabid fan base" and suggesting that she is the main obstacle to the band putting out another album. Vicky's suit also alleged that SOUNDGARDEN "has not produced any partnership documents, much less any documentation signed by Chris, supporting their conclusory claims of ownership." Furthermore, it noted that "there is no evidence that the [unreleased recordings]… were ever intended to be anything but Chris' sole and exclusive property."

In November 2019, Thayil told the satellite radio program "Trunk Nation" that it was "entirely possible" that a new SOUNDGARDEN album featuring the final recordings by Chris Cornell could see the light of day. "We definitely have another record in us," he said. "Stuff that's written, stuff that's demoed and recorded — certainly. All it would need is to take the audio files that are available... We can get the producers we want to make it sound like a SOUNDGARDEN record."

Cornell was pronounced dead on May 18, 2017 after being found unresponsive in his Detroit hotel room. SOUNDGARDEN had played a show earlier that evening. The 52-year-old had sedatives and an anxiety drug in his system, but died as a result of hanging himself.

The three remaining members of SOUNDGARDEN, along with METALLICA, FOO FIGHTERS and members of AUDIOSLAVE, performed together for the first time since Cornell's death at a benefit concert honoring the singer in January 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles.

Photo credit: Andrew Stuart

For those of you who missed out on claiming a bottle of "Evil Twin I", ANTHRAX's now-sold-out, award-winning, high-end signature rye whiskey, you're in luck. Today ANTHRAX's Scott Ian introduces "Evil Twin II", the band's just-released signature rye whiskey that shows off its maple, cinnamon, clove and black pepper notes.

"This is a delicious rye," said Scott. "It's smooth, it has a maple tone, but not sweet, it's got a bite!"

Orders can be placed now at Mash & Grape. Place your order soon to help insure it will arrive on your doorstep in time to brighten your holidays.

Like "Evil Twin I", "Evil Twin II" was produced by Hillrock Estate Distillery, located in the Hudson Valley Highlands in New York State. Only 222 bottles are available, and each one will ship with a special gift from the band.

Scott recently went up to Hillrock to check out the process, from the planting to distilling to the bottling. He sampled eight different rye whiskey barrels, and personally "pulled the bung," emptying the "Evil Twin I" barrel.

"All eight were different from each other as every barrel expresses itself differently," Scott explained, "and I chose my two favorites. The barrel that became Evil Twin I showed off espresso, caramel, vanilla and spice — the barrel that became Evil Twin II had maple, cinnamon, clove and black pepper notes that all played together really well — both barrels were delicious so we decided to do both! I'd put these ryes up against any rye on the market. The care and attention that went in to both of them, every step of the way, from field to glass, from the harvesting of the estate-grown rye to the distillation, to the beautiful bottles and the labels, each was made with the highest levels of perfection."

"We're so happy to be working again with ANTHRAX," said Hillrock Estates' owners Cathy Franklin and Jeffrey Baker. "We had a lot of fun with the whole band on 'The Healer' bourbon earlier this year, and were impressed by their appreciation for delicious spirits during those tastings. With 'Evil I' and 'II', it was great that Scott was able to come up to Hillrock and be really involved in finding the perfect blends for 'Evil I' and 'Evil II'. We're sure ANTHRAX fans will enjoy both."

"Evil Twin I" and "Evil Twin II" mark the second time ANTHRAX has worked with Hillrock Estate, as it produced the band's signature bourbon, "The Healer", this past June. Explained Ian: "We decided to release another whiskey because it seemed like people were very happy with 'The Healer'. Where 'The Healer' bourbon was extremely approachable and smooth, the 'Evil Twins' are spicier, sweeter, richer, stronger, and bolder. So, when we say 'Evil Twin,' we mean it in a great way."

"The Healer", along with the band's first two bourbon whiskeys, 2014's "Indians" and 2015's "The Devil You Know", sold out within two days.

ANTHRAX has been writing new material for the band's next release, expected out in 2021. The new album will follow ANTHRAX's 2016 release, "For All Kings", the critically acclaimed, 11th studio album that became ANTHRAX's highest-charting debut in two decades when it entered Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart at No. 9.

Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE have released a festive-edition mead drink following the popularity of their Waking The Demon honey mead, which was made available last year.

Venom, a spiced mead, has rich honey notes and a unique spice blend combine for a warm, lingering finish. Enjoy hot or cold. 10% ABV.

Mead is the oldest recorded alcoholic drink and is surrounded by myth and legend, a drink of warriors and poets with acclaimed mystical properties.

Venom is available online as well as a variety of highstreet stores. Head to www.bfmvmead.com for further details.

Three months ago, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE guitarist Michael "Padge" Paget told "The Ex-Man" podcast that the band will enter the studio before the end of the year to begin recording the follow-up to 2018's "Gravity" album. He said: "We're, I'd say, 85 percent [done] writing. We did a bunch last year. Obviously, we did fuck all this year. Matt's [Tuck, vocals/guitar] been down the last few weeks, down at my place, up in the garage, in the studio, so we've been demoing. I think we've got about five or six in the last few weeks as well — four or five, maybe — to add to the list. There's about 20 songs, but we're weeding out the [best] ones [for the album]."

As for the musical direction of the new BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE material, Paget said: "It's heavy as fuck — it's, like, the heaviest BULLET stuff you've ever heard, which is cool. Everyone's vibing. [Matt is] cool. I'm cool. The [rest of the] boys are cool. It's just we need to get out of this [pandemic] situation we're in so that music carries on and we can put on shows again. Same as everybody else that's in the same situation."

This past May, Tuck told Rock Sound that the new BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE songs were turning out "pretty brutal." He added: "It couldn't be more of a contrast with 'Gravity' in a ferocious style. It's very technical. I don't know why. You've just gotta go with what you wanna go with — as a band, as a musician, as a songwriter, you've just gotta go with what's floating your boat, and this time around, the heavy stuff is just coming out in masses. The riffs are crushing. There's probably 60 percent aggressive vocals, 40 [percent] clean, which is a ratio we've never really dabbled with before. It's very heavy, it's very technical. For the BULLET fans out there that kind of like that side of this band, it's very cool and very exciting. It feels good."

Tuck went on to say that the initial studio sessions for BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's next album were being overseen by Carl Bown, who previously worked with the band on "Gravity" and 2015's "Venom".

Two years ago, Tuck told France's Loud TV that BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE "tried to elevate the band's sound" on "Gravity" "to a completely different level. We experimented with layering different guitars and guitar-sound stuff, and it just didn't have the same effect. So we took that decision to start experimenting with synths and electronic software and stuff like that," he explained. "And, yeah, it was an interesting experience; it's not something we'd done before, so we were kind of learning as we went. And we just had some fun with it and got weird with it and freaked ourselves out with it and then got it to a place where it is on the album now, which… It doesn't really take over anything; it's just kind of layers of sound backing up the riffs and the drums, really, so I think we've used it in a way which won't freak people out too much. It's definitely there, and it was something that we were very careful that we didn't overcook. But I think we've got a really good balance, and it just accentuates the band's parts even more."

"Gravity" was released in June 2018 through BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's new label home, Search And Destroy, the imprint launched in 2014 by Spinefarm and international artist management company Raw Power Management.

Odium Records proudly announces that 12 years after the last album, the cult Polish Hell-Born returns with a new one. The band was started in 1996 by Behemoth co-founder Baal and Les, also a former Behemoth musician as well as a member of Damnation . There are IX songs on Natas Liah - old school, black death metal with a bit of melodies typical for the group. There were also some guests during the recording session, including Behomth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski. 

Natas Liah will be released on January 26th, 2021. Check out the official lyric video for the first single, "Axis Of Decay", below.

Recordings took place at Creme de la Creme studio, and Haldor Grunberg, known for his collaboration with Behemoth, handled the mixes and mastering. The album will be released by Odium Records as digipack CD and vinyl.

Line-up:

Baal Ravenlock – bass, vocals
Les - guitars
Diabolizer - drums

Follow the band via Facebook here.

In a new interview with MetalDen for RockMeeting, former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes was asked what he is most proud of professionally in his four-decade-plus career. He responded (see video below): "I'd like to say W.A.S.P., but I'm not. I'm proud that I'm 62 years old and I'm still going. All the things that I've done in my 20s and 30s, I shouldn't really be here at all. There's an old saying, 'Burn the candle at both ends'. I burned it at both ends and in the middle — I just threw it in the oven. I'm proud to say I can still play music. Probably 30 years ago, I would have said, 'Wow, I'm proud of my gold records.' They are in a box somewhere, so I'm not proud of 'em; I didn't get the achievement of what I wanted out of that. I'm proud of my new career — [my new solo project] MEAN MAN. It's me — it's nobody else. It's me — Chris; nobody else. Of course, I was a big influence in W.A.S.P. It was just the way I play, and I'm proud of that."

He continued: "I'm not gonna say I'm proud of all the gold records… I don't know how many gold records I got from W.A.S.P. You have to get hold of Capitol and all that crap and ask, 'How many records did we…?' I don't know the statistics and all that crap about how many records that were sold. I never even got all my gold records that I was on, because once you're out of the band, they don't send them to you; they don't give a crap about you. You've gotta still be a working member. I am proud that I played on a [W.A.S.P.] record called 'The Headless Children' [in 1989]. That would be my achievement of my musical career in those days. That was one of my favorite things I'm proud of."

Chris also touched upon his fractured relationship with W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless, who he had previously accused of cheating him out of his rightful royalties for the band's albums that he had played on.

"You treat people how you wanna be treated," he said. "D.T.A. — don't trust anybody, not even your parents or your brother. When it comes to money in this business, don't trust anybody. I trusted my best friend, and it really killed me. And we're not best friends no more. I meet a lot of people [that say] they are brothers. 'Hey, this is my brother. We've got a band.' I'm, like, 'Dude, don't trust him. No.' Don't trust anybody. And treat people how you wanna be treated. If you wanna be treated like an asshole, then treat people like an asshole."

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

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

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

As far as Holmes is concerned, Lawless is solely to blame for him not getting his due from the W.A.S.P. records that he was involved with.

"If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be where he's at — I guarantee you that," Chris said. "And then he screws me like that. It's all right. It's been a long time. It's something that I will never, never get over. I'll take that to the grave with me. I'm pissed thinking about it.

"Anyway, that's the kind of person he is. Everybody thinks, 'Wow! He's got the greatest…' Yeah, he's got an outrageous voice, Blackie, yeah, but he turns his back on his bandmembers real bad — he screws 'em. I'm the only guy in the band that ever came back to get screwed twice, which I did. I came back for 'Kill.Fuck.Die', and I was promised half publishing on that album. Didn't get crap. Knowing that I couldn't get in to see what was written in the contracts, of course. That's why I wrote the song 'Two Faced Mother Fucker'. It's about him. It's on 'Shitting Bricks'. And I've got one on the new album. It's called 'The Truth'. It says, 'You can't handle the truth.' It's on my new [album]. I'm gonna write a song about him on every album."

Addressing the possibility of his return to W.A.S.P., Holmes said: "Everybody asks me about a W.A.S.P. reunion. Sure, I'd love to play a W.A.S.P. reunion — if he pays me my publishing. If it doesn't, then he can have a reunion with Randy Piper, Johnny Rod and [Steve] Riley and everybody else. I'm not gonna play it. It's not worth it.

"I came back to W.A.S.P. in '95. I got screwed again," he added. "Screw me once, screw me twice — you're not gonna screw me a third time."

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

BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale was asked by Radio.com in a recent interview if the coronavirus pandemic has increased his awareness of the potential public health risks associated with the custom of shaking hands. He responded (see video below): "To be honest, I was always slightly confused. I love meeting people; I do these meet-and-greets, but just shaking so many people's hands. It's such a funny thing, isn't it? A custom of having to touch each other. Why can't we say, 'Hey.' Why do we have to touch the whole time?

"I don't have issues, and I'm not weird about it, but you meet 150 people at a meet-and-greet every night — that's a lot of people, a lot of traffic, a lot of hands," he continued. "Why do we do this? Obviously, it used to be [that] you do that to show — back in the Middle Ages — [as a gesture of peace by demonstrating that the hand holds no weapon]. I totally get that. But people paying good money to come and meet you and take a picture of you, I'm hoping that they're not gonna [carry any dangerous weapons]; they're going through metal detectors, I guess. I know we're not a hip-hop band.

"I'm not a germaphobe, but there's someone in my band who's a super-germaphobe," Rossdale added. "He was always really worried about it and was always, like, fist-bumping. I don't really shake people's hands anyway, because I always get one person who's really over-enthusiastic and crushes your hand. So I go, 'I'm not a germaphobe, but the hand crush. Boom. [Extends fist] Nice to meet you.' Which is perfectly healthy."

In the western culture, hand shaking signifies a lot of things — it ends conflicts, it seals deals, and it shows respect.

While some doctors would be happy to see hand shaking disappear, it could be extremely challenging to end such a culturally ingrained custom.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the handshake custom is thought to have originated in Europe more than 2,000 years ago and is arguably more commonplace than anywhere else.

Rossdale is not the only famous rock musician who has publicly disavowed handshaking. Back in 2016, former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman said that he didn't like shaking hands with people because it hampered his ability to play his instrument.

The Japan-based axeman, who was a member of MEGADETH's classic "Rust In Peace" lineup, told Metal Wani: "Yeah, I don't like shaking hands for a number of reasons, but it's not that I'm an asshole of anything. I'd much rather give someone a hug or pat 'em on the back or whatever."

He continued: "Shaking hands, if you're a guitar player, that's like my tool, and everybody's tool. And you get these big guys and they're very excited; they'll squeeze the crap out of your hand. And it's really kind of stupid. Guys come and they tell you that they've loved your playing for fifty years, or however many million years, and then they squeeze your hand so hard that you can't play guitar anymore. I just don't understand that. But, you know, it's a necessary evil, I guess. I just try to avoid it as much as I can."

Friedman added: "You play your instrument with your hands, so why not just bow like we do in Japan? I like that. And there's no germs. I mean, that's brilliant. But I love my fans more than anything, and if they must have a handshake, I give it to 'em. But when I'm doing things where I'm meeting two hundred people at a time, or a couple of hundred people every day, I definitely have someone prepare them not to shake my hand, because I've gotta go to work, and I can't do it. And it's really not because I'm an asshole; it's because I wanna play guitar the next day."

Other people who famously don't like shaking hands include President Donald Trump, Howie Mandel (who told People magazine in 2015 that he hadn't shaken hands in eight years) and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Last month, BUSH played two drive-in shows across Southern California to celebrate the release of "The Kingdom Deluxe Edition". The record features six bonus songs, including "Heroes", a special tribute to David Bowie, as well as live performances of the title track "The Kingdom" and hard-charging single "Flowers On A Grave", which went Top 10 on Active Rock Radio.

BUSH's current lineup also includes guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz and drummer Nik Hughes.

The group, which broke up in 2002 but reunited in 2010, has released four albums since reforming.

In a new interview with Vulture, Angus Young was asked to name the "most regrettable AC/DC song" of all time. He responded: "On our first album, 'High Voltage', we did a love song called 'Love Song'. That was very different for us. I didn't know if we were trying to parody love songs of the time, because Bon [Scott, the band's then-vocalist] wrote the lyrics. I don't even remember what the words are. I remember that song because the guy who worked for us at our record label told us that's what was on the local radio at the time — very soft music. His thought we should release that song, because it'll probably get some airplay. I remember thinking, 'Who in their right mind would want this to go out?'

"We were very fortunate, though, because all of the radio stations who had seen us live knew this was not who we were," he continued. "So these stations started to flip the record over and play the other song, which was a cover of a blues standard called 'Baby, Please Don't Go'. We actually scored a hit from the B-side. That was the one saving grace of the song."

Scott was invited to join AC/DC by Glasgow-born brothers and founding members Angus and Malcolm Young in 1974, and achieved international stardom before his death at the age of 33 in 1980 from alcohol poisoning.

He sang on AC/DC's first six studio albums, including "High Voltage", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Let There Be Rock" and "Highway To Hell".

Angus told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the band almost didn't get past Scott's death. "Bon was the big… He was a full-on frontman, plus he had this great character, you know. I mean, he just lived that rock 'n' roll life. With Bon, what you saw was what you got, and, yeah, it was pretty, pretty tough."

AC/DC's latest album, "Power Up", recently hit the No. 1 spot in 18 countries, including in the U.S., where it sold over 117,000 copies in the first week.

AC/DC is the only Australian group in history to have had a No. 1 album in its home country across five decades: "Back In Black" (1980s), "Ballbreaker Live" (1990s), "Black Ice" (2000s), "Rock Or Bust" (2010s) and "Power Up" (2020s).

"Power Up" holds Germany's biggest first week of 2020 and the biggest first week for an international act in four years, as well as being the U.K.'s fastest-selling album of 2020 and the biggest first week of the year. In the U.K., it opened with first-week sales of 62,000. 52,955 units of these were on a physical format (CD, vinyl, cassette).

"Power Up" was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and 2014's "Rock Or Bust".

"Power Up" is a tribute to Malcolm, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on "Power Up", along with Angus.

Former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry, who just released an acoustic version of his comeback album "Traces", has told American Songwriter in a new interview that fans likely won't have to wait nearly as long for new music from him as they had to the last time.

"I'm already in the studio," Perry said. "My studio is in a bunker underneath my house. Drums can be loud, guitars and amps can be loud. I'm down in there sketching more songs. I'm agonizing over the lyrics of a particular one right now. One day, I love the way the lyric is feeling. The next day I change my mind and want to go back to the original lyrics. That's where I woke up this morning: I wanted to revisit the original lyric that I thought yesterday wasn't right.

"We're talking one word," Perry said about his songwriting process. "I'll highlight that word for now in my writing sketch, and I'll drop in and change that one word and drop out. And I'll listen and see if I'm okay with that word change. It can be a pothole in the road or it can be a smooth highway."

Two months ago, Perry told Rolling Stone that he has been busy creating new music since the April release of his cover version of the BEACH BOYS classic "In My Room".

"I have a studio and I'm always writing and always recording stuff," he said. "I have lots of music, so much stuff."

Perry's first solo album in more than two decades, "Traces", was released in October 2018 via Fantasy Records (a division of Concord Records/UMG). He credited his late girlfriend, psychologist Kellie Nash, who died more than seven years ago, with helping him want to sing again; she'd made him promise he wouldn't go back into isolation when she passed.

Perry dated Nash for nearly two years before she died in December 2012 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. He mourned for two years, and then began recording again.

Upon its release, "Traces" was met with wide acclaim and tremendous excitement from fans and critics all over the world. The album entered the Billboard 200 Albums chart at No. 6, Perry's highest debut as a solo artist and earned the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer his best-ever chart entries in the U.K., Germany, Canada and Japan.

Perry reunited with JOURNEY for the first time in years as they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2017. The iconic singer appeared onstage with his former bandmates as they each gave speeches, but did not perform with the group later in the ev

During a December 5-6 Headbangers Con live virtual panel, HELLYEAH frontman Chad Gray was asked if the band will keep going once the pandemic has subsided. He responded (see video below): "Everybody's just in a holding pattern right now. I don't have any new music. I've been telling Tom [Maxwell, HELLYEAH guitarist] to get me some riffs so I can write, because right now is a great time to fucking write. So we'll just have to see, man. Obviously, we need to get together and write some music. But, yeah, I mean, hopefully. It's all fucked up right now, nobody knows what's going on with anything."

Three months ago, Maxwell told the "The Ex-Man" podcast that he wasn't sure there would be a follow-up album to HELLYEAH's latest effort, "Welcome Home", which was completed after the passing of drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.

"When he died — I'm not gonna lie — my passion, my love affair died as well with him," Tom said.

"I don't even know if there's gonna ever be another HELLYEAH record. I don't even know if I wanna make another HELLYEAH record without him.

"I'm at a point right now where I've done some amazing shit with some amazing people and I've released a lot of great records. And I've found success in those — more elsewhere than others," he continued.

"Like I said, my love affair has kind of been cockblocked a little bit. I don't find a need or a necessity to continue without Vince."

"Welcome Home" was released in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc marked HELLYEAH's final effort with Abbott (formerly of PANTERA), who passed away more than two years ago.

STONE SOUR drummer Roy Mayorga stepped in as Vinnie Paul's replacement for the touring activity in support of "Welcome Home".

According to Maxwell, it was difficult for him to get up on stage as HELLYEAH without Vinnie manning the drums behind him.

"Vin passed, and we did two tours, and it didn't feel right, even though we had Roy, who's a brother," Tom admitted. "There's a lot of shows where I felt I was just phoning in my presence — I wasn't there."

He then reiterated: "I don't know if I even wanna do another HELLYEAH record. I just don't have the emotional need and drive.

"I feel personally, as Tom Maxwell — I'm not speaking for anybody else at all — but I don't know what I wanna do. I write songs all the time, and I write 'em for me, like I always did.

"I don't see myself doing another HELLYEAH record; I really don't."

Maxwell said that he doesn't rule out launching a fresh project as a way to get his music heard.

"I would love to get into something new, 'cause I have a lot of songs and I have a lot of music left in me that I'd probably wanna get out there, but I don't see it happening with what I have at my disposal right now," he said. "I need a breath of air, a new lung.

"I would need motherfucking players, for me to even have any interest in getting into a studio with everybody. I need motherfuckers.

"For my own sanity, I need to write, I need to fucking play songs. But with who and for who, I don't know. It's gotta be the right thing. I need to feel like I'm with guys that are likeminded — not green motherfuckers.

"I'm not a kid," he added. "Doing music and being in a band and being in an explosive band is a young man's world. And for me to be productive, I need to be with other productive motherfuckers that have juice. I have juice, but do the other people with me have juice? And if they don't have juice, I'm totally cool with not having juice and being home.

"I'm not throwing in the towel — nothing like that — and I'm not saying that I'm fucking done with shit," he clarified. "But what I am saying is it's gonna take something… For me to fucking leave my house, it's gonna take guys, gals, aliens — I don't give a fuck — with a vision and something special about it.

"So, moving forward, if something new were to come along, it would have to be something that is real and honest and transparent and fucking badass."

Mayorga's addition to HELLYEAH was made official in May 2019. At the time, the band said Roy was the perfect guy to take Vinnie Paul's place. "These men had so much love and mutual respect for each other, this makes our transition so much easier," HELLYEAH said in a statement.

Like the last two records, 2016's "Unden!able" and 2014's "Blood For Blood", "Welcome Home" was recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada with producer Kevin Churko.

Vinnie Paul died in June 2018 at the age of 54 in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. The official cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease.

Dream Theater have released a video for "The Spirit Carries On", from their ninth career live album, Distant Memories - Live In London, released back in November. Check it out below:

Recorded at their sold-out show at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London, the live release documents the band’s popular world tour in support of their latest critically acclaimed studio album Distance Over Time and the 20-year anniversary of their seminal concept album Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory.

Distant Memories - Live In London is the band’s first live album since 2014’s Breaking The Fourth Wall. The release is available in various configurations including digital only, a 3-CD and 2 DVD multibox, a 3-CD and 2 Blu-Ray digipak with slipcase, a limited deluxe 3-CD + 2 Blu-Ray + 2 DVD Artbook and a limited 4-LP and 3-CD box set. The video components also feature a Behind The Scenes look at the band as they get ready for the shows.

All formats of Distant Memories - Live In London are available to order here.

Distant Memories - Live In London tracklisting:

"Untethered Angel"
"A Nightmare To Remember"
"Fall Into The Light"
"Barstool Warrior"
"In The Presence Of Enemies - Part 1"
"Pale Blue Dot"
"Scenes Live Intro"
"Scene One: Regression"
"Scene Two: I. Overture 1928"
"Scene Two: II. Strange Déjà Vu"
"Scene Three: I. Through My Words"
"Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy"
"Scene Four: Beyond This Life"
"Scene Five: Through Her Eyes"
"Scene Six: Home"
"Scene Seven: I. The Dance Of Eternity"
"Scene Seven: II. One Last Time"
"Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On"
"Scene Nine: Finally Free"
"At Wit’s End"
"Paralyzed" (Bonus Track)

“Fatal Tragedy” live video:

"Pale Blue Dot" live video:

Dream Theater have recorded a brand new medley of Holiday classics, called "The Holiday Spirit Carries On", available for download at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com.

A message states: "With touring cancelled around the world, the incredible members of Dream Theater’s crew have not had the opportunity to work as they normally would in 2020. Please help us support them by purchasing this exclusive Holiday track. All proceeds will go toward these dedicated people who work tirelessly to make Dream Theater concerts possible. Available only through the month of December, for $2.99 USD, via dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com."

Watch an announcement video, and listen to an audio sample, below:

The Two Minutes To Late Night crew are back with a cover of the Anthrax classic, "Caught In A Mosh". See below.

A message states: "What is the sound of one hand moshing? We covered Anthrax's 80's MTV classic with some really nice and responsible people (pit etiquette is a must). This is our 34th bedroom cover made with the support of Patreon. With so many musicians stuck at home with no outlets, we're going to keep producing these style videos and use the Patreon to give some money to everyone who has a part in them. Please support our friends by donating to our newly redone Patreon at here."

This cover features: Erlend Hjelvik (Hjelvik, ex-Kvelertak), Dave Davidson (Revocation, Gargoyl), Mark Holcomb (Periphery, Haunted Shores), Aaron Patrick (All That Remains, Bury Your Dead), Daniel Wilding (Carcass), Dwid Hellion (Integrity), Shawna Potter (War On Women, Panamama), Jordan Olds aka Gwarsenio Hall, and Mary Houlihan as Valerie Carcrash.

Brazilian metallers Angra have released a live video version of the song "Newborm Me", taken from the band's Omni album. Check it out below.

The song is taken from Angra's 2018 album, Omni, which featured the band's first recording with Marcelo Barbosa (known for his work with Almah), who replaced Kiko Loureiro when he left to join Megadeth.

Angra released their seventh studio album, Aqua, in 2010. It was the final Angra album to feature Edu Falaschi on lead vocals, who replaced original singer André Matos in 2000. It also features guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who left the band in 2015 to join Megadeth.

To celebrate the album's 10th Anniversary this past August, the band released a remixed version of "The Rage Of The Waters". Check it out below.

Tracklist:

"Viderunt Te Aquae" (instrumental)
"Arising Thunder"
"Awake from Darkness"
"Lease of Life"
"The Rage of the Waters"
"Spirit of the Air"
"Hollow"        
"A Monster in Her Eyes"    
"Weakness of a Man"    
"Ashes"

"As we are closing in on Christmas, we have another live video to share with you," says Nightwish. "This time it is from the heart of Colombia, Bogota! Recorded during our Decades tour in 2018, this is 'Elvenjig & Elvenpath'. We hope you enjoy this!"

Nightwish have added two dates in Mexico to their upcoming schedule. The band's tour itinerary for Central and South America in 2021 is as follows:

October
12 - Guadalajara, Mexico - TBA
13 - Mexico City, Mexico - TBA
16 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Luna Part
19 - Santiago, Chile - Teatro Caupolican
22 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Vivo Rio
24 - São Paulo, Brazil - Espaço Das Américas

Hard rock graphic novel art project September Mourning has released their newest single, "Wake The Dead". With the accompanying video created by Riven (guitarist), the Sahaj Ticotin (Ra, Starset) produced single is the band's first release partnered with Legend Recordings and INgrooves.

"'Wake The Dead' is an anthemic track that dispels the nature of the herd mentality in our society today. The song is written from the point of view of our main character in the graphic novel, September, as she observes the world of the living in which she consistently takes souls from. The track urges the listener to take control of their own thoughts about the world around them and make their own decisions instead of relying on choices skewed heavily by the propaganda that one is constantly bombarded with. 'Wake The Dead' encourages the listener to wake from their slumber and make their mark on the world today by raising their conscious thought as well as their voice." - September Mourning

Click here to download / stream "Wake The Dead".

September Mourning is a dark culture fantasy band based on a graphic novel (Top Cow / Image Comics) created by singer Emily Lazar (September) and comic legend, Marc Silvestri. The band of Reapers that help bring the story to life on stage are Rich Juzwick (former guitarist for Gemini Syndrome), Kyle Mayer (former drummer for 10 Years) and Aaron Hoover (former guitarist for Sea Of Treachery). The band released Volume III in December 2019, and is preparing to release Volume IV in Spring 2021.

 

The NYChillharmonic prog-jazz-rock orchestra fronted by mastermind Sara McDonald. (vocals, composer, arranger) recently released a new single "Mean", which can be heard below. It is available via Spotify here. The group finally managed to shoot a video for the track in spite of the ongoing pandemic regulations. Check it out below.

McDonald recently spoke with FemMetal about the single and plans for a new album. Following is an excerpt from the chat.

McDonald: "It feels great to be getting attention from rock and metal blogs after years of being labeled a 'progressive-jazz big band.' Not that it bothered me much! I think it just shows that the band is evolving and heading in a new direction – which I’m excited to explore even more and share with everyone.

The first album was definitely more orchestral pop / indie-rock, with some jazz influences. So much has changed since then! I think the new music will still appeal to the same audience, but in different ways. The songs are a lot heavier now, more fleshed out, and groovier. Our first album feels polite in retrospect, but also melancholic with the desire to get bigger and richer. The next record will be…less polite (laughs). Unfortunately there is no release date for the next full album yet. Covid is keeping everyone out of the studio. In the meantime, the plan is to release a single every month for the rest of the year. We’ve got everyone recording remotely so the process is tricky and obviously less fun, but we’re going to do our best!"

Read more here.

McDonald: "'Mean' was written in the middle of the night two days before a headlining show at (le) Poisson Rouge in NYC. The full orchestration, including vocal line and lyrics, was written in one sitting with the printed charts barely making it onto everyone's stands the next morning at rehearsal.

'Mean' is a sonically massive, orchestral-rock piece that features chugging guitar and bass lines, anthemic vocals, swirling strings and horns, and thrashing drums. The lyrics are written from two perspectives, creating a conversation between the narrator and their own moral conscience. The line 'You're so mean to me' is repeated throughout the song, as the narrator's conscience struggles to convey the importance of self-respect to her literal self.

'Mean' navigates through a fusion of genres while wildly yet, seamlessly moving from section to section, bounding through the narrative and sonic arc to an epic and emotionally catastrophic finish."

The NYChillharmonic is a female fronted, Brooklyn-based, 18 piece, progressive-rock orchestra. The music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop, and jazz, which ultimately creates an ensemble sound that acknowledges the tradition of jazz as much as it sonically embraces experimental textures, arrangements, and harmonies.

The group has performed at world renowned festivals such as The Montreal Jazz Festival, Perth International Jazz Festival, Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Keio University Jazz Fest (Tokyo), Moers Festival, Take The A Train Festival, Mazzstock Music Festival, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, Northside Festival, CU Jazz Festival, Nublu Jazz Festival, and The East Village Music Festival.

They regularly perform on the stages of premiere rock and jazz venues in NYC and have had notable performances at ASCAP’s Songwriters: The Next Generation Showcase at The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C., Jazzclub Unterfahrt in Munich, Germany, The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, The Sheen Center, National Sawdust, (le) Poisson Rouge, and The Iridium in NYC. The music of The NYChillharmonic has been performed across 5 continents, in 10 different countries with over 400 musicians.

The main ensemble, comprised of premiere rock and jazz musicians from New York, also features YouTube star, Adam Neely - who has the largest music theory channel in the world.

NYChillharmonic compositions have twice been awarded ASCAP’s coveted Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and once-awarded the ASCAP ‘Phoebe Jacobs Prize.' The group was also included in Brooklyn Magazines annual 30 Under 30 list, highlighting successful musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs in NYC.

Go to the official NYChillharmonic website here and check out their Facebook page.

Swiss heavy metal band, Burning Witches, have checked in with a new update:

"Dear Witches devotees, as you can see, Jay and Larissa are hard at work this week! The new album is getting together and things are going really well!  The team spirit is phenomenal this time and we are having a real blast! We will update you with more pics before the holidays, to record a new album is pure excitement!  Stay with us and please be safe!" 

Burning Witches released The Circle Of Five vinyl EP on December 4 via Nuclear Blast. This new masterpiece is available in two limited formats: A limited mint vinyl EP and a limited sparkle vinyl EP.

Says the band: “Due to a high demand of the fans, we are luckily able to release these special songs.  The musical products of the current circumstances, are now available together on one vinyl EP. We love the fact that our devotees and the label still supports those unique vinyl releases! In these digitalized times, it is more important than ever!”

The Circle Of Five tracklisting:

Side A
"The Circle Of Five"
"We Eat Your Children" (live)

Side B
"Dance With The Devil" (live)
"Black Magic" (live)

"The Circle Of Five" video:

Lineup:

Laura - vocals
Romana - guitars
Larissa - guitars
Jay - bass
Lala - drums

Horror themed, metalcore pioneers Ice Nine Kills, have shared a killer live clip for their Jaws inspired track "Rocking The Boat" shot at the band's 2019 sold-out hometown show at the Worcester Palladium complete with an inflatable shark attack.

The performance is also featured on the bands recent I Heard They Kill Live!! album featuring the full set of the show, which is out now on Fearless Records, listen / order here. Watch the video for "Rocking The Boat" Live From The Worcester Palladium below.

Speaking on the new clip, Ice Nine Kills frontman and creative mastermind, Spencer Charnas comments: “This particular song was a highlight every night to me. I mean, how often do you get to antagonize one of your crew members while they’re wearing a large inflatable shark costume in front of a couple thousand people?” 

I Heard They Kill Live!! features the 19 song live set recorded live at the band’s sold-out, home town show at The Worcester Palladium on November 30, 2019, whilst on the Octane Accelerator tour. It features massive Ice Nine Kills tracks from their 2018 hit album The Silver Scream, as well as fan favorites such as “Hell In The Hallways” and “The Fastest Way To A Girl’s Heart Is Through Her Ribcage”. Watch the previously released video of "Stabbing In The Dark" Live:

(Photo credit: Tina K)

 

Extreme melodic metal band Aversed has revealed a video for the title track from their upcoming album, Impermanent, due out March 19, 2021.

“The album Impermanent presents our own struggles with anxiety and depression reflected on the backdrop of environmental collapse on Earth,” says vocalist Haydee Irizarry. “We present this inevitable human destruction as a chance for a beautiful rebirth, as a chance for new life to flourish, which I think is a good metaphor for the healing mind as well. The title track is one of the best total representations of the theme of the album, and one of the most intense songs we have ever written. We could not be happier with how director Tony Simone (Abiotic, Pathogenic) brought this apocalyptic vision to life.”

With the release of Impermanent, Aversed presents a metal experience cultivated of unprecedented beauty and torment. The third release following 2011’s self-titled EP and 2016’s Renewal EP, Impermanent marks a turning point for the New England scene veterans as they pivot from melodic death metal towards a nuanced balance of blackened and orchestral melodic metal. 

Mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Shadow Of Intent), Impermanent illustrates Aversed’s unique approach to songwriting with nine diverse compositions full of catchy hooks and vast melodies.

Tracklisting:

"Natsukashi"  
"Close My Eyes"
"Laboratory"
"Impermanent"
"Abandoned"
"The Solar Sea"
"Malaise"
"Spiraling"
"Nightshade"

Pre-orders for Impermanent are available now at this location. In addition to the album, a variety of bundles are also available.

Aversed is:

Haydee Irizarry - vocals
Sungwoo Jeong - guitars
Alden Marchand - guitars
Peter Albert de Reyna - bass
Jeff Saltzman - drums

 

The Star Wars universe and its stories always inspire the fans. The soundtrack of The Mandalorian (Disney+) inspired Aline Happ, lead singer of Brazilian band Lyria. The song of the final credits, originally written by Ludwig Göransson, has gained Aline Happ's epic vocals combined with orchestral arrangements. This is the first time The Mandalorian song gets an epic vocal line.

Aline Happ explains that the idea of vocalizing the Mandalorian song came up while watching the show: “I thought it could be a very interesting version, even without lyrics. The instrumental part is very catchy, so I've decided to recreate it using my voice,” says Happ.

A success among fans of the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian is also a favorite of the singer: “I am enjoying this show much more than the latest Star Wars movies and my favorite characters are certainly Baby Yoda (Grogu) and the Mandalorian,” admits Aline.

The Mandalorian show was premiered on Disney+ in 2019, and it immediately conquered fans from the Star Wars franchise. Directed by John Favreau, the show tells the story of a space bounty hunter, Din Djarin, a Mandalorian, a "race" known by fans because of Boba Fett, from the original trilogy. The story is about the bounty hunter and his partner Grogu, affectionately nicknamed "Baby Yoda", who needs to return to his place.

 

Latvian hard rockers, Bloody Heels, have released a "live from the studio" video for "Ignitte The Sky", a track from their new album, Ignite The Sky, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch the clip  below, and order the album here.

Formed in 2012 in Riga, Latvia, Bloody Heels have a musical style that could be best described as a sort of missing link between Crashdïet and Crazy Lixx, with heavier elements like early W.A.S.P. and Kissin’ Dynamite. The band have already made a name for themselves with the EP Summer Nights (2014) and the album Through Mystery (2017). They’ve played shows all around Europe including Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, and the Baltic States.

Tracklisting:

"Ignite The Sky"
"Criminal Masterminds"
"No Matter"
"Sugar & Spice"
"Farewell To Yesterday"
"Black Swan"
"Stand Your Ground"
"Thin Line"
"Silhouette"
"Healing Waters"
"Streets Of Misery"

"Black Swan" video:

"Farewell To Yesterday" 360° video:

"Ignite The Sky" video:

"Criminal Masterminds" video:

 
Lineup:

Vocals - Valts Berzins (Vicky White)
Guitars - Haralds Avotins (Harry Rivers)
Bass - Gunars Narbuts (Gunn Everett)
Drums - Gustavs Vanags (Gus Hawk)
Cello on track "Silhouette" - Erna Daugaviete
Saxophone on track "Healing Waters" - Dagnis Rozins

 

As the festive season approaches, Basement Torture Killings want to make sure that everyone has been keeping up with their lessons in murder. To that end they have employed the good people of Belgian animated art company, Shit Knuckles, to create a violent new visual education tool to accompany the track "Public Displays Of Aggression". This spirited endeavour will have you murdering away under the mistletoe in a frenzy of gory celebration!

Note that the video is age restricted due to extreme content, so will require a user sign-in to view.

The audio version of "Public Displays Of Aggression" can be found on the album Lessons In Murder, which BTK released through Bizarre Leprous Production in May 2020.

 

"2020 has been a nightmare," says UK rockers Collateral. "But through everything you guys have stood by us. Check out the alternative video for 'Can't Hold Me Down' with a few familiar faces. Keep playing, keep streaming via this link and we'll see you on the other side."

Collateral are back with a vengeance with their most powerfully uplifting and empowering single to date “Can’t Hold Me Down”. The new single, released by Roulette Media on November 26 is now available at this location. 

The single was recorded and produced by Collateral and mixed by Grammy nominated producer and engineer Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Funeral For A Friend, Motorhead).

“Can’t Hold Me Down” is also the first piece of new material to feature Collateral’s expanded six-piece lineup which includes new members Robert Fenning (keyboards) and Louis Malagodi (guitar), alongside original members Angelo Tristan (lead vocals, guitar), Todd Winger (guitar), Jack Bentley-Smith (bass), and Ben Atkinson (drums). 

The new single symbolises hope in a world that has seen industries, businesses and even families collapse in recent months due to the pandemic. "Can’t Hold Me Down"’s message inspires individuals to always be their best, no matter what the obstacles are, no matter what is thrown at them.

Says Collateral frontman Angelo Tristan, “Many bands were struck hard at the start of the year, with Collateral being struck half way through their debut album tour that reached Top 5 in the Official UK Rock Charts. So, there is no surprise that frustration would lead to an empowering full out rock song that would hopefully inspire people across the world to keep focus on the light at the end of the tunnel… and that is exactly what they have done.”

“Can’t Hold Me Down is a song that has many layers and stories that ultimately comes back to one thing, ‘I won’t be held down’,” continues Angelo. Starting with the lyric, “I used to be the one with my head in the clouds, chasing the dream to write the perfect rhyme,” to the monstrous multi-voice Queen style chorus with “You Can’t Hold Me Down.”

“We didn’t want to write a typical Covid song. What’s the point?” admits Angelo. “The 6 o’clock news is doing that for you day in day out. People don’t need that right now. Some people might see this as a rebellious track. Maybe it is. Our intention is only to try and inspire people to get through the other side of this with a track that brings comfort and a hard pounding beat.”

“Can’t Hold Me Down” is different from the other singles that we have released. It’s less angry than “Lullaby”, it’s more modern than “Mr Big Shot”, it has more balls than “Midnight Queen”, and it completely contradicts “Merry Go Round”. I think our fans are beginning to see a variation starting to appear in our sound and writing which is keeping everyone on their toes, including the band.”

(Photo Credit: Rob Nankivell)

 

In support of their upcoming livestream event, Trans-Siberian Orchestra are streaming "Queen Of The Winter Night" from The Lost Christmas Eve (2004). Listen below:

In August, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) was forced to make the heartbreaking announcement that, for the first time in more than 20 years, the group will not be able to tour during the holiday season. The multi-platinum, critically acclaimed, progressive rock group, is proud to make an exciting announcement today - to keep its rock holiday tradition alive, TSO will bring a performance right into fans' homes with the world premiere of its first-ever livestream event, Christmas Eve And Other Stories Live In Concert, on Friday, December 18.

TSO performing an all-new staging of its beloved album Christmas Eve And Other Stories, means that fans, despite missing so much in 2020, won't have to miss their favorite holiday tradition. This electrifying livestream will bring some much-needed rockin’ Christmas spirit to fans everywhere. In addition to the full album concert, fans will view special pre-show content including behind-the-scenes footage and classic interview segments.

General public sale is on now. Keeping the TSO tradition of offering huge entertainment value for a low ticket price, advance tickets for TSO’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories Live In Concert'' will be offered as a family-friendly $30 all-in ticket. For fans unable to view the livestream’s debut on Fri., Dec. 18, TSO will make the performance available for streaming on demand through midnight on Sun., Dec. 20.  In addition to purchasing the stream, fans will have the option to purchase gift packages, including T-shirts, ornaments, and masks, plus livestream tickets can be sent digitally to friends and family as presents. For more details and to purchase tickets and packages, visit trans-siberian.com.

TSO’s Music Director & lead guitarist Al Pitrelli said, “So many things have changed in 2020. Masks, social distancing, home schooling, and of course live entertainment. What will not change is all of us being able to celebrate the holidays together. It will just be in a different way.  For 21 years we’ve had the privilege of bringing our tours, including Christmas Eve And Other Stories, to hundreds of cities and millions of people. This year we will bring this timeless story to your living rooms. We will miss seeing all of you in person, but like Paul O’Neill always said, ‘adapt, overcome, and improvise.’ That’s exactly what we are going to do. This will be an opportunity to see your favorite holiday story up close and personal. We can’t wait to share this with all of you. In the meantime... Stay safe. Stay healthy. We’re on our way!”

This special event will bring together members of both the East and West bands for the first time since 2000 when TSO first began touring with two full groups. For the livestream, Bryan Hicks will narrate and Al Pitrelli (guitar) and Derek Wieland (keyboards) will serve as musical directors. The band will feature Chris Caffery (guitar), Mee Eun Kim (keyboards), Johnny Lee Middleton (bass), Asha Mevlana (violin), and Jeff Plate (drums). Vocalists will be Russell Allen, Nate Amor, John Brink, Erika Jerry, Chloe Lowery, Georgia Napolitano, and Jeff Scott Soto.

A product of the vision and imagination of TSO’s late founder, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, Christmas Eve And Other Stories gave birth to the unique format O’Neill called “Rock Theater.” The story is set on Christmas Eve when a young angel is sent to Earth to bring back what is best representative of humanity.  Following favorite TSO themes of “strangers helping strangers” and “the kindness of others,” “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” takes listeners all over the world to help reunite a young girl with her distraught father. The album features such fan-favorites as both of which have not been performed live in recent years. The rock opera also features such TSO classics as "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," "O’ Come All Ye Faithful," "Good King Joy," "Promises To Keep," "This Christmas Day," “Ornament,” and the epic “Old City Bar.”

The debut studio album of Christmas Eve And Other Stories is available as a part of "The Christmas Trilogy," a three-album collection that also includes definitive TSO albums The Christmas Attic and The Lost Christmas Eve. "The Trilogy," which has been out of print for several years, will be available on November 20, and is available for pre-order now.

Since its historic touring debut, TSO has played approximately 2,100 concert dates for more than 17 million fans and has sold in excess of 12 million albums and DVDs.

Better Noise Music recording artist, and critically acclaimed rapper/singer, Hyro The Hero has released his new single and music video for "Fight", featuring Chad Gray, lead singer of metal band HELLYEAH.

Hyro's dramatic and powerful single "We Believe" was released earlier this year and features DISTURBED frontman David Draiman. "Fight" is the perfect next step.

The incendiary song is an aggressive combination of metal and rap, two styles of music that Hyro has made his reputation on. Gray is featured and he and Hyro create a powerfully charged call-and-response vibe that never lets up.

The song kicks off with a distorted heavy lead guitar, followed by drums along with Gray's belted vocals providing an energetic backdrop for Hyro's infectious style of rapping. The combination feels otherworldly when they sing, "All we need is a miracle, these conditions are livable, before I turn criminal, the situation is critical." The feeling is pure energy which feels like a cry to the heavens for change. The song slows a bit as it gears up for the next vocal assault.

Hyro talks about the inspiration for this song: "'Fight' is all about motivation. That extra kick in the ass you need when the going gets tough. I wanted to be that voice that lifts you up when you are feeling down. That's what 'Fight' represents."

Chad says: "I had such a blast getting in the studio recording this song with Hyro. The verses he wrote were so compelling to me. I knew right when I heard it, that this is the track I wanted to be a part of. I'm so proud of Hyro and this track. And it's always nice when the melody and lyrics write themselves. That's always the sign of a great song."

Hyro is equally passionate about Chad being featured on the song. "Being able to share this amazing track with Chad just makes the song even more epic," he says. "He has always been a huge supporter and a great homie ever since we met in England years ago. Once he got a hold of this track, he did not hesitate to record it. He felt it, got on the mic, and killed it."

The video for this powerful track adds to the motivational aspect of the song. Hyro and Chad stalk the boxing gym, trading lines alongside the band's energetic live performance. This rap/metal tour de force song and video can be seen across all DSPs, YouTube and other platforms.

In addition to acclaim from Kerrang!, BBC, Revolver and Afropunk, Alternative Press retrospectively praised Hyro among "19 Underrated Bands From The 2010s Who Deserve Another Listen" and claimed, "You know that band who other groups flock to so they can watch from the side of the stage? That's Hyro."

After non-stop touring in support of his last album, Hyro dove right into the studio with producer Matt Good (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, FROM FIRST TO LAST). Under a flurry of inspiration, they recorded an entire album over the course of just two weeks. In the process, he expanded his sound dramatically.

"You can see and hear the growth in this album," he says. "I had to go through everything that brought me to this point and I've really learned how to focus on storylines and approach records structurally and lyrically. All of my experience built up respect to work with some of my heroes on the new material." He grins and says: "I want to have my name in this game for a lifetime."

Former DEEP PURPLE and current WHITESNAKE singer David Coverdale has dropped another $450,000 from the asking price of his Lake Tahoe estate. Coverdale put the home on the market in April 2019 for for $9.85 million, but that price came down in April 2020 to $7.65 million. The home now sits at an even lower price of $7.2 million.

Found in Incline Village, a community on the north shore, the gated residence features high ceilings with exposed beams, wood and stone accents, three fireplaces, four bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. The master suite features a step-up spa tub, multiple walk-in closets and a private deck.

"Every day for over 30 years, my family and I have loved and embraced our home," Coverdale said of the property in a statement. "The stunning views from every window, the peace and tranquility, and the privacy…far away from the three-ring circus of the music business, yet a mere hours' flight away from Los Angeles when work calls."

Chase International, which holds the listing, has posted a video overview of the home on YouTube. Check it out below.

Two months ago, Coverdale spoke to Darren Paltrowitz about his decision to move out of his longtime home in Incline Village, Nevada and set up base in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

"After having 10 years of degenerative arthritis, after 12 years, or whatever the hell, having a really big house — four floors and absolutely impractical for elevators, at 7,000 feet — instead of fighting for it, as I did in my last divorce, I couldn't do it anymore; I couldn't deal with it," David said. "And it's just beautiful — postcards from God on a daily basis. It's one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world. There's no high-rise buildings. You're not allowed to build above tree level. When people would fly in from Los Angeles, they'd be standing on the deck just biting off chunks of fresh air. But, yeah, it's a glorious, glorious place."

Asked what brought him to that area in the first place, the British-born singer, who has lived in America since the mid-1980s, said: "Well, it was tax. I've been a tax exile since I was 21 years old. When the '87 album just started to go batshit, we had a seven-hour meeting in Los Angeles, and they were wooing me to Delaware or Miami. The music business, at that time, of course, was Los Angeles. So I said, 'What the closest place…' And funnily enough, at school, I'd done a school project of the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. So I had heard of Lake Tahoe, but I was unfamiliar with the geographics of it. And the very first day I woke up — I arrived in the middle of the night. There was no streetlights — it was just pitch black. I think I finished a world tour and had a hive of wasps up my ass about something. And the next day I woke up still kind of pissed and grumpy, making a coffee. And I opened these drapes to this drop-jaw, stunning, gorgeous view, widescreen — just unbelievable. I got my coffee, and I walked down to this boat dock, and I sat there, and I felt like all this rusty armor of all the bullshit and the dramas and the soap operas that go on on tours just drop off and into the water. It was an extraordinary meeting. It was like those Hollywood moments of seeing this woman walking in slo-mo, and you suddenly, your drink's paused, slo-moed halfway to your mouth, and it's love at first sight and time stopped. That was that kind of moment, and it still is."

Earlier this year, WHITESNAKE was forced to cancel its U.S. tour with SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE and NIGHT RANGER so that Coverdale could undergo surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia. Eventually, all of the shows were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Coverdale, who turned 69 in September, had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.

WHITESNAKE had been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.