SoCal artists (HED) P.E. have released a brand new video for "Overdue". The song appears on (HED) P.E.'s twelfth studio album, "Class Of 2020", which was released in August via Suburban Noize Records. The date also marked the 20th anniversary of the group's breakthrough album "Broke".

"I wrote this track for a local film company here in Boise, Idaho; for the closing credits. The movie was filmed at The Old Boise Penitentiary and the story was based on the hauntings at the prison," commented (HED) P.E. frontman Jared Gomes. "We shot the entire video in the solitary confinement room where men have died. 'Overdue' took on a much more personal note. The song and video are about insecurity and depression."

On "Class Of 2020", (HED) P.E. gets back to the raw essentials, utilizing old-school punk-rock guitar tones and aggressive, unfiltered vocal stylings at the core of its trademark sound. Longtime fans will find that "Class Of 2020" is a return to the classic sound of early (HED) P.E. albums.

In an effort to bring "Class Of 2020" around full circle and connect it with (HED) P.E.'s impressive back catalog, the album cover is an homage to "Broke", which celebrated its 20th anniversary a day after the new studio album was released. While planning the milestone anniversary for (HED) P.E., Jared was able to connect with former members DJ Product and original guitarist Chad "Chizad" Benekos to rekindle their creative flame. DJ Product created artwork for the "Class Of 2020" album and added his trademark scratching over some tracks, while original (HED) P.E. guitarist Chizad blessed the band with a blazing solo on "Greedy Girl". The unholy union that many fans never thought possible came together to connect the past and present incarnations of (HED) P.E. and to enhance "Class Of 2020" in a meaningful way.

(HED) P.E. are the pioneers of the G-Punk sound, which fuses together punk-rock, metal, hip-hop and reggae. The band has toured the world for 20 years sharing the stage with the likes of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, KORN, TECH N9NE, TOOL as well as the original BLACK SABBATH on the iconic Ozzfest tour. (HED) P.E. experienced a creative resurgence after signing with Suburban Noize Records in the early 2000s and was instrumental in developing the booming underground scene.

Better Noise Music recording artists THE HU have debuted their "hunnu rock" cover of METALLICA's "Sad But True" today, along with a music video. The track is a unique take on the beloved classic that has over 142 million streams on Spotify alone.

THE HU's distinct style allows listeners to hear this song in a completely new way. The band added traditional Mongolian instrumentation along with their signature style of throat singing and swapped out "Sad But True"'s English lyrics for their native language, Mongolian. The same distorted guitar melody from the original song helps drive the song forward, but the originality and musical prowess of THE HU's distinguishing sound makes this track stand out on its own.

With this cover, THE HU also launches "The Best Of Better Noise Music: 15 Years Of Rock" series that runs throughout the label's 15th year in business — 2021. The compilation features exciting new versions of songs from their diverse rock catalog. THE HU will kick off this campaign, as the band embodies all the label's hopes for the future of rock — diversity, expert musicianship, passionate performance and clever creative collaboration.

Excited about the release of the new song, singer and Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle) player Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar, a.k.a. "Gala", says: "Like millions of people around the world, METALLICA has been a huge influence and inspiration for us as music fans and musicians. We admire their 40 years of relentless touring and the timeless, unique music they have created. It is a great honor to show them our respect and gratitude by recording a version of 'Sad But True' in our language and in the style of THE HU."

Though they've raked in well over 100 million views on their YouTube videos and tens of millions more on Spotify, THE HU continues to find new ways of reaching new audiences. From their new cover song, to being on the "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" video game and soundtrack, their original sound has carved out a genre that is all their own. Radio audiences took the band's two singles in 2020 ("Yuve Yuve Yu" featuring Danny Case of FROM ASHES TO NEW and "Wolf Totem" featuring PAPA ROACH's Jacoby Shaddix) into the Top 5 at the Active Rock format.

Earlier in 2020, THE HU released the deluxe version of their 2019 album "The Gereg". "The Gereg" debuted at No. 1 on the World Album Charts and Top New Artist Albums, Top 5 Globally in U.S., Canada, U.K. and more (Rock Music Albums) and Top 10 Current albums in U.S., Canada, Australia among other territories. In addition, they released the documentary film "The Hu: Road To The Gereg" on YouTube which looks back at the making of their debut album, along with behind-the-scenes footage from their worldwide tours, video shoots, and more.

The band is involved in the film "The Retaliators", a high-octane horror-thriller, starring Michael Lombardi (FX's "Rescue Me"), Marc Menchaca ("Ozark", "The Outsider") and Joseph Gatt ("Dumbo") with special guest appearances by some of rock music's biggest names. THE HU's Jaya plays a small part in the movie and the band contributed their hit track "Wolf Totem" featuring Shaddix to the soundtrack.

Formed in 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, THE HU achieved global recognition with powerful videos that have amassed over 113 million views to date. "Wolf Totem", "Yuve Yuve Yu" and "The Great Chingiss Khan" showcase the band's one-of-a-kind style of 'hunnu rock' — a combination of Western heavy rock played with traditional Mongolian instrumentation such as the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (Mongolian guitar), Tumur Khuur (jaw harp) and guttural throat singing in their native language.

"Down", the new video from KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's LOVE AND DEATH project, can be seen below. The song is taken LOVE AND DEATH's upcoming album, "Perfectly Preserved", which will arrive on February 12 via Earache Records. The disc is described in a press release as "a blistering but accessible full-length follow-up, driven by the spiritual resilience inherent in the first record, combined with an even starker depiction of real-life struggle." Anger, broken relationships, lowered self-worth, and the collision of optimistic values with oppressive systems are all on display, from the arresting refrains of "Tragedy", "Death Of Us" and "Affliction" to the bold, conqueror driven anthem of "White Flag".

To coincide with "Perfectly Preserved"'s release, LOVE AND DEATH will play a livestreamed concert on February 12. Tickets for the show, along with album merchandise bundles, are available at this location.

LOVE AND DEATH harness soaring melodies and crushing riffs, weaponizing them like a supernatural dagger to strike at the blackened heart of disillusionment from both within and without. With an instantly recognizable relatability, for anyone who has felt discarded or without value, the band crafts invigorating anthems filled with earnest pleas for mercy and certainty amidst the chaos of an uncertain world. This is heavy music to vigorously confront depression, heartbreak, and pain.

The band began with similar raw, authentic emotional honesty to what drove Welch to multiplatinum and Grammy Award-winning heights as a co-founder of genre trailblazers KORN. Forged as an outlet for recovery and redemption in a season of change, the creation of LOVE AND DEATH resulted in the powerful and dynamic 2013 debut "Between Here & Lost". The album spoke plainly to the hearts of similarly disenfranchised fans all across the world.

"Perfectly Preserved" marks the introduction of guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter Jasen Rauch as a full-fledged member of the band, as well as second time producer for LOVE AND DEATH (co-produced by Joe Rickard). Jasen, best known as an integral part of chart-topping rockers BREAKING BENJAMIN, produced LOVE AND DEATH's first album in 2013. The duo first met a year or two after the release of Head's solo album, "Save Me From Myself" (2008). As Head experimented with synthesizers, it was Rauch who encouraged him to pick up his guitar and churn out new riffs.

"Jasen and I started writing together. I was trying to do new things, writing music on a keyboard at my house," Welch recalls. "I credit him with the rediscovery of my love for the guitar."

LOVE AND DEATH charge into this new chapter with a definitive lineup, which sees Head and Jasen side by side with the band's original guitarist, JR Bareis, also on vocals and guitar, and powerhouse drummer Isaiah Perez. It was a perfect storm of friendship and creativity, as they all worked on the album in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Chicago, over several years.

Like A PERFECT CIRCLE or STONE SOUR, LOVE AND DEATH isn't a "side project" or replacement for the guys' respective bands. It's an extension and companion, offering each of them a unique outlet to explore different aspects of their creative passions. "There are certain things we can do melodically in LOVE AND DEATH that might not work in KORN," Rauch explains. "For me, there are certain creative risks I can take with the arrangements and production that wouldn't fit with BREAKING BENJAMIN. In this band, we don't worry about how long a song might be, for example."

It's also an opportunity for further collaboration with their friends from other bands. "The Hunter" features Jasen's BREAKING BENJAMIN bandmate (and solo artist) Keith Wallen, who was also a major co-writer on the project. And Longtime comrade Lacey Sturm, formerly of FLYLEAF, sings on a metallic rendition of a surprising pop cover.

As with the "Lo Lamento" single released in 2016, Bareis steps up vocally, sharing frontman duties with Welch, whose own delivery draws on jaw-dropping life experience. From the heights of rock stardom to the depths of addiction, through an exciting resurrection to the daily battle to stay above water, every moment of truth is evident in his brutally honest screams. Bareis, by contrast, delivers anthemic and even haunting melodic vocals.

"Everybody knows my foundation," says Welch, regarding the contrast in lyrical themes between "Perfectly Preserved" and the first LOVE AND DEATH album. "I feel like what our world needs most in this very unique moment in time are real storiesabout overcoming struggle. These are honest songs co-written by our group of friends targeting depression/mental health, challenging relationships, trauma, loneliness, and related issues."

As their fans have learned to expect, LOVE AND DEATH is fearless in its open examination of contradictions and failure, making confessional music with an underlying anchor of purpose and hope. Like the band's very moniker suggests, both "Love" and "Death" are very present in all that they do.

Track listing:

01. Slow Fire

02. Infamy

03. Down

04. Death Of Us

05. Lo Lamento

06. The Hunter (feat. Keith Wallen)

07. Tragedy

08. Let Me Love You (feat. Lacey Sturm)

09. Affliction

10. White Flag (feat. Ryan Hayes)

KORN's latest album, "The Nothing", was released in September 2019 via Roadrunner/Elektra. The follow-up to 2016's "The Serenity Of Suffering" was once again produced by Nick Raskulinecz.

LOVE AND DEATH is:

Brian "Head" Welch - Vocals, Guitar

Jasen Rauch - Bass

JR Bareis - Guitar, Vocals

Isaiah Perez - Drums

German heavy rockers, Sainted Sinners, release their new album, Unlocked & Reloaded, today (December 4th) via El Puerto Records. It is their first with new singer Iacopo “Jack” Meille (Tygers Of Pan Tang) on vocals. Check out the new single / video "Early Light Of Day" below.

Unlocked & Reloaded was mixed by Dick Dropkick at SpitFire Studio and mastered by Harry Hess (Harem Scarem, Danko Jones, Grim Reaper). The cover artwork was designed by Manfred Smietana / MS Art Design.

The album is available for pre-order in a strictly limited edition wooden box of 333 numbered boxes, with a few surprises, here.

Tracklisting:

"Same Ol’ Song"
"Standing On Top"
"Early Light Of Day"
"40 Years"
"The Hammer Of The Gods"
"Free To Be"
"I Can’t Wait"
"Stone Cold Sober"
"Call It Love"
"Wall Of Sound"
"Farewell To Kings"

Photo by Matt Bischof




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Mora Prokaza have released a video for the song "Madonna", which is taken from the band's 2020 release, By Chance. The new video, which was created by Mora Prokaza, can be seen below.

The up and coming experimental duo combine the ferocious sounds of black metal with the street vibes of trap, tinges of industrial, and out-of-the-box instrumentation, creating a sound that is wholly unique and groundbreaking that you must hear it for yourself to truly grasp the artistic genius behind the Belarusian outfit.

By Chance is out now and can be streamed, downloaded, and purchased here.

Tracklisting:

"WIMG"
"Im Not Yours"
"Check It"
"Im A Human"
"I See It This Way"
"Madonna"
"Be There"
"Sorry Man"
"Blacker Than Black"

"Madonna" video:




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Nothing have shared a video for "Catch A Fade", taken from their latest album The Great Dismal, released in October. The visual, directed by the band's Aaron Heard, is a subtle celebration of the touring and live shows that haven't existed this year, culling some of the band's most memorable moments doing those things over the course of its career.

Of the video, Heard says, "'Catch A Fade' is bright on the outside, but a little dark when you look inward. The video is just a compilation of collected footage from our last tour of Asia a few months before COVID hit. We've been sharing these the past year internally to keep each other sane, but they have the same kind of vibe as the track. It’s nice reliving those moments but also it’s heavy considering where we’re at now."

Palermo adds, "Doyle sent me a demo of what would be 'Catch A Fade' while I was demoing in NYC. Kyle and myself took a trip to Michigan City, IN to fine tune some of what was close to completion before we went in with Will. This was the first and only track we got to write together from the ground up and it gives you a pretty clear vision of what this particular line up is capable of."

The Great Dismal physical orders are available here and Digital Downloads/Streaming here. Super Deluxe vinyl edition includes a re-sealable mylar bag, 20 page LP sized booklet and custom OBI strip.

Tracklisting:

"A Fabricated Life"
"Say Less"
"April Ha Ha"
"Catch a Fade"
"Famine Asylum"
"Bernie Sanders"
"In Blueberry"
"Memories"
"Blue Mecca"
"Just a Story"
"Ask The Rust"

"April Ha Ha" video:

"Bernie Sanders" video:

"Say Less" video:

Nothing Is:

Domenic Palermo - Guitar/Vocals
Kyle Kimball - Drums
Aaron Heard - Bass
Doyle Martin - Guitar/Backup Vocals

(Photo - Ben Rayner)




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Back with a vengeance and hell-bent on destruction, Norwegian death metallers Cadaver are back in business and ready to reign. Edder & Bile, the first full length from this band’s new incarnation of Anders Odden’s original, extreme metal vision, is out now via Nuclear Blast Records. Watch a new video trailer below:

Edder & Bile was produced by the band as well as Adair Daufembach who also handled the engineering. The album was recorded and mixed at Northwood Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA. The album features vocal cameos from death metal icons Kam Lee (Massacre) and Jeff Becerra (Possessed) ensuring that this crushing rebirth has underground credentials to spare. The photo for the artwork was taken by Hannah Verbeuren and the layout was created by Justin Bartlett.

Order your copy of Edder & Bile in the format of your choice here. Save the album to Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer here.

Edder & Bile tracklisting:

"Morgue Ritual"
"Circle Of Morbidity"
"Feed The Pigs"
"Final Fight"
"Deathmachine"
"Reborn"
"The Pestilence"
"Edder & Bile"
"Years Of Nothing"
"Let Me Burn"

"Let Me Burn" lyric video:

"Reborn" video:

"Morgue Ritual" video:

Cadaver is:

Anders Odden - Guitar, Bass & Vocals
Dirk Verbeuren - Drums & Backing Vocals




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On the heels of the recent announcement of their debut album Mother’s Day, Alta Reign has released a static video for the song “Immortal”. The track gives fans a look inside the creative mind of Alta Reign founder and Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Savatage drummer Jeff Plate.

Jeff Plate joined forces with TSO keyboardist Jane Mangini, along with Tommy Cook (guitars/lead vocals), Collin Holloway (guitars/lead vocals), Kevin McCarthy (bass, vocals) and Zach Hamilton (keyboards, guitars/vocals) to form the band and record the songs for the debut album. The song "Immortal" can be heard via the static video below:

 Alta Reign’s debut album, Mother’s Day, will be released on January 8 via Rat Pak Records. The album is the reflection of dedication as the initial idea spawned 30 years ago and ended in 2020 before locking in the 2021 release date. The album is available for pre-order at RatPakRecords.com and iTunes.

From the album's opening riffs of “Shine”, to the majestic "Mother's Day", the reflective mood of "Always", and the mindful closer “Rise,” Alta Reign has created something very different and original. Drawing from his history, his influences and his heroes, Plate has combined melodic, progressive, hard rock and straight up metal to create a unique landscape for the listener. Other TSO brethren make an appearance on Mother’s Day as guitarist Joel Hoekstra can be heard on the title track and guitarist Chris Caffery shows up on “Rise.” Songs like “Thin Red Line,” the frenetic instrumental “ESC (Escape)” and “Let’s Go! (I’m In Charge Now)” present every indication that the talent of these musicians is limitless.

Mother’s Day tracklisting:

"Shine"
"Witness "
"Thin Red Line"
"Never Say Never"
"Mother's Day" feat. Joel Hoekstra
"ESC (Escape)"
"Come Out and Play"
"Let's Go! (I'm In Charge Now)"
"Always"
"Immortal "
"Passage"
"Rise" feat. Chris Caffery

Alta Reign lineup:

Jeff Plate - Drums and Percussion
Jane Mangini - Keyboards
Tommy Cook - Guitars, Lead Vocals
Kevin McCarthy - Bass, Vocals
Collin Holloway - Guitars, Lead Vocals
Zach Hamilton - Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals




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Today (December 4th), Soilwork release their new EP, A Whisp Of The Atlantic, via Nuclear Blast. The new masterpiece sees the light accompanied by the video for the title track. Check it out below.

Soilwork's musical and their philosophical approach on the new EP does not only close the circle of the The Feverish Trinity, but also invites the listener to dive deep into the most primal element: Water.

Starting with "Feverish" and ending with "A Whisp Of The Atlantic", the whole EP is a journey from the rage of individuals to the search for something that replaces religion.

Andersson: “From the desire of 'Feverish', the urge of 'Desperado', the determinism of 'Death Diviner', the insights and questions of 'The Nothingness And The Devil' and the acceptance and spiritual searching of A Whisp of the Atlantic. The whole song and video sequence is like a slightly different take on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It’s all about realising that we’re all stuck on this rock and that we need to find something more inclusive than religion to get through this together. Because in the end, we’re all outsiders, genetically hunter-gatherers trying to fit in in a world that we created but at the same time wasn’t really made for us. The overarching theme is liberation from the extremely low level of the social and cultural debate these days, and it starts with the fundamentals and ends with the phenomenological. From liberation into ascension.”

The tracklist reads as follows:

"A Whisp Of The Atlantic"
"Feverish"
"Desperado"
"Death Diviner"
"The Nothingness And The Devil"




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Evergrey will release their new album, Escape Of The Phoenix, on February 26, 2021 via AFM Records. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location. More shops and worldwide pre-order links to follow soon.

"It's done, here it is, our first single and video is out now," says Evergrey. "Officially beginning a new chapter... wow! Escape Of The Phoenix came to life according to plans that had been laid out in 2019, but written and recorded it's been during the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic... we're so happy that this mission has been successfully accomplished, so we can share it with you all. We honestly hope you all feel well."

"A new lyric video has gone live just now - it's called 'Forever Outsider' - and it's the first single of our upcoming record. Hope you enjoy watching it wherever you are."

Escape Of The Phoenix will be available in various formats - from regular CD digipak to limited vinyls (picture, marbled, coloured), also available as an Artbook (limited to 1000 units, 36 pages, 28cm x 28cm including CD version of the album with bonus tracks, 7” picture vinyl single with exclusive bonus track "The Darkness In You", exclusive and extensive photographic footage,  and introduction written by frontman Tom S. Englund). On top of that, AFM offers a special and exclusive t-shirt print and various shirt bundles in the AFM online shop.

Tracklisting:

"Forever Outsider"
"Where August Mourns"
"Stories"
"A Dandellion Cipher"
"The Beholder"
"In The Absence Of Sun"
"Eternal Nocturnal"
"Escape Of The Phoenix"
"You From You"
"Leaden Saints"
"Run"
"The Darkness In You" (Artbook Bonus Track)

 




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German power metal battalion, Iron Savior, will release their new album, Skycrest, tomorrow (Friday, December 4) via AFM Records. Order the album here, and watch the official video for the song "Raise The Flag" below.

Skycrest features the unbroken of playing that even the pandemic can’t suppress: tight guitar solos, catchy choruses, and the exceptional vocals by Piet Sielck.

Tracklisting:

“The Guardian”
“Skycrest”
“Our Time Has Come”
“Hellbreaker”
“Souleater”
“Welcome To The New World”
“There Can Be Only One”
“Silver Bullet”
“Raise The Flag”
“End Of The Rainbow”
“Ease Your Pain”
“Ode To The Brave”

“Raise The Flag” video:

"Souleater" video:

"Our Time Has Come":




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MSG have released a new video trailer for the new album, Immortal, out January 8 via Nuclear Blast. Watch below.

MSG is a legendary name. After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.

“I never looked back,” is how Michael dryly sums up an extraordinary career. Due to this mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had made on the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primary influence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means to understand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s not here to get rich, he’s here to play. And at 65, he’s doing it with the same swagger, verve and dizzying artistry as always. “I’m still 16 in my head,” he laughs.

Right in time for his 40th anniversary as a solo artist and his 50th birthday as a musician, he resurrects the immortal Michael Schenker Group. Immortal is also the name of his new album, recorded by likely the strongest line-up in his long history. Its a lightning bolt of an album that sounds fresh, bloodthirsty and agile. Immortal showcases the gargantuan vocal talents of Chilean hard rock prodigy Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), backed by singers Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple) as well as Schenker’s brother in arms, Michael Voss (Mad Max) who again produced the record alongside Michael Schenker – flawlessly, punchy and at full steam as if their very lives depended on it.

Next to Michael Schenker caressing his iconic black and white Dean Flying V, we hear bass player Barry Sparks (Dokken), keyboard player Steve Mann as well as the three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Phillips (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake) pumping gallons of fresh blood through the tracks. And that’s not all, keyboard wizard extraordinaire Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) gives the listener a baptism of fire in the blistering, heavy hitting opener “Drilled To Kill”, powered by Ralf Scheepers’ unbelievable vocal tornado.

Michael Schenker doesn’t live to play, he plays to live, and there’s no better way of summing up his relationship to his music than this – now for half a century and counting. The most emblematic representation of this relationship is the monumental closing track “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind”, a new recording of the very first song he ever wrote. “I composed this track in my mother’s kitchen back when I was 15,” he looks back half a century and smiles broadly: “The solo is just so perfect, I wouldn’t change a single note even today. This is the most important song of the last 50 years for me. It’s what started it all.”

When it finally got released in 1972 on the Scorpions’ debut Lonesome Crow, Schenker had already moved on to UFO. What followed were several decades of pure hard rock ecstasy on and off stage, featuring a rotating cast of stellar players, always pressing the pedal to the metal. Now, in 2020, he reaps what he sowed. Alongside many of his peers, friends and contemporaries, he is celebrating 50 years of hard rock – fittingly with an album that is something like a zeitgeisty reminiscence of everything he’s ever done. The massive midtempo smasher “Don’t Die On Me Now” sees Joe Lynn Turner going all in, Ronnie Romero works his magic in “Knight Of The Dead” while Michael Voss cuts a grand figure before the microphone as well as behind the mixing desk on the furious second single “After The Rain”.

Towering above them all, Michael Schenker and his guitar prove they’re truly and utterly invincible. The celebrated icon pulls out all the stops – including his legendary “howler”, the fabled magnet he’s used on his fingerboard for a while now. And here’s yet another thing that’s just so archetypically Schenker, when bringing up his fiery and dedicated performance on “Immortal” he nonchalantly shrugs it off: “I simply played from the heart, as always.” This, dear Michael, is the understatement of the year – all the more so for a record that is already one of the top contenders for hard rock/metal album of the year.

Pre-order the new album here.

Tracklisting:

"Drilled To Kill" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Don’t Die On Me Now" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"Knight Of The Dead" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"After The Rain" (feat Michael Voss)
"Devil’s Daughter" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Sail The Darkness" (Feat Ronnie Romero)
"The Queen Of Thorns And Roses" (feat Michael Voss)
"Come On Over" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"Sangria Morte" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"In Search Of Peace Of Mind" (feat Ronnie Romero, Gary Barden,Doogie White, Robin McAuley)

"Drilled To Kill" lyric video:




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Dutch symphonic metal giants, Epica, will release their new album Omega, on February 26 via Nuclear Blast.  A bass playthrough video for the second single "Freedom - The Wolves Within", can be seen below:

Omega is the band's first studio album in five years. Epica has also released the first single from the album, titled "Abyss Of Time", with an accompanying video that was made in collaboration with Grupa 13.

Watch the video for "Abyss Of Time" below, and get the single digitally here.

Simone Simons comments: "Finally we can show you the video for our newest single 'Abyss Of Time'! We flew all the way to Poland to work with Grupa 13 for the first time. Shooting videos is one of my favorite parts of creating the visual side to our music. The costumes were insanely beautiful. It was so much fun and I hope that you like the video."

The band also kick-off the pre-order for Omega, that will be available in the following formats:

- CD Jewelcase

- 2 CD Jewelcase In Slipcase (U.S. Edition)
  32p booklet
  Regular CD
  Acoustic CD

- 2 CD Digibook
  32p booklet
   Regular CD
  Acoustic CD

- 4 CD Earbook  (Limited to 3500)
  48p Earbook
  Acoustic CD
  Orchestral CD
  Instrumental CD

- Vinyl-Box (Limited to 1500)
  4CD Earbook
  2LP Picture Disc
  Golden Necklace with Ankh symbol

- 2 LP
  Black
  Blue / Green Swirl (Limited to 2000)
  Beer / Bone Swirl (Limited to 300)
  White (Limited to 300)
  Turquoise / Black Marbled (Limited to 1600)
  White / Blue Splatter (Limited to 300)
  Transparent Red (Limited to 400)
  Transparent Orange (Limited to 300)
  White / Gold Splatter (Limited to 200)
  Glow-In-The-Dark (Limited to 200)

Pre-order the album in the format of your choice here. Pre-save here.

About the new album, Mark Jansen comments: "I am very proud of this album, as I am convinced we have written a very refreshing and well-balanced album even after so many years of existence. Our strength is that we have many great songwriters in one band. We have managed to combine each other's strongest qualities and select the best songs. It was a fruitful period of spending time together to work as one team on those tracks. I think this has made the biggest difference compared to our previous albums. Still using the advantages of comfortably sending files by the internet to each other but combining that with coming physically together again to work on all the tracks. I think I have listened to 'Omega about 50 times already and still can't get enough of it!"

Omega tracklisting:

"Alpha - Anteludium
"Abyss Of Time - Countdown To Singularity"
"The Skeleton Key"
"Seal of Solomon"
"Gaia"
"Code Of Life"
"Freedom - The Wolves Within"
"Kingdom Of Heaven, Part 3 - The Antediluvian Universe"
"Rivers"
"Synergize - Manic Manifest"
"Twilight Reverie - The Hypnagogic State"
"Omega - Sovereign Of The Sun Spheres"

"Freedom - The Wolves Within" video:

"Abyss Of Time" video:

Epica is:

Simone Simons - vocals
Isaac Delahaye - guitars
Mark Jansen - guitars, grunts, screams
Coen Janssen - synths, piano
Ariën van Weesenbeek - drums
Rob van der Loo - bass




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Progressive metal titans DREAM THEATER have recorded a brand new medley of holiday classics, called "The Holiday Spirit Carries On", available for download starting today at dreamtheaterofficial.bandcamp.com.

Says the band: "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."

In a video message announcing the release, guitarist John Petrucci said: "Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck earlier this year, all live concert performances and touring stopped, leaving tens of thousands of crews and technicians out of work for most of 2020."

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess added: "Our crew is like an extended family to us and they do amazing things for us — they help us put on a great show all around the world. So we decided to give back and create a Christmas medley to help support the guys and give 'em a great holiday."

Singer James LaBrie said: "They're out there each and every time we go out on tour, making every night come off magically. These technicians, they work very hard. We've become extremely close with them."

Stated drummer Mike Mangini: "So by purchasing this Christmas medley, you're directly supporting the people that you don't see when you come to the concerts, but that make the concerts happen."

Added bassist John Myung: "And that's the least we can do for them. They're a great bunch of guys that do a lot for us."

"The Holiday Spirit Carries On" is available only through the month of December, for $2.99, at this location.

Petrucci recently confirmed that DREAM THEATER is using the coronavirus downtime to commence the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to last year's "Distance Over Time" album.

DREAM THEATER has just released its ninth career live album, "Distant Memories - Live In London". Recorded at DREAM THEATER's sold-out show at the Apollo Theatre in London, the live release documents the band's popular world tour in support of "Distance Over Time" and the 20th anniversary of their seminal concept album "Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory".

Transatlantic - the prog supergroup of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas - will release their fifth studio album, The Absolute Universe, on February 5. Representing the band’s first new music since 2014’s Kaleidoscope, with The Absolute Universe the band have done something unique and created two versions of the record: The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version) & The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version).

The band recently launched the video for "Overture / Reaching For The Sky", and now Mike Portnoy has released this drum & vox cam video for the track:

Portnoy previously stated: “’Reaching For The Sky’ is the first single off Transatlantic’s latest Magnum opus The Absolute Universe. It’s a great introduction to this epic album as it sets the tone in traditional TA style: proceeded on the album by an extended Instrumental Overture and then launching into this upbeat first song. I love that it features one of my favorite qualities of the band in the sharing of the lead vocals... in this case: Neal singing lead on Verse 1, myself singing lead on Verse 2, Pete & Neal sharing the Chorus with myself and Roine on backups and Neal taking the glorious Bridge...all leading to Roine’s distinctive guitar solo. Also interesting is that this version exclusively appears on the Abridged 1CD Version of TA5 (“The Breath Of Life”) while the Extended 2CD Version of TA5 (“Forevermore”) opens with the alternate version ‘Heart Like A Whirlwind’ which has different lead vocals and lyrics.”

Each album will be available on CD, LP & digitally. But there will also be what has been called The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition, which collects both versions together in one lavish package that includes 5LPs, 3CDs & a Blu-ray that contains a 5.1 surround sound mix with visuals & a behind the scenes documentary. All editions have unique artwork created by Thomas Ewerhard featuring the airship by Pavel Zhovba.

As Mike Portnoy explains: “We've got two versions of this album. There is a two CD presentation, which is 90 minutes long, and a single one - that's 60 minutes. However, the single CD is NOT merely an edited version of the double CD. They each contain alternate versions and even in some cases, new recordings. We wrote fresh lyrics and have different people singing on the single CD version tracks as compared to those on the double CD. Some of the song titles have also been changed, while others might remain the same, but compositionally what you'll hear has been altered. You must appreciate that what we have done is unique. We revamped the songs to make the two versions different.” Pete Trewavas adds: “We did write some new music for the single CD, what's more, there are also differences in the instruments used on some of the tracks across the two records.”

The full list of formats is below, and you can pre-order here

The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version):
- Special Edition CD Digipak
- Gatefold 2LP+CD
- Digital Album

Tracklisting:

"Overture"
"Reaching For The Sky"
"Higher Than The Morning"
"The Darkness In The Light"
"Take Now My Soul"
"Looking For The Light"
"Love Made  A Way" (Prelude)
"Owl Howl"
"Solitude"
"Belong"
"Can You Feel It"
"Looking For The Light" (Reprise)
"The Greatest Story Never Ends"
"Love Made A Way"

The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version):
- Special Edition 2CD Digipak
- 3LP+2CD Boxset
- Digital Album

Tracklisting:

Disc 1:
"Overture"
"Heart Like A Whirlwind"
"Higher Than The Morning"
"The Darkness In The Light"
"Swing High, Swing Low"
"Bully"
"Rainbow Sky"
"Looking For The Light"
"The World We Used To Know"

Disc 2:
"The Sun Comes Up Today"
"Love Made A Way" (Prelude)
"Owl Howl"
"Solitude"
"Belong"
"Lonesome Rebel"
"Looking For The Light" (Reprise)
"The Greatest Story Never Ends"
"Love Made A Way"

The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition:
- Limited Deluxe Clear 5LP+3CD+Blu-Ray Box-set – contained within a foil-finished lift-off box with extended 16-page LP booklet & 60x60cm poster

Blu-Ray tracklisting:

"Overture" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Reaching For The Sky" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Higher Than The Morning" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"The Darkness In The Light" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Take Now My Soul" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Bully" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Rainbow Sky" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Looking For The Light" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"The World We Used To Know" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"The Sun Comes Up Today" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Love Made A Way" (Prelude) (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Owl Howl" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Solitude" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Belong" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Lonesome Rebel" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Can You Feel It" (5.1 Surround Mix)
"Looking For The Light" (Reprise) (5.1 Surround Mix)
"The Greatest Story Never Ends "(5.1 Surround Mix)
"Love Made A Way" (5.1 Surround Mix)
The Making of The Absolute Universe (Documentary)

Trailer:

Initial tracking began in September 2019 when the band met up in Sweden to write and arrange the new material. As Portnoy explains: “Over a period of 10-14 days, we mapped out the songs. Then we all went back to our home studios and did the recording. That's the way we always do it. At one point, though, it was suggested that instead of doing what was by that time going to be a double album, we should just be content to do a single CD.”

“What happened was that everything kept expanding and expanding,” recalls Stolt. “Therefore we decided it made sense to make it a double album. It was Pete and Neal who then came out and said they felt this would be too long, and we should reduce it to one…But we were already recording, and it didn't seem feasible to cut it back. There were so many pieces that each of us loved in what we were planning and didn't want to lose. That's when we ended up in discussions over the best way forward.”

This album also marks a return to the concept album for Transatlantic. “Well, the idea of Transatlantic deciding to do a concept record this time around won't shock anyone, right?” laughs Portnoy. “What we have is essentially one giant composition, split into chapters. The storyline is about the struggles facing everyone in society today.” “We didn't start out with the idea of this being conceptual,” admits Stolt. “The way things work with us is that we have a load of ideas, and these are developed spontaneously when we meet up. Everything happens in the moment.”

So, how does this new ground-breaking album compare to Transatlantic's previous four albums?

“I always try not to compare albums as much as possible,” insists Morse. “It’s very difficult when you’re trying to be creative, because your natural instinct is to constantly compare. But in order to create you have to kind of step away from that. Having said that, I would say this would have more in common with 'The Whirlwind' album  (the band's third, from 2009) than others that we’ve created.” For Trewavas, 'The Absolute Universe' is a momentous project.

“I think it is right up there with the very finest albums we've done. As the others have said, it compares very well to 'The Whirlwind', which I believe represents Transatlantic at our best. As on that album, we took our time to write and arrange everything, and that shines through. I am very excited for people to hear it.”

Transatlantic were originally formed in 1999, releasing their debut album SMTPe the following year as well as its follow-up Bridge Across Forever in 2001. Following a 7-year hiatus, the band reconvened to record and release the much-acclaimed epic 77-minute, single-track album The Whirlwind followed by a world tour in 2010 which included an appearance at High Voltage Festival in London where they were joined by legendary Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. The band’s fourth album Kaleidoscope arrived in 2014, going on to win ‘Album Of The Year’ at the Progressive Music Awards.




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In a new interview with DJ Chewie of the WSOU radio station, guitarist Tim Sult of Maryland rockers CLUTCH was asked about drummer Jean-Paul Gaster's previous comment that the band will likely enter the studio "sometime this winter" to record the follow-up to 2018's "Book Of Bad Decisions" album. He said (hear audio below): "I don't think we're going to be able to get into the studio this winter, unfortunately. It's probably gonna be next year. He may have meant next winter. Our plans can change from day to day. But, yeah, I don't think that's gonna happen, unfortunately. Next winter is more realistic — probably next fall, actually."

Regarding CLUTCH's musical approach this time around, Tim said: "We're just gonna do what we always do — we're gonna write songs and just keep playing them until every member of the band likes it and agrees on it.

This past September, Gaster confirmed to the "Cobras & Fire" podcast that he and his bandmates have slowly commenced the songwriting process for the next CLUTCH album.

"On paper, you would think that this would be a creative time for artists, and maybe there are artists out there who are doing some of their best work ever right now, writing their best songs," he said. "I can tell you, for us, we've concentrated mostly on trying to figure out how to stream shows and figure out that technology. And while we have started to write, we are not living in very inspiring times. So it's difficult to get those wheels turning. Not only that, but also knowing that once we have this recording done, it's difficult to say when we're gonna be able to get out there and play these songs."

He continued: "We've always been a band that writes songs and immediately puts these songs into the set. That gives us the opportunity to play these things, and the songs take shape. We really rely on that live environment to bring those songs to life, because oftentimes what sounds great in the jam room does not translate to the live setting. And you can tell that within the first 10 seconds of playing that song; you know right away if something works or not. And so I think we're missing that element. That's not to say that we will not record. But I think for us the challenge is gonna be how do we try to emulate that with this new dynamic. And we're gonna figure that out, no doubt."

Asked if Vance Powell, who produced "Book Of Bad Decisions", will be back to helm the next effort, Gaster said: "[It's] too early to say. We very much enjoyed our time with Vance Powell. I think Vance Powell is probably one of the most talented engineers we've ever worked with. I was continually blown away by the tones that he was able to pull out of the band. And for that reason, that record in particular is one of my favorites. But it's hard to say. We have to really get a collection of songs, we have to sort of get a vibe going of where this material might head before we start making decisions about who [will produce the album] and where we're gonna record."

"Book Of Bad Decisions" was recorded at Sputnik Sound studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The record sold 26,000 copies in America during its first week of availability, giving the group its third consecutive Top 20 album on the Billboard 200.

The next edition of CLUTCH's "Live From The Doom Saloon" streaming concert series will take place on December 18, The event will see the band playing a 15-song set of its classics as voted by the fans.

Horror-occult-goth metal/rock fusers, Bloody Hammers, recently announced a new horror punk-inspired full-length album. The 11-track offering, entitled Songs Of Unspeakable Terror, will be unleashed on January 15 via Napalm Records and marks a new, eccentric chapter in the Transylvania County, North Carolina-based husband and wife duo’s musical story.

After unleashing their macabre punk earworm “A Night To Dismember” around Halloween, the band is ringing in the new season horror-style with a swinging new anthem, "Hands Of The Ripper". The bite-sized bop - accompanied by a gritty new music video featuring retro horror film scenes - mixes horror punk elements with rock attitude, soaked in murderous metallic energy.

Frontman/multi-instrumentalist Anders Manga says about the track: "It’s one of those songs that appeared when I wasn’t trying to write a song. I was just sitting at the drums playing a shuffle beat when the verse melody just popped in my head and I thought, 'wait this is pretty good'. I immediately started working on it and had it done in a day or two. As a horror rock band, perhaps it’s obligatory to have a Jack the Ripper themed song? I don’t know, these things just happen. We hope somewhere Screaming Lord Sutch is digging it."

Watch the grim music video for “Hands Of The Ripper” below:

At the start of 2020, Anders Manga was about to head out on tour for his darkwave side-project when COVID-19 hit. Soon locked in their house under local stay-at-home orders, Manga and his bride and bandmate, Devallia, spent time jamming in their basement and revisiting some of their classic punk favorites. Holed up and barred from the uncertainty of the world, Bloody Hammers conjured 11 new raw-power tracks inspired by that sound, and now they’re unearthed… from the grave!

While Songs of Unspeakable Terror doesn’t stray too dangerously far from the sound listeners have grown to infectiously adore, the full-length explores yet uncharted territory: retro-ized horror punk in all its gritty glory. This beastly record shouldn’t be confused as an all new direction for the band – these songs are a temporary foray into the unknown while still remaining true to the Bloody Hammers sonic trademark.

Kicking off with first single and album opener “A Night To Dismember”, the album careens the listener down a dark, winding auditory road of melodic punk (in a jet-black classic car, of course). Trudging, metallic terrors like “Hands Of The Ripper” and “Witchfinder General” ensnare the listener, while seductive, unrelentingly heavy tracks such as “Not Of This Earth” will have them screaming for more, and head-bobbers like “The Ones Who Own The Dark” prove this offering isn’t short on melody. Laced with spine-tingling vocal lines, bathed in an occult cocktail of granular guitars and accented by a peppering of vintage Mellotron, each track on Songs Of Unspeakable Terror is a bonafide horror punk pillar.

Fans of Bloody Hammers and heavy music fans new to the band alike will enjoy this unique offering, available in digital, CD jewelcase and multiple vinyl variations.

Songs Of Unspeakable Terror will be available in the following formats:

- CD Jewelcase
- LP Gatefold Black
- LP Gatefold Red/Black Split-Splatter (limited to 100, European Napalm Mailorder Only)
- Deluxe Vinyl Edition: LP Gatefold Red + 2 Patches - (limited to 100, North American Napalm Mailorder Only)
- Digital Album

Pre-order Songs Of Unspeakable Terror here.

Songs Of Unspeakable Terror tracklisting:

"A Night To Dismember"
"Hands Of The Ripper"
"Witchfinder General"
"Not Of This Earth"
"The Ones Who Own The Dark"
"Waking The Dead"
"Night Of The Witch"
"We Are The Damned"
"The Brain That Wouldn't Die"
"Lucifer's Light"
"I Spit On Your Corpse"

"A Night To Dismember" video:




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In a new interview with Greg Gutfeld of Fox News Radio's "The One" podcast, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked if he thinks rock artists today are more reticent about taking risks than they used to be several decades ago. He responded (hear audio below): "For me, it does seem as though a lot of the music has gotten safer but the world has gotten so much scarier, whereas back a few decades — back even maybe less than a decade — it was the flipside. There was a lot of controversial artists, there was a lot of controversy in the music. But that seems to have dissipated now. It's almost as though we've been shocked and stunned into kind of an emotionless state to some extent, which is a real shame, because music plays on your hearts, it plays on your emotions.

"If you wanna find some dangerous music, sometimes with dangerous messages, you can find it in different genres of heavy metal," he continued. "The most beautiful thing about heavy metal music, like most music, is that it's uplifting — it pulls you through things, as it's pulling us through right now with this pandemic. We're using music to help us heal and to help us get through whatever difficulties there may be in life."

Rob is continuing to promote his recently released autobiography, "Confess". In the book, Halford discusses in detail what it was like becoming the first metal icon to announce he is gay in 1998 during an MTV interview, despite knowing about his sexuality since he was 10. Although his bandmates and their management knew he was gay and were accepting, he was advised to be discreet given the macho hetero nature of the metal world. He also opens up about surviving sexual abuse, as well as his struggles with depression, substance abuse, sobriety, and the suicide of one of his former partners. He also talks about how his own suicide attempt in 1986 led him to the rehab program that saved his life.

"Confess" arrived on September 29 via Hachette Books. It was written with Ian Gittins, co-writer of "The Heroin Diaries" by Nikki Sixx. In the book, Halford revealed that he knew he was gay during a time when gay men were "full-on persecuted" in his native United Kingdom. He came out to his parents three years later.

In September, JUDAS PRIEST and Rufus Publications announced the publication of the first-ever official JUDAS PRIEST book documenting the band's extensive history over the last 50 years. Titled "Judas Priest - 50 Heavy Metal Years", the book has been put together by David Silver, Ross Halfin and Jayne Andrews.

Prior to being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, JUDAS PRIEST's spring/summer 2020 European tour was scheduled to kick off on May 30 in Helsinki, Finland and conclude on July 28 in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The band was also slated to headline the U.K.'s Bloodstock Open Air festival on August 9 at Catton Park, Derbyshire.

The U.S. leg of PRIEST's "50 Heavy Metal Years" tour was due to launch September 9 in Oxon Hill, Maryland and wrap up on October 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser has told the "213Rock" podcast that the coronavirus pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to reflect on things and to reconsider what we do, how we do it and why we do it.

"I think it has two points of this — one really bad and one really good," he said (hear audio below). "It is a time of opportunity; that's for sure. You see a lot of new concepts of what the world is and what the nature is. In the first months, or the first days of the pandemic, you [saw] nature responding — a lot of animals appearing in the cities, because they were empty and stuff. And the air was much better here in São Paulo, Brazil."

He continued: "So it is a time of opportunity to rethink why we are running so much. What's the hurry? Everybody's running and never gets anywhere. Quite the contrary — we are destroying our life with anxiety and depression and suicide rates among the youngsters that it's insane. And all the social media that creates an illusion of what life is supposed to be. That's the subject that we try to bring to our lyrics and our music so we can reach a lot of people that are tired of the news of the normal outlets of what's going on in the world, and numbers and statistics and all that, and look within a little more — towards your own place that you live. Small steps. Especially here in Brazil. Basic education — don't throw litter on the street, respect the laws, pay your taxes. Basic citizenship stuff that we should think even before we try to change the macropolitical situation in Brazil."

This past July, SEPULTURA announced the rescheduled dates for its North American tour. The trek, which was originally slated to take place in March and April, was postponed in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SEPULTURA's 2021 tour, which will still feature support from SACRED REICH, CROWBAR and ART OF SHOCK, is currently scheduled to take place in March and April, depending on the latest COVID-19 protocols.

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

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

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

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

Punk rock icons BAD RELIGION will celebrate their 40 years of making music with "Decades", a four-episode online streaming event captured live at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California. The band felt it important to commemorate the conclusion of 2020 as a strange moment in history when they reached that 40-year milestone. The celebratory episodes will include live performance footage, exclusive interviews, and a peek at their rehearsals leading up to the taping of "Decades".

Singer and co-songwriter Greg Graffin discussed their motivation: "I can speak for the whole band when I say that we were so disappointed to not be able to tour this year. It is our fans and all those concerts we play each year that provide the life-force of BAD RELIGION. 'Decades' allows new fans as well as those who were there at the beginning to get a rich overview of our entire career and witness the changes in songwriting and performance styles at each stage of our evolution."

BAD RELIGION will participate in an accompanying live chat during the premiere of each episode. Show-specific merchandise will be available for sale on the "Decades" NoCap Shows page.

* The '80s - BAD RELIGION performs songs from "How Could Hell Be Any Worse", "Suffer" and "No Control". They discuss what it was like being young punks in a world of Pacman, Reaganomics and televangelism.

* The '90's - BAD RELIGION performs songs from "Against The Grain", "Generator", "Recipe For Hate", "Stranger Than Fiction", "The Gray Race" and "No Substance". This decade cemented their position as one of the most influential and prolific bands of our time, but it didn't come easy or without cost; the band discusses the growing pains and lessons learned.

* The '00s - BAD RELIGION performs songs from "The New America", "The Process Of Belief", "The Empire Strikes First" and "New Maps Of Hell". Returning home and charging forward into a new millennium, BAD RELIGION continued to awe with their prowess, releasing some of their most beloved material to date.

* The '10s - BAD RELIGION performs songs from "The Dissent Of Man", "True North" and "Age Of Unreason". The COVID-19 pandemic cut short their plans to tour in support of "The Age Of Unreason" and are now performing material never seen live before. The band discusses the gratitude they live with every day looking back on 40 years of being BAD RELIGION and the legacy they are still actively creating.

NoCap Shows will host "Decades". A four-episode package will sell for $40, individual episodes may be purchased for $15. Tickets for "Decades" will go on sale Tuesday, December 1 at noon PST. Episodes will remain up for sale and viewing through the conclusion of the series and available until 12 a.m. PST on January 5.

"Decades" episodes will premiere at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

December 12: "Bad Religion: The '80s"

December 19: "Bad Religion: The '90s"

December 26: "Bad Religion: The '00s"

January 2: "Bad Religion: The '10s"

EXODUS singer Steve "Zetro" Souza has praised Tom Hunting's performance on the band's upcoming album, "Persona Non Grata", saying it was "the most focused" he has ever seen the drummer on an LP.

Tentatively due in the summer of 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Persona Non Grata" will be the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

In the latest episode of his "Zetro's Toxic Vault" YouTube show, Souza stated about Hunting's playing on "Persona Non Grata" (see video below): "He was a monster — out of his mind. Probably the most focused I've ever seen him on an album.

"The mentality was let's make this thing as great as we can all really make this," he continued. "And I think that that's where everybody's effort was and everybody's head was. And Tom was just like a man possessed. Wait till you hear it."

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and it is currently being mixed by Andy Sneap.

Souza recently said about the musical direction of the new EXODUS material: "This album has everything that a heavy metal fan and EXODUS fan wants. It's very brutal, it's very violent, it's very fast. The lyrics are very aggressive and really deep subject matter. It doesn't disappoint.

"As for [EXODUS guitarist] Gary Holt, him being the major songwriter and the main songwriter, I feel that he's written an absolute masterpiece — an absolute thrash metal masterpiece," he continued. "It's got all of the elements that an EXODUS record should have."

"Persona Non Grata" will feature a guest appearance by ex-EXODUS guitarist Rick Hunolt.

Longtime EXODUS fans will recall that Hunolt — the other half of the famed EXODUS "H-Team" who is on every studio recording from 1985 through 2004 and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs such as "A Lesson In Violence" and "Deliver Us To Evil" — left EXODUS after the band's highly acclaimed 2004 reunion album, "Tempo Of The Damned". Following his departure, Hunolt was replaced by HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus.

Back in April 2019, Hunolt rejoined Holt and other EXODUS members Hunting and Souza to perform several of the group's classic songs during a METAL ALLEGIANCE concert in San Francisco, California.

"Blood In Blood Out" was notable for featuring a guest appearance by former EXODUS guitarist Kirk Hammett, who left the band in 1983 to join METALLICA.

The original lineup of EXODUS consisted of guitarists Hammett and Tim Agnello, Hunting and vocalist Keith Stewart. Holt joined the band in 1981, while Kirk left two years before EXODUS's debut album, "Bonded By Blood", saw the light of day.

Souza is now on his third stint with EXODUS, having previously fronted the band from 1986 to 1993 and 2002 to 2004. A decade following his second departure, Souza returned to the fold in 2014, just in time to appear on "Blood In Blood Out".

"Persona Non Grata" will be EXODUS's first since the completion of SLAYER's final tour. In 2011, Holt began filling in for Jeff Hanneman at SLAYER live shows, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS.

METALLICA and Lenny Kravitz performed at this year's Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual user conference, earlier today (Wednesday, December 2) in San Francisco, California. The event, which kicked off with CEO Marc Benioff's keynote, was held virtually this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The 2020 edition of Dreamforce, re-branded as Dreamforce To You, was made available free to all via Dreamforce.com.

Last year, more than 170,000 people descended on San Francisco for Dreamforce, which is the largest software conference in the world. The event has generated more than $150 million in annual spending for the local economy.

METALLICA previously performed at the 2018 installment of Dreamforce in San Francisco, where the band angered some of the neighbors because of the noise, which traveled a considerable distance across the city.

Late last month, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said that the band is nearly a month into "some pretty serious writing" sessions for its next studio album.

In early May, the four members of METALLICA overcame social distancing to record a new version of their song "Blackened", with each member separated in his own home. The split-screen video was posted to the band's social media channels.

In August, METALLICA broadcast a show to hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across the U.S. and Canada, as part of the "Encore Drive-In Nights" series. The concert was filmed nearly three weeks earlier, on August 10, at the Gundlach Bundschu winery, about a 30-minute car ride from the band's headquarters in San Rafael, California, and was subsequently edited and mixed by the band's award-winning production team to the highest standards possible.

METALLICA's "Live & Acoustic From HQ: Helping Hands Concert & Auction" was streamed live from the band's headquarters on November 14. The special acoustic show benefited METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation.




Once again, it was an honor to be a part of @Dreamforce. Thank you to our friends at @Salesforce for including us in the fun & games during this crazy year.

Catch the on-demand replay of today’s soon over at https://t.co/rBk4rFKJqv. #DF2U pic.twitter.com/xvNAH7MXyr

— Metallica (@Metallica) December 2, 2020








And @Dreamforce is not a #Dreamforce without @Metallica ? As @Benioff says ‘Metallica is a home band of @salesforce’ ?

Thanks for inspiring and so amazing everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BTDjR3m29Y

— Oleh Mykytyn (@Oleh_Mykytyn) December 2, 2020








Once again super proud to be a #Salesforce @salesforce trailblazer & see my favorite band perform #Metallica @Metallica#Ohana pic.twitter.com/nsNqJaCf1m

— Sylvain Guernalec (@sylvainguern) December 2, 2020








Virtual @Dreamforce couldn't be better than this...proud to be part of this amazing company @salesforce , amazing keynotes @Benioff always cool to see the product in action

Special performance by @Metallica pic.twitter.com/2et4QZUGuY

— Mastaneh (@mastaneh31) December 2, 2020








I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did! Wish we were there live! @Metallica at @Dreamforce ! Love it! Thanks @salesforce !! #DF2U #DF2020 pic.twitter.com/3wUntsVIA7

— Wendy Linares Wong (@hentomi) December 2, 2020








I am DYING over the #Dreamforce chat during the #Metallica set. From "Wow, these old dudes can rock" to more than a couple "can we buy more Metallica and less #Slack" comments...gotta love these #trailblazer kids. pic.twitter.com/anFIzsMCi5

— Liz Miller (@lizkmiller) December 2, 2020








In the words of Marc Benioff, what’s #Dreamforce without Metallica? #DF2U #DF2020 pic.twitter.com/zeDHipGYYc

— Ben (@b_mzt_) December 2, 2020








@Metallica closing out my first @Salesforce #Dreamforce Keynote was EPIC! pic.twitter.com/4ftaxsZUMg

— Jesse Hagberg (@JesseHagberg) December 2, 2020








Enjoying so much @Metallica at the #Dreamforce

Thank you @salesforce @Dreamforce pic.twitter.com/HgdjUyacI6

— Andrea Quiroga ?? (@AndieQuiroga) December 2, 2020








Dreamforce 2020.

⁦@Metallica⁩

⁦@LennyKravitz⁩

Join us: https://t.co/CztEay1LER pic.twitter.com/UVS0sBBjHQ

— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) December 2, 2020

Los Angeles rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES have announced their next virtual concert. "Alive And Burning 2" — a global streaming event — will air on December 11 and start at 7 p.m. across four time zones (PST / EST / UK / AUS). The local 7 p/.m. streaming time was created so global fans can experience the energy of BLACK VEIL BRIDES at a reasonable start time from the best seat in the house. The show will feature a collection of fan-favorite greatest hits as well as the debut live performance of the band's new single, "Scarlet Cross". Tickets for "Alive And Burning 2" are now available in various bundle configurations can be purchased at www.BlackVeilBrides.LIVE.

"We are so excited to share 'Alive and Burning 2' with the world," says BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack. "This show is a collection of some of our favorite songs spanning our entire career as well as the live debut of 'Scarlet Cross'. We feel confident that while the pandemic continues to prevent in person live concerts, this show will be a fun experience for any BVB fan. We set out to make a more cinematic streaming show and give the BVB Army something special. We can't wait to unveil it on December 11th."

Last month, BLACK VEIL BRIDES released the video for "Scarlet Cross". The song comes from their upcoming 2021 concept album "The Phantom Tomorrow" — the band's sixth full-length effort. The LP tells the story of the antihero character "The Blackbird" and a group of societal outcasts known as simply as "The Phantom Tomorrow". "Scarlet Cross" — produced by Erik Ron (GODSMACK, DANCE GAVIN DANCE, BUSH) and guitarist Jake Pitts — is available via all digital partners.

The video for "Scarlet Cross" was directed by longtime collaborator Patrick Fogarty and based on a concept written by Biersack. The video was filmed on the Santa Clarita Studios backlot and is the first in a series of videos that will follow the story of the main character "The Blackbird". The video opens as a female member of "The Phantom Tomorrow" takes to the streets only to be discovered and followed. As things get dire, the "The Blackbird" arrives only to fade to black. Shot to look like an old school comic book serial, the video ends with the cliffhanger tease leaving the viewer unsure of the fate of the heroine or her attackers.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES are hard at work putting the finishing touches on "The Phantom Tomorrow", scheduled for release next year via Sumerian Records.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut, "We Stitch These Wounds", with a brand new, reimagined, re-recorded 2020 edition of the album titled "Re-Stitch These Wounds", released in July via Sumerian Records.

In November 2019, BLACK VEIL BRIDES announced the addition of bassist Lonny Eagleton to the group's ranks. He joined the band as the replacement for Ashley Purdy, who exited the group earlier that month.

Eagleton previously played with BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack (a.k.a. Andy Black) on his solo tour.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

Gene Simmons says that KISS has "a hundred and fifty" shows left in its "End Of The Road" tour, including a stop at "the coldest place on earth."

KISS launched its farewell trek in January 2019 but was forced to put it on hold earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a new interview with Marci Wiser of the 95.5 KLOS radio station, Simmons was asked if he thinks live concerts will return in 2021. The KISS bassist/vocalist responded (hear audio below): "The answer is yes. We've already booked Europe outdoors. Most of the shows have already sold out. We start in summer. The vaccines are gonna be out there for everybody, oh, by January, February, March at the latest, but we're gonna be out there a few months after that. And we've literally got a hundred and fifty cities booked."

He continued: "We're gonna continue this tour, which we stopped after doing a hundred and ten cities. We've got another hundred and fifty cities to go, and who knows how long, but some of the later ones are gonna be jaw-dropping. You can't imagine what we've got planned — like, beyond… I said, 'No. We can really do that?' They said, 'Yup. Yup.' The political people said we can play there. And so there's gonna be stuff that's just gonna make you go, 'That's the coolest.'

"There's one place that's the coldest place on earth," Gene revealed. "And if you can imagine us playing there with even larger pyro than you've ever seen, 'cause there's nothing around there. But that's all I'll say about it."

KISS recently announced a New Year's Eve concert at the Atlantis resort in Dubai. Landmarks Live Presents will produce the show live from The Royal Beach at Atlantis Dubai. The show producers claim the event, which will apparently attempt to set the world's record for largest pyro, will be filmed with more than 50 cameras and 360-degree views. It will be seen via livestream, with a ticket purchase on any computer, mobile device, or Apple TV.

"End Of The Road" was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Simmons and Paul Stanley (guitar, vocals), alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss (drums) and Ace Frehley (guitar), KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

In its 46-year career, KISS has accumulated 23 gold and platinum albums — more than any other U.S. band.