In a new interview with Mark Dean of Antihero, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked how he has managed to retain his voice, both in range power, when so many of his peers have struggled to do so. He responded: "I don't know, it's like a heavy metal miracle, isn't it? I'll be turning 70 next year. I'm excited and I'm thrilled that I'm still able to do what I want to do. There are some things I can't do like I could do as a younger singer, because I'm an older guy and your body changes, especially your vocal cords. But I'm encouraged, and I'm whipped along by [PRIEST producers] Andy Sneap and Tom Allom in the studio to get the best out of me. So, I'm just very grateful because, again, some of my mates have had difficulties over the years with voice nodules and things that happen to you that really aren't in your control. So, I just count my blessings that I'm still able to give it another crack at it every time we do a show or make a record."

Earlier this month, Halford told Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast that he doesn't really do any vocal warm-ups before performing live with JUDAS PRIEST. "I just go out and do it," he said. "And as I've been doing this now for 50-odd years, I really have to save my voice; I have to make sure that it's got the strength. 'Cause when you're drinking, that's the worst thing for your voice, especially when you're a doing a show. How the hell did I get through those shows [before I got sober]?

"Yeah, I've been using these pipes for 50 years, and I'm trying to get the most out of them," he continued. "I've had to make some adjustments. I wish I could sing 'Painkiller' like I did in '91, but I can't. But I can have a good go. I can give it a good thrashing and a good whack. But even now, after I've done 'Painkiller' and I finish the song on the stage and the crowd is roaring, I'm going, 'Could have done better. That note wasn't quite there.'

"That's the just the way we push ourselves in this band," Rob added. "We just love to give the best that we possibly can."

Halford's latest comments echo those he made six years ago while discussing his diminished vocal capabilities in a live situation. "I get frustrated, and I freely admit that I wish I could do the stuff that I could do when I was laying down the tracks in 1974 or 1975, but that's just ridiculous," he said at the time. "I don't think any singer can requalify those moments again. So you go out and you do your best, you know?!"

In a July 2014 interview with the Birmingham Mail, Halford stated about how his vocal performance has evolved over the last four decades: "The voice changes obviously. The trick is just to look after it — don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs. I look after my voice these days, and still belt it out.

"When I was a raging drunk and drug addict, I really abused my voice. Thank God I realized I was doing some stupid things. You can damage your voice, and find that you can't do softer things in your music."

Last year, former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens praised Halford, saying that he is "singing better now than he has in a long time. He sounds absolutely phenomenal," Owens said. "And it's great to hear some of these classic songs that he's singing on stage. That's a great thing… Like I said, Rob is singing so good now — he really is. And he looks good, and I think he feels good."

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band, 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition", before PRIEST reunited with Halford in 2003.

Halford is promoting his autobiography, "Confess", which arrived on September 29 via Hachette Books. The book has been described by the U.K.'s The Telegraph as "one of the most candid and surprising memoirs of the year."

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.

Austin Dickinson, the son of IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, has blasted Donald Trump as a "bloated, feculent cheeto" after America's 45th president refused to concede the election and instead pressed unsubstantiated allegations of fraud.

Early this morning (Sunday, November 15), Trump for the first time acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's victory while continuing to falsely blame his loss on a string of conspiracy theories.

"He won because the Election was Rigged," Trump tweeted. "NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn't even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more!"

Less than an hour later, the 30-year-old Austin shared Trump's tweet and added the following comment: "The level of narcissism only amplifies the walls closing in on this bloated, feculent cheeto."

Despite Trump's claims to the contrary, there were poll watchers and observers allowed during vote counting across the country, and there is no evidence that problems associated with Dominion Voting Systems, which makes software, caused widespread errors in counting.

Since Election Day, Trump's campaign and allies have filed at least 16 lawsuits in an attempt to block certification of Biden's victory in the Electoral College. On Friday alone, Trump's his campaign lost in courts in Michigan and Pennsylvania and dropped a challenge in Arizona as judges found the Trump campaign's arguments and evidence that there was widespread fraud and irregularities with the vote to be lacking. That same day, a senior federal election security official who was appointed by Trump blasted the president's false post-election claims, calling them "baffling," "laughable" and "insulting."

Ben Hovland, who runs the Election Assistance Commission which, in part, tests and certifies voting machines, told MIT Technology Review: "At a minimum, it's insulting to the professionals that run our elections and hopefully that's the worst that comes of it. Our people, they're doing their jobs but they don't feel safe doing it. That is a tragedy. That is awful. These are public servants. This isn't a job you do for glory or to get rich."

On Thursday (November 12), Trump's own government declared that "the November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."

The joint statement by a group of federal, state and industry election officials was released by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

"There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised," the officials noted.

Austin is the frontman of AS LIONS, the U.K. hard rock band that formed in 2015 from the ashes of RISE TO REMAIN.




The level of narcissism only amplifies the walls closing in on this bloated, feculent cheeto. https://t.co/clKIChYMiD

— Austin Dickinson (@Austin_AsLions) November 15, 2020

VENDED, the band fronted by Griffin Taylor, the son of SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor, played a short set at this past Friday's (November 13) "Knotfest.com Presents: Pulse Of The Maggots Fest", a free online festival sponsored by ESP Guitars and presented by MusiCares, Ernie Ball and Rock Against Racism. Hosted by Knotfest.com's very own Beez, Ryan J Downey and special guests, "Pulse Of The Maggots Fest" was comprised of three digital stages (the MusiCares stage, Rock Against Racism stage and ESP stage) with performances from 20 of the the most exciting up-and-coming artists.

VENDED played its first headlining show in March at the iconic local club Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, Iowa.

Griffin, who looks a lot like his father, previously showcased his skills when he joined Corey onstage during STONE SOUR shows in 2017 and 2018. According to The Pulse Of Radio, he's also played cover tunes with Shawn "Clown" Crahan's son, Simon Crahan, who's also in VENDED. Clown's daughter Alexandria Crahan-Conway has snapped VENDED's press pics.

Corey told the Wisconsin radio station 102.9 The Hog about sharing the stage with his son: "A million things go through your head. First of all, he's a natural. He'd never done anything like that before. We didn't even practice on stage with him. He and I went through it acoustically backstage. He was 14 at the time. At 14, not only could he lean back on the adrenaline and fall in the pocket, but note-wise, he was so dialed in on it. And then had the presence of mind to be running around stage, going for it, and then at the end, he jumps up on my check-me-out box and takes a selfie with the audience. I would have never in a million years thought to do that. I'd never felt that kind of pride in my life, man. I was, like, 'Oh, you've got the Taylor curse now, dude. You're screwed.' [Laughs]"

He continued: "In one split second, I was up on stage and I'm playing guitar, and I was really just kind of backing him up on the choruses and stuff. But a million things are going through my head. I'm seeing him as a kid, I'm seeing him on his first day at school, I'm seeing him struggle with just trying to figure out who he is and stuff, and then all of a sudden — boom! — and there he is. And I'm like, 'Wow!'"

Asked if Griffin has always gravitated to music, Corey said: "No, man. When he was really young, he wanted to be a florist. And then he was just, like, 'Well, dad, I'm just gonna be a professional gamer.' And I was, like, 'Are ya? All right. Let's hear your rationale.' 'Well, you know, there are people that get paid to play video games.' And I'm, like, 'Hey, if you can do that, please, by all means, get in there.' And then he realized there's actual work [involved] and a lot of those gamers are actually programmers as well. And I'm, like, 'That means college.' And he was, like, 'Ugh.' My son's not the biggest fan of school."

According to Hits Daily Double, AC/DC's comeback album, "Power Up", is expected to shift between 105,000 and 115,000 equivalent album units in the United States in its first week of release. Of that sum, between 100,000 and 110,000 are projected to be in traditional album sales.

AC/DC will battle Future and Lil Uzi Vert's "Pluto x Baby Pluto" project for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. Future and Uzi's effort will move between 110,000 and 120,000 album equivalent units in its first week. Unlike "Power Up", the rappers' LP will be powered by streaming.

Back in December 2014, AC/DC's previous album, "Rock Or Bust", sold around 172,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked a huge drop from the opening number of AC/DC's 2008 CD, "Black Ice", which topped sales charts in 29 countries, including the U.S., where it sold an incredible 784,288 in its first week — making it the band's first-ever No. 1 debut on the U.S. album chart. "Black Ice" went on to sell another 270,923 units in its second week, bringing the first two weeks' sales in the U.S. to over 1 million copies. Sold exclusively at Walmart, Sam's Club and ACDC.com in the U.S., "Black Ice" quickly became the biggest-selling rock record of 2008.

"Power Up" features AC/DC's 2020 lineup of Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), Angus Young (guitar) and Stevie Young (guitar).

The LP 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".

"What I like about Brendan is that he keeps you working when you're doing a project with him," Angus told Rolling Stone. "He's talented himself. He knows his bass and his guitar and a bit of drums. And piano. He covers the spectrum for what we can do musically. It's very good because you’re working with a musician, since he can apply that musical knowledge."

Although AC/DC originally planned on releasing "Power Up" earlier this year, the pandemic forced the band to reconsider.

"We were hoping to get the album out before all this happened," Angus said. "They were getting ideas together for packaging and video promo things. And then that virus thing came along. It kind of put everyone on hold."

"Power Up" is available in multiple configurations, including digital, CD, and deluxe versions. The limited edition, one-of-a-kind deluxe "Power Up" box is the ultimate fan package. Hit the button on the side of the box and watch the flashing neon AC/DC logo light up while the opening bars of "Shot In The Dark" blast out of the built-in speaker. Inside the box is the full CD package in a soft-pack with a 20-page booklet that features exclusive photos and USB charging cable allowing the box to remain powered up and on display. The vinyl LP was pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket. Limited-edition variants of the LP are available at select retailers nationwide, as well as the band's online store.

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner has once again slammed the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, saying "it's almost more credible" to not have been inducted into the institution.

The British heavy metal legends were on the ballot for Rock Hall induction this year, but failed to receive enough votes to make the class of 2020.

Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was previously on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list.

After one of Faulkner's Twitter followers told the guitarist that he finds it "offensive" that pop superstar Whitney Houston is in the Rock Hall while PRIEST has yet to get the nod, Richie responded: "If the Rock Hall had any credibility whatsoever, I'd agree with you. But it doesn't. I've said it before and I'll say it again, to be playing and recording music with the best fans all over the world after 50 years is more of an accolade than a trophy on the shelf imho."

Another fan then chimed in, "Rock hall of fame is run by a bunch of dry cleaned suits who don't know shit about music. It's not about music in passionate artform sake, it's a commercial enterprise," to which Faulkner replied, "It's no accolade if it's a rock hof with minimal rock in it.Change the name or induct bands like PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD and countless others,it might mean something. Until then its almost more credible to NOT be in it. A 50 year career in JPs case with the best fans is the real accolade".

Back in August 2018, Faulkner said that he was "on the fence" about JUDAS PRIEST's absence from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, explaining that having a successful five-decade career and still making music that the band's fans love is "all the affirmation anyone needs."

Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.

DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.

PRIEST singer Rob Halford said that he "would love" to see his band inducted into the Rock Hall. "I think we deserve it," he said. "We've put our 10,000 hours in and more. And beyond that, we just feel that heavy metal music deserves more space on the shelf at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."




If the rock hall had any credibility whatsoever, I'd agree with you. But it doesn't. I've said it before and I'll say it again, to be playing and recording music with the best fans all over the world after 50 years is more of an accolade than a trophy on the shelf imho https://t.co/Y40WsYBu8u

— Richie Faulkner (@RichieFaulkner) November 14, 2020








It's no accolade if it's a rock hof with minimal rock in it.Change the name or induct bands like priest,Motörhead and countless others,it might mean something.Until then its almost more credible to NOT be in it.A 50 year career in JPs case with the best fans is the real accolade https://t.co/uS53c8j39u

— Richie Faulkner (@RichieFaulkner) November 15, 2020








Even 12 year olds have opinions and I guess blabbermouth cared enough. Must’ve been a slow news day I guess to post my whiny British ass again, on a subject they’ve already covered my opinion on https://t.co/vCyjQVfw2K

— Richie Faulkner (@RichieFaulkner) November 15, 2020

Scott Stapp says that "everything is positive" between him and all the other members of CREED.

This past June, CREED updated its Facebook profile with an old photo, igniting rumors of the band's imminent return. Nearly five months later, drummer Scott Phillips confirmed that there has been "some chatter" about renewed activity from the group, but cautioned that there are "no specific plans" for CREED to perform or make music again.

Stapp addressed the possibility of CREED making a comeback — eight years after the band completed a tour in support of its fourth album, 2009's "Full Circle" — during a new interview with Kev of the Rockford, Illinois radio station 104.9 The X.

He said (see video below): "Well, to start off, first and foremost, the most important thing is everything is positive and the relationships are good with the band. We talk, we're in communication — it's all positive there. And I'll tell you what: if there's any announcements or any news about any new music or anything beyond that, I promise you we will put out an all-points bulletin and let everybody know. Right now, I'm focused on my latest solo record, 'The Space Between The Shadows', and currently my new single 'Survivor'. But I promise you, we will let everybody know."

CREED disbanded in 2004 but reunited five years later for the aforementioned "Full Circle" LP and an extensive tour. The band had begun working in 2012 on a follow-up album, but the project was abandoned. Stapp has since toured and recorded as a solo artist, although he suffered a drug-related mental breakdown in 2014 and spent several years recovering from that.

Back in 2019, guitarist Mark Tremonti said in an interview on Jamey Jasta's podcast that he was sitting on an album's worth of material for CREED. Asked whether CREED could reunite again, Tremonti said, "People say, 'Is it done? Is it over? Is there new music coming out?' I'm sitting on an entire CREED album... When we were together doing the reunion tour, we put a lot of music together and I have like really sketchy little demos of probably 13 songs. I listened to them maybe a year ago and they're good songs."

Tremonti added: "It's just, there's no time. Is it good enough for me to put everything on the back burner that I've been working on for the past 14 years? No. Is it good enough to maybe 10 years from now or seven years from now... or some big resurgence happens or there's an anniversary where everybody's like, 'We want to see CREED and the world demands it like they used to.' I wouldn't say no."

Tremonti, who also leads his own self-named band and plays in ALTER BRIDGE with the other instrumental members of CREED, told The Pulse Of Radio a while back he doesn't see CREED working again anytime soon. "I'm just so full of commitments between TREMONTI and ALTER BRIDGE, and juggling these two bands writing-wise and just touring-wise, it's like almost impossible to do all three, and I'm very satisfied with what I'm doing now," he said.

Los Angeles trailblazers HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD have released a new single, "Gonna Be Okay" from their forthcoming album "New Empire Vol. 2", produced by Matt Good (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS) and out via BMG/Dove & Grenade. Their latest buzzworthy single showcases swagger-inducing guitar riffs, hard-hitting, blunt force beats and up-by-your-bootstraps lyrics, all of which are key components synonymous with HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD's iconic style.

Johnny 3 Tears shares: "'Gonna Be Okay' is about that precarious place we sometimes find ourselves, the brink between salvation and sanity and our desperate plea to ourselves that everything will be alright."

The first part of the "New Empire" duo, "New Empire Vol. 1" was released in February of this year and spawned hits "Already Dead", "Time Bomb", "Heart Of A Champion" and "Nightmare" to great acclaim, with Consequence Of Sound claiming "'New Empire Vol. 1' finds the band in a much heavier setting than usual", Inc. magazine stating, "Fifteen years in, and in an industry where careers are often measured in months, [they're] releasing a killer new album," and Billboard asserting "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD shows no signs of slowing down."

Since the release of the first half of the two-part opus, the band has released three singles from "New Empire Vol. 2", including the genre-bending smash hit "Idol", featuring none other than preeminent rapper Tech N9ne, the evocative single "Coming Home" and smokin' hot mega-banger "Heart Of A Champion", featuring Jacoby Shaddix of PAPA ROACH and Spencer Charnas of ICE NINE KILLS.

Speaking about "New Empire Vol. 2", Johnny 3 Tears shares: "'New Empire' began with the deconstruction of the society we live in today, taking it apart piece by piece. 'New Empire' will end with reimagining a new world. The bell will be tolled signaling the end and ultimately the beginning of a brave new world."

Formed in 2005, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD inched towards mainstream dominance under the radar with unprecedented success for a modern band. Preceding the current playlist-hopping genre-less boom, they defied stylistic boundaries from day one. Integrating rap, rock, and electronic, the seminal 2008 debut "Swan Songs" went platinum. 2011's gold-selling "American Tragedy" bowed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with "Notes From The Underground" soaring to No. 2 in 2013. "Day Of The Dead" (2015) and "Five" (2017) brought the group's total streams past 1 billion and "New Empire Vol. 1" seeing their combined streams across Spotify and YouTube hit a staggering two billion. Along the way, they sold out tours on four continents and garnered acclaim courtesy of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Consequence Of Sound, Alternative Press, Revolver, and more.

MR. BIG bassist Billy Sheehan says that no decisions have yet been made regarding the band's future following the passing of Pat Torpey. The drummer died in February 2018 at the age of 64 from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Speaking to FOX17 Rock & Review about MR. BIG's legacy, Sheehan said (see video below): "It was quite a band. We had incredible success with the band, especially internationally, which worked out really nice for us, 'cause right around the mid-'90s, the world went grunge — well, the U.S. and Europe kind of went grunge, but everywhere else, it didn't, so South America, Southeast Asia and all those places, we could still sell out shows and do really well.

"We had a great run," he continued. "We still exist, but, as you know, sadly we lost our drummer, and we don't have any plan at this point for anything. We'll just let nature take its course. At some point, maybe we'll do something again. We don't know. Maybe me and Paul [Gilbert, guitar], maybe me and Eric [Martin, vocals], maybe Eric and Paul, maybe us with a different drummer — it could be anything — but we have not discussed it at all, and we're just kind of letting it go.

"It was tough for us [to deal with Pat's death]. The four component parts had to be there in order for it to be MR. BIG. But we appreciate [the support]. I still get a lot of e-mail every day regarding MR. BIG and our songs. Some amazing e-mails from people that, you begin to realize how you touch people around the world. Some little girl in Pakistan is having a hard time, and she listens to our music, and now everything's okay again. [It's] pretty amazing."

This past May, Sheehan gave an interview to the "Music Mania" podcast in which he claimed that a "mastering problem" with MR. BIG's latest album, "Defying Gravity", which came out three years ago, made the LP "unlistenable." He went on to say that "the label ruined the record" by insisting on having the album and "putting it out when it's not ready." He explained: "If we had another day to get it to proper mastering and get it done right, it would have been fine. 'Cause I was there for the final mixes — I went in there every day and listened to mixes. Pat was there with us too. We went through the mixes, and they were sounding great. And, unfortunately, we got screwed.

"I've seen it before in many other situations with many other bands," he added. "We've got the marketing department and they're ready to go and they've gotta have the record now. And then I've also seen other bands just say, 'No. The record is not done. You're out of luck.' And I wish we would have just said that, because I just don't think the record had the kind of life it had when I heard the final mixes."

A short time later, Frontiers Music Srl released a statement clarifying that it wasn't the label responsible for "ruining" "Defying Gravity", which marked Torpey's final recorded appearance with MR. BIG.

"Defying Gravity" was released via Wowow Entertainment, Inc. in Japan and Frontiers Music Srl in most of the rest of the world.

After announcing his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2014, Torpey continued to write, record and perform with MR. BIG, who also recruited Matt Starr to share drum duties.

MR. BIG, formed in 1988, produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres — be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits include "Alive And Kicking", "Just Take My Heart" and the chart-topping ballad "To Be With You".

METALLICA played both unplugged and electric sets as part of its "Live & Acoustic From HQ: Helping Hands Concert & Auction", which was streamed live earlier today (Saturday, November 14) from the band's headquarters in San Rafael, California.

The acoustic portion saw James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo perform stripped down versions of METALLICA songs "Blackened", "Creeping Death", "The Unforgiven", "Now That We're Dead", "Nothing Else Matters" and "All Within My Hands", as well as covers of DEEP PURPLE's "When A Blind Man Cries" and Bob Seger's "Turn The Page". The electric set consisted of a reimagined version of "Disposable Heroes" — described by Hetfield as "a heavy song we did acoustic, and we're doing it heavy the acoustic-version way" — plus "Wasting My Hate" (performed for the first time since 2011), "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Master Of Puppets" and "Enter Sandman", along with cover of the traditional folk classic "The House Of The Rising Sun".

"DEEP PURPLE was my first concert back in 1562," Ulrich remarked at the end of "When A Blind Man Cries". "Hearing James sing it was so fucking awesome. So thanks for indulging us."

Joining METALLICA at the event were mandolin player and multi-instrumentalist Avi Vinocur and keyboard player Henry Salvia. There was also a guest appearance from Hetfield's son Castor and Ulrich's son Layne, who added backing vocals and percussion to "All Within My Hands".

The reimagined version of "Disposable Heroes" can be seen beginning around the 7:30 mark in the second video below.

This was the second All Within My Hands foundation (AWMH) benefit held by METALLICA and this time around fans from all over the world were able to participate, as it was the band's first-ever worldwide pay-per-view event.

"METALLICA doesn't do anything halfway. This is an example of that," Hammett said of All Within My Hands prior to the start of the concert. "We've helped so many people through our music. Now we want to help in a different way."

"Thank you for supporting All Within My Hands and, even more importantly, thank you for supporting METALLICA through thick and thin," Ulrich said. "We love you. We can't wait to see you in all corners of the world as soon as possible."

"Live & Acoustic From HQ: Helping Hands Concert & Auction" setlist:

Acoustic set

01. Blackened

02. Creeping Death

03. When A Blind Man Cries (DEEP PURPLE cover)

04. The Unforgiven

05. Now That We're Dead

06. Turn The Page (Bob Seger cover)

07. Nothing Else Matters

08. All Within My Hands

Electric set

09: Disposable Heroes

10. House Of The Rising Sun (traditional folk cover)

11. Wasting My Hate

12. For Whom The Bell Tolls

13. Master Of Puppets

14. Enter Sandman

All Within My Hands is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation established in 2017 as a way for the METALLICA family to give back to communities that have supported the band. Just this year, AWMH has donated $645,000 to COVID-19-related relief funds including Feeding America, Direct Relief, as well as to charities assisting those in the entertainment and hospitality industries suddenly without work. More recently the foundation donated $350,000 to aid those affected by the West Coast wildfires. Finally, the foundation's Metallica Scholars Initiative is now in its second year, supported by a $1.5 million grant benefiting 15 community colleges across the country.

METALLICA and All Within My Hands are committed to running an organization of the highest integrity where expenses are kept to a minimum and are paid for entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years and are excited to help in this mission. As always, 100% of proceeds from this year's "Helping Hands" event — tickets, fees and auction items — will go directly to help those in need, with METALLICA and the foundation covering all production costs and expenses.

Canadian rockers THREE DAYS GRACE are working on material for the follow-up to 2018's "Outsider" album. Speaking to Kev of the Rockford, Illinois radio station 104.9 The X, singer Matt Walst said (see video below): "We've been just writing and sending ideas around. We polished off a few. We're going song by song. So we're trying to get one song polished off and finished and then moving on to the next song. Before, we'd just have a bunch of ideas and try to jump around to each, but this time around, just 'cause of COVID and the times, we're trying to just polish off a song, move on, next song, and I think it's really working for us."

THREE DAYS GRACE' most recent release was a cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know", which came out in July. The official music video for THREE DAYS GRACE's version of the track was directed by Mike Filsinger.

Last year, THREE DAYS GRACE extended its record for the most No. 1s in the 38-year history of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart, with "Right Left Wrong" its 15th No. 1 single on the tally.

"Right Left Wrong" is featured on "Outsider", THREE DAYS GRACE's sixth full-length album and fifth consecutive Top 40-charting LP on the Billboard Top 200.

THREE DAYS GRACE's other No. 1 singles include "Misery Loves My Company", "Chalk Outline", "World So Cold", "Never Too Late", "Just Like You", "Animal", "Pain", "Home" and "Infra-Red".

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON played a short set at the virtual Adult Swim Festival on Friday night (November 13). The five-song performance, which can be seen in full below, kicked off with the live debut of the "Once More 'Round The Sun" track "Asleep In The Deep", before continuing with "Thickening", "Steambreather", "The Motherload" and "Blood And Thunder".

MASTODON has just entered the studio to begin recording its next album. The follow-up to 2017's "Emperor Of Sand" will mark MASTODON's first collection of new material since the death of longtime manager Nick John and the passing of tour manager Bob Dallas.

MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor recently told the 100.3 The X Rocks radio station that the band had demoed 30 songs for its next LP, with the intention of including 12 on the final product.

MASTODON's new rarities collection titled "Medium Rarities", was released in September. The compilation includes a new song called "Fallen Torches" as well as a bevy of classic covers, soundtrack contributions, instrumentals, B-sides, and live recordings on one complete package for the very first time.

"Emperor Of Sand" debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. That LP was nominated for the 2018 Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album," and its opening track, "Sultan's Curse", won the Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance."

Earlier in the year, MASTODON wrote and recorded a new song called "Rufus Lives" for inclusion in the latest "Bill & Ted Face The Music" movie.

"Bill & Ted Face The Music", which reunites Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves in the title roles for the first time since 1991's "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey", was released in August.

"Rucker", a new horror film starring SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor, is currently in post-production.

"Rucker" is described as a genre-bending terror film about a serial killer trucker who attempts to salvage family relationships. Olympic College film professor Amy Hesketh serves as the film's director and fellow OC professor Aaron Drane produced the film. Both are credited with co-writing the screenplay.

Corey portrays the titular character's trucking buddy. Taylor had previously appeared in the film "Fear Clinic", which was written and produced by Drane.

"It was as easy as Aaron reaching out to me," Taylor said of how he ended up involved in "Rucker". "He and I worked together on 'Fear Clinic', and apparently I left a lasting impression. He sent me 'Rucker' and we were able to make the time work, and it was boom, boom, boom — the rest is history."

Drane was thrilled to have Corey involved with the "Rucker" film. "He's a rock star," Aaron said. "I mean that in every sense of the word. He is one of the coolest guys I know, and he's somebody who has to function at a very high level, yet really goes far out of his way to help other people achieve their art."

Taylor said he had "a great time" working on the film in Bremerton, Washington and added that they even "found a role" for his now-wife Alicia.

Drane said that "Rucker" is not your typical slasher flick. It relies less on jump scares and more on leaving the viewer with a lingering sense of dread.

"When you watch a horror film, when you participate in the content and the characters, you feel a sense of shared vulnerability," Drane said. "What we tried to do with this film was tap into the human experience and the underlying fears associated with real-life issues. It's real-life horror."

A longtime fan of horror films, Taylor was featured prominently in the "In Search Of Darkness" documentary, which came out last year.

Corey told Syfy network's "Metal Crush Mondays" how he first got into horror movies: "My mom took me to see the 'Buck Rogers [In The 25th Century]' movie when I was a kid. I must've been four or five, but the trailer before the movie was John Carpenter's 'Halloween'. You've just got these incredible visuals, this sense of it's autumn, it's Halloween and there's just this dude in the background of every shot. I can remember as a five-year-old just being transfixed. Like, I suddenly didn't care about Buck Rogers. I think it was the one moment in my life that really galvanized my taste in what my young mind thought was cool. It was actually a couple years later that I actually got to watch it and to this day it's one of my favorite movies."
























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NIGHTWISH's Floor Jansen has released her cover version of the song "Let It Go" from the Disney movie "Frozen". The Dutch-born vocalist revealed that she got the inspiration to record the track through her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Freja, who has been listening to it and singing it "for months."

In a statement accompanying the YouTube release of her "Let It Go" video, Jansen wrote: "Freja has been listening to singing Let It Go from the Disney movie, Frozen, for months. For fun and also because I miss performing for you, I decided to cover Let It Go from Frozen for all of you! Let It Go has been stuck in my head for months, so now it's your turn. ;) We added a bit of a rock & metal sound to it and gave it a bit of our own twist!"

The music for Floor's version of "Let It Go" was laid down by Oscar Fläring from the band THE FOUXES.

Released in 2013, the original version of "Let It Go" was written by husband-wife songwriter duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won both an Academy Award and Grammy Award in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon.

Jansen officially joined NIGHTWISH in 2013 and made her recording debut with the group on 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" album.

NIGHTWISH's ninth studio album, "Human. :II: Nature." , was released in April via Nuclear Blast. The effort is a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters on CD 2.

Eleine have unveiled their fourth video single, titled "Memoriam", from their upcoming studio album Dancing In Hell, which is set for a November 27 release on Black Lodge Records. 

"Is all I do for nothing? Will my efforts be buried beneath the shallow glory that is celebrated by the masses?"

“Memoriam” tells you that your life has value, and that to the disbelievers we say, “No…this wasted life is mine to live, and you will remember my name.”

For the recording of the new album, Eleine returned once again to The Panic Room. The album is mixed and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson. Pre-order here.

Eleine goes full out with Dancing In Hell, offering the album in two versions: Full color and black/white. The decision to add a black/white version of the album came from the band’s love of old school dark metal.

Besides adding a black/white version, Eleine also has a limited Collector’s Edition of the album. A box set containing all formats: CD, LP and Cassette, but also an exclusive Dancing In Hell flag and patch that can only be found in the Collector’s Edition.The Collector’s Edition is also available in both full color and black/white.

With Dancing In Hell, Eleine share stories of inner demons, strength and loss. This is Eleine’s most powerful album yet and sets a new standard within the symphonic metal genre with hard hitting, melodic and seductive metal that has become the renowned Eleine sound.

Tracklisting:

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

"Memoriam":

"Ava Of Death":




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Rising New England death metal agitators Fuming Mouth have officially joined Nuclear Blast, and will release a new EP titled Beyond The Tomb on November 20. Today, the band has launched a preorder for the record and debuted crushing new song, "Master Of Extremity." The EP follows the band's critically lauded, breakout album The Grand Descent.

Commenting on their signing to Nuclear Blast, vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan states: "The first time I spoke to Monte Conner at Nuclear Blast it clicked. We had finally found someone with the same exact goals as us. They're a label that strives to see their bands at their best and we're a band that thrives off that energy. WE HAVE SIGNED TO NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS, and I want to scream it in your face until you hear me."

Preorder here.




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Mark Morton and Lzzy Hale from Halestorm perform their cover of "She Talks To Angels" (remotely) as part of the Raise Your Horns w/ Lzzy Hale show with Rolling Live Studios.

They previously recorded the song for Morton's solo EP, Ether, released this year.

Earlier this year, Morton released a video for "All I Had To Lose" featuring Mark Morales (Sons Of Texas), the first single from his  Ether EP. Watch the clip below.

Morton's second solo offering is primarily acoustic and consists of three original tracks and two covers. Morton cites “All I Had To Lose,” released last week as a single, as “one of the most personal songs I have ever written.”

As with Morton’s solo debut, Anesthetic, released earlier this year, the guitarist enlisted the talents of various musicians and vocalists to bring his songs to life. Ether features appearances by Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage, Light The Torch), John Carbone (Moon Tooth) and Mark Morales (Sons of Texas), who is also a member of Morton’s live band. The EP is made up of three original songs and two covers that once again showcase Morton’s diversity as a musician. Ether was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium).

Tracklisting:

“All I Had To Lose” (feat. Mark Morales)
“The Fight” (feat. John Carbone)
“She Talks To Angels” (feat. Lzzy Hale)
“Love My Enemy” (feat. Howard Jones)
“Black” (feat. Mark Morales)

“All I Had To Lose” video:




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Harlott has released their new album, Detritus Of The Final Age, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Detritus of the Final Age, a video for the single "Idol Minded" is streaming below.

The record can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:

- digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- toxic viole(n)t marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- polluted earth melt vinyl (Kings Road exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- contaminated yellow / green marbled vinyl (US exclusive)

More than 30 years after its inception, thrash refuses to die, and with Australia's Harlott stoking the fires, the genre is in very good hands. Returning with the follow up to 2017's mighty Extinction, Detritus Of The Final Age sees them continuing to fight the good fight, delivering a collection of serrated riffs, rampant rhythmic battery and bilious lyrics, hitting hard in all the right places.

"For the first time ever, I went into this album with a blank slate," says vocalist/guitarist Andrew Hudson. "No ideas or requirements, just an empty record ready to be filled with whatever took me. Obviously thrash metal is the wheelhouse of what we do, and it came out pretty thrashy, but it was great to be able to set that aside and explore other avenues."

The result is perhaps the band's most dynamic release, while holding on tight to that signature Harlott sound that has drawn in a legion of fans from around the world.

Helping to realize the new record, the band's ranks were refreshed with two new members, Glen Trayhern on drums and Leigh Bartley on guitar.

"Both bring their own skills and abilities as well as fresh enthusiasm and ideas. Glen is an absolute machine on the kit and lays a rock solid foundation for us to play to, and Leigh is a weapon on the guitar and such a unique lead writer. I couldn't have had a better ensemble for this release, and the live show is as violent as ever."

Spending longer writing the record than any of its predecessors, for more than a year Hudson worked on it, experimenting with ideas and styles. Determined to make a record that he would want to listen to - and proudly drawing inspiration from the many bands that have shaped the genre ahead of them - it was integral that he was proud of everything included on the record, and he focused on every aspect of the songs.

"Whether its lyrics or riffs or breakdowns, I always make sure that every song has at least one bit that makes you go 'fuck yeeeeah'. I don't like the idea of thinking a song or line is 'good enough', so I try to make sure the elements of the song are strong enough for them to stand alone outside of the ensemble that they are part of."

The result is "thrash metal with a bit of darkness, a bit of sorrow, a bit of melody and a few hooks thrown in for good measure," something that Harlott fans will recognize while surely drawing in new listeners.

Tracklisting:

"As We Breach"
"Idol Minded"
"Bring On The War"
"Detritus Of The Final Age"
"Prime Evil"
"Nemesis"
"Slaughter"
"Grief"
"Miserere Of The Dead"
"The Time To Kill Is Now"

"Idol Minded":

"As We Breach":

(Photo - Elgin Huang Jiale)




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Iron Mask has released new single, "Wild And Lethal", taken from their seventh album Master Of Masters, which will hit the streets December 4th via AFM Records.

One of the more up-tempo tracks on Master Of Masters, "Wild And Lethal" shines with intricate guitar work and a catchy chorus. All trademarks the band has established during their 20 year career are present and will satisfy new and old fans alike.

Dushan Petrossi managed to write his best material ever and all 12 songs have that perfect combination of pure metal, easy-listening feel with progressive touches, beautiful orchestrations with virtuos playing and catchy melodies. The band succeeded again - even during these strange times - to record with full-on passion, energy and fire. The entire process went fast and smooth, as all was directed by the Gods themselves. Everything was written, recorded and mixed in less than six months.

It has been a long search, but with Mike Slembrouck joining the band as lead vocalist, it’s a perfect fit. Iron Mask finally found the singing gem and truly committed band member, they’ve been searching for so long and it was hidden in Belgium.

Oliver Hartmann (Avantasia, Hartmann) joined in again for this MASTERpiece and took up one song as guest vocalist and all the album choirs.

After 20 years, six albums and the most devoted fans around the world... the best is now to come.

Tracklisting:

"Never Kiss The Ring"
"Tree Of The World"
"Revolution Rise"
"One Against All"
"Nothing Lasts  Forever"
"Dance With The Beast"
"Wild And Lethal"
"Mist Of Loch Ness"
"My One And Only"
"A Mother Loved Blue"
"Sagittarius A"
"Master Of Masters"

"Wild And Lethal":

"One Against All":

(Photo - Devos Jens Photography)




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Macabre have released their demented, heinous bloodbath of an album, Carnival Of Killers, on this fitting Friday the 13th. In the usual Macabre fashion and staying true to their name, they offer fans the perfect road trip sing-a-long coupled with a visually disturbing video for the single "The Wheels On The Bug" which chronicles the Ted Bundy murder spree.

Corporate Death comments, "In our music, we tell true stories about different killers and you will gather information from our songs. It is like reading a newspaper article about these people but we tell stories via our music. I like to call it creative story telling about very bad people. My mother used to buy me children’s records, from an early age, she saw that I liked to sing along. 'The Wheels On The Bug' is based on a song from a record my mother bought for me when I was young. I used to sing that song on the school bus. It must have stuck with me, as all these years later I’m still singing it, only we changed it up and made it more Macabre."

Watch and sing-a-long to "The Wheels On The Bug" below. The band also restocked their "Bundy" shirt which can be purchased on the band's webstore, here.

The video was helmed by award-winning filmmaker, Ryan Oliver who's previously directed the Macabre music video for “Your Window Is Open" as well as videos for The Atlas Moth, Bill & Phil, Child Bite and Lair of the Minotaur. The video was produced in hand with his colleagues at The Rot Shop, a fabrication and FX shop in Chicago where the same group has previously made props and FX for many artists including Ministry and Metallica.

Carnival Of Killers was recorded and mixed by Tomek Spirala of Studio1134 with the exception of drum tracks as he recorded them at Kiwi Audio with the help of Mark Walker. The mastering of Carnival Of Killers was handled by J.F. Dagenais at JFD Studios in Dallas, TX. The “Where’s Waldo” meets serial killer album artwork was created by Corporate Death (lead singer | guitarist Lance Lencioni) and artist Laz Gein and highlights the album's most memorable references.

Order your copy of Carnival Of Killers in the format of your choice here. Save the album to Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer here.

Carnival Of Killers tracklisting:

Intro
"Your Window Is Open"
"Joe Ball Was His Name "
"Stinky"
"Abduction"
"Tea Cakes"
"Them Dry Bones"
"Richard Speck Grew Big Breasts"
"Slaughter House"
"Breaking Point"
"The Lake Of Fire"
"Warte, Warte"
"Now It’s Time To Pay"
"The Wheels On The Bug"
"Corpse Violator"
"The Murder Mack"

“Your Window Is Open” video:

"The Lake Of Fire" visualizer:

Lineup:

Nefarious (Charles Lescewicz) - Bass, Vocals
Corporate Death (Lance Lencioni) - Guitar, Vocals
Dennis The Menace (Dennis Ritchie) - Drums




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Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy, The Almighty) recently announced that he will be releasing a brand new studio album, his first since 2015. The new album is titled When Life Was Hard And Fast and will be released on February 19 via Nuclear Blast.

The album's first single, "Fighting Heart", is available on all streaming services. You can watch the official video for the song below.

Warwick recorded an acoustic version of "Fighting Heart" for Planet Rock, live in his home! This acoustic version turns the footstomping rock 'n' roll single into a heartfelt celebration of how music, literature, art and movies can inspire and motivate us on a daily basis. Watch below:

Pre-order the album on various formats, including a 2CD digipack which includes the bonus covers album Stairwell Troubadour, here.

Ricky comments: "'Fighting Heart' is a celebration of how music, literature, art and movies can inspire and motivate us on a daily basis. Can these things change the world? Who knows for sure. But I believe that loud guitars and rock 'n roll can save a little piece of us all."

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

Keith noted that, "Ricky is a true rock-n-roll soul... he’s got incredible stories to tell and a unique way of telling them. It’s been an honor to be asked to partner and contribute to this record.”

When Life Was Hard And Fast tracklisting:

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

Stairwell Troubadour tracklisting:

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

"Fighting Heart" video:




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Volbeat have released a video for "Die To Live" (Live In Stuttgart) from the upcoming Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland release, available digitally worldwide on November 27 via Republic Records. Watch below and get the track here

The new 27-song set features songs recorded during the sold-out German leg of last year’s Rewind, Replay, Rebound World Tour, along with two additional tracks recorded earlier on the tour. The album marks the first official live recordings of 11 songs from the band’s latest studio release, Rewind, Replay, Rebound as well as fan favourites from throughout the band’s career played in front of the their die-hard German fans in cities such as Stuttgart, Cologne, and Hamburg. The set, mixed by long time Volbeat collaborator Jacob Hansen, will be available for streaming and download from your favourite digital service. Click here to pre-save.

Germany holds an important place in the story of Volbeat. From playing their first note on German soil at the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen 14 years ago, Germany has embraced the band and lovingly christened themselves the band’s “second home.” Says vocalist/guitarist Michael Poulsen, “the German audience has always had a special place in our hearts, since the very beginning. They have always supported us and still do. It’s amazing to see the impact the fans have had on Volbeat, we’ve become fans of theirs, too.”

Recently, Volbeat announced their Record Store Day Black Friday release, Hokus Bonus: a vinyl-only compilation of ‘bonus tracks’ from special and international editions of the band’s previous albums. Limited to 3,000 copies, the LP features brand new cover art from long-time Volbeat illustrator Karsten Sand and will be pressed on “Magician’s Smoke” coloured vinyl. Hokus Bonus will also be available November 27 at independent record stores participating in Record Store Day.

Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland tracklisting:

Intro/"Lola Montez"
"Pelvis On Fire"
"Doc Holliday"   
"Sorry Sack Of Bones"   
"The Garden's Tale"
"Ring Of Fire"    
"Sad Man's Tongue"                
"When We Were Kids"  
"Slaytan"                       
"Dead But Rising"
"Fallen"
"Die To Live"
"Seal The Deal"
"For Evigt"
"7:24"
"Cheapside Sloggers"
"Lonesome Rider"         
"Parasite"
"The Everlasting"
"Cloud 9"
"Last Day Under The Sun"         
"The Devil's Bleeding Crown"   
"Leviathan"
"Let It Burn"      
"Pool Of Booze, Booze, Booza"
"Boa [JDM]"
"Still Counting"

"Lonesome Rider" (Live In Stuttgart) video:

"Cheapside Sloggers" (Live In Stuttgart) video:

Trailer:




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W.E.T. has announced the release of their fourth album, Retransmission, on January 22 via Frontiers Music Srl. Core members Jeff Scott Soto, Erik Mårtensson, and Robert Säll deliver another astounding album that will surely be a contender for Melodic Rock Album of the Year in 2021. Today, fans can get their first taste of the new album with the single and video, "Big Boys Don't Cry". Watch the clip below, and pre-order/save Retransmission on CD, LP, Limited Edition Color LP, & Digital here.

W.E.T truly epitomizes what melodic rock has become in the new decade. The key element at the foundation of W.E.T has always been to create a modern melodic hard rock sound that will drive the genre into the future. Combining powerhouse rhythms and top notch production (courtesy of Erik Martensson), the music is equally classic and contemporary. Retransmission is nothing else than an absolute milestone, which is well in keeping with the tradition established by the three amazing records that have preceded this one.

Starting with a genre-defining self-titled debut, Robert Såll (the “W” from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the “E” from Eclipse), and Jeff Scott Soto (the “T” from Talisman) accepted the daunting task to give that debut a follow-up, Rise Up. After that stellar follow-up, their third opus, Earthrage, cemented a legacy of music which will stand the test of time.

Tracklisting:

"Big Boys Don't Cry"
"The Moment Of Truth"
"The Call Of The Wild"
"Got To Be About Love"
"Beautiful Game"
"How Far To Babylon"
"Coming Home"
"What Are You Waiting For"
"You Better Believe It"
"How Do I Know"
"One Final Kiss"

"Big Boys Don't Cry" video:

Lineup:

Jeff Scott Soto: Lead Vocals
Erik Martensson: All Rhythm Guitar, Some Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals & Keyboards
Robert Säll: Keys and guitar
Magnus Henriksson: Lead Guitar
Andreas Passmark: Bass Guitar
Robban Bäck: Drums




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Legendary Canadian prog-thrashers, Sword, have released their new single "In Kommand", available today exclusively on Bandcamp via Combat Records.

“In Kommand” features the band’s classic lineup including vocalist Rick Hughes, guitarist Mike Plant, bassist Mike LaRock, and drummer Dan Hughes, with their first new offering in over 30 years. “In Kommand” will find its way to all digital outlets worldwide on November 27, with a long-awaited third studio album to follow.

Purchase on Bandcamp here.

Formed in 1980 in Montreal, Sword (not to be confused with The Sword, a great doom metal band that came out over 20 years later) released their Combat Records debut Metalized in 1986, punctuated by the band’s precise thrash attack, and the soaring vocals of Rick Hughes.

Sword were hand-picked by Metallica to open the Quebec leg of the Master Of Puppets tour, Alice Cooper’s Canadian Return Of The Nightmare Tour and then crisscrossed the UK with the mighty Lemmy on Motorhead’s Rock N’ Roll tour. Metalized was followed-up by the heavy, but diverse, Sweet Dreams in 1988.

After a short US tour promoting the album, they started work on their third album, when all hell broke loose, and a parting of ways ensued. Until 2011, when they reunited for a few select shows in Canada and Germany and found the urge to go back in the studio to pick up where they had left off.

The quartet soon ended up right back where they started, after connecting with Thom Hazaert and Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and their relaunched Combat Records, who immediately released Live: Hammersmith, a live recording of a Metalized-era Sword show supporting Motorhead at England’s fabled Hammersmith Odeon.

Says Hazaert, “David was a huge fan of Sword. We’d actually discussed them a few times through the Combat relaunch, ironically, not even knowing they had begun work on a new album, and he had told me stories of Megadeth listening to Metalized on repeat on their tour bus during the Peace Sells-era, and how much he loved them. So when I connected with them, I knew it was something we definitely had to pursue. Not only were they a very important artist in the history of Combat, but David and I were both huge fans, and honestly, they haven’t missed a beat.”

Adds Ellefson, “Sword have a special place in my life, from as far back as the Megadeth Peace Sells tour, as we used to drive around and listen to the Metallized album, to now having them at here at home with us at Combat Records. This is one band and album you definitely don't want to miss as the quality of their material in the production and their writing is as strong as ever.”

(Photo - Michael Hoenninger)




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On January 29, Sweden’s Tribulation will release their new album, Where The Gloom Becomes Sound, via Century Media Records (worldwide excluding North America). For a first impression of the album, the video for its first single "Leviathans" (produced by Ulf Lundén) can be seen below.

Where The Gloom Becomes Sound is also available for pre-order here in the following formats:

* Ltd. Deluxe bone colored LP & Bonus Zoetrope LP Artbook feat. bonus tracks
* Ltd. CD Mediabook feat. bonus track
* Standard CD Jewelcase
* Ltd. black LP with 16-page-booklet
* Digital Album
* Ltd. deep blood red LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 200 copies, only available at CMDistro EU
* Ltd. dark green LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 400 copies
* Ltd. transp. red LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 100 copies, only available at Kingsroad
* Ltd. transp. magenta LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 200 copies, only available at Bengans
* Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 100 copies, only available at CMDistro EU
* Ltd. trans. petrol green LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 200 copies, only available at EMP
* Ltd. neon orange LP with 16-page-booklet - limited to 200 copies, only available at Nuclear Blast

Tribulation checked in with the following comment about "Leviathans": "Your first morsel to the gloom-made soundscape of our new album is something that we conjured up from the cataracts and that comes in the shape of a torrential flood, an oblation to the 'spirits of the sea and of change', to the Leviathans!"

Tribulation entered Linus Björklund's Studio Ryssviken in April and exited (informally) nearly two months later. The group - guitarists Adam Zaars and Jonathan Hultén, Johannes Andersson (vocals/bass), and Oscar Leander (drums) - used the first 10 days of their studio time to rehearse. Once the bone-oil had sufficiently run its course, the group and co-producer Jamie Elton started to hammer into the rudiments of the recording process. Elton, who also serves as Tribulation's soundman and is a long-time friend, took the reins from Martin Ehrencrona, who helmed the 2018 Down Below sessions. Together, they crafted a well-appointed production, one that's luxuriously grim and auricularly inviting. Where The Gloom Becomes Sound”was then given to Grammy-nominated producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein) to mix at Psalm Studios. Once the mixing was finished - Dalgety would send over versions from his studio in Wales - Tribulation re-enlisted Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios in Stockholm to master.

The band's resulting fifth full-length indisputably elevates the Swedes to the highest echelons. The source of their glinting darkness: a yawning, bottomless rift deep within. "We immersed ourselves in the world of myth and magic," says Zaars. "With a specific focus on elemental magic, and the elements, in general, from both the Western and Indian esoteric traditions, not the Buddhist four elements but the five elements. Myth and magic are obviously not something new in the world of Tribulation, but it got a bit more specific on this album. We just present it from a slightly different perspective."

Where The Gloom Becomes Sound isn't representative of monumental change, but rather the accrual of ambition over time in conjunction with continued exposure to and profound experiments with crossroads devilry. Being their most expressive and inventive album to-date, where it will take them is only to greatness and with reverence.

Where The Gloom Becomes Sound tracklisting:

"In Remembrance"
"Hour Of The Wolf"
"Leviathans"
"Dirge Of A Dying Soul"
"Lethe"
"Daughter Of The Djinn"
"Elementals"
"Inanna"
"Funeral Pyre"
"The Wilderness"

Bonus tracks:

"The Dhampir, Pt. I" *
"The Dhampir" **
"Månvisan" ***

* Bonus on Ltd. CD Mediabook, First chapter of the song
** Bonus on Ltd. Deluxe LP Artbook, Complete version of the 18-minute song
*** Bonus on Ltd. Deluxe LP Artbook, Instrumental song

"Leviathans" video:

Album teaser:

Tribulation are:

Johannes Andersson - Bass/Vocals
Jonathan Hultén - Guitars
Adam Zaars - Guitars
Oscar Leander - Drums




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Georgia-based Vainglory, featuring former Chastain vocalist Kate French and guitarist Corbin King, have released a new single, "Fire And Gasoline". Check it out below and get it on Spotify here.

Vainglory released their self-titled debut in April 2007. Kate French recorded three album with Chastain between 1995 and 2004: Sick Society ('95), In Dementia ('97) and In An Outrage ('04)




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Canadian metal upstarts, Arrival Of Autumn, have released the digital single for their cover of Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark At The Moon".

The band comments, "Ozzy is an influence to all of us and It’s important to pay your respect and appreciate people while they are still here with us. He’s the prince of darkness, he’s earned it! We are stoked to share our take on this classic banger."

Check out the track video below. Purchase/listen to "Bark At The Moon" here.

Arrival Of Autumn's "Bark At The Moon" cover was recorded at AOA Studios in June 2020. The band produced the single while engineering was completed by Ryan Sorensen and mixing was handled by Mark Lewis. The artwork for the single was created by Thrashwolf (Logan Gray).




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Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons have released their new album, We're The Bastards, via Nuclear Blast. To celebrate, the band unveils a video for "Born To Roam" that you can watch below.

Phil Campbell on the new song: “If you want some feel good rock n roll to help you through these continuing depressing times and need something to uplift your spirits then buy this album! You won’t regret it.”

We're The Bastards is available as CD, limited digipack including four bonus tracks, 2LP Gold, 2LP Sparkle (UK exclusive), digital album, 2 LP Orange/Black Splatter (Mailorder + Wholesale exclusive) and 2LP Black. Order here.

Tracklisting:

"We're The Bastards"
"Son Of A Gun"
"Promises Are Poison"
"Born To Roam"
"Animals"
"Bite My Tongue"
"Desert Song"
"Keep Your Jacket On"
"Lie To Me"
"Riding Straight To Hell"
"Hate Machine"
"Destroyed"
"Waves"

Bonus tracks (limited digipak):
"Big Mouth" (Live)
"Freak Show" (Live)
"Dark Days" (Live)
"Rock 'n' Roll" (Live)

"Bite My Tongue" lyric video:

"We're The Bastards" video:

"Son Of A Gun" video:




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US metal legends, Vicious Rumors, have released a new single and video for "Asylum Of Blood", taken from their new album, Celebration Decay, out now. Watch the clip below.

The album was recorded and mixed between November 2019 and February 2020 at the Trident Studios in Pacheco, California, by Geoff Thorpe and Juan Urteaga.

Celebration Decay is available on CD DigiPak, 2LP, download and stream via SPV/Steamhammer. Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Celebration Decay"
"Pulse Of The Dead"
"Arrival Of Desolation"
"Any Last Words"
"Asylum Of Blood"
"Darkness Divine"
"Long Way Home"
"Cold Blooded"
"Death Eternal"
"Collision Course Disaster"
"Masquerade Of Good Intentions"

"Asylum Of Blood" video:

"Celebration Decay" video:

"Pulse Of The Dead" video:

"Death Eternal" lyric video:




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This is your weekly dose of Apocalyptica performing Metallica classics at With Full Force Festival 2018. Watch their take on "Seek And Destroy" below.

This season’s last Tuska Utopia episode takes the torch bearers of cello metal, Apocalyptica, to perform at the ruins of the medieval Church of St. Michael. The episode premieres on Friday, November 27th at 9pm (UTC +2). Watch the trailer below and buy tickets here.

Eicca Toppinen: "Playing at Pälkäne church ruins for Tuska Utopia was such a unique experience for us. The atmosphere in this special location gave us such a deep and inspiring state of mind. The whole set up with lights and sound felt so intense and fitting into our music. We are super thrilled to share this experience with you!"

The episode is available for purchase worldwide at SemiLive's platform until November 29th at 9pm (UTC +2).

Each hour-long stream includes a concert, an interview with the artists and a tour of the location in the spirit of a travel show hosted by Samy Elbanna from the band Lost Society. The episodes are directed by Taku Kaskela, well-known for directing both TV shows and music videos. Tuska Utopia is a new concept created and produced by the team behind the Tuska Festival.

Before Apocalyptica, you have a chance to catch Turmion Kätilöt at the Suvilahti gas holder in Helsinki on Friday, November 13th at 9pm (UTC +2) and Battle Beast at a secret stone castle on Friday, November 20th at 9pm (UTC +2). Check out all Tuska Utopia trailers on Tuska’s YouTube channel and make sure you buy tickets to all three episodes here.




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