NAPALM DEATH guitarist Mitch Harris, who has been taking a leave of absence from the band since late 2014 to focus on his family life, spoke to Rock Titan about his involvement in NAPALM's new studio album, "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism". Harris, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, played guitar on the disc but is not part of the group's touring lineup.

Mitch discussed his status with NAPALM DEATH while promoting "Scarcity", the debut album from his BRAVE THE COLD project, also featuring MEGADETH drummer Dirk Verbeuren.

Harris said: "I flew over [to England] and [recorded] guitars [for 'Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism']. I was there for a week. Shane [Embury, NAPALM bassist] had so much material. I saved my [original] material for BRAVE THE COLD in the end. Long story short, I wanted to help my bros. I wanted to see my friends and family. And [producer] Russ Russell — he's one of my closest people. And I can't see a NAPALM record without him. I mean, I miss working with him as well.

"It was two years ago or more [that I laid down my tracks], actually — just after my mom died. [Before she passed away,] she [was], like, 'I want you to do the NAPALM album and BRAVE THE COLD and do your own thing. Do it. Follow your music and just make it happen.' Soon after, I got back to work. Me and Dirk started jamming, and then they sent me over to England to do [the NAPALM album].

"I'm glad I brushed up on guitar," he added. "I mean, I'd been playing, but not like I used to. Suddenly I was in better shape for the NAPALM record, which was good, 'cause it was more physically demanding, actually. BRAVE THE COLD is a little more — I don't know — vocal-driven."

Back in the summer of 2018, NAPALM DEATH frontman Mark "Barney" Greenway told TotalRock Radio that Harris was still a member of the band. "Basically, Mitch went on hiatus, just because of circumstances," he said. "Officially I can say that he has played on the new album — the brand new album. Because here's the thing: everybody was, like, 'Oh, Mitch hasn't played with you in three years. He must be out of the band.' We were, like, 'Look, if he's out of the band, we'll let you know. But he isn't.' And nobody believed us. Well, not nobody, but a lot of people were, like, 'No. This can't be right.' We were, like, 'Look, he's on hiatus. He's dealing with some quite serious stuff. So, please.' And so, yeah, he has played on the new album. What will happen above and beyond that, I'm not sure yet. But, yeah, he's played on the new album."

"Scarcity" was released on October 2 via Mission Two Entertainment. The disc was produced by Logan Mader, who has previously worked with GOJIRA, FEAR FACTORY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and W.A.S.P., among others.

James Michael spoke to Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 about the possibility of new music from SIXX:A.M., which consists of James, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx and guitarist DJ Ashba. SIXX:A.M.'s latest release was a reworked version of its song "Maybe It's Time", which came out in August as part of the Artists For Recovery project.

"We've been talking a lot," James said (hear audio below). "Nikki and I spent a lot of time talking — not just about music, but just about life in general. But we have had a lot of conversations recently about writing.

"Actually, when we got off the road in, I think, 2017, we went right into the studio and recorded a few more songs," he revealed. "So there's some incredible new SIXX:A.M. music that's waiting in the wings. So we're trying to figure out what the next move is, what would make sense for us. And I think this project right here, with 'Maybe It's Time', is a great starter for us to kind of start thinking, 'Hey, what's next for us?' Obviously, with COVID still being such a relevant thing, it's hard to answer those questions entirely, but we are talking about getting back in the studio and doing some more [writing]."

The new version of "Maybe It's Time" was made available as part of an industry-wide initiative to draw attention to the opioid crisis and raise funds to serve the recovery community and save lives. The idea for the song, featuring a who's who lineup of rock, country and alternative stars, was conceived by Sixx, recovery spokesperson and advocate, and one of the leading public figures fighting to destigmatize substance use disorders and recovery. All artist royalties from the song are being donated to the Global Recovery Initiatives foundation (GRI) to support those in early recovery, with a matching contribution from Better Noise Music.

The original version of "Maybe It's Time" appeared on SIXX:A.M.'s latest album, "Vol. 2, Prayers For The Blessed", which was released in November 2016 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc was written and recorded at the same time as "Vol. 1, Prayers For The Damned", released earlier that same year, and it acted as a companion piece to the first chapter.

This past January, SIXX:A.M. released the official music video for "Talk To Me". The track, originally released in September 2019, invited each of us to take the first step toward mutual understanding and healing using the power of conversation.

In a new interview with Germany's Rock Antenne, Jon Bon Jovi was asked if there is anything in this career where he would say, "I should have done this differently." He responded (see video below): "Very few things — honest to god, very few things. Some things happened that are the catalyst for why other good things happen. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish that Richie [Sambora, former BON JOVI guitarist] had his life together and was still in the band. And yet, in a weird way, it's because of his inability to get it together anymore that we went on and wrote 'This House Is Not For Sale'. It was a very strong record, and that I'm able to write songs like this... Maybe we would've gotten lazy... I don't know where we would have gone, but through all that pain and heartbreak came this."

Sambora, who joined BON JOVI in 1983 and co-wrote most of the group's iconic hits over the following three decades, hasn't performed a full show with the band since he left the "Because We Can" tour in 2013. He later said he thought BON JOVI "should have made more strides to become a band" and not turn into "Jon being the front guy and nothing else." Jon, in turn, claimed Sambora's "choices" had "led him astray."

Sambora rejoined BON JOVI on stage in April 2018 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, marking his first performance with the band in five years. Also appearing with the group was bassist Alec John Such, who hadn't played with BON JOVI since a one-off performance in 2001. They performed several crowd favorites, including "Livin' On A Prayer", "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "It's My Life".

BON JOVI's new album, "2020", was released on October 2 via Island Records. Once again co-produced by John Shanks and Jon Bon Jovi, the record features the entire touring band — keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Hugh McDonald, guitarist Phil X, percussionist Everett Bradley, and guitarist John Shanks.

During an appearance on "The Ex-Man" podcast hosted by Doc Coyle (BAD WOLVES), former MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel said that he wants to remember all the positive things that happened during his 15-year stint with the band.

"I spent a good year letting out a lot," he said, reflecting on some of the early interviews he gave after his departure from MACHINE HEAD. "I think that I kept my lips pretty tight, actually. There were some things that needed to be shared, a lot that doesn't need to be talked about. And I spent a year talking. And then I looked back and said, 'A year is good enough.' It's coming up on two years that I quit now.

"There was so much good and there was so much fun and so much learning and so many good experiences that I don't want the 98 percent of good — I don't want the two percent to ruin that 98 percent, or that to be the headline or be the focus of what my experience in that band was.

"That band gave me a second life," Demmel continued. "From not being in music and pretty much quitting on music to concentrate on a failing marriage, it brought me into what has been my calling — it's what I'm meant to do. So I'm grateful for having that chance in MACHINE HEAD to play and make that music and have those experiences. I made some awesome memories with those dudes, and that's what I wanna kind of focus on now."

Demmel went on to say that looks back fondly on most of the albums that he recorded with MACHINE HEAD, a list that includes "Through The Ashes Of Empires" (2003), "The Blackening" (2007), "Unto The Locust" (2011), "Bloodstone & Diamonds" (2014) and "Catharsis" (2018).

"I was their guitar player for 16 years, and that's only a fraction of what that band has been," Demmel said. "There was this whole couple of lives before me, and there's gonna be a life after me. It's a testament to what [MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn is] capable of as a musician. I'm proud to have been a part of that. He hasn't done it alone for all this time; it's not just been him. He's had help every step along the way. But it's predominantly his vision and his show. [He had help from] Logan [Mader, guitar] on the first couple of records, [Dave] McClain [drums] and Ahrue [Luster, guitar] on the next couple. Me and McClain on the ones after that. It was a group, and I'm proud of what that band and that group accomplished."

Reflecting on how he informed Flynn of his decision to leave MACHINE HEAD, Demmel said: "I called him, went over to his house, asked him to come outside. I gave him my key to the studio, gave him my credit card, gave him everything right there. And he was, like, 'What's going on?' And I said, 'You know what's going on.' I said, 'It's not working anymore. We're done.' And he knew it… He was just as done with me as I was with him."

Asked if his and McClain's departures from MACHINE HEAD were intentionally "coordinated," seeing as they were announced on the same day, Demmel said: "Man, I hate to talk for Dave. I wanna just make sure I've got my words right. Dave and I talked a lot — we had talked a lot — and Dave was more on the ledge than me. So he was ready to go before I was.

"We had a tour lined up, and I think Dave was gonna wait until after the tour," Phil explained. "We were supposed to shoot a video for 'Triple Beam' or something like that, and Robb was going, 'What about the video? What about the tour?' And I said, 'I'm done. There's no more, nothing, for me.' Then I texted him back the next day, and after thinking about it, I said it's a dick move to bail on the tour, it's a dick move to bail on what's been set up. And I wanted them to get somebody else to [play guitar on the tour]. And if they couldn't do that, I said [I would] honor the tour. He was on his way going out to the studio when Dave was quitting on him that day."

Back in June 2019, McClain told "Robb's MetalWorks" that he no longer believed in MACHINE HEAD's songs and musical direction toward the end of his tenure with the band.

Demmel has spent much of the past year and a half playing sporadic shows with the reunited VIO-LENCE, which recently inked a deal with Metal Blade Records. The band's new EP is tentatively due to be released in early 2021.

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares says that the door for vocalist Burton C. Bell to come back to the band "won't stay open forever."

On Monday (September 28), Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, explaining that he "cannot align" himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect.

Bell's exit from FEAR FACTORY came more than two weeks after Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY's long-awaited new album.

Earlier today, Dino issued the following statement via social media:

"The departure of the Dry Lung Vocal Martyr"

"Last week Burton C Bell announced his decision to leave FEAR FACTORY. We were all saddened and surprised by the news, as it was not discussed with anyone within the FEAR FACTORY camp, as he has not spoken to anyone for well over a year which has made communication difficult. With our upcoming new album penned for a 2021 release, it is sad that he has chosen to do this.

"There has been a lot of speculation as to why this has happened, with many fans posting negativity and sometimes very hurtful personal comments on all our social media platforms, mainly directed at myself. There are however a lot of inaccuracy's and inconstancies in Burton's statement posted on his website, and as always, there are two sides to every story.

"After a long court battle with the two ex-band members, Burton lost his legal rights to own the name FEAR FACTORY. I had the opportunity to do something right and I felt that obtaining the name in full was the right thing to do for the both of us, so after nearly 4 years we can continue as FEAR FACTORY, to make more records and to tour. That is why It is sad to hear that he decided to quit and, in my opinion, for whatever issues he has it seems like it could've been worked out.

"I respect his decision although I don't understand it. I think sometimes people just need to make big changes in their lives.

"Even though I am getting blamed for his departure I'm not mad because I am a pretty secure and a strong individual. I forgive all the lies, the negativity and the blame that has come from him and from some of the fans, because I don't really know what he is going through and some people handle a great loss differently to others.

"One thing that will be made clear though, and I will reiterate one more time is the GoFundMe campaign is solely being used to complete the album.

"As I type this, the mixing and mastering the album has started and we cannot wait for you, the fans to hear it. And yes, even with Burton's decision to quit FEAR FACTORY, all of his vocals will remain on the album. For those of you who have already contributed to the GoFundMe, we thank you immensely!

"Burton, I'm going to miss you and after a thirty-year legacy as the frontman for FEAR FACTORY, I can only wish you all the best for all your current and future endeavours and I want to thank you for all of your years of service to FEAR FACTORY.

"For now, the door remains open for Burton should he wish to return, but the door won't stay open forever.

"Whatever happens, FEAR FACTORY is here to stay.

"Thank you

Dino Cazares"

FEAR FACTORY's fundraising campaign marks the first public activity from the band since it completed a 2016 U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, "Demanufacture", in its entirety.


“The departure of the Dry Lung Vocal Martyr”

Last week Burton C Bell announced his decision to leave Fear Factory.

We...

Posted by Fear Factory on Friday, October 2, 2020

The four members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN have issued a collective band statement and call to action on all their social platforms regarding a current crisis occurring in their cultural homeland of Armenia and Artsakh.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 27, forces in Azerbaijan began a large scale pre-meditated offensive attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh), an independent and autonomous country that borders Armenia, populated with a vast majority of ethnic Armenians. International peace keeping powers are doing very little to dissuade Azerbaijan's advances and the people of Artaskh are doing everything they can to defend their lives and homeland, where they have lived for thousands of years. For them, this a matter of survival, and nothing more as Azeri forces are trying to do little less than eradicate the 150,000 people that these lands are home to.

Artsakh gained independence in the early 1990s from Azerbaijan after years of war and conflict beginning soon after the 1988 collapse of the Soviet Union, of which both countries were a part of. After gaining its own independence from the Soviet Union, Armenia has been a guarantor of Artsakh's security. A cease-fire was agreed to between the countries in 1994, but over the past two decades, Azerbaijan has frequently broken this pact via mostly minor to moderate advancements and skirmishes along the line of contact.

This time, Azerbaijan, with the aid of Turkey's Recep Erdogan regime and military forces, launched a large-scale offensive attack along the full eastern border of Artsakh and has launched attacks within the borders of Armenia as well. International calls for a stop to Azeri advances have gone ignored, and the leader of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, is attacking with impunity.

All four members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN are of Armenian heritage, and since the band's inception have brought awareness to many human rights issues, none more prevalent than that of the Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Turkish leadership of the Ottoman Empire during WWI, when more than 1.5 million Armenians perished in the first genocide of the 20th century. To the band members and other Armenians all around the world, the war being waged on the people of Artsakh now is a continuation of the Armenian Genocide as the Turkic Azeris along with the support of Recep Erdogan's Turkey are trying to eradicate the Armenians of Artsakh and claim these lands for themselves.

Their statement posted on their socials is below. It includes various calls to action and online petition links to raise awareness and a call on world leaders to insist Azerbaijan and Turkey stop the attacks immediately.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN statement:

"The world turned a blind eye during:

* the Armenian Genocide in 1915

* the mass killings and pogroms of the 1980s and ‘90s

* Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenia in 2016

"Now the world is turning a blind eye to 150,000 landlocked civilians under attack by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

"SOAD has always stood for justice and peace. This notion comes from the suffering and injustice done to our people over centuries. Erdogan's denialist Turkey is continuing the work of its genocidal ancestors, and allied with petro-corrupt Azerbaijan, are firing American made F-16 missiles into Artsakh and parts of Armenia killing soldiers as well as civilians. The world seems too busy with Covid and politics to care, but we HAVE to do something as this is an existential threat for our people and the first Christian Nation.

"Since it seems difficult for the media, international organizations, and world powers to call out Azerbaijan on its war mongering, ethnic cleansing, and killing of innocent civilians, let's help them. We are calling on everyone to join our efforts. Here is how…

Donate:

Armenia Fund: armeniafund.ejoinme.org/donate

Armenian Wounded Heroes Fund: armenianwoundedheroes.com/donate

1000plusam: www.1000plus.am

Armenian American Medical Society: aamsc.org/make-a-donation

Aid Beyond Borders: aidbeyondborders.org

Sign Petitions:

Armenian Rights Watch – Stop Against Azerbaijan and Turkey's War Crimes: bit.ly/ArmenianRightsWatch

ANCA – Cut Off Military Aid to Baku: bit.ly/CutMilitaryAid

ANCA – Strengthen US-Armenia Ties: anca.org/action-alerts

WhiteHouse.gov – Condemn Azeri and Turkish Aggression: bit.ly/CondemnAggression "

Former ILL NIÑO members Cristian Machado (vocals), Ahrue "Luster" Ilustre (guitar) and Diego Verduzco (guitar) are working on a new project.

Machado, who released his debut solo album, "Hollywood y Sycamore", on September 25 via Chesky Records' sub-label Coconut Bay, discussed his renewed collaboration with Ilustre and Verduzco during a recent interview with the "Aftershocks" podcast.

Asked if he is still planning on making new music with Ahrue and Diego, Cristian said: "We absolutely are. I haven't talked about it at all [publicly], and it's something that we're not really in a rush to prove anything to anybody, but we do have almost a half an album finished. It is phenomenal. The songs are phenomenal."

Elaborating on the musical direction of the material the trio has come up with thus far, Machado said: "We are trying to write a metal album, clearly, but that is full of hit singles. It's a challenging thing to do, but we'll take our time, if that's what it takes. But we're working on things. And Ahrue and Diego, the material they presented me is fucking next level. It's not this extreme metal thing, but the songs are phenomenal — really, really catchy. Really strong material. Some of the best music that I've been thrown at to sing on in… I can't remember since when. And we're working with a fucking amazing producer."

According to Cristian, the new band is already planting the seeds in preparation for a successful launch when the time is right.

"[We don't have] a record company [in place yet], but there are music industry friends who are interested in growing this with us," he said. "We don't have a contract with anyone yet or anything like that.

"We're not in a rush. We definitely wanna be able to come out with guns blazing. If we're gonna do the metal thing, we want the songs to be right."

This past March, Machado, Ilustre, Verduzco, drummer Dave Chavarri and bassist Laz Pina announced that they "have reached a mutual, amicable and binding agreement" that will allow Chavarri and Pina to continue with ILL NIÑO while Machado, Verduzco and Ilustre will move on with new projects. According to a joint statement release by the five musicians, "No party has admitted fault and there has been no court judgment on the merits. The parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement."

Back in January 2019, Chavarri and Pina said that they had recruited vocalist Marcos Leal (SHATTERED SUN), lead guitarist Jes DeHoyos (SONS OF TEXAS) and rhythm guitarist Sal Dominguez (UPON A BURNING BODY) to be in their new incarnation of ILL NIÑO. The Chavarri-led ILL NIÑO also issued a new single, "Sangre". A day later, Machado, Ilustre and Verduzco dismissed reports that they had left ILL NIÑO and vowed to continue with their own version of the band. Two months later, the trio filed a lawsuit against Chavarri and Pina, accusing the drummer and bassist of failing to pay the band's tour rental company and engineers, slandering Machado by spreading rumors that he has a drug problem, collecting and spending the band's money without consulting in all of the members and refusing the members access to the group's financial records.

In a statement announcing the launch of his new version of ILL NIÑO, Chavarri said about the split with his former bandmates: "Being in a band is much like being married, and sometimes people grow apart, and no longer see eye to eye, and a separation becomes inevitable."

Back in August, legendary Entombed/Entombed A.D. singer L-G Petrov revealed that he had been diagnosed with incurable bile duct cancer. Members of Colombian bands Sol de Sangre and Headcrusher have teamed up for a cover of Entombed's  "Wolverine Blues" and have made it available via Bandcamp for "Whatever you want to pay." All earnings will be donated to LG Petrov’s GoFundme campaign, found here.

Sol de Sangre's members comment the initiative: "A few months ago we invited our brothers in Headcrusher to record a cover of 'Wolverine Blues' from the almighty Entombed. After hearing the terrible news about LG Petrov’s incurable cancer, we decided to put the cover up on Bandcamp for 'Whatever you want to pay' and all earnings will be donated to LG Petrov’s GoFundme campaign. Give it a listen and make a donation for the most vicious of all. 'Wolverine Blues' - an utterly fearless tribute to LG by this misanthropical breed!"

Wolverine Blues - Sol de Sangre + Headcrusher by Sol de Sangre

In a new interview with Louder, Petrov opened up about his battle, despite feeling the effects of a round of chemo he completed just 24 hours before the interview. Read a few excerpts from the interview below.

Louder: How tough is the chemotherapy treatment?

L-G Petrov: "It’s very, very hard stuff. It’s not water they’re putting in you. You're very, very weak. You get all these pills filled with cortisones [a steroid for strength], and you can't sleep. Pills for nausea as well. But if you take a sleeping pill, then it works against it. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I waited until my local store opened at 8am, then put some clothes on and slowly walked there. It’s a mile but I had to sit down three times to rest. Your body gets so unimaginably weak. But like I say, I’m a positive person."

Louder: Have you changed your lifestyle in the last couple of months?

L-G Petrov: "The first day I found out, I quit smoking, quit drinking. I haven't done either in a couple of months. I've gone over to the other side. It feels great! I can smell cigarettes from a hundred yards: 'Oh shit, there's somebody smoking.' It makes me want to puke now."

Louder: Have you changed your diet? Have you given up meat or gone vegan?

L-G Petrov: "No. I spoke to a dietician, and they said when you've got this kind of cancer it's not good to be skinny. You should eat a lot of ‘good fat’ - chicken, turkey, bearnaise sauce, stuff like that. Lots of water, lime, oranges too. I was 87 kilos before. Now I’m 93. The weird thing is, you lose the taste of food, especially after you've had treatment. When you eat, you just chew - you don't get that swallow reaction. It's really, really weird. Sometimes I'm chewing like a camel but not swallowing."

Louder: How does it all affect you mentally?

L-G Petrov: "I'm a really positive person, but sometimes you get really depressed, of course. But I have so many good friends that call me, visit me. We sit outside - distanced, of course. My doctor actually ordered me to have cigars and rum. He said, ‘That’s about life quality.’ Not a lot of rum, just a taste. Same with cigars. But it helps."

Read the full interview at Louder.

L-G previously stated: “If you wanna support a metalhead in need please feel free to donate here. Stay well everybody ❤️ #fuckcancer #fightforlifeandmetal.”




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In a new interview with TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy, SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor was asked how he splits his time between the various projects he is involved in. He replied (see video below): "It really kind of comes down to prioritizing. Whatever project I'm working on at the time, that's my focus. You can dabble in the other stuff and try to do stuff on your downtime as much as possible, but if you stretch yourself out too thin, you will lose your mind, and I found myself in that situation a couple of different times. It will trip you out. It exhausts you, and it sucks you out of your real life as well. When you've got kids, when you've got a wife, when you've got a home life, you have to prioritize. You have to make sure that, 'This is this time. This is that time. This is that.' So, that's really it. And you also have to give yourself a minute to just do nothing. If you don't, you're gonna freak out. Luckily, I'm a voracious reader, so I read a lot. I watch movies. I play piano. I chill. So you have to give your brain some recess, or you will tax yourself out and find yourself going, 'Why can't I think of anything?' Just because you're tapped out, man. You've gotta let yourself recharge."

Corey's debut solo album, "CMFT", will be released on October 2 via Roadrunner Records. Taylor recorded the effort with his band consisting of Jason Christopher on bass, Dustin Schoenhofer on drums, and Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) on guitar. The LP was completed at Kevin Churko's The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER and STONE SOUR, among others.

To celebrate the release of "CMFT", Corey has announced that he and his band will make history on October 2 with "Forum Or Against 'Em", a global streaming event of epic proportions shot at iconic Los Angeles venue The Forum. Tickets for this historic pay-per-view streaming event are on sale now from watch.thecoreytaylor.com. Fans can also purchase ticket bundles that include a t-shirt, hoodie, poster, and access to watch an exclusive Taylor acoustic set. A limited number of one-on-one video chats with Corey are also available with some bundles.

"Forum Or Against 'Em" will be a full arena production complete with a visual feast of pyrotechnics, a stacked set list featuring all tracks from "CMFT", select fan-favorite cuts from Taylor's SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR catalogs, a handful of covers and an incendiary guest performance from rock n' roll girl-gang dance squad THE CHERRY BOMBS. Special event merch and bundles will be available during the stream. Kicking off the event's festivities will be a special pre-show event hosted by presenter/journalist Beez that will feature exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

SLIPKNOT recently canceled all of its previously announced summer 2020 tour dates, including the "Knotfest Roadshow", Knotfest UK and Knotfest At Sea, due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Tune in to "The Blizzard of Ozz Special: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Blizzard of Ozz" on Rock Classics Radio on Apple Music Hits. This Friday, Jenn sits down with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne as he refutes a couple of long-believed myths and talks about music and pandemic life in 2020. The special also includes moments from Zakk Wylde, Alice Cooper, Jack Black and more reflecting on Ozzy's timeless solo debut 40 years later. A few excerpts from the show follow (hear audio below).

Ozzy busts the myth of how "Blizzard Of Ozz" became a solo album…

Jenn: So you finished the record after all this creative input that you and Randy [Rhoads] and everybody around you had, the artwork gets released and some people may not know this story, but it was never supposed to be a solo album.

Ozzy: "Oh no, no. It was a solo album. The album was called 'Blizzard Of Ozz'. Why would I want to get fired from a band called BLACK SABBATH and go through the same shit again with having an equal partnership with a band? It doesn't make sense. Because of legal matters, they didn't know the band was called this or that. Why would I want to call a band name that threw me out of the band because they didn't like me? It was my own thing."

Alice Cooper on how he and Ozzy were heavily influenced by THE BEATLES and became the Boris Karloff-Bela Lugosi of their times…

Alice: "Well, Ozzy and I kind of have a same pathway. The fact that we both left very successful bands to go out on our own, and both of us, when we talk to each other, we always talk about how influenced our music was by THE BEATLES. You know, when Ozzy did 'Blizzard Of Ozz' and 'Bark At The Moon', all this stuff, you could really hear the influence of listening, really listening, to the melody lines. That was something that nobody would probably put together with Alice Cooper and Ozzy, is the fact that we cared more about the song than just about anything else. He created a great image. We both became sort of the Boris Karloff-Bela Lugosi of our times. Those albums are still very, very, very valid, and they will be for the next 50 years."

Ozzy on whether he thinks he's influential and his thoughts on the global pandemic and vaccine...

Ozzy: "I never really thought about it. I'm just Ozzy. My wife calls me Ozzy. I'm just Ozzy. I'm just here. The only good thing about this pandemic, I couldn't work anyway, because of my injuries. I'm hoping that I'll be booking 2022, I think. To be honest with you, I don't think it's gonna get ship shape until the end of next year. I think this winter is gonna be fucking bad, because you're gonna have the flu. People are, 'I'm not taking the flu shot.' You know what? You can give me anything, but I'm not gonna be number one on that fucking new vaccine. I don't know want to be the first one to wake up with a set of fucking antlers in the morning."

This past July, Ozzy said that he was still "not back to 100 percent" after suffering from several medical issues last year, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu. Ozzy also said that he was looking forward to performing again once he has regained his health and the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

When the pandemic struck, Ozzy had just released his first solo album in a decade, "Ordinary Man", which he recorded late last year while recovering from surgery and related illnesses. The BLACK SABBATH singer had previously canceled all his 2019 tour plans, and the rescheduled 2020 shows have also been scrapped.

This past May, Ozzy's son Jack said that his father will "probably" retire "within the next five to ten years." But Ozzy, who turned 71 last December, has repeatedly said that he is not calling it quits, despite the fact that his "No More Tours 2" — whenever it ends up happening — is being billed as his last major global trek.

Ozzy was also forced to cancel an April trip to Switzerland to see a doctor who specializes in treatment of Parkinson's disease. The singer revealed earlier this year that he was diagnosed with the condition.

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares says that he "found out via social media" that vocalist Burton C. Bell was leaving the band.

On Monday (September 28), Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, explaining that he "cannot align" himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect.

Bell's exit from FEAR FACTORY came more than two weeks after Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY's long-awaited new album.

In a brand new interview with MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn's "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast, which was conducted hours after Bell's departure was made public, Cazares confirmed that he learned about Burton's decision the same way everybody else did — via the Internet.

"Our singer for the past 30 years decided to leave the band," Dino said. "He released a statement. [I] found out [about it] via social media."

According to Cazares, Bell's explanation for why he was departing FEAR FACTORY failed to address some of the critical issues that caused a delay in the release of the band's new album.

"I don't really wanna get into what [Burton's statement] says, really, 'cause a lot of it's just a lot of nonsense," Dino said. "What I noticed [is] that he doesn't take responsibility for all the legal actions that went down.

"Most people know that we were in a legal battle for the last three-plus years, trying to sort out this FEAR FACTORY name situation. And him and I were sued separately, in separate courts. The other two ex-members decided to take us to court, which led to me and Burton going bankrupt in separate states — I was in California; he was out there in Pennsylvania. [A few months ago] Burton's [portion of the FEAR FACTORY] trademark ownership became available, so I ended up purchasing it," making Dino the sole owner of the FEAR FACTORY name.

"I don't wanna get into the gory details. I don't wanna have to throw anybody under the bus," he continued. "But if anybody wants to see the truth, they can go and Google the paperwork. Google our names and you'll find it. It's all there. It's all black and white. And you can see what happened and how it all transpired."

Dino went on to say that he hoped Burton would remain in FEAR FACTORY so they could go out and tour in support of the band's new LP, which was originally recorded in 2017 but has since been reworked with additional instrumentation and a new mix.

"For me, I didn't want him to leave the band," Cazares said. "I wanted him to stay in the band, and let's continue, and let's go work. That's how I look at it. We've got a record that's coming out next year. When the touring opens up, let's get out there and work. That's my whole thing: I got the name. Let's go work. What's gonna change? Nothing will change. The only thing that changed is the person who owns [the trademark]. [It was] both of us before [who owned the name]. And years before that [when drummer Raymond Herrera and bassist Christian Olde Wolbers were in FEAR FACTORY], it was all four of us… We finally got [the name back]. Let's get to work. That's just my attitude. Let's make some records that the fans wanna hear — the classic FEAR FACTORY stuff. We've got a great record coming out next year.

"It's too bad that he decided not to stick around, but the door is open for him," Dino said. "So whenever he decides to get past whatever his issues are, I'll be here waiting. But I can't wait too long, 'cause when things start opening up and I've gotta get back out there and work, I've gotta do what every other band does, and they've gotta move on — earn a living. But in the meantime, the door is open for him."

Cazares explained that the new FEAR FACTORY album will still feature Bell's vocals which were recorded in full three years ago.

"Andy Sneap is mixing the record right now, as we speak, and Nuclear Blast wants this record to come out," Dino said. "And that's exactly what's gonna happen. It'll be out next year. As soon as I find out the date, I'm sure everybody will find out too. But we're shooting for March next year. And we'll see what happens after that. Hopefully this world will open up soon and we can all get back to work."

In a statement explaining his reasons for starting a fundraising campaign, Cazares said that all donations will go toward covering newly incurred production costs involved with the making of the new FEAR FACTORY LP, including re-recording the drums, guitars, bass and keyboards, as well as mixing and mastering by Sneap.

FEAR FACTORY's fundraising campaign marks the first public activity from the band since it completed a 2016 U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, "Demanufacture", in its entirety.

METALLICA's Lars Ulrich has once clarified a comment he made in a 2016 interview, that he would consider moving back to his native Denmark if Trump were elected president.

"I am a hundred percent Danish citizen. I pay taxes in the U.S.A., but I can't vote in America," Lars said at the time. "Yes, certainly sometimes I think about moving home to Denmark… If Trump becomes President and everything goes to shit, I might make my way to the airport and ask if I can get back in again."

In a brand new interview with U.K.'s Sky News, Ulrich was asked if the fact that he has remained in the U.S. means that he is now a Trump supporter and that he will vote for him. The drummer replied (see video below): "I would say that that would be an exaggeration of the truth. First of all, I'm a Danish citizen, so I can't vote in the United States. Number two, I was just seeing if people were paying attention, which, obviously, they were four years ago, since this quote has come back to haunt me in, basically, every interview I've done in the last month. So, let's just leave it at that I'm a Danish citizen, I can't vote, but I am happy to live in the United States. And I think that's enough on that."

Pressed about whom he would vote for if he was an American citizen, Ulrich said: "I think people that know me well, and fans out there, can probably put two and two together."

Both Ulrich and METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett have previously voiced their dislike of Trump to different degrees, unusual for a band whose members have never spoken out much on politics.

Ulrich told Mexico's Las Estrellas television network about Trump's plan to build "a great wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border: "I don't think the world needs any walls. I think we need to bring people together. METALLICA travels all over the world, and through music we try to bring people together. So whether we're in Mexico or whether we're in Asia or whether we're in Europe or whatever, we encourage as many different people from as many different backgrounds to come together and share music and life and culture and all these experiences."

After Trump — one of the most polarizing figures to assume the office — was officially sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in January 2017, a number of celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts, including Hammett, who urged fans to "defend democracy" and "reject American carnage."

In a series of tweets, the METALLICA guitarist was critical of Trump's inaugural address, which painted a bleak picture of life for some in the United States. "To say America is not great, that it lacks greatness, sets up a scenario for manipulation and control from others — pay attention, people!" Hammett wrote.

Three years ago, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield said he wanted to keep his opinion about President Donald Trump to himself, explaining that politics "polarizes people."

Hetfield told the Chilean newspaper La Tercera: "I hate politics. I don't wanna talk about politics. It's not important to me. What's important to me is connecting people with music. Politics, religion… they separate people. I love talking about it and my thoughts, but I think it gets in the way of people getting to understand all of you."

Hetfield added: "I have no idea. I could probably sit down and like everyone on the planet, if you get to talk with them and understand them.

"But, yeah, politics, we try to stay away from that 'cause it polarizes people. If I sit here and say that I hate Trump or I love Trump, someone will think, 'Oh, I don't like his music anymore.' It's silly. So I like to keep it about music."

Asked if he thinks America under Donald Trump is a "new America," Hetfield responded: "It's always a new America when someone comes in. But it's about balance. You have far left, far right, and it goes back and forth to keep it balanced. In the middle is the best, we know that. In the middle… accepting everything, understanding everything. But it's not like that. People aren't like that. Humans aren't like that."




“If you were a US citizen who would you be voting for?”@Larsulrich: “I think fans who know me well can probably put two & two together.”

4 years ago Metallica’s drummer said he’d return to Denmark if Trump won the election, but he’s staying put for now. JM#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/uknXggXXQw

— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) September 3, 2020

LAMB OF GOD bassist John Campbell recently spoke to Finland's Kaaos TV about how people in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. He said (see video below): "There aren't people dying in the streets, [but] the virus is here and you can catch it if you're out in public doing things.

"Most of the time when I go to the store, almost everyone has masks now, but that took a while in this area for people to really start putting masks on when they go to the store," he continued. "So I'm hopeful that we're getting people to behave in ways they need to to stop the spread of the virus, but until there's a vaccine, leaving it up to humans is a sketchy thing."

When interviewer Arto Mäenpää pointed out to Campbell that Finland recently hosted a few heavy metal festivals at around 50 percent capacity, without a new coronavirus outbreak, the bassist said: "I'm looking forward to the time when I can be part of something like that, and how insane that experience is gonna be. Unfortunately, our country is being run by less-than-competent people, and a lot of people are dead because of it, and our economy is going to suffer greatly."

As previously reported, LAMB OF GOD will offer fans first-time-ever live performances of its latest album, "Lamb Of God", and the landmark 2004 LP "Ashes Of The Wake", both performed live in their entirety in the band's hometown of Richmond, Virginia. As standalone ticketed events, these performances will be LAMB OF GOD's only chance to perform these songs for fans this year — and the band are ready to deliver to the highest degree.

The first stream, scheduled for Friday, September 18, will see the band perform songs from its latest self-titled album live for the very first time. For the second stream, on Friday, September 25, the band will perform the ground-breaking RIAA-gold-certified album "Ashes Of The Wake", in its entirety for the first time ever. Both sets will feature encores, including fan favorites as well as songs that haven't been performed in years.

For more information including tickets and merch bundles, go to this location.

"Lamb Of God" came out in June via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe.

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine spoke to Q104.3 New York's "Out Of The Box With Jonathan Clarke" about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2016's "Dystopia" album. He said (see video below): "We're in the process of doing guitar solos right now. Kiko Loureiro [guitar] is at the studio with me, and we're done with all the bass and drums and almost done with all of the rhythms. We've still got little punch-ins we need to do here and there, and then it's off into singing and solo land. And then probably the last thing, which is always my favorite thing, is the ear candy."

Mustaine recently told SiriusXM's Jose Mangin that the upcoming MEGADETH album will be "up there with 'Countdown [To Extinction]', 'Rust In Peace' and probably 'Peace Sells' and 'Dystopia'."

The effort will be MEGADETH's first to feature drummer Dirk Verbeuren (ex-SOILWORK), who joined the band four years ago.

The early sessions for the LP took place last year with co-producer Chris Rakestraw, who previously worked on "Dystopia".

Loureiro made his recording debut with MEGADETH on "Dystopia", whose title track was honored in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

As previously reported, MEGADETH's North American tour with LAMB OF GOD, TRIVIUM and IN FLAMES has been rescheduled for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mustaine's new book, "Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece", came out on September 8 via Hachette Books. It details the making of MEGADETH's iconic record "Rust In Peace".

On October 2, death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER will release their 17th full-length album, "Nightmares Of The Decomposed", via Metal Blade Records. The official Reino Aedmäe-animated music video for the disc's third single, "Blood Of The Zombie" can be seen below.

Vocalist Chris Barnes comments: "Working again after 25 years writing an album with my old bandmate from CANNIBAL CORPSE, Jack Owen [guitar], was like coming home...To a room full of dead bodies. Jack's writing and riff work on this album gave me the fuel to write some disturbing lyrics and really set my creative mind on fire."

Comprised of 12 tracks, "Nightmares Of The Decomposed" is a defining statement, making it very clear that more than twenty-five years into their career, SIX FEET UNDER remain at the forefront of the genre. Dynamic, heavy as hell, catchy, and uncompromising, it is everything that the band's longtime faithful have come to expect from the deadly unit, and is clearly the product of a lot of hard work by Barnes, guitarists Owen and Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell and drummer Marco Pitruzzella.

Tracked at various studios, including Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, which over the years has played host to the likes of AC/DC, BLACK SABBATH and AEROSMITH, among others, it was produced, engineered and mixed by Chris Carroll, who has given it a full and chunky feel. The album's mastering was handled by Chaz Najjar at Badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado. The finished product comes packaged in artwork by Luke Hunter and is packed with songs that will sound great live, and will sit comfortably alongside the classics already filling out their set lists, helping to drive the band ever closer to their fourth decade of existence.

"Nightmares Of The Decomposed" track listing:

01. Amputator

02. Zodiac

03. The Rotting

04. Death Will Follow

05. Migraine

06. The Noose

07. Blood Of The Zombie

08. Self Imposed Death Sentence

09. Dead Girls Don't Scream

10. Drink Blood Get High

11. Labyrinth Of Insanity

12. Without Your Life

SIX FEET UNDER is:

Chris Barnes - vocals

Jack Owen - rhythm and lead guitar

Ray Suhy - lead guitar

Jeff Hughell - bass

Marco Pitruzzella - drums

Photo credit: Gustavo Abdiel Torres

NIGHT RANGER has commenced the songwriting and recording process for its as-yet-untitled new studio album. Due in 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl, the LP will be the follow-up to "Don't Let Up", which was released in March 2017.

Songwriting started with the three original members Jack Blades (lead vocals/bass), Kelly Keagy (lead vocals/drums), and Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars) meeting and putting their initial ideas together. The recording has now begun, with Eric Levy (keyboards) and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars) joining the process, which will last through the rest of the year. The plan, subject to change, is to deliver the record to Frontiers in the first few months of 2021 for a tentative summer release. The hope is that the album release will coincide with the band’s return to the stage, conditions permitting.

NIGHT RANGER states: "What this world needs now is to come together through music and NIGHT RANGER is on it! We are excited to create a new studio album with our great partners at Frontiers Music. Our biggest problem is that we have so many songs, we're trying to figure out which ones to leave off! Rock and Roll baby."

With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide, over 3,000 live shows performed, NIGHT RANGER's popularity is fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks such as "Sister Christian", "Don't Tell Me You Love Me", "When You Close Your Eyes" and the anthemic "(You Can Still) Rock In America".

California metallers ATREYU have announced the departure of vocalist Alex Varkatzas. The group's remaining members broke the news of Alex's official exit in a social media post earlier today. They wrote: "We have been a band for over 20 years now. Lived our dreams together as friends and as brothers. We traveled the world doing what we love, and have been fortunate enough to play music for such an incredible fan base that provides us with the opportunity to share our greatest moments with them. Now a time of change has come for all of us. Alex Varkatzas is sailing off on a ship of his own, and will part ways with ATREYU. He will not disappear, and neither will ATREYU.

"There's nothing but love and respect for each other, and we can't wait to see what he will come up with next. Stay tuned for his upcoming projects and we all wish him success and fulfillment with all his future endeavors.

"ATREYU's next adventure is among us.

"We love you, we'll see you shortly."

Earlier this year, ATREYU was working on material for its eighth album. The band was once again collaborating with producer John Feldmann, who previously helmed 2018's "In Our Wake" and 2007's breakout album "Lead Sails, Paper Anchor".

This past February, Varkatzas told the "Scars And Guitars" podcast that the new ATREYU album would be "that next step in maturity" for the Orange County metalcore act. "To me, in a way — and this is a fucking weird way to sell a record, because it doesn't sound like this — it has some very dark '80s gothic pop elements. And I don't mean 'pop' as in happy[-sounding music]. It's just depressing-sounding, rocking shit."

Varkatzas also touched upon the lyrical themes covered in the new ATREYU songs, saying that "it's cool, because especially right now, there's so much… If you're a comedian and a musician, there's lots of good inspiration every day — especially in America, unfortunately. Actually, all over the world, but in American especially, it's ripe with things that make you feel something, whatever it is. Maybe you're happy about it, maybe you're sad about it — it's not my place to speak for people. But you feel some shit right now. And I think comedians handle it by making fun of it, and I handle it by making music and words about it. So, it's a good time to be inspired."

In August 2019, ATREYU released a deluxe edition of "In Our Wake" via Spinefarm Records. The new version featured the original "In Our Wake" album, along with seven additional tracks. The bonus material included B-sides from the sessions for both "In Our Wake" and 2015's "Long Live", along with alternate versions of the title track and "The Time Is Now" from "In Our Wake". The deluxe edition featured completely redesigned artwork and a total of 19 songs.


We have been a band for over 20 years now. Lived our dreams together as friends and as brothers. We traveled the world...

Posted by Atreyu on Wednesday, September 30, 2020

TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider has slammed a group of anti-mask protesters for blasting the band's classic song "We're Not Gonna Take It" while defiantly marching through a Target in South Florida without any face coverings.

A video that was originally posted on Reddit shows the protesters, including one who was wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, chanting "Take your mask off" and playing "We're Not Gonna Take It" on a portable device at customers who looked on.

"Fucking idiots," the woman who filmed the video muttered to herself.

Late Tuesday night (September 15), Snider retweeted the video and included the following message: "No...these selfish assholes do not have my permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause. #cuttheshit"

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Surgeon General urged people to wear face coverings, saying they will promote freedom during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a study published in June, researchers from Texas A&M University, the California Institute of Technology and the University of California San Diego, concluded "that wearing of face masks in public corresponds to the most effective means to prevent interhuman transmission."

According to a recent New York Times poll, a majority (59 percent) of Donald Trump voters support requiring masks (only 18 percent are opposed), and 81 percent of Trump voters who support mandatory masking think Trump does as well.

Trump has repeatedly added to the confusion with mixed messages about the importance of face masks and social distancing. He belatedly endorsed face masks to slow the spread of the virus, but has mocked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for following the guidelines he recommended.




No...these selfish assholes do not have my permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause. #cuttheshit https://t.co/LPDAjSszbf

— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) September 16, 2020

Motörhead have joined forces with Ale Asylum for a US release of an American pale ale version of their Röad Crew beer.

Appleton Post Crescent reports that Ale Asylum co-owner Otto Dilba said it took all of two seconds for him to say "yes" when he was asked - unexpectedly - to brew the celebratory Motörhead beer Röad Crew.

Brewing schedules be damned, Dilba and Ale Asylum co-founder Dean Coffey are longtime fans of the band, and the opportunity comes but once to brew a nationally released beer marking the 40th anniversary of the band's seminal album, Ace Of Spades.

The call came from Brew Pipeline, a company that looks for opportunities to connect brewers to new markets, who showed Ale Asylum beers to Motörhead and the band's merchandise partner Global Merchandising Services.

A pair of beers released by the Madison brewery earlier this year under the shared name FVCK COVID - a reflection of the brewery's feelings about the coronavirus pandemic - may have helped seal the deal. After the Motörhead crew saw the label, said Dilba, "I'm told their response was pretty much f— yeah."

Röad Crew was first brewed in 2015 by Camerons Brewery in the United Kingdom. Ale Asylum's cover of the beer comes with the brewery's unique spin. Dilba said they submitted a few samples for approval. An American pale ale was chosen for the United States release of Röad Crew.

Röad Crew is scheduled to hit shelves and coolers sometime in October - there's no exact date yet. It will be available for year-round national distribution.

Read more at Appleton Post Crescent.




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GWAR will release special 30th anniversary editions of Scumdogs Of The Universe on October 30. The album is available on CD, Double LP, Cassette and digital and is available for pre-order here. The limited edition box sets are nearly sold out and the last few are available exclusively at gwar.net.

Today, the band releases another performance video from Scumdogs Of The Universe. Watch a live version of “Sick Of You", featuring the late great Oderus Urungus on vocals, below.  The remixed and remastered version of the track is streaming now at all DSP’s.

A classic performance video, featuring the newly remixed and remastered audio version of “Cool Place To Park" can be seen below:

There are exactly ZERO cases of COVID-19 in the freezing cold arctic tundra of Antarctica. This is great news as your Lords and Masters GWAR have been cleared for travel.

Unfortunately, during this time of quarantine, GWAR have also found themselves running precariously low on magic talent-dust (drugs), toilet paper, and money. But don’t worry your hideous little heads, as your Scumdog overlords have a plan to replenish their stash and entertain the faithful legions of Bohabs at the same time!

On Saturday, October 10, GWAR will return to the flaming remnants of Richmond, Virginia for a special Drive-In Show. The show is set to take place at The Diamond Drive In, located at 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. This is a drive-in show with social distancing measures in effect. Lots for the show will open up at 8:30 PM, local time and the show starts at 9:45 PM, local time. Tickets can be purchased here.

Blothar the Berserker had this to say: “Denizens of Richmond, Virginia! Americans do everything in their cars, and now that will include watching the greatest rock and roll horror show on this or any other planet! Truly, what is October without a global pandemic and the chance to watch GWAR from the comfort of your shitty old hoopty?! Grab a hotdog, slather it in chili, and shove it down your throat as we bring you the pinnacle of entertainment, the ultimate creature feature, live and writhing...all over your windshield!"




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Carry On Music has announced the signing of rock ‘n’ roll icon, Nancy Wilson, a seminal musician in rock ‘n’ roll history.

A guitar virtuoso from the age of 10, Nancy (and her sister Ann) lead the multi-platinum rock group, Heart. Nancy is revered as an ingenious guitar player, a gifted lead vocalist, and as an award-winning songwriter. Nancy has co-written a collection of indelible songs that have earned their way into the classic rock canon (“Magic Man”, “Crazy On You”, “Barracuda”, “Straight On”). She has also earned several nominations for her film scoring work.

2020 marks the year that Nancy turned her attention to recording the first solo album of her storied career, and she signed with global label partner Carry On Music.

“There have been so many times I was asked about when I would ever put out a solo album,” she explains. “Well, the time is now. Having been unable to tour and having spent so much time at home has made a good space for creating new music.”

Nancy plays guitar and sings on all the songs on the entire album. The first single to be released is her stunning rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising”.

“I’ve also covered a few favorite songs, and because of these troubled times we’re living in, ‘The Rising’ has been on my mind,” Nancy continues. “I wanted to make something uplifting and aspirational for those of us who are suffering with all this sickness and loss. I hope this song can help lift our spirits.”

Tom Lipsky, President of Carry On Music, commented “We are proud and excited that Nancy has chosen Carry On Music to bring her first solo body of work to fans around the world. The album is deep, the lyrics inspire, and the music is beautifully crafted. Fans will love this album!”

During an era when females in rock ‘n’ roll were scarce, Nancy helped to carve out a place for women to front rock bands, dominate on stage. Her icon status was cemented when Heart, who have sold 35 million albums, was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. That same year, she and her sister received a Star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. In 2013, the Wilson Sisters celebrated another career milestone when they performed Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” at the Kennedy Center Honors. Their note-perfect performance was met with rousing cheers and a standing ovation in the staid concert hall, and brought members of Led Zeppelin to tears. The video went viral on YouTube.

(Photo - Jeremy Danger)




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Rock bands have always used music videos to express their creativity and innovation, “Bustle And Flow” is no exception.

The Dead Daisies have collaborated with Creative Works (London), a branding and content studio (live concert graphic artists for Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, amongst others) to provide the latest visuals for their newest single, “Bustle And Flow”. Together they are forging new ground creating narrative driven real-time immersive visual and music content, that spans live, social and digital channels. This Animated Music Experience (A.M.E) uses the Unreal Engine game engine that is behind the worldwide online video game phenomenon Fortnite, amongst others.

The Dead Daisies are always looking for original ideas and providing unique experiences for their fans. This new offering taps into the gaming aesthetic that dominates the globe and enables the band to connect with audiences of all ages, whilst remaining on the cutting edge of technology.

A spellbinding animation sets the backdrop for the song from their upcoming album, Holy Ground which will be released January 22, 2021.

In this dark, fiery tale a Mysterious Woman arrives at the entrance of a foreboding Sideshow Carnival that has pitched up on the outskirts of town in the grounds of an old dilapidated church graveyard. With stealth and speed on her side, the Raven deals out her punishment outwitting her prey at every turn and subjecting her quarry to a swift demise.

“Filled with energy and vigor, 'BustleAand Flow' emerged as one of the last tracks to make the cut. It builds and builds and has great movement. The song and the video are about walking through the fear,” says vocalist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glenn Hughes.

The Animated Music Experience can be seen below:

Lineup:

Vocals/Bass: Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion)
Guitar: Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio)
Guitar: David Lowy (Mink, Red Phoenix)
Drums/Vocals: Deen Castronovo (Journey, Bad English, Hardline)




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Stone Sour have released a demo version of "Last Of The Real", which is available for streaming below.

Guitarist Josh Rand states: "'Last Of The Real': The Selfish Side revels in its supposed supremacy, letting its violent hair down and gaining momentum towards..."




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Mikkey Dee has shared a couple of new video updates from the studio where SCORPIONS are working on their new album. The drummer and his bandmates have just regrouped to resume work on the effort, which is tentatively due in 2021. The short videos focus on what Mikkey calls a "fascinating microphone set-up" for his drums, as well as singer Klaus Meine's recording booth, at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany.

SCORPIONS' new disc will mark the German hard rock legends' first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of SCORPIONS' new and classic material.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, most of the work so far has been done remotely, with Fidelman taking part via Zoom.

Meine recently told Talking Metal that the goal with using Fidelman to produce the new LP is to bring "the old vibe from albums like 'Blackout', 'Love At First Sting' or even 'Lovedrive'. We try to focus on those albums and this attitude," he said. "If we get there, who knows — it's so many years later. But it's the spirit and it's the whole vibe around this album. This time, the focus is on the harder songs."

According to Meine, SCORPIONS' new LP will feature "no outside writers at all," unlike 2015's "Return To Forever", which was largely co-written by the album's producers, Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

Fidelman began his career as the guitarist and songwriter for RHINO BUCKET before launching his career as a producer, engineer and mixer, finding an early mentor in Rick Rubin.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was the aforementioned "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.
























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Klaus House! #mikkeydee #scorpions

A post shared by Mikkey Dee (@mikkeydeeofficial) on Oct 4, 2020 at 1:25am PDT






























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Studio Update - Ratts nest! @buffwerk #mikkeydee

A post shared by Mikkey Dee (@mikkeydeeofficial) on Oct 3, 2020 at 2:35am PDT

Hannover, Germany based death metal band, Critical Mess, performed as part of Wacken World Wide 2020. Watch the band perform the songs "Revolution 5" and "Man Made Machine", below:




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Eddie Van Halen has passed away after a long battle with cancer. The legendary VAN HALEN guitarist was 65 years old. His death was confirmed by his son, and VAN HALEN bassist, Wolfgang Van Halen.

Wolfgang wrote: "I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.

"He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift.

"My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.

"I love you so much, Pop."

According to TMZ, Eddie died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. His wife, Janie, was by his side, along with Wolfgang, and Alex, Eddie's brother and VAN HALEN drummer.

The site reports that Eddie's ongoing health battle went massively downhill in the last 72 hours, with doctors discovering his cancer had moved to his brain as well as other organs.

There have been a lot of rumors regarding the VAN HALEN guitarist's supposedly worsening health, with TMZ reporting recently that Van Halen has been traveling between the U.S. and Germany for cancer treatment going on several years now. The site later said that "the sad medical news had some folks thinking Eddie was on his death bed ... but we're told that's anything but the case."

Back in September 2019, singer David Lee Roth said that there were no plans for VAN HALEN to do anything for the foreseeable future. "I think VAN HALEN's finished and this is the next phase," he said, referring to his solo project. "And that being said, Eddie's got his own story to tell. Not mine to tell it."

Last October, Eddie stopped by a McLaren dealership in Beverly Hills and mingled with the sales team, taking pictures and even giving one fan a kiss. A few days later, he was photographed at a spinal neurosurgeon's office in Beverly Hills.

A rep for Van Halen had no comment on TMZ's initial report when reached by Fox News.

Early last year, rumors were rampant that the classic-era lineup of VAN HALEN would reunite for the first time since 1984. It's unclear why the tour didn't happen, though there has been online chatter that a health setback involving Eddie Van Halen might have been responsible.

Last November, TMZ reported that Eddie spent several days in a hospital due to complications from his cancer treatment. Sources close to the legendary guitarist told the site he was admitted to the hospital with intestinal issues and abdominal pain, both the result of a bad reaction to the drugs Eddie was reportedly taking to battle throat cancer.




pic.twitter.com/kQqDV7pulR

— Wolf Van Halen (@WolfVanHalen) October 6, 2020

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES will enter the studio in early November to begin recording their next album. The upcoming disc will be the follow-up to "To Drink From The Night Itself", which came out in May 2018 via Century Media.

Earlier today, AT THE GATES posted a photo of drummer Adrian Erlandsson sitting behind a drum kit, and included the following caption: "One month til we hit the studio to record our new album!! The preparations are going well and we can’t wait for you to hear what we have been working on!! #TNOB #newalbum2021 #atthegates".

"To Drink From The Night Itself" was produced with Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in the U.K. The follow-up 2014's "At War With Reality" featured conceptual artwork created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13Media, who also worked with AT THE GATES on the band's previous last disc.

"To Drink From The Night Itself" was the first AT THE GATES album written and recorded without lead guitarist/primary songwriter Anders Björler, who departed in 2017. He has since been replaced by Jonas Stålhammar.

AT THE GATES 2020 is:

Adrian Erlandsson - Drums

Jonas Björler - Bass

Tomas Lindberg - Vocals

Jonas Stålhammar - Guitar

Martin Larsson - Guitar
























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One month til we hit the studio to record our new album!! The preparations are going well and we can’t wait for you to hear what we have been working on!! #TNOB #newalbum2021 #atthegates

A post shared by Atthegatesband (@atthegates_official) on Oct 6, 2020 at 2:47am PDT

VAN HALEN has released officially licensed face masks. They are available in four different designs, including a neck gaiter, which can also be worn as a neck warmer, headband, bandana or wristband.

An awesome spin on the classic face mask, these feature elastic ear loops with an adjustable toggle for a secure, comfy fit. Plus, an integrated nose wire minimizes gaps and eliminates slipping.

Available individually or in a set of three. Or set of four with the gaiter.

VAN HALEN has been inactive since it completed its U.S. tour in October 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

Early last year, rumors were rampant that the classic-era lineup of VAN HALEN would reunite for the first time since 1984. It's unclear why the tour didn't happen, though there has been online chatter that a health setback involving guitarist Eddie Van Halen might have been responsible.

Last November, TMZ reported that Eddie spent several days in a hospital due to complications from his cancer treatment. Sources close to the legendary guitarist told the site he was admitted to the hospital with intestinal issues and abdominal pain, both the result of a bad reaction to the drugs Eddie was reportedly taking to battle throat cancer.

AMON AMARTH's 10th studio album, 2016's "Jomsviking", has just been certified gold in Germany.

The band comments: "Berserkers! Behold, this is our week of gold! First, we are very proud to say that our 'Jomsviking' album has been officially certified gold in Germany. A mighty special thanks from us to our dedicated German fans for making this happen, for without you on our side we are nothing. This award is a glorious victory for all of us! Skål!"

The gold celebration continues with the launch of a new video for "Fafner's Gold" — a track that appeared on 2019's "Berserker". Shot in Oberhausen, Germany at König Pilsner Arena on last year's Berserker European headline tour, the clip shows AMON AMARTH in its full arena metal glory. The video was produced by FOG Productions GmbH and Eat The Beat Music, directed by Jörg Maas, edited by Daniel Barnes, with final editing by Denise Korycki of Wild Wind Productions.

AMON AMARTH adds: "Has anyone ever wondered what it's like to see a full power AMON AMARTH live arena show in Europe? We distilled our 'Berserker' European Tour show and bring it to you via video of 'Fafner's Gold'. It has it all: fire, more fire, fighting Vikings, a flying Viking Helmet riser, giant stone Guardians of Asgaard, an epic sea serpent and...Fafner's Gold. Please enjoy, stay safe out there and Raise Your Horns!"

"Berserker" was released in May 2018 via Metal Blade Records. The disc was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, URIAH HEEP and STONE SOUR.

Sweden's prolific death metallers Demonical reveal the second single from their new album World Domination, which will be released on October 23rd via Agonia Records. The song "Aeons Of Death" is available now in the form of a lyric video:

World Domination is a gateway to old and new Demonical. The band's sixth album marks the debut for vocalist Christofer Sätderdal and the return for original drummer Ronnie Bergerstål (2006-2011, 2019-present). There are no major changes to the band's proven formula of brutal, melodic and insolently Swedish death metal. World Domination picks up where 2018's Chaos Manifesto left off, with a touch of extra dynamics and vibrancy that enrich the band's sound.

Demonical commented: "So here we have it, World Domination; our sixth full-length album and the first one to feature new vocalist. Christofer Sätderdal and new-old drummer Ronnie Bergerstål. World Domination continues the same path as our previous Chaos Manifesto slap, in other words, fierce HM-2 driven Swedish death metal, a ravage combination of brutality, melody and darkness. As always on every album, even this time we tried out some new traces and elements we haven’t explored before and have to say that we are stoked about the final outcome. When it comes to the production, this is clearly our most dynamic and vivid album so far. Not only did we use a different way of recording everything, we went also for a much more energetic and breathing sound closer to how albums were produced in the late '80s and early '90s. World Domination was recorded at a few different studios around Sweden, then mixed & mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén - a victorious collaboration we started with on our previous album."

World Domination was recorded in June 2020 at Glashuset and Sellnoise studios by Johan Hjelm and Jonas Arnberg, with production by Demonical. Mixing and mastering were handled by award winning producer Karl Daniel Lidén (Bloodbath, Katatonia) at Tri-Lamb Studios. The cover artwork was created by Susan Wicher. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.

Formats:

- Slipcase digipak CD
- Black gatefold LP
- Transparent smoked gatefold LP
- Solid red gatefold LP
- "Plate of puke" gatefold LP
- T-shirt + download code
- Black zip hoodie + download code
- Digital

Tracklisting:

“My Kingdom Done”
“Hellfire Rain”
“Aeons Of Death”
“The Thin Darkness”
“We Stand As One”
“Victorious”
“Slipping Apart”
“Calescent Punishment”

“My Kingdom Done” video:

(Photo - Jens Ryden)




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