FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has released an official lyric video for "This Is War", a song from the band's latest album, "F8".

"F8" was released in February. The follow-up to 2018's "And Justice For None" capped a turbulent period for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in which singer Ivan Moody finally got sober after a near-fatal struggle with addiction, while co-founding drummer Jeremy Spencer bowed out of the band due to physical issues.

Much of "F8"'s lyrical content deals with Moody's battle with addiction, its aftermath and his recovery. The singer celebrated two years of sobriety in March.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's new disc was once again helmed by Kevin Churko, the Canadian record producer/engineer and songwriter who currently lives in Las Vegas, where he works out of his private studio, The Hideout Recording Studio. The drums on the LP were laid down by Charlie "The Engine" Engen, who made his live debut with the group during its fall 2018 tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN.

In an interview with Berlin, Germany's Star FM, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory spoke about the inspiration for the title of "F8". He said: "Originally, we were just gonna call it '8', sort of. We thought it's the eighth record, and if you wanted to be esoteric about it, we figured, well, if you turn the '8' sideways, it's the symbol of infinity. There was some play with the visuals. I do most of the design and the graphics for the merch in the band in general… So, I was playing around with the graphics and I thought it maybe needs a bit more. And we were bouncing around ideas, and we added the letter 'F.' So it was, like, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's eighth record. At the same time, if you want to read it phonetically, it could be 'fate.'"

Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio the band felt a different kind of vibe when it finally got into the studio to make "F8". "After eight records, I don't think we have to say, 'Well, we are here to stay,'" he said. "But there was this image of getting into the studio and 'Let's light this on fire.' This was this different sort of power, this different sort of energy that was driving us."

Three former members of DEATH — drummer Gene Hoglan, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and guitarist Bobby Koelble — recently teamed up with their DEATH TO ALL bandmate, guitarist/vocalist Max Phelps, to record a quarantine cover version of the DEATH classic "Zero Tolerance" from the 1995 album "Symbolic". Check out video of the performance below.

"Symbolic" stands out as unique in DEATH's catalog — the moment Chuck Schuldiner married his progressive direction with more song-based material, not to mention it is also one of Schuldiner's sonically richest-sounding recordings, courtesy of producer Jim Morris.

The April 2008 remastered reissue of "Symbolic" via Roadrunner Records included the original album tracks plus several previously unreleased, ultra-rare, mostly instrumental demo recordings that were completed in early 1994 with the lineup of Schuldiner, Hoglan and DiGiorgio. The package also came with brand new liner notes written by longtime metal journalist Don Kaye.

Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.

In recent years, DEATH's storied catalog has undergone a meticulous reissue campaign via Relapse Records.

Relapse released the first-ever fully authorized DEATH tab book, featuring 21 classic songs tabbed out for guitar from the band's entire discography. The book, which includes traditional notation as well as tablature, also comes with a digital download of all tracks.

Video of SEETHER's Shaun Morgan and Corey Lowery performing an acoustic version of the band's new single, "Dangerous", can be seen below. The clip was filmed and recorded at SEETHER's home studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Dangerous" is taken from SEETHER's eighth album, "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum", which is due on August 28 via Fantasy Records.

Three years after releasing its critically acclaimed record "Poison The Parish", SEETHER returns with "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum". Translating to "If You Want Peace, Prepare For War", the LP features 13 new tracks, a primal mix of euphoria and misery, undoubtedly some of the strongest material of their illustrious career, including the beautifully tormented first single "Dangerous". An animated music video for the track was created by noted Turkish director Mertcan Mertbilek (Santana, Ray Charles, Ravi Shankar, Elvis Costello).

"These songs are carefully crafted to nestle in your ears like a tiny velvet rabbit clutching a switchblade," says Morgan, his flair for vivid imagery on full display. That bold openness strikes a chord musically and lyrically on songs that explore and eviscerate demons both personal and cultural. "This whole album is kind of me going through that process. I'm exposing myself to a degree I'm not normally comfortable with," he says. "But I think it's okay. I'm proud to be a little bit more vulnerable on this album."

"Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" was produced by Morgan and engineered and mixed by Matt Hyde (DEFTONES, AFI) in Nashville from December 2019 through January 2020. The band is joined on the album by newest member Corey Lowery (ex-guitarist/vocalist for SAINT ASONIA and STUCK MOJO), Morgan's friend of 16 years, who also assistant-engineered the album.

"Corey has a lot of experience and is an inspiring guitarist as well; he's the older brother I've always wanted," Morgan said. SEETHER's rock-solid rhythm section is bassist and founding member Dale Stewart, and drummer John Humphrey (who joined in 2003).

The new album's haunting, unforgettable "Dangerous" is an instant standout. While the band prefers to leave "Dangerous" open to interpretation, lyrics like, "It's so dangerous all this blamelessness / and I feel like I lost all the good I've known" are a passionate and pointed indictment of self and society at large. "Beg", where Morgan snarls, "See hope fading out of your eyes / This time the pain is going to feel unreal," is similarly unrelenting. The chorus’s point-blank demand, "beg, motherfucker!" is a primal rock rallying cry. "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum"'s brutal but beautiful lyrics infuse these songs with cathartic urgency like this from the track "Failure": "I live my life like a broken-hearted failure / I'm trying to shed some light on the scars left by the razors."

The push-pull on "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" is as dynamic as it is memorable as Morgan brings his intimate singer-songwriter sensibility to the band's heavy rock grooves. Drawing on influences including the dark and raw honesty of grunge's epic guitar attack and the South African underground punk and metal that Morgan (and Stewart) grew up on, SEETHER's sonic brew is unmistakable and timeless.

"Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" track listing:

01. Dead And Done

02. Bruised And Bloodied

03. Wasteland

04. Dangerous

05. Liar

06. Can't Go Wrong

07. Buried In The Sand

08. Let It Go

09. Failure

10. Beg

11. Drift Away

12. Pride Before The Fall

13. Written In Stone

Morgan and Stewart formed SEETHER in South Africa in 1999 under the name SARON GAS. The band released its first album, "Fragile", in 2000, and eventually caught the attention of American record label Wind-Up Records.

SEETHER has undergone several lineup changes over the years, with Morgan and Stewart remaining constant.

Greek power prog Black Fate will be releasing their new album Ithaca on October 23, 2020 via Rockshots Records. With their heartbreaking world-class vocals, catchy hooks, and lyrics, along with crashing guitar riffs, haunting melodies, and furious technical and melodic solos, Black Fate continues to satisfy bands with the release of their fifth studio album. Ithaca was mixed and mastered by Steve Lado and follows full-lengths Between Visions And Lies (2014) (Ulterium Records), Deliverance Of Soul (2009) (Asiral Records), A Piece Of Dream (2002) (Secret Port Records), and Uncover (2001) (Secret Port Records).

The band comments on the release of Ithaca:

"Ithaca is melodic, technical, and groovy, but also a bit dark. It has beautiful and strange melodies with powerful emotions. We believe it's an album for all kinds of metal audiences. We hope the fans will see it the same way. We see Ithaca as a very integrated album. Fans who have followed us over the years will also notice many changes in the songwriting process, we concentrated to find the best form and the best overall result for every song."

Today, the band is sharing their first single "Savior Machine" and comments about the track: 

"A fast tempo song, maybe the fastest track of the album with aggressive guitars, dark melodic and catchy vocals, fast drumming, and intense choral keyboards."




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Legendary Swedish black metal formation, Mörk Gryning, will release their new album, Hinsides Vrede, via Season Of Mist on October 23, making it the band's debut to the label. Pre-order the album here.

The band has released the first single, "Fältherren", along with a music video. The clip, which was created by Guilherme Henriques, can be seen below.

Founding member Goth Gorgon comments: "'Fältherren' is for me the essence of what Mörk Gryning is. Dark and brutal yet melodic and dynamic. Lyrically it's based on 'The Field Marshal,' a song included in Modest Mussorgsky's song cycle 'Songs and dances of death.' A part of the (translated from Russian) original lyric should suffice to explain its meaning:

"'Then, illuminated by moonlight, on her battle horse, shining with the whiteness of her bones, appeared Death; and in the silence, taking in moans and prayers, full of proud satisfaction, like a field marshal she circled around the place of battle.'"

Tracklisting:

"The Depths Of Chinnereth"
"Fältherren"
"Existence In A Dream"
"Infernal"
"A Glimpse Of The Sky"
"Hinsides"
"The Night"
"Sleeping In The Embers"
"For Those Departed"
"Without Crown"
"Black Spirit"
"On The Elysian Fields"

"Fältherren" video:

Lineup:

Draakh Kimera - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Drums
Goth Gorgon - Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Avathar - Lead Guitar

Recording lineup:

Draakh Kimera: Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Keyboards
Goth Gorgon: Bass, Lead Guitar, Backing vocals, Lead vocals on “Black Spirit”, Keyboards
Avathar: Lead Guitar     
C-G: Drums on “Fältherren” & “Black Spirit”
Aeon: Backing Vocals, Piano on “For Those Departed” & “On The Elysian Fields”

Guest musicians:

Laura Ute: Vocals on “Black Spirit”

Live members:

C-G - Drums
Aeon - Keyboards

(Photo - Peter Wendin)




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Italian hard rock/heavy metal band, Hell In The Club, will release of their new studio album, Hell Of Fame, on September 4 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Today, the band has released the another single and video from the album, "Nostalgia". Watch the clip below, and pre-order/save the album here.

"With Hell Of Fame, we've tried a slightly different approach compared to See You On The Dark Side. It is definitely more straight ahead album and I was honestly a bit skeptical about it at first.  But as often happens, simple and instinctive thinking beat out overthinking. Expect a straight ahead, yet still addictive and exciting hard rock album with the familiar sound and trademark of Hell In The Club," says vocalist Dave.

Adds bassist Andy, "I'm very happy about the release of our fifth album. Obviously I think it's a very good album, but mainly a very GENUINE one. We had a more direct approach this time and let the songs be more natural, with less frills than usual. I already love it as much as I love all our discography and I'm sure you'll like it as well!"

Hell In The Club released their first album in 2011. Hell Of Fame is their fifth album and introduces their strongest material to date. Combining and taking to the next level the freshness of previous releases Let The Games Begin (2011) with the maturity of Devil On My Shoulder (2014) and Shadow Of The Monster (2016) and the professional approach of 2017's See You on the Dark Side (their last album and most popular release to date), Hell Of Fame sees the band angling for the world stage. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM) at Domination Studio in San Marino, Italy, the new album is an explosive hard rock statement.

Featuring members of acclaimed folk metallers Elvenking, progressive metallers Secret Sphere, and heavy metallers Eternal Idol, Hell In The Club have earned their place in the scene over the course of four albums, but their music stands out as something totally different: they mix classic hard rock and modern sounds, heavy metal and party songs, fifties rock’n’roll, and anything in between. Who said metal can't be fun?

Tracklisting:

"We'll Never Leave The Castle"
"Worst Case Scenario"
"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow"
"Joker"
"Last Of An Undying Kind"
"Nostalgia"
"Lullaby For An Angel"
"Mr. Grouch"
"No Room In Hell"
"Tokyo Lights"
"Lucifer’s Magic"

"Nostalgia" video:

"We'll Never Leave The Castle" video:

Lineup:

Dave - Vocals
Andy - Bass
Picco - Guitars
Mark – Drums




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Memphis, TN rockers Every Mother’s Nightmare will release a new album this fall via HighVolMusic. A short teaser is streaming below:

Every Mother's Nightmare continues to promote their back catalog with the release of the video "Pray", taken from the 2018 reissue of Smokin' Delta Voodoo.

EMN is on the climb and a very notable resurgence since the release of their last full-length original album, Grind. HVM released Grind in 2017, Smokin' Delta Voodoo in 2018, Backtraxx in 2019, and Grind on LP in 2019. The band signed with HighVolMusic in 2016, extended their contract in 2018, and now signing a new extension beyond 2025.

Founder and vocalist Rick Ruhl states: "Bill Chavis, that guy just doesn't stop! He never takes no for an answer and finds a way to make things happen. He shoots it straight. HighVolMusic is the best label I have ever been on. He cares and takes care of business and has done more for this band since we signed with him than anyone else. He's my friend, I trust him and can't say that for many."




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BUTCHER BABIES will release a new single in September. The song will be the first taste of the band's forthcoming fourth studio album, tentatively due in early 2021 via an as-yet-undisclosed record label.

Asked in a new interview with Syfy Wire's "Metal Crush" how BUTCHER BABIES' new LP differs from 2017's "Lilith", singer Heidi Shepherd said (see video below): "It differs a lot. You still have the classic BUTCHER BABIES metal behind us, but I found myself wanting to sing more.

"When I first started BUTCHER BABIES, I was an angry young girl, and I had a lot to scream about. I'm a happy 35-year-old woman now, so I have a lot that I wanna sing about."

BUTCHER BABIES next album will be the band's first since its split with Century Media over a year ago.

This past April, Shepherd told ELUVEITIE's "Corona Talk" that "it was a hard decision to part ways with Century Media." She explained: "Here in the U.S., the label doesn't exactly exist much here anymore,. And so it was a really difficult decision. We were with them for our entire career; we've been a band for 10 years. It just wasn't working here in the States. But we do love our Century Media family."

"Lilith" was produced by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SEPULTURA, SUICIDE SILENCE) and marked BUTCHER BABIES' recording debut with drummer Chase Brickenden, who replaced Chris Warner in 2016.

In July 2019, longtime BUTCHER BABIES bassist Jason Klein announced his departure from the band. He has since been replaced by Ricky Bonazza.

On October 23, ARMORED SAINT will release its eighth full-length album, "Punching The Sky", via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of the album, a video for the new single "End Of The Attention Span", directed by Robert Graves, can be seen below.

Bassist Joey Vera comments: "We've teamed up with video director Robert Graves for our first single, 'End Of The Attention Span'. Robert got the lyrical content right away and together we delved into society's ongoing fascination with electronic devices and the insidious disconnect it creates. The irony is that most of us feel connected together through our phone and computer screens, but the reality is that we have created a wedge between ourselves. Our human interactions have been infected with an intense need for information. We're always 'looking' for more. The end result is a very damaged attention span."

Leaders and stalwarts of the American heavy metal scene since the early 1980s, ARMORED SAINT's "Punching The Sky" sees them returning hard. A diverse, attitude-drenched collection, it's everything the band's faithful have come to expect from them while pushing their signature sound forward.

"The goal is to write really good music. I know I'm stating the obvious here but that's about the size of our agenda," says Vera. "We've been able to shed a lot of expectations that sometimes plague a band like ours that has been around a long time, and we've recently moved into a comfort zone with just being ourselves. We have this kind of freedom now that we didn't really have early in our career, and we can take some chances and make the kind of music that we want to hear. This record is a reflection of where we are at, right now."

Exploding to life with the crunchy, rousing "Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants" and not letting up until the closing ruthless riff of "Never You Fret", the record is possessed of an urgency and vigor which very much places it in the right now, but could only be the work of Vera, guitarists Phil Sandoval and Jeff Duncan, drummer Gonzo Sandoval and vocalist John Bush.

"When you're a band that began four decades ago, you really have to push yourself harder than ever when it comes to making a new record," states Bush. "The last thing you ever want is for it to appear as though you were going through the motions or that you're just putting a product out to do some touring. The records are immortal. They'll be here long after us. Every one needs to count in its own individual way."

With Vera acting as producer, he recruited the same engineering team that worked on "Win Hands Down", with drums recorded by Josh Newell at El Dorado Studios in Burbank, California, guitars tracked by Bill Metoyer at Skullseven studios in North Hollywood, California, and vocals, bass and additional recordings by the bassist at his studio.

"I like working with people that I trust and have a good personal rapport with," Vera says. "That same reason is why I hired Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, AMON AMARTH, STONE SOUR) to mix the record. It's important to be able to work with people who understand what the end goal is."

The process of realizing the album was a lot of hard work, Vera admitting he took on too many of the tasks himself, but he states that overall it was a good experience and everyone brought their A-game to the table and the right attitude for getting things done.

"At the end of the mixing stage, I always have a hard time walking away from the project we've been working on for so long," he says. "It's hard to let it go. The end result is good though. Everyone played and sang their asses off and it shows."

"Punching The Sky" features a few guest musicians further expanding its sonic palette, the whole thing kicking off with the sound of Uilleann Pipes, Vera finding player Patrick D'Arcy in Los Angeles and recruiting him to the cause. GUNS N' ROSES keyboardist Dizzy Reed also contributes, Vera giving both him and D'Arcy some general directions and letting them loose, both of them delivering strong performances. The band's own Gonzo Sandoval plays an American Indian flute on "Never You Fret" — a first for ARMORED SAINT and their drummer. Also Jacob Ayala, the son of a childhood friend who is a drum major in high school, added some marching snare on one of the tracks, which really stands out.

With the band's place in the metal scene firmly re-established with "Punching The Sky", they are staring down their four decade anniversary, which Vera reflects on.

"Part of me feels like I can't believe we've been doing this for that long. It's kind of incredible," Vera says. "So I feel pretty damn lucky really, that we've been able to have the support from fans and our record company for all these years. Without this support, we really couldn't do any of this. So this is the big part of what has kept us going, and when I stop and look around, I am humbled that we've had this opportunity to make music and tour for such a long time. That's what our initial goal was back when we were just 18 years old."

"Punching The Sky" track listing:

01. Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants

02. End Of The Attention Span

03. Bubble

04. My Jurisdiction

05. Do Wrong To None

06. Lone Wolf

07. Missile To Gun

08. Fly In The Ointment

09. Bark, No Bite

10. Unfair

11. Never You Fret

KISS has announced the rescheduled dates for the latest U.S. leg of its "End Of The Road" tour. The shows, which will once again feature support from VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth, will kick off on August 18, 2021 in Mansfield, Massachusetts and will conclude on October 6, 2021 in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Paul Stanley previously stated about KISS's return to the road: "We are waiting. We are ready. When we are told everyone is safe and this pandemic is over, we will shake the earth and rock your world as always and as never before."

Gene Simmons added: "We can't wait for this pandemic to be over, and for all of you to be safe. We are planning to rock your world, once it is safe out there, for all of you and for us."

The 2021 dates are as follows:

Aug. 18 - Great Woods - Mansfield, MA

Aug. 19 - Waterfront - Bangor, ME

Aug. 21 - Boardwalk Hall - Atlantic City, NJ *

Aug. 22 - Meadows - Hartford, CT

Aug. 26 - KeyBank - Pittsburgh, PA

Aug. 28 - Walnut Creek - Raleigh, NC

Aug. 29 - Lakewood - Atlanta, GA

Sep. 01 - Nutter Center - Dayton, OH

Sep. 02 - Pine Knob - Clarkston, MI

Sep. 04 - The World - Tinley Park, IL

Sep. 05 - Marcus - Milwaukee, WI

Sep. 17 - Sunlight - Ridgefield, WA

Sep. 18 - The Gorge - George, WA

Sep. 21 - ExtraMile Arena (formerly Taco Bell Arena) - Boise, ID

Sep. 22 - USANA - Salt Lake City, UT

Sep. 25 - North Island - Chula Vista, CA

Sep. 26 - Desert Sky - Phoenix, AZ

Sep. 29 - 360 - Austin, TX

Oct. 01 - Dickies - Ft Worth, TX

Oct. 02 - BOK - Tulsa, OK

Oct. 05 - Mississippi Coast - Biloxi, MS

Oct. 06 - Cajundome - Lafayette, LA

* No David Lee Roth

Your ticket will be honored for the new date. If you can't make it, you'll be able to request a refund. Ticket holders will be e-mailed with details. Visit livenation.com/refund for more information.

In January 2019, KISS launched its "End Of The Road" farewell tour, which was previously scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City.

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

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

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

QUEEN's Brian May has thanked firefighters for combatting a forest fire which threatened his home over the weekend.

The legendary guitarist took to Instagram yesterday to say that he was forced to evacuate his home and studio property after the wildfire broke out and spread less than a mile from his house on the Sunningdale Golf Course.

The 73-year-old wrote: "I never imagined it could happen here in leafy, and normally damp, Surrey, England.

"We supported the fight against the immense fires in Australia, and watched sadly as fires ravaged California, but to see this happen in my own home county has been shocking and traumatic.

"Today we were able to begin to thank the amazing firefighters who risked their lives to contain this huge and treacherous wild furnace on the heath land of Sunningdale Golf Course — which actually adjoins my property.

"Yesterday, I was rescuing as many precious things from my house as was practicable, under threat of the whole thing going up in flames, but praying that the horror would not happen. Today my prayers were answered."

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) said the wildfire began on Sunningdale Golf Course and, due to strong winds, spread to Chobham Common, destroying 74 acres of rare and precious lowland heathland and wildlife habitat on the common.

According to the BBC, the cause of the fire is not yet known, but Surrey County Council has urged people not to light bonfires or use disposable BBQs in the countryside.

Assistant chief fire officer Kasey Beal said: "As of the afternoon of Monday, August 10. The fire remains at approximately 500 acres and is contained.

"However, the fire does remain active in isolated areas, especially along the roadways within the Common and in pockets, well within containment lines.

"Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is being assisted by neighbouring agencies during this declared major incident as we proceed into our fourth day.

"High temperatures and the potential for thunderstorms are driving the need for our crews to maintain a presence both day and night for the remainder of the week."
























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FIREFIGHT in SURREY. I never imagined it could happen here in leafy, and normally damp, Surrey, England. We supported the fight against the immense fires in Australia, and watched sadly as fires ravaged California, but to see this happen in my own home county has been shocking and traumatic. These pictures show Anne Brummer and I this afternoon, surveying the forest fire which is still smouldering less than a mile from my own house and studio, and the fond relics of my entire life. Today Se were able to begin to thank the amazing firefighters who risked their lives to contain this huge and treacherous wild furnace on the heath land of Sunningdale Golf Course - which actually adjoins my property. Yesterday, I was rescuing as many precious things from my house as was practicable, under threat of the whole thing going up in flames, but praying that the horror would not happen. Today my prayers were answered - the fire is under control, but the danger is not over. While this dry heatwave lasts there is still a massive risk of a flare-up leading to disaster. Perhaps even more shocking was learning today that this wonderful force, which is alert 24 hours a day to protect us all, has become tragically undersupporyed in recent years. Just as the Government cuts sent the NHS into battle hideously crippled by lack of funding, the same lack of vision has rendered this country vulnerable to fires - with a fire fighting service criminally cut back in manpower and resources. Something has gone terribly wrong with our leaders’ decision-making process. As long as we prioritise short-term economic gains over the lives of our people and the welfare of those who protects us, we will be a nation continually in danger. It becomes more and more clear that a radical rethink is needed. THANK YOU, firefighters of Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, and the maintenance team of Sunningdale Golf - for saving all our skins. And thanks Callum and Emily, George, and the nice man from Barcelona for giving us a backstage tour today. Incredible. Photo of Bri and Anne by Callum Strachan. Swipe for stereo views showing the still smoking edges of the huge area of destruction. Bri

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal) on Aug 9, 2020 at 10:11pm PDT

San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD have unveiled a seething new lyric video today for their song "Bulletproof", taken from their recently released two-song digital single "Civil Unrest".

"Bulletproof" is a clear, defiant statement from vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn and band who don't mince words in their fury about the country's disgraceful climate of corruption, injustice, racism and inequality that has risen during the current administration.

Flynn comments on the song: "The lyrics for 'Bulletproof' were finished in the aftermath of not only the Ahmaud Arbery murder at the hands of white supremacist, but everything twisting out of control in our world. The isolation and craziness of the pandemic, the lockdown protesters storming government buildings with AR-15s, as well as the blatant lies and conspiracies pouring out of our political leaders' mouths, hour by hour, day after day."

The two-track single also features the song "Stop The Bleeding", which features guest vocals from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach, and was written and recorded just days after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

MACHINE HEAD is donating a significant portion of the streaming proceeds from "Stop The Bleeding" to the Grassroots Law Project, the organization representing George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

Both tracks were produced by Flynn and engineered by Zack Ohren at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with the mix being handled by longtime MACHINE HEAD collaborator and producer extraordinaire Colin Richardson, together with Chris Clancy at Audioworks Productions UK. The tracks were mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.

Last month, MACHINE HEAD canceled its previously announced rescheduled 2020 tour dates for Europe and Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Each show on MACHINE HEAD's "Burn My Eyes" 25th-anniversary tour consisted of two parts: part one saw Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern performing alongside new recruits, guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka (DECAPITATED) and British drummer Matt Alston (DEVILMENT, EASTERN FRONT); while part two featured "Burn My Eyes" played in its entirety for the first time ever, with original "Burn My Eyes"-era drummer Chris Kontos and guitarist Logan Mader joining in.

Greek metal veterans, Rotting Christ, have shared the full 49-minute concert from their recent virtual performance as part of the European Metal Festival Alliance. The video was shot and recorded on July 6 at Artworks Studio. The full show can be seen below:

Rotting Christ recently announced their collaboration with the creators of the PS4 game Mortal Shell, which featured the band's epic track "Χ Ξ Σ (666)" in the official trailer. The game is set for worldwide release on August 18.

Frontman Sakis Tolis comments: "Dear friends, we are proud to announce our collaboration with the PS4 video game creators of Mortal Shell! Our track 'ΧΞΣ (666)' is being used in the official game trailer."

For more info on the game, head here.

It's not Rotting Christ's first encounter with the gaming industry. Last month, the band was discovered on a poster in the game The Last of Us Part 2 along with label mates Horrendous.




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Arizona thrash metal veterans SACRED REICH have released a music video for the song "Manifest Reality". The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Awakening", which was released in August 2019 via Metal Blade Records. SACRED REICH's first LP in 23 years was produced by Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, POWER TRIP and CODE ORANGE, among others. The album marks SACRED REICH's first release since the return of drummer Dave McClain.

SACRED REICH bassist/vocalist Phil Rind comments: "Here's a fun video for 'Manifest Reality' our friend Fiaz Ffarrelly put together using footage from our European live shows last year. Can't wait to get out and play again. In the meantime, enjoy the clip."

"Awakening" was described in a press release as "a timeless collection comprised of blistering thrash, crushing grooves, killer solos and socially conscious lyrics that demonstrate a true understanding of everything that matters most in the world today."

Last year, SACRED REICH guitarist and founding member Jason Rainey exited the band for "health reasons" and was replaced by Joey Radziwill. Rainey died in March of an apparent heart attack.

Speaking about SACRED REICH's current lineup, Rind said: "Dave is such a killer drummer and person. He works every day to become a better drummer, and I mean every day. His work ethic is inspiring. As much as he has accomplished, he is still open to what comes. Joey brings a higher level of musicianship and tightness to our band, and he brings a freshness to us. He gives us an opportunity for us to see things from a different perspective, and all of us were blown away by what he can do with a guitar and how effortlessly he does it."

"Awakening" was engineered by John Aquilino and was mastered by Maor Appelbaum.

Regarding the new LP's musical direction, Rind said: "Going into it, we had a loose idea as far as knowing that we wanted some fast, heavy songs to honor the old school fans that have supported us and gotten us to this point. We wanted everything to happen naturally. We didn't want to force anything and we are super stoked with every song. It is easily the best thing we have ever done. Regardless of what happens with the record, the experience of making it was enough to satisfy us. Obviously, we hope people like it, but even if it tanked, it could not change the way we feel about it. We know what we did."

It's only been a few months since dark industrial heroes POWERMAN 5000 concluded the recording of their latest opus, "The Noble Rot", which is set to be unleashed on the world August 28 via Cleopatra Records. But not even vocalist/founder Spider One could have predicted the "rot" that would infect the world in that short time. And while the album's first single, the catchy goth rocker "Black Lipstick", offered a kitschy, retro form of darkness, the album's second single, "Brave New World", brings a far more sinister and disturbing vibe in the carefully controlled sonic chaos of the track's keyboards punctuated by heavy, sharply riffing guitars. The song's refrain "Welcome to the brave new world, same as the old scared world" captures the true nightmare of modernity, the realization that the revolution, even if it was televised, didn't actually change anything. As Spider puts it: "Some people who have heard the song have commented on how timely it seems, but the thing is, we have always written songs about the world's dystopian tendencies so we are bound to get it right once in a while."

To accompany the track, the band is also releasing a new video — a kind of ultimate minimalist horror film consisting of a single hallucinogenic demon figure who flirts in and out of the spotlight and frame. The singular focus on this one image forces the viewer to find the layers of meaning hidden beneath the shocking horror of the surface.

"I wanted to visually represent the chaos and fear that so many people are feeling right now," Spider says, "though I didn't want to use a bunch of news footage of protests and riots and people on ventilators. So, me in rotten monster fangs and a ski mask had to do."

"The Noble Rot" track listing:

01. Cannibal Killers That Kill Everyone

02. Brave New World

03. Play God Or Play Dead

04. Black Lipstick

05. Special Effects

06. Let The Insects Rule

07. Movie Blood

08. Strange People Doing Strange Things

09. We Got The Beat

10. VHS

In early June, POWERMAN 5000 released a music video for the first single from "The Noble Rot", the goth club-inspired "Black Lipstick". The song is a loving homage to dark 1980s music like DEPECHE MODE, THE CURE and SIOUXSIE SIOUX, heavy on atmosphere and bass with frontman Spider One sneering melodically of a fly-by-night romantic encounter.

Spider said: "I believe this was the first song we wrote for the album. It kind of laid the groundwork for the sound of the whole record. Kind of more experimental and electronic than the previous one. I think I may have been trying to channel Peter Murphy with the vocals."

In May, POWERMAN 5000 released its reimagining of the classic '80s new wave smash "We Got The Beat". "We Got The Beat" was originally released in 1981 as part of THE GO-GO'S' multi-platinum debut album "Beauty And The Beat".

POWERMAN 5000's last album, "New Wave", was released in October 2017 via Pavement Entertainment.

Last year, POWERMAN 5000 celebrated the 20th anniversary of its most successful album, "Tonight The Stars Revolt!", by embarking on a U.S. tour.

"Tonight The Stars Revolt!", POWERMAN 5000's second album, was released on July 20, 1999 by DreamWorks Records. It has sold over one million copies and achieved platinum status on the back of such hits as "Nobody's Real" and "When Worlds Collide".

Austrian black metallers Theotoxin have shared the lyric video for their new track "Prayer". The song is the second to be revealed from the band's third album, Fragment : Erhabenheit, set for international release on September 11th via AOP Records.

With the intention of creating supreme black metal art, Theotoxin ascended from the catacombs of Vienna, Austria in 2016. A quintet featuring members of Zombie Inc., Selbstentleibung, and now-labelmates Anomalie, this strong lineup of musicians has been well tested on tour all over Europe.

In 2017, Theotoxin self-released their debut album, Atramentvm, and kept writing new material, which led to the release of the successor Consilivm (Massacre Records) just a year later. Plenty of live appearances and a tour through Europe followed, further honing the band’s considerable chops. On those stages did the band deliver a throttling live show with deep atmosphere; the name Theotoxin began to spread.

Now aligned with longtime fans AOP Records, Theotoxin are eager to spread their black chants even further with their strongest album yet. Bearing the thematic title of Fragment : Erhabenheit, Theotoxin’s third album is both a consolidation of the band’s strengths as well as an extension of new ones. Much like their intense onstage performances, the violence is palpable – almost overwhelmingly so – and is doled out with the ease of experienced masters. Equally so, however, a chilling melodicism rises from this physicality which puts Fragment : Erhabenheit in rarefied territory: a paradoxically refreshing (re)iteration of second-wave black metal classicism. It’s as much mid ‘90s as it is Now, and Theotoxin simply make it look all too easy.

Suitably graced with demonic-yet-mystical artwork courtesy of the masterful Jose Gabriel Sabogal, Fragment : Erhabenheit is guaranteed to be Theotoxin’s breakout moment! Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

"Golden Tomb"
"Obscure Divinations"
"Prayer"
"Through Hundreds Of Years"
"Philosopher"
"Two Ancient Spirits"
"Sanatory Silence"

"Golden Tomb":

 




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In a new interview with Italy's Radio Freccia, Ian Paice spoke about DEEP PURPLE's longevity and the role friendship and mutual respect have played in keeping the band together for so long.

"I think it was the stresses and strains that helped create the band, but if those same problems were with us today, we would not be here," Ian said (see video below).

"We have a situation where, as you get a little older and hopefully a little wiser, you understand that not everybody is gonna see the world the way you see it, and those differences you have to allow for," he explained. "The fact that you may not agree with the way one of the bandmembers lives his life has nothing to do with you. So long as he turns up and he plays the music and he plays it good, that's all you need to know. And if you don't get along socially, don't socialize. But don't expect the world to be exactly like you want it to be. I think when you're kids, that's a problem, and a little later, you go, 'You do what you do. I'll see you at the next concert. It's okay.'"

According to Paice, who is PURPLE's sole remaining founding member, he and his bandmates came together more than 50 years ago because they were willing to work together to reach a common goal. "I think that's why, when we were kids, that's why we started," he said. "We wanted to do something that made us happy, and then you find somebody else who wants to do the same thing as you do, and you make each other happy. Then there's four or five of you, and you're having a really good time. Then you find that the people listening to you, they get happy too. And so [there is an] evolution — you keep getting better, hopefully, and more and more people like what you do. It becomes sort of important, and not just for the musicians. It becomes important for the people who have locked on to what you're doing. And then it becomes a world movement."

DEEP PURPLE's new album, "Whoosh!", was released on August 7 via earMUSIC. The LP was once again helmed by Canadian producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER), who also worked on the band's previous two studio LPs, 2017's "Infinite" and 2013's "Now What?!"

METALLICA has posted another video as part of its new concert series, "#MetallicaMondays", where the band is streaming a complete live show for fans on the group's YouTube channel and on Facebook every week. The latest concert to be shared was recorded on June 13, 2004 at Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Blackened

02. Fuel

03. For Whom The Bell Tolls

04. Fade To Black

05. Frantic

06. The Memory Remains

07. Wherever I May Roam

08. St. Anger

09. Sad But True

10. Creeping Death

11. Damage, Inc.

Encore:

12. Harvester Of Sorrow

13. Nothing Else Matters

14. Master Of Puppets

15. One

16. Enter Sandman

Encore 2:

17. Dyers Eve

18. Seek & Destroy

Earlier today, METALLICA confirmed its return to the stage for the first time since the September 2019 "S&M²" concerts that opened Chase Center in San Francisco. METALLICA will be the first rock band to be featured in the Encore Drive-In Nights series, with a full set showing August 29 at hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada. The show will be shot specially for the Encore Drive-In Nights Series at a location near the band's Northern California headquarters and will subsequently be edited and mixed by METALLICA's award-winning production team to the highest standards possible. The concert, the band's first show in nearly a year, will feature material from throughout their near-four-decade career and provide METALLICA fans with an intimate, unique and truly memorable concert experience.

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

Back in April, drummer Lars Ulrich revealed in an online chat that the band could get together to write and record a new album while in quarantine.

METALLICA has been largely out of the public eye since last fall when the band canceled an Australian tour and announced that frontman James Hetfield was returning to rehab for the first time since 2002 to battle his addictions.

In March, METALLICA announced that its South American tour, which was originally planned for April, has been postponed until December. In addition, the band's appearances at five Danny Wimmer Presents-produced festivals in May, September and October have been canceled: Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome To Rockville in Daytona, Sonic Temple in Columbus, Louder Than Life in Louisville and Aftershock in Sacramento.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE has unveiled a new EP titled "Another Life/Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection". Produced by Justin Deblieck and mixed by Steve Sopchack, the EP is available now on all streaming platforms.

For the project, the acclaimed Scranton, Pennsylvania band reimagined, and reinvigorated two fan-favorite singles: "Another Life" and "Eternally Yours". Additionally, they included brand new cinematic instrumental tracks for both. For this big screen-worthy interpretation of "Another Life", they recruited dark pop Estonian artist Kerli to contribute an emotionally charged vocal. Over a bed of orchestral strings and sparse piano, frontman Chris Motionless locks into a haunting and hypnotic duet with her. The official music video offers a ghostly counterpoint and alternate view of the original as well.

Elsewhere, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE enlisted Australian vocalist Crystal Joilena to join this nocturnal take of "Eternally Yours". Classically inspired piano cuts through swells of strings as the vocals reach heavenly heights on a solemn promise. Punctuated by lasers and galactic vignettes, the accompanying visual complements the song's otherworldly energy.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE commented on the new project, saying: "With all of the down time of not touring, we wanted to take the opportunity to try something we've never done before. We give you 'Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection' (featuring Crystal Joilena) and 'Another Life: Motion Picture Collection' (featuring Kerli). Thank you to Crystal and Kerli for your amazing vocals that helped transform these versions into something truly special. Thank you to Justin Deblieck for your ever-brilliant talents that shine so bright throughout these tracks, and thank you to Steve Sopchack for your keen ear and dedication to mixing this project. We hope you all enjoy and are still staying safe out there."

A highlight of the group's latest album "Disguise", the original "Another Life" ascended to the Top 15 at Active Rock radio, becoming MOTIONLESS IN WHITE's highest-charting single to date. It has notably gathered 9.5 million views on the official music video, not to mention BEARTOOTH frontman Caleb Shomo recently remixed "Another Life".

"Another Life/Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection" EP track listing:

01. Another Life: Motion Picture Collection (feat. Kerli)

02. Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection (feat. Crystal Joilena)

03. Another Life: Motion Picture Collection (instrumental)

04. Eternally Yours: Motion Picture Collection (instrumental)

Back in 2012, former Theatre of Tragedy drummer Hein Frode Hansen launched a new band, The Black Locust Project, with Kristian Sigland (vocals, guitars, bass / ex-The Crest). The project eventually went dormant and was presumably aborted, but they have been working on new material. They have released their debut single, "Ethereal Plague", which is now available via Spotify here. It is also available via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Deezer. 

More details will be revealed soon. Watch the band's Facebook page here for updates.

Check out "We Remain Strangers" from 2012 below.

Photo by Erlend Sørbø




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The legendary guitarist and songwriter of The Doors and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, Robby Krieger, released his first solo album in 10 years back in April. The Ritual Begins At Sundown is available via his new home at The Players Club, a division of the Mascot Label Group.

Order the album here, and listen to the song "Dr Noir" below.

The Doors weren't just one of the most iconic bands of their generation, but one of the most influential bands in rock history and Robby Krieger was responsible for writing some of their biggest hits in "Light My Fire", "Love Me Two Times", "Touch Me" and "Love Her Madly".

Krieger returns for his ninth solo album and his first since 2010s Grammy nominated Singularity, and once again with his long time writing partner and co-producer Arthur Barrow. Barrow worked with Frank Zappa through the 1970s-80s. The album also features other Zappa alumni Jock Ellis (Trombone), Sal Marquez (Trumpet), Tommy Mars (Keys) and Chad Wackerman (Drums), as well as AeB Bryne (Flute), Vince Denham (Sax), Chuck Manning (Sax) and Joel Taylor (Drums).

Tracklisting:

"What Was That?"
"Slide Home"
"The Drift"
"Chunga's Revenge" (Frank Zappa cover)
"Hot Head"
"Yes, The River Knows"
"The Hitch"
"Dr Noir"
"Bianca's Dream"
"Screen Junkie"

"Dr Noir":

"The Hitch":

"Hot Head" visualizer:




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It's been about two years since the band's sophomore release Terror Of The Cybernetic Space Monster, and Sacramento sci-fi power metallers Helion Prime return with their third effort and the much shorter title, Question Everything, set for release on Monday, October 5 via their label Saibot Reigns.

This is Helion Prime's first album with new vocalist Mary Zimmer, who has also accompanied the band on two separate tours of the United States. It also sees the band's original singer, Heather Michele, returning in a writing capacity and contributing all lyrics and melodies. Heather Michele also along with other former Helion Prime vocalist Sozos Michael and with John Yelland (Judicator/Dire Peril) add their guest vocals on the full length.

The third record is a concept album, with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history who had the courage to question the status quo of their respective worlds/societies, in some cases even dealing with harsh persecution as a result. Those Helion Prime chose to write about-faced prejudice, mockery, ex-communication, and persecution - yet through it all, they held true to their beliefs and ideas. Time would be their greatest ally as their ideas and identities were eventually validated, oftentimes not until after their passing. They serve as an inspiration for all minds to continue thinking outside the box and staying true to themselves.

Jason speaks on the album itself: "This album has truly been amazing to work on. The idea behind it is something I've been holding on to since around the time I started the band. Aside from writing some of what I consider to be Prime's best work it was a great experience getting to work with Heather again on an album as she once again contributed her talents for the lyrics."

Today, the band releases their first single from the album, "The Forbidden Zone", based on the fictional character Cornelius from the classic sci-fi film Planet Of The Apes. The lyric video was made by Austin Bentley.

Founder/songwriter Jason Ashcraft says: "I have had plans to write a song based on the film Planet Of The Apes for some time now. I love films and just needed the right time. The character Cornelius really fits into the theme I was going for with this album. He is the only fictional character to be featured on this album."

Watch the clip below.

Question Everything was mixed by Chris Collier and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima with additional mixing/drum edits/reamping by Alex Nasla of Gear Gods Studio. Guitar/Bass edits by Michael Goodrich and cover art by Marc Whisnant.

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"The Final Theory"
"Madame Mercury"
"Prof"
"The Gadfly"
"Photo 51"
"E Pur Si Muove"
"Words of The Abbot" ft. guest vocals John Yelland (Judicator, Dire Peril)
"The Forbidden Zone"
"Question Everything" ft. Heather Michele (ex-Graveshadow, ex-Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (ex-Helion Prime, Planeswalker)
"Reawakening"
"Kong at the Gates" (Misfits Cover)

"The Forbidden Zone" lyric video:

Helion Prime lineup:

Jason Ashcraft - Guitar
Chad Bill Anderson - Guitar
Mary Zimmer - Vocals
Alex Bosson - Drums
Jeremy Steinhouse - Bass

(Photo - Casey Frederick)




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Neal Morse will release Sola Gratia, his new solo progressive rock concept album, on September 11. Originating from a seed planted in his mind about writing a record based on the apostle Paul, Sola Gratia quickly came together at the beginning of 2020. The album sees Neal working with long-time collaborators Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Eric Gillette, Bill Hubauer and Gideon Klein.

Watch the video for the album's second single, "Seemingly Sincere", below.

Neal comments: "'Seemingly Sincere' is one of the last songs I wrote for Sola Gratia. Having a song about the stoning of Stephen seemed appropriate and when I started writing it, I immediately felt the drama and intensity. I wasn’t really expecting for it to have a really long instrumental section with keyboard and drum solos, but that actually turned into one of my favorite parts of the album. I think Christian Rios has done amazingly well on this video as it is so difficult to create good music videos remotely during Covid. I think he did a fabulous job and I hope you all enjoy it.”

The title Sola Gratia of course has echoes of Morse’s 2007 epic Sola Scriptura, about the life of Martin Luther, but was in fact originally the result of a simple marital misunderstanding: “I was talking to my wife Cherie about debuting this new piece at Morsefest 2020 (Morse’s annual fan convention in Nashville) and she said she thought it would be good for me to do a solo album. However, I thought she said ‘Sola album’ and – because some of the new ideas involved Paul’s aggressive pursuit of the early Christians, I could see a link to some of the themes of persecution in ‘Sola Scriptura’.”

The music was recorded “virtually” in April 2020 at the height of the Coronavirus lockdown with long term collaborators Mike Portnoy (drums) and Randy George (bass): “It’s the first album we have ever made remotely: I sent them the basic tracks and asked if they wanted to rearrange things, but they just said ‘No, it’s great!’, so they just played to it and sent their parts back over. It wasn’t an easy way to make an album, but creating always has its challenges, no matter how you do it.”

As Morse explains, it was this process that decided that Sola Gratia was to be a Neal Morse album, rather than being credited to The Neal Morse Band: “With the Neal Morse Band, the whole band works together on the writing, and while Eric Gillette plays some guitar and Bill Hubauer has added some keyboards on this one, neither of them wrote – or is singing – on this album.”

Sola Gratia will be released as a limited CD/DVD Digipak (featuring a ‘Making-Of’ documentary), Gatefold 2LP + CD, Standard CD Jewel Case and as a Digital Album. The cover art was created by another longtime collaborator, Thomas Ewerhard. Pre-order here.

Neal Morse will debut Sola Gratia live at his annual Morsefest convention on September 18 and 19, 2020. A very limited number of people will be able to attend in person, with the event also being streamed online. More details and tickets are available here.

Tracklisting:

“Preface”
“Overture”
“In The Name Of The Lord”
“Ballyhoo (The Chosen Ones)”
“March Of The Pharisees”
“Building A Wall”
“Sola Intermezzo”
“Overflow”
“Warmer Than The Sunshine”
“Never Change”
“Seemingly Sincere”
“The Light On The Road To Damascus”
“The Glory Of The Lord”
“Now I Can See/The Great Commission”

"In The Name Of The Lord" video:

(Photo - Jim Arbogast)




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Widely regarded as innovators of the musical genre which came to be known as heavy metal, legendary Birmingham-bred Black Sabbath celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2020 of their multi-million selling album, Paranoid, with a 5LP/4CD edition, released on October 9, featuring the vinyl debut of two 1970 concerts.

Paranoid: Super Deluxe Edition includes the original album, in addition to a rare 1974 Quad Mix of the album folded down to stereo, plus two concerts from 1970, from Montreux and Brussels, that are pressed on vinyl for the first time. The five-LP set comes with a hardbound book with extensive liner notes featuring interviews with all four band members, rare photos, and memorabilia, a poster, as well as a replica of the tour book sold during the Paranoid tour.

After the success of the band's self-titled debut in early 1970, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward returned that fall with Paranoid. The record became the band's first album to top the UK charts and has sold more than 4 million copies in the US alone. Today, songs like "War Pigs," "Planet Caravan," "Iron Man," and of course, "Paranoid," continue to inspire a new generation of musicians around the world.

Paranoid: Super Deluxe Edition first two LPs feature the original album plus a Quadraphonic Mix of the album. Originally released on vinyl and 8-track cartridge in 1974, but subsequently long out of print, the Quad Mix has now been made available as a fold-down to stereo mix on vinyl for this set.

The collection's final three LPs mark the official vinyl debut of two 1970 live performances. The first was recorded on August 31 in Montreux, Switzerland shortly before the release of Paranoid. It captures the band, already a tight musical unit, thundering through new songs like "Hand Of Doom" and "Iron Man" while mixing in "N.I.B." and "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" from their debut album. The second concert was recorded a few months later in Brussels during the band's performance for Belgian television. Unofficial versions of this classic show have circulated in the past, but they've never sounded this good.

Pre-order the Paranoid: Super Deluxe Edition here.

Paranoid Super Deluxe 5LP Boxed Set tracklisting:

LP1: Original Album

Side A
“War Pigs / Luke’s Wall”
“Paranoid”
“Planet Caravan”
“Iron Man”

Side B
“Electric Funeral”
“Hand Of Doom”
“Rat Salad”
“Jack The Stripper / Fairies Wear Boots”

LP2: Quadradisc Mix in Stereo (WS4 1887) 1974

Side C
“War Pigs / Luke’s Wall”
“Paranoid”
“Planet Caravan”
“Iron Man”

Side D
“Electric Funeral”
“Hand Of Doom”
“Rat Salad”
“Jack The Stripper / Fairies Wear Boots”

LP3: Live in Montreux 1970 (Part One)

Side E
“Intro”
“Paranoid”
“N.I.B.”
“Behind The Wall Of Sleep”

Side F
“Iron Man”
“War Pigs”

LP4: Live in Montreux 1970 (Part Two)/Live in Brussels 1970 (Part One)

Side G
“Fairies Wear Boots”
“Hand Of Doom”

Side H
“Paranoid”
“Hand Of Doom”
“Rat Salad”
“Iron Man”

LP5: Live in Brussels 1970 (Part Two)

Side J
“Black Sabbath”
“N.I.B.”

Side K
“Behind The Wall Of Sleep”
“War Pigs”
“Fairies Wear Boots” 




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In a new interview with the "80's Glam Metalcast", former KIK TRACEE vocalist Stephen Shareaux recalled his experience auditioning for the singer position in MÖTLEY CRÜE following the departure of original frontman Vince Neil in 1992. He said (hear audio below): "I have a 28-year-old son. I just recently became a grandfather; I have a beautiful baby granddaughter. But when my son was a little older than her — about three or four — one of his best friends, and his mom's best friends, was Nikki Sixx's son Gunner. And so Jagger and Gunner were hanging out a lot, because my ex and [Sixx's ex-wife] Brandi Brandt were very good friends, and I was spending a lot of time at Nikki's house and at birthday parties and just whatever. We were just kind of spending a lot of time together. So one morning around 11 o'clock, I get a phone call from Nikki — this was when I used to wake up at 11 [laughs] — and he's, like, 'Hey, man. Vince just left the band, man. We were wondering if you wanna come down and check this thing out.' And I'm, like, 'Am I fucking dreaming? What is going on?' I was literally laying in bed. And, of course, [I said] yes.

"I grew up in the Midwest playing three to four sets of rock and roll and metal covers, and many of those included MÖTLEY CRÜE," he continued. "So to be able to go in a room with these guys was an absolute [thrill].

"I think no more than a week later after that phone call, I found myself near Burbank airport — massive room, walking in. 'Hey, man,' Tommy [Lee] yells out from behind his drums. And everyone just kind of doesn't move; they just all greet me as I walk in. I basically stepped into a circle of monitors, my own world. 'What do you wanna do?' 'Live Wire'. 'Sure, yeah.' [It was] the most intense, loudest rehearsal I've ever been in — it was just insane. But [it was] an incredible experience. I ended up hanging out for about probably three or four hours. We started working on tunes. Everything was recorded. We started writing some stuff. It was a fantastic experience."

According to, it became apparent very early on that he wasn't the right man for the job.

"When I left, I remember just vividly sitting in my car and the hair on my arms still kind of standing up from tingling — the volume and the energy," he said. "But there's something in me that just knew that wasn't something I wanted. It wasn't for me. That was enough. I'd come to learn that they only saw myself, [John] Corabi [THE SCREAM], I think Sebastian [Bach, SKID ROW] and, I believe, Marq Torien from BULLETBOYS. That one I can't confirm, but I think it was about four guys.

"A guy named John Greenburg who was handling John Corabi at the time, he kind of filled me in on the whole thing," Stephen recalled. "He said, 'Yeah, it was between you and Corabi.' Like I said, I knew that it wasn't for me. [Corabi] already fit the bill — he had the tatts. I still don't have one stitch of ink. It just wasn't my scene. And I'm not gonna go get ink just to be part… It wasn't my thing. And then the rest is history. He got the gig, and he was the right guy for the gig. But it was quite an honor to [play] with those guys."

Shareaux went on to claim that MÖTLEY CRÜE ended up using one of his lyrical ideas for a song that appeared on the band's self-titled album in 1994.

"I think one of the songs that's on there… Is there [a song called] 'Til Death Do Us Part', or something, on that record?" he said. "That's my title. I went to the bathroom. I came back. Nikki will tell you. He was thumbing through my lyric book, and it was open to that page… That song was written way before [my MÖTLEY CRÜE audition]… Anyway, I'll take credit for that. [Laughs]"

KIK TRACEE released one album, 1991's "No Rules", and an EP, 1992's "Field Trip" — before calling it quits.

Shareaux released his debut solo album, "Golden", in 2013. A follow-up effort is tentatively due later this year.

In a behind-the-scenes clip from his recent appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider ranted to host Eddie Trunk about the term "hair metal" and the categorization of music in general.

Dee said (see video below): "The term 'heavy metal' — I was there, dude — was a derogatory title, assigned to hard rock of a certain type by arrogant, condescending writers and critics. Calling a band heavy metal was originally meant to be a putdown. The bands hated it. The same goes for punk, grunge… The grunge bands hated — SOUNDGARDEN hated to be called grunge. They'd get violent, PEARL JAM. This was a snotty — sort of saying, 'Oh, yeah, that's grunge' — dismissive critics' nickname for stuff. And 'hair metal' was that too. None of these names were ever meant to be complimentary, all the bands hated it, but the fans, on the receiving end, we kind of connect with it. But [BLACK] SABBATH hated being called heavy metal. So did [LED] ZEPPELIN. It's the writers dismissing you.

"Everybody thinks they're making music, and then, all of a sudden, you're pigeonholed: 'Oh, you're this,' or, 'You're that.' And it really trivializes what you're trying to do.

"You think 'boy bands' like to be called boy bands?" he asked rhetorically. "Now they're in their fucking 50s, and you're a 'boy' band. It's not up to the artists."

Snider also addressed Sebastian Bach's recent Twitter tirade in which the former SKID ROW frontman took issue with being called "hair metal," saying that the the pejorative term was coined in the late 1990s as a way to disparage acts thought to have been all flash and no substance.

"[I've been doing my radio show] 'House Of Hair' [for] 22 years, and it resonates with people," Dee said. "For the fans, they don't find it offensive. Whatever it is, it's just a term.

"I didn't name 'House Of Hair'. I got shit about it. But to me, I just say, you know what? You're fighting a losing battle. Sebastian's losing shit. Life's too short.

"I'm the original hair farmer. Whatever. As long as they remember me."

When Sebastian took to his Twitter last month to explain why he dislikes the term "hair metal," he said, "When I 1st aspired to be a vocalist of a band it was called rock n' roll Heavy metal Heavy Rock Hard Rock Glam metal Nobody in the 80s ever started a hair metal band".

He added: "Being labeled something that I never set out to be labeled gets under my skin. It's a pain when people try to rewrite history. Believe me none of us ever set out to be in a hair metal band that did not exist in the 80s"

This was not the first time Bach reacted negatively to the term "hair metal." In a 2012 interview with The New York Times, he famously said: "I am the man who put the hair in hair metal. I also headlined Broadway musicals. I acted in millions of TV shows. I didn't get to star in 'Jekyll And Hyde' on Broadway because of my haircut. My voice has gotten me everything in my life, not my hair."

Former QUEENSRŸCHE frontman Geoff Tate recently spoke to "Singers Speaking", the new video podcast hosted by Nick Reese of the hard rock band JOYOUS WOLF. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about his current solo backing band, Tate said: "I have all of these very young musicians playing with me, which I love, 'cause they're so into it, and they have so much energy and enthusiasm, which I think is very much needed. It's very disheartening to play with a bunch of people who aren't interested in being there. So I've been really enjoying it, for the last 10 years almost, playing with very enthusiastic people.

"I've been having this really fantastic experience that maybe sounds weird to somebody else, but for me, it's very interesting and different, because I spent 30 years playing with the same people all the time," he continued. "And then, when I left that situation, I've played with all kinds of different people. And it's just refreshing to have these different personalities coming in and out. I've played with, like, four or five different drummers, which is really great too. Different feel for the songs and the music, depending on the drummer. Different guitar players. It's interesting hearing their interpretation of my music.

"I'm always surprised, I guess is the word, when they tell me, or explain to me, how they felt about my music, how it has shaped their musical palette or their musical opinions and how it's been influential," Tate added. "And that's a wonderful feeling, to know that you passed down something that has influenced somebody and hopefully take that and make something unique of their own."

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012. Original QUEENSRŸCHE members Michael Wilton (guitar), Scott Rockenfield (drums) and Eddie Jackson (bass) responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.

Tate has been replaced in QUEENSRŸCHE by former CRIMSON GLORY singer Todd La Torre.

Geoff recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Operation: Mindcrime" on European and U.S. tours.

Tate's post-QUEENSRŸCHE band OPERATION: MINDCRIME released three albums over three years as part of a trilogy: "The Key" (September 2015), "Resurrection" (September 2016) and "The New Reality" (December 2017).

Metal Hammer recently picked Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson's brain, and following is an excerpt from the treasure hunt.

Dickinson on:

Iron Maiden:

“How have we maintained our relationships in Iron Maiden? We take the piss all the time. We’ve been down a long, long road together. Steve (Harris / bass) and I have such different personalities, but we have many moments when we’re so close, it’s really special. It’s Team Iron Maiden. It’s a bit like a football team but it’s so much more than that. It’s more than a job, because I wouldn’t put my body through what it goes through for a job.”

Stage clothes:

“I don’t take back any of my fashion statements however awful. I never regret anything because it’s all part of life’s rich tapestry. And in any case you can always hold it up to scare your children later.”

Being diagnosed with cancer:

“I’d wondered how they tell you about cancer. Is it over tea and biscuits? But the oncologist just said, 'Well, I have a letter here that says you have head and neck cancer.' So that’s how they do it: straight between the eyes. I appreciate that. I was told I had a golf ball-sized tumour on my tongue, and another in my lymph node. But the oncologist also said: 'You’re an excellent candidate for a complete cure.' He told me, 'I’ll get rid of this for you and it won’t come back.' I didn’t see the point in being fearful. I asked the doc: 'Assuming I get rid of this, how long before I’m back to normal?' He said about a year. I said, 'I’ll beat that.'"

Read more here.

On April 14, 2020, MaidenCroatia.com celebrated 40 years since the release of Iron Maiden’s first album. To mark this occasion, they announce an exclusive new book, "Iron Maiden", the final book of the trilogy that began with the black leather edition of "Number Of The Beast" and continued with the red leather edition of "Killers".

"Iron Maiden" will be bound in brown leather with gold print and a wax seal to close out the ‘early days’ trilogy. Every purchase of this special leather edition comes with a old school "40th Anniversary" sew-on patch. If you buy both the leather and "Running Free" editions, you’ll get a third book as a gift.

This time, the focus is on "Phantom Of The Opera" and this book will be amazing! The covers you see here are computer-generated 3D visuals and you won’t feel the true magnificence or see the tiny details and hints that give the leather edition a new dimension - until you hold it in your hands.

The Leather editions of these books will never be reprinted. Strictly limited for the first 100 fans.

"Phantom Of The Opera" package: (102 Euros)

- ‘Brown leather’ edition, 40th anniversary book, sealed with golden wax seal
- ‘Running Free’ edition (You can customize cover page with your name on the graffiti wall)
- ‘Phantom of the Opera’ full size book (as additional free gift)
- 40th anniversary unique sew-on patch (as additional free gift)
- Tracked shipping in custom made box is included in this price

Order here.

Image of the Special 40th Anniversary Patch will be uploaded soon.




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Michael Schenker is currently in the final stages of recording a brand new MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP album, which is set to be released on Nuclear Blast on January 8, 2021. The album title will be "Immortal", a perfect statement to describe Schenker's legacy and to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a musician.

"It's going very well," says Schenker. "We have a lot of guest musicians, who will undoubtedly help to make it an exceptional success.

"First of all, I want to say that I am very grateful to any musicians that have helped to create a fitting tribute to my long career on this special release. I want to thank all of them for their incredible contribution."

Nuclear Blast founder Markus Staiger is super excited about the new MSG record. Schenker is his teenage idol and brought him on the hard rock path on his early days.

"I am really looking forward to release this brand new MSG album, after the two excellent MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST records," Staiger says. "At the age of 14, the self-titled MSG debut completely blew me away and helped to shape my taste. Since then, I've followed and loved his music and unique compositions. Those ten new tracks are pure magic!"

"Immortal" was predominantly recorded at the Kidroom Studio in Germany, with Michael's long time partner Michael Voss, who co-produced the album and also sings on two tracks.

"It is always a pleasure to work with Michael Voss, who works around the clock and is a phenomenal musician and producer," Schenker says. "He was composing the melody and lyrics for a power ballad I had written the music for, and he ended up singing along. It turned out so amazing, I did not think anyone else could have done a better job for this song. Truly great."

"Immortal" will continue the tradition of the previous two MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST records "Resurrection" and "Revelation" and feature a big list of friends and guests. The album's main vocalist will be uprising Chilean-born talent Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW), along with Michael Voss (MAD MAX), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Joe Lynn Turner (ex-DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW) singing on two tracks each. Besides Michael Schenker himself, the album was recorded with Steve Mann (keyboards), Barry Sparks (bass, DOKKEN), as well as the three drummers, Bodo Schopf, Simon Philipps (ex-TOTO) and Brian Tichy (ex-WHITESNAKE).

"Brian was thrilled to be part of it," Schenker says. "He is a master of groove and ended up playing on six songs. I could not believe it: This man is something else. He is a true natural and very original. With his input, it made the album very solid and complete. So guess what — I am very happy."

The newest addition to the record is keyboard player Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, SONS OF APOLLO, DREAM THEATER), who plays on the album's opening track, featuring German power machine Ralf Scheepers on vocals. "Derek and myself trading solos, it sounds unexpected and beyond my expectation," Michael says. "Absolutely fantastic!"

"Immortal" will feature ten tracks, including the magnum opus "In Search Of The Peace Of Mind".

"I wrote this song when I was 15 years old," Michael says. "It was my first-ever written piece of music which I recorded with SCORPIONS on our first studio album, 'Lonesome Crow', in 1970, getting released in 1972 — when I had already left SCORPIONS to join the British rock band UFO in June of 1972 — when I was 17. We re-recorded this song for my 50th anniversary as a celebration and it turned out to be an epic; with an extra extension at the end of the song, which turned out absolutely fantastic with Simon Phillips on drums, doing his usual amazing stuff." The result is a true highlight and features even more surprises. "Gary Barden sings the first verse, continued by Ronnie Romero — and in the end, we have Ronnie, Doogie White and Robin McAuley screaming their heads off, as a tribute to my 50th anniversary," Michael says. "Absolute amazing. Thanks to the guys for doing this!"

The limited first edition of this upcoming MSG album will feature another unique extra. "We have the MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST 'Bang Your Head' Blu-ray, recorded during our headline show in Balingen, Germany two years ago: unfixed, raw, pure and great!" Michael says. "There's a couple of small mistakes, but because the show and recording went so well, I decided to keep it the way it went on the night. It's live, magic and pure."

Sebastian Bach has blasted bands who have chosen to play live shows during the coronavirus pandemic, saying that those musicians "care only about taking your money and do not give one single shit if you live or die".

While the coronavirus has devastated the live event industry this summer, and nearly all major concerts and events have been pushed to 2021, several states, including South Dakota, have fared better than others in the pandemic. As a result, live performances in South Dakota have been allowed to resume, with attendees largely free of social distancing restrictions common elsewhere in the country.

After it was announced earlier today that FOZZY had played three shows this week in South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa, Bach took to his Twitter to write: "Any 'musicians' putting on rock n' roll shows in the United States of America at this time care only about taking your money and do not give one single shit if you live or die".

He continued: "My fans mean everything to me they have given me an incredible life. I will protect my fans. My fans actually mean more to me than money does".

The former SKID ROW singer, who recently accused FOZZY frontman Chris Jericho of "miming to a tape" during FOZZY's live performances, added in a separate tweet: "Bands that pretend to sing live on stage do not support the rock n' roll community. They support the 'Don't be Tardy for the Party' community. Performers who pretend to sing live to a tape wreck it for those of us who actually do".

Last month, Jericho challenged Bach to a "singoff" with "no effects, no tuning, no bullshit" in response to Sebastian's allegation that Chris "mimes to a tape" during FOZZY's live shows. "Bas is a great singer...but I'm better," Chris wrote on Twitter." The wrestler-turned-singer added: "I've never mimed anything ever! I will fucking sing in your face anytime, anyplace dude. I've been a fan & a defender of u since day one...but don't u ever question my rock abilities!" Bach fired back: " You're full of s*** bro. Every clip on the Internet is you miming to a tape. I will sing in your f****** face anytime. Wrestling is not rock and roll. I will show you f****** rock and roll. Check your texts set up The Sing-Off I am ready when you are".

Sebastian, who has been outspoken about rock bands using pre-recorded backing tracks during live shows, later tried to explain his outburst, writing: "I'm not trying to beat anybody at anything. I'm actually trying to say hey Chris maybe you're right maybe I'll stop singing live and prance around while the tape is playing just like you do Chris. I'm tired of trying so hard it's like beating my head against the wall."

After a self-proclaimed Bach fan called Sebastian "an asshat" on Twitter for firing "the first shots" in his war of words with Jericho, Bach came back with: "Hey man f*** you. I have spent my life learning how to sing live on stage. When someone comes along and mimes to a tape it sucks for all of the rest of us that don't. You want to go see a wrestling match good. Don't call it rock and roll"




Any 'musicians' putting on rock n' roll shows in the United States of America at this time care only about taking your money and do not give one single shit if you live or die

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) August 9, 2020








My fans mean everything to me they have given me an incredible life. I will protect my fans. My fans actually mean more to me than money does

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) August 9, 2020








It's so cute to see how track bands feel the need to defend other #trackbands ?

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) August 9, 2020








Bands that pretend to sing live on stage do not support the rock n' roll community. They support the 'Don't be Tardy for the Party' community. Performers who pretend to sing live to a tape wreck it for those of us who actually do

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) August 9, 2020