On this weeks SepulQuarta session, Sepultura welcomes the legendary Brazilian drummers Joao Barone and Charles Gavin for a live Q&A session in their mother language Portuguese and a performance of "Ratamahatta".

Eloy Casagrande comments “We are very happy to have two living legends with us for a Sepulquarta episode. They are João Barone and Charles Gavin. Two of the most influential Brazilian rock drummers of all time. They recorded the most famous rock singles of South American history. We are very honored to have them here with us to talk about their music and career, also they will be jamming the song “Ratamahatta” from the album “Roots” in another historical Live Quarantine performance from the SepulQuarta. Do not miss this! See you all on Wednesday!”

Join the band on Wednesday at 4 PM, Brazilian official time (Noon, PST and 9 PM, CET) here.

Andreas Kisser about the idea of the SepulQuarta sessions, earlier: “SepulQuarta was born out of the necessity to express ourselves in a different way since we’re all facing a new situation. We came with this idea still influenced by the concept of our last album 'Quadra', using geometry, numerology and numbers. Wednesday, which is the fourth day of the week, was chosen for an event."




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Jakko M Jakszyk has announced the release of his forthcoming new solo album Secrets & Lies on October 23, 2020.  

Jakko comments: “The enforced sabbatical from King Crimson has given me the opportunity to complete a new solo album. Encouraged by Thomas Waber at Inside Out, and aided and abetted by numerous friends, heroes and family.

“The first single, ‘The Trouble With Angel’, makes its debut on the 14 August. Complete with an extraordinary animated video by Iranian film maker Sam Chegini. And getting that made amidst the pandemic is a whole other story!!”

Secrets & Lies contains ten songs that explore topics suchc as obsession, betrayal, the shifting grounds of contemporary politics, and the tangled threads of family history, Secrets & Lies balances sensitive writing, musical technique, and accessible tunes cast in an impressively cinematic sound world. With three of the tracks, “Separation”, “Under Lock & Key” and “Uncertain Times” originating in King Crimson's writing sessions, the result is a mature work brimming with yearning melodies in symphonic or widescreen settings, fluid guitar work, and Jakko’s heartfelt, emotional vocals.

The album features Jakszyk joined by his King Crimson bandmates Robert Fripp, Gavin Harrison, Tony Levin & Mel Collins, as well as appearances from John Giblin (Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Simple Minds), Mark King (Level 42), Peter Hammill (Van der Graff Generator) and noted British comedian Al Murray.

Secrets & Lies will be released as a Limited CD+DVD Digipak (featuring 5.1 mix), Gatefold LP + CD & as Digital Album. The cover art was created by Sam Chegini, with design by Phil Smee.

Tracklisting:

“Before I Met You”
“The Trouble With Angels”
“Fools Mandate”
“The Rotters Club Is Closing Down”
“Uncertain Times”
“It Would All Make Sense”
“Secrets, Likes & Stolen Memories”
“Under Lock & Key”
“The Borders We Traded”
“Trading Borders”
“Separation”




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U.S. heavy metal outfit Helstar will release its new 7” single "Black Wings Of Solitude" on October 2, 2020 via Massacre Records.

The single will include the title track as well as a cover version of Black Sabbath's "After All (The Dead)".

"Black Wings Of Solitude" was mixed by Martin "Mattes" Pfeiffer at Redhead Studios in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio in Solingen, Germany.

The artwork was created by John Fossum. Preorder here.




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Adult Swim Singles have shared a new song by Portland’s Red Fang as the forty-third entry in the 2019-2020 program.

“Stereo Nucleosis” is the quartet’s first release since last year’s standalone single/ video “Antidote” (which came paired with a headbang-powered app/game by Weiden Kennedy), and stands as a sterling exemplar of their trademark mix of compelling songwriting and heavy anthemic euphoria that speaks to the headbanger, the hesher, and the music student alike.

The band, whose last full length was 2016’s Only Ghosts, have an eye towards the future with exciting news about more new music forthcoming as 2021 inches closer.

Listen to "Stereo Nucleosis" here.

(Photo - James Rexroad)




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Rage found an extraordinary place to record an exclusive show for Wacken World Wide: Balve Cave is a huge cave with archeological relevance. Enjoy some heavy power metal served in the rocks!

Setlist:

"Straight To Hell"
"Black In Mind"
"Higher Than The Sky"

Rage are back from the COVID-19 crisis with a double bang: as had already been rumoured behind the scenes, guitarist Marcos Rodriguez has left the band. To replace him, vocalist/bassist Peavy Wagner has welcomed two new stringsmen to the Rage fold.

New addition Stefan Weber (ex-Axxis) was introduced to the public in early May, now the band has presented its second new member, Jean Bormann (formerly Angelic, Rage & Ruins). Alongside Peavy, drummer Vassilios “Lucky” Maniatopoulos continues to be part of the group’s permanent lineup.

Peavy: “We’ve wanted for some time for Rage to be a quartet again, with two guitarists the way we operated back in the days of Black In Mind and End Of All Days. After Marcos had returned to Tenerife and consequently was no longer available, I used this opportunity to enlist two young guitarists.”

The full new Rage lineup can be seen and heard for the first time in the "The Price Of War 2.0" video clip, a new edition of the song from Black In Mind, out today on all important online channels.

Peavy: “As you can tell from the clip, Stefan and Jean complement each other perfectly. They’re both young and bring a lot of fresh energy to the band. We consciously chose this number for the video because we also wanted to revitalize the sound of the Black In Mind-era. The track was cut practically live for the clip, with only a few overdubs added. Rage will sound as heavy and punchy as we do on that song.”

The fact that Rage are already busy working on new material proves just how well the new line-up has gelled on a musical as well as a personal level.

Says Peavy: “As we’re not in a position to do any shows for obvious reasons at the moment, but the guys are bursting with energy, we’re using that momentum to work on new ideas that will probably be ready for release next year.”




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Sweden’s influential and long revered heavy metal giants, In Flames, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal, critically acclaimed album, Clayman, this year with a special edition that's due out on August 28 via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-order here.

In this new trailer, Anders Fridén and Björn Gelotte discuss their decision and process for re-recording fan favorites from the groundbreaking album:

The band kicked off the festivities recently with the release of the Clayman 2020 bonus tracks, available now on all digital and streaming services via Nuclear Blast. Listen here.

The release features four re-recorded tracks and on new instrumental track and is available for a limited-time only as a Comic-Con@Home 2020 exclusive 12" picture vinyl featuring custom artwork by Dirty Donny (Metallica, Primus). The picture vinyl release is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and only available for pre-order from July 22 -August 2 here.

Along with the release, In Flames unveiled an animated video, in collaboration with Stern Pinball, for their newly re-recorded rendition of the fan favorite track "Pinball Map". Watch the video below:

Vocalist Anders Fridén comments on the band's anniversary and upcoming release: "It’s bizarre to look back on the past 20 years and see everything we’ve been so lucky to do. Re-recording some of our favorite tracks from Clayman was such a unique feeling knowing now how these songs have forever changed our lives. We’re not just commemorating 20 years of Clayman with this release, but 20+ years of Jesterheads, a community we’re grateful for and the best job that we can’t believe we still get to do."

Clayman 20th Anniversary Edition comes entirely remastered by Ted Jensen (Pantera, Deftones, Gojira) and features all new artwork in a 16-page booklet, a brand-new instrumental medley plus four re-recorded versions of fan-favorites such as “Only For The Weak” and “Pinball Map”. Re-recorded songs were produced by Howard Benson and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. The record will be released digitally as well as on CD Digipak and a 2xLP colored vinyl packaged in a deluxe trifold that includes an oversized booklet, 11 remastered tracks on a 12” record and 5 bonus tracks on a 10” record in a printed sleeve.

Clayman 20th Anniversary Edition tracklisting:

"Bullet Ride"
"Pinball Map"
"Only For The Weak"
"...As The Future Repeats Today"
"Square Nothing"
"Clayman"
"Satellites And Astronauts"
"Brush The Dust Away"
"Swim"
"Suburban Me"
"Another Day In Quicksand"
"Themes And Variations In D-Minor" (instrumental)
"Only For The Weak" (Re-recorded)
"Bullet Ride" (Re-recorded)
"Pinball Map" (Re-recorded)
"Clayman" (Re-recorded)

"Clayman" (Re-Recorded) lyric video:

(Photo - Stephanie Cabral)




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Spill their Blood, Sound the Horns!

Driving war drums pave the way for the Vikings’ return to the battlefield with untamed will and power. The horns call for the Warkings - and they answer with a force capable of ending the world as all mortals know it. With growling battle cries and the brutal vocals of the Queen Of The Damned, the Warkings withstand the bloodthirsty furor, in which the demons of the realms of obscurity seek revenge.

The mighty Warkings hail to the Northern Gods and rise above as “Odin’s Sons”, to leave none of their enemies unslain. This hard-hitting anthem pushes the march against the underworld ahead - Revenge is near!

Watch the video for "Odin's Sons" below:

Hell wants revenge...and the Warkings are ready for battle.

A new crusade arises from the sinister clutches of the underworld: The mighty Warkings enter the battleground and face ghoulish demons with a formidable weapon made of pure Heavy Metal. Join the clan of the reincarnated with the new full-length album, Revenge, to be released on July 31 via Napalm Records.

The opener “Freedom” initiates the valiant battle with folklore-like heroic elements coalescing with uncompromising heavy pieces. The Warkings’ swords are forged with iron riffs, thundering drums and emblematic, powerful vocals, as their epic hymn “Warriors“ and the death angel’s chant “Azrael“ prove with unmeasurable vigor.

Warkings - Revenge: Once, there were four ancient kings who gathered in the golden halls of Valhalla, a roman Tribune, a wild Viking, a noble Crusader and a martial Spartan. They were sent back to the living by the allfather himself to tell the stories of the epic battles they fought. It turned out to be a great time for the Warkings, striking the world with their battle hymns. Keen of new adventures they made their way through the land of the living. But as the fame of the four kings rose, the envy and hate of the Underworld grew.

When the four kings escaped from the realms of darkness, they stole their souls from the lords of the Underworld. In rage, bloodthirsty demons and warriors swarmed out to retrieve what belonged to them, seeking for revenge on those who betrayed them. But the kings strike back. Leading the constantly growing legion of their Warkings Warriors, they will enter the eternal fight against the darkness. Armed with new hymns and with a mighty battle cry, they will put themselves against the forces of the underworld.

Revenge will be available in the following formats:

- Digital album
- 1 CD Jewel Case
- Ltd Deluxe Box (incl. Jewel Case, Poster Flag, Patch, Pendant + WK Skull Emblem in every 10th Box) - strictly limited to 300 worldwide
- 1LP Gatefold Red Vinyl (limited first edition)

Pre-order Revenge here.

Tracklisting:

"Freedom "   
"Maximus"
"Warriors"     
"Fight in the Shade"        
"Odin's Sons" (featuring The Queen Of The Damned)   
"Banners High"      
"Mirror, Mirror"      
"Azrael"        
"Battle of Marathon"   
"Warking"
"Sparta" (bonus track featuring The Queen Of The Damned)

“Maximus” video:

"Warriors" video:

Warkings are:

Tribune - Vocals
Crusader - Guitars
Spartan - Drums
Viking - Bass

(Photo - Schwaighofer Art)




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Townsend Music has listed Black Sabbath - The Ultimate Collection 4LP + 2CD, for release on August 7. This multi-buy includes:

- The Ultimate Collection
- The Ultimate Collection 50th Anniversary Limited Edition 4-Disc Gold Vinyl

31 track double black disc CD and quadruple “crucifold” gold vinyl are compiled from the Andy Pearce re-mastered Black Sabbath albums.

Black Sabbath are arguably the most influential heavy metal band of all time. The band helped to create the genre with ground breaking releases such as Paranoid, an album that Rolling Stone magazine said “changed music forever”, and called the band “The Beatles of heavy metal”. Time Magazine called Paranoid “the birthplace of heavy metal”.

The band, who have been performing for over 45 years, have to date sold over 75 million records which includes over 24 platinum albums in the UK alone and over 15 million records in the United States. Black Sabbath were inducted into the UK Music Hall Of Fame in 2005 and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006.

Black Sabbath were formed in Birmingham in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums and percussion). Originally formed as a heavy blues-rock band named Earth, the band began incorporating occult and horror-inspired lyrics with tuned-down guitars, changing their name to Black Sabbath and releasing multiple gold and platinum records in the 1970s.

The Ultimate Collection is curated in conjunction with the band, the 31-track collection features the band’s classic songs including "Paranoid", "Iron Man", "War Pigs", "N.I.B." and "The Wizard", as well as choice cuts from their classic albums and is the definitive accompaniment for all Sabbath fans as well as those with a love of hard rock.

Remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce (Motörhead, Deep Purple, Lou Reed, Iggy & The Stooges), the Ultimate Collection is available in multiple formats. Alongside the black disc 2-CD and digital/HD formats there’s also a gold vinyl “Crucifold” edition, a heavyweight 4 LP gold vinyl version produced in the shape of the cross.

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

CD1 (LP1 & LP2)
"Paranoid"
"Never Say Never"
"Iron Man"
"Black Sabbath"
"Children Of The Grave"
"Fairies Wear Boots"
"Changes"
"Rat Salad"
"Sweet Leaf"
"War Pigs"
"Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
"Hole In The Sky"
"Symptom Of The Universe"
"Spiral Architect"
"Rock ‘n’ Roll Doctor"

CD2 (LP3 & LP4)
"Dirty Women"
"Evil Woman, Don’t Play Your Games With Me"
"A Hard Road"
"Lord Of This World"
"Into The Void"
"Behind The Wall Of Sleep"
"Snowblind"
"Tomorrow’s Dream"
"N.I.B."
"Electric Funeral"
"Embryo"
"Wicked World"
"It’s Alright"




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In 2019, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield donated his car collection to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. James has always been a car guy and shares his car journey to one of the coolest custom car collections around. Hetfield has described seeing cars in the same way he sees music: as forms of freedom and expression that convey the passions of their creator.

Best known as a co-founder, songwriter, singer and guitarist for the heavy metal band METALLICA, Hetfield has also gained recognition in the automotive world for his unique collection of entirely bespoke vehicles. While the vast majority of collectors acquire vehicles by purchasing pre-existing examples, Hetfield elected instead to build his from scratch, channeling creativity often reserved for his music into the production of rolling sculptures.

Speaking to MotorTrend about his decision to donate the cars, Hetfield said: "I had a vision of not having to take care of these cars anymore because at some point... when I have these cars, at some point they have me. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep these things up and running, and in good condition. They were going to be either auctioned or donated or something. Then that did actually happen.

"I'm super grateful that the Petersen Museum was able to take the collection and keep it all together. That's the one thing that I was really disappointed about, the fact that if they went to auction and they all went off somewhere different they wouldn't be living together anymore, and it wouldn't be as a collection. I think word got around to them, and they offered to take the collection. I was stoked. As far as the prestige of the Petersen Museum, and my collection being in there, it's a huge honor. It really is."

Asked if he misses the cars yet, Hetfield said: "I get to look at them every day in my book, man. Yeah, I miss driving certain cars and just being around them but, you know, they served their purpose. I got to get creative. I got to help other people get creative, all the different guys: Robert Roling, and Scott Mugford, and Josh Mills, the De Leys. I got to work with some awesome, historical people. Art Himsl, who did the paint on the Skylark. Darryl Hollenbeck. I met a lot of great people who have some old-school craftwork in their blood, which I love. I got to do these things. Now other people get to look at them."

Among the cars on display at "Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection" are Voodoo Priest, based on a '37 Lincoln Zephyr, a '36 Auburn roadster named Slow Burn, a Delahaye inspired '34 Packard, a '36 Ford in bare metal called Iron Fist, a purple '56 Ford F-100 pickup truck and Skyscraper, Hetfield's 1953 Buick Skylark.

A book about Hetfield's cars, "Reclaimed Rust: The Four-Wheeled Creations Of James Hetfield", was released on July 28 via Insight Editions. In the book, Hetfield opens up his garage for an exclusive tour of the highlights of his incredible collection of restored and customized classic cars.

DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover spoke to Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station about the band's upcoming album, "Whoosh!", which will be released on August 7 via earMUSIC. The follow-up to 2017's "Infinite" was originally due in June but was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

"Well, it was recorded last year, actually, so the COVID thing didn't come into it, although I have to say some of the lyrics kind of have a disturbing connection," Roger said.

"Yeah, 'Whoosh!', 21st album, 50 years in the making. Every album is potentially our last album. We thought the last album was the last album, but there's another one. So we just keep going.

"I remember [late PURPLE keyboardist] Jon Lord once described DEEP PURPLE as an atomic toy — it just keeps going."

"Whoosh!" was once again helmed by Canadian producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER), who also worked on the band's last two studio albums, 2017's "Infinite" and 2013's "Now What?!"

"Meeting Bob Ezrin changed everything eight years ago," Roger said. "He came to see us play in Toronto and we had a meeting with him the next morning and he just said some great stuff. He sort of encouraged us to be us: 'You don't need to write anything that you think people are gonna expect. Just stretch out and be yourselves.' And that was great advice. And making the album was such a joy. They've all been a lot of fun.

"We don't start an album with any kind of plan; it just happens, like life," Glover explained. "We jammed for about eight, nine days — something like that — and we'd come up with a bunch of stuff and then pick and choose what we wanna work on. And it goes from there, and it sort of evolves. We don't write songs; we just let them evolve. Because the five of us are all throwing bits and pieces in towards it. We record all together in the same room; we don't layer stuff. We're a live band, and so we play live in the studio."

"Whoosh!" will be available as limited CD+DVD mediabook (including the one-hour feature "Roger Glover And Bob Ezrin In Conversation" and, for the first time, the full live performance at Hellfest 2017 as video), 2LP+DVD edition, limited boxset and digital.

Track listing:

01. Throw My Bones

02. Drop The Weapon

03. We're All The Same In The Dark

04. Nothing At All

05. No Need To Shout

06. Step By Step

07. What The What

08. The Long Way Round

09. The Power Of The Moon

10. Remission Possible

11. Man Alive

12. And The Address

13. Dancing In My Sleep

Canadian rockers THREE DAYS GRACE have shared their cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know". THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Matt Walst says: "The first time I heard 'Somebody That I Used to Know', I got goosebumps. This has only happened to me a few times in my life. I remember listening to it over and over and just being happy. Music releases a mood enhancing chemical in the brain that can set good moods and peak enjoyment. Music is truly the best drug."

THREE DAYS GRACE's music video for "Somebody That I Used To Know" was directed by Mike Filsinger and can be seen below.

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

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

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

Jimmy Page says that it's "really unlikely" that LED ZEPPELIN will ever play any more concerts.

The guitarist discussed the possibility of a reunion of his legendary band during an appearance this morning (Wednesday, July 22) on BBC Radio 2 after his previously unreleased collaboration with THE ROLLING STONES, "Scarlet", premiered on the "Zoe Ball Breakfast Show".

Asked if LED ZEPPELIN could ever hit the road again, referencing Mick Jagger's comment that he was "so disappointed" that ZEPPELIN didn't go on tour after a one-off 2007 reunion show at The O2 in London, Page said, according to NME: "At the time of The O2, we thought — myself, John Paul Jones and Jason [Bonham] — that there was going to… it was said that there were gonna be some more dates. It would've been really good to have done that after the O2, 'cause we'd put a lot of work into The O2 and we were really on it, y'know? But it didn't come off."

Page added: "It seems really unlikely that there would be a tour in the future. Unlike THE ROLLING STONES, they do sort of know that the fans love that — also I know that with LED ZEPPELIN [fans too]. But it doesn't look as though there’s anything in the future, unfortunately.

"We're talking about a concert that was gigantic at the time, but that was 2007: time passes, y'know?"

LED ZEPPELIN's December 10, 2007 performance during the Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert was chronicled on the band's 2012 "Celebration Day" CD and DVD. The set, which featured Jason Bonham subbing for his late father John Bonham on drums, marked Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones's first full-scale show together since John Bonham's 1980 death.

After the the O2 Arena concert, Page and bassist John Paul Jones were looking for a way to keep working and tried out several singers, including AEROSMITH's Steven Tyler and ALTER BRIDGE's Myles Kennedy.

The option for a three-quarter ZEPPELIN reunion ended when Jones accepted an offer to form THEM CROOKED VULTURES with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. Page later said: "I guess that was a pretty definitive statement."

Multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw, who has played with KING DIAMOND, SABATON, MERCYFUL FATE, THERION, DREAM EVIL and DIMMU BORGIR, among others, will unleash his autobiography, "The Book Of Heavy Metal", later in the year. The book, which was named after his most popular anthem to date, written for former band DREAM EVIL, will be available for purchase via www.steelcartel.com/snowyshaw.

From the camps of all the aforementioned bands, Snowy is the first to spill the beans and tell it all. His version of the truth. It's an extremely openhearted and revealing story of all the ups and downs a crazy rock 'n' roller coaster life at "Tivoli Shaw." Often draped in cynical sarcasm, awkward truths and black humor.

The multi-talented Snowy Shaw has been called a "worldwide underground superstar." After more than 30 years of touring the world, he has earned himself a rock-solid reputation as one of the most hard-working, multifaceted "art-ist" with loads of groundbreaking creativity and integrity.

In 2018, his highly acclaimed solo debut "White Is The New Black" got top-notch reviews worldwide, and was named "Best Rock/Metal Album Of The Year" in five countries.

"The Book Of Heavy Metal" will be available as a limited deluxe edition hardback heavy brick of 464 pages, beautifully designed and decorated with loads of memorabilia and tons of never-before-seen footage from his private collection. Autographed, numbered with a personal dedication to YOU.

The book's foreword is by Shaw's longtime friend, youth idol and mentor Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD, KING DIAMOND, SCORPIONS). According to him, like too many rock biographies in the last few decades, this is not the typical romanticized Cinderella story, this is the real deal.

On Saturday, July 25, Shaw will have an online official book release party from his headquarters in Sweden (he calls the HellHaus). That date is special because it is also his birthday. Shaw will be conducting online signings to people who have pre-ordered the book and also a live performance of a few songs, will read some passages, and tell stories. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m UTC.

DEF LEPPARD has launched a new video series called "30 Day Fitness Challenge With Phil Collen". Join the guitarist for the month of July as he takes on a 30-day fitness challenge. Use the hashtag #PhilCollen30Days to follow along as Phil works on his exercises, his diet and overall health.

Week three of the "30 Day Fitness Challenge With Phil Collen" is available below.

At 62 years old, Collen is a prime example of the "no-excuse" rule when it comes to being active, fit and healthy.

As a rock and roll guitarist in an internationally successful rock band, Collen didn't start out as a health and fitness enthusiast. After years of playing hard, partying hard, and leading a self-described "very unhealthy lifestyle," Phil decided to make a change. In his early thirties, Collen decided to quit drinking and partying. His live-saving conversion came just before his DEF LEPPARD bandmate and "terror twin" of the party scene, Steve Clark, died of a prescription drug and alcohol overdose in early 1991. Inspired to lead a healthier lifestyle, the sober Collen no longer needed to "recover" each day from the previous night's debauchery, and instead found himself with numerous free hours in his day. Collen began exercising, running to start, and later taking up the martial art of Muay Thai kick boxing.

Collen stopped eating meat in the early 1980s and went vegan in 2011. He told the Los Angeles Times: "I always thought it was a bit weird eating dead bodies even though my parents said it was all right. But I saw 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre', and that did it. In the movie, they're doing the same thing to people that they do to animals, and so I gradually got off eating meat.... The health thing came way later. Veganism came [nine] years ago, and it was more of a health decision."

July 12 Facebook Live chat, ICED EARTH leader Jon Schaffer revealed that plans are afoot to release a 30th-anniversary edition of the band's self-titled debut album. The new version of the 1990 LP will feature a remix by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who previously worked with ICED EARTH on the group's latest effort, 2017's "Incorruptible", and brand new artwork.

As for the possibility of a follow-up to "Incorruptible", Schaffer said (see video below): "There is no new ICED EARTH music happening right now. There is no way we can plan. You guys should be able to understand that, if you watch the news. I have an international band, and I can't even travel to Europe right now [because of coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions]. There's no point in trying to put together a plan, because I guarantee you they're gonna launch the second wave of this shit and lock us all down again. To what degree, nobody really knows yet, but they were fielding that as soon as all this nonsense started, so it's definitely expected to be the case. So making plans for touring and putting all that together just to have it all derailed is costly and naïve at best. So I don't know.

"I'm gonna definitely plan on working on some new material later this year, early next year," he explained. "But again, that depends on how things roll out. So that's the way it is. We're just gonna have to see what happens with the global situation. There are several things that could take place. Hopefully some good things will happen to turn this mess around, but I'm not feeling super confident about that at the moment."

Schaffer recently announced the release of his first book, "Wicked Words And Epic Tales". The book is the debut release from Schaffer's new publishing company Wicked Words, LLC and is the first of many original concepts planned for future release by Schaffer.

"Wicked Words And Epic Tales" is a collection of lyrics, interviews and pages of artwork that Schaffer's work has inspired throughout the years. The book is an anthology of lyrics from Schaffer that span his 35 years in making music in various projects, including ICED EARTH, DEMONS & WIZARDS, SONS OF LIBERTY and PURGATORY.

Less than two years ago, Schaffer teamed up with his old pals in PURGATORY, the band that he originally founded in 1985, then later became ICED EARTH, to record five tracks that were written between 1985 and 1987. The resulting "Purgatory" EP was released in December 2018 through Century Media. The EP includes liner notes and comments by Schaffer, Gene Adam, Greg Seymour and Bill Owen, and fitting cover artwork by David Newman Stump and Roy Young, known from their excellent work on "Incorruptible".




Posted by Iced Earth on Sunday, July 12, 2020

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor will release his debut solo album, "CMFT", on October 2 via Roadrunner Records. The first two singles from the effort, "CMFT Must Be Stopped", accompanied by a wrestling-themed music video, and "Black Eyes Blue", have been unveiled and can be seen/heard below.

"CMFT Must Be Stopped" features hip-hop artists Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie. The track is accompanied by a DJay Brawner-directed music video, which sees Taylor taking the CMFT championship belt, while friends such as Marilyn Manson, Lars Ulrich, Rob Halford, Chris Jericho, ZillaKami and more make cameo appearances.

Complete list of "CMFT Must Be Stopped" cameo appearances (in alphabetical order):

* BABYMETAL

* Baron Corbin (WWE)

* Ben Bruce (ASKING ALEXANDRIA)

* Benji Webbe (SKINDRED)

* Caleb Shomo (BEARTOOTH)

* Chris Jericho (FOZZY)

* Corey Graves (WWE)

* Griff Taylor

* John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE)

* Lajon Witherspoon (SEVENDUST)

* Lars Ulrich (METALLICA)

* Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM)

* Marilyn Manson

* Matty Matheson (chef)

* Nergal (BEHEMOTH)

* Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE)

* Otep Shamaya (OTEP)

* Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)

* Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST)

* Ronnie Radke (FALLING IN REVERSE)

* Maximum the Ryo-kun (MAXIMUM THE HORMONE)

* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)

* STEEL PANTHER

* Tom Savini (special effects artist/actor)

* Zillakami (CITY MORGUE)

Taylor previously worked with Tech N9ne on a song called "Wither" in 2015, and with Kid Bookie on a reworked version of the rapper's track "Stuck In My Ways" last year.

Taylor recorded the solo effort with his band consisting of Jason Christopher on bass, Dustin Schoenhofer on drums, and Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) on guitar.

Corey told Terry "Beez" Bezer of Knotfest.com's "Mosh Talks With Beez" about the LP: "It was something I was planning to do anyway next year when I got off the road with SLIPKNOT, and, obviously, best-laid plans [were] just done and done [because of the coronavirus pandemic]. But I figured if this was the time to do it, why not try and do it. Me and my band quarantined. We social distanced for about two weeks, including our producer, Jay Ruston, who I worked with, and the people at the studio that I recorded at, which was Kevin Churko's Hideout [Recording Studio in Las Vegas].

"This was stuff that we had been working on for a while," he continued. "This was stuff that I had written as [recently] as the last SLIPKNOT tour and as far back as… There's a song on here that dates back to when I was in high school, so that tells you how long I've been sitting on a lot of this material. And it's just stuff that I've kind of had floating around that didn't really fit with either band. It just had different energy and a different vibe.

"The more people asked me if I was ever gonna do a solo thing, I started going, 'Well, I kind of know what it would sound like, because I've got all these songs that really don't have a home anywhere else.' And lo and behold, boom.

"We went in, we recorded 98 to 99 percent of the music live in the studio. The only thing we overdubbed was vocals and piano and some acoustic. And we did 25 songs in two and a half weeks."

Taylor said about the musical direction of "CMFT": "It's everything I wanted it to be. There's some SLADE in there, there's some Johnny Cash, there's some ALICE IN CHAINS. I mean, big choruses, fun rock, just huge solos — huge solos. It's incredible. I, actually, two years ago, started teaching myself piano just so I can record this song that I wrote for my wife, and I was able to play it and record it. And it's really good — it's probably one of the best things I've ever written."

Pressed about how a song that he wrote back in high school sticks around for so long without him properly recording it and releasing it until now, Corey said: "I've kept almost every notebook of ideas that I've had since I first started really writing songs — since I was about 15 or 16. So I've got stuff dating all the way back then, just sitting in boxes. And every once in a while, the grand hoarder that I am, I'll start going through stuff thinking that I'm gonna throw it away, and I [say to myself], 'I can't throw that away 'cause maybe this is gonna be a song someday.' And lo and behold, I kept finding this notebook that had the first verse — at least the first verse and the start of the second — of [a song that ended up on the record]. I always remembered how it would start, and I was, like, 'Where would we go from there?' And it was actually the first song that I really put together for this. I finished it finally — after 30 years, I finally finished this song. And it's killer. There's a riff in it that feels almost like PANTERA in a way, but then there's this overall vibe of THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, which is really, really cool. So it's a mover, man, and it's really, really good."

Speaking about the LP's first two singles, Corey said: "The overall vibe of this album is fun — it is party. You put this on when you wanna feel good. So there are actually two songs that we're releasing at the same time. There's one that is the overall crusher single — really great, huge chorus, big vibe. And then there's another one that is just as fun on the completely other end of the spectrum that people are gonna hear and they are going to lose their minds.

"The way I've been looking at it is it's like a futuristic throwback," he explained. "Everything on this album is a hybrid of all these different genres that I'm really into. It's a modern take on vibes that people have heard before, and yet I've taken them and kind of thrown them through this crazy filter to see what we get. Everybody who hears it is just blown away, so I'm really, really stoked."

"CMFT" track listing:

01. HWY 666

02. Black Eyes Blue

03. Samantha's Gone

04. Meine Lux

05. Halfway Down

06. Silverfish

07. Kansas

08. Culture Head

09. Everybody Dies On My Birthday

10. The Maria Fire

11. Home

12. CMFT Must Be Stopped (feat. Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie)

12. European Tour Bus Bathroom Song

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.

English rock singer and songwriter, Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, MSG, Rainbow), spoke with journalist Mark Dean for a new interview at Antihero Magazine. Read an excerpt below:

Antihero: Here you are in 2020, 41 years after that Rainbow album that you released with them and you’re still doing it.

Graham Bonnet: "I know. I’m stuck in that style of music. I never, ever thought I’d be in a band like Rainbow, which is basically Deep Purple-ish. Then I got a call and I was asked to come over to audition for the band. And I went over. I learnt the song called 'Mistreated'. I didn’t know Rainbow from… I didn’t know who the hell they were, no idea, sounds like a punk group, Rainbow.

"So anyway, I did the audition and they gave me the job basically that very day I went over and sang for them. I was very happy that it did happen because it changed my life completely. I had a new look at some different kind of music that I’d never played before, never dreamed of playing before. Rock songs and stuff when I was a kid in my band because like you do when you’re a kid, you play in pubs and do other stuff. That’s what I was doing, so I knew what to do, I think. But I learned a lot from Roger and from everybody in that band because the musicianship was just incredible. I just stood back in amazement when they started to play this 'Mistreated' song. It was just wow. The sound was just incredible and the keyboard player, Don, what an amazing player. Ritchie, say no more, Roger, fucking great bass player, and of course, Cozy Powell. That was the best band I’ve ever seen in rehearsal. At that time I was just blown away. So I had to take the job even though I thought I was wrong.

"I went back home to London. At that time, that’s where I was living. I had to say to my manager, 'I’m not right for this, these guys have got long hair and spandex and whatever, I look totally wrong. But they’ve given me the job, what do I do?' He said, 'You better do it because I think it would be good for you.' Because I found out later I lost a lot of fucking money from playing in that band. I didn’t see very much at all. When I spoke to Ronnie, he asked me if I was paid anything from Rainbow, like at the end of the year. I said 'No, I didn’t.' Sad, I was really ripped off. I said I think that’s what happened to me. I don’t like telling tales out of school and all that, but it’s just very, very disappointing and one of the reasons I left the band. I just thought, hang on, something’s wrong here."

Read more at Antihero Magazine.




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In the new episode of Three Sides Of The Coin, guitarist Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies, Burning Rain, Whitesnake, DIO, etc.), discusses auditioning to replace Ace Frehley in KISS. Watch below.

Says Doug: "Basically, I came out to Los Angeles in '81, just after high school, and I immediately started... there used to be this paper that you could advertise for musicians and stuff, and I joined a band with some guys that were looking for other musicians to jam with. We started playing immediately, we were writing songs and also doing covers. We played our first couple of gigs, I can't remember where they were, but then we ended up playing at Gazzarri's on Sunset Strip, it was a famous club, you guys have probably heard of it. One day, a girl came in and said her boyfriend was Eric Carr, and that they were looking for a guitar player for KISS, and she thought that I would be really good for it. I thought it was a joke, you know, just winding me up. We played there a couple of weeks later, and she came and she brought Eric... it was dark in there but I could see his hair, it looked like him but, of course, nobody had ever seen their faces yet. But it was, it was him. I gave him my number at work, I didn't have a home phone at that time. He called my work a few days later, invited me to come down to the Record Plant, and I met Gene and Paul there... it was weird seeing those guys without makeup, 'cause you felt almost guilty. You just feel like, 'OK, no one's supposed to see these guys, and here they're just walking around.' When you haven't seen someone's face, you don't really... of course you knew who the guys were, but you didn't realize what they look like. They looked cool, but it was just weird."

Hear what happened next, below:




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Marty Friedman says that being handed a guitar that is out of tune is the most annoying thing that has happened to him as a touring and recording artist.

The former MEGADETH guitarist took to his social media to list some of the most irritating things that he has had to experience in his nearly four-decade career.

He wrote: "Since everyone has off days, and even some of the most seasoned pros in the business drop the ball sometimes, I thought it might be fun to list up the 10 most annoying things that happen in recording and playing live. I'm sure many of you can relate! Here we go!

"10. You work with an engineer for the first time (not applicable to long time acquaintances) and while recording, he talks about ANYTHING WHATSOEVER that is not directly related to what is being recorded at that moment.

"9. You finish a show, you think you played better than usual, it was a rare night of miracles, yet after the show many people complain to you that the sound man had you too quiet in the mix.

"8. You are doing a casual event like a guitar clinic or a meet and greet, and someone there thinks a strobe light is appropriate.

"7. Worse yet, a fog machine

"6. The monitor guy blasts your ear monitors so unbelievably loud that you try to rip them out of your head only to realize you can't because they are so well molded to your ears

"5. The engineer is not rolling when you do that long, "magic" take that was so inspired with so many ideas that you will never bring back again. (Actually this happened SO much in the analog days that I eventually developed the ability to re-play what I just played to a relatively good extent. Still it is EXTREMELY ANNOYING)

"4. You are doing some kind of one-off show/event without your own crew/techs. You do a thorough soundcheck, complete with staff following you around with iPads saving settings. You get it perfect, tell the mixer not to touch ANYTHING before the show. He gives you a knowing nod, and a thumbs up sign. Showtime comes and every possible sound is drastically different.

"3. When you're pissed at yourself for not being prepared enough for a recording session (or even a live rehearsal) and you have to sit there working out a tricky part in front of everybody, like a moron, while the clock ticks...

"2. You're recording a part that is requiring a lot of takes and attention for one single part. The engineer plays the part from a slightly different spot EVERY. SINGLE TIME. This is a killer, and to be honest I've only seen assistant engineers do it. It happens more than you would think, and in nice studios too. I would not be surprised to see some guys get violently angry at this, as this is unbelievably annoying when you are trying to concentrate.

"AND FINALLY the #1 most annoying thing that happens in the world of recording/live concerts----

"1. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE and in ANY SITUATION your guitar tech hands you a guitar that is out of tune. This sounds trivial, but trust me, it isn't. Luckily this doesn't happen much, but when you are working-and sometimes in quite high pressure situations-and someone hands you a faulty work tool it can get pretty hellish.

"I see you guys nodding your heads out there...any more to add?! Which of these was the most horrific?! Stay safe!"

As previously reported, Marty's long-awaited documentary, titled "Spacefox", will tentatively arrive in 2021. The film, which is being directed by Jeremy Frindel, the founder of Substratum Films, follows Friedman's reinvention from lead guitarist in MEGADETH to one of the most famous TV personalities in Japan.

Last month, Friedman released a "Home Jams" version of his song "Self Pollution", which originally appeared on the 2017 album "Wall Of Sound". The new rendition of the song features Friedman, along with his longtime bandmates Kiyoshi (bass) and Jordan Ziff (guitar), plus Anup Sastry (drums). The split-screen video was filmed in Tokyo, Osaka, Phoenix and Baltimore, with each musician separated in his or her home.

"Wall Of Sound" was released in August 2017 via Prosthetic Records.


Since everyone has off days, and even some of the most seasoned pros in the business drop the ball sometimes, I thought...

Posted by Marty Friedman on Wednesday, July 29, 2020

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn has shared a cover version of LINKIN PARK's "In The End" tomark the third anniversary of Chester Bennington's death.

Flynn performed a rendition of the "Hybrid Theory" smash hit at his birthday bash in Oakland, California on July 22, 2017 — two days after Chester's body was found at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California. The singer's passing was ruled a suicide.

In a message accompanying the Instragram video of his "In The End" performance, Flynn wrote: "3 years ago we performed this song at my birthday bash after learning of Chester's horrible death only a couple of days before. We were shocked and saddened, and I think most of us were still recovering from Chris Cornell's sudden and tragic death, when this came along and hit us like a ton of bricks.

"I know people are gonna pooh pooh this, but I don't give a shit. I love LINKIN PARK, I saw them before the first record even dropped opening for ORGY at the Maritime Hall. I saw them almost every time they came to the Bay Area, and they always put on a fantastic fucking show. Played numerous festivals with them, saw them in Paris France doing promotion for 'The Blackening', and I saw them again in Belarus well getting ready to tour for 'Bloodstone And Diamonds'.

"I know [the anniversary of] Chester's passing was [on Monday], but it seemed appropriate to share this heartfelt cover. Shout out to J-Mac for bringing it on the chorus. #linkinpark #chesterbennington"

LINKIN PARK headlined an all-star tribute concert for Bennington in October 2017 in Los Angeles but has not announced any future plans for recording or touring.

On June 17, MACHINE HEAD released "Civil Unrest", a two-song digital single featuring A-side "Stop The Bleeding" and B-side "Bulletproof". This pair of fierce protest anthems were both written days after the back-to-back murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. "Stop The Bleeding" features a guest appearance from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach, with Flynn and Leach trading lyrical lines that spit anger and frustration at current events.

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
























View this post on Instagram


































3 years ago we performed this song at my birthday bash after learning of Chester’s horrible death only a couple of days before. We were shocked and saddened, and I think most of us were still recovering from Chris Cornell’s sudden and tragic death, when this came along and hit us like a ton of bricks. I know people are gonna pooh pooh this, but I don’t give a shit. I love Linkin Park, I saw them before the first record even dropped opening for Orgy at the Maritime hall. I saw them almost every time they came to the Bay Area, and they always put on a fantastic fucking show. Played numerous festivals with them, saw them in Paris France doing promotion for the blackening, and I saw them again in Belarus well getting ready to tour for bloodstone and diamonds. I know Chester‘s passing was yesterday, but it seemed appropriate to share this heartfelt cover. Shout out to J-Mac for bringing it on the chorus. #linkinpark #chesterbennington

A post shared by robbflynn (@robbflynn) on Jul 21, 2020 at 7:29pm PDT

Dave Grohl has released the first audio version of his "Dave's True Stories" series. The nine-minute episode sees the FOO FIGHTERS frontman — whose mother was a public school teacher — defending teachers amid the "daunting and evermore politicized question of reopening our schools in the coronavirus pandemic."

"Teachers are confronted with a whole new set of dilemmas that most people would not consider. There's so much more to be addressed than just opening the doors and sending [children] back home, my mother tells me on the phone," Grohl said, as per Rolling Stone. "Now 82 and retired, she runs down a list of concerns based on her 35 years of experience: Masks and distancing, temperature checks, crowded bussing, crowded hallways, sports, air-conditioning systems, lunchrooms, public restrooms, janitorial staff. Most schools already struggle from a lack of resources. How can they possibly afford the mountain of safety measures that will need to be in place?"

Earlier in the month, President Donald Trump in a series of tweets threatened to withhold federal funds from schools that don't reopen and lashed out at the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention over guidelines for reopening.

According to Grohl, the only way to avoid risking crowding students back into classrooms until the coronavirus is fully under control is to continue to offer instruction online-only.

"Remote learning is an inconvenient and hopefully temporary solution, but as much as Donald Trump's conductor-less orchestra would love to see the country reopen schools in the name of rosy optics, ask a science teacher what they think about White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany's comment that 'Science should not stand in the way,'" Grohl said. "It would be foolish to do so at the expense of our students, teachers and school."

Two weeks ago, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos refused to say whether schools should follow guidelines from the CDC on reopening, saying those guidelines are meant to be "flexible."

"The CDC guidelines are just that, meant to be flexible and meant to be applied as appropriate for the situation," DeVos told CNN's "State Of The Union".



Foo Fighters · In Defense of Our Teachers by Dave Grohl

David Lee Roth has shared several more pieces of his original artwork which were inspired by the COVID-19 crisis.

For the past three months, the VAN HALEN singer has been posting paintings on his Twitter account that reflect the times and channel the mass anxiety around the novel coronavirus.

"Social commentary is what I do," Roth told The New York Times. "It's what I've always done."

The singer explained that he has always had an artistic eye. "My hand has always been in wardrobe, background sets, stage sets, album covers, video direction," he said. "This is part of it. And there's craft involved, so there's a little bit more heft to some of the statements."

This past March, Roth postponed the final six shows of his Las Vegas residency due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Roth performed as the opening act for the February/March North American leg of KISS's "End Of The Road" farewell tour.

While he is unable to return to the road, Roth said that he will continue filling his days with art.

"This is performance therapy," he told The New York Times. "I'm venting. I'm angry. And I am not asking for forgiveness. And this is how I do it."

VAN HALEN has been inactive since it finished its U.S. tour in October 2015 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.

Back in September, 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.




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— David L Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) June 29, 2020










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— David L Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) July 6, 2020








pic.twitter.com/P5cLhJDvni

— David L Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) July 13, 2020








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— David L Roth (@DavidLeeRoth) July 22, 2020

In a new interview with The Network317 Podcast, legendary hard rock bassist Rudy Sarzo was asked what advice he has for up-and-coming musicians who are looking to make it in the music industry. He responded (see video below): "Any advice that I can give, really, is based on my references on a music industry that does not exist. I can give you advice, but I think there's better-suited people out there who are more currently on the pulse of what's going on. I can only give you advice based on what's considered right now a classic rock musician. Had the industry not changed, yes, I can give you pearls of wisdom.

"Certain things still apply, but I think what the musicians need more today than ever is mentorship from people who are doing it right now — the ones who are currently producing the sounds that are popular," he continued. "Whatever structure there happens to be in the record industry, I'm not even aware. And I have this conversation with many successful people. We're all in the same boat.

"There used to be a formula," he added. "There used to be an infrastructure. And if you have a structure, there's a formula. There used to be a blueprint that you can build something. There's no blueprint anymore. Different things work."

In 2006, Rudy released the book "Off The Rails: Aboard The Crazy Train In The Blizzard Of Ozz", a first-hand account of his friendship on and off the road with Randy Rhoads and Ozzy Osbourne.

A collector's edition of "Off The Rails", was made available in August 2008 via TooSmart! Publishing.

The book was originally due in 2005 but was delayed after Sharon allegedly applied pressure to have it pulled.

Sarzo — who began playing bass for Osbourne in 1981 (the same year he toured with MOTÖRHEAD) — joined THE GUESS WHO in 2016. His first album with the group, "The Future IS What It Used To Be", was released in September 2018 via Cleopatra Records.

Image courtesy of Sweetwater

Swedish bashers Soilwork have been holed up at Nordic Sound Lab working on new music. They posted the following update on July 18th with the photo above:

"Yet another recording session completed and holy hell!! We have created something VERY unique and I cannot wait for you to hear it. Stay tuned, folks."

Check out some not-so-serious footage from the studio sessions below.




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Paul Stanley has returned to the studio to put the finishing touches on the debut album from his R&B band SOUL STATION.

Earlier today, Stanley posted a photo of him wearing a mask in the studio, and he included the following message: "Day 2 in the studio finishing up Soul Station album and YES, We're ALL wearing masks. We do it for our families, children, hospital workers, first responders and many more. Tragic that for some there's no pandemic until it hits their home. Now we suffer the consequences."

This past May, Stanley released a cover version of Smokey Robinson's classic song "Ooo Baby Baby", recorded by SOUL STATION. In a statement accompanying the clip, Stanley said: "These are challenging times. Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more. I was lucky to see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others. That music and its storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all use."

He added: "While it's hard to connect physically, some of SOUL STATION decided to reach out and make a virtual and emotional connection on a great Motown and Smokey Robinson classic, Ooo Baby Baby."

SOUL STATION has spent the last couple of years working on its debut album.

Last year, Stanley told the Real Radio 104.1 radio station that he wanted to wait for the right time to release the SOUL STATION LP. "It really deserves full attention and my full commitment," he explained. "So until we can do great live performances — the band is amazing live — and until we can promote it the way we should, it's just going to simmer. But it's really just mind-blowing good. These are songs that, for one reason or another, have been relegated to samples on a rap tune. And I don't wanna hear background music for a rhyme — I wanna hear those songs.'

He continued: "This band is 13 people strong, and everybody's played with Smokey and Stevie [Wonder] and THE TEMPS [THE TEMPTATIONS] and Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston, and we knock those songs out of the park."

Asked if he gets any hate from KISS fans for making an album that is stylistically far removed from the music his main band is best known for producing, Stanley said: "I'm sure there are some people who'd rather me doing a KISS album or something like that, but when you sign on with me, you understand that we're both in this together, and sometimes I have to do what I need to do. And that's part of the joy and the reward for me. So I would rather do a great SOUL STATION album right now than tamper with KISS or the KISS legacy and do something that I'm really not feeling at the moment."

A couple of years ago, Stanley spoke to Rock Cellar Magazine about how the idea for SOUL STATION first came about. He said: "Well, my roots are much more broad and varied than some people might realize. This is funny; I was having tea with Jimmy Page in London and we were talking about this. I said, 'Before I ever saw [LED] ZEPPELIN or THE WHO or any of those bands, I saw Otis Redding. I saw Solomon Burke. I saw THE TEMPTATIONS.' So it's very much a part of my DNA. Motown and Philly soul and Stax/Volt, all that music is really, unfortunately too nostalgic at this point and used too often for loops and samples as opposed to hearing a great song. What's missing nowadays so much is great live performances of that material. What's being passed off now as R&B is usually a computer and a drum machine. For a while, I thought about that, and I had an opportunity a few years ago to put together something that was in essence SOUL STATION. We did a couple of private shows and we all looked at each other said, 'Why aren't we doing more of this?' It's great to have that coming from people who are not only in demand but working all the time with Stevie Wonder or Smokey [Robinson] or Pink or John Mayer. These are real crème de la creme players but everybody has the same passion for this music. To be able to recreate it, not in a sterile way but with the same passion and intensity that it was made with is something that we all feel very close to."

Asked what the greatest challenges are that he faces in delivering this material in a live setting, Paul told Rock Cellar Magazine: "There's a big weight on my shoulders because I'm singing songs by some legends, and if I can't deliver them, I shouldn't be doing them. So if I'm gonna sing Smokey or if I'm gonna sing Al Green or David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, you'd better be on-point or you shouldn't be doing it, plus the rest of the band is so damn good. They have played with Smokey, they've played with Stevie Wonder, with Natalie Cole, they've played with Whitney Houston and John Mayer and with Carlos Santana; I mean, the list goes on and on. For us all to be together as peers and be creating something this exciting, everybody on stage is smiling. We're all just caught up in the moment. To hear Crystal [Starr] sing 'I Want You Back' is just mind-boggling. Her dad was a backup singer for Jackie Wilson. Everybody's got their roots. From the get-go, anybody I ever called to be a part of this immediately said, 'I'm in!' just to have the opportunity to recreate and revive these songs; you don't get that chance."

SOUL STATION made its live debut in September 2015 at West Hollywood, California's The Roxy Theatre. The band also features KISS drummer Eric Singer.




Day 2 in the studio finishing up Soul Station album and YES, We’re ALL wearing masks. We do it for our families, children, hospital workers, first responders and many more. Tragic that for some there’s no pandemic until it hits their home. Now we suffer the consequences. pic.twitter.com/OQBF0vQ6Mp

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) July 22, 2020








In the studio doing final tweaks on the Soul Station album. Yes, We ALL have masks on and so should you. pic.twitter.com/OMofantp51

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) July 20, 2020

Doro Pesch is the world's first female rock musician to rock drive-in cinemas together with her fans. In June, the German metal queen's first drive-in cinema show in Worms created enthusiastic fan reactions and was followed by over 600,000 people worldwide via video stream. After another successful show in Stuttgart, Doro now invites her fans to Bühl on August 1 to her third and (for now) last drive-in cinema show. There, Doro will be rocking all of her famous hits such as "Für Immer", "Love Me In Black" and "All For Metal". The setlist may even contain the new single "Brickwall" as a surprise.

Doro says: "Over the last few months, I really missed my band and fans. The drive-in show has been a real unique experience and career highlight for me. That's why I'm really looking forward to the final show on August 1st in Brühl. We'll celebrate together and have a great time. It feels so good to be rocking alongside with you again. Hopefully, we can soon enjoy normal shows again as well."

For this last drive-in cinema show of the tour, Pesch will join forces with the streaming service Airtango.live, which will be streaming the gig from start to finish. For a fee of 5.99 euros, the user will get access to the whole concert for a month, plus additional Doro content, including greetings, behind-the-scenes clips and Doro videos.

Doro comments: "All the fans who can't be present at the show on August 1st in Brühl will have the chance to stream the gig from home."

"Brickwall" is now available digitally via Nuclear Blast and will be out on vinyl on July 31.The song was recorded in Hamburg with Andreas Bruhn (ex-THE SISTERS OF MERCY) and will also be available as coloured seven-inch vinyl in gold and silver, limited to 300 copies each.

Photo credit: Tim Tronckoe

Legendary rocker Alice Cooper spoke to Cleveland.com about the status of his new album, "Detroit Stories". The LP, which is once again being produced by Cooper's longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, features contributions by such Michigan talent as the MC5's Wayne Kramer, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's Mark Farner and Johnny "Bee" Badanjek of MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS. They also used the Detroit Horns and Detroit background singers.

"It's 99 percent done and just being polished," Alice said. "I'm really happy with this album. Right now [Ezrin] is just sitting at home listening to everything, going, 'Hmm, I wonder if we should re-do that bass?' or 'Let's try that third verse again' or 'Can we sing those three lines over again?' [Laughs] I want him at some point to put a lock and key on and it say 'It's done!,' but I trust him to tell us when it is."

This past May, Alice released a new single, "Don't Give Up". Produced by Ezrin using remote technology, the song is a spontaneous reaction to the challenges facing us all right now.

A strictly limited "Don't Give Up" seven-inch vinyl picture disc will be released on August 14 on earMUSIC.

Last September, Cooper released a six-track EP called "Breadcrumbs", described as a tribute to the garage-rock heroes of his hometown of Detroit.

Earlier in the month, Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter-producer Desmond Child, who is widely recognized as one of music's most accomplished hitmakers, revealed that he was working on new music with Cooper.

Child and Cooper previously collaborated on 1989's "Trash" album, including the smash hit "Poison", and the follow-up effort, 1991's "Hey Stoopid". The success of "Poison" helped make "Trash" Alice's biggest seller in more than a decade.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS will perform their iconic album, "Core", in its entirety for an epic livestream event on Friday, July 31 at 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST on Nugs.tv.

"Core", STP's breakout debut album features smash hits "Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden" and "Plush", which won the Grammy Award in 1994 for "Best Hard Rock Performance."

Tickets for the livestream event are $9.99, and can be purchased here. Also available at Nugs.tv, Nugs.net app, iOS, Android or Nugs.net app on Apple TV. The concert will also be available within 48 hours from pressing play, for user to replay.

In addition to the "Core" livestream event, STP will release live audio from past shows beginning with August 3, 2011 at Hampton Beach Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire with Scott Weiland, and June 13, 2019 in London, UK at O2 Forum Kentish Town with lead vocalist Jeff Gutt.

Gutt says about the 2019 London show: "The show at O2 Forum was my first time being in London. In fact, I had never been to Europe, so I was just trying to take in all the history and city vibes. STP hadn't been there in quite a while, so I remember the crowd being especially electric. There's something about when the lights go out and everyone knows that the show is about to begin, that really takes us all to a magical place together."

Gutt joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS three years ago. His recording debut with the group was on its self-titled seventh LP, which arrived in March 2018.

Gutt, a 44-year-old Michigan native who spent time in the early-2000s nu-metal act DRY CELL, among other bands, and was a contestant on "The X Factor", joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS in 2017 after beating out roughly 15,000 hopefuls during an extended search that began more than a year earlier.

Original STONE TEMPLE PILTOS singer Scott Weiland, who reunited with the group in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus but was dismissed in 2013, died in December 2015 of a drug overdose.

Chester Bennington, who joined STP in early 2013, departed nearly three years later to spend more time with his main band LINKIN PARK. Bennington committed suicide in July 2017.

The "classic" lineup of the Swedish heavy rock band SISTER SIN took part in a "Raw & Mean From Rehearsal" livestream on June 13. Liv Jagrell (vocals), Jimmy Hiltula (guitar), Andreas Strandh (bass) and Dave Sundberg (drums) ran through a 13-song set that focused heavily on SISTER SIN's 2010 album "True Sound Of The Underground" (from which the band played five cuts), along with one track from "Switchblade Serenades" (2008), three from "Now And Forever" (2012) and four from "Black Lotus" (2014).

Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

After announcing its reunion last December, SISTER SIN was scheduled to perform at the Gefle Metal Festival in Gävle, Sweden and Helgeåfestivalen in Knislinge, Sweden in early July, but those plans have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

At the end of last year, Jagrell revealed that her post-SISTER SIN outfit LIV SIN was "taking a little bit of a break" following the departures of guitarist Chris Bertzell and bassist Tommie Winther. The pair explained in a statement that their exit had been "in development for a while."

SISTER SIN announced its split in November 2015, saying in a statement that the band's "relentless" touring and recording schedule took its toll and "the motivation for some members just wasn't there anymore." However, the group left the door open for a possible comeback, saying: "It is our hope that the flame will burn once again and hopefully resurrect this Swedish bastard sometime in the future. Time will tell…"

Five years ago, Liv told Sleaze Roxx about the end of SISTER SIN: "We toured too much and we got burned out. That's the simple answer. They just felt like they did not want to do this anymore. [In 2015], we had been out for almost four months or something so it's a lot of time away from family. It's a lot of time away from friends. And also just to survive in the business is hard, so I think we maybe worked too hard in the last years."

SISTER SIN's fifth studio album, "Black Lotus", was released in October 2014 via Victory.

LIV SIN released two full-length albums, "Follow Me" (2017) and "Burning Sermons" (2019), as well as one EP, "Inverted" (2018).
































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A whopping 18 000 views combined for the livestream yesterday! Felt great to make some noise again after 5 years silence ✊?

A post shared by Sister Sin (@sistersin_sweden) on Jun 15, 2020 at 10:11am PDT