Frontiers Music Srl have released Shining Black's self-titled debut. Shining Black is the new band featuring vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt), and guitarist Olaf Thorsen (Labyrinth, Vision Divine).

Order the album here, and watch a music video for "Boogeyman" below.

Shining Black's self-titled debut showcases cutting edge melodic metal songwriting techniques from Thorsen combined with the outstanding vocal abilities of Boals. The roots of this new metal collaboration go back to the year 2014 when the Italian power/progressive metal band Labyrinth was faced with the dilemma of moving forward without their long-time singer Roberto Tiranti. After much consideration, the band chose to work with none other than Mark Boals and started to work on new songs which would have been released on the band’s next album; however, the busy schedule kept by Mark did not fit in with the recording plans the band had at the time. Therefore, Labyrinth after some years on hiatus went ahead with a new record (Architecture Of A God) once again with Tiranti.

Despite not getting to work together, Mark and Ölaf remained in touch and when the occasion arose, by suggestion from Frontiers, the two artists took the opportunity to work together. Thus the Shining Black project was born. All in all, this is a fabulous melodic metal record which the Frontiers label is beyond proud to present to all the discerning metal fans out there.

Dark metal institution Agathodaimon have officially signed a worldwide record deal with Napalm Records. Formed by Sathonys (guitar) and Matthias Rodig (drums), the German five-piece quickly evolved, performed at major European festivals and released six studio albums throughout their vast career. Seven years after their highly praised full length, In Darkness, Agathodaimon reunited in February 2020 and are currently working on new material! More to be announced soon!

Sathonys: "We’re proud to announce that we have signed a deal with Napalm Records! As some of you know, Agathodaimon was put on hold for years. We've been working on a reunion for many months though, to get back in shape- and when we finally felt ready and announced the comeback in February, we were hoping to find a good partner soon, to release our next album. Yet, I didn't expect that we would be contacted by Napalm right away, a label that has developed in such an impressive way over the course of the last decades. Not only being able to sign lots of excellent bands, but who also managed to gather an impressive team of specialists over the course of time, all fully dedicated to and passionate about metal. So, here we are, and we couldn't be more excited to be part of their artist roster. We're absolutely looking forward to working with these guys!"

Napalm Records A&R Sebastian Muench: "In 1998, Agathodaimon released Blacken The Angel, an absolute masterpiece! As many, back in the good old days, I heard first about the band when I bought Metal Hammer Germany magazine and listened to the sampler CD that came with it. The song 'Tristetea Vehementa' on the Off Road Tracks Vol. 10 Metal Hammer compilation made me fan for life. Agathodaimon was able to perfectly combine the best elements from Symphonic Metal, Gothic Metal and Black Metal. The song 'Body Of Clay' is arguably even one of the best Doom Metal songs. All five album releases followed that recipe and resulted in some very unique and timeless classic albums. We are super excited to work with Agathodaimon in the future!"

During Corona-lockdown and due to the fact that Ragnarök Festival was cancelled (where the band was due to play), they put together this joint effort - each band member recorded audio / video of this song individually, and this is the merged result.

A new crab species has been named after Finnish/British/Dutch symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH. The band says: "One new crab species (Tanidromites nightwishorum) was named after us in honor in particular for our 2015 album, 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful', about the evolution of life.

"The new species of crab was found in eastern Austria and lived during the late part of the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. While dinosaurs dominated the land, parts of Europe were covered by a warm, shallow sea full of life. Tanidromites nightwishorum was discovered in a fossil coral reef. Crab diversity and abundance exploded for the very first time in their evolutionary history during the Late Jurassic in central Europe.

"Thanks to Dr Adiel A. Klompmaker and his colleagues for this truly fantastic honour (Adiel is curator of palaeontology, Alabama museum of natural history).

"The scientific paper was published online."

Four years ago, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen spoke to Geeks Life Luxembourg about the band's collaboration with evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins on "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". He said: "Well, I had one of those huge 'fanboy' moments, which I very rarely get anymore, when I met him for the first time a little over a year ago, when we recorded his part for the album in a studio in Oxford. I've been a fan of his works, his books for years and years. And [he was] a major inspiration for the new album as well. [He is] one of my true heroes, and meeting him was quite something. And he's a true English gentleman. He has the mind the size of the whole cosmos, and it was just such a great honor that he actually agreed to come."

Danzeisen Dairy will release a special edition Alice Cooper chocolate milk bottle at retail grocers and for home delivery across Arizona this fall. Proceeds will benefit Solid Rock, the nonprofit organization Alice and his wife, Sheryl, founded in 1995. The organization operates The Rock Teen Center, a 28,000-square-foot facility in Phoenix where people ranging from ages 12 to 20 can get free instruction in music (both instrument lessons and recording studio training), dance, art, film and photography, among many other artistic options.

This past April, Alice told SPIN magazine that Solid Rock is something he and his wife feel driven to do.

"We're based on a Christian ethic," he said. "The kids say, 'Why are you doing this?' and we tell them, 'Because the Lord told us to. We don't want anything from you except you to show up and create.' And they say, 'Well, what do you get out of it?' And I go, 'Watching you create!' That's all there is to it." Another reason for doing this, he added, is that "We feel that every teenager is at risk — not just the ones that come from the gang world. They're all in trouble unless they have some guidance."

Alice told EastValleyTribune.com that the teen center provides kids with an opportunity to find a purpose in life.

"We've noticed there were kids coming in and parents would say to us, 'I don't know what you're doing, but my kid's getting better grades. My kids are talking to me now. My kids are wanting to do things at home with us because when they get into that school, they open up,'" Alice said.

"It's easy when you're a teenager to get introverted because you're, everybody's against me," he added. "I was a teenager. I was like that."

Cooper said his reason for funding the centers is to give youngsters a calling in life.

"There's nothing like watching a student perform or achieve something in music they never thought possible, he said.

"You can blossom. You have that option to blossom," he added. "And I noticed kids that blossom are the ones that are really going to do something."


We are rocking it for chocolate filming AZ rock legend Alice Cooper Alice and Sheryl Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation will...

Posted by Ideas Collide on Thursday, July 9, 2020

























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Attention chocolate milk lovers! @danzeisendairy will be releasing this special edition @alicecooper chocolate milk bottle at your retail grocer and for home delivery across Arizona. Available this fall. Proceeds will benefit FREE teen music, art and dance programs at Solid Rock! #local #milk #chocolatemilk #ideascollide #danzeisendairy #support #partnership #creative #phoenix #mesa #nonprofit #teens #teencenter #milkman #alicecooper #supportyouth #arizona

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LAMB OF GOD's Mark Morton has blasted President Donald Trump over his claim that the United States is only seeing a spike in new coronavirus infections because more testing is being carried out.

Trump tweeted on Thursday: "For the 1/100th time, the reason we show so many Cases, compared to other countries that haven't done nearly as well as we have, is that our TESTING is much bigger and better. We have tested 40,000,000 people. If we did 20,000,000 instead, Cases would be half, etc. NOT REPORTED!"

A short time later, Morton shared Trump's tweet and added: "It must be so insulting for the people that make up his actual base of support to see shit like this. He really thinks y'all are this stupid?? To have your intelligence so grossly underestimated over & over, I would imagine it's got to be exhausting to stay loyal to this regime."

Experts have repeatedly dismissed Trump's assertions as false, explaining that the number of tests doesn't indicate how fast the disease is spreading.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the efficacy of testing is not tied to the sheer number of tests being done, but must be proportional to the size of an individual country's epidemic.

"Several countries effectively controlled the spread of the virus through testing programmes that had a far lower number of tests per capita than the US," the university writes on its web site. "Meanwhile, despite having the highest rate of tests per capita, the US faces the largest outbreak in the world and new cases continue to trend upwards in many states."

Morton recently told A&P Reacts that it's important for him to use the platform that he has, including his Twitter account, to create awareness about the things that are happening around him.

He said: "When something's really wrong or there's a discussion not being had or there's something being ignored… I have a platform, and I have a platform in our music, in what we talk about lyrically, and social media, for better or worse, is a platform — I don't know if it's the best one, but it is one, and it's one I engage in.

"So I do speak my mind," he continued. "And I try to be open to other people's opinions and the fact that not everyone's gonna agree with me. I don't think my opinions can be put into a tight, neat little box, because there are things that I'm very liberal on, things that I'm very conservative on and things that I'm in the middle on. But lately, particularly in the last week or so, I've had a hard time keeping my mouth shut. And I don't make any apologies for that."

Addressing the fact that he has at times alienated some of the LAMB OF GOD fans with his views, Morton said: "Look, if I had a nickel for every time someone told on social media to just shut up and play guitar… I always actually take it as a compliment, because I'm, like, no matter how mad I made them, they're still saying that it's worthwhile for me to play guitar. [Laughs] So I'm doing something right; that's a compliment to me.

"I get to have an opinion too — I just do," he said. "Everybody does. And hopefully we can all start learning to respect each other's opinion and even maybe find some common ground. 'Cause a lot of that seems to be getting overlooked lately, and I hope we can plug into that.

"It's a trying time, man — there's so much going on — and everybody's really tense and anxious, and there's a lot of fear and a lot of anger," he added. "And I don't know what to do except to talk about when I see something that's wrong. And I'm not always great at not riling it up — sometimes I'm venting in anger myself; I'm a human being — but I'm trying to be a little more positive as I go. That's all I can do."

This past Friday (July 10), GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus took part in a question-and-answer session with fans on the official Instagram of Gretsch guitars. You can now check it out below.

Asked what advice he would give to a 15-year-old guitar player, Fortus said: "Have you ever thought about becoming a lawyer? I'm just kidding. Man, it's a tough time to be a musician, that's for sure. I'm very fortunate. But you know what? If you're meant to be a musician, you don't really have a choice in the matter. So all you can do is play with as many people as you possibly can and get yourself out there and make music non-stop."

Richard also talked about some of the projects he has been working on while in quarantine. He said: "I'm working every day. I've been really fortunate. Unlike a lot of my friends during COVID, they've not had any work, because they're touring musicians or they're studio musicians that don't have a studio at home. I'm actually sitting in my studio, which is in my house, and so I'm able to do sessions for different people. And I've been really fortunate that I've had a ton of work, and I'm busy every day doing sessions, which is awesome, 'cause I love doing that. I love playing on other people's stuff; I love writing with different people. My buddy John Corabi is coming up from Nashville in a few days, and we're gonna work on some stuff together."

As previously reported, GUNS N' ROSES' previously announced summer 2020 North American stadium tour has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe. The nearly two-month-long trek was scheduled to kick off on July 4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and run through August 26 on Missoula, Montana.

The band is now reportedly working on a new studio album — the first under the GUNS banner since 2008's "Chinese Democracy" and the first to feature singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan since 1993.

There has been speculation about a new album from GUNS N' ROSES ever since three-fifths of its original lineup reunited in 2016 for the "Not In This Lifetime" tour.

Slash, singer Axl Rose and bassist Duff McKagan were joined on the reunion trek by Fortus, who hooked up with the latter-era GUNS lineup in 2001, drummer Frank Ferrer, longtime keyboardist Dizzy Reed and second keyboardist Melissa Reese. The tour is now one of the highest-grossing in music history.

Fortus got his big break when his band PALE DIVINE opened for THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS. This led to Fortus forming the band LOVE SPIT LOVE with PSYCHEDELIC FURS frontman Richard Butler and Ferrer. In 2000, Fortus and Ferrer became touring members of the reformed PSYCHEDELIC FURS before Fortus hooked up with GUNS N' ROSES. Ferrer himself joined GN'R in 2006.
























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In a recent interview with "The Eddie Trunk Podcast", guitarist Joe Bonamassa spoke about the possibility of a fifth studio album with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the band he formed with vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, THE DEAD DAISIES), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), guitarist Joe Bonamassa and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL).

Joe said (hear audio below): "We had on the books, we were gonna attempt a record in January 2021, but the timeline got pushed back. So it'll probably be a year from there — at the end of 2021. But, yeah, we're still a band, and we still all text each other and talk and stuff like that.

"I listened to Glenn's new track with THE DEAD DAISIES ['Unspoken'], and I thought it was great. He can sing a recipe for lentil soup, and I'm a fan… [And] he's a great bass player… He has his own bass style and his own sound, but you can trace his influences directly back to James Jamerson and Andy Fraser. He has an English James Jamerson thing. And then, of course, he just unleashes 'Burn', and you go, 'Okay, it's Glenn Hughes.' But he's a very sensitive, melodic bass player that is overshadowed because he has one of the greatest rock voices of all time. But those are Cadillac problems. [Laughs]"

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's next disc will be the follow-up to "BCCIV", which was released in September 2017 and marked BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's first studio effort since 2013's "Afterglow".

Just like its three predecessors, "BCCIV" was overseen by producer Kevin Shirley, who originally had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa in a band after seeing them jamming together onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's inception took place when Hughes and Bonamassa fused their styles on stage in Los Angeles for an explosive performance at Guitar Center's King Of The Blues event. With the help and guidance of Shirley, they further added to their rock lineage by recruiting Bonham and Sherinian.

Photo credit: Neil Zlozower

SHVPES, the British rock band fronted by Griffin Dickinson — the son of IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson — has called it quits.

The band, which formed in 2015, released an EP and two albums, 2016's "Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair" and 2018's "Greater Than". Several singles followed in 2019 and this year, including "Lion's Den", the official music video for which can be seen below.

SHVPES announced the decision to split up in a social media post earlier today. The band wrote: "Good things all come to an end.

"After much introspection, we have decided to call it a day with SHVPES.

"As this band has evolved, we have grown a lot as musicians and as people. And as a result we have found ourselves beginning to move in separate directions, musically and otherwise. To continue on as SHVPES would only place further strain on our mental health and personal relationships, as well as be dishonest and a disservice to all of you.

"We leave on good terms, proud and grateful for everything we've achieved.

"To the fans and everyone who has supported, invested and believed in us, we wholeheartedly thank you. You have allowed us to accomplish things we only ever dreamed of and be a part of something bigger than ourselves. For now though, it’s time for a new chapter.

"Peace & Love

"SHVPES

Grant, Griff, Harry, Ryan, & Youssef.

2015 – Infinity"

"Greater Than" was released in November 2018 via Search & Destroy/Spinefarm Records.

The Birmingham-based five-piece was rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Ryan Hamilton, guitarist Youssef Ashraf, bassist Grant Leo Knight and drummer Harry Jennings.

In a 2018 interview with Diffus, Griffin was asked if he ever felt any pressure being the song of a mega-successful musician. He responded: "Not at all. We're two very different people. His fans wouldn't like my shit. My fans probably wouldn't like his shit. We're two very different people."

That same year, Griffin told The A List that he is not interested in answering questions about his famous father.

"Every single interview, especially for this record ['Greater Than'], from the international press has just been riddled with questions, but I think it's usually just a bit of an easy sell for lazy journalists that are just trying to get something out of you that people will click on online," he said. "I've been really riddled with them, especially from the European press, to the point that there is almost more questions about that, than about [SHVPES]. If the journalists aren't focused on the music, they're probably not that interested in the band in the first place. It's probably not going to get a prime spot anyway, so it's no skin off my back to shoot people down who keep trying to get that story out of me."


‪ Good things all come to an end.

After much introspection, we have decided to call it a day with SHVPES.

As this...

Posted by SHVPES on Friday, July 10, 2020

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 one 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."

Guitarist Phil Demmel of reunited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers VIO-LENCE spoke to Rock Immortal Productions' "Rock Talk" live interview series about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's new EP, tentatively due in 2021 via Metal Blade Records.

"We just recorded a cover song, and we did a video for it," Phil revealed (see video below). "So we're gonna have the cover song be like a B-side to five songs. So you get five new songs [plus] the cover tune. The video for the cover song will come out pretty soon. It's fun. It came out great. It was just kind of one of those things where it's, like, 'What can we do to kind of fill this gap and release some content?' And I thought it would be a good idea to do this song that we've loved."

According to Demmel, VIO-LENCE will probably enter the studio "within the next couple of months" to record the new EP. "We're finishing up the third song [right now]," he said.

"I'm really excited about the new music. We're pushing each other. I'm writing riffs that I really can't play. I've always been that way, though — I've always written riffs that are kind of above my playing level, like, 'This is what I'm hearing.' But with this, we've been practicing a lot — we've been practicing a whole lot.

"I'm ready to make a statement with these five songs," he added.

This past January, VIO-LENCE parted ways with guitarist Ray Vegas and replaced him with Bobby Gustafson (ex-OVERKILL). The band's current lineup also includes vocalist Sean Killian, drummer Perry Strickland and bassist Christian Olde-Wolbers (ex-FEAR FACTORY).

"We've got quite the lineup," Phil said. "It's pretty exciting. A cool bunch of dudes. Bobby Gustafson, who was in OVERKILL, thrash metal legend, he's playing guitar. He probably won't play rhythms on this; he'll probably play some solos. But he's our live guitar player. Christian Olde-Wolbers is in the band now playing bass. He'll play on the record. He recorded us and he mixed this past [cover song] recording."

Demmel said that Killian has contributed "some killer vocals" to the new VIO-LENCE songs. "Man, this current tune that we did, he's got this quality to his vocals now," he said. "I'm super stoked about it. It's just as pissed, but it's like a new, deeper and crazier… I think he's a little bit crazier. Sean's got a new lease on life.

VIO-LENCE released three studio albums between 1988 and 1993. The group reunited soon after Demmel left MACHINE HEAD in late 2018.

VIO-LENCE performed its first comeback concert in April 2019 at the Oakland Metro in Oakland, California and spent the last year playing select shows in the U.S. and Europe.

Although MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn was part of VIO-LENCE's classic incarnation and played on the band's debut album, "Eternal Nightmare", he wasn't approached about taking part in any of the comeback shows.

Killian underwent a successful liver transplant surgery in March 2018. The year before, Killian was diagnosed with stage four liver cirrhosis, which was caused in part by a genetic condition called hemochromatosis.

ANTHRAX invites you to get the inside story behind the making and promotion of the band's fifth album, "Persistence Of Time", and its 30th-anniversary Deluxe Edition. This six-part video series is hosted by drummer Charlie Benante, who assembled and oversaw the anniversary edition. Throughout the series, he shines light on where the band was at during the writing and recording of the album, the album's songwriting process, collaborating with PUBLIC ENEMY for "Bring The Noise" track and subsequent tour, the "No Prayer On The Road" tour with IRON MAIDEN and the "Clash Of The Titans" tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH, why the album's cover art was revised for the Deluxe Edition, the week spent filming an episode of the popular TV series "Married With Children", and more. The clips also feature band members' personal photos and film/video clips from the period.

Check out episode one, "Dali", below.

The "Persistence Of Time" 30th-anniversary Deluxe Edition is due on August 21 via Megaforce Records. Produced by ANTHRAX and Mark Dodson. it will be available exclusively on disc and vinyl. The CD package will include two CDs and one DVD, the vinyl edition offers four LPs, as well as revised cover art that reflects what had been the album's original visual concept.

Disc One is comprised of the 11-track album, fully-remastered by Paul Logus (who mastered ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and "For All Kings", the "Anthems" EP, and the DVDs "Kings Among Scotland" and "Chile On Hell"). Disc One also features a special "bonus B-side" version of "I'm The Man" from 1990 that leans more hip-hop than rock, and a live version of "Time" that was recorded at Michigan's Palace of Auburn Hills in 1991. The final two songs on Disc One, as well as all nine tracks on Disc Two, are special recordings from "Charlie's Stash," an incomparable wealth of ANTHRAX music from the band's rehearsals, writing sessions, preproduction, and live performances that Benante has recorded over the past 40 years and has been kept safely filed away. These recordings will put listeners "in the room" with the band, privy to the evolution of the songs on "Persistence Of Time", starting with Benante's original riffs and demos for the songs, moving on to Frank Bello, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna, Dan Spitz and Benante shaping the songs in rehearsal, then into preproduction, and finally into the recording studio.

Said Benante: "You'll hear parts of songs that never made it to the final recording or songs with an arrangement different from the finished song."

The 40-minute "guerilla-style" DVD was shot when ANTHRAX was on tour with IRON MAIDEN in 1991 and features live footage of Benante taking over the drums for IRON MAIDEN's Nicko McBrain, as well as backstage and dressing room footage with members of both bands. The piece wraps with Benante, Bello, and Ian joining IRON MAIDEN on stage for the final song of the night, "Sanctuary".

With revealing liner notes written by Scott Ian that pull back the curtain on some of the incidents that fueled the album's lyrical content, the artwork showcases a selection of mementos from the "Persistence Of Time" cycle: script pages from the band's 1992 "My Dinner With Anthrax" episode of the TV sitcom "Married With Children", band photos and magazine covers, backstage passes, and an assortment of vintage promo items. Also, the deluxe package's cover art has been revised.

Explained Benante, who also oversees all of ANTHRAX's artwork: "We had been a band for only about five years, but so much had been and continued to be crammed into those few years, and we realized we couldn't stop time, it was just persistent. Simultaneously, I was at the height of my Salvador Dali phase, I was just absorbed in his art, and I wanted to tie the two together — Salvador Dali and time. I loved what [artist] Don Brautigam did with the original cover, but for this deluxe edition, I wanted it the way I had originally seen the cover in my head — with the clock melting, so that's what we did."

"Recording the vocals for this album was a great experience," said vocalist Joey Belladonna. "I really liked working with Steve Thompson and Mark Barbiero. Everything came together nicely. We all became good friends. And it was great to work in Manhattan again, especially at Electric Lady Studios. That place has such an aura, recording in the same place where Jimi Hendrix, THE ROLLING STONES, David Bowie and LED ZEPPELIN did. It was a really cool experience."

"One of the things I'll never forget from the 'Persistence Of Time' tours," added Frank Bello, "was when we played the songs 'Time' and 'Got The Time' live. We had this big clock on our stage, the 'Persistence Of Time' clock, and the hands on this clock went around and around while we played the songs 'Time' and 'Got The Time'. Today, something like that would be motorized, but back in 1990, it had to be done manually using a hand crank on the back of the clock. My bass tech from that time, Troy, it was his job to keep those hands turning during those two songs, throughout the entire songs. I mean, what a workout that guy got from turning that crank."

"It was a weird time for us for a number of reasons," added Benante, "but at the same time, a lot of great things happened. We did 'Married With Children', we toured with SLAYER and MEGADETH on the 'Clash Of The Titans' tour, and we recorded 'Bring The Noise' with PUBLIC ENEMY, and that turned everything around."

"Persistence Of Time" deluxe 30th-anniversary edition vinyl track listing:

Side A

01. Time (Remastered)

02. Blood (Remastered)

03. Keep It In The Family (Remastered)

Side B

01. In My World (Remastered)

02. Gridlock (Remastered)

03. Intro To Reality (Remastered

04. Belly Of The Beast (Remastered)

Side C

01. Got The Time (Remastered)

02. H8 Red (Remastered)

03. One Man Stands (Remastered)

04. Discharge (Remastered)

Side D

01. I'm The Man (The Illest Version Ever)

02. Time (Live at The Palace of Auburn Hills)

03. Got The Time (Pre Production)

Side E

01. In My World (Pre Production - Scott Guide Vocal)

02. H8 Red (Rehearsal Room/Charlie's, Riff Tape/Pre-Production)

03. Discharge (Charlie's Riff Tape/Rehearsal Room/Pre-Production)

Side F

01. Keep In In The Family (Rehearsal Room/Scott Guide Vocal)

02. Blood (Rehearsal Room/Pre-Production)

Side G

01. Intro To Reality (Pre-Production)

02. Belly Of The Beast (Tracking)

03. Gridlock (Tracking)

Side H

01. One Man Stands (Pre-Production)

02. Time (Pre-Production, Scott Guide Vocal)

Metalville Records set an August 21 release date for the long-awaited comeback album from DIESEL MACHINE, "Evolve".

DIESEL MACHINE was founded in the mid-1990s by former musicians of the L.A. heavies WORLD IN PAIN and ELEVENTH HOUR. The hard groove metal of the band — consisting of AJ Cavalier (vocals), Patrick Lachman (guitar), Rich Gonzales (bass), and Shane Gaalaas (drums) — was compared with scene greats like PANTERA, CROWBAR and MACHINE HEAD. The only regular DIESEL MACHINE studio album to date, 2000's "Torture Test", was received enthusiastically by fans and critics alike and has retained its absolute cult status to this day. The uncompromising mixture of razor-sharp riffs, hammering rhythms as well as hardcore vocals fully met the spirit of the times and still hasn't lost any of its power and relevance.

While the musicians were working on their second album, they were hit hard by fate: bassist Rich Gonzales suffered a nearly fatal motorcycle accident in the summer of 2002, which put him in the hospital for four months.

After DIESEL MACHINE was put on hold indefinitely, the individual members broke new musical ground: Lachman, at that time also the guitarist for HALFORD, became the singer of the promising but short-lived PANTERA spinoff DAMAGEPLAN and later founded THE MERCY CLINIC and BURN IT ALL with members of FEAR FACTORY; Cavalier founded ONE PERCENT SOUL and was also hired as frontman for SOIL; Gaalaas worked with the Japanese superstars B'Z and with the prog metal formation COSMOSQUAD; and finally, Gonzales also found his way back to music.

Although scattered all over the world, the connection between the members of DIESEL MACHINE remained unbroken throughout. And so the new album, "Evolve", took shape piece by piece. Over the years, three different sessions took place at Gaalaas's studio in L.A., which were complemented by recordings in the respective home studios of Lachman and Cavalier. Chris Collier, whose resume includes names ranging from KORN to PRONG to KMX and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, was called in to mix and master the album.

"Evolve" once again celebrates the energetic, uncompromising extreme metal characteristic of DIESEL MACHINE. The album is a statement or even a branding for everything the band has dealt with over the years. This spirit of defiance and persistence is also expressed loud and clear in the lyrics.

A previously revealed lyric video for "Shut It" can be seen below.

"Evolve" track listing:

01. Death March

02. React

03. Exit Wound

04. Ounce Of Strength

05. Shut It

06. Cynical

07. Judgement

08. Evolve

09. Nothing Left

10. I'm Insane

11. Anger Within

43 years ago today, legendary rockers STYX released their triple-platinum album "The Grand Illusion", which included the smash hit "Fooling Yourself". With that release, STYX became the first band to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: "The Grand Illusion" (1977), "Pieces Of Eight" (1978), "Cornerstone" (1979), "Paradise Theater" (1981).

As a celebratory nod to the album's success, STYX singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw collaborated with 88 kids (ages 12-18) from the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio, who gathered together from their homes to record their parts for an extra special performance "Fooling Yourself" with Shaw at his home in Nashville, music director Liza Grossman in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It was actually the first time the orchestra had performed together since the pandemic began.

The video, which is being presented by Bitchin' Sauce (a family-owned company based out of San Diego, California that manufactures almond-based dips) and was edited together by Adam Smalley of AJ Video Cleveland, can be seen on STYX's official YouTube page.

It all began with an invitation from Grossman to Shaw in an effort to bring the orchestra together after so much time apart.

Shaw explains: "Our friend Liza Grossman invited me to remotely perform STYX's 'Fooling Yourself', from our album 'The Grand Illusion', acoustically with the current members of Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Everyone, including me, sent in cell phone videos of themselves playing and singing our parts. Detroit producer, the immensely talented Michael Bradford heard about it and offered his services in post-producing this massive musical event. I have been blown away during this process as it developed into what you'll see and hear. Remember, aside from Liza and me, none of the orchestra members are older than 18 years of age. We proudly present it to you on the 43rd anniversary, 7/7/77, of the release the album on which it first appeared. And now, without further adieu... Contemporary Youth Orchestra!!!"

Grossman states: "'Fooling Yourself' is my one of my favorite STYX tunes to conduct — the waltz feel at the top, the changing meters and the positive messages embodied in the lyrics. I love that the first minute thirty is like an overture, then it changes groove and 30 seconds later, Tommy's distinctive and iconic vocals enter right in his sweet spot range. It's excellent for the band of course, but it's also a full orchestral piece of music that is brilliantly scored by Stefan Podell. The use of the strings is lush, the woodwinds are playful, the harp is engaging, the brass add a ton of color and the added percussion like shaker and mallets bring the feel of the orchestra to completion. Color, movement, style and brilliance! All things that embody Tommy, his music and the raw talent of my students.

"'Get Up! Get back on your feet — you're the one they can't beat and you know it. Come on! Let's see what you've got — just take your best shot and don't blow it.'

"Incredible words of inspiration during this time in our world. Perfect for young musicians to play and portray as a message of hope and positivity to the masses."

Bitchin' Sauce founder and vice president L.A. Edwards says: "Bitchin' Sauce is excited to be associated with iconic rocker Tommy Shaw and STYX's classic song 'Fooling Yourself'. STYX's impact on music is an inspiration for my band, L.A. EDWARDS, and we're stoked to have Bitchin' Sauce be a part of this amazing video premiere."

It's not the first time Shaw performed with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, which is the first and only youth orchestra in the country dedicated to the study and performance of contemporary orchestral literature. STYX first played with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in 2006 for a show dubbed "One With Everything", which was released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on multiple formats later that year. The band performed a set of 16 songs, including three songs from their new album at the time, 2005's "Big Bang Theory".

In 2016, Shaw performed a one-night-only solo performance with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra titled "Sing For The Day!" on at Cleveland State University's Waetjen Auditorium. That performance first aired on AXS TV on July 9, 2017, and was later released on Blu-ray, CD, and digital formats on June 29, 2018 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. It debuted on four of Billboard's charts, including No. 5 on the "Classical Albums" chart, No. 5 on the "Classical Crossover Albums" chart, No. 6 on the "Top DVD Music Videos" chart, No. 8 on the "Music Video Sales" chart, and No. 49 on the "Rock Albums" chart. It also jumped to No. 2 in its second week on the "Top DVD Music Videos" chart.

Jack Russell (GREAT WHITE, JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE) and Robin McAuley (MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP, SURVIVOR) have teamed up with several friends to record a quarantine acoustic cover version of the TOTO classic "Hold The Line". Joining them are Robby Lochner (JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE) on steel-string acoustic guitars, Jose Antonio Rodriguez on nylon-string guitars, Felix "D-Kat" Pollard on drums, Javy Bojorquez on bass, and Morgan Myles on backing vocals.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is working on material for the follow-up to 2017's "He Saw It Comin'" LP.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE has just released "Once Bitten Acoustic Bytes", a very special acoustic album revisiting GREAT WHITE's 1987 multi-platinum masterpiece "Once Bitten" featuring some of the band's biggest and most recognizable hits, including "Save Your Love" and "Rock Me".

"He Saw It Comin'" was released in January 2017 and featured the singles "Blame It On The Night", "Sign Of The Times" and "Love Don't Live Here".

Irish vocalist McAuley is best known for fronting MCAULEY SCHENKER GROUP from 1986 to 1993. Alongside Graham Bonnet and Gary Barden, he has toured with MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST in recent years and also appears on the group's two albums, 2018's "Resurrection" and 2019's "Revelation".

McAuley has also performed with GRAND PRIX, SURVIVOR and FAR CORPORATION. In 1999, McAuley released his solo album, "Business As Usual", written and recorded with the help of future SURVIVOR bandmate Frankie Sullivan. As well, McAuley is a longtime member of the star-studded "Raiding The Rock Vault" cast and the vocalist for all-star project BLACK SWAN, featuring Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson and Matt Starr.

Matt Sorum has credited Ringo Starr with being the reason he became a drummer.

The former GUNS N' ROSES member took to his Instagram earlier today (Tuesday, July 7) to share a photo of him with Ringo, and he included the following message: "Happy 80th Birthday Ringo , this is a shot from my upcoming book that will be out next year now . The reason I became a drummer was this man. Like many of us in the mid 60s that saw THE BEATLES on Tv when they first came to America.They appeared on The Ed Sullivan although I was a bit young and their 4th appearance is what captured my attention with the song I Feel Fine. I then received a 45 record from my Brother Mark of A Hard Days night and I was never the same along with the rest of the world .

"Over 73 million tuned in to the Sullivan show that changed Rock n' Roll forever.

"I'm honored to call Ringo a friend as we'd usually be outside the Capitol building today sharing Peace And Love .

"You continue to be a huge inspiration in my life Ringo. Watch the Ringo celebration tonight at 5pm with a ton of cool guests @ringostarrmusic for info ..thank you for the great photo @dannybones64"

Sorum's autobiography, "Double Talkin' Jive: True Rock 'N' Roll Stories From The Drummer Of Guns N' Roses, The Cult, And Velvet Revolver", which was previously due in April and was subsequently pushed back to early July, will now arrive in 2021.

Sorum, who replaced Steven Adler in GUNS N' ROSES, recorded the highly successful albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" (both 1991) and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1994). He also supported the group on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and can be heard on GUNS N' ROSES' "Live Era: '87-'93" (1999) and "Greatest Hits" (2004).

Sorum has said in the past that a GUNS reunion tour should have included both him and Adler, with each playing the songs they recorded with the group. Sorum was inducted as a member of the band into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2012.

Photo credit: Michael Segal
























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Happy 80th Birthday Ringo , this is a shot from my upcoming book that will be out next year now . The reason I became a drummer was this man. Like many of us in the mid 60s that saw The Beatles on Tv when they first came to America.They appeared on The Ed Sullivan although I was a bit young and their 4th appearance is what captured my attention with the song I Feel Fine. I then received a 45 record from my Brother Mark of A Hard Days night and I was never the same along with the rest of the world . Over 73 million tuned in to the Sullivan show that changed Rock n’ Roll forever. I’m honored to call Ringo a friend as we’d usually be outside the Capitol building today sharing Peace And Love . You continue to be a huge inspiration in my life Ringo. Watch the Ringo celebration tonight at 5pm with a ton of cool guests @ringostarrmusic for info ..thank you for the great photo @dannybones64

A post shared by Matt Sorum (@mattsorum) on Jul 7, 2020 at 8:41am PDT

Sonicbond Publishing has released a new book, "Dream Theater: Every Album, Every Song", from author Jordan Blum.

No other band has affected modern progressive metal as deeply or widely as American quintet DREAM THEATER. Formed at Berklee College Of Music as Majesty in 1985 by guitarist John Petrucci, drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist John Myung, the group have spent 30 years repeatedly pushing new boundaries and reinventing their identity. Although other acts — such as QUEENSRŸCHE and FATES WARNING — paved the way for the prog-metal subgenre, DREAM THEATER were, without doubt, the first to meld influences from both metal and progressive rock into a groundbreaking blend of quirky instrumentation, extensively complex arrangements, and exceptional songwriting. Whether with subtly or overtly, they've since left their mark on just about every progressive metal band that has followed.

In this book, Blum examines every DREAM THEATER studio album, and their behind-the-scenes circumstances, to explore how the group impacted the genre with each release. Whether classics of the 1990s like "Images And Words" and "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory", benchmarks of the 2000s like "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence" and "Octavarium", or even thrilling modern efforts like "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" and "Distance Over Time", every sequence of albums contributes something crucial to making DREAM THEATER's legacy nothing short of astonishing.

Blum is an associate editor at PopMatters, holds an MFA in creative writing, and is the founder/editor‐in‐chief of The Bookends Review, an independent creative arts journal. He focuses mostly on progressive rock/metal and has contributed to many other publications, including Sonic Perspectives, Paste, Progression, Metal Injection, Rebel Noise, Prog and Sea Of Tranquility. He is the author of "Jethro Tull On Track", published by Sonicbond in 2019. Finally, he records his own crazy ideas under the pseudonym Neglected Spoon. He teaches English courses at various colleges. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation will provide a second round of new grants totaling $295,000 to five organizations doing essential work during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to continuing to support Feeding America, which partners with food banks around the United States; Crew Nation, Live Nation's initiative to provide relief to touring and venue crews; the United States Bartenders Guild Foundation, which benefits bar workers and people in the service industries; and Direct Relief, which aims to support medical professionals and first responders across the U.S.; the band has announced a fifth grantee as its partners with MusicCares in the organization's efforts to assist music industry professionals affected by the pandemic.

METALLICA says in a statement: "We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of fans and friends around the world as many continue to face unimaginable challenges in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to your contributions to our fundraisers during #MetallicaMondays, our #MonthOfGiving, and directly to our site, as well as a substantial donation from our friends at @salesforce, we're excited to announce that #AWMH will be providing a second round of new grants totaling $295,000 to five organizations doing essential work during this difficult time.

"In addition to continuing to support @feedingamerica, @directrelief, @livenation's #CrewNation initiative, and the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) through the @usbgncf, we are proud to announce a fifth grantee as we partner with @musicares, in their efforts to assist music industry professionals affected by the pandemic."

The goal of the All Within My Hands foundation, which was launched in 2016 in San Rafael, California, is to help creating sustainable communities by tackling the issues of hunger and workforce education and encouraging volunteerism.

The METALLICA family and the All Within My Hands foundation board members are committed to running an organization of the highest integrity where expenses are kept to a minimum and are paid for entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years and are excited to help in this mission. As such, 100% of all donations from fans and third parties go to the organizations AWMH supports.

All Within My Hands reported assets of $3.2 million on its most recent Form 990.
























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We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of fans and friends around the world as many continue to face unimaginable challenges in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to your contributions to our fundraisers during #MetallicaMondays, our #MonthOfGiving, and directly to our site, as well as a substantial donation from our friends at @salesforce, we’re excited to announce that #AWMH will be providing a second round of new grants totaling $295,000 to five organizations doing essential work during this difficult time. In addition to continuing to support @feedingamerica, @directrelief, @livenation's #CrewNation initiative, and the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) through the @usbgncf, we are proud to announce a fifth grantee as we partner with @musicares, in their efforts to assist music industry professionals affected by the pandemic. Learn more at allwithinmyhands.org. Link in bio. #MetallicaGivesBack

A post shared by All Within My Hands Foundation (@allwithinmyhandsfoundation) on Jul 7, 2020 at 9:49am PDT

HOOKERS & BLOW, the project formed by longtime GUNS N' ROSES keyboardist Dizzy Reed and QUIET RIOT guitarist Alex Grossi, has been hitting the studio to record a covers album, due later this year via Golden Robot Records.

Today sees the arrival of the LP's third single, an emotive version of David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" that truly and respectfully holds a candle up to the original. Also available are previously released covers of THE ROLLING STONES' "Rocks Off" and Eddie Money's "Shakin'".

Guitarist Alex Grossi comments: "'Ziggy Stardust' has been in the HOOKERS & BLOW live set since our very first show 17 years ago. We are really happy that we were able to capture the vibe of the way we do it live in the studio."

HOOKERS & BLOW's album is being produced by Alistair James, who recently worked with Joe Perry, Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp on the latest HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES disc.

In 2013, HOOKERS & BLOW hosted two back-to-back residencies at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood and in 2018 celebrated its 15th anniversary with two extensive tours, headlining a 25-city "Holiday Hangover" run, as well as supporting THE DEAD DAISIES on their first headline trek of North America.

Over the past 15 years, HOOKERS & BLOW's touring members have included Todd Kerns (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS), Chip Z'Nuff (ENUFF Z' NUFF), Mike Dupke (W.A.S.P.), Scott Griffin (L.A. GUNS) and comedian Don Jamieson of VH1's "That Metal Show", among others.

In addition to Reed and Grossi, HOOKERS & BLOW's current lineup includes Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE, DANZIG), Robbie Crane (BLACK STAR RIDERS) and Nadja Reed.

Former SEPULTURA and current SOULFLY frontman Max Cavalera has launched "Max Trax", a twice-weekly Internet video series in which he discusses the inspiration for many of the songs spanning his nearly 40-year music career.

The third "Max Trax" episode, focusing on the SOULFLY track "Rise Of The Fallen", from the 2010 album "Omen", can be seen below.

Cavalera, who is also involved with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and KILLER BE KILLED, broke the news of his online project in a video message posted to SOULFLY social media on June 23.

He said: "I'm announcing the launch of 'Max Trax'. It's a very raw way that I'm gonna go through all the songs I recorded all my life — all the riffs; 'riff vortex.' So I'm gonna explain how the riff was created, I'm gonna explain where the idea came for the riff, I'm gonna talk about the lyrics. I'm gonna dissect in a very raw way — nothing high technology, none of that bullshit. It's gonna be all done here [at home], with my equipment that I always record with; a drum machine. I'm gonna tell you what the inspiration for the songs come from, all the way back from 'Funeral Rites', 'Morbid Visions', going through everything — 'Refuse/Resist', 'Propaganda', fucking 'Roots Bloody Roots', 'Eye For An Eye', 'Jump Da Fuck Up'. All of them have amazing, cool stories. You guys are gonna love it. I promise you it's gonna be so fucking fun and cool and exciting. And I'll play along, if you wanna learn how to play those songs too."

He continued: "So I'm gonna be doing this every Tuesday and every Saturday — it's gonna be a different song every Tuesday and every Saturday — around two o'clock, more or less, West Coast time. The first one I'm doing is 'Eye For An Eye' with the original lyrics that you guys don't know; I had different lyrics for it. It's gonna be really, really fun; it's gonna be really cool. I can't wait to share this with you. So watch out for 'Max Trax' coming at you. We're gonna enjoy. The shit's gonna be fucking awesome. Fuck shit up! Max Cavalera. Stay metal."

Last month, SOULFLY released a new digital EP, "Live Ritual NYC MMXIX". The effort was recorded at The Gramercy in New York City on February 11, 2019 while SOULFLY was on tour in support of its most recent full-length album, "Ritual". The audio for the EP was mixed and mastered by Charles Elliott (ABYSMAL DAWN) from Tastemaker Audio. Cover artwork was comprised of live photos taken by Rodrigo Fredes.

"Ritual" was released in October 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2015's "Archangel" was produced, recorded and mixed by Josh Wilbur (KILLER BE KILLED, LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA). Cover artwork was painted by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, SODOM). Additional booklet art was handled by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER, HATEBREED, KREATOR), who also handled the package design. The album features multiple guests, including Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD).




Max Trax. Rise of the Fallen!

Posted by Soulfly on Saturday, July 4, 2020

Sebastian Bach says that Stephen Pearcy's Twitter "account got hacked" and the RATT singer never implied Americans should refrain from wearing a cloth face mask or covering in public even though it protects against the coronavirus.

"We just got a text from @StephenEPearcy + Kristi telling us that Stephens account got hacked and he never tweeted to unmask America," Bach tweeted Friday night (July 3). "I am so happy to hear that one of my heroes and great friends is on the good team. We have got to do everything we can to get our lives back!!"

Two days ago, Pearcy came under fire for apparently sharing the hashtag #UnMaskAmerica on his Twitter, which many of his followers took to mean that he was telling them to defy country-mandated orders to wear masks or face coverings. Pearcy later deleted the tweet and shared a photo of himself with braided hair, holding a Robbin Crosby guitar while wearing a mirrored face mask with the caption: "Maybe if we all wear this mask, we can all have peace. Or we can wait for the real guys to come down and straighten things out. I'm waiting for the Ass kicking" In response to Stephen's tweet, Bach wrote: "Dude this shit is actually not funny. Please stop embarrassing yourself and all of rock and roll"

Later on Thursday, Pearcy seemingly tried to explain away his #UnMaskAmerica tweet, writing: "I only apologize for things that hurt my audience, politics leave me the fuck out, don't be starting shit. Not into it. Not for press, not for nothing. Note; If my post was so far above heads I'll explain. ALL peoples, races, if we had the same face (Extraterrestrial alien) no prejudice. Peace." He added: "#mask or do as you please. That was an unfinished post."

With most U.S. states requiring masks at least in crowded spots where social distancing isn't possible, several hard rock and heavy metal musicians have used their platforms to remind their followers to mask up amid the coronavirus pandemic, including TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick, QUEENSRŸCHE's Todd La Torre, TRIVIUM's Paolo Gregoletto and SONS OF APOLLO's Mike Portnoy.

Three weeks ago, the U.S. Surgeon General urged people to wear face coverings, saying they will promote freedom during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Some feel face coverings infringe on their freedom of choice- but if more wear them, we'll have MORE freedom to go out. Face coverings [leads to] less asymptomatic viral spread [leads to] more places open, and sooner!" Dr. Jerome Adams wrote on Twitter.

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

In early April, the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention issued new guidelines that Americans should wear face coverings in public.




We just got a text from @StephenEPearcy + Kristi telling us that Stephens account got hacked and he never tweeted to unmask America. I am so happy to hear that one of my heroes and great friends is on the good team ✌️ We have got to do everything we can to get our lives back!!?

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) July 4, 2020








so this “hacker” had multiple pictures of him wearing masks and saying the whole thing is stupid. i don’t believe it for a second, you’ve been bamboozled!

— ?????? ? (@shoutatthe666) July 4, 2020








That’s hysterical that it what he went with. Did I just post this or was I ‘hacked’ too?! ???

— Ruben Mosqueda (@theheavyside) July 4, 2020








Nah. He's just backtracking now, because of all the hate hitting him because of his advertisments of his ignorant ideology

— ReclusiveCreative (@D_Introvert) July 4, 2020








That's good to hear....it did sound a little weird he would tweet that cause he's always respectable and cool...?

— adamdreamz (@adamdreamz) July 4, 2020








I believe you that he told you that, but I don’t believe him.

— Molly (@mollyfy) July 4, 2020








I call bullshit bro. Love Ratt but hes trying to weasel out of this now

— Neil Lipton (@ngl0917) July 4, 2020








He’s off his rocker. He fell out of a tree. He’s been standing on shaky ground, and there’s no helping Steve. pic.twitter.com/tVGxq3l2HJ

— MAF WORKSHOP (@MAFworkshop) July 4, 2020








yup, most common excuse.... ''it wasn't me, my account got hacked into''. Heard that so many times before.

— ColonelKickass (@Nordman5000) July 4, 2020








I call bullshit on his account getting hacked. He’s not a flaming liberal like you are , he’s just saying that because the left attacked him and he doesn’t want them to cancel him. He’s more relevant then you know that he’s in a geico commercial

— Red Sox fan (@crapsdealer420) July 4, 2020








I would hope he would feel free to hold whatever beliefs he chooses. It sounds like you don't value HIS opinion but rather YOUR opinion in his mouth. Sad.

P.S. Fabric masks don't prevent the spread of viral infection. Hugs and kisses.#Unmaskamerica

— The Patriot ?? (@ThePatr66230654) July 4, 2020

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 "Overactive Imagination" from the 1993 album "Individual Thought Patterns". Check out video of the performance below.

It was 1993 when DEATH cemented its reputation as one of the most creative and innovative progressive metal bands of our time by releasing its fifth studio album, "Individual Thought Patterns". The album was its most technical and progressive material to date while displaying the full talents of DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner.

In 2016, this legendary album was brought back to life in a live setting. With its tour, "European Thought Patterns", DEATH TO ALL paid tribute to the masterpiece along with classic cuts from all of the DEATH albums. The DEATH TO ALL lineup consisted of DiGiorgio, Hoglan, Koelble and Phelps, who joined forces to resurrect those iconic songs, along with many more milestones from DEATH's legendary history.

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 California rockers PAPA ROACH performing the song "Revenge" as part of their second live streaming experience iteration called "Infest In-Studio" can be seen below. The program was a special virtually ticketed, live HD broadcast, which took place June 20 from Sacramento, and it featured PAPA ROACH performing its multi-platinum, classic album "Infest", live in its entirety to celebrate the LP's 20th anniversary, along with exclusive discussions and reflections in a unique studio environment.

"We couldn't take not performing any longer," said frontman Jacoby Shaddix. "Having performed the 'Infest' album in full as a surprise one time before (during the band's sold-out 2015 gig at London's Roundhouse on the album's 15th anniversary), we decided to open this infestation to every living-room in the world to celebrate the 20th anniversary with us!"

PAPA ROACH's first live streaming event, "Infest In-Conversation", broadcast on the 20th anniversary of "Infest"'s release (April 25, 2020), drew 1.8 million live viewers on five platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube and VK. That program featured the band showing rare videos and photos and reminiscing with each other for nearly four hours along with members of DEFTONES, LINKIN PARK, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, KORN, as well as with Dave Buckner (the band's original drummer and founding member) and director Marcos Siega (Grammy-nominated director of the "Last Resort" and "Broken Home" music videos).

"Infest In-Studio" was co-produced by Papa Roach Productions and 10th Street Entertainment and directed by Push. It is available for streaming exclusively via VierLive.com.

"Infest" peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) for sales in excess of three million copies in the U.S. alone. The album featured the iconic hits "Last Resort" and "Broken Home" plus fan favorites "Blood Brothers" and "Between Angels & Insects".

This past February, Shaddix said that plans were afoot for PAPA ROACH to mark the LP's two-decade milestone.

"We've done some really cool things in the studio around some of the previous recordings, and we have some awesome stuff to release here throughout the year, so we're going to celebrate this album for sure — one hundred percent, definitely," the singer said.

Shaddix also spoke about the enduring popularity of "Infest"'s rap-rock anthem "Last Resort", which recently passed 100 million views on YouTube.

"That's our classic," he said. "That thing, it's given us such a relevance, even in pop culture. People are making memes — 'Cut my life into pizza.' I love that. 'Cause now I don't take it all too seriously, because it's embedded itself into pop culture, but then also the reality is that it's spoken to a lot of people's hearts that have been in that darkness, and going, 'Hey, man, there's some hope. You can come out of this. You don't have to stay in there.'"

Earlier in the year, PAPA ROACH completed a European tour with ICE NINE KILLS and HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD.

Ex-GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell says that he had nothing to do with last week's concert in Dickinson, North Dakota by his former band.

Video footage of Thursday night's (July 9) outdoor performance — which was part of the town's "First On First: Dickinson Summer Nights" series — showed there were no safety restrictions at the event, with attendees standing shoulder to shoulder and not a single person wearing a mask.

Earlier today, Russell released a video message in which he clarified that he hasn't played under the name "GREAT WHITE" in more than a decade and revealed that he has not toured in over five months due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Jack said: "Hey, this is Jack Russell from JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. I heard a nasty rumor going around that we played in North Dakota on Thursday night. Let me just tell you one thing: We haven't played under the name 'GREAT WHITE' in almost 11 years. This is Jack Russell of JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. If it doesn't say 'JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE,' it's not me or my band.

"I just want it to be known that we take this COVID thing very, very seriously, and everybody should be wearing a mask and people should be social distancing. And if you're not doing that, you're not doing your part. So, take it to task and wear a mask."

Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall founded GREAT WHITE in 1982. Both musicians were present at the 2003 show in Rhode Island where a fire caused by a pyrotechnic display claimed 100 lives. At the time of the incident, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Kendall said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Kendall later explained that the name GREAT WHITE was displayed on the marquee outside The Station nightclub because the owner of the venue wanted to "sell more tickets."

The GREAT WHITE lineup that performed in North Dakota consisted of Kendall, keyboardist/guitarist Michael Lardie, drummer Audie Desbrow, bassist Scott Snyder and singer Mitch Malloy.

On Saturday night, the Kendall-led GREAT WHITE apologized for the conditions at the North Dakota show, saying that "the promoter and staff assured us of the safety precautions. Our intent was simply to perform our gig, outside, in a welcoming, small town. We value the health and safety of each and every one of our fans, as well as our American and global community."

While numerous events have been imposing restrictions, such as wearing masks and social distancing, "First On First" has no such rules in place.

"We do not have restrictions, believe it or not, we don't have any," April Getz, an event coordinator for Odd Fellows, which organizes, runs and comes up with the funding for the events, told The Dickinson Press. "It's one of those things where if people feel comfortable coming down and mixing and mingling, that's their personal choice. We're leaving it up to everybody that chooses to attend."

GREAT WHITE's next show is scheduled for August 7 at Fort Madison, Iowa's Riverfest FM festival, which is "absolutely happening" despite the pandemic. "With all of the uncertainty, it would have been easy to throw in the towel on this year, but we firmly believe that 'If we rock it, they will come' and boy, do we have a line-up that is prepared to do just that," the festival organizers wrote on Facebook.

Ex-GREAT WHITE singer Terry Ilous says that he hasn't been associated with the band for two years.

Ilous issued a clarification after various mainstream media outlets posted a photo of GREAT WHITE from his time with the group in connection with his former bandmates' concert in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Video footage of Thursday night's (July 9) outdoor performance — which was part of the town's "First On First: Dickinson Summer Nights" series — showed there were no safety restrictions at the event, with attendees standing shoulder to shoulder and not a single person wearing a mask.

Earlier today, Terry posted the following message on Twitter: "An article is going around by @EW & is being shared by outlets such as @people @foxcarolinanews w/ my photo attached regarding GREAT WHITE [Band]. Amazing how so many outlets can share without fact checking. I haven't been associated with GW since 2018."

Ilous, formerly of '80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after replacing touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).

The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012's "Elation" and 2017's "Full Circle", before Terry was shown the door and replaced with Mitch Malloy.

Ilous later released a statement in which he claimed he was blindsided by his dismissal from GREAT WHITE, saying that he "proudly invested" all of his energy and focus "into the GREAT WHITE brand."

In May 2019, GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall told the "Music Mania" podcast that he and his bandmates felt that Malloy was a more suitable vocalist for GREAT WHITE than Ilous. "We feel like Mitch is a little bit better fit, not only image-wise but vocally," he said. "He delivers the songs in a way that's just more like the original. We don't wanna reinvent the songs. When we write new stuff, that's a different story. But you wanna deliver the hits well. People come down to hear that."




An article is going around by @EW & is being shared by outlets such as @people @foxcarolinanews w/ my photo attached regarding Great White [Band]. Amazing how so many outlets can share without fact checking. I haven't been associated with GW since 2018.

— Terry Ilous (@Terryilous) July 12, 2020

Veteran hard rockers GREAT WHITE have apologized for the conditions at their show this past Thursday night (July 9) in Dickinson, North Dakota. Video footage of the outdoor concert — which was part of the town's "First On First: Dickinson Summer Nights" series — showed there were no safety restrictions at the event, with attendees standing shoulder to shoulder and not a single person wearing a mask.

Earlier tonight, GREAT WHITE released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET via the band's publicist: "GREAT WHITE would like to address our Thursday, July 9, at First On First Dickinson Summer Nights concert in North Dakota.

"We understand that there are some people who are upset that we performed this show, during this trying time. We assure you that we worked with the Promoter. North Dakota's government recommends masks be worn, however, we are not in a position to enforce the laws.

"We have had the luxury of hindsight and we would like to apologize to those who disagree with our decision to fulfill our contractual agreement.

"The Promoter and staff were nothing but professional and assured us of the safety precautions.

"Our intent was simply to perform our gig, outside, in a welcoming, small town.

"We value the health and safety of each and every one of our fans, as well as our American and global community.

"We are far from perfect."

While numerous events have been imposing restrictions, such as wearing masks and social distancing, "First On First" has no such rules in place.

"We do not have restrictions, believe it or not, we don't have any," April Getz, an event coordinator for Odd Fellows, which organizes, runs and comes up with the funding for the events, told The Dickinson Press. "It's one of those things where if people feel comfortable coming down and mixing and mingling, that's their personal choice. We're leaving it up to everybody that chooses to attend."

As of Saturday (July 11), there have been a total of 4,243 confirmed coronavirus cases in North Dakota. A total of 87 people have died so far in the state as a result of COVID-19. 83 percent of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in North Dakota to date have recovered from the virus.

An average of around 3,700 tests are being conducted daily in North Dakota, where the positivity rate has remained relatively low. 4,327 tests were conducted Friday, yielding a 2% positivity rate.

North Dakota's pandemic-high number of active cases came May 21, when 670 residents were infected.

Earlier in the month, founding GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell — who is no longer in the group and who was not at the North Dakota concert — blasted people who refuse to wear a mask in public spaces to protect others from possible infection. He said: "The way it works out, if I just wear [my mask], I'm not that safe. If you put yours on too, I'm 70 percent safe as opposed to being zero-point-something [safe]. It's amazing the amount that it changes. It's, like, if you don't wanna help yourself, help everybody else. 'Well, it's my right. It's my human right.' Well, look, dude, you've gotta pay for your car to get smogged, you've gotta have a seat belt, you have a driver's license, you have to have a license to be born, you have to have a marriage license. I mean, so you have to wear a mask for a while so you don't die. What's the problem?"

Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall founded GREAT WHITE in 1982. Both musicians were present at the 2003 show in Rhode Island where a fire caused by a pyrotechnic display claimed 100 lives. At the time of the incident, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Kendall said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Kendall later explained that the name GREAT WHITE was displayed on the marquee outside The Station nightclub because the owner of the venue wanted to "sell more tickets."

Photo credit: Neil Zlozower