Grammy-nominated progressive heavy metal mainstays SPIRITBOX have unleashed the cinematic music video for their latest single, "Soft Spine", following its highly anticipated release earlier this month. The video arrives during the band's current North American tour with KORN, adding a visual exclamation point to one of the heaviest tracks of the year.

The "Soft Spine" video takes the band's aggressive energy and transforms it into a stunning visual spectacle. Featuring a dramatic fight scene, the Orie Mcginness-directed video sees goddess-like frontwoman Courtney LaPlante presiding over a brutal battle between cloaked warriors in an otherworldly arena. Epic visual effects bring the carnage to life, while the band performs in various ethereal locations throughout the arena, amplifying the video's cinematic feel.

LaPlante steals the spotlight, not only with her commanding vocal performance but also with multiple striking looks that deliver both face and fashion, complementing the video's hard-hitting intensity.

"Soft Spine" is yet another testament to SPIRITBOX's unstoppable momentum, and the accompanying video raises the stakes for heavy music visuals. Fans can catch the band live as they continue touring with KORN, before heading to Brazil and Mexico City for stadium shows with BRING ME THE HORIZON later this year.

For many artists, a meteoric rise can often mean a sudden plateau. However, for SPIRITBOX, there appears to be no end in sight on their near-constant ascent to the top. Formed in 2017 in the picturesque yet isolated region of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, by vocalist Courtney Laplante and guitarist Mike Stringer, SPIRITBOX would fully cement themselves as a household name in the summer of 2020 with the release of their blistering breakout single "Holy Roller", along with a host of other captivating singles shortly after, resulting in a media firestorm of hype.

With new and existing fans eagerly watching their next move, SPIRITBOX exceeded every expectation imaginable in 2021 with the release of their genre-defining debut studio album "Eternal Blue" via Pale Chord/Rise Records. "Eternal Blue", which debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, kicked open the doors of the heavy metal scene and rewrote the genre's playbook with 12 stunning tracks that incorporated everything from djent and post-metal to infectious synth-laden pop sensibilities and cinematic arrangements, brought fully to life by the inimitable Laplante's ethereal and commanding vocal performances.

The album cycle for "Eternal Blue" saw SPIRITBOX not only grace the covers of esteemed music publications such as Revolver, Alternative Press, Rock Sound and Kerrang!, among many others but would also solidify the band as one of the most in-demand groups in live music today with their one-hundred percent sold out, first-ever headlining tour in support of the album which saw ticket sales over 40,000. The band would also share the stage with seasoned metal veterans such as LIMP BIZKIT and GHOST and win "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2021 Heavy Music Awards.

In 2022, SPIRITBOX secured highly coveted spots at numerous major U.S. rock and metal festivals and were nominated for two Juno Awards. SPIRITBOX would also round out their current lineup with the inclusion of drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert in addition to releasing their sonically experimental EP "Rotoscope" in June of that year as well as a cross-genre collaboration with dubstep artist Illenium for the track "Shivering".

During another whirlwind year for the band, including a U.S. tour with SHINEDOWN and PAPA ROACH, SPIRITBOX wrote and recorded their critically acclaimed EP "The Fear Of Fear", released in November 2023. The EP features the single "Jaded", which was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 66th annual Grammy Awards. In the same month, the band would make another genre-bending splash with a high-profile collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion for a remix of her song "Cobra".

Whatever comes next for SPIRITBOX, one thing is for sure: expect the unexpected and a firm commitment to creating wholly authentic music with passion, purpose, and constant evolution.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

Marilyn Manson will release his twelfth album, "One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1", on November 22 via Nuclear Blast Records. The new album is available now for pre-order in a variety of formats with accompanying apparel at this location.

Coinciding with the album announcement is the release of Manson's latest single, "Sacrilegious", along with an accompanying music video directed by Bill Yukich.

"One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1" track listing:

01. One Assassination Under God
02. No Funeral Without Applause
03. Nod If You Understand
04. As Sick As The Secrets Within
05. Sacrilegious
06. Death Is Not A Costume
07. Meet Me In Purgatory
08. Raise The Red Flag
09. Sacrifice Of The Mass

Last month, Manson released two new songs, "Raise The Red Flag" and "As Sick As The Secrets Within".

Marilyn performed "As Sick As The Secrets Within" live for the first time during his headlining concert on August 3 at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Manson returned to the stage August 2 for his first live performance since before the pandemic at the kick-off concert of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's summer arena tour. The show at Hershey, Pennsylvania's Hersheypark Stadium marked Manson's proper gig since the completion of his fall 2019 headlining tour.

Joining Manson on his current tour is his new touring band, consisting of returning members Tyler Bates on guitar and Gil Sharone (ex-THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) on drums, alongside the latest additions, Reba Meyers (CODE ORANGE) on guitar and Matt Montgomery (a.k.a. Piggy D.; ex-ROB ZOMBIE) on bass.

"As Sick As The Secrets Within", which was recorded and co-produced with collaborator Tyler Bates, marked Manson's first release via his new deal with Nuclear Blast Records.

The news of a partnership with Nuclear Blast came in May, just weeks after rumors suggested that Manson had already completed work on a new album.

Prior to the arrival of "As Sick As The Secrets Within", Marilyn hadn't released new music since his 2020 "We Are Chaos" LP.

Manson's 30-date arena/amphitheater tour as the support act for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH wrapped up on September 19 in Houston, Texas.

Over the past three years, Manson has been embroiled in a series of court battles and has been accused by several women — most notably "Westworld" star Evan Rachel Wood — of sexual, emotional and physical abuse.

Manson, who has denied all the allegations, has countersued a number of his alleged victims and judges have dismissed several of the abuse lawsuits against him.

Before launching last month's tour with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, the 55-year-old musician, whose real name is Brian Warner, had been off the road since the final August 18, 2019 date on the "Twins of Evil: Hell Never Dies" joint tour with Rob Zombie.

In 2022, Marilyn confirmed he was dropped by his record label, Loma Vista Recordings, and talent agency CAA after he was accused of sexual assault.

Manson has consistently denied sexually assaulting or abusing anyone, claiming that his "intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners".

Manson's first release through Concord imprint Loma Vista was "The Pale Emperor" in 2015.

"We Are Chaos" debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart.

Fan-filmed video of SEPULTURA's entire September 25 performance at The Warfield in San Francisco, California can be seen below (courtesy of the TJ YouTube channel).

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Refuse/Resist
02. Territory
03. Kairos
04. Phantom Self
05. Attitude
06. Means To An End
07. Breed Apart
08. Guardians Of Earth
09. Mind War
10. False
11. Choke
12. Escape To The Void
13. Kaiowas
14. Dead Embryonic Cells
15. Agony Of Defeat
16. Troops Of Doom
17. Inner Self
18. Arise
19. Ratamahatta
20. Roots Bloody Roots

The Brazilian/American metallers kicked off the North American leg of their massive "Celebrating Life Through Death" farewell tour on September 17 at the Concord Music Hall in Chicago, Illinois. The band is playing a career-spanning set that honors SEPULTURA's 40 years of existence. Joining SEPULTURA on this momentous tour are Florida-based death metal veterans OBITUARY, iconic New York hardcore pioneers AGNOSTIC FRONT, and São Paulo, Brazil's death/thrash metallers CLAUSTROFOBIA.

In a recent interview with Metal Hammer magazine, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser and vocalist Derrick Green were asked about their plans for after the completion of the band's ongoing 40th-anniversary "farewell" tour. Andreas said: "I don't know, and it feels great. I want to study acoustic guitar, and to create instructional material on the SEPULTURA music. I've done small things here and there, but not a complete overview of my guitar playing and writing. I will decide when the time comes, but right now it is time to celebrate the moment."

Derrick added: "I want to do a lot more with the TV show I'm working on, 'Highway To Health'. I've also been interested in doing voiceover work in animation or commercials. Musically, I'd like to do something outside of metal with more singing, but if somebody approaches with something I think is intriguing, I'm definitely open to that, because I never want to step away from music."

Asked if Andreas and Derrick will still work together in the future, Kisser quipped: "Nah. We only talk to each other by contract. When the contract is done, we're done. [Laughs] No, of course there are a lot of possibilities. I would love to work with Derrick outside of SEPULTURA. We have the idea for a reggae project on the cards, which we have a great name for. The comfort zone is the worst thing that can happen to an artist. It would be boring to stop SEPULTURA and do something else that is SEPULTURA-like."

SEPULTURA's new touring drummer Greyson Nekrutman officially replaced the band's longtime drummer Eloy Casagrande in February.

SEPULTURA kicked off its farewell tour on March 1 at Arena Hall in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The sold-out show marked the band's debut performance with Nekrutman, who previously played with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.

The 22-year-old Nekrutman is one of the most explosive young players in the drumming world, having garnered a legion of fans since bursting on to the international music scene just a few short years ago.

SEPULTURA announced Eloy's departure on February 27, explaining in a statement that he was leaving to join "another project", with Eloy later confirming that he is the new drummer of SLIPKNOT.

The news of Eloy's exit from SEPULTURA came just two months after the band announced it would celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024 by embarking on a "farewell tour" which will cover the entire globe.

In SEPULTURA's statement, the remaining bandmembers expressed their shock over Casagrande's departure, saying they were "taken by surprise" that their now-former drummer would "abandon everything related to SEPULTURA" less than a month prior to the start of the tour.

VENAMORIS, the project featuring legendary extreme metal drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, FANTÔMAS, TESTAMENT, MR. BUNGLE, MISFITS, DEAD CROSS) and his wife Paula, has signed with Ipecac Recordings, prepping a 2025 sophomore release, with a glimpse of what's to come with today's release of the entrancing track "In The Shadows".

Paula Lombardo states: "'In The Shadows' is a song that arose from real-life feelings. The pulsating drum wholly evocative of marching forward even when internal unrest is still close at hand. It is a call for self-acceptance with the heaviness of a life well lived."

Dave Lombardo added: "VENAMORIS is such an intimate project for the two of us. To have our sophomore album in Ipecac's exceptionally skilled hands is a dream realized. We are estatic to be a part of this audacious label."

VENAMORIS captures the essence of a sound that is alluring and deeply emotional, blending sultry vocals with mesmerizing instrumentation to create an enveloping experience that is as hypnotic as it is emotionally charged. Like a whispered secret, there's something seductive yet provocative about the noir-tinged songs they create. Brooklyn Vegan, describing an earlier single, adeptly said VENAMORIS has "PORTISHEAD-meets-David Lynch vibes."

Founded in 2021 by what can only be called, astral influence, VENAMORIS was launched a result of some persistent persuasion on Dave's part. The 59-year-old musician, who was in charge of drums and production on VENAMORIS's debut album, 2023's "Drown In Emotion", explained: "Several months after meeting Paula in 2010, she hesitantly shared with me her past decade-long career as the lead backup singer for Wayne Newton. She later played me some of the demos she recorded throughout the years, and I was floored by her sonically soothing, rich tone and natural, instinctive ability to harmonize. I was determined to persuade her to return to her creative self. It's been a deeply gratifying journey witnessing this music come to life."

Canadian-born singer/songwriter Paula Lombardo, who performs vocals and piano for this project, bursts with vulnerability and intimacy, addressing a broad scope of emotion: anger, healing, pain, hope. It's evident that VENAMORIS was founded out of love, passion, communication, respect, and trust. One person thriving in music encouraged the other, who had abandoned music to find their way back. It is the result of many late nights with too much wine, and even more truth laid bare: an aural couple's journaling generously shared with the world.

During a question-and-answer session with the readers of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Lombardo was asked if he would play with SLAYER again if the band reunited and wanted him to be part of the lineup. He said: "I don't think that's ever going to happen. But, yeah, I'd listen to whatever it is they had to say. That's it. You can't go any further than that."

Lombardo, who has spent most of the recent years between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS, hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS and MR. BUNGLE, was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He was later replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001.

Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER's tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained.

Last weekend, SLAYER played its first reunion concert at the Riot Fest in Chicago. Joining Araya and Bostaph in the band's reunited lineup are guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt.

Fan-filmed video of LINKIN PARK's September 24 concert at O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom can be seen in the YouTube playlist below.

LINKIN PARK's setlist included two new songs, "The Emptiness Machine" and "Heavy Is The Crown", both of which will appear on the band's upcoming album "From Zero", due on November 15 via Warner. It will mark LINKIN PARK's first full-length effort since 2017's "One More Light", which was the last LINKIN PARK album before the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington.

London marked the fourth concert of LINKIN PARK's comeback mini-tour, following dates in Los Angeles, New York and Hamburg. All four shows featured LINKIN PARK performing a two-hour set on a high-tech stage shaped like an aircraft carrier, allowing for a unique production as well as a greater-than-usual number of tickets sold at each venue.

As was the case with the Los Angeles, New York and Hamburg shows, the London gig showcased LINKIN PARK's new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who have joined returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and Joe Hahn in the band's new lineup. Guitarist Alex Feder is filling in for Delson at all LINKIN PARK concerts for the foreseeable future.

"Heavy Is the Crown" is the 2024 League Of Legends World Championship Anthem, marking the band's first collaboration with Riot Games.

Earlier this week, LINKIN PARK added three November dates to the "From Zero" tour, in Paris, Dallas, and São Paulo. Fan club exclusive presales start September 25 and general on-sales start September 27.

In an interview with Billboard about LINKIN PARK's comeback, Shinoda explained that drummer Rob Bourdon — who had founded the band with Mike and Brad — had decided to exit LP.

"Rob had said to us at a point, I guess it was a few years ago now, that he wanted to put some distance between himself and the band," Shinoda said. "And we understood that — it was already apparent. He was starting to just show up less, be in less contact, and I know the fans noticed it too. The 'Hybrid Theory' re-release [in 2020] and 'Papercuts' release [this past April], he didn't show up for anything. So for me, as a friend, that was sad, but at the same time, I want him to do whatever makes him happy, and obviously everybody wishes him the best."

According to a press release, Shinoda, Delson, Farrell and Hahn "quietly began meeting up again in recent years" and "rather than 'trying to restart the band,'" they worked with numerous musicians and "found a special kinship with Armstong and Brittain."

Regarding the band's new lineup and future plans, Shinoda said in a statement: "Before LINKIN PARK, our first band name was XERO. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking. Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future — embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and longtime bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans. We are proud of what LINKIN PARK has become over the years, and excited about the journey ahead."

"The Emptiness Machine" is said to "channel the DNA of LINKIN PARK." Shinoda said the band feels "really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we've made together," adding that they are "weaving together the sonic touchpoints we've been known for and still exploring new ones."

In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian was asked which METALLICA album he thinks is better, "Ride The Lightning" or "Master Of Puppets". He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Personally, 'Master Of Puppets' was listened to more, but there's some bangers on 'Ride The Lightning' that are undeniably some of the greatest metal songs ever written. Those two albums not only have inspired me, but I still listen to them. That's what they are. And that's where you know something's that good. So it's so hard to compare. They're different beasts. 'Master', to me, is more commercial, which is completely not a commercial, but, to me, it's more [commercial] because there's more memorable parts and songs because they have riffs are just like... But 'Ride The Lightning' had these long compositions, and that's what… I mean, so did 'Master'."

He continued: "See, it's like really hard, bro. But 'Ride' was the first one that I was, like, you have to listen — put those headphones on and just fricking go into it and just kind of let it take you… 'Fade To Black' was one of those tearjerkers, like, 'Tears are coming out and I don't know what's going on' — that kind of stuff. There's vibes in there, bro, there's vibes and they created that without any real future plans. They did that — they did that. It came out of them and I love that.

When MikeZ asked if "Ride The Lightning" would be Shavo's pick of the two, the bassist said: "I don't know. I can't say that. I didn't say that. This is a hard one, because I've listened to them just as much. 'Ride' has more — to me; this is personal — compositions, where they're not catchy; they're just compositions. But then there's catchier tunes, more memorable tunes on 'Master'… 'Orion' is ridiculous. That's like a masterpiece on that record."

After MikeZ said that "Orion" "pushes" "Master Of Puppets" "over the edge" for him, Shavo concurred. "You know what? Now that you said that, I'm gonna agree with you on the 'Master' thing, because 'Orion'is on 'Master'," he said. "And that's the debate that I'm gonna take that side because of the song 'Orion'. That thing is ridiculous. And to know that humans wrote that and they're still out there writing and they're still out there performing, like all the power."

Shavo's new band SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET will release its self-titled debut album on October 11 via the Sumerian Records imprint 1336 Records. Shavo is joined in the group by vocalist Taylor Barber (LEFT TO SUFFER),WINDS OF PLAGUE guitarist Michael Montoya (a.k.a. Morgoth Beatz, a producer and songwriter who has previously collaborated with Travis Barker, JuiceWrld, Lil Xan, Jonathan Davis, ISSUES and many more),guitarist/backing vocalist Alejandro Aranda (a.k.a. Scarypoolparty, "American Idol") and drummer Josh Johnson (WINDS OF PLAGUE).

SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET will make its live debut at this year's Mayhem festival, set to take place on October 12 at the Glen Helen Amphitheatre in San Bernardino.

Two of MINISTRY's seminal albums are set for re-releases next month as part of Rhino's annual Rocktober campaign offering limited-edition vinyl by iconic Warner Music artists. On October 4, deluxe editions of 1986's "Twitch" and 1988's "The Land Of Rape And Honey" will be available at local record stores while supplies last. Below are full details on each special release.

"Twitch (Deluxe Edition)"

The deluxe edition of MINISTRY's "Twitch" highlights their early industrial sound with tracks like "Just Like You" and "Over The Shoulder". It includes remixes and extended versions such as "All Day Remix" and "Over The Shoulder (12" Version)". This edition offers a deeper dive into the band's innovative and brooding style. On 2LP black vinyl.

"The Land Of Rape And Honey (Deluxe Edition)"

Experience the raw power of MINISTRY's "The Land Of Rape And Honey" in deluxe edition. This definitive collection includes iconic tracks like "Stigmata" and the haunting title track, plus exclusive remixes and extended cuts. Dive into the intense energy and industrial ferocity of this genre-defining album. On 2LP black vinyl.

The news follows MINISTRY's whirlwind summer as a featured guest on the "Freaks On Parade" tour headlined by ROB ZOMBIE and ALICE COOPER. MINISTRY has one more concert date left for 2024, with an appearance at California's Aftershock festival on October 10.

MINISTRY's 16th studio album, "Hopiumforthemasses", is also out now via Nuclear Blast Records and streaming on all networks, featuring single "Goddamn White Trash", plus "Just Stop Oil", as well as "B.D.E." and "New Religion".

Joined by MINISTRY's current frontline of musicians — creator and mastermind Al Jourgensen, John Bechdel (keyboards),Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars),Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D'Amour (bass) — "Hopiumforthemasses" also has a slew of special guest contributors including GOGOL BORDELLO's Eugene Hutz, longtime collaborator and LARD companion Jello Biafra and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY frontman Pepper Keenan.

Born in 1981 in Chicago, MINISTRY has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, MINISTRY was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the 1980s. MINISTRY's output began with four 12-inch singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP "With Sympathy" in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did MINISTRY, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums "Twitch" (1986),"The Land Of Rape And Honey" (1988) and "The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste" (1989). With the release of "Psalm 69: The Way To Succeed And The Way To Suck Eggs" (1992),MINISTRY hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, MINISTRY has been nominated for a Grammy Award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with "AmeriKKKant", continuing to reflect Jourgensen's views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album "Moral Hygiene" marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. MINISTRY's 16th studio album, "Hopiumforthemasses", was released March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Photo by Derick Smith

NICKELBACK will release a new live album, "Live From Nashville", on November 15 via BMG. The LP was recorded at the band's August 2023 show at Nashville, Tennessee's s Bridgestone Arena as part of NICKELBACK's "Get Rollin'" tour and features special guest appearances from Ernest ("Flower Shops"),Josh Ross and Brantley Gilbert (for a cover of Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road"),Chris Daughtry ("Savin' Me"),Bailey Zimmerman ("Rockstar") and Hardy ("Sold Out").

The first single from "Live From Nashville", a live version of "San Quentin", can be streamed below.

"Live From Nashville" track listing:

01. San Quentin
02. Savin' Me (with Chris Daughtry)
03. Far Away
04. Animals
05. Someday
06. Worthy To Say
07. Figured You Out
08. Hero
09. Copperhead Road (with Brantley Gilbert + Josh Ross)
10. High Time
11. Flower Shops (with Ernest)
12. Photograph
13. Rockstar (with Bailey Zimmerman)
14. Those Days
15. Sold Out (with Hardy)
16. How You Remind Me
17. Gotta Be Somebody
18. Burn It To The Ground
19. Don't Look Back In Anger (with The Lottery Winners)

"Hate To Love: Nickelback", a feature-length documentary film about one of Canada's most iconic and globally celebrated rock bands, premiered in September 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film tells the authentic story of the band from their humble beginnings in Hanna Alberta to their explosive global success in 2001 and the highs and lows that followed. Directed by Leigh Brooks and produced by Ben Jones, the film celebrates the loyalty of NICKELBACK fans and delves into the years of online vitriol while exposing the personal impact it had on each of the band members. The film also unveils the rock group's decision to return after a five-year break with a new record and a hugely successful sold-out tour, finding themselves riding a sudden wave of online love that has introduced their music to an army of new fans and audiences worldwide.

2023 Canadian Music Hall Of Fame recipients, and diamond-certified selling group NICKELBACK were named the "most successful rock band of the decade" by Billboard in 2009. Globally celebrated for their career defining and award-winning hits "How You Remind Me", "Photograph", "Far Away", "Rockstar" and more, the four-piece comprised of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair is one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past two decades. Their success includes worldwide sales of more than 50 million units, solidifying their status as one of the top-selling acts of all time and the second best-selling foreign act in the U.S., in the 2000s decade, behind only THE BEATLES. Their inescapable and irresistible smash "How You Remind Me" was named Billboard's "Top Rock Song Of The Decade" and was the No. 1 most played song on U.S. radio (any format) in the 2000s according to Nielsen Soundscan, with over 1.2 million spins.

Amongst all of these accolades, they've also been named Billboard's "Top Rock Group Of The Decade" and received nine Grammy Award nominations, three American Music Awards, a World Music Award, a People's Choice Award, twelve JUNO Awards, seven MuchMusic Video Awards, and have been inducted into Canada's Walk Of Fame (2007) and the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame (2023). With more than 23 chart-topping singles and fans spanning the globe, NICKELBACK boasts more than twelve consecutive sold-out world tours, playing to well over 10 million diehard and adoring fans.

In a new interview with Rockin' Metal Revival, ACCEPT singer Mark Tornillo was once again asked to clarify his recent comment that "the United States is just not metal territory anymore." He explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, in my defense, that was just a passing comment [that I made in an interview]. And actually, those two guys that were interviewing [me] were friends of mine, and we were just talking candidly. Something goes out in press like that and, of course, Blabbermouth grabs it and makes it a headline. Jesus, you can't say anything without these bottom feeders grabbing it."

Addressing the original question, Tornillo continued: "Truly, [metal is] not as big here as it is in the rest of the world by any means. Europe, it's still huge. South America, it's huge. Japan, it's huge. And it's kind of not the main attraction here; it's just not. And I think it has more to do with the fact that the record companies don't promote it properly. Nothing against ours — I mean, I love working with Napalm now. They're really doing a great job for us, but in the mainstream, the big labels, they don't promote metal. They don't… But they don't promote it well enough. And I think if they did, kids would get into it. They're more interested in selling Taylor Swift and hip-hop. So it's what it is. But heavy metal will always be there; it's not going anywhere. It's just underground again."

When the interviewer noted that some metal bands are able to play stadiums in Europe but can only play "to a small audience" in America, Tornillo concurred, saying: "Well, K.K. [Downing's new band KK'S PRIEST] and us [in ACCEPT] both played Wacken [Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany in front of] 80,000 people with SCORPIONS. And now we're gonna play small theaters and big clubs [together in America]. So, this is what it is."

Mark's original comment came this past March when he gave an interview to Canada's The Metal Voice. Asked about the challenges of touring North America for a band like ACCEPT, especially in the last few years, the now-70-year-old New Jersey-based singer, who joined ACCEPT in 2009 as the replacement for the group's original frontman Udo Dirkschneider, said: "It's always been difficult to tour North America. It's mostly promoters and the fact that we need to play at least a big enough room where we're gonna make some money. But it's gotta have the turnout to do it. But we're gonna make it happen this year no matter what. I know that. We've all decided that if we have to take a cut, we'll take a cut. But we've gotta play — we've gotta play for the fans."

He continued: "We have no trouble selling tickets in South America. [We have] no trouble selling tickets in Europe, or else. I think it's just that the United States is just not metal territory anymore. I don't know why."

Tornillo added: "I would love nothing better than to tour the U.S. every year. But we'll see how it plays out."

Mark previously clarified his "United States is just not metal territory anymore" comment last month in an interview with Mike Hsu of the 100 FM The Pike radio station. He said at the time: "During that [The Metal Voice] interview, I was actually being interviewed by a couple of guys who I know. And that was just a line in passing. It was, like, 'Why don't you guys play here more often?' Well, the fact of the matter is that we can't really afford to play here that often, because we make way more money in Europe, South America and the rest of the world than you do in the United States. And if you think about it, most metal bands are playing smaller venues here, unless you team up together and you go out and you play the sheds, or you're METALLICA with PANTERA and you can sell out arenas.

"The things that are being pushed is not metal," Mark continued. "The music, not so much the radios and stuff, but the record companies in this country do not push metal. They push whatever flavor of the week it is and aim towards kids. If they aimed metal towards kids, I think it would sell. So it's hard to say. But I certainly didn't mean it in a derogatory way. I just meant that it's very difficult for us to get to get a good tour together now."

Referencing the fact that ACCEPT was about to embark on a U.S. tour with KK'S PRIEST, Tornillo added: "Luckily, we got two good bands together that are gonna go out and we're gonna kick some ass. We are on the same page. Ripper [KK'S PRIEST singer Tim Owens] and I are becoming pretty good friends and we're looking forward to doing this."

When Hsu noted that he "didn't want to make it sound" like Mark was "dissing anybody or anything" in his original remarks, Mark said: "But Blabbermouth did. Blabbermouth runs with it — that's the headline [Editor's note: The actual headline was 'ACCEPT's MARK TORNILLO: 'The United States Is Just Not Metal Territory Anymore'']. It was just a comment in passing. But they're bottom feeders. That's what they do."

ACCEPT's tour with KK'S PRIEST, which features former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals),kicked off on August 31 in Los Angeles, California, visiting a slew of major cities in the USA and Canada — such as Toronto, Montreal, New York and Nashville — before coming to an end in San Francisco, California on October 7.

Tornillo can be heard on ACCEPT's last six studio albums, "Blood Of The Nations" (2010),"Stalingrad" (2012),"Blind Rage" (2014),"The Rise Of Chaos" (2017),"Too Mean To Die" (2021) and "Humanoid" (2024).

With their debut album, Highly Irresponsible, just weeks away from its October 25 release via SharpTone Records, Better Lovers reveal a whole new dimension to their music with today’s of “At All Times”.


“When the guys sent me the instrumental of ‘At All Times' I was really blown away,” Greg Puciato shares. “I’ve been looking forward to the ‘writes power ballads’ stage of my existence for a while now. I knew it was coming. I had no idea it would be with this band. As a vocalist, it’s really exciting to be with guys that can write songs like this AND '30 Under 13.' This one’s for the lovers.”


Better Lovers have shared two additional previews of the hotly-anticipated album: “A White Horse Covered in Blood” and “Future Myopia” and its frog-infused video.




Better Lovers recently announced their first slate of North American tour dates in support of the 10-song release, with the five-week trek kicking off on November 3 in Asheville, N.C.


Openers include Full Of Hell (November 3 to December 2), SPY, Cloakroom and Gouge Away (December 4 to December 8).





Dates:


November
3 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
4 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
5 - Orlando, FL - The Abbey
6 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
8 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground
9 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
10 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
11 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
13 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
14 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
15 - Ottawa, ON - Bronson Centre
16 - Montreal QC - Theatre Fairmount
17 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
19 - Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
20 - Chicago, IL The Metro
21 - Minneapolis, MN Lyric @ Skyway
23 - Denver, CO The Summit
24 - Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
26 - Seattle, WA The Crocodile
27 - Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
29 - Berkeley, CA The UC Theatre
30 - Santa Ana, CA The Observatory


December
1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent
2 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile
4 – Dallas, TX – Studio at The Factory
5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
6 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
7 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
8 – Lakewood, OH – The Roxy


Jordan Buckley: “Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure giving a quote for this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up every day and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how Highly Irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by big ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else. Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love. Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”


Greg Puciato adds: “New album. First full length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this out there. Everyone really brought their best to the album, and brought out the best in each other, and that goes for everyone behind-the-scenes too.”


Recorded this spring, Highly Irresponsible benefits from the dual role of Will Putney, who, besides being one of the band’s guitarists, also brings his production skills to the album. Putney explains, “Being a member of the band and the producer is ac

DGM & Panegyric are presenting the 50th anniversary edition of the King Crimson classic album Red. A 2 Blu-ray + 2 CD edition features completely new Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Surround & Stereo mixes by Steven Wilson taking the music to new levels of clarity & power. Red was one of the earliest mixes undertaken by Steven Wilson in 2009 & King Crimson was the first of a number of classic bands & artists to be mixed by Steven so it’s entirely appropriate that he return, some 15 years later, to take the album into the Dolby Atmos era.


“What I hear on Red is the best representation of 72-74 era line-up in the studio. In effect this is a power trio record and their sound is just huge.” – Steven Wilson


Also featured are a complete album’s worth of Elemental Mixes by long-time King Crimson producer (& band manager) David Singleton – using the original multi-track recordings to present a very different audio picture of the album, with greater separation of instruments & utilizing many recorded elements recorded for, but not included in, the original mixes.




As King Crimson biographer Sid Smith puts it in his new notes for the album: “David Singleton’s elemental mixes pull the veil aside on the original sessions and act as a kind of alternative account, a Red that could have been, revealing the different passes and takes that the band undertook as well as those Collins, Charig and McDonald as they engaged with the material”.


Multiple new to disc tracks & studio takes – representing all material to survive from the recording sessions have also been mixed &/or mastered for inclusion, making this the most comprehensive overview of the album to be released.


Red was recorded immediately after King Crimson’s final US tour of 1974 & the anniversary edition reflects that by including all three Hi-Res Stereo mixes of the live album USA in its full concert versions. Also included are a quintet of audio restored bootlegs being issued on disc for the first time, alongside a bootleg of the band’s final US concert in New York in 1974 which Robert Fripp claimed was: “the first gig since the 1969 Crimson where the bottom of my spine registered ‘out of this world’ to the same degree.”


In the decades since its release, Red has gone from being an album that was, upon release, under-promoted – as the band had already split up, to being one of the most lauded albums of its era & (after In The Court of the Crimson King), King Crimson’s biggest selling album. Writing in The Mojo Collection in 2000, John Bungey assessed Red as, “That rarest of records, the sound of a line-up quitting while ahead.”


By the time King Crimson entered the studio in July 74, the band had spent the best part of two years on the road, recorded two albums along the way (Larks’ Tongues In Aspic & Starless & Bible Black) & shed two band members en route; percussionist Jamie Muir having quit early 1973, and violin/mellotron player David Cross at the end of the US tour just a week prior to the recording of Red.


Crimson had built a reputation as one of the tightest, most powerful bands on the rock circuit. Recording as a trio in Olympic studios in London, with one improv piece (Providence) drawn from that final US tour & with contributions from former members & friends on saxophones, violin, and oboe, the group produced the last Crimson studio album of the 70s & one of the decade’s masterpieces – Red.


Red emerged as a distillation of everything Crimson had been working towards live & in the studio between 72 and 74. In the half century since its release it has built an enviable, enduring reputation among fans & professional musicians alike – with bands from each succeeding decade citing it as an important influence.


Album notes:
• 50th Anniversary editions of King Crimson’s classic 1974 album
• 4 disc boxed set with 2 x Blu-ray & 2CDs
• 2 x Blu-rays featuring completely new mixes of the album in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround & Hi-Res Stereo by Steven Wilson, New Elemental Mixes in Hi-Res Stereo by David Singleton, a number of extra tracks drawn from the existing sessions reels mixed by David Singleton, all three mixes of the live album USA in Hi-Res Stereo, 5 audio restored bootleg concert recordings from the 1974 US tour making their debut on disc & the audio restored bootleg of the band’s final US show in Central Park NYC on July 1st, 1974
• 2 x CDs feature new Stereo + instrumental mixes by Steven Wilson & new Elemental Mixes & a sequence of studio recordings detailing the making of ‘Starless’ mixed by David Singleton
• Presented as two vinyl replica sleeves in a rigid slipcase with booklet including photos & new sleeve-notes by King Crimson Biographer Sid Smith


Whilst mixing the album for Dolby Atmos, Steven Wilson also prepared new stereo & 5.1 mixes. Those new stereo mixes are what appears as LP1 of this 2LP set. LP2 consists of a complete album’s worth of Elemental Mixes by long-time King Crimson producer (& band manager) David Singleton – using the original multi-track recordings to present a very different audio picture of the album, with greater separation of instruments & utilizing many recorded elements recorded for, but not included in, the original mixes.


Preorder at burningshed.com/kingcrimson.





Tracklisting:


CD1 – 2024 Mixes and Additional Material
“Red
“Fallen Angel
“One More Red Nightmare
“Providence
“Starless


Additional Material
2024 Instrumental Mixes
“Fallen Angel
“One More Red Nightmare
“Starless – Edit”


Produced and Mixed by Steven Wilson


“Providence - Complete Track”*


Produced and Mixed by Robert Fripp and David Singleton


CD2 – Elemental Mixes and Session Material 
“Red”
“Fallen Angel”
“One More Red Nightmare”
“Sta

In a new interview with Riff X's "Metal XS", DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan reflected on one particularly memorable concert he played as a solo artist in 2009 in Ferropolis, an open-air museum of huge mid-20th century industrial machines in Gräfenhainichen, a city between Wittenberg and Dessau, Germany. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I remember doing a show in Germany, a solo show with an orchestra. It was a disaster. It was in a mining facility [with] huge machinery. It was like a science fantasy kind of background, a Ferropolis, it was called in Germany. They have big festivals there sometimes. It was a disaster. It was raining and they sold no tickets. Should have held 20,000 people. There were 200 or 300 [people] there. The promoter put the seats a long way from the stage. There was no cover on the stage. There were no monitors. There were no lights — just one white light on the stage. One caravan for me. Nothing for the orchestra or the musicians. The rain was coming down. We reached halftime. Everything was terrible. They're all sheltering under the stage, wet with their instruments. I'm sitting naked in my caravan. My P.A. [personal assistant] comes in. My clothes are drenched. She said, 'Oh, they're making a fortune out there' — she's joking 'they're selling ponchos. Look, I bought one for you.' It's like they have at Niagara Falls when you get on the boat, and they're just transparent plastic ponchos. I said, 'That's what I'm wearing on stage for the second half of the show.' So she said, 'I dare you.' I said, 'Okay, I will.' So I walked out naked on the stage, apart from this plastic poncho, which was transparent. And the orchestra got up and they realized what was going on and they started playing with fire. And we had just the most wonderful time because we were laughing at the rain, we were laughing at the circumstances. And the audience all got out of their seats — there weren't many of them — and they all came to the front of the stage and suddenly we were all entwined in this thing."

He continued: "Somebody took a film of it on their camera and it went up on YouTube that night. Around midnight, the phone started ringing. My manager: 'What the fuck do you think you're doing?' And then the DEEP PURPLE manager comes on: 'What is he doing, destroying the reputation of the band?' And so, I said, 'Well, actually, if you were there, you would have understood. But this camera recorded things, the sound and the vision was out of sync, because of the distance. The lighting was horrible, the orchestra was all out of tune, because of the rain. And it sounded like a cacophony of absolute nonsense. But if you were there, you understood the circumstances. And it was Sally, my P.A., who had said, 'Ian actually saved the day.' If you just watched it on YouTube, you'd think this is the worst thing that ever happened. In actual fact, it was one of the best experiences of my life."

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "=1", came out on July 19 via earMUSIC. The LP marks DEEP PURPLE's first material with new guitarist Simon McBride, who stepped in two years ago following Steve Morse's departure.

DEEP PURPLE continues its charge of recent years, releasing hit albums and filling arenas around the world, adding yet more layers to its 100-million-album-selling legacy. The band is credited as one of the key originators of heavy rock and has constantly progressed its boundaries of music. They are fronted by Ian Gillan, whose vocals have defined generations, accompanied by the masterful bassist Roger Glover, the powerhouse drummer Ian Paice, and the maestro on keyboards Don Airey.

With three consecutive No. 1 albums in their back pocket and a resurgent new energy powering them forward, this is DEEP PURPLE at their pinnacle. "Now WHAT?!" (2013),"inFinite" (2017) and "Whoosh!" (2020) have sold over one million copies worldwide, making DEEP PURPLE one of the most successful rock bands currently active. The previous studio album, "Whoosh!", reached No. 1 on the album charts in seven countries and charted in the top 10 in another 12.

There simply aren't enough superlatives to properly acknowledge the contribution DEEP PURPLE has made to rock music. Having sold more than 100 million albums and filled global arenas for decades, there's little wonder that the respected British radio station Planet Rock named the group the "Fifth Most Influential Band Ever". The band were also presented the Legend Award at the 2008 World Music Awards and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2016. DEEP PURPLE truly are "rock royalty".

With a body of work spanning seven decades, DEEP PURPLE has helped pioneer and define the hard rock genre while progressively moving into new areas, both keeping their sound fresh and attracting new fans to the legions who have remained loyal since the band's inception. The celebrated MKII line up of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore were responsible for creating many of the defining rock albums of the early 1970s, including "Made In Japan", universally accepted as one of the most important and influential live albums of all time.

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi will guest on the upcoming rock album from British pop star Robbie Williams.

The news of Iommi's collaboration with the former TAKE THAT singer was revealed by Robbie's drummer and musical director Karl Brazil, who said during an appearance on the "Percussion Discussion" podcast: "[Robbie's] got an album to follow that we've been working on. He's working with various people, but I've been fortunate enough to do some songs with him."

"One of the tracks, actually, he's done a track called 'Rocket' with Tony Iommi, which is very random," he continued. "It's great. It's a rocker, and it's really, really cool. Right up my street. It's kinda… I'll just let you hear it. But yeah, Tony's done his thing on it. There's some great collaborations on this record. [SUPERGRASS's] Gaz Coombes is on there."

Regarding the musical direction of the album, Karl said: "It's predominately a guitar record, a bit of a throwback to his old '90s sound but mixed with a bit of modern-day pop as well. Let's face it, [Robbie] can do what he wants, can't he?!"

This past July, Iommi released a new song called "Deified" in conjunction with his new fragrance, Tony Iommi Deified, from luxury perfume company Xerjoff.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi — who was diagnosed with lymphoma in late 2011 — can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Iommi revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled "13", and the subsequent tour to promote it.

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

"13" was the first album in 35 years to feature Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together.

In a recent interview with The Vinyl Hunters, Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH talked about his love of vinyl and record collecting. He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " I think I started collecting music more than a format. I'm born in 1974. And I didn't really have money growing up, so we would borrow — my circle of friends were borrowing records. Somebody bought the new [JUDAS] PRIEST record and the rest of us would tape it; we would record it on to tape. And I bought some record and my friends would tape it. So that was like a collecting thing, just to have lots of music. That's still the most important thing to me, to surround myself with music. Then, of course, I've grown fond of the format, the vinyl format. And when I was young, of course, that's all it was, and cassettes. I started, I think, more seriously starting collecting once the CDs came out in the late '80s, because people were throwing vinyl out — literally. You could find it in the garbage bin, like entire record collections. I went down to a garbage bin, [and I found the] whole DEEP PURPLE discography, and it's, like, 'Oh my god.' So I bought CDs, but I always preferred LPs, and to this day, that's basically the only format I use. So that's how I kinda started collecting. In the late '80s, I could go into a secondhand record shop and pick up a VAN DER GRAAF [GENERATOR] record for a pound. And I didn't have any money, but I did have like the equivalent of a pound. So you could take a chance on stuff. And, of course, I bought a lot of shit records, but also a lot of really good records."

Mikael previously talked about his record collection in an interview with Prog magazine. He said: "I've always been a collector at heart — I collected 'Star Wars' figures when I was a kid, I collected anything, and so it was just in my blood. I discovered some of the original wave of prog bands through my record collecting in the early '90s. I was working at a guitar store at the time. In the early '90s, everyone was taking their vinyl into stores to exchange for CDs. I was compensating for not being able to buy records. When I was a kid I was piss poor. You got one record for Christmas, one for your birthday and maybe one for Easter. But now I had a job and some money.

He continued: "I'd never liked CDs. In fact, the first CD I bought was 'Dirt' by ALICE IN CHAINS, and that was pretty late, wasn't it? So I was into vinyl and there were a lot of great record stores in Stockholm and you could pick up a lot of records there for about three pounds each. So I was looking at these records and looking at the pictures on the sleeves, looking for bands that looked like BLACK SABBATH, basically. If they had the flares and beards and the record was from 1971 or 1972, that was what I wanted. I found a record by YES and thought it looked cool, and then GENESIS and KING CRIMSON and so on, records that looked odd and I could afford. That was where it all started."

OPETH will release its 14th studio album, "The Last Will And Testament", on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music/Moderbolaget.