In a brand new interview with Fox 17 Rock & Review, Dee Snider was asked how he keeps his voice in shape after all these years. The 65-year-old TWISTED SISTER frontman responded (see video below): "People say, 'What do you attribute to that?' And I say, 'Believe it or not, healthy lifestyle.' I never drank, I never did drugs. Even though my voiceover agent sold me a 'cigarette-smoking, whisky drinker,' 'cause I've got that husky voice. But that's from screaming my lungs out my whole life.

"The first thing I bought when I struck it rich was a gym," he continued. "I bought a gym, because I was working out and training, even at that point in my life. So I was like the 'anti-rock star' as far as the lifestyle went, but it's benefited me in the long run.

"I used to look at my peers, and they were sprinting. And I would go, 'Guys, you do know life is a marathon, right? I'm not going for 27; I'm going for 87.' So it's definitely benefited me in the long run, for sure."

Snider will release "For The Love Of Metal Live!" on July 31 via Napalm Records. The DVD/Blu-ray and accompanying live album (available in various formats) features audio captured from several Snider festival performances worldwide — from the United States to Europe, Australia and beyond. In addition to tracks from Snider's solo catalog, like "I Am The Hurricane" and "For The Love Of Metal", TWISTED SISTER favorites such as "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It", and even a cover of AC/DC's "Highway To Hell", the audio portion of "For The Love Of Metal Live!" also features a brand new original studio track, "Prove Me Wrong".

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour.

Ted Nugent has offered a few tips on "how to stay alive" while dealing with the police.

On Tuesday, the outspoken conservative rocker shared an article on Rayshard Brooks, a black man who was killed by an Atlanta police officer at a fast-food restaurant parking lot. The 27-year-old father was shot twice in the back as he ran and died at a hospital following surgery. His death has been ruled a homicide. The article, headlined "RAYSHARD BROOKS was no Martyr as Well as George Floyd", lists several crimes that Brooks was allegedly on probation for — including cruelty to children — when he was found asleep and intoxicated at Wendy's drive-thru

In an accompanying message, Nugent wrote: "Both sides to the story anyone! I love people. All people. And here's an uncle Ted techtip on how to stay alive.

"Do not break laws. Don't fight cops. Obey cops no matter what. Do not try to take the policeman's weapons from him. Do not struggle. Do not run away. If you feel you are being stopped or arrested unjustly, wait & handle it at the station or in court. Do not escalate the situation causing the policeman to fear for his safety or life.

"Write that down. Give it to everyone you love. Memorize it. Live to celebrate another day."

Former Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe was charged Wednesday with 11 counts, including felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, in the killing of Brooks. He faces up to life in prison or the death penalty if convicted on the felony murder charge.

Protests against racial inequality and police brutality, which were already ongoing across the nation following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, regained momentum after Brooks's death.


Both sides to the story anyone! I love people. All people. And here's an uncle Ted techtip on how to stay alive.

Do not...

Posted by Ted Nugent on Tuesday, June 16, 2020

In a new interview with the Washington Post, hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T spoke about "Cop Killer", the controversial protest song he released in 1992 with his metal band BODY COUNT. The track was said to be a violent revenge fantasy in which the narrator has his "12-gauge sawed off" in order to "dust some cops off."

Asked if he thinks folks will understand "Cop Killer" now more than they did at the time of the track's original release, Ice-T said: "It was a song about somebody who, during a moment like this, got so mad that they went after the cops. We don't want that guy. But a lot of times you warn people by saying this can happen. I never killed no cop. I've written better songs that are more on point with what I believe today. I was a little more radical back then. 'No Lives Matter' addresses my feelings at this moment. You got to remember, 30-years-ago Ice is different than 62-year-old Ice."

Pressed about who the 62-year-old Ice is, he responded: "My correct guidance right now is know your allies and let's continue to go forward. Don't let up. Let's go after Breonna Taylor's killers. Let's get it done."

According to Billboard, "Cop Killer" is not available on any of the streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. It's also not for sale as an iTunes download or a new CD.

"It should be there. It absolutely should be there," says Ernie Cunnigan, also known as BODY COUNT's longtime guitarist Ernie C. "Some of these kids that are out there [protesting], they're 30, 31 — they were newborns when this was going on. What we talked about 30 years ago, we're still talking about."

"Cop Killer" was apparently removed from later versions of BODY COUNT's self-titled album at Ice-T's request after shareholders in Warner Brothers, which released the record, threatened to pull out of the company. The members of BODY COUNT were even threatened with arrest if they played the song live.

At the time, Ice-T said concern for the well-being of the staffs of Warner Bros. Records and Sire Records, who he said had received death threats from police officers as a result of distributing the song, also motivated him to pull "Cop Killer".

As part of the agreement to remove the track, Warner gave Ice-T the masters to "Body Count".

EXODUS's Gary Holt and ANTHRAX's Scott Ian are among the musicians who have slammed conceret giant Live Nation for reportedly planning to make significant changes to its policies regarding concert tours and festivals when touring is expected to resume in 2021.

According to a Live Nation memo circulated to talent agencies and first obtained by Rolling Stone, the company plans to decrease guarantees to artists by 20%; to give artists 25% of the guarantee — rather than the current standard of 100% — if a concert is canceled due to poor ticket sales; and perhaps most significantly, if an artist cancels a performance in breach of the contract, it will pay the promoter double the artist fee. As Billboard notes, this is a type of penalty that is unheard of in the live music industry.

"We are in unprecedented times and must adequately account for the shift in market demand, the exponential rise of certain costs and the overall increase of uncertainty that materially affects our mission," Live Nation said in the memo. "In order for us to move forward, we must make certain changes to our agreements with the artists."

Holt took to his Instagram on Thursday to share a Rolling Stone article outlining the planned Live Nation changes, and he included the following message: "So live nation has decided life has been hard on them, so now they’re gonna pay artist 20 percent less, only pay 25% when a promoter cancels, versus the usual 100%, but if you cancel they want double your guarantee back. And 30% of your merch to go with it. This could be the final nail in the rock and metal coffin. That lost 20 percent now comes out of a bands merch, which they take a bigger cut of. Satan forbid you have to cancel a show due to illness. Swipe to see how much these people made last year and see if your heart bleeds for their lost revenue."

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian chimed in, writing: "And you know the A-list/festival headline acts won't take the cuts because without them there's no festival. The middle-class gets screwed."

Responded Holt: "BINGO!!!! Headliners will get paid, we get pissed on, and will be expected to say thank you for the piss stream"

Former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel also weighed in on the discussion, writing: "Dumb question but do we have to play their venues?"

Live Nation owns Ticketmaster, which processes its sales and is facing legal action over unpaid refunds for events affected by coronavirus.
























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So live nation has decided life has been hard on them, so now they’re gonna pay artist 20 percent less, only pay 25% when a promoter cancels, versus the usual 100%, but if you cancel they want double your guarantee back. And 30% of your merch to go with it. This could be the final nail in the rock and metal coffin. That lost 20 percent now comes out of a bands merch, which they take a bigger cut of. Satan forbid you have to cancel a show due to illness. Swipe to see how much these people made last year and see if your heart bleeds for their lost revenue. Saw this posted by @robbflynn after reading it on @loudwire so I thought I’d check their finances. Lame

A post shared by Gary Holt (@garyholt_official) on Jun 18, 2020 at 1:38pm PDT

Montreal, Quebec, Canada death metallers KATAKLYSM will release a new album titled "Unconquered" in the fall via Nuclear Blast Records. A teaser for the effort is available below.

KATAKLYSM's latest album, "Meditations", was released in June 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The 10-song disc was produced by the band's guitarist Jean-François Dagenais and drummer Oli Beaudoin, and was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR). Mastering duties were handled by Paul Logus (PANTERA).

The "Meditations" cover artwork was created for Ocvlta Designs by Surtsey, who also crafted the artwork for KATAKLYSM's previous record, "Of Ghosts And Gods".

KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono told Rauta about the songwriting for "Meditations": "For us, I believe it's getting just easier to write now than before. We used to think too much about what people are going to think. I think that hurt us for a few records where we played it safe a little bit and stuff like that. Now we're kind of opening up our horizons and trying new things, a different producer. This album, we used Jay Ruston out of Los Angeles, who works with STONE SOUR and ANTHRAX, which is a huge gamble for a band like us to do, but it worked out great; he did a great production. He was, like, 'Oh, man. This is a big challenge. A heavy band like this.' But it came out great. Sometimes you've got to take those steps, you've got to take those gambles. I think it has a very modern feel to it. The new record, some of the arrangements are way off compared to what we did before. We tried new things on this record. Also, vocal patterns are different — not trying to go so deep; going for a more mid-range style, which is where I'm most comfortable as well."

Due to the ongoing restrictions preventing large gatherings and to health concerns surrounding COVID-19 as well as certain travel restrictions that remain in place, EVANESCENCE and WITHIN TEMPTATION are forced to postpone their massive co-headline European tour.

The "Worlds Collide" trek, which was originally due to kick off this past April 4, will now move to September 2021. The tour was initially postponed until September of this year in the hopes that conditions would permit the artists to perform for their fans. As the world continues to battle the virus, it has become clear that it must be delayed until next year. Specific information for the rescheduled shows will be available on the bands' web sites and at WorldsCollideTour.net. All existing tickets and VIP packages will remain valid for the rescheduled dates. Those unable to attend should visit their point of purchase for refunds.

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee said: "We are so disappointed that we won't be seeing you this fall, but we're accepting the challenge 2020 is giving us and pouring our time and hearts into making a great album instead. Friends, we miss you terribly and can't wait to play these songs for you next year! Be safe, be well, we love you!"

WITHIN TEMPTATION singer Sharon Den Adel said: "We know this year will not be easy for you and we will do whatever it takes to get you through by continuing to write and release new songs. Knowing that we won't get to play for you this year is hard for everyone, but everyone's health and well-being is our number one priority. Whatever happens, this tour will happen! We can't wait to see you again in 2021. For now: stay safe."

2021 tour dates:

Sep. 08 - Zurich, CH, Hallenstadion Zurich

Sep. 09 - Milan, IT, Mediolanum Forum Milan

Sep. 11 - Berlin, DE, Velodrom

Sep. 12 - Gliwice, PL, Arena Gliwice

Sep. 14 - Leipzig, DE, Quarterback Immobilien Arena

Sep. 15 - Hamburg, DE, Barclaycard Arena

Sep. 17 - Amsterdam, NL, Ziggo Dome

Sep. 18 - Amsterdam, NL, Ziggo Dome

Sep. 20 - Paris, FR, Accorhotels Arena

Sep. 21 - Düsseldorf, DE, Mitsubishi Electric Halle

Sep. 22 - Munich, DE, Zenith

Sep. 24 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU, Rockhal

Sep. 26 - Frankfurt, DE, Festhalle

Sep. 27 - Brussels, BE, Palais 12

Sep. 28 - Brussels, BE, Palais 12

Sep. 30 - Glasgow, UK, The SSE Hydro Arena

Oct. 01 - Leeds, UK, First Direct Arena

Oct. 03 - Birmingham, UK, Utilita Arena Birmingham

Oct. 04 - London, UK, The O2

Oct. 07 - Madrid, Spain, Palacio Vistalegre *

* EVANESCENCE only

EVANESCENCE's long-awaited new album, "The Bitter Truth", will arrive later this year. The disc's first single, "Wasted On You", came out last month and is the first in a series of songs that the band will make available from "The Bitter Truth" incrementally, culminating in the release of the full album.

The video for "Wasted On You" was shot by each band member — singer A,y Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, guitarist Troy McLawhorn and guitarist Jen Majura — on their iPhones while currently in isolation at their homes.

Last month, WITHIN TEMPTATION released the official music video for its latest single, "Entertain You". The song was a surprisingly quick follow-up to WITHIN TEMPTATION's seventh studio album, "Resist", which came out in February 2019.

"Resist" debuted in several Top 10 charts worldwide and was the first WITHIN TEMPTATION album to ever reach a No. 1 position on the official German chart.

A memo from massive American concert promoter and live event company Live Nation - obtained by Rolling Stone and reported on by Samantha Hissong - told its talent partners that it plans to make an array of changes next year.

Most of the new policies shift financial burdens to artists. For example, the company wants to decrease the monetary guarantees promised to artists before an event by 20% across the board. Live Nation also says that if a concert is cancelled due to poor ticket sales, it will give artists 25% of the guarantee (as opposed to the 100% that promoters are currently expected to pay). 

Read the full memo below.

Live Nation Memo to Talent Agencies

The global pandemic has changed the world in recent months and with it the dynamics of the music industry. We are in unprecedented times and must adequately account for the shift in market demand, the exponential rise of certain costs and the overall increase of uncertainty that materially affects our mission. In order for us to move forward, we must make certain changes to our agreements with the artists. The principle changes for 2021 are outlined below.

Artist Guarantees: Artist guarantees will be adjusted downward 20% from 2020 levels.

Ticket Prices: Ticket prices are set by the promoter, at the promoter’s sole discretion, and are subject to change.

Payment Terms: Artists will receive a deposit of 10% one month before the festival, contingent on an executed agreement and fulfillment of marketing responsibilities. The balance, minus standard deductions for taxes and production costs, will be paid after the performance.

Minimum Marketing Requirements: All artists will be required to assist in marketing of the festival through minimum social media posting requirements outlined in artist offer.

Streaming requirements: All artists will be required to allow their performance to be filmed by the festival for use in a live television broadcast, a live webcast, on-demand streaming, and/or live satellite radio broadcast.

Billing: All decisions regarding “festival billing” are at the sole discretion of the promoter.

Merchandise: Purchaser will retain 30 % of Artist merchandise sales and send 70% to the artist within two weeks following the Festival.

Airfare and Accommodations: These expenses will be the responsibility of the artist.

Sponsorship: The promoter controls all sponsorship at the festival without any restrictions, and artists may not promote brands onstage or in its productions.

Radius Clause. Violation of a radius clause without the festival’s prior authorization in writing will, at the festival’s sole discretion, result in either a reduction of the artist fee or the removal of the artist from the event, with any pre-event deposits returned to the festival immediately.

Insurance: The artist is required to maintain its own cancellation insurance as the promoter is not responsible for the artist fee in the event of a cancellation of the festival due to weather or a force majeure.

Cancellation by Artist: If an artist cancels its performance in breach of the agreement, the artist will pay the promoter two times the artist’s fee.

Cancellation Due to Poor Sales. If a show is cancelled due to poor ticket sales, the artist will receive 25% of the guarantee.

Force Majeure: If the artist’s performance is canceled due to an event of force majeure – including a pandemic similar to Covid-19 – the promoter will not pay the artist its fee. The artist is responsible for obtaining any cancellation insurance for its performance.

Inability to Use Full Capacity of the Venue: If the promoter – either because of orders of the venue or any governmental entity – is not permitted to use the full capacity of the venue, then the promoter may terminate the agreement, and artist will refund any money previously paid.

We are fully aware of the significance of these changes, and we did not make these changes without serious consideration. We appreciate you – and all artists – understanding the need for us to make these changes in order to allow the festival business to continue not only for the artists and the producers, but also for the fans.

Learn more at this location.

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali is not taking these changes lightly. He took to social media with the following statement: 

"LET ME MAKE THIS VERY SIMPLE & VERY CLEAR... DEAR LIVE NATION... GO FUCK YOURSELVES... MUSICIANS ARE NOT YOUR INDENTURED SERVANTS...."

 




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Composer Tyler Bates will produce and write music for the DC Comics' "Dark Nights: Death Metal" soundtrack, an inventive new project featuring songs inspired by the forthcoming seven-part comic book series written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo. Due out this year via Loma Vista Records, the soundtrack album will also contain animatic score sequences related to each issue of the series that will feature guest musical artists and voice talent.

An animated/motion comic music video promoting "Dark Nights: Death Metal" — wrapped up in the 2015 MARILYN MANSON song "Warship My Wreck" — is available below.

"Get ready for the earth-shattering encore! The legendary team behind 'Dark Nights: Metal' and 'Batman: Last Knight On Earth' take center stage and reunite for one last tour," reads DC's announcement of the trailer.

"When the Earth is enveloped by the Dark Multiverse, the Justice League is at the mercy of the Batman Who Laughs. Humanity struggles to survive in a hellish landscape twisted beyond recognition, while Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman have all been separated and fight to survive. Unleash the beast and let the head banging begin!"

Bates co-wrote and produced MANSON's 2015 epic "The Pale Emperor". As the band's lead guitarist, he dedicated over a year to touring in support of the album on the headline "Hell Not Hallelujah" tour. In 2017, he once again joined forces in the studio with MANSON on the follow-up album "Heaven Upside Down" and returned to the road for a string of high-profile touring.

Bates regularly transitions from scoring some of the world's biggest film and television franchises, such as "Guardians Of The Galaxy" and "John Wick", to rocking massive audiences with MANSON, and back to the studio again writing and producing. In 2004, he made waves by creating the menacing audio backdrop for the popular Zack Snyder reboot of "Dawn Of The Dead", followed by his soundtrack for the filmmaker's "300". His oeuvre expanded to include films like "Watchmen", "Sucker Punch", "The Devil's Rejects" and "Halloween I" and "Halloween II", and TV shows like "Californication", "Kingdom", "Salem", "The Purge" and more. More recently, Bates scored the blockbuster "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw", "Deadpool 2", "Atomic Blonde", "The Spy Who Dumped Me", Genndy Tartakovsky's acclaimed animated series "Primal" on Adult Swim, "Stumptown" on ABC and the second season of "The Purge" on USA network.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan says that he hopes singer Serj Tankian "was misunderstood" when he said that fans who listen to their music and support U.S. president Donald Trump are "hypocrites."

Earlier this week, Tankian posted the lyrics to one of SYSTEM's early tracks, "Temper", on Instagam, along with a message explaining his political position.

Tankian wrote: "If you love this song or play along to it and love Trump, you're a hypocrite-just a simple fact :)"

The track includes lyrics such as: "White right conservative might / Killers of Kennedy's with no fright / The American way!" and "Parade! Laugh! Rejoice! Sing! // We're the victors of... nothing."

Tankian's views are in sharp contrast to those of Dolmayan, who has praised President Donald Trump in recent weeks.

When one fan asked John on Instagram if he takes offense to Serj's comments, the drummer responded: "I hope he was misunderstood when he said that. I don't believe he thinks that way"

When another fan asked Dolmayan if he eventually grew to disagree with some of the lyrics presented by SOAD over the years if he always disagreed with some of the lyrics even while making SOAD music, the drummer responded: "I agree with some disagree with others. I try to take the best parts of things"

In recent days, Dolmayan has continued to speak out on his political views via social media, writing on Instagram: "To all the people who disagree with my opinions but still listen to what I have to say and argue respectfully I thank you. I thank you for your passion , I thank you for your heart and most of all I thank you for your different perspectives. As to system fans, some of you have been disheartened by my opinions and that's affected your love of our music , that's a shame, don't be , they are just opinions after all. I accept all of you for who you are as you are and hope you understand disagreeing doesn't mean not caring for each other. You are why all of us in system have what we have and we owe you a debt of gratitude for sticking with us all these years . Whatever your politics you are all welcome , SYSTEM OF A DOWN is for all of you and always will be. Music has the power to bring us all together if we can just put differences aside , thank you all I love you all"

Earlier in the week, Dolmayan accused Democrats of "demonizing" U.S. president Donald Trump and "blaming him for everything under the sun."

Last weekend, Dolmayan blasted "cowards" who criticize those who think they are "coming from a morally superior position," saying that they "can't handle free speech" and "need to be herded along with the rest of the sheep."

He also called Democrats "the true bigots" who "fought to maintain slavery" and were "directly responsible for 70 plus million abortions, a large majority of whom were black."

Dolmayan supports Trump's claim that his administration has done more for the African American community "than any president since Abraham Lincoln."

Earlier in the month, Tankian called for Trump to resign and described him as "completely useless" over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

Other members of SYSTEM have also been outspoken in their criticism of the U.S. president, with guitarist Daron Malakian telling The Independent: "[Trump is] not careful with his words, and he doesn't seem to realize that everybody's listening to him. He does things that would have got another president impeached. Because we live in the social media world our attention spans are so small and so brief... that's why Trump works, because he makes himself the biggest conversation, and the biggest news, every day."





























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To all the people who disagree with my opinions but still listen to what I have to say and argue respectfully I thank you. I thank you for your passion , I thank you for your heart and most of all I thank you for your different perspectives. As to system fans, some of you have been disheartened by my opinions and that’s affected your love of our music , that’s a shame, don’t be , they are just opinions after all. I accept all of you for who you are as you are and hope you understand disagreeing doesn’t mean not caring for each other. You are why all of us in system have what we have and we owe you a debt of gratitude for sticking with us all these years . Whatever your politics you are all welcome , System of a Down is for all of you and always will be. Music has the power to bring us all together if we can just put differences aside , thank you all I love you all

A post shared by John Dolmayan (@johndolmayan_) on Jun 18, 2020 at 5:26pm PDT

Southern California rock quartet JOYOUS WOLF, described by the Los Angeles Times as a "mix of rugged grunge and blues," has premiered the animated video for the brand-new song "Odyssey".

Watch a mariner and his son navigate the waters of life — quite literally — below.

"I was inspired by Homer's 'The Odyssey' since that story has always been profoundly impactful on my life," explains singer Nick Reese exclusively to American Songwriter. "I knew that I wanted to write a song about it, but I wanted to modernize it, I wanted to focus on the emotional and deep familial aspects of the story."

As for the video, the singer says: "I think the above all theme is positive feelings, the song is about hope through the turbulence, and I believe the video illustrates that hope. No matter the obstacle, the loss, or barrier, keep moving forward."

JOYOUS WOLF is an American rock band formed in Orange County, California, in 2014. With humble beginnings, playing any venue that would have them, Nick Reese (vocals), Blake Allard (guitar), Greg Braccio (bass) and Robert Sodaro (drums) have created their own hybrid of hard driving rock and roll, soul, blues, and alternative music. Heavily influenced by artists spanning not only various genres, but literally decades of music, their electric live performances would take them from the clubs of the Sunset Strip to international tours, earning them a recording deal with Roadrunner Records in 2018. The quartet has shown to be a force both on and off stage, having released their critically acclaimed debut EP "Place In Time" on Roadrunner in 2019, which led to subsequent tours supporting rock icons such as Slash and DEEP PURPLE.

AC/DC will get the Rock Saws jigsaw puzzle treatment this summer.

Zee Productions will release four classic album covers — "High Voltage", "For Those About To Rock", "Blow Up Your Video" and "Ballbreaker" — as 500-piece jigsaws on September 4 via its Rock Saws imprint. The iconic arts of some of rock's most influential and highly regarded albums is presented in puzzle form for the first time ever. All puzzles come in a vinyl-box-set-sized box, perfect to fit alongside a vinyl record collection.

Back in April 2019, Zee Productions launched its new range of rock and metal jigsaw puzzles, Rock Saws.

The first collection included jigsaws based on some of the greatest albums in heavy metal history from IRON MAIDEN, MOTÖRHEAD, JUDAS PRIEST and SLAYER.

Released in September 2019 were the first four classic METALLICA album covers as 500-piece jigsaws ("Kill 'Em All", "Ride The Lightning", "Master Of Puppets" and "…And Justice For All") as well as four classic RUSH album covers ("Fly By Night", "A Farewell To Kings", "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures").

For more information, go to this location.

Tom Petty's family has sent a cease-and-desist notice to the Donald Trump campaign over the president's use of "I Won't Back Down" at his Tulsa rally on Saturday.

"Trump was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind," Petty's estate and rights holders — daughters Adria and Annakim, ex-wife Jane and widow Dana — said in a statement posted on social media.

"Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together.

"Tom wrote this song for the underdog, for the common man and for EVERYONE. We want to make it clear that we believe everyone is free to vote as they like, think as they like, but the Petty family doesn't stand for this. We believe in America and we believe in democracy. But Donald Trump is not representing the noble ideals of either. We would hate for fans that are marginalized by this administration to think we were complicit in this usage."

This is not the first time Petty has issued cease-and-desist notice to a politician. In 2000, he sent a to George W. Bush over his use of "I Won't Back Down" on the campaign trail.

AEROSMITH's Steven Tyler, Neil Young and R.E.M. have all publicly slammed Trump for using their music at his events.




pic.twitter.com/mxToRoHWNn

— Tom Petty (@tompetty) June 21, 2020

Tommy Lee says he doesn't understand why Donald Trump was so upset with Twitter when the social media platform called the president's tweets "potentially misleading."

Late last month, Twitter flagged two of Trump's tweets that claimed mail-in ballots would lead to widespread voter fraud, saying that the move stemmed specifically from the possibility that the tweets might "confuse voters about what they need to do to receive a ballot and participate in the election process." Twitter added a note at the bottom of each tweet, reading "Get the facts about mail-in ballots," which linked to a Twitter Moment fact-check. "Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud," read the heading.

Trump later claimed Twitter was "completely stifling FREE SPEECH" by adding a fact-check underneath his tweets and he threatened to "strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen."

Earlier this month, Tommy discussed the episode during an interview with Consequence Of Sound. Speaking about Trump's attempts to push back against Twitter, the drummer said (see video below): "I've heard about [Twitter's fact-checking of Trump], but I haven't physically seen it. But just hearing about it, it seems like here's a guy who's always getting fact-checked because his shit's always fucking wrong. So I don't understand why he's tripping on Twitter for fact-checking. I mean, everybody does, because everything that guy says is never, ever correct — it's way off. So I just don't get the beef with Twitter. What the fuck is the difference if it's Twitter or CNN or Fox News or whoever else is checking facts. Twitter is his bitch [right now], I guess. I don't know."

Lee has repeatedly voiced his displeasure with Trump, including last August when he implored the president to "wake the fuck up" after he blamed the Dayton and El Paso mass shootings on video games and mental illness.

In December 2018, Tommy referred to the 45th U.S. president as an "asshole" and labeled his supporters "dumbasses." A year earlier, he called the president "a fucking idiot" and said the people who voted for him are "dickheads."

After Trump was elected president in November 2016, Lee expressed his disbelief on Twitter, writing: "What the actual fuck is happening?"

In November 2018, Tommy lambasted Trump for blaming California's wildfires on poor forest management. "Can you be anymore insensitive you fucking moron" Lee tweeted.

SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery says his band's past use of the Confederate flag was done "as a spoof."

The Confederate battle emblem has long been decried as a symbol of racism and violence, and it has become a frequent target for protesters following the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of police.

When SEVENDUST played Woodstock '99, SEVENDUST's Vince Hornsby played a bass with a Confederate flag on the body.

Asked in a new interview with the "Talk Toomey" podcast how he feels about SEVENDUST's past association with such an offensive and divisive symbol, Clint said (hear audio below): "Our thing was funny, because we were doing it as a spoof. We were trying to kinda use it in this cynical way, so it's gonna completely misunderstood now. We were using it in a smart-ass way… It's confusing.

"We're all being educated — everyone's being educated," he added. "Things we thought were cool before aren't cool anymore, and I understand why they're not cool anymore. And it's, like, okay, yeah, I didn't know enough about what the situation was to even have a… It was just ignorance. You do things as a younger person — you're, like, 'Oh yeah, this is cool. This is against the grain' — and you realize the sensitivities; you learn about it. And that's what I think that I'm trying to do — is, like, okay, that wasn't cool. That wasn't a decision that was something I'm very proud of. You live and learn, you admit when you do wrong and you change. And that's what everyone needs to do. I can't control anybody. I just do what I do, try to be as open and loving as I can. And that's it."

Lowery said he tries to teach his children to love everyone, regardless of their race, but also to realize that not everyone feels the same.

"My contribution to this world is gonna be my education that I give to my kids and show them love and show them how to give love to others of all nd every background," Clint said. "But then I'm also gonna teach 'em to defend themselves — that people in general can be good; people in general can be bad. But for the most part, you treat people with kindness and respect. And if anything changes — someone's coming at you, verbally or physically — you defend yourself. 'Cause that's gonna happen too. But I really just wanna show them love, and I love that they have compassion in their hearts at a very young age. My proudest moment will be sending two people out in this world that have a good heart. That's really all I want."

SEVENDUST's African-American lead singer Lajon Witherspoon voiced his views on the Confederate flag during a 2018 interviw with Billboard. He said: "Listen, man, I used to wear a belt buckle that had a Confederate flag on it. Just 'cause I flew that flag doesn't mean I was a racist. We're just country boys, and that's a country-boy thing. That's what the cool thing about it was — that Vinnie would have a Confederate flag with me [a black man] standing beside him. At that point, love sees no color at all. But I can't say, 'This guy flies the flag the same as this guy,' because everyone has different values."

In a 2013 interview with Bloody Disgusting, Witherspoon said he hasn't seen racism at SEVENDUST gigs these days, but years ago on tour with SLIPKNOT he saw "a couple of knuckleheads" in the mosh pit give the Hitler salute, oblivious to what it meant.

Asked if he or SEVENDUST are viewed or treated differently because he is black, Lajon said: "No, not at all. You know, if it is, I don't see it. I have no room for ignorance in my life. I think that we've built a relationship and… not a fanbase, but a family base that really doesn't tolerate that. I'm the kind of guy that says, 'If you don't like it, don't come,' you know what I mean? We're not forcing anything on anyone. I know that that's still there, but I don't have time for that ignorance. We just keep on moving because it can never be the way it was before."

Four years ago, Witherspoon told The Salt Lake Tribune he sometimes thinks about whether his race might have slowed the band's rise.

"I've always wondered if I had not been a black man in SEVENDUST, would it have even gotten bigger?" he asked. "At the end of the day, I'm glad that it took this long because we're still here."

Back in late March, it was announced that all of WHITESNAKE's previously announced touring activities, including this summer's U.S. trek with SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE and NIGHT RANGER, were being canceled so that frontman David Coverdale could undergo surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia. In a new interview with Michele Amabile of 107.1 The Boss, Coverdale offered an update on his condition, saying (hear audio below): "It's more than a hernia. It's like I have a fresh chicken pushed down my underpants. It's like I've got a backpack on the front.

"I haven't been able to have the surgery, as career-threatening as it is, 'cause I can't project loud and sing the kind of songs people know," he continued. "It's painful, and it actually gets me out of some of the domestic work here [at home], [because] I can't do too much heavy lifting.

"As it isn't a life-threatening situation, I'm not in line yet to have the surgery," he added. "It's an interesting time. And with my age, it's probably gonna be a three- or four-month recovery period. So I'm still waiting to have that surgery. It's a bugger, isn't it? It really is."

Coverdale had both his knees replaced with titanium in 2017 after suffering from degenerative arthritis. He later explained that he was in so much pain with arthritis in his knees that it hampered his ability to perform live.

WHITESNAKE has been touring in support of its latest album, "Flesh & Blood", which was released in May 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.

WHITESNAKE is about to launch the "Red, White And Blues" trilogy, a series of fresh, new collections organized by musical themes that will include "Love Songs" (red), "The Rock Album" (white) and "The Blues Album" (blue).

"The Rock Album" will be available on June 19 on CD ($14.98), and as a double-LP set pressed on 180-gram, white vinyl ($31.98) and is available for pre-order now. The music also will be available through digital and streaming services. The collection features the debut of "Always The Same", a previously unreleased song that was recorded during the 2019 sessions for "Flesh & Blood".



Michele Amabile · David Coverdale Whitesnake

Ozzy Osbourne says that he is "slowly getting better" after suffering from several medical issues last year, including a fall, neck surgery and hospitalization for the flu.

The legendary heavy metal singer spoke about how he is handing the coronavirus crisis during an appearance earlier today (Wednesday, June 17) on his wife Sharon's daily talk show "The Talk".

He said (see video below): "It's been good, actually. I've been recovering from a surgery I had last year. So I've never been at home this long in my whole career. So I've had a chance to see my wife's side of the fence more than me being on the road. So it's had its moments, I must confess."

Asked how he is feeling at the moment, Ozzy said: "I'm getting better. It's a slow process, but I'm getting there slowly but surely."

When the pandemic struck, Ozzy had just released his first solo album in a decade, "Ordinary Man", which he recorded late last year while recovering from surgery and related illnesses. The BLACK SABBATH singer had previously canceled all his 2019 tour plans, although rescheduling them for 2020 is not likely to pan out.

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

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

British pop singer Rick Astley, best known for his 1987 song "Never Gonna Give You Up", has recorded a cover version of FOO FIGHTERS' "Everlong".

"Sometimes you just have to find the song that's gonna lift your spirits and put you in another place, and I've been doing that a lot recently with music," Astley says in the video, before playing his take on the song. "One of the bands I always go to, believe it or not, is FOO FIGHTERS,"

Astley has shared the stage with the FOO FIGHTERS on several occasions, performing "Never Gonna Give You Up" with the Dave Grohl-fronted outfit at shows in Tokyo and London in 2017. Prior to Astley taking the stage in London, Grohl introduced the singer as "the most badass motherfucker."

Astley has released eight pop and adult contemporary albums since '87. He issued a greatest-hits compilation, titled "The Best Of Me", in 2019.

The iconic "Never Gonna Give You Up" video is used as a go-to meme online for people to bait others into clicking a link, only to be taken to the clip, a practice known as "Rick-Rolling."

The "Never Gonna Give You Up" video has been viewed more than 700 million times on YouTube since it was first uploaded in 2009.

The official music video for the song "Anybody Out There" from reactivated Norwegian progressive metallers CONCEPTION, who feature in their ranks former KAMELOT singer Roy Khan, can be seen below. The track is taken from CONCEPTION's latest album, "State Of Deception", which was released on April 3. The band's first full-length offering in over two decades follows on from 2018's successful EP "My Dark Symphony", and was once again released via CONCEPTION's own Conception Sound Factory label.

"State Of Deception" follows a 20-year interval during which bandmembers Khan, Tore Østby, Ingar Amlien and Arve Heimdal remained friends throughout, and the album release marks a full-circle evolution of the band.

Khan says: "The reception we've had from fans made recording a new album almost inevitable; they'd have rioted if we didn't get this out. But we're mightily proud of what we have put together here; I actually think it's the best thing I've ever been involved in."

Reflecting CONCEPTION's desire for an entirely direct relationship with its fans, the album is wholly fan-funded. Moreover, "State Of Deception" was wholly produced by the bandmembers themselves, with mixing duties handled by Stefan Glaumann (RAMMSTEIN, WITHIN TEMPTATION, EUROPE). The nine-song effort perfectly captures the band's trademark breadth of progressive sound, from symphonic melodrama to rock riff utopia, and features a guest appearance by AMARANTHE vocalist Elize Ryd.

Guitarist Tore Østby explains: "Producing this new album has been an emotional and exciting process, digging deeper into the heart and soul of the band than ever before. The result is dynamic and intense, it really feels like we managed to capture the state of CONCEPTION 2020.

"We've always said that we have a need to do what we feel is right for our music. We couldn't limit the musical scope of CONCEPTION even if we wanted to.'

"If we didn't think we were capable of surpassing our previous work, we wouldn't be here. We're super proud of every single track on this album."

"State Of Deception" track listing:

01. In Deception

02. Of Raven And Pigs

03. Waywardly Broken

04. No Rewind

05. The Mansion (featuring Elize Ryd)

06. By The Blues

07. Anybody Out There

08. She Dragoon

09. Feather Moves (remastered)

Regarding the decision to release the new album through CONCEPTION's own label, Khan says: "We've worked with record companies in the past, and by definition, the artist sits at arms length from their fanbase. We felt that was an unacceptable compromise."

"For an artist to see the reaction from a fan the first time they hear a new song is an extraordinarily powerful experience," offers Østby. "Whatever happens, these are shared encounters that will never leave us, band member or fan alike."

"State Of Deception" is both a definitive album release statement, as it is also a career milestone, recognizing a lyrical depth that acknowledges the current social climate.

Says Khan: "The lyrics of the album revolve around human error and betrayal, hence the album title, but also touch upon everything from people's facade to climate change, religion and politics."

California rockers PAPA ROACH have released a 2020 version of the song "Tightrope", which originally appeared on the band's multi-platinum, classic album "Infest". Check it out below.

"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".

On Saturday (June 20), PAPA ROACH took part in its second live streaming experience iteration called "Infest In-Studio", a special virtually ticketed, live HD broadcast. The program featured PAPA ROACH performing "Infest" live in its entirety to celebrate the LP's 20th anniversary, along with exclusive discussions and reflections in a unique studio environment.

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).

This past February, singer Jacoby 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.

DEATH DEALER will release its third full-length album, "Conquered Lands", in the fall of 2020 via Steel Cartel. The band has also announced the addition of bassist Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X, ROSS THE BOSS, SILENT ASSASSINS).

"We had a great time with Mike Davis and he will always be a brother," says guitarist Ross The Boss about the bassist switch. "Due to both of our upcoming schedules, we mutually decided another guy might have to come in and handle what we had coming up. Mike Davis will be missed, but we are very excited about the addition of another bass superstar, Mike LePond."

Joining Ross and Mike LePond are Sean Peck (CAGE, THE THREE TREMORS, DENNER/SHERMANN) on vocals, Stu Marshall (NIGHT LEGION, DUNGEON) on guitar, and Steve Bolognese (ROSS THE BOSS, INTO ETERNITY) on drums.

"I have recorded the new album already and really dug the material," explains Mike. "I went back and listened to their first two albums and there is a lot of high-powered stuff there too. I already have a great chemistry with Ross and Steve so I can’t wait to get on stage with Sean and Stu and play some of this material live."

Adds Ross: "I have been super-busy touring and recording with my solo band. And everywhere I go, I am asked when is DEATH DEALER coming back, when will another album be out, etc. So the work we have done for five years, with the albums and touring, is really standing the test of time. I can see the impact that we made with our first two albums with the diehard metal fans. It is really great to see and now here we go again."

Sean says: "We had 'Conquered Lands' 80% done for the last thre years. And we finally had the chance to spend some time and get it finished up. We have been spending a lot of quality time online with each other lately and the fires are really burning hot to get DD back out crushing it again."

According to Sean, the material on "Conquered Lands" will please longtime fans.

"The new album has a great variety of metal flavors, but overall, it is fairly speedy. There are tons of killer heavy metal hooks as usual and some really great performances by all the musicians. There is a ballad too, which we did not have on the last record, but it is one of my favorites on the record, so it will be interesting to see how the fans react to that one."

As always, the album will be supported with live dates (in 2021), including a festival appearance in March in England, at Hard Rock Hell. Understandably, the band is eager to perform the new material on stage, as Sean adds that the material on "Conquered Lands" is "definitely 100% pure DEATH DEALER."

Photo credit: Paula Anderson

SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg recorded a cover version of the Bruce Springsteen classic "Candy's Room" as a Father's Day gift for his dad, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND drummer Max Weinberg. He has also created a quarantine-style video for the track featuring Mlny Parsonz (ROYAL THUNDER), Jeff Matz (HIGH ON FIRE), Stephen Brodsky (MUTOID MAN, CAVE IN, OLD MAN GLOOM), Emily Lee (SHEARWATER, LOMA, SNAKE OIL, DRONEFLOWER) and Jordan Olds (a.k.a. Gwarsenio Hall). Check it out below.

Jay Weinberg discovered SLIPKNOT when he was a pre-teen, through his father. He was hooked immediately and was a huge fan of SLIPKNOT by the time he was invited to Los Angeles to try out as replacement for Joey Jordison in 2013.

Asked what his father's initial reaction was when he told him that he was joining SLIPKNOT, the now-29-year-old drummer told the official SLIPKNOT fan club Outside The 9: "I don't know if he believed me, to be honest. No — when we had conversations about that's what had happened, I actually couldn't even tell him what band I had auditioned for, truthfully, for a while, till I asked the band if I could tell my dad. But once I did, he was very happy considering this is a band that he introduced to my life. I'm sure I would have crossed the path of SLIPKNOT's music at some point, but he really made that initial connection between myself and the members of the band. So, for him to have done that for me and did me that solid of introducing me to these guys at nine or 10 years old, and then 13, 14 years later, I joined the band, he was overwhelmed and overjoyed, I'm sure. It's something we still talk about to this day when certain benchmarks are met, or certain interesting things are happening, like playing on late-night TV, where I grew up watching him work and stuff like that, and now we're on a late-night TV program. It's very interesting. So, yeah, when I first told him I was joining SLIPKNOT, I think he flipped his shit."

For the first few months after the release of 2014's ".5: The Gray Chapter", the members of SLIPKNOT had declined to name the musicians who were playing drums and bass on their tour, despite the fact that their identities were revealed as Weinberg and bassist Alessandro "Vman" Venturella by a disgruntled former drumtech for SLIPKNOT who posted a picture of a backstage call sheet on Instagram.

SLIPKNOT announced its split with Jordison in December 2013 but did not disclose the reasons for his exit. The drummer subsequently issued a statement saying that he did not quit the group.

MEGADETH guitarist Kiko Loureiro will release his fifth solo album, "Open Source", on July 10.

A new video in which Kiko shows you how to perform "the hardest phrase" in the disc's first single, an instrumental titled "EDM (e-Dependent Mind)", can be seen below.

The new track features Loureiro on guitar and keyboards, as well as Felipe Andreoli on bass and Bruno Valverde on drums.

"Open Source" will be the follow-up to "Sounds Of Innocence", which was released in June 2012.

The cover art for "Open Source" was created by Gustavo Sazes (MACHINE HEAD, AMARANTHE, ARCH ENEMY) and can be seen below.

Loureiro said: "By definition, 'open source' is related to softwares which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. It brings us a higher sense of community, enhances our creativity and creates new possibilities. So why not take this concept to our art, our music? How much richer a song could be if others had access to its source code? What if the song's original composition wasn't the final product? What if it was just the beginning? Something that could be constantly updated and evolve over time. And as well as a machine, we as humans are also minded to enhancements, being an open source ourselves, constantly moving and growing, through technology, science, spirituality… and art."

"This is the mindset which I bring now to my fifth solo album, that was named... guess what? OPEN SOURCE!

"My compositions and recordings are not the final objective of the album, but rather the start. I want you to have access to the way I created the album concept, to the songs and to how I played them. In addition, I will make the stems available for download. So you can remix, recreate and make new versions of it. And I can't wait to see what you're gonna create from that. I can expect different approaches and better versions than mine.

"To make all this possible, I'm doing a crowdfunding campaignand stretching goals to be able to create and share even more with you. Some of the perks are unique. Brings us closer, we can collaborate together and I'm very excited to have this possibility through this campaign.

"When you participate in this limited-time exclusive crowdfund, you officially become a partner of mine. And you're helping to launch this album worldwide. And if you're not the composer kind, don't worry, the backing tracks will also be available. So weather you play an instrument or are a music producer, you can put your own spin on it."

"I'm looking forward to sharing this project with the world. Stay healthy and stay safe!"

Kiko started composing his new solo album last year. The recordings started in September 2019 and he has been working on the LP ever since, in between MEGADETH's activities.

"Sounds Of Innocence" featured guest appearances by Virgil Donati on drums and Felipe Andreoli (ANGRA, ALMAH) on bass. One track also featured LIVING COLOUR bassist Doug Wimbish. The effort was produced by Kiko, mixed by Dennis Ward and mastered by Jürgen Lusky.

Kiko made his recording debut with MEGADETH on 2016's "Dystopia" album. The "Dystopia" title track was honored in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine told Revolver magazine that finding Loureiro "was really a mind-blower. It was the first time since Marty Friedman joined the band that I was really intimidated as a player," he said. "He's such an amazing talent, and he's been coming in with all of these fresh ideas." Mustaine has also called Loureiro the "best guitarist we've ever had," adding that he was a good fit personality wise. "Chris [Broderick] and I had a good chemistry, but we weren't really as close as I would have wanted us to be," Mustaine explained. "Kiko, I feel like I've known him for years."

A video of DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse teaching you how to play the band's new single, "Man Alive", can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Whoosh!", which will be released on August 7 via earMUSIC.

"It's an abstract concept," frontman and lyricist Ian Gillan told Billboard about the song. "There was an apocalyptic quality to the (music of) 'Man Alive', and the idea developed lyrically from there — the scenario of this event that took place and everyone got killed, and you get this picture of 'all creatures great and small grazed on blood red soil, and grass that grows on city streets.' So it's a post-humanity scenario. And then all of a sudden something's washed up on the beach, and it turns out to be a man, and it's the only living man — but it's just a man, so...That's the end of humanity, because what use is one man? That was the idea. If it was a painting, you'd call it impressionistic."

DEEP PURPLE's 21st studio LP was once again helmed by Canadian producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER), who also worked on the band's last two studio albums, 2017's "Infinite" and 2013's "Now What?!" Together they created the most versatile album in their collaboration. DEEP PURPLE "stretched out in all directions" without any limitation, letting their creativity go.

"DEEP PURPLE is putting the Deep back into Purple" was the half-joking motto in the studio after the first songs made it clear that Ezrin and PURPLE were on their path to creating an album pushing the boundaries of time, while voicing their resentment about the current situation of the world and addressing all generations.

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

"We've included everything that made the whole band smile, including Bob Ezrin. We've always enjoyed making music and having the incredible luxury of a loyal audience," said Morse.

Track listing:

01. Throw My Bones

02. Drop The Weapon

03. We're All The Same In The Dark

04. Nothing At All

05. No Need To Shout

06. Step By Step

07. What The What

08. The Long Way Round

09. The Power Of The Moon

10. Remission Possible

11. Man Alive

12. And The Address

13. Dancing In My Sleep

DOKKEN has announced a pair of socially distanced concerts next month that will feature special guest guitarist Reb Beach (WINGER, WHITESNAKE). Support at the shows will come from LYNCH MOB, which is led by former DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch. Both dates will include an "encore performance" with Lynch and DOKKEN leader Don Dokken.

The shows are as follows:

July 17 - Dr. Pepper Park - Roanoke, VA

July 18 - Timberwood Amphitheater, Magic Springs Water And Theme Park - Hot Springs, AR

Beach is best known for his work in the band WINGER and for being a member of WHITESNAKE since 2002.

After WINGER disbanded for a period in the mid-1990s, Beach first joined Alice Cooper's band and later replaced Lynch in DOKKEN. With DOKKEN, he recorded one studio album, titled "Erase The Slate", and a live DVD, titled "Live From The Sun".

Since leaving DOKKEN, Beach has been a part of several different recording and touring projects. In addition to sporadic touring with WINGER, he released a solo effort titled "Masquerade" in 2002. Since 2002, he has been a member of David Coverdale's current incarnation of WHITESNAKE and has been the longest-serving guitarist/member of the band to this day, excluding Coverdale.

In a 2019 interview with The Aquarian Weekly, Beach stated about stepping into another guitar hero's shoes in both WHITESNAKE and DOKKEN: "It might cross my mind for two seconds. I don't sound anything like [DEEP PURPLE's] Ritchie Blackmore and I don't sound anything like George Lynch. I never will. I was more nervous stepping into DOKKEN than with anything else, 'cause it was right after Lynch left. During our first live show together, this guy took off his sneaker and whipped it at me, striking me right in the head. He came to the show expecting to see George Lynch and not me. There were a few people not happy to see me. By the end of the show, however, they were happy."

This past March, Lynch rejoined DOKKEN on stage at the Hard Rock Live in Biloxi, Mississippi to perform three of the band's classic songs: "Kiss Of Death", "When Heaven Comes Down" and "Tooth And Nail". The reunion was the first of several planned DOKKEN live appearances this year which include what is being billed as a "special encore performance" featuring Lynch and Dokken.

DOKKEN's classic lineup — Dokken, Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer "Wild" Mick Brown — reunited for a short Japanese tour in the fall of 2016. The trek marked the first time in 21 years the four musicians had hit the road together.

A DOKKEN concert DVD focusing on the band's reunion tour, "Return To The East Live (2016)", was made available in 2018.

Since completing the Japanese reunion dates, DOKKEN has continued to perform with the group's current lineup — including bassist Chris McCarvill and guitarist Jon Levin. Levin also works as an attorney specializing in entertainment contract law, as well as the occasional divorce case.
























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JUST ANNOUNCED... DOKKEN with special guests LYNCH MOB July 17th in Roanoke, Virginia and July 18th in Hot Springs, Arkansas with special guest former Dokken guitarist Reb Beach and special ENCORE performance with Don Dokken and George Lynch! #dokken #lynchmob ?

A post shared by Dokken (@dokken_official) on Jun 20, 2020 at 4:41pm PDT








We. Can’t. Wait.

? ? DrPepperPark.com!

Posted by Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges on Saturday, June 20, 2020

Due to "serious health concerns," QUIET RIOT has elected to cancel its previously announced "socially distanced" concert on July 4 month at Magic Springs Theme And Water Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas as part of the Magic Springs Summer Concert Series. MOLLY HATCHET and BLACKFOOT will still perform as planned.

This past Tuesday (June 16), the wife of QUIET RIOT's Frankie Banali denied that he was on his death bed and said he would "come home" soon after being hospitalized for an infection.

On Monday, Banali was admitted to the emergency room at the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center in Woodland Hills, California. The drummer, who has been battling stage IV pancreatic cancer for the past 14 months, took to his personal Facebook page to share a photo of him on a hospital bed. A short time later, he expressed his affection for two of his longtime bandmates, writing: LOVE YOU Chuck Wright LOVE YOU Alex Grossi".

Frankie later said: "I have an infection that needs to be dealt with along with several procedures that need to be addressed. Hopefully this 'Disneyland' visit will not be too long and i can return home to make my green tea… do my flower arrangements, work on my art and get into my usual home quarentine trouble…. My sincere thanks to everyone for their love, well wishes, prayers and concern! I know you all rock…. but you already knew that!"

Banali was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room for shortness of breath, leg pain and loss of energy. A scan of his lungs caught an image of his liver, which is where the first spots were seen. Then came the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas.

He has been in treatment since last spring and recently started his 21st round of chemotherapy with the hopes of shrinking or controlling the cancer.

On June 10, Banali told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation" about his cancer battle: "I'm still fighting the good fight. I'm still doing the chemotherapy. I switched to a different chemotherapy a few months ago. And the side effects on this one are pretty brutal, and they pretty much last into the next round of chemo. So you kind of don't get a break for about three weeks, and then you get about maybe 10 days off, and then the cycle starts again. But it's part of what I'm doing."

Asked if doctors are seeing positive results from the chemotherapy, Banali replied: "It really depends on any given cycle, whether things are going up or whether things are reducing. The situation that I'm in is not a sprint, really — it is the longest race I can possibly make out of my situation. So you have to be really, really careful how you read into some of these things, because something can look elevated, but then if you look at a scan — one of my internal scans — it's not as bad as the numbers say. But it's a deadly disease — there's no question about it — and I know that that's what eventually is gonna kill me. In the meantime, I'm just trying to put that day off as far back as I possibly can."

Banali also talked about how his latest chemotherapy sessions caused him to lose his trademark hair. He said: "I knew that when we were switching from the first chemo formula that we were doing for almost a year to the new chemo formula, I knew in advance that the different formula was really gonna wipe out the hair. So right now you probably wouldn't recognize me because not only did it take all the hair on the top of my head, but it took my beard, my eyebrows, my eyelashes. Let me put it to you this way: I have just really improved my Olympic swimming chances with the loss of body hair."

Banali went public with his diagnosis last October, writing in a social media post that the cancer treatment had forced him to miss several live shows with the band. He was replaced at those gigs by either Johnny Kelly (DANZIG, TYPE O NEGATIVE) or Mike Dupke (W.A.S.P.), depending on each musician's availability.

QUIET RIOT's shows last year with Kelly and Dupke marked the first time ever that the band performed without any of the members from its classic lineup: Banali, singer Kevin DuBrow, guitarist Carlos Cavazo and bassist Rudy Sarzo.

Banali played his first show with QUIET RIOT since he announced his cancer diagnosis in October at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

The drummer resurrected QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after the death of founding member DuBrow.

QUIET RIOT's latest studio album, "Hollywood Cowboys" was released in November via Frontiers Music Srl.

Drummer Jason Bittner (Overkill, ex-Flotsam And Jetsam) has released the new video below, along with this message:

"FIRST OF ALL - THIS IS NOT THE BAND! Jason Ward  and I are NOT back in the band!! We simply did this video for fun - Mike and AK are still the only original members (and writers of this song) - therefore they are "Flotsam" and "Jetsam" - I don't know who is who but you get the point. I always loved Jason Ward's bass playing so I asked him to jam on this one too! This song probably my all- time favorite by the band and I always loved playing this one - we changed the last chorus a little cause that's how Mike always "heard" the drum part too!! FLOTS TIL DEATH!!!!"




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Calgary’s Osyron has a new album on the way, the explosive and thought-provoking Foundations releasing on July 10, 2020 via SAOL/The Orchard.

According to the band, Foundations is meant to be digested as an immersive exploration of Canadian history and identity, speaking on topics on the country's colonization to the mistreatment and recognition of Aboriginals to the country's participation in global warfare. Although it is not a conceptual release, it does bear a consistent theme across nearly the entirety of the record.

The band notes that this is the first album where each band member has contributed to the writing processes, which has resulted in a stronger, more refined production overall. Osyron shares their expectations for the album’s reception:

"We believe that the album will both surprise and challenge our current and new fans while still bringing back the big elements we are most known for (hooks, huge layered sections, melodies, and finger-twisting riffs, etc). We would like to think that our fans would accept this as not only the next iteration and evolution of us as a band but also as the artistic progression of the music.”

Today, Osyron brings their next video for the second single "The Ones Below", a track that stands alone from the themes of the album as a whole and pays tribute to the loss of a loved one or friend who has left our world. This is a track everyone can pay homage to the good times and not dwell on the bad. It's an upbeat song of hope that is inspired by the cheers of frosty mugs with a gentle touch down on the table soon followed. A salute to the ones below. BraveWords is premiering the heartfelt new video; watch below!

For fans of Nightwish, Dream Theater, and Wintersun; Osyron is progressive, powerful metal with a knack for engaging storytelling. Album preorders available here.

Tracklisting:

“The Cross”
“Ignite”
“Battle Of The Thames”
“The Ones Below”
“Foundations”

“The Ones Below” video:




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“Lies” is the new lyric video from The Jeremy Edge Project and it’s being exclusively premiered through BraveWords! “Lies” is the first single from their new self-titled LP, due for release on August 28, and the track features blues master Josh Smith as an additional guitarist and Crobot’s Brandon Yeagley on vocals. Preorder the album here.

"I wanted to do a heavy, slow blues in the vain of ‘Tea For One’ by Zeppelin. Not exactly like that but a similar vibe to it. I wanted it to have the extended, bar room, blues jam type of feel and capture that on record. This song needed two guitars to do that!"

For this track vocal duties were served up by vocalist Brandon Yeagley and additional guitars by blues guitarist master Josh Smith. While Brandon delivers a dynamic vocal performance while Edge and Smith trade leads. Smith opens the song with a hook on the Telecaster and sets up the ending dueling jam at the end of the song. Edge providing contrast with the Les Paul and wah wah to Smith's signature tone.

The song appears on the new album featuring an all-star lineup of guest musicians for Edge's debut solo release.




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Hydrogyn guitarist / founder Jeff Westlake has checked in with the following update on the band's forthcoming album, The Boiling Point.

"This is a mission. A love of emotions and creativity that has been in our bones since we were born. It has been a sincere pleasure to create and express emotions for all of you since 2004. This process for the new release has been under trying times and conditions. It has fueled our creativity and we hope it translates to you, the fans in great light.

We are in the final mixing stages now for what will be an October release. Photo shoot done and the machine has been put in gear. Stay tuned for info concerning product, bundles, release date and much more.

It has been a pleasure making and creating these emotions for you for the past 16 years and I and we have no intentions on stopping anytime soon.

The Boiling Point, this October. It’s a monster!"

Hydrogyn, featuring new vocalist Holly Hines Freed, recently released a new single / lyric video, "Hostage". Check it out below.




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Ohio-based melodic death metal three piece, Astralborne have unveiled a new video for the track "Centuries In Agony", taken from their recent album, Eternity's End. 

Astralborne came into being when Jayson Cessna (drums) and Derik Smith (guitars) had wrapped up work on Hammer Horde's third album, and they found themselves with an excess of time and an abundance of creativity. However, they knew that their artistic leanings were not suitable for their Viking-themed band, and set out on the path that led to them forming Astralborne, with Paul Fuzinski (bass, vocals). 

The trio wrote and arranged songs that comprised of both new and old material, revisiting and reimagining missives from their past lives, former bands and long forgotten periods of creativity. The resulting material was recorded in April of 2017 and forms an 11 track opus that fuses melodic death, black and thrash metal into a diverse aural assault. The outcome is an uncompromising tribute to melodeath's forefathers, with enough modern-day aggression to satisfy both old-school and new-school listeners alike. 

Eschewing the historical and fantastical lyrics of their Viking themed work, Astralborne have found freedom to explore more personal and raw concepts on Eternity's End. By embracing realism and rooting themselves firmly in the present day, the tracks on the album explore the symbolism of death - plus various offshoots from that central theme. Be it divine punishment, the bubonic plague or the feeling of watching everything around you perish - Astralborne have explored the many facets of death in a myriad of ways.

Eternity's End artwork and tracklisting:

"Eulogy In Black"
"Attending The Funeral"
"Transcendence Of Flesh"
"Paragon Amiss"
"Centuries In Agony"
"Architect Of Suffering"
"Inglorious 20XX"
"The Obliterators"
"Eternity’s End"
"Reflections"
"Hell Patrol" 

"Eternity’s End":

Get your copy of Eternity's End now at this location.

 




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