Dutch blackened death metal outfit MISANTHROPIA unveils their latest macabre masterpiece with the video for “River Dumplings,” a track from their critically acclaimed album “Envy The Dead,” out now via Wormholedeath. In true Misanthropia style, this grim tale weaves through history’s darkest corners, unraveling the sinister story of Amelia Dyer, the notorious Victorian-era “baby farmer.”


In the shadowy corners of Victorian England, darkness didn’t only lurk in the city’s damp dungeons or hidden sewers. Even the quiet villages concealed unspeakable horrors. One such darkness came in the form of Amelia Dyer, a trained nurse who twisted the trust placed in her.

For 30 years, Dyer preyed upon society’s most vulnerable—infants. Paid to care for them, she instead let hundreds perish from malnutrition, neglect, and worse. When their lives were snuffed out, they were wrapped tightly, as if in a grim ritual, and tossed into rivers like discarded parcels. Strangled by white cords, these “bundles of joy” floated in canals and bays, victims of a system and a woman who should have protected them.

What awaited these children was not just humanity’s apathy, but perhaps something darker. Lurking in the waters were monstrous beings—figures that weren’t entirely human. Were they the twisted manifestation of Dyer’s evil, or something else? Not all monsters wear men’s faces; some wear the guise of women.

Stream the Full Album “Envy The Dead” Here: orcd.co/envythedead

MISANTHROPIA is no stranger to sonic devastation. For over 20 years, they’ve carved a path through the metal scene with their unique blend of Blackened fury and Death Metal aggression. Their longstanding partnership with legendary producer/engineer MIKE WEAD (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond) continues on ‘ENVY THE DEAD’, ensuring a potent and punishing listening experience.

“Envy The Dead” is a concept album that conjures a dark, gritty atmosphere inspired by historical horrors like Jack The Ripper and necromancy. Moving away from symphonic elements, it embraces a progressive Death/Thrash vibe with influences from Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Necrophobic, Mayhem, and Death. Mike Wead (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond) is behind the engineering, mixing, and mastering.

Line up:
Bram Koller-Rythm Guitars and Vocals
Dennis Schoenmaker-Rythm And Lead Guitars
Pepijn Heilbron-Bass
Hugo de Waal-Drums

Metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is excited to release his latest video for the track “Aphelion” – premiered exclusively through BraveWords – off the recently released EP Whisper In A Storm. The song features Michael Nystrom Bala, the 80s half of Necronomicon Ex Mortis’ guitars. The single showcases Barbará’s signature blend of heavy metal aggression and classical music’s formal, harmonic concepts. 


He shares his thoughts on the track:


“‘Aphelion’ is designed to be heavy and scary. It was super cool to design two similar solo sections that I could split with my dear friend Mike. The original idea for this song was ‘What if I took a straightforward unga-bunga riff and made it weirder and weirder every time it happens.’ I think it really features the difference in our styles. I hope someone moshes to this one.”







The single starts with a big stomp intro with slightly alien harmony and goes through a process of transformation and fragmentation until it comes back to its original form and immediately falls apart again. The two solos, by Barbará and Bala, contrast one another very nicely.


“Aphelion” represents a perfect balance between technical prowess and emotional depth. Barbara's intricate guitar work forms the foundation of the track, while Bala's guest solo adds a layer of intensity that elevates the composition to new heights. The result is a journey through musical textures that captivate and challenge listeners in equal measure. It is recommended for fans of Meshuggah, Keith Merrow, and Monuments.


Whisper In A Storm EP is available digitally  here.





Tracklisting:


"Dead Hand" (feat. Jody Miller)
"A Different Horizon" (feat. Jake Howsam L

Japan's Lovebites made their US live debut at ProgPower USA 2024 on September 6th, held at Center Stage, in Atlanta, GA. Check out fan-filmed video of their entire set below.


Setlist:


"The Awakening" 
"The Hammer of Wrath" 
"When Destinies Align"
"Unchained"
"Stand and Deliver (Shoot 'em Down)" 
"Shadowmaker" 
"Judgement Day" 
"Set the World on Fire" 
"Raise Some Hell" 
"Soldier Stands Solitarily" 
"Glory to the World" 
"Don't Bite the Dust" 
"Rising" 
"M.D.O." 
"Holy War" 
"We the United"







Lovebites recently released Memorial For The Warrior Souls, a live Blu-ray/2DVD/2CD set which features the live show from Hitomi Memorial Hall. Check out the live video for the smooth power ballad "Edge Of The World" - taken from their 2017 debut full-length Awakening The World.





A limited edition of the live set includes a re-recorded edition of the band’s debut EP plus new songs – titled Lovebites EP II. 


All of the songs from the latest full-length album Judgement Day, which was ranked at position #5 on Oricon weekly chart, was made after bassist Fami joined the band, therefore Lovebites EP II is the true first work by the current lineup. As its title suggests, this second installment of the band's 2017 debut, The Lovebites EP, is a truly "Lovebites 2.0" album from the band that has continued to update their selves since its debut. While The Lovebites EP featured a photo of a denim battle jacket, the cover art for Lovebites EP II features a photo of a white leather jacket in the band's signature color, adorned with gold studs and band logo patch, creating a striking impact.





In creating the five completely new songs that will be included, the band listened to their 2017 debut, The Lovebites EP, over and over again. It was a magical work of four simple, yet very different types of songs, each with its own distinct personality, yet somehow consistent when viewed as the EP as a whole. With a renewed sense of that initial impulse, the now grown-up Lovebites have succeeded in swallowing the atmosphere of the songs from their debut and creating this work that is unbalanced in a good way, yet miraculously balanced.


The limited edition A comes with the Re-Lovebites EP, a 4-song CD re-recorded from The Lovebites EP with the current lineup. (*The English version of "Bravehearted" is used.) The B and C come with a Blu-ray and DVD, respectively, consisting of a music video of the lead track and a making-of video showing the filming of the music video.


On the other hand, the latest live Blu-ray/2DVD/2CD Memorial For The Warrior Souls are a complete recording of the live performance at Showa Women's University Hitomi Memorial Hall in Tokyo on September 24 during the Judgement Day Tour held in 2023. The video was edited completely differently from the livestreamed performance on that day, allowing the viewer to see the detailed movements and facial expressions of each member. 


The live audio has also been mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila at legendary Finnvox Studio. And it includes five songs from their fourth album Judgment Day that have never been performed live before. The BR & DVD include a bonus one-hour documentary that follows the band on their seven-city tour of Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Yokohama. Fans ou

Florida’s own power metal force, Seven Kingdoms, has signed with Reigning Phoenix Music. This exciting partnership marks a new chapter for the band, kicking off with the release of their upcoming EP, The Square, on November 8th, 2024.


In celebration of this announcement, Seven Kingdoms has dropped a brand-new single and accompanying music video for the EP’s title track, "The Square". The song delivers the band's signature blend of high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and epic power metal melodies, while the video brings the track to life with a captivating, cinematic experience that fans are sure to love. 







Guitarist Camden Cruz comments "It’s an honor and privilege to join the RPM family alongside bands like Helloween, Kerry King, Meshuggah, Sonata Arctica and many more! We’ve been independent for some time, and we’re thrilled to join a team where that independence can coexist with a proper label. With this EP we have best of both worlds behind us and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship here with Reigning Phoenix Music!"


"The Square is our latest offering. In this EP we deliver a sampling of what sounds and feels we are aiming to bring to the next full release which will also come out on RPM late next year! We hope you love it as much as we do, and we will bring this material on our North American Headlining tour with Striker and Lutharo in November and December and also to Europe when we support Unleash The Archers in February and March 2025!"


Reigning Phoenix Music states: "RPM is very excited to start our new partnership with DMG (Distortion Music Group) and Maurizio Iacono, and offering a new song from Seven Kingdoms is a great way to kick it off!"


Manager Maurizio Iacono further adds: "With the new firepower that RPM will be providing to DMG artists, you can bet that American power metal sensation Seven Kingdoms will be making a lot of noise in the coming year. The Floridians are one of the fastest-rising heavy metal bands from North America, and we expect them to make waves worldwide with their virtuoso guitar skills, impressive vocal range, catchy anthems, and entertaining live shows."


Pre-Order The Square here. Artwork and tracklisting are as follows:





"The Square"    
"Through These Waves"    
"Wilted Pieces"    
"The Serpent And The Lotus"    
"Kyrie"


In addition to the EP's release, Seven Kingdoms will embark on an extensive touring schedule. The band will kick off a North American headlining tour in November and December, joined by Striker, Lutharo, and Osyron for select dates. Following that, they will support Unleash The Archers on a European tour in February and March 2025. 





November
9 - Boozers Rock Bar - Corpus Christi, TX  
10 - Come And Take It Live - Austin, TX 
11 - Haltom Theater - Haltom, TX
12 - 89th Street - Oklahoma City, OK
13 - Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM 
14 - Vultures - Colorado Springs, CO
16 - Last Exit Live - Phoenix, AZ 
17 - Sinwave - Las Vegas, NV
18 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
19 - Knucklehead - Los Angeles, CA
20 - DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
21 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
22 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
23 - Jacknife - Kelowna, BC
25 - Dicken’s - Calgary, AB 
26 - The Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB 
27 - The Black Cat - Saskatoon, SK 
28 - Sidestage - Winnipeg, MB 
30 - Reggies - Chicago, IL


December
1 - Sanctuary - Detroit, MI
3 - Meadows - Brooklyn, NY
4 - Metro - Baltimore, MD
5 - Hangar 1819 - Greensboro, NC
6 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
7 - The Orpheum - Tampa, FL
8 - Conduit - Orlando, FL






February
12 - Substage - Karlsruhe, Germany
13 - Colos-Saal - Aschaffenburg, Germany
14 - Live Music Hall - Cologne, Germany
15 - De Kreun - Kortrijk, Belgium
16 - The Underwo

Mirka Rantanen's hard rock solo project, Circus Of Rock, has officially transformed into a real band. Previously, two albums, Come One, Come All (2021) and Lost Behind The Mask (2023), were released featuring several guest musicians and vocalists. Now, Rantanen explains why the project has turned into an official band:


"After releasing the second Circus Of Rock album, I considered whether this should be a real band, rather than just a record project with dozens of guest performers. I discussed it with the representative of the previous label, and again this summer with the current label. Everyone agreed that having a permanent lineup would help the band more effectively and secure more gigs, as it would be more evident to the audience what to expect from us. Managing multiple people and organizing shows is highly challenging because you never know who's available, making booking gigs nearly impossible. Moreover, projects with numerous singers and musicians are often perceived as just record projects, even though we did a small tour in Finland last spring with several vocalists."


"I had already lined up a bunch of guest singers for the next album, including some great artists, and I'm a little disappointed that won't happen now. I decided to go a different route, believing it was the right decision. Since this is Circus Of Rock, anything is possible." 




"We'll move forward like this and see what we can achieve. I'm really excited about this and confident that we'll hit the road by next year at the latest."


A strong lineup of musicians has been selected for the band. Rantanen has recruited Mark Boals, known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken, and Ted Nugent, as the lead singer.


"Mark was already on the second Circus Of Rock album, and since then, we've collaborated on a project called Red Ravyn. Mark is still an i

Modern hard rock torchbearers I Prevail are having a banner 2024. The band has just dropped the expanded edition of their latest album. True Power (Expanded) comes armed with a new song and three reimagined tracks. Get it here.


The updated version includes the recently released new single "Hate This Song," an arena-sized collab track with alt-pop royalty All Time Low, while album singles "Bad Things, "There's Fear in Letting Go," and "Deep End" are all stripped back. These familiar, fan favorites get quiet yet beautiful reimagined makeovers. "Deep End" is softly lush, while "Bad Things" brings the beats. Elsewhere, "There's Fear In Letting Go" will haunt you with its simple instrumentation. The reworkings retain the power of the originals and still land with incredible impact.


"We're excited to announce/release True Power (Expanded) edition," says Eric Vanlerberghe. "When writing and working on these songs, we had fun envisioning some of these songs in different ways. So instead of just giving you a few acoustic tracks, we reworked some of our favourite songs into something familiar yet different."




In other I Prevail news, the band's collab track with Halestorm, "can u see me in the dark?," just hit #1 on the rock radio charts. The song does not appear on the expanded edition of True Power. The bands performed the song live on their recent co-headline tour, which was one of the hottest tours of the summer.





True Power (Expanded) tracklisting:


"0:00"
"There’s Fear In Le

Swedish power metal band, The Storyteller, have signed a new record deal with Greek-based label, The Circle Music. Under the new agreement, the band will release their long-awaited and yet-untitled seventh full-length album.


“We are proud to announce the signing of Swedish heavy metallers The Storyteller”, said The Circle Music. “The Storyteller is the first heavy metal band to join The Circle. This was not done on purpose. Although we have focused on more extreme aspects of the dark sound, we have long expected something special from the field of traditional heavy/power metal, something that stood out and we found this in the new material of The Storyteller.


“Dreamy, fairytale, crystalline, hot and bombastic, their new songs will captivate traditional heavy metal fans looking for something more. Having already released six albums and with a long career in the concert scene, it's time for The Storyteller to take the big step with an album that picks up where their historic 2000 self-titled debut left off.”




Formed in 1998, the band signed their first record deal with Swedish label House Of Kicks which now goes with the name Sound Pollution. Their debut album, The Storyteller, was recorded in the legendary “Studio Fredman” and released in the spring of 2000.


Since then the band has released five more studio albums and made themselves known as one of Sweden's stronger acts in the power metal genre, touring as an opening act for bands like Helloween, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Bruce Kulick (ex-KISS).


The Storyteller describe their music as power metal with medieval tunes, with lyrics that follow the fantasy genre. Storytelling is a trademark for the band, with the vision of taking the listener on a journey both musically and in lyrics.


After a period of "dormancy", The Storyteller has once again awoken with a new source of power that captured the vision that was present at the band’s inception. The collaboration between L-G Persson (vocals) and Cedrick Forsberg from Blazon Stone resulted in a new studio album being recorded and L-G Persson comments: “This is the production that managed to reach all the way. In this production, the music

In October, 2020, over 40 years after the founding members parted ways, The Damned announced a series of reunion shows with the original lineup consisting of Dave Vanian (vocals), Brian James (guitar), Captain Sensible (bass), and Rat Scabies (drums). Due to the pandemic, they were forced to postpone the shows until 2022. November 3, 2022, saw the band performing at the fully-packed O2 Apollo in Manchester, UK, delivering an energetic 21-song set taken from their first two albums, Damned Damned Damned and Music For Pleasure, the only albums to feature the four founding members.


This legendary reunion show is now available via earMUSIC, distributed by BFD/The Orchard in North America. AD 2022 – Live In Manchester can be accessed digitally for download and streaming, on 180g Black Double Vinyl, packed in a premium-quality gatefold jacket, as well as on a limited double CD+DVD Deluxe Edition, featuring the video of the full Manchester show on DVD and the reunion show in Birmingham as exclusive audio bonus on CD2.


Order all formats here.




Also available now is a live track/video taken from the release, The Damned classic “Neat Neat Neat”. Check it out below.


Ground-breaking rock band The Damned exploded on to the British music scene more than forty-five years ago. Following their formation in 1976, The Damned became the first UK band in the punk rock genre to release a single (“New Rose”) and then an album (Damned, Damned, Damned). Initially associated with the British punk rock movement and then gothic rock, the band went on to release ten studio albums and several UK-charting singles which ran the gamut from punk rock to gothic to even the pop genre. They have legions of hardcore fans worldwide and have firmly established themselves as one of most powerful and theatrical live bands in the world.








Tracklisting:


CD1 & 2LP: O2 Apollo Manchester 03/11/22:


"I Feel Alright"
"You Take My Money"
"Help"
"Born To Kill"
"Stretcher Case"
"Feel The Pain"
"I Fall"
"Fan Club"
"Alone"
"Fish"
"1 Of The 2"
"Problem Child"
"Neat Neat Neat"
"Stab Yor Back"
"Sick Of Being Sick"
"See Her Tonite"
"You Know"
"New Rose"
"Pills"
"The Last Time"
"So Messed Up"


CD2: O2 Academy Birmingham 05/11/22:


"I Feel Alright"
"You Take My Money"
"Help"
"Born To Kill"
"Stretcher Case"
"Feel The Pain"
"I F

Billy Idol, Corey Feldman, Gilby Clarke, Steve-O, Tommy Thayer (KISS), and Kevin Martin (Candlebox) were among the 300 guests who packed Motor Cars LA Showroom in Hollywood, CA on September 19 for the VIP opening of the “A Moment In Time” photography/art exhibition in Hollywood, CA. Recording artist and contemporary fine artist Billy Morrison and world-renowned photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss came together for one weekend only - September 19, 20, and 21 - to showcase a series of unique paintings by Morrison, based on the iconic images photographed by Weiss of such artists as Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, and more. The event was presented by X5 Podcast and Motor Cars LA.


Watch the livestream of the event, as well as a performance by Billy Idol and Billy Morrison below. All photos below by Jane Stuart.







At this red-carpet event, Rock N Roll and Fine Art collided with multi-million-dollar supercars in the entertainment capital of the world. The night was highlighted by a performance from singer, songwriter and guitarist Morrison, who was joined by Idol on a fiery version on his signature smash “Rebel Yell” (Morrison is the second guitarist in Idol’s band along with Steve Stevens). Morrison and musicians Jacob Bunton (guitar, vocals), Brett Scallions (bass, vocals), Erik Eldenius (drums), and Paul Trudeau (keyboards) also performed red-hot covers of “I Fought The Law” (Bobby Fuller Four, The Clash), “Basket Case” (Green Day), “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan, Guns N’ Roses), and “Surrender” (Cheap Trick). Former Guns N’ Roses member Gilby Clarke also played guitar and sang on “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones.





Throughout the sprawling Motor Cars LA Showroom were 12 unique canvas pieces from Morrison, and high-end editions of the same photographs from Weiss, with a

Finnish progressive metal band, Simulacrum, introduced their new drummer, Matias Rokio, in their previous press release, and now it's time to reveal the final lineup for the band's upcoming fourth album.


The band welcomes two new members: vocalist Christian Palin and guitarist Harri Hytönen. Both Christian and Harri are part of the amazing new hard rock band Fenyx Rising, and they were a natural choice to join Simulacrum due to their great chemistry and work culture. Both Christian and Harri have been passionate progressive metal fans since their teenage years, when bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Shadow Gallery, Tool, and Adagio were fresh innovators in the metal world.







Christian Palin has been active throughout the 2000s with numerous bands and recordings. His own excellent band, Random Eyes, has released four albums over the years, and he sang on the album Archangels in Black with the French progressive metal legends Adagio. Other bands from his career include Panorama, Magic Kingdom, and from years ago, his first joint album with Simulacrum’s keyboardist, the power metal project Epicrenel. Check out Christian’s sample from the new song "200 Years" and a greeting to the fans below.

In a new interview with The Jacob Buehrer Show, John Cooper of Christian hard rockers SKILLET once again weighed in on the long list of musicians who have objected to Donald Trump using their songs at political rallies. Ahead of the 2020 election, that included Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, R.E.M. and GUNS N' ROSES. Earlier this year, Celine Dion has asked Trump to stop using "My Heart Will Go On", FOO FIGHTERS denounced his use of "My Hero" and Beyoncé blocked Trump from using her song "Freedom" in a campaign video.

Asked if he would be "fine" with SKILLET music being used by politicians of any parties at their rallies, Cooper said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, that is such a great question. I really should have an answer for this. My position used to be anybody can play my music. I just love the country. So I don't care. I wouldn't view somebody playing my song as me saying I'm voting for, you know, Barack Obama. I wouldn't have been, like, 'Use the song. We're all Americans.'

"I think one of the magic things about music is that it can mean something different to each person," he continued. "So I particularly used to feel that way. I feel like that the game is being changed in such a bizarre fashion that now I'm being forced to think about things I wouldn't have thought about in the future. But I still stand behind it.

"Look, if any presidential candidate was using my song, I would never get on the phone and call my lawyer and say, 'Stop them from using my song.' I would just be, like, 'Hey, I'm not voting for fill-in-the-blank person, but I don't care if they use my song. We're all Americans.' It's kind of how I feel about it right now, but I reserve the right to change my mind later. But I just can't imagine [me trying to stop any candidate from using SKILLET music], even though I will say the world is becoming very strange right now. That just really makes me sad. I really wish that we could all just be Americans and say, 'Here are the things that we love,' and not demonize the other people. But I also don't wanna be naïve and not recognize that I do think that we are in a time where there are two different visions for the country. And so it might just be the case that we don't agree on even what I would call bedrock civil liberties-type issues. And if that's [how it is], this is where it is.

"But back to your question, I kind of feel like if anybody wants to use my music, go for it," Cooper concluded.

In recent years, many musicians have fought publicly against the GOP's co-opting of their songs and their respective messages.

AEROSMITH, THE BEATLES, QUEEN, Elton John and THE ROLLING STONES, as well as the estates of Tom Petty, Prince and David Bowie have also objected to Trump's use of their music at rallies.

By contrast, Kamala Harris received approval from Beyoncé's team to use "Freedom" from her 2016 album "Lemonade" as part of her presidential campaign.

In August, Isaac Hayes's estate took legal action against the Trump campaign for its use of "Hold On, I'm Coming" at multiple Trump rallies over the last two years.

According to Billboard, the performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP require political campaigns to obtain licenses to use songs in their catalogs, with a caveat in the license that allows songwriters to object to usage in a political campaign. At both ASCAP and BMI, members can request to withdraw their music from political-campaign licenses.

"How it works is that the blanket license gives the campaign authorization to play any one of BMI's 22.4 million musical works wherever campaign events/functions occur, but there is a provision built into this license so that if we receive an objection from a songwriter or music publisher about a particular song(s) being used in a campaign, we will remove that song(s) from the license," Jodie Thomas, a spokesperson for BMI, told Business Insider. "We will then notify the campaign that the song has been removed from their license and that they are no longer authorized by BMI to perform that song at any campaign events or functions moving forward."

Cooper previously talked about artists and bands vocalizing their opposition to political candidates using their music earlier this month in an interview with On The Road To Rock podcast with Clint Switzer. Asked if he is "cool" with SKILLET music being used by politicians at their rallies, Cooper said: "This is my personal opinion, and this could change. I don't want somebody later to say, 'Well, you said blah blah blah.' My personal opinion at today, I don't care who plays my song at their political rally, because I believe in America over party. I believe in the foundations of this country. And plus, we have this thing called social media, and let's just say, hypothetically, let's say that you're running for president, and you're playing my song, and let's just say that I don't like your platform. I can always go on social media and say, 'Hey, I wanna make it clear, this dude may be using my song, and I'm happy for him to use it. It doesn't mean that I'm supporting his presidency, but I love America.' You can do that. There's a lot of ways you can go around it. Now, I do think there's a difference. Let's just say that you then wanted to use my song on one of your paid advertisements on a commercial. Now we're getting into something. But if you're playing my song at a political rally and you're walking out and my song's playing, I go, hey, you know what? Go America. It's the best country in the world, and we can disagree on some things."

In recent years, Cooper he has become more outspoken about what he sees as a serious threat to Christianity in America. He regularly uses his platform to address hot-button issues like sexual ethics, post-modernism, abortion and deconstruction from a biblical perspective.

In various interviews, John has said that he "always had faith in God" and that his mother was a "Jesus fanatic." He also claimed that he was willing to put his career on the line to take a stand for Christ.

Photo courtesy of Atom Splitter PR

Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE were rejoined by their former singer Howard Jones during their 25th-anniversary concert at the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 21. Jones made an appearance for three songs — "Take This Oath", "Rose Of Sharyn" and "The Signal Fire" — sharing the lead vocal duties with KILLSWITCH's longtime frontman Jesse Leach. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below (courtesy of The Jon Dohh Show).

Jones left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2012 and battled manic depression and bipolar disorder before forming a new project, DEVIL YOU KNOW, with guitarist Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and drummer John Sankey (DEVOLVED). Along with bassist Ryan Wombacher (BLEEDING THROUGH),they recorded and toured behind two well-received albums, 2014's "The Beauty Of Destruction" and 2015's "They Bleed Red". In 2017, the band changed its name to LIGHT THE TORCH.

Jones makes an appearance on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's latest album, 2019's "Atonement", contributing guest vocals to the song "The Signal Fire".

Jones discussed his previous mental health issues in a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer. He said: "For a lot of the time during the whole manic depression thing, I didn't realize how bad I was. I thought the high levels of anxiety I was experiencing was just my lot in life, I didn't realize that there was help on hand for me to be able to deal with that. I thought that I was just meant to feel really nervous around large crowds. Now it's like being a kid again, because I can deal with it, so I've got my passion back and it's great."

Asked what made him get back into music after leaving KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, Howard told Heavy New York: "Honestly, I think it was because I was just kind of tired of doing nothing and I don't do much else other than music. I felt like I needed to venture out because I was basically agoraphobic for three years. It's kind of well known. I went off the grid. I didn't have a cell phone for three years — I was gone. It felt, like, 'Okay, maybe I should dip my toe in. I don't have to do it full time. I don't have to do what I don't want to do.' That's all I was thinking. I started moving, I started doing things. It was definitely a struggle, especially for the first few years. I was, like, 'What am I doing?' There's been few things in my life that has been consistent other than music. I just did it. It just took some time, then all of the sudden, the spark showed up. I fell back in love with what I was doing. I really can't explain it. It just sort of happened."

Leach appeared on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's self-titled debut and sophomore album, "Alive Or Just Breathing", before exiting the group. Jones took over on vocals for "The End Of Heartache", "As Daylight Dies" and the 2009 self-titled set before being dismissed from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 12 years ago and being replaced by a returning Leach.

In 2012, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio told Boston Globe that the band's split with Jones was necessitated by the singer's struggle with personal issues, including diabetes that had gone untreated for several years. "It became very apparent we had to move on without him," D'Antonio said. "Howard didn't quit."

Jones and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have spent the past couple of years working on the debut album from their collaborative project. The LP is tentatively expected in 2025.

Skilled laborers and tradespeople have long been the backbone of America, shaping the economic health and hard-working spirit of the country. However, the U.S. continues to face a widening skilled labor shortage, with young workers experiencing societal barriers to entering the trades, as 79% of young Americans say their parents want them to pursue a college education after high school and only 5% say the same about vocational school. Carhartt, America's iconic workwear brand, is continuing to help eliminate barriers and close the skilled trades gap this Labor Day by dedicating its fall 2024 "For The Love Of Labor" grant to support METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation and its Metallica Scholars Initiative.

Created by the members and management of METALLICA, All Within My Hands is a non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting workforce education by connecting future workers with trade programs in their local community. Carhartt's For The Love Of Labor grant donation will benefit the foundation's Metallica Scholars program to support 60 community colleges across all 50 states — including the 18 new schools that joined the program in July 2024. Funding provided by Carhartt will support not only school tuition at local community colleges, but also wraparound services like childcare and transportation to eliminate barriers that may prevent candidates from pursuing skilled trades education.

"The Metallica Scholars Initiative was born from our collective passion to dismantle the stigma associated with the skilled trades, and we are so proud of how this program is changing lives across the nation," said METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. "The importance of skilled trades education cannot be overstated, and we are immensely grateful for organizations like Carhartt that are making a meaningful difference by breaking down barriers and investing in the future of skilled labor."

Through All Within My Hands' partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is uniquely positioned to provide direct support to enhance career and technical education programs at a local level and help foster stronger pathways for workers to develop the skills needed to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program. Now entering its sixth year, the Metallica Scholars initiative has impacted the lives of approximately 6,000 students, contributing to 30 fields of study and investing over $10.5 million to-date to support America's skilled workforce.

"All Within My Hands and Carhartt share a common mission to strengthen communities by closing the skilled trades gap," said Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability and community at Carhartt. "Skilled trades education can be the start of a life-changing career path, and when workers and their families are taken care of, they are able to invest themselves back into their communities. We are proud to support the organizations that are inspiring the next generation of workers from diverse backgrounds by showing them how they can make their own history through the skilled trades."

This isn't the first time Carhartt and All Within My Hands have teamed up to support workforce development within the skilled trades. In March 2024, the workwear brand donated all proceeds from Carhartt.com, Reworked.Carhartt.com and all of its retail locations to All Within My Hands on International Women's Day to foster stronger pathways for women to enter the skilled trades. Timed with Labor Day in 2021, the two like-minded partners also collaborated on a nationwide campaign, "Hard Rock Is Hard Work," aimed to recruit a new generation of workers to the trades, in live events — such as concerts — and beyond.

Since its inception in Aug. 2020, Carhartt's For The Love Of Labor grant program has received hundreds of applications and awarded 24 grants — totaling nearly $2.7 million — to eligible U.S.-based 501©3 designated organizations in recognized apprenticeship industries that serve at least 100 individuals annually. With Carhartt's funding, recipient organizations have been able to provide hardworking participants with durable gear, tools, childcare and transportation. Several recipient organizations have also added new programs, instructors, resources, and ultimately, graduated more apprenticeship students that are equipped to close the country's skilled trades gap.

Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with approximately 3,000 employees worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt.

For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.

All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of METALLICA and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the foundation supports. All Within My Hands' collective efforts have raised over $15 million — providing $8.2 million grants to career and technical education programs, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts. As always, METALLICA covers all administrative costs.

In a new interview with Brian Haddad and Kenzie Roman of Chicago's Q101 radio station, LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda spoke about the decision to reform the band with a new lineup, now featuring singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain alongside returning members Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and Joe Hahn.

"In the middle of the process, we were open to, like, maybe the lineup is like a moving lineup, maybe there's multiple vocalists, maybe it's a different name, stuff like that," Mike said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And then as the music came into focus, we were, like, 'This is as LINKIN PARK an album as we could make. It's so LINKIN PARK that if we call it something else, then we are idiots.' Because it would be like misrepresentation. It'd be silly. And when people hear more of the album, they will understand that."

On Thursday (September 5),LINKIN PARK held a one-hour global livestream of a concert in Los Angeles showcasing the band's new lineup. Guitarist Alex Feder was filling in for Delson for the night and will continue to tour with LINKIN PARK for the foreseeable future instead of Delson.

LINKIN PARK also released a new single, "The Emptiness Machine", and announced an upcoming album "From Zero", which will arrive 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.

Regarding the decision to call the album "From Zero", Shinoda told Q101: "Our original band name was XERO back in '99 — '98, '99. And originally it was me and my friend Mark. And then we added Brad and Dave and Joe and XERO turned into HYBRID THEORY, which turned into LINKIN PARK. So the name of the album is a double entendre. It's us starting over, but it's also us kind of being in touch with the things we loved back then. It's an energetic record. It's a lot of guitars. It's gonna be so, so fun to play live. I cannot wait for people to hear these songs live. But yeah, really, that's the reason for that."

Addressing the inevitable comparisons between Armstrong and Bennington, Shinoda said: "Everybody, they kind of have to say things like Emily 'stepping into Chester's shoes' and blah, blah, blah. I don't love that phrasing because I get that she is filling a space in the visual lineup of the band, but I also feel like Chester was one of a kind; he's only Chester. And Emily's also one of a kind; she's only Emily. When I hear her sing, she doesn't sound like him to me; she sounds like her. And that's what I like. What I like about her voice is that it's very unique and it sounds — I don't know how else to explain it. When she sings on the songs, they sound like LINKIN PARK songs. And that's just my gut. That's just how I feel."

LINKIN PARK's global livestream featured performances of "The Emptiness Machine" as well as the LP hits "Somewhere I Belong", "Numb", "Faint", "Bleed It Out", "One Step Closer", "What I've Done" and "In The End".

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 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."

"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."

Photo credit: James Minchin III

In a new interview with Highway 81 Revisited, drummer Steve Asheim of Florida death metal veterans DEICIDE was asked what he does to keep up his endurance while playing so fast night after night on tour. He responded: "I used to work out with weights a lot. I don't really do that anymore. [I'm] getting a bit old for that. Playing the way I do has given me tendinosis. Like if someone was working a jackhammer for 20 years, it has an effect on your tendons. I tore my bicep, I blew my calf out, and it's always on the left side for some reason. Just recently even, I stopped drumming because it was affecting my pulmonary and cardio health. At practice, once we get going, I feel like I'm about to have a fucking heart attack. [Laughs] Also my asthma was getting worse.

"I started drumming about January 1 this year [after a break] and noticed all of that stuff was kind of getting a little better," he continued. "My heart felt a little stronger. I haven't needed my inhaler for a few months. In that sense, I need to maintain a certain lifestyle without literally having a fucking heart attack during a gig, because people have done that. Nick Menza [late MEGADETH drummer] playing in a hot club stroked out. That's not happening to me [laughs], I'm tellin' ya. At least I don't want it to happen. I like my weed, and booze was my thing. Now not so much the booze, at least for now. As long as I have to play at this level worldwide, I can't do that crazy shit."

According to an article in the National Library Of Medicine, tendinosis is a degeneration of the tendon's collagen in response to chronic overuse; when overuse is continued without giving the tendon time to heal and rest, such as with repetitive strain injury, tendinosis results. Even tiny movements, such as clicking a mouse, can cause tendinosis, when done repeatedly.

DEICIDE's latest album, "Banished By Sin", was released in April via Reigning Phoenix Music.

This past February, DEICIDE released the second single from "Banished By Sin", a song called "Sever The Tongue". The track was recorded at Smoke & Mirrors with engineer Jeramie Kling, while the mixing and mastering was handed by Josh Wilbur.

DEICIDE collaborated with David Brodsky from My Good Eye: Music Visuals for a visually arresting video for "Sever The Tongue" that complements the track's blasphemous undertones.

To close out 2023, DEICIDE celebrated Christmas with another blasphemous song called "Bury The Cross...With Your Christ".

DEICIDE played its first show with new guitarist Taylor Nordberg (THE ABSENCE, INHUMAN CONDITION) on May 21, 2022 at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Previous DEICIDE guitarist Chris Cannella amicably left the band in January 2022 after a three-year run.

Chris joined DEICIDE in 2019 following the departure of guitarist Mark English.

English became a member of DEICIDE in 2016 after the exit of longtime guitarist Jack Owen.

Photo credit: Gene Smirnov

Aeon Gods will release the debut album, King Of Gods, on November 22 via Scarlet Records.


After the long-standing symphonic metal unit Aeternitas dissolved, their masterminds Anja and Alex Hunzinger immediately conjured up a new concept and found a different musical home built around a cinematic sound flavoured by elements of power and symphonic metal: Aeon Gods emerged as the modern messengers of the ancient mythological gods, infusing new blood into the epic metal scene.


King Of Gods brings the timeless Babylonian legends to life and allows the listener to experience the grand battles between the gods, where celestial forces clash and destinies are forged. The German band narrates these tales through an imperial blend of strong & catchy choruses, powerful beats, and majestic sounds – enter the new prophets of the word, enter Aeon Gods.




Mixed and mastered by Sebastian 'Seeb' Levermann (Orden Ogan, Brainstorm, Rhapsody Of Fire), and graced by the stunning cover courtsey of Peter Sallai, King Of Gods will be released in the following formats:


- digipack CD
- digital


Pre-save/pre-order here.

Experience the raw power of Amon Amarth as they take the stage as headliners at Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival 2024! On August 11th, Amon Amarth unleashed their Viking-inspired melodic death metal, captivating the audience with their commanding presence and relentless energy.


This video showcases their intense live performance of "War Of The Gods," a track that has become a defining anthem in their discography. With its crushing riffs, epic melodies, and tales of ancient battles, "War Of The Gods" exemplifies the sheer force of Amon Amarth's music. Their performance at Bloodstock 2024 was a testament to why they are one of the most celebrated bands in metal, delivering a show that was nothing short of monumental.


Whether you're a die-hard Amon Amarth fan or new to their music, this live rendition of "War Of The Gods" is an experience you won't want to miss. Immerse yourself in the fury and might of Viking metal as Amon Amarth leads you into the heart of battle.







"Latin America….march to Valhalla with us this fall," states a message from Amon Amarth, announcing a string of dates in October/November.


Tickets for the dates listed below are on sale now at 

Rising Italian power metal outfit, Frozen Crown, made their US live debut at ProgPower USA 2024 on September 7th, held at Center Stage, in Atlanta, GA. Check out fan-filmed video of their entire set below.


Setlist:


"Neverending" 
"The Water Dancer" 
"Call of the North" 
"Steel And Gold" 
"The Lone Stranger" 
"Kings" 
"Far Beyond" 
"I Am the Tyrant" 
"Netherstorm" 
"The Shieldmaiden"










Frozen Crown recently unveiled the guitar-driven title track, “War Hearts”, alongside a powerful official music video. Taken from their new studio album and Napalm Records debut, War Hearts, out on October 18, the uplifting track combines the strong message of fighting for your dreams with incredible vocal expertise and ultimate high-speed riffs. Determined to make it through the rough storm as war angels, relentless drums merged with a thrilling guitar solo by newest member Alessia Lanzone reflect the confident atmosphere.


With their youthful, raw and passionate approach to metal, Frozen Crown have garnered significant media exposure with their previous four albums and their massive hit, “Neverending”, which has gathered over 11 million views on YouTube to date. The band has further cemented their reputation with their dynamic live performance with legendary acts like U.D.O. in 2023.


Frozen Crown on the new single “War Hearts“: “We're overly excited and proud to introduce our new album's title track ‘War Hearts’ and to unveil its official videoclip! ‘War Hearts’ was the first song we wrote for the new album and it's meant to be a statement about how fast and uncompromising the rest of the album is going to be. It's also the first song to mark the appearance of our young new guitar player Alessia and her blazing solos. The video is once again settled in Italy, between the windy ruins of the Avigliana Castle, and once again portrays the band in the rawest manner possible, without any kind of post-production or artifice involved.”





Founded in 2017, the relentless band has performed at several festivals like Sabaton Open Air, Metal Fest Plzen and Rock Imperium Festival, headlined two Japanese tours and followed extensive European touring with significant bands such as DragonForce and Nanowar Of Steel – topped by an upcoming tour with Kamelot this fall. Joined by their newest member, 18-year-old guitar prodigy Alessia Lanzone, the band's characteristic sound has been expanded by her skills, adding depth and complexity to their performances.


Featuring all members on the recording for the first time, War Hearts symbolizes a fresh start and pays homage to the legendary Children Of Bodom with its album title, a band that inspired Frozen Crown's youthful, raw and passionate approach to metal. Addressing themes of self-improvement, awareness, personal growth and inner struggles, album opener and title track "War Hearts” is about fighting for your dreams in the darkest of nights and creates a powerful and uplifting message of always staying strong, making it through the storm as war angels. "I Am The Wind” features soaring choruses with dual vocals from frontwoman Jade and guitarist Federico, ingenious guitar riffs and perfectly blended drums, while the lyrics inspire listeners to let go like the wind and rise to shine again. To wrap up the album, tracks like "Edge of Reality”, inspired by the ’86 Highlander movie, and "Bloodlines”, referencing the Vampire: The Masquerade series of board and video games, showcase the band's colorful storytelling.


Frozen Crownconstantly define and refine their sound, pushing their trademark elements to new levels of complexity without forgetting the characteristic catchy hooks. War Hearts exceeds their previous successes and solidifies their place in the global metal scene.





War Hearts will be available in the following formats:


- Ltd. 1LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Black Marbled (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) - strictly ltd. to 200 copies
- 1LP Gatefold Translucent Red (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
- Digisleeve
- Digital


Pre-order here.





War Hearts tracklisting:


"War Hearts"
"Steel And Gold"

Massachusetts metal band, Escuela Grind, will release its new LP, Dreams On Algorithms, on October 18th via MNRK Heavy (High On Fire, Slomosa). Recorded at Salem, Massachusetts' GodCity Studio with Converge's Kurt Ballou, and mastered by Nick Townsend (Dr. Dre, Betty Davis) the record is the follow-up to Escuela Grind's 2022 full-length debut, Memory Theater. 


Pre-order / save Dreams On Algorithms at this location.


Now, Escuela Grind drops the crushing new track, "Toothless", and its accompanying video, directed by Seby X Martinez for Negative Kitty (Body Count, [adult swim]). The weighty "Toothless" sees Escuela Grind deliver a crunching Mortician-meets-Celtic Frost cut that is equal parts two-step tumble and weighty wood chop as vocalist Katerina Economou exclaims, "It would feel better to fail than never to be tested."







Speaking on the album title, Dreams On Algorithms, Economou says, "We wanted to write an album that identifies what it’s like to consume in this era we live in: what we receive through our phones, the social media landscape, personalized algorithms, and how it is translated by our subconscious. I think most people can relate to something in their online sphere infecting their dreams. This transfer was something we really wanted to expand on, and all of the songs have themes relating to dream analysis and technology."


In advance of the release of Dreams On Algorithms, Escuela Grind will launch a North American headlining tour which will kick off on October 8th in Omaha, NE. The 16-city trek will feature support from For Your Health and Wisdom & War. Tickets for all dates are on sale now. The full itinerary is as follows:


October
8 - Omaha, NE - Reverb 
9 - Denver, CO - Moe's
10 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
11 - Las Vegas, NV - Sinwave
12 - Ontario, CA - Glen Helen Amphitheater (as part of Mayhem Festival)
13 - Atadadero, CA - Dark Nectar 
16 - Portland, OR - Dante's
17 - Seattle, WA - Vera Project
18 - Spokane, WA - The Big Dipper
19 - Boise, ID - The Shredder 
22 - Des Moines, IA - Lefty's Live
23 - Milwaukee, WI - X-Ray Arcade
24 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's 
25 - Detroit, MI - Sanctuary 
26 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
27 - Montreal, QC - Caberet Foufounes





Escuela Grind recently released a video for their single, "Concept Of God", directed by Seby X Martinez for Negative Kitty (Body Count, [adult swim]). Speaking on the track, the band offers, "'Concept Of God' is about the chaos that ensues when humans come together; the good and bad things that happen when opposites and like-minded individuals attract. The main lyrics in the song are, 'The concept of god only exists because of people.'"





Striking cover art by AC Tremblay foreshadows the inherent power and thematic investment contained in Dreams On Algorithms. "We have collaborated with the incredible AC Tremblay once more to create this vision of Dreams On Algorithms," says the band. "We wanted a similar expression as our last album, but with a different color palette. The art of Kurt Seligmann, Bauhaus theater sets, Nightmare On Elm Street, Eiko Ishioka, and the Cremaster Cycle were source materials of inspiration for this visual storytelling. The amount of detail and attention that AC Tremblay pays to his drawing is what we love most about working with him. You’ll be able to find many Easter Eggs from the album's lyrics within the artwork. We’re still finding new details."





Tracklisting:


"DOA"
"Always Watching You" 
"Constant Passenger"
"Moral Injury"
"Concept Of God" 
"Animus Multiform"
"Scorpion"
"Planned Obsolescence"
"Toothless"
"Turbulence" 


Dreams On Algorithms is also advanced by the single and video, "Turbulence", which showcases clean vocals over an earworm chorus -- a first for Escuela Grind --  without pulling away from unhinged brutality.


"I had the idea for the 'Turbulence' title during a plane ride where I thought I was actually gonna die," says Escuela Grind drummer Jesse Fuentes. "My mind was fixated on landing and playing the next show. It helped me cope, and then it kept happening on a couple of flights after that. My last in-person conversation with Napalm Death's Shane Embury was very emotional; he suggested we add clean vocals after he overheard Katerina doing some clean singing on the tour bus (after shows, on our winter 2023 European tour with NxDx, everyone would sing along together. it really was magical). The vocal hook and melody on 'Turbulence' was created a day before vocals were to be recorded at GodCity. We took that airplane experience, and wrote some straightforward, but meaningful lyrics."


"It will be immediately obvious when you first hear this song that it is a departure for us," offers Economou. "We wanted to take a risk with 'Turbulence', and after performing so many live shows over the last year we were ready to compile all that influence. The clean singing may take some people off-guard coming from a grind/hardcore band, but after touring with Napalm Death, we realized we wanted to incorporate that aspect into our music in a similar way. We definitely wanted a grungy, catchy chorus to sing at all of our upcoming festival appearances, and I hope the fans like the song as much as we do."





The first single released from Dreams On Algorithms is the ominous "Always Watching You", a video for which can be enjoyed below.


“Most of 'Always Watching You' was written in a practice space by Jesse and Krissy, and refined during soundchecks we had over the year," details Economou. "I've had this desire to write a song where I could portray the obsessive-stalker-girl archetype through lyrics for a while. Although not physically threatening, it's really interesting that society is so terrified of this stereotype. In 'Always Watching You', I wanted this fantastical, Nightmare On Elm Street-style imagery that was rooted in the gore and horror of death metal. Themes of parasocial relationships, anxieties from social media, and an omnipresent algorithm are strongly observed in this song and throughout the entire album."

In a new interview with the "JJO Morning Show" with Johnny Danger and Dee, which airs on the Madison, Wisconsin radio station 94.1 WJJO FM, ALL THAT REMAINS frontman Phil Labonte spoke about what it has been like for him and his bandmates to support MEGADETH on the ongoing "Destroy All Enemies" U.S. tour. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is amazing. So, Dave Mustaine [MEGADETH leader] has a reputation of being kind of prickly or whatever. He has been the most accommodating, most friendly dude. Literally, there were people on the tour that were, like, 'Hey, look, make sure you go say hi to Dave,' the first couple of days. And they're, like, 'Make sure you go say hi to Dave, 'cause he wants to hang out.' He wants to know everyone. And the whole MEGADETH team has been great — the whole band is great and the crew's been great. But one of the things that's really struck me the most is how accommodating they are."

He continued: "Sometimes you'll get on tour where the headliner's, like, 'We're doing our thing. You're here. Stay out of our way. This is how much space you got. We don't wanna hear anything. This is your catering. We don't wanna hear anything. This is what you signed up for. That's it.' And if they're like that, you're, like, 'Okay. That's a hundred percent true.' You don't take offense to it. You're, like, 'Thank you for the opportunity.' MEGADETH has been absolutely accommodating. They're, like, 'Do you guys need anything? If you want anything, let us know. Get in touch with our security guy.' … I can't say enough good things about how incredibly great they've been. The MUDVAYNE [fellow support act] guys have been all great too. I've known Chad [Gray, MUDVAYNE singer] for years and years. We did a bunch of stuff with HELLYEAH and stuff like that, so I've been friends with Chad for ages. But this is the first time that I actually got to hang out around the MEGADETH guys. I got to interview Dave years ago one time, and it was really cool. He was nice. And I got the fanboy a little bit when I met him. I was, like, 'Man, the first time I saw MEGADETH was in 1991, and I was a kid, and it's so sick to be here, man.' … And he was totally cool. And again, I can't say enough good things. The tour's been amazing. This is exactly what you hope a tour would be. Like I said, if they were, like, 'This is the time that you get. Deal with it,' it would be, like, 'Thanks for the opportunity. Cool. Awesome.' I'm a grown-up. I'm an adult. I'm not gonna take offense. It's totally fine. But, again, they have gone above and beyond for us. They have been absolutely wonderful."

Produced by Live Nation, "Destroy All Enemies" kicked off in Rogers, Arkansas on August 2 and will wrap in Nashville, Tennessee on September 28.

Last month, ALL THAT REMAINS released the official Tom Flynn-directed music video for the song "No Tomorrow". The track marked the third new single from the Massachusetts-based metal outfit, following the arrival of "Divine" in May and "Let You Go" in June.

"Divine" marked ALL THAT REMAINS' first original new material since the passing of guitarist Oli Herbert. "Divine" also ushered in a period of rebirth for ALL THAT REMAINS, which is, for the first in its career, 100 percent independent and will be releasing future material on its own label — All That Remains Records.

In July 2023, longtime ALL THAT REMAINS drummer Jason Costa announced his departure from the group, citing "deeply personal" reasons that "have nothing to do with any drama or anything within the band."

Jason was the featured drummer on the last six ALL THAT REMAINS albums: "Overcome" (2008),"For We Are Many" (2010),"A War You Cannot Win" (2012),"The Order Of Things" (2015),"Madness" (2017) and "Victim Of The New Disease" (2018). He is notable for being one of the few heavy metal drummers to play solely with the "traditional grip."

Back in March 2022, Costa left ALL THAT REMAINS' U.S. tour in order to "deal with some personal matters." He was temporarily replaced by Anthony Barone, who had previously played with BENEATH THE MASSACRE and SHADOW OF INTENT.

Earlier last year, ALL THAT REMAINS's breakthrough album "The Fall Of Ideals", was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.

In 2022, ALL THAT REMAINS embarked on "The Fall Of Ideals" 15th-anniversary tour.

"The Fall Of Ideals" was reissued in November 2021. The best-selling title features such fan favorites as "This Calling", "Six" and "The Air That I Breathe".

Oli was found dead on October 16, 2018 at the edge of the pond on his Stafford Springs, Connecticut property. He was reported missing by his wife about 3 p.m., and his body was found by police face down at the edge of the pond where the water was only a few inches deep. The medical examiner's office conducted an autopsy showing that Oli had three prescription drugs in his system — the antipsychotic olanzapine, the antidepressant citalopram, and Ambien. It also said: "Mr. Herbert's past medical history is reportedly significant for marijuana use."

Dave Mustaine photo credit: Ryan Chang

Death metal force Ancient Entities proudly present the lyric video for “Pierced by Obsidian”, a track taken from the band’s album “Echoes of Annihilation”, out via Wormholedeath.

Step into the shadowy depths of ancient Mayan history with “Pierced by Obsidian.” Witness the harrowing reenactment of a sacrificial ceremony where a chosen victim, bound to a stake, faces a relentless barrage of obsidian-tipped arrows. This chilling ritual, shrouded in mystery and blood-soaked tradition, unveils the brutal reverence the Mayans held for their gods. Prepare to be mesmerized by the haunting visuals and the sheer intensity of this powerful portrayal of primal sacrifice.


Ancient Entities, comprising Alex Rausa, Jake Falk, Luke Veranth, and Brian Gulliford, delve deep into the annals of ancient civilizations, weaving tales of war tactics, brutality, folklore, and mythology into their powerful soundscapes. The band’s mission is clear: to transport listeners back to ancient times, capturing the essence of historical narratives through their relentless music, immersive ambiance, and crushing riffs.

Don’t miss out on what promises to be one of the standout metal releases of the year. Stay connected with Ancient Entities and immerse yourself in their sonic world through the following link: linktr.ee/Anciententities

Finnish melancholic metal band Garden of Stone is set to release their debut album ‘The Grave Mistake’ on November 29th 2024 via Inverse Records. The third single ‘Daydream’ is released today and the lyric video is available, below.

The band comments:
“Reminiscent of Garden of Stone’s first EP, “Daydream” begins slowly, building the song from the ground up, adding more and more layers as the song progresses, providing the listener hints of the grand crescendo that awaits at the end. The lyrics depict a struggle with faith and freedom, using the metaphor of a bird with clipped wings to express a desire to break free from personal limitations. Themes of entrapment, defiance, and the pursuit of peace are woven throughout, culminating in a sense of empowerment and liberation.”

LISTEN to Daydream on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/gos-daydream

Composed by Jere Mäntysalo, Jesse Salo
Lyrics by Jesse Salo
Artwork by Noora Khouya

Watch Day of Discord (1st single) music video: https://youtu.be/uQZ_fXKyChk
Watch Waiting For The Dawn (2nd single) music video: https://youtu.be/_aFwqy7MgK0

The Grave Mistake Track list:

Visions of the End
Day of Discord
The Prophet
Waiting for the Light
Observer
Paradigm Shift
Unveiled
New Dawn
Daydream
Resolution
Ode to Rage
Insanity
Artwork by Noora Khouya

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have shared a professionally filmed video of the song "Riding On The Wind", recorded on July 21 at the Release festival in Athens, Greece. Check out the clip below, along with previously released videos for "Rapid Fire", "Invincible Shield" and "Panic Attack".

JUDAS PRIEST recently kicked off leg two of its "Invincible Shield" tour with special guest SABATON. The all-time greats are taking over new markets in North America this fall with an additional 23 performances. Produced by Live Nation, the tour launched on September 13 at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec and makes stops in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona and more before wrapping up with three shows in Texas on October 22, 24 and 26.

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the spring 2024 U.S. leg of the "Invincible Shield" world tour on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut.

"Invincible Shield" entered the U.K. chart at No. 2, just behind Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine".

Prior to "Invincible Shield"'s arrival, PRIEST's highest U.K. chart achievement was with 1980's "British Steel", which reached No. 4.

PRIEST's 2018 album "Firepower" entered the chart at No. 5.

"Invincible Shield" was JUDAS PRIEST's fifth Top 10 album, after the aforementioned "British Steel" and "Firepower", as well as 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" (No. 6) and the 1979 live album "Unleashed In The East" (No. 10).

"Invincible Shield" landed at No. 1 in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as No. 5 in France, No. 8 in Italy and No. 16 in Australia.

In a recent interview with Elena Rosberg of Radiocast BG, Rob Halford was asked about the significance of the album title "Invincible Shield" for a band like JUDAS PRIEST. The singer responded: "JUDAS PRIEST has been defending the faith of heavy metal, not just the music, but everything related to heavy metal, since we began. And as we were making this record, it's my job as the lyricist to find ideas, to find expressions, to find songtitles that convey not only the music that you're making as you create an album, but to give a title, a significant title, that sends a potent message, idea that says, 'This is JUDAS PRIEST, this is our music and this is an invincible shield.' So then, I remember the day when I'm sitting at my home in Phoenix and I'm on my laptop and a pencil, a pencil and some paper writing things down. And I go, I got the word 'invincible'. And then suddenly from nowhere… This is the joy of creativity. Artists will tell you, we don't know where these things come from. You have to grab them quickly, like lightning in a bottle. And then I think of the word 'shield', and I put the two together, 'invincible shield'. Like, 'Wow, this is JUDAS PRIEST. We're an invincible shield in heavy metal, what we've been doing for so long.' And then I go, 'Wait a minute, wait a minute. All of us, every single person on the planet, has an invincible shield inside of them.' And what I mean by that is we all are gifted by God to have this never-ending well of faith, this never-ending well of hope, this never-ending well of preservation, this never-ending well of sustaining ourselves, our families, our friends. Everything that we do together comes in the form of the power of an invincible shield. So that was a bonus. That was not only the title for the music, but it was also a title for everybody."

Halford added: "All of us have an invincible shield. When you think of some of the things that each of us have, in our lives, have had a challenge. We've had a dark moment, whether it's a medical issue, whether it's work, whether it's something very, very potent. But we've survived, we've pushed through. We look back now and we go, 'How did I get through that?' That's your invincible shield. That's the power that humanity has to survive in every aspect of what that word suggests. What does survive mean? It means many, many things. So the joy of having the title of the album be so expansive was just, again, another extra blessing. So there you have it. Invincible shield for JUDAS PRIEST and invincible shield for humanity."

When Rosberg asked Rob if it is "sometimes overwhelming" to have such "a great responsibility" as a person who is conveying certain messages to a large audience, Halford replied: "Yeah, it can be. It can be. You have to find a balance. You have to find a harmony. I love the power of words. Words can do many, many things. The way you choose words, the way you put words together, they can lift you up, they can bring you solace, that can bring you, again, hope, they can bring you all of these things. They can also bring negativity, they can also bring destruction, they can bring war, they can bring political angst and disruption in separating the light from the dark, the truth from the lies, all of these things can be made together by words. I love words. I love putting words together. So when I was writing 'Panic Attack', and I'm talking about the way that social media can be used in a very potent, and sometimes [negative ways through] disinformation, conspiracy theories. All of these attitudes, all of these emotions, all of these ideas come from words. They come from people speaking, they come from people sending instant messages, writing in various forums and quorums on the Internet. So, I think deeply about things like that, and I try to convey those personal feelings and ideas into songs that are still full of joy and power and excitement and energy and good feelings. And that's a tricky thing to do, because JUDAS PRIEST isn't a political band. We're not a socially motivated band. We don't speak out too much on these types of world affairs, world events, but I thought for this record, I'm gonna take a leap of faith, because our fans are smart, our fans are intelligent. They understand this world that we live in when we talk about that side of the social media, that side of the Internet, the double-edged sword of the internet, the good, the bad, the light, the dark, the yin, the yang. And it's turned out that 'Panic Attack' has been the most rewarding song for our fans that we've made.

"So, yes, there is a responsibility," Rob continued. "There's a responsibility from your creativity to do your very best, not to accept anything just for acceptance. Work really hard. We spend an enormous amount of time making these songs because we treasure them. They're gonna be here long after we're gone. So you want to leave something that will have the power to bring joy, have the power to bring passion, excitement, energy, have the power to bring some thinking about the song. What will people think about 'Panic Attack' a hundred years from now? I think about that. [Laughs] I think so deeply about so many aspects of what we're about in JUDAS PRIEST."

Halford added: "So, yes, responsibility. The ultimate responsibility is when you're on that stage. You're on that stage, you're pouring out your heart, you're pouring out your soul in your performance, and you have a responsibility to give every part of yourself at that show."

Singer, songwriter, subversive performance artist, video director, and purveyor of surrealist chaos Poppy will release a new album, "Negative Spaces", on November 15 via Sumerian Records. The LP is set to reveal a new glimpse of the true visionary unconcerned with genre. The announce comes on the heels of last week's release, the genre-defying banger and first taste of "Negative Spaces", "They're All Around Us".

"Negative Spaces" follows Poppy's recent successful collaborations: BAD OMENS' "V.A.N.", which climbed the Active Rock Radio charts and has entered the top 15 at the format, and KNOCKED LOOSE's "Suffocate", which broke into the top 10 on Spotify's Viral 50 USA playlist. Her solo track "New Way Out", released this summer, is currently No. 30 on the Active Rock radio charts and climbing.

In addition to the esteemed collaborations, 2024 has been a monumental year for Poppy's live performances. In January, she kicked things off by joining BAD OMENS on the "Concrete Forever" tour across Europe, followed by her headlining her own "Zig" tour throughout the region. In March, Poppy came back stateside and supported AVENGED SEVENFOLD on their month-long North American tour. This summer, she opened for THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS on their North American run.

An insatiably inventive drive has fueled Poppy's surrealistic rise through countless corners of the arts and music worlds, with each of her many projects so far revealing a different glimpse of a true visionary unconcerned with genre, unimpressed by convention, and forever defying expectations. It's that eclecticism that has cemented Poppy's reputation as a boundary-obliterating artist redefining culture as we know it, at every turn.

From performance art provocateur, to video director, to sci-fi graphic novel author, to a globe-traveling recording artist whose songbook encompasses anything from brutal metal breakdowns and snappy 1960s bubblegum, to trap-pop and grunge-punk, absolutely nothing has been off-limits when it comes to Poppy masterfully executing her varied artistic vision. Her 2021 Grammy nod for "Best Metal Performance" ("BLOODMONEY") marked the first time a solo female artist had ever been nominated in the category. Her staggeringly chameleon-like adaptability has kept fans guessing what's next every step of the way. And yet, each impressive and feverishly ambitious pivot manages to sound uniquely, and singularly Poppy.

"Negative Spaces" continues the sonic adventurism of this spring's diamond-radiant industrial anthem "New Way Out", with Poppy and co-producer Jordan Fish (ex-BRING ME THE HORIZON) also mirror-balling through delicately delivered pop, full-bodied screams, synth-symbiotic 1980s retro-futurism, and energy-jolted 2000s pop-punk. It's the thrilling sound of an ever-evolving artist redefining their legacy one song at a time, with a welcome understanding that there's still so much inspiration to be found in the margins yet to be explored, deep within the negative spaces.

Photo credit: Sam Cannon

In a recent interview with Korn Europe, KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was asked about his comment from 2014 where he said that he would possibly be retired by the time he is 60 years old. The 54-year-old musician responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Maybe. I might have 10 years left. I think about that sometimes — not all the time. But if we start to sound a little embarrassing and we're just sounding too old and stuff and I can't watch us. I have to feel like we're still doing good on stage and everything. I just can't fake it. I can't fake it. So if we can do ten years, good. Fifteen? Good.

"People say, 'I wanna go out on stage.' I don't," he continued. "I wanna go out on a bed. I wanna die in a bed, in a comfort, not on stage looking for air.

"I tell you what, if I'm on stage and I pass, you'd better hand me a beer or, like, 14. 'I couldn't drink all my life.'

"It's a bit sad to think about this, 'cause we're getting older," Welch added.

KORN kicked off its summer/fall 2024 North American tour on September 12 at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, Florida. The band's 18-song setlist, which is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of KORN's debut album, included "Oildale" mostly the band's 2010 LP "Korn III: Remember Who You Are" and "Hey Daddy", a track from KORN's 1999 album "Issues" which had only ever previously been performed almost 25 years ago.

KORN's 25-date Live Nation-produced trek — featuring special guests, Grammy-nominated band GOJIRA and Canadian heavy metal group SPIRITBOX — is making additional stops in Toronto, Ontario; Chicago, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, Texas and more before wrapping up in St. Paul, Minnesota at Xcel Energy Center on October 27.

KORN changed the world with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1994. It was a record that would pioneer a genre, and blur others-leading into a larger cultural movement. Since forming, KORN has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammys, toured the world countless times, and set many records in the process that will likely never be surpassed. KORN has continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans, and generations of artists around the globe.

KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu announced in June 2021 that he would sit out the band's tour in order to "heal" after "falling back" on some of his "bad habits." He has since been replaced on the road by SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bassist Roberto "Ra" Díaz.