In a recent interview with Cumbria Guide, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson was asked if he was planning to release an album of original material with KINGS OF THRASH, the project he formed with fellow ex-MEGADETH member, guitarist Jeff Young. He responded: "We've written some super-cool material together, but we're still finding our lane as composers. With some musicians, the chemistry is best on stage, playing the songs fans love. That seems to be the case with KINGS OF THRASH. If new material comes together, we'll definitely move on it, but right now, we're focused on playing the songs people want to hear."

Asked if the material he has written with Jeff is "in the thrash genre", David responded: "Not exactly. It's probably somewhere between VAN HALEN and something with a bit of an Allan Holdsworth vibe. Jeff is an incredibly skilled guitarist, and in KINGS OF THRASH, he's shown his ability to play and perform a wide range of material while still maintaining his own identity."

KINGS OF THRASH recently completed a few tours during which it performed MEGADETH's classic albums "Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!" and "So Far, So Good… So What!" A live CD/DVD package called "Best Of The West…Live At The Whisky A Go Go" was recorded and filmed live at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on October 15, 2022 and was released in March 2023 via Cleopatra Records. The DVD, which was directed by Michael Sarna for Inmotion Entertainment, includes an appearance by another ex-MEGADETH member, guitarist Chris Poland.

"Let me put it this way: What's happening now is a win for all of us — Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH leader] included," Young told Metal Edge in August 2023. "He gets to make money off the publishing from the MEGADETH songs we play. Dave knows that, so he's very aware of us."

Young continued: "He hates what KINGS OF THRASH is doing. But it doesn't matter because, eventually, we'll delete a lot of the MEGADETH from our set, and we'll keep writing new stuff. But Dave is feeling the heat because we're getting attention, and the KINGS OF THRASH album will be better than anything MEGADETH has done recently. And we're playing all the MEGADETH songs better than he has in years. It's not just me saying that — read the reviews."

In January 2023, Young told Ultimate Guitar that he and Ellefson had not received any feedback from Mustaine about their new band or their recent live shows. "We couldn't care less… and it's a win-win for him," Jeff said. "Because all the publishing, for example, on the 'Best Of The West', he's getting all that money. We're making him money and he doesn't have to do anything. So, we're performing the songs because they're part of our history and the fans want to hear them and we will benefit from that, and so will he, so it's a win-win. How much cooler can anything be than that? So, if he has something to say about it… I wouldn't imagine it would be very objective… not that anything he's ever said has been objective."

Jeff's recent comments were similar to those he made in 2022 when he told Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of the Rock Interview Series that he and Ellefson were "really not concerned" about Mustaine's reaction to KINGS OF THRASH. "I don't pay attention," he said. "I haven't really paid attention or followed MEGADETH since, I think, I heard the 'Rust In Peace' album a couple of times, and then what you might hear on the radio or in the press.

"For us, this isn't about any spite or retaliation; it's a celebration of the music that we were all a part of, that we helped create," he explained. "And it's fun for us to do this.

"People said, 'You should do this.' And we said, 'Hey, yeah, you're right. We should do this.' It's a win-win — it's a win for us, and it's a win for [Mustaine], because any performance royalties, anything… If we did include live tracks, he would make money off that. It's promoting albums that hopefully fans will go back and buy, which is putting money right in his pocket. Especially 'Killing Is My Business', I think a lot of people are gonna go back and wanna rediscover that album after this tour.

"For us, it's all about positivity," Young added. "We're all in this moment — we're living in the moment, and we're not looking beyond. We're not reading any of the comments on Blabbermouth or any of the stuff. Because we know what our intent is, and intent is everything. And our intent's positive. We like playing together. We know we're crafting original music. We're not relying on this; we don't need to ride the coattails of this. This is just something that the fans wanted, and you wanna give fans what they want."

Ellefson told Yes! You CAN Play Guitar! that the intention behind KINGS OF THRASH is not to stick it to his former bandmates. "This is a celebration, not a retaliation," he explained. "This is a good moment. This is a happy moment, to celebrate these songs and these tracks and these records. So we go at it with just fun… It's, like, 'Wow. Wouldn't it be fun if we went out and played these records?' And we're doing it. So it's meant to be this celebration and bringing people together. And honestly, that was kind of always my role in MEGADETH. Dave [Mustaine] always called me 'The Ambassador', and I was always that guy, and I am that guy. So it's, like, let me just continue that role in our community and have one of good will."

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH more than three years ago after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.

David was in MEGADETH from the band's inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest exit.

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the MEGADETH leader shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.

Young's entire career with MEGADETH was spent recording and touring in support of the band's 1988 platinum-selling album "So Far, So Good...So What!"

Jeff made headlines in December 2009 for accusing Mustaine of, among other things, "dissing, exaggerating and just plain lying on some level about nearly every talented musician that has passed through his dysfunctional little ensemble." He also disputed Mustaine's claim in an interview that Young's drug problem led to MEGADETH's 1988 Australian tour being called off and the group being "banned" from performing in the country.

In some recent interviews, Ellefson suggested that the upcoming original material from KINGS OF THRASH, which also includes drummer Fred Aching as well as guitarist/vocalist Chaz Leon, may be released under a different moniker. "Because, look, it doesn't have to be thrash," he told KNAC.COM. "It doesn't even have to be from a MEGADETH origin, really. Even though that was kind of the origin story, it doesn't have to sound like that. It should be us, who we are now today, I think. So, we've decided KINGS OF THRASH, for sure, is this [touring project] playing the music of yesterday. And then we're just deciding now, okay, this new music, to fit within that, should it be Jeff Young and David Ellefson doing something together? You know — ELLEFSON-YOUNG."

Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with MEGADETH and ANGRA, has released a playthrough video for his new solo single, "Out Of Nothing". Check it out below.

Kiko commented: "My new single 'Out Of Nothing' emerges not from a plan but from the mystery of creation itself. When I compose, I do not think, nor do I theorize — I let my hands glide over the fretboard, as if they already know the way, discovering paths, rejecting others, always searching for the feeling that satisfies, even for a moment.

"'Out Of Nothing' kicks off with a bold tritone interval — 'Diabolus In Musica,' that notorious interval known for its tension. It's a simple, direct statement that immediately shifts the key, setting up a dynamic riff alternating between A and D with their tritones. The intensity ramps up with 16th notes that launch the track into high gear.

"The verse is simple, almost baroque in its harmony. A Tonic and Dominant, Am to E7, arpeggiated with hybrid picking over the rhythm of Baião, a syncopation from the northeastern reaches of Brazil. The original music from this area also incorporates many arpeggiated themes from European heritage. And then, bringing contrast, the chromatic lines arrive to challenge this basic cadence, introducing the mediant progression—Am to Fm—
For the chorus, I take things up a notch, moving to the fifth degree and playing with the tension between E major and minor, As I didn't feel the chorus should be completely happy and uplifting.

"In the middle of the song, I let the existing elements repeat, develop, and transform, as one might do in a symphony or a sonata. The arpeggios return, expanding the baroque spirit, and then, unexpectedly, nylon strings echo from a distant past. Before long, the tritone chord progression returns, but now with more complex lines and a mix of techniques.

"But I will not leave you lost. The verse and chorus return, as familiar as old friends. For in this song, though I take you far, I am careful never to lose you entirely.

"Check it out, and let me know what you think!"

In November 2023, Kiko announced his decision to "extend" his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities, explaining that he didn't want to "hinder any of the band's plans or the hard work of all the incredible people involved in the tour."

Kiko revealed in September 2023 that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland.

One day after Kiko's announcement that he was "extending" his absence from MEGADETH's touring activities, band leader Dave Mustaine released a statement in which he said that he loves Loureiro and respects and fully supports Kiko's decision. He described Kiko as "a top-notch professional, a maestro" and thanked the guitarist "for his dedication and hard work these past nine years, helping us to achieve a Grammy on 'Dystopia' and the additional awards we have received on this latest record 'The Sick... The Dying...And The Dead'." Mustaine added: "I could not have done this without Kiko Loureiro."

MEGADETH played its first concert with Kiko's replacement, Teemu Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.

In a recent interview with Japan's Young Guitar, Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro was asked about the possibility of a future guest appearance with ANGRA. He responded: "In the last two albums from ANGRA, not being in the band, I did record a guest solo. I was touring a lot and I have small kids, so I didn't wanna travel more to do a guest appearance. It might be in the future. I'm friends of everybody. I have a great history with ANGRA. Same goes with MEGADETH. I'm still friends of everybody, and I don't wanna burn bridges."

He continued: "I'm proud of all the albums I recorded with ANGRA. I'm proud of the albums that I recorded with MEGADETH, the two albums I recorded with MEGADETH, all the concerts and tours we did together. So, guest appearances, recording a solo, helping somehow or just hanging, I'm happy to do it, because I like all those people as friends and family, because I shared so many great moments of my life with the guys from ANGRA, of course, many, many years, and also almost nine years in MEGADETH as well."

Blackmore's Night have shared video from their Burg Abenberg Open Air show in Abenberg, Germany on July 6, 2019. via their official YouTube channel. Check out their cover of Mike Oldfield's "Moonlight Shadow" below.





Blackmore’s Night continue celebrating their 25th Anniversary (and counting) with the release of a very special edition of their acclaimed third studio album, Fires At Midnight. Fully remixed from the original multi-track masters, the 25th Anniversary Edition will be released on September 27 via earMUSIC.




Today, the band share an official lyric video for bonus track "Sake Of the Song" (25th Anniversary New Mix). Stream the single here, and watch the video below:





With shared love for the tradition of Renaissance and Folk-Rock music, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and award-winning lyricist and singer Candice Night founded Blackmore’s Night in 1997. They have been enchanting audiences around the world ever since.


After hitting off the celebrations for their 25th anniversary with a fully remixed edition of their debut album, Shadow Of The Moon, in 2023, this year Candice and Ritchie continue with the worldwide release of a very special edition of their acclaimed third studio album, Fires At Midnight, originally released in July 2001. The album entered the Official German Album Charts at #9, making it Blackmore’s Night’s first record to hit the Top 10 Charts in Germany.


On this album, Blackmore’s Night started incorporating electric guitar into their songs, alongside organic instruments like hurdy gurdies, shawms and harps. They had been touring for several years at this point and were playing concerts in castle courtyards, churches and theatres. One evening, when leaving a venue in the Czech Republic late at night, the idea for Fires At Midnight was born. "It was bonfire night, and we could just see all of these bonfires that were lit on the hillsides," Candice Night recalls, "and that inspired the idea of the song ‘Fires At Midnight’."


Like Shadow Of The Moon, the 25th Anniversary Edition of Fires At Midnight has been fully remixed from the original multi-track masters. The album will be released as a Vinyl LP for the very first time and includes all bonus-tracks from the previous editions as well as two brand new versions with new vocal parts recorded by Candice Night in 2024 (‘Written In The Stars’ and the album’s title track).


Pre-order Fires At Midnight (25th Anniversary Edition) here.





CD tracklisting:


CD 1:
"Written In The Stars"
"The Times They Are A-Changin'"
"I Still Remember"
"Home Again"
"Crowning Of The King"
"Fayre Thee Well"
"Fires At Midnight"
"Hanging Tree"
"Storm"
"Mid Winter's Ni

Arin Sarris has uploaded video of Marilyn Manson's entire September 12 concert at Choctaw Grand Theater in Durant, Oklahoma as the support act for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. Check out the footage below.

Manson's set included his hits like "The Beautiful People" and "The Dope Show", as well as his recent single, "As Sick As The Secrets Within", which was made available last month.

Featured songs:

* "Terrifier Soundtrack (Paul Wiley)" 0:02
* "We Know Where You Fucking Live" 1:00
* "Disposable Teens" 6:03
* "Angel With The Scabbed Wings" 9:43
* "This Is The New Shit" 14:09
* "Say10" 18:46
* "Deep Six" 23:22
* "Tourniquet" 28:39
* "Mobscene" 33:25
* "Integrantes" 37:23
* "The Dope Show" 37:57
* "As Sick As The Secrets Within" 41:58
* "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" 48:05
* "The Love Song" 53:13
* "The Beautiful People" 57:04

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

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

"As Sick As The Secrets Within", which was recorded and co-produced with collaborator Tyler Bates, marked the shock-rocker's first release via his new deal with Nuclear Blast Records. A second new single, "Raise The Red Flag", also arrived in August.

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

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

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

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

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

The 55-year-old musician, whose real name is Brian Warner, has been off the road since the final August 18, 2019 date on the "Twins of Evil: Hell Never Dies" joint tour with Rob Zombie.

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

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

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

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

11-year-old guitarist Maya Neelakantan from Chennai, India, who has gone viral for her "America's Got Talent" audition, joined TESTAMENT on stage last night (Friday, September 13) at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada to perform the TESTAMENT song "Curse Of The Legions Of Death (C.O.T.L.O.D.)" Fan-filmed video of her appearance can be seen below.

After the concert, Maya shared a backstage photo of her with TESTAMENT and she included the following message: "Just played with TESTAMENT on stage now!!! It was incredible playing with all of them, playing to a metalhead crowd for the first time and meeting Eric Peterson, Alex Skolnick, Chuck Billy, Chris Dovas, Steve DiGiorgio and the amazing TESTAMENT crew too. It was all such an incredible experience and I loved hanging with the band as well as jamming with them on stage!!!! So unforgettable! Thank you so much TESTAMENT for giving the amazing opportunity and for always being so kind and supportive to me right from the beginning!!!!"

Last month, Neelakantan went viral again for her rendition of METALLICA's "Master Of Puppets" at the "America's Got Talent" quarterfinals. The young guitarist had previously covered PAPA ROACH's "Last Resort" in front of a packed live audience at the "America's Got Talent" auditions.

Maya recently hung out with SLAYER and EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt. In addition, TOOL guitarist Adam Jones gifted her one of his own signature Gibson Les Pauls after coming across her rendition of TOOL's 16-minute masterpiece "7empest". In 2023 she went viral after playing a mashup of 22 TOOL songs all in one take.

"I have been listening to SLAYER, METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, EXODUS and LAMB OF GOD ever since I was two years old," she said. "I loved thrash metal because of how energetic it sounded. Every time it was playing, I always jumped up and down."

As for how she envisions her own music, Maya said: "My dream is to create a genre of my own. Something that merges all of my musical interests together. It'll be a combination of extreme thrash metal and intricate Carnatic music in its traditional form. And it will be something as crafted as TOOL music."

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JANE'S ADDICTION has apologized to fans for the onstage altercation in Boston that abruptly ended the band's concert.

The September 13 show at Leader Bank Pavilion came to a sudden end after singer Perry Farrell bumped Dave Navarro's shoulder with his own before seemingly yelling at the guitarist. Navarro then placed a hand between himself and Perry before Farrell appeared to throw a punch at him. Another man then jumped between them, breaking up the fight.

Earlier today (Saturday, September 14),JANE'S ADDICTION offered a "heartfelt apology" and said it is canceling its next concert, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, but gave no further details about the remainder of the tour, which is scheduled to continue through October 16.

"We want to extend a heartfelt apology to our fans for the events that unfolded last night," the band wrote in its Instagram story. "As a result we will be cancelling tomorrow night's show in Bridgeport. Refunds will be issued at your point of purchase – or if you purchased via a third-party reseller (StubHub, SeatGeek, etc),reach out to them directly. Thank you, JANE'S ADDICTION".

Earlier on Saturday, Farrell's wife Etty Lau Farrell provided a "first person account" of what happened during the Boston concert, writing in an Instagram post that there had been "a lot of tension and animosity between the members" and the "dynamite was lit" that night.

She went on to say that the altercation had been a culmination of Perry's "mounting" frustration due to the "extremely loud" volume of the band's playing, and that her husband felt that “his voice was being drowned out by the band."

"Perry had been suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat every night," she explained. "But when the audience in the first row started complaining [to] Perry, cussing at him that the band was planning too loud and that they couldn’t hear him, Perry lost it."

"The band started the song 'Ocean [Size]' before Perry was ready and did the count off," Etty continued. "The stage volume was so loud at that point, that Perry couldn't hear [past] the boom and the vibration of the instruments and by the end of the song, he wasn’t singing, he was screaming just to be heard."

Etty claimed that while Navarro had tried to keep her husband "at arm's length to de-escalate the situation," bassist Eric Avery "put Perry in a headlock and punched him in the stomach three times." She said a crew member was able to pull Avery away, and he "walked off to the front of the stage to apologize to [the] audience for the show ending early."

"Dave still looked handsome and cool in the middle of a fight," Etty wrote. "Perry was a crazed beast for the next half an hour — he finally did not calm down, but did break down and cried and cried.

"Eric, well he either didn't understand what de-escalation meant or took advantage of the situation and got in a few cheap shots on Perry," she added.

The Boston show was part of JANE'S ADDICTION's co-headlining tour with LOVE & ROCKETS, with 14 gigs left on the itinerary.

Navarro had missed JANE'S ADDICTION's tours in 2022 and 2023 because of a battle with long COVID. To fill Navarro's spot, the band brought on QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and ex-RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Farrell admitted to the New York Post that he missed Navarro during the guitarist's absence.

"I wish I would have my dear guitar player around," Farrell said in September 2022. "[But] I live to bring entertainment and art to the world. And whatever I can do to entertain you, to blow your mind, that's what I live for."

In a recent interview with Guitar World, Avery was unsure if JANE'S ADDICTION would be still standing in 2025.

"I still don't know if we're a band that you ever assume will be here a year from now," he told the magazine. "That being said, yeah… there is a revitalization and a reconnection. Let's hope it lasts."

Perry Farrell assaulted Dave Navarro during JANE'S ADDICTION's concert earlier tonight (Friday, September 13) at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts.

The incident happened late in JANE'S ADDICTION's set as the band was finishing the song "Ocean Size". Farrell, who was reportedly mumbling lyrics most of night, seemingly drunk or high, aggressively bumped shoulders with Navarro and got in the guitarist's face and swore at him, as a confused Dave looked at him asking what was going on. Navarro eventually stopped playing and put a hand up to Farrell's chest. Then the singer appeared to throw a punch at Navarro before being held back by a roadie and JANE'S ADDICTION bassist Eric Avery. The latter proceeded to do his best to restrain Perry with a bear hug along with members of JANE'S ADDICTION's road crew who surrounded Farrell and forced the singer offstage.

After Farrell was physically removed from the stage, the rest of JANE'S ADDICTION — including drummer Stephen Perkins, who was celebrating his 57th birthday — stepped to the front to give each other a hug and show their appreciation to the crowd.

Navarro, who appeared shocked by the sudden attack, threw a pick into the crowd before leaving the stage.

Farrell's wife Etty later took to her Instagram to write a long post offering "a first-person account of what happened on stage" in Boston.

"Clearly there had been a lot of tension and animosity between the members.. the magic that made the band so dynamic. Well, the dynamite was lit," Etty Lau Farrell wrote.

"Perry's frustration had been mounting, night after night, he felt that the stage volume had been extremely loud and his voice was being drowned out by the band. Perry had been suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat every night. But when the audience in the first row, started complaining up to Perry cussing at him that the band was planning too loud and that they couldn't hear him, Perry lost it."

She added: "The band started the song 'Ocean' before Perry was ready and did the count off. The stage volume was so loud at that point, that Perry couldn't hear pass the boom and the vibration of the instruments and by the end of the song, he wasn't singing, he was screaming just be to be heard."

As for the onstage altercation, Etty wrote: "While Dave was keeping Perry at arm's length to de-escalate the situation, [roadie] Dan rushed over to de-escalate as well by holding Perry back. Dave walked away to take his guitar off. Eric walked up to Perry, upstage, in the dark, behind Dan, put Perry in a headlock and punched him in the stomach three times. Kevin, crewmember with a long hair with long hair pulled Eric away. Then Eric nonchalant walked off to the front of the stage to apologize to audience for the show ended early."

In the aftermath, "Dave still looked handsome and cool in the middle of a fight," Etty added. "Perry was a crazed beast for the next half an hour - he finally did not calm down, but did breakdown and cried and cried. Eric, well he either didn’t understand what descalation meant or took advantage of the situation and got in a few cheap shots on Perry."

This has not been a good week for Farrell, who was reportedly in rough shape when JANE'S ADDICTION's classic lineup played at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on Tuesday (September 10). However, he managed to pull it together for Wednesday's concert at the same venue.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. Something's wrong with my voice," Farrell admitted to the crowd on Tuesday before adding "I just can't get the notes out all of a sudden." The next day, Avery posted to Instagram: "Looking forward to getting another crack at this spectacular rooftop venue tonight. I'm optimistic we will be better."

The Boston show was part of JANE'S ADDICTION's co-headlining tour with LOVE & ROCKETS, with 15 gigs left on the itinerary.

The trek is scheduled to wrap up on October 16 at Los Angeles's YouTube Theater.

Navarro had missed JANE'S ADDICTION's tours in 2022 and 2023 because of a battle with long COVID. To fill Navarro's spot, the band brought on QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and ex-RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Farrell admitted to the New York Post that he missed Navarro during the guitarist's absence.

"I wish I would have my dear guitar player around," Farrell said in September 2022. "[But] I live to bring entertainment and art to the world. And whatever I can do to entertain you, to blow your mind, that's what I live for."

In a recent interview with Guitar World, Avery was unsure if JANE'S ADDICTION would be still standing in 2025.

"I still don't know if we're a band that you ever assume will be here a year from now," he told the magazine. "That being said, yeah… there is a revitalization and a reconnection. Let's hope it lasts."

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A post shared by Etty Lau Farrell (@ettylaufarrell)

On September 12th, Iron Maiden performed the first of two shows at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on The Future Past World Tour 2024. fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below.


Setlist: 


"Caught Somewhere in Time"
"Stranger in a Strange Land"
"The Writing on the Wall"
"Days of Future Past"
"The Time Machine"
"The Prisoner"
"Death of the Celts"
"Can I Play With Madness?"
"Heaven Can Wait"
"Alexander the Great"
"Fear of the Dark"
"Iron Maiden"
"Hell on Earth"
"The Trooper"
"Wasted Years"







The Future Past Tour sees Maiden performing songs from their 2021 album Senjutsu, as well as from 1986’s Somewhere In Time, along with other crowd favorites. 


Remaining dates on The Future Past World Tour 2024 are as listed:


September
16 – Spark Arena – Auckland, New Zealand
22 – Sky Hall Toyota – Aichi, Japan
24 – Osaka-Jo Hall – Osaka, Japan
26 – Tokyo Garden Theater – Tokyo, Japan
28 – Pia Arena MM – Kanagawa, Japan
29 – Pia Arena MM – Kanagawa, Japan


October
4 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
5 – Michelob Ultra Arena – Las Vegas, NV
8 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
9 – Footprint Center – Phoenix, AZ
12 – Aftershock Festival – Sacramento, CA
14 – MODA Center – Portland, OR
16 – Tacoma Dome – Tacoma, WA
18 – Delta Center – Salt Lake City, UT
19 – Ball Arena – Denver, CO
22 – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul, MN
24 – Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL
26 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
27 – Videotron Centre – Quebec, QC
30 – Centre Bell – Montreal, QC


November
1 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
2 – Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
6 – DCU Center – Worcester, MA
8 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
9 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ
12 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD
13 – Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
16 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
17 – AT&T Center – San Antonio, TX
20 – GNP Seguros Stadium – Mexico City, Mexico
24 – El Campin Stadium – Bogota, Colombia
27 – Estadio Nacional – Santiago, Chile
28 – Estadio Nacional – Santiago, Chile


December
1 – Estadio Huracán – Buenos Aires, Argen

Guitar legend Steve Vai, who is currently touring with former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin, and Tool drummer Danny Carey under the Beat moniker, has shared the following message: 


"After feverishly prepping for five months, I was ready for the Beat tour and last night's (September 12) first performance in San Jose brought huge relief and joy. 


The first show of a tour can be like a gauntlet. You can rehearse until you're blue in the face, but once you hit the stage and the lights go out and there’s a live audience eager to be entertained, all bets are off as to what it’s like in rehearsal. But the band delivered well and we were all relieved to get through a good first show.
 
I’ve been fronting my band for the last 35 years and I discovered a very comfortable place on the Beat stage with master of ceremonies, Brother Adrian Belew at the helm. It is so enjoyable to play this historical music for such a passionate fan base. I discovered the sincere devotion of the audience for this music and the whole band felt their firm support. 




I am looking so forward to the roll out of this tour and being on stage with such seasoned and immensely talented bandmates. Not to mention they are all outstanding people that I enjoy being with. Thanks so sincerely to our San Jose audience for making this first show such an enjoyable experience."


Fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below.


Setlist


Set 1:
"Neurotica"
"Neal and Jack and Me"
"Heartbeat"
"Sartori in Tangier"
"Dig Me"
"Model Man"
"Man with an Open Heart"
"Industry"
"Larks Tongues in Aspic, Pt. III"


Set 2:
"Waiting Man"
"The Sheltering Sky"
"Sleepless"
"Frame By Frame"
"Matte Kudasai"
"Elephant Talk"
"Three of a Perfect Pair"
"Indiscipline"


Encore
"Red"
"Thela Hun Ginjeet"








From the moment Beat went on-sale, tickets flew out of box offices across North America. Tour producer Angelo “Scrote” Bundini shares, “Due to overwhelming demand, Adrian, Steve, Tony and Danny have decided to extend the Beat tour with an additional 21 shows in order to perform these incredible King Crimson albums for even more fans. We are adding many additional cities alongside second and even third appearances in various regions. Sixty five dates in total! The audience has spoken loudly so Beat is responding in kind.”  


Visit BEAT-tour.com for tickets.


Former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin band together with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and explosive Tool drummer Danny Carey for the first time to create Beat, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s King Crimson albums - Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair.





Adrian Belew reflects: “The 1981 through 1984 King Crimson created a music all its own. Timeless. Beautiful. Complex. Fierce. For the fans who lived through it then, and the ones who never got to witness it, our aim is to bring it to life again. A monumental task but we’re going for it!  There are not enough exclamation points to express my excitement!”


Steve Vai states: “Being a part of this ensemble is an extraordinary privilege and opportunity to perform some of the most beloved, timeless, and monumental music of the 80’s (and beyond) with truly inspired musicians. This music resonates deeply with me. Adrian, Tony and Danny are unique musicians with an otherworldly insight into presenting rich musical complexities in a very accessible way, and I am looking forward to searching each other’s musical minds in real time on stage. I’m sure sparks will fly.” He continues, “Father Robert Fripp is one of our historical geniuses. His highly specific and exceptionally brilliant guitar technique is studied and revered. His contribution to the quality of my musical life, and so many others is supreme. I can assure the fans of KC that I will be putting my best foot forward to respect this great music with the care and intensity it deserves. Did I say ‘sparks will fly?’”


Tony Levin offers: “This is going to be quite a tour. Revisiting some of my favorite music is a treat in itself, but in company of this stellar lineup, I expect to have my musical butt kicked! And it’s also great that we’re not just playing a few shows, we’re hitting it hard. So, Road Dogs are coming to your area soon.”


Danny Carey shares: “I am very excited to share the stage with three of my favorite musicians on the planet. Tony, Steve and Adrian have always been a source of inspiration for me since the beginning of my career, and now to be able to share a bit of my musical journey with them is a dream come true. There’s nothing better to make some sparks fly and light a fire under your ass than getting out of your musical comfort zone, and I can’t think of any other three guys I’d rather do this with.  I think I can speak for all of us when I say I hope all of our fans are as excited as we are about this tour.”


The vision for this undertaking emanated from initial dialogue between Angelo Bundini aka Scrote and Adrian Belew. Tour Producer Bundini recalls, “When Adrian called me to help bring his idea to fruition, I immediately thought it best to focus on the 80s albums: Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. These three records famously marked Adrian and Tony's entry into King Crimson. Their fluid, melodic virtuosity, and Fripp's and Bruford's dramatic precision created a totally unique, dynamic push and pull that would influence nearly every rock musician and/or band going forward for years, if not decades, to come.”  


Both a meet & greet and a VIP tour package are available for purchase. The M&G includes one premium ticket in the first five rows, early entry, pre-show meet & greet, personal photograph captured, limited edition autographed poster, Beat challenge coin, tote bag, an exclusive merch item, and an official laminate and lanyard. There is limited availability with pricing set at $200.00. For the VIP tour package, buyers will receive one premium reserved seat in the first 15 rows, a limited edition Beat tour poster autographed, the challenge coin, an exclusive tour merch item, and a commemorative laminate and lanyard. Availability is limited at a cost basis of $100.00. For all new appearances being announced today, a third VIP option has been made available. For $300.00, fans will receive the complete package detailed above, with front row seating guaranteed.





Tour dates:


September
15 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove of Anaheim
17 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey’s Concerts (Sold Out)
18 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
20 - Austin, TX - The Paramount Theatre (Sold Out)
21 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Centre
22 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre (Sold Out)
24 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern (Sold Out)
26 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Parker (Sold Out)
27 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
28 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
29 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall


October
1 - Charlotte, NC - Knight Theater (Sold Out)
2 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre of Durham / Fletcher Hall (Sold Out)
4 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre (Sold Out)
5 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
6 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre (Sold Out)
8 - Richmond, VA - Carpenter Theater in Dominion Energy Center
9 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Center (Sold Out)
11 - Boston, MA - Shubert Theatre (Sold Out)
12 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (Sold Out)
14 - Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohen Auditorium (Sold Out)
15 - Moncton, NB - Casino New Brunswick
17 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Maisonneuve (Sold Out)
18 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall (Sold Out)
19 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center (Sold Out)
21 - Albany, NY - The Egg (Sold Out)
22 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre (Sold Out)
23 - Reading, PA - Santander Performing Arts Center
25 - Cleveland, OH  - Agora Theatre
26 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre (Sold Out)
27 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
28 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
30 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre


November
1 - Chicago, IL - Copernicus Center (Sold Out)
2 - Milwauke

Prepare for an auditory awakening as Thy Will Be Done, the revered titans of the North Eastern metal scene, return with their monumental new album, Pillar Of Fire. Breaking a 15-year silence, this incredible group resurfaces with a vengeance, poised to captivate listeners and reignite passion with their signature blend of thunderous riffs and uncompromising intensity.


Adding to the excitement of this monumental release is the return of original bassist Eric Tavares. Vocalist J. Costa states:


“Our previous bass player, Chris Cote, had reached out to Eric to fill-in for him this past Summer for some shows, and subsequently has things he’s taking care of in life.” Costa continues, “It was an amicable decision to move forward with Eric as our bassist. The first rehearsal reaffirmed the deep connection and synergy that has always been at the heart of this band. We love Cote, he crushed it on this album; he’s Family; and we always wish our Family the best!” 




With Pillar Of Fire, Thy Will Be Done is not only resurrecting their signature sound, but also redefining their legacy with an album that is both a celebration of their past and a bold step into the future. Engineered by long-time guitarist of the band, Kurt Fraunfelter, as well as mixed by Kurt along with lead guitarist, Chris Robinson, it makes the fourth studio release following the acclaimed Temple EP in 2012. The album was mastered by George Richter of Edestus Audio, and once again released via the band’s own Eye.On Lion Recordings with world-wide distribution handled by KMG Distribution.


Thy Will Be Done will be releasing limited edition CDs and bonus material via their Bandcamp page. Pre-orders will begin on Monday, September 16th and will be released in late November at the band’s own curated festival on Saturday, November 30th at the Vault in New Bedford, MA. The festival will include the return of Beyond The Embrace, and will mark their first performance in 16 years.


Pillar Of Fire artwork and tracklisting:





"Prelude To Apostasy"
"Perils Of Recursion"
"Echoes & Narcissists"
"A Fool To Fall"
"The Initiates"
"An Eternal Light"
"Encore Abomination"
"Truth Won’t Hide"
"Last Ghost To Kill"
"Join, Or Die"
"Eye, The Ascension"

California punk rock legends THE OFFSPRING have fans from all over the world, but today they have released a song to celebrate their fans who are asking them to "Come To Brazil" with their aptly named new single. The track, produced by Bob Rock (METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, AEROSMITH),is another killer track off of the band's "Supercharged" album, due out October 11 via Concord Records.

On the track, singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland says: "Every time we announce any shows, we get comments from our Brazilian fans saying 'Come to Brazil!' which we love! Brazil really does go off. It has enthusiasm, passion and is an amazing place to play! I hope the Brazilian fans really make this one their own!"

The song opens up with an iconic intro featuring heavy guitars and ends with the iconic football chant "Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé" all the while talking about how their Brazilian fans can't get enough of THE OFFSPRING, noting lyrically: "It doesn't matter how many times we came, 'Cause they want us back again just the same, And the flights are long but they won't stop, Until we come to Brazil." The song also comments on the social media requests the band has received from their Brazilian fans noting: "DM'ing all the time, they're begging you will say you'll come to Brazil."

The new track is sure to be a fan favorite along with THE OFFSPRING's recent No. 1 song "Make It All Right" which hit No. 1 on both the Alternative Airplay chart (Mediabase) and the Active Rock chart (on Mediabase) as well as No. 1 on the Billboard Rock and Alternative Airplay chart. In addition, the band has also released the high energy track "Light It Up".

"Make It All Right" marks the band's sixth No. 1 song on the Active Rock chart, following "I Choose" (1997),"Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" (1998),"The Kids Aren't Alright" (1999),"Hit That" (2003) and "Gone Away" (1997),which remained on No. 1 on the chart for five consecutive weeks and the song that QUEEN's own Brian May performed with them earlier this year. It also marks the first time ever THE OFFSPRING have had a No. 1 at both Alternative and Active Rock radio in the band's history.

On the Alternative Airplay chart, "Make It All Right" marks the band's fourth No. 1 song, following "Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated)" in 1994, "Hit That" in 2003, and recent Spotify Billions Club inductee "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" which hit No. 1 for 11 weeks straight in 2008. This only adding to the accolades the band has hit over the years with over 40 million records sold worldwide.

Just this week the song also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. The No. 1 follows "Days Go By" which hit No. 4 in 2012 and "Coming For You" (No. 7 in 2015) and "Let The Bad Times Roll" (No. 5 in 2021) which hit Top 10.

"You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" off of their 2008 "Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace" album was recently added to Spotify's Billions Club after the song reached one billion streams on the platform. Prior to this "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" had already been certified platinum in the United States, United Kingdom and gold in Spain, Poland, Italy, Germany, and Denmark. Upon release, the song hit No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart (formerly the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart) and remained at the top spot for 11 weeks — making it the longest #1 of any of the band's singles. The Billions Club, which first launched in 2020, lists all of the songs that have reached one Billion streams on Spotify. THE OFFSPRING's infamous song has now joined the list which features songs from peers and icons including AC/DC, FLEETWOOD MAC, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Whitney Houston, THE KILLERS and more.

Up next, THE OFFSPRING is returning to the states for a string of shows, including a special show at Metro Chicago (on September 19),the night before their set at Riot Fest on September 20. They will then continue on to perform at Louder Than Life festival, Ocean Calling and more.

Recently, THE OFFSPRING surprised the crowd at Open Air Gampel in Switzerland with none other than Yungblud. The alt rocker joined the band for a performance of their song "Self Esteem" off their album "Smash". Not only did Yungblud join the band onstage for the song, but he hyped up the crowd by jumping offstage and onto the barrier all while singing along.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the six-times-platinum "Smash" album and the collaboration with Yungblud is just one of many this year already. Previously the band broke the Internet when they were joined by Ed Sheeran to perform one of his favorite songs "Million Miles Away". Sheeran not only said he was a massive fan of the band's but also has a tattoo inspired by their album "Conspiracy Of One". Then at Starmus Festival, THE OFFSPRING were joined by music industry legend — QUEEN's own Brian May and The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of THE OFFSPRING's "Gone Away" and a cover of QUEEN's "Stone Cold Crazy".

Photo credit: Daveed Benito

In a recent interview with Spain's Mariskal Rock, DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, who returned to the band last October after a 13-year absence, was asked to name the thing in his career he is most proud of as well as a decision that he regrets the most. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm proud of it all. I mean, I'm proud of everything I've done within DREAM THEATER. DREAM THEATER has created one of the biggest empires in progressive metal. So I'm proud of having been a part of that. But I'm also proud of everything I did [in] the 13 years I was out of DREAM THEATER. I did everything from THE WINERY DOGS to SONS OF APOLLO, FLYING COLORS, TRANSATLANTIC, METAL ALLEGIANCE — so many different kinds of music — and I was able to do everything from thrash metal with METAL ALLEGIANCE to classic rock power trio with THE WINERY DOGS, and everything in between. So all of these things are part of the big picture of who I am and what I've done with my life and my career. And I'm proud of it all. As far as any regrets, I don't have any regrets. I think even leaving DREAM THEATER back in 2010, I don't regret that because I think if I had unhappily stayed at the time, I might've spent the rest of my life regretting not taking a chance. So it's always better to regret the things you have done than the things you haven't done. That was always my philosophy. I even wrote that in the lyrics for [the DREAM THEATER song] 'Repentance'. But that being said, I don't have any regrets because they're all part of the story and they're all part of what got me to where I am today. And luckily for DREAM THEATER fans, it's come full circle and it has a very happy ending in the end anyway."

DREAM THEATER recently spent time in the studio recording the band's sixteenth album. The upcoming effort will mark the progressive metal legends' first LP since Portnoy's return to the group.

Portnoy co-founded DREAM THEATER in 1985 with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung. Mike played on 10 DREAM THEATER albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010.

Mike Mangini joined DREAM THEATER in late 2010 through a widely publicized audition following the departure of Portnoy. Mangini beat out six other of the world's top drummers — Marco Minnemann, Virgil Donati, Aquiles Priester, Thomas Lang, Peter Wildoer and Derek Roddy — for the gig, a three-day process that was filmed for a documentary-style reality show called "The Spirit Carries On".

This past April, DREAM THEATER announced the European leg of its "40th Anniversary Tour 2024 - 2025". The trek — presented as "An Evening With Dream Theater" — is the first outing since Portnoy's return.

The European leg of DREAM THEATER's "40th Anniversary Tour 2024 - 2025" consists of stops in 23 cities and kicks off on October 20 and runs through November 24.

In an interview with Chile's Sonar FM, Portnoy was asked if he missed playing with DREAM THEATER during his time away from the group. He responded: "Well, of course, I always missed DREAM THEATER and the music and the guys and the fans. Not all DREAM THEATER fans went on the ride with me with all of my other bands. So, every time I would tour with SONS OF APOLLO or WINERY DOGS or SHATTERED FORTRESS or NEAL MORSE BAND, I would see someDREAM THEATER fans, but there's a big portion of the fanbase that wasn't with me for all those years. So yeah, I missed them and I missed the guys and I missed the music. We were always a family first and foremost."

Regarding the fact that he is once again in charge of coming up with the setlists for DREAM THEATER's live shows, Mike said: "Yeah, it's an area that was always my department and my passion. I always wrote all the setlists for DREAM THEATER, as well as any of my bands or projects. That's an area that's very important to me. And yeah, when I came back to DREAM THEATER, a lot of the things we have to figure out who's gonna be in charge of what. There's a lot of areas that I used to be in charge of, which now John [Petrucci, DREAM THEATER guitarist] may do, or maybe the band makes band decisions. So I have to kind of find my place within the band's chemistry now. But yeah, one of the things that they did give back to me was the setlist and writing the setlist. So yeah, it was something that was a lot of fun and exciting — a great open palette to work with, really. 40 years of music, and I haven't played any of this music with the guys in almost 15 years. So it's all so fresh. Back in 2010, I might have been bored with it, but now in 2024, I'm just as excited to play those songs as any of 'em."

On the topic of how different it is to play with DREAM THEATER in 2024 compared to how it was 14 years ago, Mike said: "There's two sides to that question. The first I'll say, personally, I think we're just all older and wiser, more mellow. I am not as much of a control freak as I used to be; I'm a lot more easygoing, a lot more mellow. So, yeah, there's the one side of the natural age of everybody just — we're now in our fifties and sixties, and I think we're just more mature and experienced. But the other side to that question is, like I just mentioned, finding my place within this new chemistry and overseeing every area. And then when I left the band, they needed to take some of these areas and divide them up amongst themselves and have different people overseeing different areas. And now that I'm coming back, I have to kind of see what's comfortable. I have to very much respect that they've had 13 years without me and they may do things a certain way differently now. So it's up to me to really be very respectful to that and not try to force myself in any of the areas. So anytime something comes up, whether we're talking about a setlist or the merchandise or how they wanna record in the studio, no matter what the subject is, it's always now, like, 'Okay, well, how do you guys do it now? How do you want me involved? Do you want me to oversee it? Do you want me to stay out of it? That's fine too.' And it's kind of like a learning process to find myself comfortable with the way that the band works now."

Portnoy also talked about DREAM THEATER's upcoming sixteenth album, which is still in the process of being recorded. He said: "We started the new album in February of this year, and we figured that was about 15 years since we last made a record together with 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' in 2009. So we got together — February 7th, 2024, I think is when we moved into the studio to begin — and it felt like it had only been one week since we finished 'The Count Of Tuscany' and wrapped the last album. It felt like it was only one week. It felt like only a week had passed. Like, okay, here we are 15 years later, but it felt like just yesterday. That's how familiar and comfortable the chemistry is with the five of us. We immediately felt comfortable, like not a day had passed, and immediately started writing ideas and bouncing ideas off of each other. And it just quickly snowballed and we were up and running and off and going."

Portnoy recently told the "So...You Want To Be A Musician?" podcast about his mindset when rejoining DREAM THEATER: "At our ages, we realized when we decided to reunite and get back together, I'd be lying if I didn't say we didn't start to look in the mirror and look at the clock and say, who knows how much time we have left? The clock is ticking, and we realize we're not gonna be here forever. And we wanna spend whatever time we have left together making music with the people that we grew up with and the people that we love. So, yeah, that's kind of where we're at at this stage."

Portnoy admitted to Mariskal Rock that he "needed to get used to was being the 'new guy'" after rejoining DREAM THEATER, "being the new guy in a band that I helped form when I was a teenager. So it's a bit of a transition for me to go from being a bit of the leader, as I was back when I left the band, now I have to kind of find my way back into the chemistry and I need to respect the fact that they've been doing this for 13 years without me and they have maybe new ways of doing things, new ways of making decisions," he explained. "So … I have had to be very respectful for my role as the new guy and finding my way back into the chemistry of the band."

This past June, Portnoy was asked by Brazil's Marcelo Vieira and Matheus Ribeiro if DREAM THEATER's upcoming sixteenth studio album picks up from where the last DT LP he played on, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", left off or if it's a different thing entirely. He responded: "If I'm being honest, I think it picks up right where 'Black Clouds' left off, to be honest. There's a certain style that the five of us have when we write together. And if you listen to the album with this lineup from 1999, '[Metropolis Pt. 2:] Scenes From A Memory', through 2009's 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings', if you look at that string of five or six albums, that's the sound and style of these five people. So I think that's a good indication of what you can expect with the new DREAM THEATER album. It definitely sounds like classic DREAM THEATER."

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

In a new interview with Rockin' 101's "The Johnny Rock Show", JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill was asked what keeps the PRIEST machine rolling after more than five decades. He quipped (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think it's probably Ibuprofen at the moment. [Laughs] It's the love of the game. We do it because we love it. It'd be very, very strange not to do it, put it like that. And like I say, it's a great lifestyle. There's not a day goes by where I don't give thanks to be able to do what I do for a living. It's been a dream over the last 50-odd years or so. And we're still loving it. And long may that continue."

Hill's PRIEST bandmate, singer Rob Halford, spoke about the prospect of retirement earlier this month in an interview with Ned of the Waterloo, Iowa radio station Rock 108. Addressing the fact that he and his bandmates are still touring and putting out studio albums, 50 years after the release of their debut LP, "Rocka Rolla", he said: "I think if your desire is still there, if your passion is still there, if you can still deliver the goods, to quote a PRIEST song, if you're moving along and the machine's not too wobbly, you can still get from A to B on one wheel, as long as it looks good and sounds good and all the other pieces are in place, why would you wanna retire?" he continued. "I wouldn't know what to do with my life if I suddenly couldn't do this beautiful work. I need to do it. It's part of me that I need to do to live as a person because I love it so much. And I think I'm speaking for everybody in PRIEST. And that's the leading light that pushes through. That's what keeps you carrying on. You marry that instantly with our glorious fans here in America and around the world that have kept this heavy metal machine rolling, because we can't do this alone. We'd look pretty dumb going into an arena if there's nobody in there. You need people there. That's part of the experience. It completes you. A live show completes the love of your band. It's like going to see your favorite basketball team or football team. You can watch them on the TV, you can get the shirt, you can see them on the Internet, but going to see them live, going to support them live is the ultimate commitment and dedication. So our fans are the biggest part of this story. We're nothing without our fans. It's true."

This past March, Hill was asked by Spain's Rock FM if he and his bandmates have thought about a possible retirement yet. The 72-year-old bassist responded: "No, we have no plan to retire yet. We're still able to perform. The time to think about retiring is when your performances start to dip and you're not doing too well. You have to think about it then. We're not stupid; we know that we're not getting any younger and that there will be a time when we have to retire, but there's no plans to do so just yet."

Earlier that same month, Halford was asked by Germany's Rock Antenne if there is an end to JUDAS PRIEST. The now-73-year-old singer responded: "No, no. It's a good question. And no. I think once you start thinking about the end, you start to kind of deflate and decompress and the light starts to get a bit dim. I think all of us in this band, we're just so grateful to be where we are with this 19th studio album, 'Invincible Shield'. I think if you say, 'One more tour and then we're gonna call it quits,' or, 'One more album. Then we'll call it quits.' … Hey, listen, life is life. We all have the emotions, 'Oh, god. I've gotta work today. I just wanna stay in bed and watch the TV.' It's perfectly normal. But you have to balance that up against all these great things that JUDAS PRIEST has been blessed to achieve. And this thing about responsibility as well — I've gotta tell you, you owe your fans everything. So we've gotta come back to Germany, gotta come back to Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, Australia. All of our beautiful fans are waiting and waiting and waiting to see this band again and celebrate this music that we make with JUDAS PRIEST."

In February, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner was asked by Mexico's Summa Inferno how much longer he thinks the band can keep touring and recording. He responded: "Well, it's not for me to say, really. Those guys were the originators of PRIEST metal and they're still doing it and it's up to them, really. If they ever feel like they don't wanna do it or they can't do it anymore, that's for them to decide.

"When I joined the band, it was only for one tour, and that was gonna be the farewell tour. So, obviously, I've had to think about what I'm gonna do after PRIEST from that time. For all I know, that was gonna be the only tour, [and] then I'd have to do something after that. So it's always been a part of my mindset. But as long as PRIEST are here and we all wanna do it together and they wanna do it and push on, then I'm here for it. I'm here to fly the flag for them however long they wanna do it."

Back in 2019, Hill told Canada's "Thorn Of Rock" radio show that there were no plans for the band to retire anytime soon. "We've done it for 50 years, and it would just seem strange if we stopped," he said. "Having said that, we thoroughly enjoy what we're doing, which is a main motivation these days. And there's no reason to stop. As long as can put on quality performances and put out quality music, we'll keep on doing so. And as long as the fine people who are the PRIEST fans are happy with that, there's no reason for us to stop."

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

Halford was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 after experiencing symptoms for at least a couple of years. In July of that year, Rob underwent prostatectomy, an operation where the entire prostate gland is removed plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. After more cancer was found in 2021, he went through radiation treatments and eventually got then all-clear. He also had an appendectomy after a tumor was discovered on his appendix.

Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during the band's performance at the Louder Than Life festival in September 2021. Faulkner was rushed to the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital where the cardiothoracic surgery team needed approximately 10 hours to complete a life-saving surgery.

Halford's cancer battle and Faulkner's acute cardiac aortic dissection are not the only health scares the members of PRIEST have had to deal with in recent years. Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 15 years ago but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's "Firepower" album. He was replaced by "Firepower" producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest studio album, "Invincible Shield", arrived on March 8 via Sony Music.

During an appearance on the September 11 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Phil Mogg spoke about why he decided to pull the plug on UFO in 2022, more than 50 years after the band's formation. The singer said: "It's easier when you look back on it. But I think after Pete [Way, late UFO bassist] went… He was suffering a few problems which are rather popular in rock bands, so I hear, he was suffering a few setbacks. But I think when Pete went, it kind of took the real sort of the original flavor out of the band and he was kind of irreplaceable in that sense. You could, obviously, get another bass player, which we did, but it's not the same. It was like taking a big lump out of the band, and as bad as it was at certain times, it was kind of the character of the band. And I know for some time after Pete went, I felt a little bit — it meant I'd have to do double the amount of jokes. It meant I'd have to do double the amount of drinking because he was gone. It meant I'd have to double up. I didn't have anyone to hide behind because Pete would do the interviews too. 'Cause he would come out with such ridiculous things, you'd go, 'Ah, this is great.' He could have come out with some crap. No, but he was good at it. So I think after that, I think the steam went out a bit, and we were slowly shutting down. And I didn't particularly wanna see UFO go in sort of ever-decreasing circles. So I think that was the general gist of it."

Asked about the possibility of UFO playing one final concert as a way of saying goodbye to the fans, Mogg said: "Oh, there's so many permutations on that one. Not really, because I can't see it happening in such a way that it would be worthy of doing. It would have to be pretty damn good. And if you stick something out there and it falls below par, then the audience, people who come along will be disappointed. I'd be disappointed if it was below something else. And I think that's the chance that I really wouldn't want to take unless it was, like, 'Yeah, this is happening. That's great.' You might go, 'Oh, well, I'll give that a shot.' But I can't see it coming together — I can't see the stars aligning. So, yeah, it would be too difficult."

Last month, Mogg told Seb Di Gatto of The Metal Gods Meltdown told that UFO was definitely finished and never coming back. He said:  "I think we've reached that point now. I believe when Pete went, that it kind of took the wind out of our sails, out of the band, really. I know he was going a bit loopy, but he had a lot of the character which was in the band. So, no, we couldn't replace him. And no, definitely not. No. I think that'd end up being like the Frank Sinatra tour, wouldn't it? What's the other band? SCORPIONS kept retiring, didn't they?"

Mogg continued: "The other thing is when you say, 'This is our last tour,' that really should be, because people come along and they've spent their money getting there or doing whatever for the last tour, and then if you turn around and do another one, they go, 'Oh, you've just done your last tour. I've just paid 50 quid for that.' It would be a little bit unfair."

Asked how he would like UFO and Phil Mogg to be remembered in the years to come, Phil said: "Just as a cracking good little band. Nothing too glorious, but just… You know when you go, like I do, I'd seen THE ANIMALS at Club Noreik in Tottenham when I was about 14, 15. And I always would go, 'Oh, that was a good band. I really enjoyed that night.' And I enjoyed Eric Burdon. So, I think that's compliment enough."

Mogg previously addressed UFO's future this past April in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. Asked if there is still "more to do" with the band, he responded: "No, no. I think it's come to a conclusion. We did that last U.K. tour in 2019, just before COVID. So that was kind of the end of it, and the time was right."

Mogg suffered a heart attack in August 2022. The now-76-year-old British-born musician was rushed to the hospital where he had two stents implanted into his coronary arteries. This is known medically as a coronary angioplasty and aims to re-open the blocked coronary artery by inserting one or more stents. This helps keep the narrowed artery open.

UFO's farewell tour was scheduled to kick off on October 15, 2022 at the De Casino in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium and run through a final show at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on October 29, 2022.

When the news of Mogg's heart attack was first made public, UFO said in a statement: "On Thursday September 1st, 2022 — after having performed several detailed examinations in the past days — the doctors pronounced a strict performance ban for Mogg until further notice. This is why the entire Last Orders farewell tour, which was supposed to lead across Europe from October 15 to 29, 2022 before ending in Athens, had to be cancelled.

"If and when the tour or — at the very least — individual shows can be made up for, is currently completely unclear and will depend on Mogg's recovery, among other things. His rehabilitation therapy will be starting in about six weeks. According to the doctors, it is not yet possible to give any concrete statements about the duration and scope of the treatment."

In 2021, UFO announced that it would embark on its final tour featuring a series of exclusive concerts in summer 2022 to bid farewell to its fans in style. UFO was scheduled to play the very last concert of in Athens, where the band performed its first show featuring current guitarist Vinnie Moore in February 2004.

When UFO's final concert was first announced, Mogg was anticipating this very special farewell show with mixed feelings, while also very much looking forward to UFO once again meeting their extensive fan base between summer and autumn 2022.

Mogg, who turned 76 in April, said: "After so many years with countless highlights, fantastic experiences and lots of beautiful memories — as well as some difficult moments, naturally — it'll be a worthy finale to say goodbye to your fans in person. I know that there are bound to be some very emotional moments on both sides."

In his original statement announcing UFO's final tour, Mogg said the decision was "a long time coming," adding that while "being out on the road isn't always tremendously luxurious and although the playing is as great as it ever was, the stuff that surrounds it becomes very tiresome. I always told myself that when I reached that stage, I would step down, and that's what I'm going to do. This is the right time for me to quit."

UFO guitarist/keyboard player Paul Raymond died in April 2019. He appeared on more than a dozen of UFO's albums, including "Lights Out" and the live classic "Strangers In The Night".

UFO's most recent lineup included original members Mogg and drummer Andy Parker, as well as Moore, who joined in 2003, and Rob De Luca (bass),a member since 2012.

UFO's latest release was the 2017 covers collection "The Salentino Cuts".

Phil's new band MOGGS MOTEL has just released its self-titled album.

Grammy-nominated Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based five-piece AUGUST BURNS RED — JB Brubaker (lead guitar),Brent Rambler (rhythm guitar),Matt Greiner (drums),Jake Luhrs (vocals) and Dustin Davidson (bass) — has dropped its brand new single "Exhumed". AUGUST BURNS RED is independently releasing the song across all digital platforms today. It's another slab of angry music for happy people, as is expected from the ABR faithful.

"'Exhumed' is about not dwelling on the negatives, being able to recover, get past them, and move on with your life," the band explains. "It's a high-energy track that's influenced by the hardcore roots we came up on."

A seven-inch single version that features "Exhumed" on the A side and "Vengeance" on the B side will also be available via the band's webstore. ABR diehards will recognize "Vengeance" as the song the band self-released back in 2021. The seven-inch single, which comes in gray splatter and baby blue variants and is limited to 250 copies a piece, marks the first time that "Vengeance" is available in a physical format.

In other ABR news, the 2024 edition of the band's annual "Christmas Burns Red" extravaganza is set for December 13 and 14 at Freedom Hall at the Lancaster Country Convention Center in downtown Lancaster. Tickets, VIP packages and hotel packages are all on sale now. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE GHOST INSIDE, GIDEON, BOUNDARIES, BODYSNATCHER and more are set to appear, making it a heavy holiday extravaganza.

AUGUST BURNS RED is likely the only metal act ever described as "thrillingly empathetic" (Kerrang!). It's a testament to the ferocious band's ability to recognize and connect with the mixture of brokenness and hope found in their audience and within themselves. A hard-working collective with a shockingly stable lineup for the vast majority of their career, AUGUST BURNS RED pour every ounce of themselves into their music. Atmospheric, riff-laden, aggressive bursts of controlled chaos, filled with shifting time signatures and tempos, deliver confessional, self-reflective, and authentic emotion.

Tour stops with LAMB OF GOD, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, PARKWAY DRIVE and BRING ME THE HORIZON; several major international hard rock festivals (Rock Am Ring, Download and Aftershock, to name a few); and the Vans Warped Tour are among the destinations around the world to witness ABR's live prowess. Massive headlining treks celebrating 10-year anniversaries for "Constellations" and "Leveler" demonstrated the enduring relevance of the band’s catalog, nearly 20 years into ABR's storied career. 2020's "Guardians" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Music, Rock Albums and Vinyl Albums charts.

Revolver, who put the band on their cover the same year, observed AUGUST BURNS RED "embrace the pain so well." It's a truth never more evident than on "Death Below", their stunning ninth studio album. Recorded with longtime producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, "Death Below" encompasses all of the pissed-off strength of the band's past without sacrificing an ounce of catchy, melodic might. "Death Below" boasts guest appearances from ABR allies Jesse Leach (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE),Spencer Chamberlain (UNDEROATH),Jason Richardson (ALL THAT REMAINS) and JT Cavey (ERRA).

"It's getting difficult for the members of AUGUST BURNS RED to keep one-upping themselves," marveled Billboard shortly before "Guardians" arrived.

Since bursting on to the music scene in the early 2000s, SICK PUPPIES — Bryan Scott (guitars/lead vocals),Emma Anzai (bass/vocals) and Mark Goodwin (drums/vocals) — have sold over one million albums, including a gold certification for "Tri-Polar", had five rock radio hits, including "You're Going Down", which reached No. 1, amassed over 310 million global streams, and have had their music featured on hits shows like "NCIS" and WWE. The band kicked off the next era of its career by partnering with ONErpm for its next album, "Wave The Bull", which arrives in early 2025.

Today, the band has shared the video for "Going Places". Watch it below.

Overall, the accompanying track and video are about just letting go of everything and frankly, not giving a damn.

"'Going Places' is a song about feeling stuck in life and basically fed up with it all," Anzai states. "The video we shot is a good representation of throwing our hands up in the air, letting go of everything, and feeling a release from the malaise and just having fun."

It follows the video for the first single "There Goes The Neighborhood", which can also be seen below.

"We are all familiar with what it means to 'take the bull by the horns,' but to 'wave the bull' is a different take on approaching life's most difficult times," the band states. "To wave the bull is to provoke, embrace, and surrender to the battles that will inevitably scar us — a battle cry for the emotional masochist. Antagonizing adversity, afraid of nothing," the band declares. "This is the central theme, and philosophy behind our fifth studio album, 'Wave The Bull', as we reflected on the thick skin grown from the trials, and tribulations of our band's history and hardships, both professionally and personally."

SICK PUPPIES continue: "Coded by a colored guide, this aggressive concept album genre-hops between three lyrical themes — 'The Omen Tracks' (themed in black),which foreshadow the hard times to come, with lyrical content ranging from frustration, betrayal, and panic. 'The Fight Tracks' (themed in red) represent relentless, animalistic tenacity leaning all the way into hardship. And 'The Aftermath Tracks' (themed in white) that express the mixed bag of emotion that comes with being on the other side of disaster. This concept album is a collection of songs that thematically, lyrically, musically, and sonically double down on the narrative that it’s not about what life throws at you, it's about the way in which you face it So, 'Wave The Bull'!"

"Wave The Bull" track listing:

01. There Goes The Neighborhood
02. Friends Like You
03. Creature
04. Going Places
05. Fix Me
06. Knock Your Lights Out
07. Find A Way
08. Feel Again
09. Hurricane
10. Dead & Buried
11. Fuck 'Em All
12. Halfway Home

In addition to being known for their extensive range of pivotal accomplishments, SICK PUPPIES are a formidable live act that has clocked in over 1,000 live shows in the U.S. alone over time, sharing the stage with the likes of MUSE, THE KILLERS, BREAKING BENJAMIN, INCUBUS and TOOL. Notable festival plays include Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome To Rockville, Louder Than Life, Download (U.K.) and Aftershock.

Brian Wheat, the founder and bassist of the multi-platinum selling band TESLA, has announced an exciting new musical venture with AleX, an emerging singer/songwriter from the U.K. The duo has joined forces to create a new band called VIOLET BREED, with their debut single, "Awake", available now on all major platforms. An accompanying music video for the track can be seen below.

VIOLET BREED represents a powerful collaboration between Wheat, a seasoned rock icon, and AleX, a fresh and dynamic voice in the music industry. The pair have spent the last five years meticulously crafting an album that draws from their own life experiences, creating music that resonates with listeners of all ages. With honest and emotive lyrics, VIOLET BREED's sound blends rich rock and pop influences, promising a unique and compelling listening experience.

The debut album, which features TESLA's own guitarist Dave Rude on guitars, will showcase the musical prowess of the duo. Fans of both TESLA and AleX will be eager to hear the new material, as VIOLET BREED looks to make a significant impact on the global music scene.

"Awake", the lead single, will give audiences a taste of what's to come from VIOLET BREED, delivering a track that's both musically engaging and lyrically profound.

Brian and AleX are able to tap into experiences from these diverse generations, which add to the depth of the music they produce. Their passion and inspiration for music is born from a shared love for records by THE BEATLES, Paul McCartney, QUEEN and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. Influences from these bands is subtly interwoven into their music.

Over his successful forty years in the music industry, Brian has crafted an enviable music career. Performing live, author to autobiography "Son Of A Milkman" and managing the multi-platinum selling rock band TESLA, alongside side projects such as SOUL MOTOR and now VIOLET BREED, Brian has maintained an impressive consistency in the music industry over multiple decades resulting in an abundance of sellout tours across the U.S. and world.

Over the last ten years, Brian has acted as a close mentor and peer to AleX, notably being a huge influence in the studio, producing and co-writing songs. His oversight has helped refine the music AleX creates and brought priceless industry for AleX to further improve his craft. With his own individual success on active rock radio, numerous successful tours and festival appearances, and constantly performing to a demanding live schedule, Brian notices the potential of AleX's talents and commitment, and recognizes snippets of his younger self in the artist. Having displayed a unique range of vocal performances, heavily inspired by Freddie Mercury, plus a natural talent for songwriting, the opportunity to form a new band seemed inevitable.

Canadian sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD will join forces with the Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal for two extraordinary concerts, conducted by Dina Gilbert.

This legendary Quebec band, known worldwide for redefining the boundaries of metal for over 40 years, will take the stage at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletie in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 29, 2025 and January 30, 2025 in a groundbreaking collaboration.

Experience VOIVOD like never before. Imagine hearing iconic tracks like "Holographic Thinking" and "Astronomy Domine" in a full symphonic arrangement.

Don't miss your chance to witness this historic event that will leave a lasting impact on the music scene.

For more information, visit www.osm.ca.

VOIVOD is a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Québec. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s. Starting out as a speed metal band, VOIVOD have added a mix of progressive metal and thrash metal to create their own unique metal style, and are credited as one of the "big four" Canadian thrash metal bands, along with SACRIFICE, RAZOR and ANNIHILATOR. They are considered by many as one of the most influential metal bands from the '80s, influencing and gaining praise from multiple bands and across numerous genres.

VOIVOD found mainstream success in the late 1980s with their fifth studio album, "Nothingface" (1989),which is the band's only album to enter The Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number 114.

As previously reported, VOIVOD's long-awaited official documentary, "We Are Connected", received its world premiere on July 29 at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Quebec. Canada.

"We Are Connected" dives deep into the 40-plus-year legacy of one of the most original and influential metal bands in history. From their explosive beginnings in Jonquière to their groundbreaking global journey, VOIVOD's story is one of unparalleled creativity, resilience, and evolution. The film covers VOIVOD's history from unlikely origins in northern Québec at the height of the Cold War to underground success to sharing tours and stages with IRON MAIDEN, RUSH and METALLICA. Included in the documentary are high and lows throughout those 40 years, from major-label support and Billboard recognition to seismic lineup changes and an event many critics claimed to be the end of VOIVOD: the death of co-founding guitarist and composer Dennis "Piggy" D'Amour.

Directed by Felipe Belalcazar and produced with full access to the band's archives, this film features exclusive insights and appearances by metal icons like Tobias Forge (GHOST),Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH),Jason Newsted (METALLICA),Zach Blair (RISE AGAINST, GWAR),Tom G. Warrior (CELTIC FROST, TRIPTYKON) and Ivan Doroschuk (MEN WITHOUT HATS),among many others.

This past April, VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin was asked by Jimmy Kay of Canada's The Metal Voice why it has taken so long to put the documentary together. Away said: "It first started when Piggy passed in 2005, where we had the idea of doing some documentary, mainly to honor him. And so, when Piggy passed, we were like maybe two or three years without doing any touring. At this point, Snake, [then-VOIVOD bassist] Jason Newsted and I were on a mission to finish the two albums we had started in 2004. And so it gave me some time to gather the archives and put it into digital format. When we reformed for the Heavy Montreal festival in 2008, we just went on tour forever. And so everything was sort of put aside for a long time. And then, it must be about seven or eight years ago when Felipe got in touch with me. He really wanted to do that movie, and he sent me the DVD of the documentary he had done about the band DEATH, 'Death By Metal'. And I was really amazed. It's a bit like a Ken Burns documentary vibe where, if he's missing some archives, he will do a pan or a zoom on an old photo so the visual keeps moving. And I really liked that documentary, and I was convinced he could do something great for VOIVOD. So we started working on this. And, of course, his travels were cut short by the pandemic. But it's a period that it gave me the opportunity, since VOIVOD was not touring, it gave me the opportunity to gather even more archives and put them into digital format. So, now after all these years, it's almost done. [Laughs]. The last mile. [Laughs]"

Back in 2006, it was reported that VOIVOD had recruited Canadian documentarian Sam Dunn to helm the band's documentary after he interviewed members of VOIVOD for his "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" movie.

"It was a real honor to be asked, and we've already started shooting," Dunn said at the time. "The documentary is going to be about Piggy's life and the making of the new record and how those are tied together."

After VOIVOD's collaboration with Dunn failed to materialize for reasons that are not clear, the band recruited Belalcázar, who has a proven record of delivering quality productions to millions of metal fans around the world, most recently the aforementioned critically acclaimed Chuck Schuldiner documentary "Death By Metal".

Earlier this year, VOIVOD completed a North American tour with PRONG.

VOIVOD has been touring in support of its latest album, "Morgöth Tales", which was released via Century Media, The Orchard and Sony Music.

The band's 2022 release, "Synchro Anarchy", garnered significant acclaim, winning the 2023 Juno Award for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Album" in Canada.

Once more recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio, mastered by Maor Appelbaum and produced by VOIVOD, "Morgöth Tales" includes fresh studio re-recordings by the band's current lineup of nine especially selected, not-so-obvious picks from the band's hyper-classy and extremely diverse back catalogue (between 1984 and 2003) as well as a brand-new song and the album's title track, "Morgöth Tales".

Photo credit: Catherine Deslauriers

🎶🤘 Get ready for an unforgettable night! 🤘🎶

Experience Voivod like never before as they join forces with the Orchestre...

Posted by Voivod on Friday, September 13, 2024

With the release of his upcoming third solo album, "The Art Of Letting Go", less than one month away, vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Myles Kennedy — known for his work with rockers ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS — has shared the music video for the third single from the LP. "Miss You When You're Gone" is a mid-tempo track that continues to showcase Myles's lyrical ability to create a composition that resonates with its listener. The track talks about a relationship that is growing apart as Myles sings: "This is gonna hurt like hell, I know too well." The music video is an animated masterpiece from the mind of Kennedy and longtime animated video collaborator Ollie Jones. The video tells the story of a girl who moves into a house and befriends a ghost that lives there. Their relationship continues through all phases of the main character's life driving the meaning of the song home.

The debut single from "The Art Of Letting Go" — the upbeat rocker "Say What You Will" — is currently moving up the U.S. Active Rock charts with a bullet. Sitting in the Top 20 at Active Rock, the song is the most spun single of Myles's solo career and has become an instant classic among fans and program directors alike. The music video — with over 1.5 million views to date — was directed by Gordy De St Jeor (MAMMOTH WVH) and tells the story of a bullied and timid student who breaks out of her shell with the help of a teacher, janitor and school principal portrayed by Kennedy, Zia Uddin (drums) and Tim Tournier (bass) in the school talent show.

In a recent interview with the I-Rock 93.5 radio station, Myles stated about the lyrical themes covered on "The Art Of Letting Go": "The first two solo records were, they were kind of concept records. The first, 'Year Of The Tiger' [2018], was a record kind of dealing with the loss of my father as a child. And then the second record, 'The Ides Of March' [2021], was dealing with kind of the state of the world about three years ago. But with this record, I wanted it to be a collection of songs and with a narrative that shifted from song to song. I really like that, because then for one thing there were a handful of tunes I had sitting around for a few years that just didn't have a home and didn't fit the storyline. So I was, like, 'Oh, I can pull that now and use that in this batch of tunes.' But it also just made it so that… I feel like because it's more of a riff-based record, it's more about the intensity of the music. I didn't feel like it lived or died as much by the narrative of the lyric. So it's really about just making a compelling riff and a good vocal melody first and then filling in the blanks with the words. But with that said, I never phone it. I'm not the guy who's like… I hear these stories about really good songwriters who are, like, 'Yeah, he sat in his truck for 20 minutes before he had to cut the vocal and wrote the lyrics.' I'm, like, I'm not that guy. I will obsess and rewrite and re-edit. 'Cause I have to know that if I'm gonna sing and I'm going to go tour it that I'm believing it night after night that it's honest. And I'm happy with the cadence and the rhymes and it's not just a bunch of hoo ha ha."

From the opening guitar riff of the title track "The Art Of Letting Go" to the haunting melody of album closer "How The Story Ends", Myles Kennedy is back with a collection of songs that is sure to cater to old and new fans alike. Songs like "Mr. Downside", "Miss You When You're Gone" and "Saving Face" showcase the memorable storytelling that has become synonymous throughout all of Myles's projects. The debut single — currently impacting radio around the globe — is the upbeat rocker "Say What You Will". The song is now available via all DSPs.

The track listing for "The Art Of Letting Go" is:

01. The Art Of Letting Go
02. Say What You Will
03. Mr. Downside
04. Miss You When You're Gone
05. Behind The Veil
06. Saving Face
07. Eternal Lullaby
08. Nothing More To Gain
09. Dead To Rights
10. How The Story Ends

To celebrate the release of "The Art Of Letting Go", Myles Kennedy and his trio will be hitting the road in support of the new album. A six-date U.K. run with support from Devin Townsend recently went on sale for November and December. Twenty more newly announced dates are being added to "The Art Of Letting Go" tour 2024 all across Europe starting in October. The additional European dates will feature support from BLACK RIVER DELTA and CARDINAL BLACK. The band will also be bringing the tour to North America with dates set for January and February 2025. The 2025 dates will feature special guest Tim Montana.

As a prolific songwriter, powerhouse vocalist, and proficient guitar player, Kennedy tunes into the rhythm of his surroundings and goes with the flow. Fronting ALTER BRIDGE, his soaring vocals, open-hearted lyrics, and airtight riffs have fueled the group's global impact as a gold-certified, arena-filling force of nature over two decades-plus. On the microphone for SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS, his towering range has consistently stunned audiences since 2010. Becoming a celebrated collaborator, he's the rare presence just as comfortable on a track with DISTURBED, HALESTORM and SEVENDUST as he is with GOV'T MULE and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. It's why he's generated over one billion cumulative streams, earned gold and platinum certifications worldwide, uplifted countless fans, and Kerrang! christened him "one of rock's finest vocalists." It's also why he's carved out his own lane. 2021 saw him deliver his acclaimed sophomore opus, "The Ides Of March". It impressively notched a total of four No. 1 debuts across three countries, toppling the Billboard U.S. Top Current Hard Music chart, the U.K. Official Rock & Metal chart and Official Independent Album chart, and Canada's Hard Music Albums chart. Beyond generating 10 million-plus streams, it incited unanimous critical applause from American Songwriter, Guitar.com, Loudwire, Guitar World and more. RIFF hailed it as "a fantastic and must-listen record," while Classic Rock magazine awarded it "4.5 out of 5 stars," going on to attest, "'The Ides Of March' confirms Myles Kennedy as a musical powerhouse."

Photo credit: Chuck Brueckmann

Multi-platinum rock band HINDER has released a new single, "Live Without It", a soulful showstopper about letting go and moving on, taking the lead. The new track's titular phrase has become a mantra for the band's current journey — capturing the yearning to break free from emotional numbness. HINDER's deft storytelling reveals a band unafraid to lay everything bare, face the darkness, and come out the other side renewed.

Lately, HINDER are feeling the intensity of a new energy. Nearly two decades into their career, the band hasn't just endured as a fixture of modern rock — it's evolved. The versatile Oklahoma City-based quartet creates emotionally compelling rock, from hard-hitting anthems to subdued, contemplative ballads. Now the band is looking to the future.

HINDER's story begins in 2001, when Cody Hanson (drums),Joe "Blower" Garvey (lead guitar) and Mike Rodden (bass) met and activated their musical chemistry. The 2005 hit "Lips Of An Angel" from the band's debut album "Extreme Behavior", since certified three times platinum, topped the charts and remains a radio mainstay. Powerful lead vocalist Marshal Dutton joined them in 2015. Throughout their discography, HINDER has embodied an ethos of defiance and tenacity through gutsy lyrics, rousing melodies, and soaring choruses. Each album in their musical journey has reflected a progression, from the grittier early days of "Take It To The Limit" to the more introspective and exploratory energy of their most recent album, 2017's "The Reign".

The band started 2024 strong, with a series of sold-out shows and live performances with CREED, THREE DOORS DOWN and DAUGHTRY. The band's vigorous live shows and blend of catchy hooks with raw, emotive lyrics have earned them crossover appeal and a loyal global fanbase.

HINDER emerges from the storm more focused and resilient than ever. With a renewed sense of purpose and drive, and still never afraid to take risks, HINDER is poised to continue forging its legacy as one of rock's most enduring and dynamic bands. The band members' resilience and adaptability have kept them at the forefront of the modern rock scene for nearly two decades, and they will continue — in fact, they're just getting started.

2024 North American tour dates:

Sep. 29 - The Big E - Springfield, MA
Oct. 01 - The Queen - Wilmington, DE
Oct. 02 - The SERVPRO Pavilion - Doswell, VA
Oct. 05 - Tulsa State Fair - Tulsa, OK
Oct. 20 - HWY 30 Music Festival Texas - Fort Worth, TX
Nov. 14 - Backroads Saloon - Bartonville, IL
Nov. 15 - Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Mount Pleasant, MI
Nov. 16 - Castle Ridge - Centralia, IL
Nov. 22 - The Banyan Live - West Palm Beach, FL
Nov. 23 - OCC Road House & Museum - Clearwater, FL
Dec. 19 - Rhythm City Casino & Resort - Davenport, IA
Dec. 20 - Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort - Larchwood, IA
Dec. 27 - The Star Concert Hall - Branson, MO

Photo credit: Dylan Johnson

10 YEARS and Mascot Records have announced an October 11 street date for the band's digital EP titled "Inner Darkness". The lead single "The Optimist" hits global radio airwaves next week, following the release of a new official music video which can be viewed below.

In addition to featuring three previously unreleased songs and three well-received singles, the "Inner Darkness" EP includes a version of the hit "The Optimist" with guest vocals by CONQUER DIVIDE's Kia Taylor, who skillfully trades off lines with 10 YEARS singer Jesse Hasek. The chemistry between the two singers and the bands more broadly was there from the start. When they first met on Zoom, guitarist and producer Brian Vodinh recalls: "We talked about touring and recording and basically nerded out and hit it off really well. Then we mentioned the idea of a collaboration, which is where everything started." Hasek adds: "We thought it would be fun to give it a new twist since it has been out there for a while. Kia's name came up and I've always enjoyed female vocalists and I thought it would be especially cool to inject her voice into our style of music. She had the right vibe and a great attitude and she really went for it. It was a fun, painless process and it came out even better than I expected it to."

The complete EP track listing includes "The Optimist" (feat. CONQUER DIVIDE),"Gravity", "Rise", "Speechless", "I Remember", "The Trench" and "The Optimist". While 10 YEARS will continue to tour through the end of the year and into 2025, the band has no intention of waiting another four years before releasing the follow-up to "Inner Darkness". In fact, there are more than a dozen nearly finished songs waiting for Vodinh in his home studio. With no strict deadline and no studio bills to pay, Vodinh constructed frameworks for about 70 songs over the past two years. The greatest challenge was deciding which six would make the cut for "Inner Darkness".

"There was such a massive catalog of built-up material we went through — great demos that have everything on them except the vocals — that it was really hard to come up with the right songs that flowed together in the right way," Vodinh says. "There are a dozen other songs that are really strong and just need to be finished up, and we kept going back and forth, bouncing from one song to another for all eternity to try to figure out what to use. In the end, we used the ones Jesse felt the best about vocally, but there's plenty of great stuff left to work with." A full-length studio album is planned for release in 2025.

The band 10 YEARS has enriched the musical lives of a global fan base for over a quarter century. And as they approach the release of their tenth studio album, they celebrate the milestone of surpassing a quarter billion cumulative streams across all platforms. Their repertoire continues to connect, while also being discovered by a new audience of many who were just being born when this career began. 10 YEARS is Jesse Hasek (lead vocals),Brian Vodinh (guitar, backing vocals),Matt Wantland (guitar),Chad Grennor (bass) and Luke Narey (drums).

10 YEARS released three new singles between late 2022 and early 2024 — "The Optimist", "I Remember" and "Rise" — and earned more than 27 million streams for their efforts ("The Optimist" alone garnering 16.5 million plays).

The new repertoire is driven by the inspiration of introspection, aggression, and isolation. Hasek shares: "I've always used music as a tool to express my inner feelings, and I can get dark, especially considering our last album came out right before the pandemic, and then the entire world shut down and everyone was stuck. But I think it's healthy and to dig deep within to release those feelings of negativity instead of holding onto them. It's like working out. When you work out, you get sore, but then you get stronger. There's a soreness and pain that comes from digging into this stuff, but nothing feels better than coming out on the other side."

Since forming in 1999, 10 YEARS have quietly pushed themselves and modern rock towards evolution. Building a formidable catalog, the group's gold-selling 2005 breakthrough "The Autumn Effect" yielded the hit "Wasteland", which went gold, infiltrated the Billboard Hot 100, and clinched No. 1 at Active Rock Radio and No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They landed three Top 30 entries on the Billboard Top 200 with "Division" (2008),"Feeding The Wolves" (2010) and "Minus The Machine" (2012). In 2017's "(How To Live) As Ghosts" marked a reunion between Jesse, Brian and Matt and achieved marked success. Not only did the album bow in the Top 5 of the U.S. Top Hard Rock Albums chart, but it also yielded the hit "Novacaine". The single ascended to the Top 5 of the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock Songs chart and has now tallied over 45 million streams, across all DSPs. The cumulative total for all track streams from repertoire on "How To Live (As Ghosts)" exceeds 74 million plays. Along the way, they sold out countless headline shows and toured with everyone from KORN, THREE DAYS GRACE, DEFTONES and STONE SOUR to Chris Cornell and LINKIN PARK. The band's most recent studio album is titled "Violent Allies", and was recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, HALESTORM, PAPA ROACH). The record has amassed over 50 million streams.

Texas rockers, Texas Hippie Coalition, are back with a heavy new track, "Bones Jones". Wild riffs toss and turn beneath the song, and frontman Big Dad Ritch relays the tale of a “local entrepreneur” and acquaintance from his youth.


“In our hometown, there was a guy named ‘Bones’," says Ritch. "He was about six-foot-seven-inches tall like Lurch from The Addams Family. I’d get weed from him, but he sold everything you could think of. Just weed for me though,” he chuckles.







Texas Hippie Coalition will release their new album, Gunsmoke, via MNRK Heavy on October 4. This time, Big Dad Ritch and his crew wholeheartedly embrace their country and Southern rock stylings as well as a lifelong passion for westerns.


With drinks poured, fists raised, and smiles wide, Texas Hippie Coalition (THC) always know how to have a good time. A collective of tried-and-true rabble-rousers and dyed-in-the-wool storytellers, the Texas quintet - Big Dad Ritch [vocals], Cord Pool [guitar], Nevada Romo [guitar], Rado Romo [bass], and Joey Mandigo [drums] - spike ass-whopping hard rock with a kick of country swagger and a whole lot of Texas grit and gusto.
 
Gathering tens of millions of streams, logging thousands of miles on the road, and energizing countless fans, they deliver ten anthems tailor-made to simmer and scorch on Gunsmoke. “In terms of the lyrics, the vibe, and where THC come from, we definitely went home on this album,” says Ritch. “It represents the wild west Texas-Oklahoma area. You’ve got a little red dirt country spilling over into the storytelling and metal. It’s a return to the dirt where we came from.”





Tracklisting:


"Deadman"
"Baptized In The Mud"
"Bones Jones"
"She's Like A Song"
"Droppin Bombs"
"Gunsmoke"
"Eat Crow"
"Million Man Army"
"Test Positive"
"I'm Gettin High"


"Gunsmoke" video:





Tour dates:


September
13 - Keokuk, IA - L-Treyns Bar
14 - Harshaw, WI - Bonnie & Clyde Gangster Park
15 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
20 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverfront Live
21- Wilmington, OH - Farm to Bottle Festival


October
10 - Mechanicsburg, PA - Lovedraft's Brewing Company