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

Past Eddie" Funko Pop! Figures Coming In December">
Funko have announced the December release of three new Iron Maiden Pop! figures, Senjutsu Eddie, Cyborg Eddie, and the super-sized Future Past Eddie.


Find pre-orders for the new figures at Amazon and other online retailers, or sign up to be notified by Funko via the following links:


- Senjutsu Eddie
- Cyborg Eddie
- Future P

British guitar sensation, Sophie Lloyd, has shared her shred version of Alice Cooper's "Poison". She's also announced a headline show at Whisky A Go Go. Watch the video below:





Sophie's debut album, Imposter Syndrome, is available via her own Autumn Records. The album is available as a digipack CD, Black Gatefold Vinyl and Limited Edition Gatefold Purple Splatter Vinyl. Orders can be placed here.







Tracklisting:


"Do Or Die" (feat. Nathan James)
"Pressure" (feat. Brandon Saller)
"Imposter Syndrome" (feat. Lzzy Hale)
"Let It Hurt" (feat. Chris Robertson)
"Runaway" (feat. Michael Starr)
"Fall Of Man" (feat. Matthew K. Heafy)
"Lost" (feat. Cole Rolland)
"Hanging On" (feat. Lauren Babic)
"Avalanche" (feat. Trevor McNevan)
"Won't You Come" (feat. Marisa Rodriguez)
"Judge And Jury" (feat. Tyler Connolly)


"Judge And Jury" video:





"Runaway" featuring Michael Starr of Steel Panther:





"Lost" featuring Cole Rolland:

Black Sabbath legend, Tony Iommi, will reissue the two albums he recorded with Glenn Hughes - The 1996 The Dep Sessions and Fused, on October 4 via BMG. This will be the first time the albums are available on vinyl.


You can pre-order the titles here, and listen to the official audio for Fused track, "Saviour Of The Real", below.










The 1996 Dep Sessions tracklisting:


"Gone"
"From Another World"
"Don’t You Tell Me"
"Don’t Drag The River"
"Fine"
"Time Is the Healer"
"I’m Not the Same Man"
"It Falls Through Me"


"Gone" lyric video:











Fused tracklisting:


"Dopamine"
"Wasted Again"
"Saviour Of The Real"
"Resolution Song"
"Grace"
"Deep Inside A Shell"
"What You’re Living For"
"Face Your Fear"
"The Spell"
"I Go Insane"
"Slip Away" (Bonus Track)
"Let It Down Easy" (Bonus Track)
"The Innocence" (Bonus Track)


"Saviour Of The Real":





"Dopamine" lyric video:

Arizona death-crusters Go Ahead And Die's newest offering, Better Dead Than Mainstream: Live At The Marquee Theater, is now available digitally via Nuclear Blast Records.


The audio from the album was taken from their September 25, 2021 show with Soulfly as well as Incite and Healing Magic. The night featured a performance of their debut self-titled album which was released two months prior. The audio for the live album was produced, engineered, and mastered by Arthur Rizk. For the album cover, the band enlisted Costin Chioreanu to create the artwork.


To celebrate the live album, the band once again teamed up with Costin Chioreanu who created a lyric video for the track, "I.C.E. Cage" (Live). Watch below.




Save Better Dead Than Mainstream: Live At The Marquee Theater here.





Tracklisting:


"Truckload Full of Bodies" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"Toxic Freedom" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"I.C.E. Cage" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"Isolated / Desolated" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"Prophet's Prey" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"Punisher" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
"El Cuco" (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 202

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band, Bon Jovi, have re-released its classic compilation album, Greatest Hits. It is available in various configurations at retail and through the artist store, including 1LP and 2LP variants on standard black vinyl and exclusive colors.


Bon Jovi first unveiled Greatest Hits on October 29, 2010. Upon arrival, it bowed in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200 in addition to capturing No. 1 on the US Top Rock Albums Chart and the US Top Hard Rock Albums Chart. It also eventually earned a platinum certification from the RIAA and logged an impressive 352 weeks on the Billboard 200. Across the pond, it crashed the charts at No. 2 and reached quadruple-platinum status.


The album collects seminal anthems from the band’s first three decades, spanning everything from “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “You Give Love A Bad Name” and “Bad Medicine” to “It’s My Life,” “Always” and “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” in addition to a pair of songs specifically recorded for Greatest Hits: “What Do You Got?,” which became a top 10 hit, and “No Apologies.”




Order on the group’s official D2C store here.


Bon Jovi recently achieved a coveted RIAA Diamond for their single “Livin’ on a Prayer,” recognizing sales of 10 Million certified units. This marks the band’s second career milestone following its Diamond status for their Slippery When Wet album. Throughout their illustrious career, Bon Jovi has sold over a combined total of 72 Million RIAA certified units to date including the album Crossroads (7x Platinum) and the singles “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (6x Platinum), “You Give Love A Bad Name” (5x Platinum) and “It’s My Life” (3x Platinum).





Greatest Hits LP tracklisting:


Side A
"Livin' On A Prayer"
"You Give Love A Bad Name"
"Bad Medicine" (7" Version)
"Wanted Dead Or Alive" (7" Version)
"Bed Of Roses" - Radio Edit


S

Today, the legendary, long-running metal band Stryper has released its twelfth studio album, When We Were Kings, alongside a new single, "Rhyme Of Time". Check out the visualizer for the track below.


Michael Sweet comments on "Rhyme Of Time": "The new single 'Rhyme Of Time' is definitely a rock ballad with dark overtones musically, but lyrically it’s a love song. It definitely has its own signature sound compared to all the other songs on the album in the best of ways. Very excited about this one."







About When We Were Kings, Sweet adds: "We couldn’t be more excited about this new album. I feel that it really captures our classic sound, but also captures our most recent sound. We’ve definitely grown as a band and evolved quite a bit so it’s important to have both. We’re 40 years into our career and releasing the best music of our career."


Looking ahead, Stryper is also working on a Kickstarter-funded documentary film directed by Chris Atkins. With career album sales exceeding 10 million worldwide and a history of Billboard Top 40 hits, Stryper continues to record, tour, and perform for devoted fans globally.





Tracklisting:


"End Of Days"
"Unforgivable"
"When We Were Kings"
"Betrayed By Love"
"Loves Symphony"
"Trinity"
"Rhyme Of Time"
"Raptured"
"Grateful"
"Divided By Design"
"Imperfect World"


"When We Were Kings" video:





"Loves Symphony" lyric video:





"Grateful" visualizer:





"End Of Days" lyric video:





Stryper are currently out on their 40th Anniversary tour. Tickets and details at Stryper.com/tour.





Stryper's 40th Anniversary Tour dates:


September
13 - Uncasville, CT - Wolf Den
14 - Shippensburg, PA - Uprise Fest 2024
15 - Akron, OH - Goodyear Theater
17 - Columbus, OH - TempleLive at the Columbus Athenaeum
19 - Anderson, IN - Paramount Theatre
20 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre
21 - Shipshewana, IN - Blue Gate PAC
23 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
24 - Cedar Park, TX - Haute Spot
25 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theatre
26 - Midland, TX - Wagner Noel PAC
28 - Arlington, TX - Arlington Music Hall
29 - Fort Smith, AR - TempleLive


October
19 - Wichita, KS - TempleLive at Wichita Scottish Rite Center
21 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater
25 - Stateline, NV - Harrah's Lake Tahoe - South Shore
26 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - The Coach House
29 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
30 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
31 - El Paso, TX - The Plaza Theatre


November
3 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre
7 - Patchogue, NY - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
8 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
9 - Glensi

In an increasingly fast-paced world that appears to be interested only in the latest innovations, Flotsam And Jetsam continue to be the proverbial rock in turbulent waters. For almost forty years, the thrash metal act from Phoenix, Arizona has released new albums on a regular basis and toured successfully around the globe. The band has never shown any loss of form or weaknesses to speak of, on the contrary: Since the arrival of their 1986 debut, Doomsday For The Receiver, Flotsam And Jetsam have delivered an impressive number of influential records.


Alongside their latest single, "The Head Of The Snake" (listen below), today the band is celebrating the release of their much awaited, 15th studio album, I Am The Weapon,, which is out now on AFM Records. The album, that more than deserves its self-confident title, not only takes up seamlessly where its two outstanding predecessors The End Of Chaos (2019) and Blood In The Water (2021) left off, but even doubles down on all expectations.


I Am The Weapon was composed and produced by the whole band and the eleven new songs were recorded at SonicPhish Productions, Gnome Lord Studios, Wayne Manor Studios, and Seventh Spike Studios. The cover artwork was again created by Andy Pilkington.




Order your copy of this must-have album, one that belongs into every well-sorted metal record collection, here.


"This entire record was special to us, and we did our best to make music that inspired us first and foremost," the band comments. "We all genuinely love this record, and every song on the record, so hopefully our listeners feel as strongly as we do."


"Thank you so much for your support, your love, and your encouragement for the last 40 years. You are the reason we continue to tour and to make music! You are the best, and we will continue to fight for the music as long as we have breath!





I Am The Weapon tracklisting:


"A New Kind Of Hero"
"Primal"
"I Am The Weapon"
"Burned My Bridges"
"The Head Of The Snake"
"Beneath The Shadows"
"Gates Of Hell"
"Cold Steel Lights"
"Kings Of The Underworld"
"Running Through The Fire"
"Black Wings"


"The Head Of The Snake":





"A New Kind Of Hero" video:





"Burned My Bridges":





"Primal" video:





"I Am The Weapon" lyric video:





It’s been almost 40 years since Flotsam And Jetsam, formed in Phoenix, Arizona released their landmark debut, Doomsday For The Deceiver, the only album to ever receive a 6K rating from the influential British magazine Kerrang! Bassist Jason Newsted would jump ship to Metallica while the band released the unstoppable No Place For Disgrace in 1988. Cuatro (1992), Drift (1995), High (1997), and My God (2001) all still rank extremely high in heavy metal circles. But it was the first part of this unofficial trilogy in 2016’s self-titled Flotsam And Jetsam that a certain rejuvenation and reset was clearly felt.


Fast-forward five years to a planet that was forced to its knees. While spending most of the pandemic times in a h

Queen have released a brand new music video for "The Night Comes Down", a timeless track from their debut album.


The video features classic images of Queen from the early 1970s, but following a collaboration with an artist specializing in AI, some of those images have been given a whole new dimension. Hopefully, the end result is a sense of what it was like being around the band as their extraordinary journey began.


“The Night Comes Down” is the first single taken from Queen I, a remastered, remixed, expanded 6-disc box set of the band’s ground-breaking debut album, Queen, and one of the earliest of the band’s recordings to ever appear on an official release. The track is released physically on 7” on October 4 , shortly ahead of the anticipated Queen I box set release on October 25.




Among the band’s legendary tracks, Brian May’s tenderly nostalgic confessional pointed gracefully towards Queen’s future. The glinting guitars of the opening herald a display of Brian’s innovative and layered style, set to become a key element of Queen’s dramatic, grandiose, and orchestrated sound.


Between Freddie Mercury’s exquisite falsetto, John Deacon’s rippling bass, Roger Taylor’s attentive percussion and Brian’s deeply sensitive playing, the young band were here discovering a voice all of their own.


Physical 7” single is set for release on October 4. Pre-order here.





"The Night Comes Down" 7” single tracklisting:


A: "The Night Comes Down" (2024 Mix - Single Version)
B: "The Night Comes Down" (Backing Track)





Over half a century since its release and a vital chapter in the band’s story, Queen’s self-titled 1973 debut album has been remixed and restored by Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae and Kris Fredriksson to sound the way the band always wanted it to. A new tracklisting, alternative takes, demos and live tracks have now been added to create the most complete version of this pivotal work. This is the very first time that a Queen album has ever received a new stereo mix.


The 6CD + 1 LP Queen I box set contains 63 tracks with 43 brand new mixes, comprising the original album with its intended running order restored, intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the studio, demos, rare live tracks, and previously unheard recordings from Queen’s first-ever live performance in London, August 1970. Absent from the 1973 release, the song “Mad The Swine” has been reinstated to its original place in the running order. A 108-page book containing handwritten lyrics and memorabilia accompanies the release.


“This is not just a remaster,” writes Brian May in the CD sleeve insert notes, “this is a brand new 2024 rebuild of the entire Queen debut album, which, with the benefit of hindsight, we have re-titled Queen I.”


May continues, “All the performances are exactly as they originally appeared in 1973, but every instrument has been revisited to produce the ‘live’ ambient sounds we would have liked to use originally. The result is “Queen“ as it would have sounded with today’s knowledge and technology – a first.”


“Queen I is the debut album we always dreamed of bringing to you.”


Queen began life in early summer 1970, but took their first steps in the studio after vocalist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor recruited bass guitarist, John Deacon, in July 1971.


“The first three years were really faith and fumes,” says Roger Taylor. “We were penniless but we had a lot of belief in ourselves and a lot of energy.”


While Queen struggled for recognition, their music and stage act were developing. If their previous band Smile were a band for the late 1960s, then Queen’s sound and image was about the here and now and tomorrow. Their songs were already filled with huge riffs, choral harmonies and classical flourishes.


After John Deacon’s arrival, Queen secured a production, song publishing and management deal with Trident Audio Productions. Having heard the band’s demos, the company’s owners, brothers Norman and Barry Sheffield, agreed to fund the recording of Queen’s first album, which they would then shop to potential record companies.


The Sheffields also owned Trident Studios, a state-of-the-art facility in London’s Soho, which had been used by Elton John and The Beatles and was rarely available to young, unsigned bands. Trident’s popularity was such that the studio was usually fully booked during the day, meaning Queen could only record during what was known as ‘downtime’, those rare moments when the studio was empty, usually at night.


Queen began work on the album in May 1972 and spent the next four months living a fractured, nocturnal existance. Evenings would be spent waiting around Soho until the studio was ready. An exhausted Queen would emerge from Trident several hours later.


“We’d work through the night and usually until 7am when the cleaners came in,” recalls Brian. “It was us just grabbing little bits of time.”


Says Roger: “You know, we just came in there right after Bowie had done Hunky Dory and Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and he did both of those albums back to back, two great albums. So, we were very pleased to be there, but when we were there, we’d arrive at three in the morning and then go on, for all the hours that we could grab. It was just a grind. I wouldn't say it was soul destroying because we were quite confident. We had a sort of innate, gentle arrogance, you know, we thought we were good and quite different.”


Queen recorded the album with Trident’s in-house co-producers, John Anthony and Roy Thomas Baker. Both were staunch advocates of Queen and had been instrumental in the band signing with Trident. However, the group quickly ran up against the studio’s rules and regulations.


Says Brian: “Although we had great technology around us, we really didn’t have much freedom to use it. We were regarded as the new boys who didn’t know anything, and nobody really wanted to listen to the way we wanted to do things.”


While relatively inexperienced, Queen already had a clear musical vision. However, the huge guitar and drum sounds they heard in their heads proved difficult to recreate at two o’clock in the morning and on the studio’s in-house perspex drum kit rather than their own.


Says Roger: “They had this very dead drum sound, and it was never the sound we wanted. They had a drum booth, and it was a well known sound. It was kind of American. Very dry, quite fat, dead sound, which is not what I wanted. I wanted to hear the drums resonate,  to hear the sound of the drum. I didn't even have my proper kit in there. It was a bit rough really. So the album never sounded as we wanted it to.”


“We wanted everything to sound like it was in-your face,” says Brian. “We had this incredible fight to get the drums out of the booth and into the middle of the studio and put the mics all around the room.”


But that wasn’t Trident’s way. “I remember saying to Roy Thomas Baker, 'This isn't really the sound we want,’” continues Brian.”And he said, 'Don't worry, we can fix it all in the mix.’ And I think we all knew it ain't going to happen." Now in 2024, it has been ‘fixed in the mix’.


Queen’s frustration was compounded by the fact that the songs themselves already displayed the breadth of Queen’s ideas and vaulting ambition. “Keep Yourself Alive”, was like a rallying cry, cueing up the likes of “Doing All Right”, “Great King Rat”, “Liar”, “Modern Times Rock’n’Roll” and “Son And Daughter”.


Meanwhile, Freddie’s imagination had free rein on the biblically-inspired “Jesus” and on “My Fairy King”, where the singer (who was soon to assume the stage name ‘Freddie Mercury’) sang about “horses born with eagles’ wings” and implored “Mother Mercury, look what they’ve done to me.”


“I never knew where some of those lyrics came from,” says Roger. “But Fred was like a magpie. He had a very sharp brain.”


Crucially, this new 2024 Mix version of Queen I now includes “Mad The Swine”, a song absent from the original LP after a difference of opinion between the band and one of its producers. It is now reinstated to its rightful place as the album’s fourth song, in between “Great King Rat” and “My Fairy King”, just as Queen wanted it to be in 1972.  


Despite the restrictions imposed upon them at Trident, the band still managed to break the rules. Brian’s composition (and the box set’s first single), “The Night Comes Down”, blueprinted that layered acoustic and electric guitar sound that was soon to become part of Queen’s signature. But the band insisted on using a recording from De Lane Lea Studios rather than attempt a new version at Trident. They smuggled in their demo multi-track tape in a newly labelled ‘Trident’ box in order to mix the song for the album.


CD2: De Lane Lea Demos – 2024 Mix explores Queen I’s fascinating pre-history, with brand new 2024 mixes of the demos the band recorded preceding their album. In the summer 1969, Brian and Roger’s pre-Queen group, Smile, had recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London’s Kingsway. Two years later, the company opened a new complex in Wembley and needed a band to help them test the mixing desks and the sound quality of the different rooms.


Brian and Roger volunteered Queen, and the band spent time at the studio between November 1971 and January 1972 – “a massive thrill,” Brian recalls. They were repaid with a five-song demo, overseen by De Lane Lea’s chief engineer Louie Austin, and containing “Keep Yourself Alive”, “The Night Comes Down”, “Jesus”, “Liar”, and “Great King Rat".


“The demos we made at De Lane Lea Studios were closer to what we dreamed of,” explains Brian. “Nice open drum sounds and ambience on the guitar. That was much more the way we wanted it to go.”


“We were young and had total blind faith in what we were doing,” says Roger.


Although these demos were intended to be hawked around to procure a recording contract, the band says Brian, always felt the performances had more spontaneity and sparkle, as well as the benefit of more natural sounds compared with the final album versions. As, the only surviving copies of the mixes of the demos are on scratched acetates, here for the first time, these self-produced recordings have been restored and remixed from the original multitracks.


CD3: Queen I Sessions, and CD4: Queen I Backing Tracks, take the listener behind the scenes at both Trident and De Lane Lea studios.


CD3: Sessions collate completely different and 100% previously unreleased versions of the songs on the album. Newly created using out-takes from De Lane Lea and Trident. They feature some false starts, guide vocals, backing tracks and alternative takes, including spoken-word segments in which the members of Queen can be heard chatting and joking (“It was you Bulsara!”) and occasionally expressing their frustration. Many of the takes are built around acoustic guitar, the electric would have been added later, which gives a different feel to these versions.


CD4: Queen I Backing Tracks offers mixes of the songs from the original Queen album without lead vocals.


Queen pitched the De Lane Lea demos to several record companies but didn’t sign with any, hence their deal with Trident. The album was pretty much completed in 1972. But Queen and their producers were still arguing about the mix right up until the last day, so much so that the band chose a mix of “Keep Yourself Alive”, created with Trident’s assistant engineer Mike Stone, rather than one of the earlier versions. Mike would go on to engineer the next five Queen albums.


Trident pitched Queen’s debut to labels, and eventually signed the band to EMI in the UK and Elektra in the US. Elektra’s founder, Jac Holzman, attended Queen’s date at London’s Marquee club on April 9, 1973. The box set’s book includes an entry from Roger’s diary about the gig: “Went down a storm… Jac Holzman liked it!” Holzman circulated a memo to his staff declaring, “I have seen the future of pop music, and it’s a band called Queen.”


Queen’s debut wasn’t released until July 13, 1973 in the UK and September 4 in the US, increasing their frustration. Queen were “hugely ambitious and unashamedly so,” said Roger Taylor, and had progressed rapidly over the previous twelve months. The LP’s sleevenotes implied as much with the curt note: “Representing at least something of what Queen’s music has been over the last three years.”


EMI issued “Keep Yourself Alive” as a single a week before the album’s UK release, but radio play proved hard to come by. Someone was listening, though.


CD5: Queen I At The BBC, begins with “My Fairy King,” in a slightly different version recorded for DJ and early Queen champion John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 show Sounds Of The Seventies in February 1973, five months before the LP’s release. As no-one had heard their album yet, the band took in backing tracks and added new vocals and other overdubs for this first session.  This was the first time Queen’s music had been broadcast anywhere in the world. Three further BBC sessions are preserved here, with new versions of all of Queen I’s songs broadcast by the BBC between February 1973 and April 1974.


What CD5 ‘Queen I At The BBC’ and CD6, ‘Queen I Live’, demonstrate is how these songs grew and developed away from Trident Studios.


CD6: Queen I Live distills the best performances of the first album’s songs from Queen’s triumphant March 1974 headline date at London’s Rainbow Theatre, plus several previously unreleased tracks added. These include the first official release of “Hangman”, a Free-inspired Mercury/May/Taylor/Deacon composition that was a mainstay of Queen’s early live shows, but was never recorded in the studio. This performance of “Hangman” comes from a show at the San Diego Sports Arena on the last night of the band’s US tour in March 1976.


The final songs on ‘Queen I Live’ revisit the historic moment Queen became Queen. Among the 108-page enclosed book’s many never-before-seen artifacts is Roger’s handwritten invitation to Queen’s first ever performance in London: “A private showing on Sunday August 23 [1970] at 7:30pm at Imperial College… lecture theatre A, level 5,” he writes.


Two songs from this historic show, “Jesus” and a cover of the Spencer Davis Group’s 1967 hit “I’m A Man”, have been retrieved from cassettes in the archive, and are the earliest Queen recordings in existence, even pre-dating John Deacon’s arrival in the band.


The final track on the original Queen album is the urgent-sounding one and a quarter-minute instrumental snippet of “Seven Seas Of Rhye”. The finished song wouldn’t appear until Queen II, and became a UK Top 10 hit. In a sense though, this abbreviated version’s frantic rhythms, hammering piano and orchestral-sounding guitar captures the spirit of Queen’s debut: it’s the sound of a restless, determined young band eager to take the next step.


As Freddie once said: “All of us were aiming for the top, and we weren’t going to be content or satisfied with anything less.”


Says Brian: “Freddie was so convinced that he would be successful, he never doubted it. We were all precocious boys but he was another level. But we all shared this passion. And the energy grew and coalesced into something very powerful.”


And a final thought from Roger Taylor: ”Essentially with the Queen I box set we've made the actual album sound the way we wanted it to sound using the techniques that we have now. We've made the drums sound like they should sound and, the overall sound of it is better, the mixes are better. So it's been a delight to improve it, to bring it up to where we wanted it to be.”


“I have found one thing though that has amazed me listening to this album again and again is how bloody religious some of the lyrics are, you know, it's really quite religious.”


For complete tracklistings and further details, head to QueenOnline.com.