Fan-filmed video footage of Dee Snider's December 5 performance at Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland can be seen below.

Snider recently said that the decision to end TWISTED SISTER was partly motivated by his desire to go out while he can still put on a great show.

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour. The band's last-ever concert took place in November of that year — 20 months after the passing of TWISTED's longtime drummer A.J. Pero.

Speaking to "The Animal House Radio Show" about TWISTED SISTER's retirement, Snider said: "Look, nobody beats gravity. Show me anybody in the history who's beaten gravity. Everybody gets pulled down sooner or later. What did Dirty Harry say? 'A man's gotta know his limitations.' I feel I know things are wearing out — they're wearing out. And I'm in great shape, I stay healthy, but you can't beat gravity."

e continued: "One of the things that prompted me, and this is not a slight on SLAYER or Tom Araya in any fashion, but it was very disturbing. I read a review and it said, 'And Tom talked about the fact that he can no longer headbang onstage, 'cause he's literally damaged his neck.' And he says, 'I defined myself as the guy who thrashed onstage as hard as the audience, and now all I can do is stand there and groove.' And I said, 'That's what I don't want to happen.' I wanna get off the stage while I'm still [able to do what I am known for], and I was, throwing my body on the floor, crawling around, headbanging, thrashing. I'm out there performing [and] I don't do those things anymore, because it's like an athlete — you damage your stuff. But to be up there and to feel that… I just felt his pain, saying, 'I defined myself by thrashing and I can't do it anymore. And I'm still up there.' And it hurt me to hear him say it. And I said, 'I can't have that be me."

Snider, who released an acclaimed solo album called "For The Love Of Metal" this past July, went on to say that he has no desire to hit the road with the same intensity as he used to back in TWISTED SISTER's heyday. "People are asking me, 'Hey, 'For The Love Of Metal', are you gonna do a full tour? And I'm, like, 'No!'" he said. "And they're, like, 'What do you mean 'no'?' I said, 'Are you kidding me? I'm not getting back on the bus or the van.' 'Well, THE [ROLLING] STONES are doing it.' They've got private jets. They set up camp in the Alsatian mountains somewhere in France, in a big estate, and they fly out for each show in a private jet. I mean, somebody wipes their freakin' ass, for god's sake. If you're on that level, awesome. But getting back and going city to city to city to city — no! It's not happening."

Produced by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, "For The Love Of Metal" features contributions from Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and Charlie Bellmore (KINGDOM OF SORROW).

Heavy rockers LUCIFER performed acoustic versions of the songs "Dreamer" and "Phoenix" on October 9 at Black Plastic Records in Dortmund, Germany. Video footage of their appearance can be seen below (filmed and edited by Dirk Behlau).

"Dreamer" and "Phoenix" are both taken from LUCIFER's new album, "Lucifer II", which was released in July via Century Media Records.

Commented singer Johanna Sadonis: "A few months ago we had the honor to play an intimate acoustic set at Dortmund's notorious Black Plastic Records. Face to face and up close to our audience. It was a special evening and we are glad Dirk Behlau captured the moment with his camera. It was the calm before a wild DJ set of Nicke and me. We were dancing till the wee hours among the vinyl shelves with those who attended. Good times!

"We are now itching to hit the northern roads next week to embark on a series of Scandinavian shows! Lock your children! LUCIFER is coming!"

part from a new label home, the follow-up to 2015's "Lucifer I" also marks the first studio release of the new LUCIFER incarnation now consisting of Sadonis, guitarist Robin Tidebrink, and multi-instrumentalist Nicke Andersson, who plays drums and also took over bass and guitar when recording "Lucifer II". The band's live lineup also features Martin Nordin (DEAD LORD) on guitar and bass player Alexander Mayr.

"Lucifer II" was recorded at the Honk Palace in Stockholm. It was mixed by Ola Ersfjord (DEAD LORD, TRIBULATION, PRIMORDIAL) at Cuervo Recording Service in Madrid.

Originally, LUCIFER formed in Berlin back in 2014 consisting of Sadonis and members of CATHEDRAL, ANGEL WITCH and LADYTRON. The first seven-inch single, "Anubis", and debut album, "Lucifer I", were released by British label Rise Above Records, quickly establishing the group as a promising new act offering excellent 1970s hard rock with a good dose of proto metal and doom added to the mix. Citing BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, LUCIFER'S FRIEND, STEPPENWOLF, 70's HEART and FLEETWOOD MAC as inspiration, LUCIFER corrupted the souls of many and achieved international recognition on tours through Europe, USA, Canada and Japan.

Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS will release their 12th album, "The Door To Doom", on February 22, 2019 via Napalm Records. The disc unsurprisingly follows the plotline mastermind, songwriter and bass player Leif Edling established in the past years: epic world-class doom metal that relies on slow mammoth riffing.

"The Door To Doom" features newly returned singer Johan Längqvist, who recently replaced CANDLEMASS's frontman of the past six years, Mats Levén. Also appearing on the record is none other than BLACK SABBATH's Tony Iommi, who contributes a guest solo to "Astorolus - The Great Octopus".

Commented Iommi: "CANDLEMASS are a major force in Scandinavian heavy rock and have always acknowledged the influence we had on their music. They asked if I'd contribute to a track which sounded pretty good so I thought, 'Why not?'"

Added Edling: "We feel very honoured that Tony Iommi said yes to play the solo on 'Astorolus'. The song was sent to the management and amazingly enough, the master agreed to let his mighty SG sing on the track! For me personally, this is a dream come true. Tony Iommi has always been my hero and guiding light when it comes to heavy music, so to hear that he likes the song and also would like to play on it gave me chills down the spine! I'm still in shock! But kudos to him to be so cool to even listen to it. Hats off! Tony Iommi is and will always be God!"

b>"The Door To Doom" track listing:

01. Splendor Demon Majesty

02. Under The Ocean

03. Astorolus - The Great Octopus (feat. Tony Iommi)

04. Bridge Of The Blind

05. Death's Wheel

06. Black Trinity

07. House Of Doom

08. The Omega Circle

Längqvist sang on CANDLEMASS's debut album, 1986's "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus", before exiting the group and being replaced by Messiah Marcolin.

CANDLEMASS's most recent full-length album, "Psalms For The Dead", came out in 2012 via Napalm Records. It was the last CANDLEMASS album recorded with singer Robert Lowe, who left the band just days before its release.

CANDLEMASS is:

Leif Edling: Bass

Mats "Mappe" Björkman: Guitars

Jan Lindh: Drums

Lars "Lasse" Johansson: Guitars

Johan Längqvist: Vocals

CANDLEMASS band photo by Anders Pålsson

GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan is putting the finishing touches on a solo album that's coming in 2019.

McKagan began recording the album back in March with producer Shooter Jennings. The two worked out of Station House studios, located in Echo Park, California, writing and recording in-between McKagan's tour with seminal rock band GUNS N' ROSES and the release of Jennings's eponymous album, "Shooter".

The album will be McKagan's musical follow-up to 2015's best-selling book, "How To Be A Man (And Other Illusions)".

"I wrote a couple of articles about historical places I passed through on this last tour and people kept asking if that was going to be the focus of my next book," says McKagan. "But an unseen and irrepressible force guided me to write little vignettes of reflective prose…little instant reactions.

The heartbreak, anger, fear, confusion and divide I have experienced over the last two and a half years of traveling this globe of ours coerced these words into songs that tell my truth, and one that I hope will spread and help us all. I do this for my daughters…I do this for my love of where I grew up…I do this, because I truly feel it must be done and said right now."

Adds Jennings: "From the first night we sat together at my piano hashing out arrangements of his songs, before going into the studio to record them, I felt it was a really important record that had to be heard. The songs have so much heart and are so musical that I could just hear all the arrangements immediately and I could really feel them."

About his connection to McKagan, Jennings says: "I met Duff right after I moved to Los Angeles nearly twenty years ago. I was such a massive GUNS N' ROSES fan when I was younger. I'd say that they had a lot to do with me even moving to L.A. But there was some kind of magnetic force I guess that kept us orbiting each other over the years. When the idea of collaborating with him on this album came up, I was very eager to get the job as producer. I felt like the music this man made was part of the fabric of my own musical identity and that I would really love building a record with him. Once we sat down and started going over the songs he had, I instantly knew that the two of us were going to be a great fit together."

McKagan's last solo album, "Believe In Me", arrived in 1993. His LOADED outfit released "The Taking" in 2011.

Three-fifths of the classic GUNS lineup reunited in 2016 after last performing together more than two decades earlier. The "Not In This Lifetime" tour, which is now one of the highest-grossing in music history, launched in April of that year with a nightclub gig in Los Angeles.

Joining McKagan, singer Axl Rose and guitarist Slash on the "Not In This Lifetime" trek are drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

Top photo credit: Katarina Benzova

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn will perform at Stars To The Rescue XXVIII, set to take place January 26, 2019 at Lesher Center For The Arts in Walnut Creek, California.

Proceeds from the event, which is presented by Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, allow ARF to save dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and bring life-enriching programs to animals and people.

Also scheduled to perform at Stars To The Rescue XXVIII are Grammy Award winners Bruce Hornsby and Christian McBride. Additional lineup announcements are forthcoming.

Robb will perform a 30-minute set of favorites from his annual birthday bash.

video message from Flynn announcing his participation can be seen below.

Tickets are available here.

Last month, MACHINE HEAD completed its final tour with guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain. Demmel, who first played with Flynn in VIO-LENCE in the late 1980s and early 1990s, said in a statement saying that it was "simply time" for him "to step away and do something else musically."

In a video message, Flynn blamed Demmel and McClain's departures on the fact that he and his bandmates "have grown apart as people. Musically, we've grown apart. I have held on too tight to the reins of this band, and I have suffocated those guys." He went on to say that his "rough edges" have given MACHINE HEAD the success that it has, but "they've also hurt the people around me. I've got a lot of drive, but I've got a lot of anger and rage. And that drive of mine has alienated folks in the band," he said.

MACHINE HEAD's latest album, "Catharsis", was made available in January via Nuclear Blast.

The nominations for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced on early this morning from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. 20th Century Fox's QUEEN biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" is up for awards in two categories: "Best Motion Picture - Drama" and "Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama" (for Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddie Mercury).

The 76th annual Golden Globe Awards will be held January 6 in Beverly Hills. Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg will host the 2019 ceremony.

While many reviews have slammed "Bohemian Rhapsody" for its uninspired storytelling, some people have also taken issue with the movie's depiction of Mercury's sexuality — or rather, its lack thereof. The biopic focuses heavily on the relationship between him and the rock star's former fiancée Mary Austin, who discovers midway through the film that he's cheating on her with other men.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" traces the meteoric rise of QUEEN through its iconic songs and revolutionary sound, its near-implosion as Mercury's lifestyle spirals out of control, and its triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music — in the process cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

ccording to Screen Rant, Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Whishaw were set to play Freddie Mercury at different stages in the movie's development, prior to Malek's casting. Cohen's vision for the film was reportedly very "adult" in tone and clashed with what the surviving members of QUEEN had in mind, leading to the actor's departure.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" began production with "X-Men" director Bryan Singer behind the camera, but the filmmaker was fired from the movie after he disappeared from set and caused production delays. Dexter Fletcher, best known for making "Eddie the Eagle", stepped in to replace Singer in the director's chair.

FOZZY frontman Chris Jericho says that it will be his band's "mission to destroy IRON MAIDEN" when the two groups share the stage in California next summer.

It was announced last month that Jericho and his bandmates will support the British heavy metal legends on September 14, 2019 at the Banc Of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Canadian-born WWE wrestling superstar, who has fronted FOZZY since the group's inception nearly 20 years ago, spoke about the upcoming concert during a recent interview with Drew Dalby of the 104.9 The Wolf radio station.

Asked if it's a "bigger deal" for him to play a headlining show in his former hometown of Winnipeg or to open for IRON MAIDEN in Los Angeles, Chris responded (see video below): "Both of them. Any time you play in front of your own audience, that's easy — you put on a great show; people respond; everyone has a good time; it's a very gratifying experience. When you're opening for any band… Earlier on this tour, we did some shows with THREE DAYS GRACE, and there was a lot of people that maybe have never heard of FOZZY, or have heard of us but never heard us. Or maybe they have no idea: 'Who the hell is this first band? I'm just gonna show up and drink beer,' or whatever. So we have a different job. You have to impress those people. And so, at the end of the night, when they're chanting 'FOZZY!' and giving you a standing ovation, and you're the first of three bands, that's incredible. Now, IRON MAIDEN is a whole different animal, because they're notorious for having fans that don't care about the opening band. I don't think I've watched an opening band for IRON MAIDEN in 10 years; DREAM THEATER, I think, opened for them once, and I watched that. But they're an institution, and there's gonna be 20,000 people watching, but we'll get 'em. And that's gonna be very, very exciting too."

e continued: "There's never one show that means more than another. There's different-size venues, there's different situations, but when 'Judas' starts — we open with 'Judas' — it doesn't matter. All that matters is if you're entertaining 10 or 10,000; 200 or 20,000. Whatever it may be, every show counts, every show's important and every show, it's my responsibility — our responsibility — to make it great."

Jericho went on to say that, while his respect for IRON MAIDEN runs deep, he and his bandmates will do their best to try to blow the headliners off the stage when the two groups cross paths in September.

"When we got the offer to do [the show], and then the poster came out, I stared at the poster for about 30 minutes," he admitted. "'Cause IRON MAIDEN's my favorite band and have been since 1984. I looked at the poster — 'IRON MAIDEN with special guest FOZZY. L.A. Banc Of California Stadium.' I just looked at it, like, 'Wow! I can't believe it.' And then once I stopped looking at it, I had my moment, and I said, 'Okay. Now it's our mission to destroy IRON MAIDEN.' Now, is it possible? I don't know. But we played the 'Kiss Kruise' and we played at the same time KISS was playing — for whatever reason. Someone's gotta play upstairs, and there must have been a hundred people, but I was, like, 'You know what? I'm going to make sure that this is the best show these people see this whole cruise.' And that's what you have to think."

Jericho added: "Are we gonna destroy IRON MAIDEN at their own show? I don't know. But I do know that we're gonna do everything in our power to have the best possible gig and we're gonna leave an impression so that when we leave the stage, people go, 'Holy shit! We didn't expect that. That was amazing. That was great.' And people will go — and this is what happens every time — 'IRON MAIDEN was awesome. I loved it. But you know what? FOZZY — I never expected that.' And that's how you build [a fanbase]."

FOZZY's latest album, "Judas", came out in October 2017 via Century Media. The production duties on the disc were handled by Johnny Andrews, who co-wrote FOZZY's "Lights Go Out" track back in 2014 and has written songs with the likes of ALL THAT REMAINS, THREE DAYS GRACE and HALESTORM in the past.

Jericho recently told WDHA-FM 105.5 FM that FOZZY will re-team with Andrews for its next album.

WEST BOUND is a hard-hitting new rock band formed in the Los Angeles area by vocalist Chas West (RESURRECTION KINGS, BONHAM, LYNCH MOB) and renowned guitarist/producer Roy Z (BRUCE DICKINSON, HALFORD, TRIBE OF GYPSIES), with a lineup completed by Jimmy Burkard (guitar), Jason Cornwell (bass) and Dave "Chilli" Moreno (drums). Additionally, Stephen LeBlanc provides keyboards on the album and Brian Tichy (ex-WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE, FOREIGNER drummer/guitarist) played on and co-wrote two songs with Chas. WEST BOUND offers up its take on the classic hard rock sound with soulful vocals, a touch of the blues, and killer melodies.

West says his "inspiration for WEST BOUND's sound came from "influences from the '70s and '80s classic hard rock, back when music was — in my opinion — real and passionate, from the heart and soul. Bands like LED ZEPPELIN, WHITESNAKE, DEEP PURPLE, FOREIGNER, AEROSMITH, VAN HALEN, etc. were what we grew up on and we went back to our youth when writing the songs for the album."

If you remember the great bluesy hard rock explosion from the late '80s and early '90s with bands like TESLA, CINDERELLA, BADLANDS, TORA TORA and SALTY DOG and enjoy the modern throwback hard rock like RIVAL SONS, MASSIVE WAGONS, INGLORIOUS and the like, you are going to find WEST BOUND right up your alley.

On the first single and video, Chas explains that "the song 'Never Surrender' is one that Roy Z and I came up with in the studio. It's about going through struggles in life and never giving up on your dreams. People can relate to it in their own lives… It's a theme we all know as human beings. Sometimes the tough times can help you define your true character."

b>WEST BOUND's debut album, "Volume I", will be released on February 22, 2019 on Frontiers Music Srl. The band is currently in the midst of planning tour dates to support the album's release. Expect more news on that in the New Year.

"Volume I" track listing:

01. Never Surrender

02. Dance Of Life

03. Ain't Gonna Drown

04. Beautiful Dream

05. Nothing

06. Roll The Bones

07. On My Own

08. Keeper Of The Flame

09. Turn To You

10. No Room For Sympathy

11. Traveller


Lineup:

Vocals - Chas West

Guitar - Roy Z

Guitar - Jimmy Burkard

Bass - Jason Cornwell

Drums - Dave "Chilli" Moreno

According to The Pulse Of Radio, a new book on late SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE frontman Chris Cornell, titled "Total [email protected]&king Godhead: The Biography Of Chris Cornell", will arrive in 2020. The author, Rolling Stone and Billboard writer Corbin Reiff, announced the news in a series of tweets, saying: "I've spent the last year conducting interviews and doing research and can't even begin to describe how excited I am to kick the tires on this."

Reiff mentioned in his tweets that he has interviewed legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino, who worked on SOUNDGARDEN's early recordings, as well as Seattle music critic Dawn Anderson, the first person to ever review the band's music back in 1986. But it is unclear if he has spoken to the members of Cornell's family or his bandmates in SOUNDGARDEN, AUDIOSLAVE or TEMPLE OF THE DOG.

Cornell, who committed suicide last year, will be honored next month at a tribute concert in Los Angeles, where the remaining members of SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE, along with METALLICA, FOO FIGHTERS and others, will perform.

A box set featuring music from all three of Cornell's bands, as well as his solo records, was issued late last month.

b>Cornell was pronounced dead on May 18, 2017 after being found unresponsive in his Detroit hotel room. SOUNDGARDEN had played a show earlier that evening. The 52-year-old had sedatives and an anxiety drug in his system, but died as a result of hanging himself.

I’m beyond stoked to reveal that I recently finalized the deal to write my next book, a biography of Chris Cornell titled TOTAL [email protected]&KING GODHEAD! pic.twitter.com/kOIOpdvfjq— Corbin Reiff (@CorbinReiff) December 3, 2018

The official music video for the song "Breeze" from the German symphonic metal/power metal band BEYOND THE BLACK can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's latest album, "Heart Of The Hurricane", which was released on August 31 via Napalm Records (GSA via Airforce1).

BEYOND THE BLACK singer Jennifer Haben told Distorted Sound about the making of "Heart Of The Hurricane": "We started writing song ideas in summer last year. This time everyone on their own first and after we had a lot ideas, we worked in small groups of two or three people on this ideas or created new ones, it depended on our moods. Then we went to our producers in the beginning of this year and finalised and recorded everything. Most of the guitars and bass alone at home and vocals and drums with the producers. Especially vocals are very important for me to record with Sascha [Paeth] or Hardy (from ELEPHANT). They really know me after all these years and they work so differently. After recordings I always feel like I showed everything I can, from the current status of my vocal skills."

Regarding the songwriting process for "Heart Of The Hurricane", Jennifer said: "Like I said before, we wrote song ideas on our own first — that was an important step for me, cause I wanted to see in what direction the guys wanted to write, how BEYOND THE BLACK will sound in the future and who will be involved the most in songwriting and all that stuff. After that, we worked in small groups, where very good new stuff came up as we worked on that song ideas from before. I think that this process was very important for all of us and will take the process of the next album to another level."

"Heart Of The Hurricane" track listing:

1. Hysteria

02. Heart Of The Hurricane

03. Through The Mirror

04. Million Lightyears

05. Song For The Godless

06. Escape From The Earth

07. Beneath A Blackened Sky

08. Fairytale Of Doom

09. My God Is Dead

10. Dear Death

11. Scream For Me

12. Freedom

13. Breeze

Bonus tracks:

14. Echo From The Past

15. Parade

BEYOND THE BLACK's debut album, "Songs Of Love And Death" (2015) entered the German album chart at No. 12 and was followed by 2016's "Lost In Forever", which landed in the Top 5.

BEYOND THE BLACK has already played countless shows in Germany and other parts of Europe with such bands as SAXON, POWERWOLF and EPICA. They also served as the support act for the SCORPIONS' 50th-anniversary tour.

Photo credit: Heilemania

METALLICA will release a limited-edition vinyl of "Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic At The Masonic" this winter. The double album, mixed by Greg Fidelman and newly mastered for vinyl by Reuben Cohen at Bernie Grundman Mastering, documents the inaugural "Helping Hands" benefit concert held in San Francisco on November 3.


"Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic At The Masonic" features rare acoustic renditions of hits and deep cuts spanning the METALLICA catalog (as well as covers of DEEP PURPLE, NAZARETH, BOB SEGER and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT classics), captured on 140-gram colored vinyl with proceeds donated to the band's All Within My Hands Foundation. "Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic At The Masonic" continues AWMH's mission to fight hunger and to assist in creating sustainable communities through workforce education.

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Disposable Heroes" at "All Within My Hands Foundation Helping Hands Concert And Auction" can be seen below.

The album will be available February 1, 2019 at independent and digital retail around the world, all streaming services that feature METALLICA's music, and can be pre-ordered in the METALLICA store. All copies will include a download card.


n addition to the vinyl pre-order, METALLICA's offerings will include a limited-edition etched glass featuring the iconic Pushead artwork for "One", with all net proceeds donated to AWMH.


The first-ever "All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert And Auction" raised more than $1.3 million. Those resources will fund AWMH's efforts with partners at Feeding America and the American Association of Community Colleges.


The METALLICA family and the All Within My Hands Foundation board members are committed to running an organization of the highest integrity where expenses are kept to a minimum and are paid for entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years. As such, 100% of all donations from fans and third parties go to the organizations AWMH supports.


For more info and/or to make a donation, visit allwithinmyhands.org.


The track listing for "Helping Hands…Live & Acoustic At The Masonic":


Disc One / Side A

01. Disposable Heroes

02. When A Blind Man Cries (DEEP PURPLE cover)

03. The Unforgiven


Disc One / Side B

01. Please Don't Judas Me (NAZARETH cover)

02. Turn the Page (Bob Seger cover)


Disc Two / Side C

01. Bleeding Me

02. Veteran of the Psychic Wars (BLUE ÖYSTER CULT cover)

03. Nothing Else Matters


Disc Two / Side D

01. All Within My Hands

02. Enter Sandman

03. The Four Horsemen

04. Hardwired

Bandmembers James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich were joined by a quartet of backing musicians who provided additional percussion, keyboards, strings and vocal harmony.

Tommy Thayer has confirmed to Russia's TASS that KISS's upcoming "End Of The Road" tour will indeed be the band's last.

"Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and myself, we decided that while the band is still very good and we are doing the best shows, we have been doing… in the history of the band, that we wanted to go out when we're in top form and do a final tour," the guitarist explained.

Fans who doubt that KISS truly intends to retire upon the tour's completion will be proven wrong, Thayer said. "It is not a gimmick; it is legitimate," he insisted. "This will be the final tour of KISS. The shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg will be the last KISS is going to play there."

As for Tommy's plans for after the tour ends, he said: "I am younger than the other guys… maybe I will still be involved with KISS in a different way."

b>Thayer plans to take part in other projects. "It will probably be something which is associated with music or the entertainment business for sure," he said.

In September, KISS announced its "End Of The Road" farewell tour on NBC's "America's Got Talent", and a month later, the band revealed the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. International markets were announced simultaneously.

The first North American leg of "End Of The Road" will launch January 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at Rogers Arena and will hit an additional 43 cities.

The official music video for the song "Two Coins And A Dead Man" from former ACCEPT and BONFIRE singer David Reece can be seen below. The track is taken from Reece's new solo album, "Resilient Heart", which was released on November 9 through Mighty Music. The follow-up to 2013's "Compromise" is an LP "rich on full-blown melodic heavy metal," according to a press release.

On "Resilient Heart", Reece has teamed up with the Danish musicians Marco Angioni (guitar), Martin J. Andersen (guitar), Malte Frederik Burkert (bass) and Sigurd J. Jensen (drums).

Reece told Music Interview Magazine about the album: "I started writing ideas for 'Resilient Heart' in 2015, because I was growing weary of pop-rock, like BONFIRE, which I was in at the time. I've also grown tired of album-oriented rock music as a whole, because nobody, including myself, seemed to be doing anything outside the comfort box. With this album, I made a conscious effort to stay outside of the norms and do something more me."

He also talked about the LP's lyrics, stating: "As a lyricist, I have never been a baby-baby, whoa-whoa guy. I've written a few songs with clichés, but I try to write stories about what I see going on around me and in my head and heart. I wanted a fresh sound. So, when I began writing, the first two songs that seemed to be fresh were 'Karma' and 'Two Coins'. When I met with Marco Angioni and Martin Jepsen Andersen, I knew it was a template of direction, which they grasped beautifully."

sked what sort of vocal training he has had, Reece said: "I've had lots of vocal training in my life and the best way to sum me up as a singer is I'm never fully satisfied. I always strive to improve. Being able to scream or sing high notes doesn't make a singer. Being a singer is 99 percent attitude. What separates the puppies from the dogs is a real commitment to your craft.

"I rehearse daily. Another vital detail is sleep, especially while touring. I've stopped drinking for some time now and look and sing better as a result. I think alcohol gives you a false sense of quality. Experience is also vital, doing lots of shows and learning your strengths and limitations. There are a lot of so-called singers following the bouncing ball while making albums and I think fans can really sense that."

"Resilient Heart" track listing:

01. Any Time At All

02. Wicked City Blues

03. Karma

04. Desire

05. I Don't Know Why

06. Two Coins And A Dead Man

07. Ain't Got The Balls

08. Forest Through The Trees

09. Perfect Apocalypse

10. Live Before You Die

11. I'm The One

Lineup:

Vocals: David Reece

Guitar: Marco Angioni

Guitar: Martin J. Andersen

Bass: Malte Frederik Burkert

Drums: Sigurd J. Jensen

South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE have entered the studio to record the follow-up to 2015's "What Should Not Be Unearthed" album. The upcoming effort, which is tentatively due in 2019, will mark NILE's first release with new guitarist/vocalist Brian Kingsland, who replaced Dallas Toler-Wade last year.

A one-minute video from the studio sessions for the new NILE disc was uploaded to the band's Facebook page and can be seen below.

Speaking to Metal Mad TV at this year's Hellfest in Clisson, France, NILE guitarist Karl Sanders stated about the writing sessions for the band's next disc: "It's not an overly complicated process. We start writing the songs, and we share demos back and forth, and we all contribute and try to shape the music. But we've been interrupting the process with tours here and there. So we start on a few songs, we tour, come home, work on a few more, then go back on tour, come home, work on a few more."

Last year, Sanders told Metal Wani that NILE's new album would be produced by Erik Rutan, who has previously worked with MORBID ANGEL and CANNIBAL CORPSE, among others. "I don't know exactly how that'll work out, but I think it's time for a change," he said.

ccording to Karl, NILE's forthcoming album will feature vocals from him and bassist Brad Parris in addition to those of Kingsland.

"Brian is a very talented vocalist," Sanders told Metal Wani. "Right now, we have more of the triple vocal attack [which is something] that had kind of fallen off in recent years. But now we're doing that, where all three of us are sharing. It's more equally balanced. I find it more interesting. I'm really happy about that too."

Karl previously described Kingsland as "a seriously talented extreme metal guitar shredder" with "a great brutal metal voice [and] a very versatile range." He added that "Brian is also a genuine, down-to-earth, hard-working and motivated guy who has helped reignite and re-establish a sense of team work back into NILE."


NILE's latest album, "What Should Not Be Unearthed", was released in August 2015 via Nuclear Blast. Produced by NILE and mixed by Neil Kernon, the CD's artwork was handled this time by Michal "Xaay" Loranc.

Nile Studio Drop-in
Studio Drop-in: Brian and Karl tracking guitars for the upcoming new Nile record!Posted by Nile on Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Guitarist Glenn Tipton rejoined his JUDAS PRIEST bandmates on stage on November 28 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan and November 29 at Musashino Forest Arena in Tokyo to perform the two concerts' three-song encore: "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight". Fan-filmed video footage of both shows can be seen below.

In a recent interview with the Detroit Metro Times, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about the health status of guitarist Tipton, who revealed in February that he has Parkinson's disease. "We've known for a while," Ian said. "He was diagnosed before the ['Redeemer Of Souls'] tour, actually. And of course, when we rehearsed for the last tour, he was very rough to start. But as the days went on, he got better and better, so by the time we were done rehearsing, he was raring to go. And we were expecting the same thing to happen this time around, and, unfortunately, it didn't, you know? He had to admit to himself that his body wasn't going to let him do it anymore. It was a very sad moment. We could all see it. He was trying and trying and fighting."

He continued: "I can't imagine what he's going through, I really can't. It's not as if he's been stupid and fallen off a motorcycle or whacked out on drugs or something like that. It's something completely out of his control. Having said that, he's as good as anyone can be given the situation. Glenn is out with us most of the time, anyway. And when he's feeling well enough, he'll get on stage, and I can't promise anything, but he'll get up and do the encores with us."

Tipton found out he had Parkinson's four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST LP since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

b>PRIEST singer Rob Halford said in an interview that the band is planning to mark its 50th anniversary in 2019 with a special celebration, although he declined to offer any details.

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

PRIEST will return to the United States next May for a run with fellow classic heavy rockers URIAH HEEP.

During an appearance on last week's edition of "Trunk Nation LA Invasion: Live From The Rainbow Bar & Grill" on SiriusXM, Dave Mustaine confirmed once again that MEGADETH is working on the follow-up to 2016's "Dystopia" album. "We're just assembling all the pieces right now," he said. "Kiko [Loureiro, guitar] and Dirk [Verbeuren, drums] have both been out [to the studio in Nashville] to start recording, and we're now in the process of finalizing all the arrangements. So we're hoping for a spring release next year."

Mustaine went on to say that he is "very" happy with the 43-year-old Belgian-born-and-now-Los-Angeles-based Verbeuren, who had been playing with SOILWORK for more than a decade before being recommended for the MEGADETH gig by Chris Adler.

"We posted a little clip of him online and people freaked out over it," Mustaine said. "And that's how I feel. I watch him play and I just laugh. 'Cause when I play live, I'm not looking at him — I'm looking at the audience — so I don't really see. And Kiko said to me [imitates Brazilian accent], 'You're going to find out he's the best drummer MEGADETH ever had.' And I went, 'Okay. I agree.'"

Dave also talked about Loureiro, who was previously best known for his work with the Brazilian melodic metal band ANGRA.

Well, that's the weird thing, too, where music transcends language barriers, because when we try and talk, sometimes I understand what he's saying, sometimes I don't," Mustaine said. "But when it comes down to the music, I always understand what he's saying."

As for his relationship with longtime MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, who left the band in 2002 before returning eight years later, Mustaine said: "Yeah, it's great. I love Dave. We've been partners for a long time. He's pastor, too. Did you guys know that? The only pastor I know that says the 'F' word. I catch crap for being a Christian all the time. And I'm thinking, 'He's the pastor, man. I'm just a guy that sits in the seats.'"

Mustaine remains philosophical about MEGADETH's numerous lineup changes over the years, saying: "Everybody had their contribution to MEGADETH. A lot of people showed us good things to do; some of them showed us bad things to do. And I don't look at anybody that's been with us and regret having them with us. The way that some of us parted ways and how we treat one another nowadays is kind of unfortunate, 'cause we don't get to spend a lot of time together. I think when you have breakups, people just kind of have an unnecessary wall that's there. 'Cause I'm grateful for everything that they've done. But sometimes breakups are hard."

MEGADETH will support OZZY OSBOURNE on the next North American leg of the BLACK SABBATH singer's "No More Tours 2" in May, June and July 2019.

MEGADETH's first-ever Megacruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel will set sail on October 13, 2019 from Los Angeles, California and hit ports of San Diego, California and Ensenada, Mexico before returning on October 18, 2019.

RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee has said in a new interview that there are no plans for him to release new material in the near future. Asked by Prog magazine if there is any prospect of fresh music on the horizon, Lee — who recently released a book called "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass", responded: "The honest answer is no. Not really. I go down to my studio, which I do, and I play these bass guitars because I have quite a few of them and they're fun to play. I like to keep my fingers in shape. When I play, ideas come out, so I record them and then I forget about them. When I go back to them, I'm sure half of them will be shit and erase them. But I fully intend to go down one day and see what I've gathered down there. Once I've finished promoting this book, I do hope to become a musician again! But I have no idea what form that will take. I have no plans and I don't know where I'm headed."

Last year, RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson said that his band had no plans to tour or record again. His comments came two years after chronic tendinitis-suffering drummer Neil Peart described himself as "retired" following the completion of RUSH's North American tour.

Geddy said in a 2016 interview that he had "accepted" that RUSH's last batch of live shows was "probably the last one as a tour."

Lifeson and Lee confirmed that RUSH will never do a show unless all three musicians agree to take part.

n November 16, UMe/Anthem/ole label group continued its extensive RUSH 40th-anniversary album series with a new, expanded edition of the band's groundbreaking 1978 release "Hemispheres".

During an appearance at this year's edition of Planet Rockstock, which was held this past weekend at Trecco Bay in South Wales, former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate spoke about his plans for next year. He said (see video below): "Well, I am touring, touring, touring. I finish out this year. It's been a fantastic year of supporting the 30th anniversary of [QUEENSRŸCHE's] 'Operation: Mindcrime', the release of the first album. And I've been touring since last January, almost continuously. At the end of the year, I have a month off, and then I start up again for a few weeks of touring here in Europe, actually. And then I start a really interesting gig with a German band called AVANTASIA. [It's] a lot of moving parts and a lot of incredible singers, and I'm one of the singers. And I've contributed vocals on the latest album ['Moonglow'] that's just coming out [in February 2019]. And we're doing a world tour. So I'll be on that for the rest of 2019… It's gonna be real fun."

Tate previously guested on AVANTASIA's seventh album, "Ghostlights", which was released in 2016. Geoff could be heard in the song "Seduction Of Decay", which was described at the time by AVANTASIA mainman Tobias Sammet as "a seven-and-a-half minute-monster." Tate was also one of the guest vocalists for AVANTASIA at several European shows in the summer of 2017, including Rock Fest Barcelona, where QUEENSRŸCHE also appeared on the bill.

For most of 2018, Tate has celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Operation: Mindcrime" by performing the iconic concept album live in its entirety.

The "Mindcrime" live set covers all 15 songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling", "Operation: Mindcrime", "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track, "Eyes Of A Stranger".

is current touring band features Kieran Robertson from Scotland on guitar, Bruno Sa from Brazil on keyboards, Jack Ross from Scotland on bass, Scott Moughton from Canada on guitar, Josh Watts from England on drums and Geoff Tate's daughter Emily, who is singing the parts of Sister Mary.

Tate's latest musical endeavor, OPERATION: MINDCRIME, has released three albums over the past three years as part of a trilogy: "The Key" (September 2015), "Resurrection" (September 2016) and "The New Reality" (December 2017).

FEAR FACTORY has completed work on its long-awaited new album for a tentative 2019 release.

The effort, which will once again be made available via Nuclear Blast, will mark the Californian band's first collection of new music since 2015's "Genexus" LP.

The news of FEAR FACTORY's studio activity was broken by singer Burton C. Bell during an interview with the M.I.R.P. web site at last month's inaugural Headbangers Con in Portland, Oregon. Asked what projects he is working on at the moment, Burton said (hear audio below beginning at around six-minute mark): "I just had a very successful PledgeMusic campaign with ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS. We raised the goal. We're getting ready to record our next record in January. We're gonna go to Wales to record it. It's gonna be our second record — the first record we've done in 10 years. So I'm working on that. And John Bechdel [KILLING JOKE, PRONG, FEAR FACTORY, MINISTRY] is part of it. [I'm working with] Jayce Lewis, [who] is an English artist that's very, very talented. He's more on the Gary Numan ilk kind of vibe. He's super talented. I have some other artists available. Mark Thwaite's gonna be involved, who was a part of THE MISSION UK, and he's touring with BAUHAUS right now. I'm gonna have some other people involved, but right now it's just ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS." He then added: "FEAR FACTORY has a record done. It's delivered to the label. We're just waiting for some legal technicalities [to be sorted out]. And the record'll be out next year."

Back in May 2017, Bell told the Kilpop web site that the positive reaction to "Genexus" has "absolutely" inspired him and his bandmates to try to top it with their upcoming effort. "It was such a great response," he said. "Putting out that record was just positive all the way around, which just makes us drive even further and drive even harder. Now we've been working on a new album. All the new songs, I say, in my opinion, are even stronger than 'Genexus', 'cause it just seems even more tight. We're on a groove, and it's kicking ass."

n 2016, FEAR FACTORY completed a U.S. headlining tour on which it performed its classic second album, "Demanufacture", in its entirety. Asked if playing such an iconic record from beginning to end every night influences the songwriting process for new material, Bell told Kilpop: "Sometimes. It takes you back to your roots, that's for sure… Recapturing your identity — identity within your band is very important. If you have your sound, that's great. But the motivation to move forward and try different things, that is also part of your identity, and you can make it yours as long as it doesn't lose your identity. We can do like some bands have done… Not to name anybody, but metal bands that moved forward and [done] a [very different-sounding] record… Well, FEAR FACTORY has done it once. We have a record called 'Transgression'; it was our rock record. And we totally just, like, alienated [much of our fanbase]. People were, like, 'That was you? That doesn't sound like FEAR FACTORY.' And I'm, like, 'Well, that's what the title 'Transgression' means.' [Laughs]"

FEAR FACTORY was the subject of breakup rumors in May 2017 when the band's former bassist-turned-guitarist Christian Olde Wolbers posted a since-deleted eulogy for FF on his Instagram. He wrote "RIP Fear Factory" and appended that post with the hashtag #GrownAssMenThatCantWorkOutShit.

Interview (audio):

Former ACCEPT and BONFIRE singer David Reece will open for U.D.O., the band fronted by ex-ACCEPT vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, for 10 shows in Germany and Switzerland in early 2019.

Reece broke the news of the pairing during an interview with Jimmy Kay from Canada's The Metal Voice. He said (see video below): "I cannot tell you how amazing and blessed I feel at this time. I've known Udo for a long time, and believe me, when I met him, he was no longer the singer of ACCEPT, he was on his own, and we were in the same studio. But over the years, we've maintained a high level of respect for one another. His son Sven had a group called DAMAGE, who opened for me in Germany back in the mid-2000s. And Udo occasionally would pop in, and it was kind of a big deal for the audience to see Reece standing there and Udo Dirkschneider. So I'm really excited to see how the public reacts to this."

He added: "This is an opportunity that I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart to U.D.O. and his organization… I'm gonna give it everything I've got."

Reece went on to say that he isn't sure if his set for the tour will include any material from "Eat The Heat", the sole ACCEPT studio album that featured his vocals. "I have to ask Udo's permission, of course, out of respect, if I'm able to perform any of the 'Eat The Heat' stuff in my set, because Udo is the man; it's his show," David explained. "I will try, for the fans, to do some 'Eat The Heat' stuff. Judging by what the boss says, I will play it if he gives me his blessing… As an opener, you must bow to the respect of the King, which will be Udo. And I will discuss it with his management and him, if it's okay. But I'm just gonna go out there and kick ass. And I can't wait to break the door down with Germany. What an opportunity. I mean, Udo is amazing and going strong as ever live. The guy's got iron-clad vocal cords."

he current SAINTED SINNERS vocalist was recruited for "Eat The Heat" in 1989 following the departure of Dirkschneider. Reece's higher-pitched delivery was in sharp contrast to Dirkschneider's distinctive style, and overall, the LP was a critical and commercial disappointment. Midway through the "Eat The Heat" tour, differences between the band and Reece had come to a head, leading to the altercation between the singer and bassist Peter Baltes in Chicago. By the end of 1989, ACCEPT had hung it up.

David Reece opening for U.D.O.:

Feb. 01 - Heidelberg, GER @ Halle 02

Feb. 02 - Obertraubling-Regensburg @ Eventhall Airport

Feb. 03 - Stuttgart, GER @ LKA- Longhorn

Feb. 06 - München, GER @ Backstage WERK

Feb. 07 - Pratteln, SWI @ Z7

Feb. 08 - Memmingen, GER @ Kaminwerk

Feb. 09 - Schwalmstadt, GER @ Festhalle Treysa

Feb. 10 - Leipzig, GER @ Felsenkeller

Feb. 12 - Oberhausen, GER @ Turbinenhalle

Feb. 13 - Hannover, GER @ Capitol

Reece told Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon last year that he still looks back fondly on the "Eat The Heat" album. "You know what? It's weird, because the bad blood happened at the end of it, and I hated it — I hated everything about it," he said. "I knew it opened a bunch of doors for me, but… I, on a daily basis, get people telling me what that album means to them now. At the beginning, they hated me, but now it's, like, they have this rebirth of how great it is. And I listened to it the other day, and I went, 'That's a pretty dang good album for a first.'"

He continued: "Yeah, I'm proud of it. I mean, that's a… I mean, it's not ACCEPT — okay, let's be honest — but there's some cool stuff on there. And I still get paid royalties for that album. They [re-released] it on vinyl. I get these statements; people buy it from the old crowd and the new crowd. And I'm, like, 'Ooooh…' So it's got legs to this day, and that was '88… 1988, '89. Amazing."

Reece's latest solo album, "Resilient Heart", was released on November 9 through Mighty Music.

Original RHAPSODY members Luca Turilli and Fabio Lione have rejoined forces to write and record a new album under the banner TURILLI/LIONE RHAPSODY. It will be the first time that they will record new music together in over eight years. The band is completed by former RHAPSODY members Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers and Alex Holzwarth.


In 2017, Luca and Fabio embarked on RHAPSODY's 20th-anniversary farewell tour which saw them reunite and return to stage to perform classic RHAPSODY songs. After closing their RHAPSODY chapter and LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY disbanding, the two friends kept in search of creative, original and innovative ways to express their artistic visions. Luca and Fabio started visualizing their new collaboration, in the process creating a whole new generation of symphonic metal, enriched with modern elements of the musical productions they love so much. The excitement for their project grew with each passing day, so the men agreed to realize their vision under a new and clear band name

TURILLI/LIONE RHAPSODY is set to enter the studio this winter to record its debut album. To help finance the LP, they have launched a crowdfunding campaign, where you can pre-order the upcoming album and other perks.


Turilli comments: "After concluding the farewell tour and disbanding LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY, I never imagined continuing my activities within the metal genre. But now, thanks to a new artistic vision and our greatly inspiring mantra 'rebirth and evolution,' I feel very excited for the unlimited artistic possibilities we could have while evolving our sound to new frontiers. We want to promote our fundamental spiritual message of light with the most emotional impact!"


b>Lione adds: "We believe a lot in the new TURILLI/LIONE RHAPSODY band, the vision and in the possibility of making new music together presenting something really innovative, modern and fresh, also enriched by the no-compromise sound of the most modern productions. We also believe in the precious contribution of our fans to help us achieving this important goal and re-start an important new chapter of our music career facing a new album production. We count on you for all this to happen!"


TURILLI/LIONE RHAPSODY will release its debut album next summer.

MADBALL vocalist Freddy Cricien has spoken out about the band's guitarist situation, more than a year after the group parted ways with longtime axeman Brian "Mitts" Daniels. At the time, the New York hardcore veterans called the split "a very hard and heartbreaking decision for all involved."

MADBALL's latest studio album, "For The Cause", saw the return of guitarist Matt Henderson, who laid down the guitar tracks in the studio but has not joined the band on tour.

Speaking to Metal Underground on November 30 in Bristol, England, Freddy said (see video below): "Our current situation is we have Dom [Dominik Stammen] — he's from a band called BORN FROM PAIN. He's German, actually, and they're sort of a Dutch/German hybrid, 'cause Rob [Franssen], the singer, is from Holland. And some of the rest of the guys are from Germany. They've been around a long time — they've been around a good, long while, and they're a very, very strong presence for European hardcore, for sure. But they also happen to be our friends, and they also happen to work closely with us. Like, Rob tour manages for me for the last 10 years and Dom has worked with us as a guitar stage manager. So, just naturally, Dom came and jumped in on the European stuff. And then, as of recently, we have a guy named Mike, who's out of New Jersey, who's helping us out in the States. So right now we have two guys that are solid people and solid, solid guitar players. We're kind of lucky. And eventually we'll settle on someone permanently."

Asked if MADBALL has anyone in mind for a possible "permanent" replacement for Mitts, Freddy said: "It'll probably be one of those two guys. But more than likely… Dom's just got too much on his plate. So it's gonna either be the other guy, or another guy."

b>"For The Cause" was released on June 15 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2014's "Hardcore Lives" was co-produced by Tim Armstrong (RANCID), who also makes a guest appearance on the song "The Fog". It was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Tue Madsen (MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED, SICK OF IT ALL) at Antfarm Studios in Denmark.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE are working off the holiday spread in advance. The band is spreading year-end tidings of comfort and joy whether you want it or not.

First up is a limited-edition Christmas single available on seven-inch vinyl directly from QOTSA.com and to stream, wherever streamers stream. The A-side is a rendition of "Silent Night" teaming Joshua Homme with Australian blues singer-songwriter and guitarist C.W. Stoneking, and the flipside features a reading of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas", with Brody Dalle, Joshua Homme and their three merry-making elves.

Recorded during QOTSA's 2017 tour of Australia in East Fremantle, the single will be released digitally on December 7; the limited-edition vinyl release is set for December 14.

Proceeds from the single will benefit the Sweet Stuff Foundation, the non-profit created by Homme in 2013 to provide assistance to career musicians, recording engineers and their families struggling with illness and disability, and to Support Act, an alliance with a similar mission founded in 1997 in Australia by AMCOS, APRA, ARIA and PPCA.

inally, Joshua is back at it with the third season of his Beats 1 radio show, the "Alligator Hour". Guests on the new season include Elvira, Bill Burr, Jake Shears and more. The "Alligator Hour" can be experienced every Sunday 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET/3 p.m. GMT for free at apple.co/joshlive or on demand at apple.co/josh.

BLACK STAR RIDERS have demoed more than a dozen songs for their fourth studio album, which they will begin recording next month in Los Angeles.

Speaking to Planet Rock ahead of this past weekend's appearance at Planet Rockstock, frontman Ricky Warwick and guitarist Scott Gorham said that the recent addition of guitarist Christian Martucci has re-energized the band.

"We go into the studio in January with the new boy Christian Martucci from STONE SOUR, who we're absolutely delighted to have as part of our family," Ricky said.

"We've already demoed 16 songs, and we start with Jay Ruston producing the album. And we're going to record in L.A. So it's a change all round because obviously we used [producer] Nick Raskulinecz for the last two records, which was great. But just with Damon [Johnson, guitar] leaving and Christian coming in — Jay's mixed the last two BLACK STAR RIDERS albums, so we just thought, 'Let's do the whole thing with Jay in L.A. this time.' Christian's worked with him before in STONE SOUR, so there's a relationship there. So, we're excited."

b>Scott added: "I think it's gonna be a little bit different sound this time around too. You can already tell by the demos and the different instrumentation. It's gonna be a little bit of a departure from what we've been doing — not a lot, but you'll hear it."

Johnson announced his exit from BLACK STAR RIDERS in September, but continued performing with the band until the end of the group's U.K. tour on December 3.

Commenting on Damon's departure, Ricky said: "He's always part of the family. Right, Scott? We love him."

Scott added: "We're still friends. We used to say, like when Marco [Mendoza, bass] wanted to fly off, I tell everybody, 'This is not a jail sentence. We do this thing and we have a lot of fun doing it, and then when it's time to go, it's time to go."

Ricky said: "You get to our age, and everybody's situation is different at home, and you've got reasons, and everybody has to adapt to that. Damon wants to go off and work on his solo stuff and spend more time with his family, and we totally respect that and wish him all the best."

Scott continued: "We're on the road all the time. When you've got kids, it gets a little tough."

Last year, BLACK STAR RIDERS inked a new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the label that has released all three of the band's albums so far: 2013's "All Hell Breaks Loose", 2015's "The Killer Instinct" and 2017's "Heavy Fire".

"Heavy Fire" was a worldwide success, reaching position No. 6 on the U.K. chart, No. 11 on the German chart, and No. 91 on U.S. Current Top Albums chart.

Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER) and Tarja Turunen (NIGHTWISH) are among the guest musicians who performed with Finland's annual, all-star symphonic Christmas rock project RASKASTA JOULUA, which translates to "Heavy Christmas," earlier tonight (Tuesday, December 4) in Rauma, Finland. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

RASKASTA JOULUA started with an album in 2004 and the sequel in 2006 and has toured every year since 2005. Indeed, the accompanying tour is an event and a highlight on the annual holiday calendar for fans of all age groups. The project has progressed in size and scope each and every year, in both popularity and the prestige of the participants. The concert tour now runs for more than a month before the holiday season and plays to full arenas and ice stadiums.

The project's producer/arranger and guitarist Erkka Korhonen is amazed by the popularity of the tour, saying: "Every year has been bigger for us and the show has become a tradition for so many people. Even people who haven't celebrated Christmas for several years have found its spirit again through what we do."

RASKASTA JOULUA is inspired by TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and the participants view the project in serious fashion, which is not always true of Christmas-themed collections. There is nothing novelty or jokey about this project. Don't expect familiar holiday favorites to be given a weak makeover or merely amplified by distorted guitars that have been added to give the Christmas jams a "rock" feel. That would be a Christmas cop-out. Instead, the songs are carefully arranged and executed, with flawless musicianship and world-class vocal contributions.

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New Zealand-based melodic death metal band, Dark Divinity, presents their new single and music video, "Set In Stone".

The single is the band’s first release to feature new vocalist Jolene Tempest, and is accompanied by a video clip filmed and directed by Amber Beaton.

The opening line, ‘Violence, Chaos, Brutality, Hate and Despair’, sets the stage for the onslaught to follow. Clocking in at nearly 4 minutes and replete with aggressive, hook-laden riffing, double kicks, blast beats & screamed vocals, the track is a nod to early Scandinavian pioneers of the melodic death metal genre.

The video clip features an energetic basement performance by the band, with a cloaked & masked Jolene appearing as a demonic blind oracle.

Formed only a year ago, the band have already made a mark on the underground metal scene, with highlights including playing support for The Black Dahlia Murder and Psycroptic, going viral with an accidental phallic t-shirt, and drawing praise around the web for their August 2018 single "Exegesis".

The recent lineup change marks a new era for Dark Divinity, with Jolene bringing a new and exciting dynamic to the band and a horde of her own fans.


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Sweden's The Moth Gatherer, an atmospheric doom/sludge/post metal band based in Stockholm, will release its third studio album, successor to critically acclaimed The Earth Is The Sky (2015) on February 22nd via Agonia Records. The new album is titled Esoteric Oppression. Its cover artwork and tracklisting are available below, in anticipation of a new single, due out before 2019.

The Moth Gatherer is a band of varying genres, centered on atmospheric doom, sludge and post metal. Their prolific approach includes electric musical stylings, along with traces of melodic post-rock. 

The band commented on the new album: "We’ve put our very fabric into it. Its creation has been a path paved with distress and frustration; one that has left us totally exhausted. But all our effort shows in the music and we can now say that it was worth the turmoil. We’re extremely proud to present Esoteric Oppression to you all. We hope you love it as much as we do.”

Esoteric Oppression was worked on in several recording studios. Guitars, bass and drums were tracked at Studio Underjord with Joona Hassinen, who later mixed the entire album. Electronics and vocals were recorded at The Lifestream Studio. Magnus Lindberg (Cult Of Luna) mastered the album at Redmount Studios, while the production was laid out by The Moth Gatherer. The recording features a guest appearance from Messy Mathi (Barst) on the track "The Drone Kingdom". SCG prepared the album's cover artwork and layout.

Tracklisting:

“The Drone Kingdom”
“Motionless In Oceania”
“Utopia”
“The Failure Design”
“Phosphorescent Blight”


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British heavy metal legends SAXON will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2019 with what they promise will be the band's "largest, loudest, brightest, most explosive show ever!" The trek — the details of which will be announced soon — will see the group accompanied by 60 tons of light and sound, and 45,000 watts of power.

A teaser video for the tour is available below.

Earlier in the year, SAXON frontman Biff Byford told Moshpit Passion that the 40th-anniversary run would include "some festivals and maybe two or three special shows."

Although SAXON was formed in 1977, the band's debut album didn't arrive until two years later.

b>Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn are the sole remaining original members in the group's current lineup, which issued its 22nd LP, "Thunderbolt", earlier this year.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

In addition to Byford and Quinn, SAXON's current lineup includes bassist Nibbs Carter, guitarist Doug Scarratt and drummer Nigel Glockler.

SAXON is represented by X-ray Touring's Steve Strange, APA's Keith Naisbitt and Siren Artist Management's Adam Parsons.