Dust Bolt have released a music video for "Dead Inside", a track from the band's forthcoming new album, Trapped In Chaos, out on January 18th via Napalm Records. Watch the clip below.

Dust Bolt emerged in 2006 to encrust Germany and the rest of the world in hefty, Bay Area-influenced thrash metal featuring crossover influences and killer melodies. The four piece elevates its trademark sound to perfection on fourth album Trapped in Chaos: profound lyrics, dark melodies and pure hostility are the ultimate recipe for a thrashfest between retro and modern.

Trapped In Chaos can be pre-ordered here and will be available in the following formats:

-CD Jewelcase
-LP Gatefold Black
-LP Gatefold Blue (Napalm Mailorder exclusive)
-Digital

Tracklisting:

“The Fourth Strike”
“Dead Inside”
“The Bad Ad”
“Bloody Rain”
“Rhythm To My Madness”
“Shed My Skin”
“Killing Time”
“Trapped In Chaos”
“Another Day In Hell”

"Dead Inside" video:

Album announcement:

(Photo by: Niklas Niessner)

After releasing their second studio album, A Prelude To Sorrow, on November 2nd via Century Media Records, US dark melodic metal act Witherfall presents a captivating and moving lyric video for the album’s epic "Vintage".

The band comments on the track: “'Vintage' is the most personal song Witherfall has ever written. The backstory for 'Vintage' occurred in November of 2015 while Joseph Michael, Jake Dreyer and Anthony Crawford were waiting for Adam Sagan to arrive in Los Angeles for the first photoshoot for Nocturnes And Requiems. Joseph was on his way to pick up Adam from LAX when we received a call from Sagan on his way to the airport, he was having severe stomach pains and would need to head to the emergency room instead. At first he thought he was having appendicitis, it turned out he had Lymphoma. He was scheduled for Chemo immediately and could not come to Los Angeles. This was the reason there is not one full band photo of Witherfall with Adam.

"To drown away their sorrows, Jake and Joseph headed over to a local Hollywood Wine Bar named Vintage. The bar having served its purpose is no longer there. There are three movements to this composition the last movement features our respective goodbyes to a fallen friend. Even if you did not know Adam Sagan this song should relate to anyone that has experienced the death of a loved one. Travel on my friend."

Carrying on in the spirit of their lost friend, Witherfall will travel the world to bring their tragic yet empowering songs to the masses and have now added Germany’s Keep It True festival to their growing 2019 schedule, which also includes an European Acoustic tour with Sonata Arctica and Californian gig with Ensiferum and Septic Flesh.

Tour dates:

November (with Kamelot)
28 - Tokyo, Japan - Tsutaya O-East
29 - Shinsaibashi, Japan - Club Quatro

January (with Ensiferum, Septic Flesh)
21 - Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater

March (with Sonata Arctica)
13 - Oslo, Norway - Parkteatret
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Södra Teatern
15 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Storan Teatern
16 - Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik
17 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
19 - London, England - Islington Assembly Hall
20 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
21 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
22 - Paris, France - Le Trabendo
23 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
24 - Milan, Italy - Teatro Dal Verme
26 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
27 - Nuremberg, Germany - Hirsch
28 - Prague, Czech Republic - Roxy
29 - Stuttgart, Germany - Im Wizemann (Club)
30 - Bochum, Germany - Christuskirche

April
26-27 - Germany - Keep It True XXII

The Night Flight Orchestra will be re-releasing their early albums; their debut, Internal Affairs, as well as its successor, Skyline Whispers. The records include modern classics like "West Ruth Ave", "Transatlantic Blues", "Living For The Nighttime" and "Stiletto", amongst many more.

The album reissues will feature exclusive bonus tracks, revamped artwork, and will be available on vinyl for the first time ever. Pre-order here, and watch a new video trailer below:

Internal Affairs and Skyline Whispers will be released on November 23rd, 2018 via Nuclear Blast.

Internal Affairs tracklisting:

"Siberian Queen"
"California Morning"
"Glowing City Madness"
"West Ruth Ave"
"Transatlantic Blues"
"Miami 502"
"Internal Affairs"
"1998"
"Stella Ain't No Dove"
"Montreal Midnight Supply"
"Green Hills Of Glumslöv"

Bonus track:
"Song For Ingebörg"

Skyline Whispers tracklisting:

"Sail On"
"Living For The Nighttime"
"Stilletto"
"Owaranai Palisades"
"Lady Jade"
"I Ain't Old I Ain't Young"
"All The Ladies"
"Spanish Ghosts"
"Demon Princess"
"Skyline Whispers"
"Roads Less Travelled"
"The Heather Reports"

Bonus track:
"September, You're A Woman"

Lineup:

Björn Strid - vocals
Sharlee D'Angelo - bass
David Andersson - guitars
Richard Larsson - keyboards
Jonas Källsbäck - drums
Sebastian Forslund - guitars, percussion, special FX
Anna-Mia Bonde - backing vocals
Anna Brygård - backing vocals

(Photo - Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg)

German power metal band, Mystic Prophecy, have inked a deal with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.

Mystic Prophecy is a steady force within the global metal scene. In the past 20 years, the band released ten studio albums full of powerful and dynamic metal at its best, receiving great reviews all over the globe. The band is also known for their extensive gig and tour shows, and many festival appearances.

Says the label: "We proudly announce today the signing of a multiple album deal with Mystic Prophecy and welcome the band to the Rock Of Angels roster."

Lineup:

Roberto Dimitri Liapakis - Vocals
Markus Pohl - Rhythm Guitar
Evan K - Lead Guitar
Joey Roxx - Bass
Hanno Kerstan - Drums

During a recent conversation with Metal Hammer, Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt shared an update on the band's new studio album.

Asked on what's new in the Opeth camp and whether the band "made a lot of progress" with new material, Mikael replied:

"I have, actually. I told myself I'd be taking a break, maybe even a sabbatical or something, after the last tour but I think I lasted until after Xmas. I was definitely in the studio before New Year's.

"I started writing in December last year and I’ve got a lot of music - I think I've got about an hour and a half's worth of material, but I'm going to take it easy.

"I'm going to be very methodical and listen to a lot of stuff I've done and just make sure there's no gaps of any kind on the next album. That feels important to me."

New Opeth live album 'Garden of the Titans' arrives two years after the release of your last album, 'Sorceress.' Is this basically here to tide fans over until your next proper record?
"In the business world, I think it's not the most stupid move you can make, to put out a live album from the last tour when you are writing for the next one.

"I don't think people are going to forget about us so I’m not too concerned with tiding them over, but I like to have good albums out. If we've got a good live album, then why not release it for people?

"And in the meantime, we're working on the next album, so it's come together well!"

The new record will mark the band's 13th studio album and the follow-up to 2016's "Sorceress."

HELLYEAH has confirmed that it will release its new album in 2019. The LP will mark the band's final effort with drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who passed away in June.

HELLYEAH revealed its plans to issue the LP in a short Thanksgiving message on the group's Facebook page. The band wrote: "Happy Thanksgiving Hellions!! See you all next year and with a new record that is going to blow you away!!"

Vinnie Paul died of dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease. His death was the result of chronic weakening of the heart muscle — basically meaning his heart couldn't pump blood as well as a healthy heart.

Not long before his death, Vinnie laid down the drum tracks for HELLYEAH's sixth album.

ike the last two records, 2016's "Unden!able" and 2014's "Blood For Blood", the new disc was recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada with producer Kevin Churko.

Vinnie Paul revealed in January that HELLYEAH was "close to about halfway" done recording its sixth LP, which he said was sounding "amazing." He added: "Every record since 'Blood For Blood' has just been a big, gigantic mountain for us to build and build and this one has already reached a plateau that I know is gonna be… It's gonna top 'Unden!able'."

Guitarist Tom Maxwell stated about the musical direction of HELLYEAH's new disc: "Every record that we've done, especially since 'Blood', we've kind of kept the tree growing, growing different branches here and there off the main root, and it's no different with this one. It's gonna be a little bit outside the box, there's gonna be some stuff that people haven't heard from us but will understand that we did it, because we're all over the board, as you know; we don't pigeonhole ourselves as just being full-blown heavy all the time. So it's gonna be a good record, when it comes out, eventually."

In late June, singer Chad Gray released a statement on the death of Vinnie Paul, saying that dealing with his passing "has been one of the toughest things I've ever had to face in my life. I'm so confused, sad and as helpless as I've ever been," he said. "I'm at a loss and completely devastated. But I'm trying. It's the equivalent of an emotional riot in my head and in my heart as I write this. But I'm trying to focus on anything good. I know Vinnie would want that. And the good things are my memories of him. His smile, his infectious laugh and his personality that beamed light."

Gray added: "I just want to say, thank you, Vinnie Paul! For saving my life, for your music, for your endless generosity, for accepting me into your life, for creating our music that touched people, for being proud to be in HELLYEAH and for always treating me like a brother and more importantly for treating me like a friend... I will always love you and go to the end of the earth to carry the torch for you and Dime's legacy."

Abbott's brother, guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, was shot to death in December 2004 while performing onstage. The Abbotts founded the bands PANTERA and DAMAGEPLAN together. After Dimebag's death, Abbott joined Gray and other members of MUDVAYNE and NOTHINGFACE in HELLYEAH, which has released five albums.


Happy Thanksgiving Hellions!!

See you all next year and with a new record that is going to blow you away!!Posted by HELLYEAH on Thursday, November 22, 2018

Dutch death metallers SISTERS OF SUFFOCATION will release their second studio album, "Humans Are Broken", on March 1, 2019 via Napalm Records.

"Humans Are Broken" track listing:

01. Humans Are Broken

02. Wolves

03. War In My Head

04. The Machine

05. What We Create

06. Liar

07. Little Shits

08. The Next Big Thing

09. Blood On Blood

10. The Objective

11. Burn

12. Every Little Fibre (bonus track)

13. For I Have Sinned (bonus track)

Founded in 2014 in Eidhoven, SISTERS OF SUFFOCATION managed very quickly to establish an amazing live reputation and got lots of invitations from venues and smaller festivals. This was noticed by Eindhoven Metal Meeting, who gave them a chance to present themselves for a bigger audience.

t has always been a dream of vocalist Els Prins to start an all-female death metal band, but she didn't seem to be able find the right group of girls to make this dream reality — that is, until she met guitarist Simone van Straten. They released their first single, "Boundaries", in July 2014 and played their first show one month later.

Regarding what inspires her to write music, Els told Robex Lundgren: "Seeing other bands live and all of my favorite bands, of course. I get inspiration from almost everything in my daily life."

Asked for her opinion on illegal music downloading, Els said: "We will just have to get over that. We can't fight it. Of course, I don't support it, because, in my opinion, it is stealing. But I have done it as well. It has become a part of the modern world. I just hope that true supporters will still buy records from the bands they adore."

SISTERS OF SUFFOCATION lineup:

Els Prins - Vocals

Simone van Straten - Guitars

Emmelie Herwegh - Guitars

Puck Wildschut - Bass

Kevin van den Heiligenberg - Drums

Photo credit: Emmelie Herwegh

MANDRAH, the band featuring former GRIP INC. guitarist and acclaimed producer Waldemar Sorychta, Danish-German singer Cornelia Schmitt (THE HEROINES) and drummer Vic Chains (THE SPOOK, THE DEAD KINGS), has just released its debut EP, "The Other Side", via RecordJet.

Sorychta's music has never been about walking trodden paths, following trends or copying other bands. Instead he always set marks himself — as the producer for genre classics like MOONSPELL's "Irreligious", SAMAEL's "Passage" and TIAMAT's "Wildhoney", as well as the creative mastermind behind GRIP INC. (with SLAYER's Dave Lombardo), critically acclaimed ENEMY OF THE SUN, and old-school thrashers DESPAIR.

MANDRAH's music is described in a press release as "a shining blend of crushing metal riffs, with a hunting groove reminiscent of GRIP INC.'s signature sound meeting an outstanding voice. Schmitt beats the faceless masses of female operatic voices in today's metal scene within the blink of an eye. With a powerful voice evoking the late Amy Winehouse, the singer explodes from low tuned coolness to roaring heaviness, from a gentle punk spark to graceful heights and balladic fragility."

It wouldn't be Sorychta's work if "The Other Side" was simply a regular metal EP. It is a unique collection of five songs backed up by sophisticated compositions combining grooving guitars with catchy melodies and exciting songwriting details turning every track into a little adventure.

b>MANDRAH's music ranges from a hard-hitter like "Black Light" to a slowly growing treasure like "The Wedding" to a dark ballad like the title track.

With a wink, Sorychta gives a nod to METALLICA in "Know My Name". The press release states: "Imagine a cool female hard rock voice teaming up with the Bay Area icons' sound during their heyday."

"The Other Side" EP track listing:

01. The Wedding (4:56)

02. Black Light (3:21)

03. The Other Side (3:58)

04. Trailer From Hell (3:28)

05. Know My Name (4:03)

Vocals: Cornelia Schmitt

Guitar: Waldemar Sorychta

Drums: Vic Chains

Bass: Marius Ickert

Portuguese label Alma Mater Records, run by MOONSPELL's Fernando Ribeiro, has just announced part 3 of its "Underground Majesty" series — a reissue of the groundbreaking third album, "Clouds", by Swedish masters TIAMAT.

Originally released in 1992, this record expanded TIAMAT's musicality and atmosphere to greater heights, picking up their darkened death and black metal roots and helping to create the fine mixture to allow the birth of true gothic metal. It was a testimony of darkness and dream, with moving atmospheres that placed TIAMAT at the top of its game, paving the way for the magnificent "Wildhoney" in 1994.

With highlights like "The Sleeping Beauty", "In A Dream", "Scapegoat" and "Smell Of Incense", Alma Mater will release "Clouds" as a very special limited edition, fully re-mastered on vinyl, with the original artwork and liner notes. To add to the equation, there will be three different LP colored editions to celebrate this great reissue: gold, purple and white.


Set for a release on February 22, 2019, the pre-order for this timepless piece and very limited edition is available at this location.

s TIAMAT sets up to return with a new album in 2019, this year seems to be perfect to pick up this classic as the band is now playing exclusive shows with the "Clouds" repertoire.

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers THE DUSKFALL will release their long-awaited sixth album, "The Everlasting Shadows", in 2019. The band is currently mixing and mastering the disc, with plans to reveal a teaser in the coming months.

THE DUSKFALL singer Mikael Sandorf says "The Everlasting Shadows" contains some of the group finest material to date.

Joining Sandorf in THE DUSKFALL's current lineup are Ronny Edlund on guitar, Jakob Björnfot on guitar, Anton Lindbäck on bass and Sebastian Lindgren on drums.

"The Everlasting Shadows" track listing:

1. Entomb My Shadow

02. Golem

03. Nights At The Graves

04. As Our Days Are Dying

05. Knee Deep In The Grave

06. Legion

07. The Everlasting Shadows

08. World Of Lies

09. Peacemaker

The artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes and can be seen below.

ODDKO is a new Los Angeles based music project lead by Giovanni Bucci, award winning director who worked on two music videos for Korn, as well as promos for Red Bull and MTV. As motion designer Gio has also been involved on several film titles including: “Star Trek”, “Ninja Turtles” and “RoboCop”.

“Disobey” is the first single released by ODDKO, part of the debut album – “Escape the Maze” – fusing metal, electronics, orchestral elements and cinematic sounds. The album includes guest vocals by Veronika Coassolo (Tricky, Subsonica), drums by Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse) and it was mastered by Howie Weinberg (Rammstein, Madonna, Metallica…). More tracks will be released over the following months.

"You Spark My Heart", the new video from Swedish rockers ELECTRIC BOYS, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album, "The Ghost Ward Diaries", which will be released on November 23 via Mighty Music.

Vocalist/guitarist Conny Bloom comments on the "The Ghost Ward Diaries" songwriting process: "We like guitar riffs, strong hooks and heavy grooves, performed on analog instruments. I guess you'd call it classic rock.


"Lyric-wise, it's a bit darker than before; little diaries from times on the road and the struggle in between.

"The album is far from predictable, yet it was the easiest album to record since the reunion. We really had a good team going with producer/engineer David Castillo."


ormed in Stockholm in 1988, ELECTRIC BOYS is a band with roots in '70s groove rock and '60s pop and psychedelia. Their critically acclaimed debut album, "Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride", was produced by Bob Rock (METALLICA, BON JOVI, THE CULT, MÖTLEY CRÜE) and spawned the Billboard Top 20 single "All Lips 'N' Hips" that got them heavy rotation on MTV.

After extensive touring, ELECTRIC BOYS entered legendary studio Abbey Road to record the follow-up, "Groovus Maximus", which gave the band another Billboard Top 30 single with the song "Mary In The Mystery World". The third album "Freewheelin'" (also recorded in Abbey Road) peaked at No. 16 on the official Swedish album chart before the band called it a day in 1994.

Bloom went solo until he, as well as bassist Andy Christell, joined legendary glamsters HANOI ROCKS in 2005. In 2009, they began the process of reuniting the ELECTRIC BOYS. They released the album "And Them Boys Done Swang" in 2011 and the critically acclaimed fan favorite "Starflight United" in 2014.

In all the years, the band has toured relentlessly opening for the likes of METALLICA, ALICE COOPER, MR. BIG, HARDLINE, VIXEN and THUNDER. In 2017, the band took part in the hugely popular Monsters Of Rock cruise from Florida, it was a triumphant return Stateside.

Earlier in 2018, ELECTRIC BOYS released two singles, "Dishes" and "Suffer".

"The Ghost Ward Diaries" track listing:

01. Hangover In Hannover

02. There She Goes Again

03. You Spark My Heart

04. Love Is A Funny Feeling

05. Gone Gone Gone

06. Swampmotofrog

07. First The Money, Then The Honey

08. Rich Man, Poor Man

09. Knocked Out By Tyson

10. One Of The Fallen Angels

ELECTRIC BOYS is:

Guitarist/vocalist: Conny Bloom

Bassist: Andy Christell

Guitarist: Franco Santunione

Drummers: Niclas Sigevall and Jolle Atlagic (THE QUILL, HANOI ROCKS)

Sigevall and Atlagic share recording and touring duties.

EMPEROR frontman Ihsahn (real name: Vegard Sverre Tveitan) says that his solo music has been influenced by "the bravery" of Kanye West's "Yeezus", which has been described by some as the controversial rapper's most divisive album.

"Let's be honest, as a person, the character, he's not the most easy to empathize with," Ihsahn said of West in a recent interview with the Czech Republic's Metalshop TV (see video below). "But sometimes your relationshhip with the person, the artist, if they act the way you don't [like], you bring that with you when you listen to the music. But in spite of that, there's no denying that it's so brave. And I think the kind of megalomaniac ego that goes behind it makes it that genius; that is so brave. There's no commercial thought when you do an album like that, when you just scream out this lyric: 'I am a God.' It's crazy, and I love it."

Ihsahn continued: "I have this theory that the really new creation in music, the real genius happens in the underground, where there's no money and people just do it for the artistic ambition, and all the way at the top where's so much money that they don't even care, and they can do anything. And there's all the rest in the middle who try to do the 'right' things and [make] those compromises to get there."

Ihsahn's latest solo album, "Ámr", was released in May via Candlelight/Spinefarm.

b>EMPEROR hasn't released any new material since 2001's "Prometheus - The Discipline Of Fire And Demise". That album was composed and mostly played by Ihsahn, with guitarist Samoth already forming his next band during its production.

Tobias Forge has confirmed to Revolver magazine that a new release from GHOST is possible for 2019. "There might be something coming next year," he said. "As an active person, I've spent some time in the studio, but we'll see. We're still sort of planning the year out. But as of right now, there's no plan for another covers EP. I think that would be a little predictable. I'm all for recording covers in the future, but we're definitely not going to do one that comes out in 2019. And even though we made a live record last year, the one thing I am very keen on is making a film, for lack of another phrase. I really want to make a capture of our live show. Since the live record, which I think is very good, we sound way better now. We're a better band, and now with everything being performed organically, it's a different being. It sounds way bigger and maybe lends itself to a film better. So we'll see."

In December 2017, GHOST surprise-released the digital edition of a live album called "Ceremony And Devotion", just hours after posting a video teaser for the set online.

FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl produced GHOST's 2013 covers EP "If You Have Ghost", which included cover versions of songs by ROKY ERICKSON, ABBA, ARMY OF LOVERS and DEPECHE MODE.

GHOST released the "Popestar" EP back in 2016, which, along with the song "Square Hammer", featured covers of the EURYTHMICS, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO and IMPERIET.

b>GHOST is on tour promoting its latest album, "Prequelle", which came out in June.

The North American trek, known as "A Pale Tour Named Death", is visiting nearly 40 cities, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.

Forge performed as a "new" Papa Emeritus on each of GHOST's first three albums, with each version of Papa replacing the one that came before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of "Prequelle".

TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy says that he understands why certain rock and metal artists rely on off-stage backing musicians or use pre-recorded tracks during their live performances.

In recent years, more and more bands have been given a pass for using backing tracks, drum triggers and other assorted technology that makes concerts more synthetic but also more consistent.

Asked by "The Cassius Morris Show" if he feels that an over-reliance on backing tracks and extra musicians can fatally hamper the immediacy and spontaneity of a concert, Billy said (hear audio below): "Well, I guess to each his own, but we were out with HEAVEN & HELL, for example, and the keyboard player and background singer, he wasn't on the stage — he was behind the backline. Sometimes [he was] even set up outside, off the stage. [Laughs] But, you know, it's an important part to the show; he adds that element. And maybe they're just not known for the keyboard to be on stage. So each band has their own approach, I guess. And a lot more people experiment with more samples or the drummer taking control of a lot of stuff going on — you know, they keep the tempo and run all the effects and background vocals and rhythm guitars from the drummer's starting position. So a lot's changed now, for sure."

He continued: "I guess it all depends for how each band is and what they feel. If they're represented as a four-piece and [they] don't want the keyboard player and the saxophone player in the photo and on stage, I can understand it. Or if it's all sampled, just so they don't have those members on stage, I understand that as well."

b>Billy said in an interview with "Talking Metal" that TESTAMENT is hoping to enter the studio in January to record the follow-up to 2016's "Brotherhood Of The Snake" album. He also confirmed that TESTAMENT is planning to use British metal producer Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT, ARCH ENEMY, SAXON, MEGADETH) once again to mix the upcoming disc.

"Brotherhood Of The Snake" was recorded under the watchful eyes of producer Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, HEATHEN, MACHINE HEAD), guitarist Eric Peterson and Billy and was mixed and mastered by Sneap.

TESTAMENT's U.S. tour as the support act for SLAYER wrapped on August 26 in San Jose, California.

Simon Wright, who played drums for AC/DC in the 1980s, spoke to Illawarra Mercury about how having actually been a member of the band afforded him a unique perspective on performing the group's material as part of the "Let There Be Rock - Orchestrated" show, which launches in Australia.

"One thing I did come away from AC/DC [with] is that it's about the feel," the drummer said. "It sounds simple, but it's not about the technicality of it. It's about the swing and the feel of it. I do it to the best of my ability, but I'm no Phil Rudd."

Wright, who joined AC/DC after the departure of Rudd in 1983, also commented on the rumors that Phil and vocalist Brian Johnson are both back with AC/DC and working on new music, after the two were caught on camera together outside a Vancouver recording studio last summer. It would be AC/DC's first release since the death of founding rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young in 2017.

"I'm hoping they'll be back with another album and a tour — that would be awesome," Wright said.

With all the problems they've had, obviously with Mal leaving us, and all that crazy stuff with Phil Rudd. I guess they've patched that up, but I don't know anything other than what we all see on the Internet.

"I think it would be nice if they came back and they did an album for Mal, just to kind of put a dot behind that conversation. Because Mal was just the engine room and creator of that band. It's such a tragedy."

Wright, currently of DIO DISCIPLES and also known for his work in DIO, RHINO BUCKET and UFO, lasted in AC/DC for six years. Wright, a then-unknown drummer whose first credits included Manchester, England metal outfit A II Z, joined AC/DC in time for the touring cycle for "Flick Of The Switch" and played with the Australian rockers throughout the '80s before leaving to join DIO in 1989.

Titled in recognition of AC/DC's fourth Australian album released in 1977, "Let There Be Rock – Orchestrated" features AC/DC songs performed by an international band, backed by a 30-piece symphony orchestra.

The group also includes Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-JUDAS PRIEST), Steve Balbi (NOISEWORKS, MI-SEX), Joel McDonald (ROSE TATTOO), Paul Christie (MONDO ROCK) and rock vocalist Cynthia Gallie.

METAL CHURCH guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof has told Canada's The Metal Voice in a new interview that he has grown to appreciate the dramatic changes in the music business in the last couple of decades, with the massive expansion of the Internet, the collapse of physical sales and the emergence of on-demand streaming services.

"I really like the new music business," he said (hear audio below). "There's more good about the new music business than there is bad. And it took me a couple of years to get my head around this, but there really is. Now it's more direct artist to fans. Us old guys can still have a career legitimately and put out records, and things like that, and it's not the 'he-lives, he-dies' thing that the record companies used to be. The big bucks aren't there anymore and the big sales aren't there anymore, but you don't need to, because your expenses aren't nearly as much. So there's a lot of good upsides. The downside, obviously, is the piracy. But we still get to have a career, 'cause you can bypass… It's direct artist to fans, like I said, and that makes it possible for us to continue as long as people still show up at our shows and still wanna buy our records, or download it."

Vanderhoof also talked about METAL CHURCH's days as a major-label act in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when significant recording costs had to be recouped by the record companies before they paid the artists any royalties.

"The downside of it is suddenly, after a period of time, you find out how the business works, which, in our particular case, wasn't working in our favor," he recalled. "Because then you get the management thing and then you get the big-label thing and then you realize the word… you finally, suddenly learn the definition of the word 'recoup.' And then the light bulb starts going on about how this works and then you realize that there's no way you can make any kind of money unless you break huge, like METALLICA or something, you break big. Other than that, you're operating in debt and you're never gonna get out. That's also part of the reason why I wanted to kind of recuse myself from that part and learn to make records [as a producer], 'cause I saw the pecking order and saw how the payment structure worked — how everybody gets paid first and the band gets paid last."

b>METAL CHURCH's 12th full-length studio album, "Damned If You Do", will be released on December 7 via Rat Pak Records. The effort will also be available in Europe via Nuclear Blast and Japan via King Records. The latest release is the follow-up to 2016's "XI", which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe.

Jake E. Lee says that he was fired from DIO after only six weeks because Ronnie James Dio "was looking for more of a European sort of sound."

While enjoying a short-lived tenure as guitarist in ROUGH CUTT, Jake's playing caught the attention of the legendary heavy metal singer, whose wife had managed ROUGH CUTT. Jake and Ronnie reportedly wrote a bunch of songs together in 1982 before Ozzy tapped Jake to become the permanent replacement in the Osbourne band for the deceased Randy Rhoads.

Asked during a new interview with the "Cobras & Fire" podcast why he was fired from the DIO band, Jake replied (hear audio below): "I think that [Ronnie] was looking for more of a European sort of sound. 'Cause back then, and maybe to this day — I don't know — heavy metal, you had the American version and you had the European version. And the American version relied a lot on VAN HALEN; that was kind of the American metal sound. And I am more of that school — of Eddie Van Halen, Southern California. There was a bunch of us. And I was more of that. Maybe a little busier on my rhythm stuff than Dio would have liked. And I think that was the main reason."

Jake's explanation for why he was dismissed from DIO appears to have been corroborated by statements from Wendy Dio, who told Metal Hammer magazine that Ronnie "liked the way British musicians thought. I think that's why he wanted to have British players in the band" before making the "Holy Diver" album.

b>Lee played on two Ozzy records: "Bark At The Moon" and 1986's "The Ultimate Sin".

Jake and his band RED DRAGON CARTEL released a new album titled "Patina" on November 9.

Lotsofmuzik recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Lotsofmuzik: For [DREAM THEATER's upcoming] album ["Distance Over Time"], you guys decided to convene in an isolated property and work together in the album. When I heard about that, I couldn't help but think about the old LED ZEPPELIN albums when they'd go together to Headley Grange and write and record the whole thing. Did anyone make that connection at the time?


LaBrie: "I think first and foremost, John Petrucci [guitar], John Myung [bass] and I recalled the last time we did that as a band, when we were recording the 'Images And Words' album. We were at BearTracks Studios in upstate New York, and we actually all lived in this house. It was about 10 minutes from the studio in Tomkins Cove. That was the name of this town that we were in, and we were all living together in the house throughout the duration of the recording. So we were all talking and kind of reminiscing about those times, and so it was kind of cool to come back to this. It was like a summer camp, but at the same time, what you're doing is you're there to produce a new album, new material. And it was cool, because I think what it allowed us to do is that it enabled us to come up with ideas together and slowly but surely we formed them into complete songs. Sometimes we'd just be chilling out, sitting around one another, and more often than not the conversation obviously comes back around to the music and where things are at and how we feel and the direction that it's going and maybe even focusing on that particular song at the moment that is being worked on. So it's kind of cool because it, it doesn't allow you many distractions, right? You're not getting away from it, but you're in that zone and you're there. Pretty much 24/7."


Lotsofmuzik: We have a couple of tracks whose names were already revealed: "Fall Into The Light", "Paralyzed", "At Wit's End" and "Barstool Warrior". How have you contributed to those ones? And did you have any involvement in the music this time or just the lyrics?


b>LaBrie: "Only the lyrics. I was there the whole time though, observing the music and if anything felt a little weird to me, then I'd voice my opinion. But the amount of times that I would say that is not even worth mentioning. When it came time to write the melodies to the songs I got involved, I wrote lyrics to three songs. And we had this discussion about me being involved and being a part of the process so that I could listen and kind of gauge where we're going and where we're at and what the end result is going to be. And so for me it's kind of cool because part of the whole process with any band that when they're writing is that you'll leave all your egos at the door and you're just basically candid with one another. What was surprising with this was just how quickly it was going on. I don't know if you were speaking to any of the other guys, but I believe you did an interview with Jordan [Rudess, keyboards] and he might've mentioned to you that at the end of the day, the actual days of writing worked out to be something like 17 days! That's how prolific, how fast things were coming together. Like I said, I wrote the lyrics to three songs, one of the songs being the bonus track on the album. I think everything came out exactly as we had hoped and as we had been discussing leading up to the actual time in the studio to actually start writing."


Lotsofmuzik: And it seems that you took the same approach as the self-titled album to a certain extent, in the sense that the songs are a bit more direct, right? Not necessarily shorter but more direct, more straight to the point.


LaBrie: "Yeah, absolutely. Our last album was very conceptually based and very theatrical as well. So it was about getting back and about encompassing or encapsulating all of our roots, where we came from and our influences originally and what does that say to each and every guy in the band. And also chasing something that's a little more organic, and then ultimately creating something where we can say that each song is always going to be who and what we are. It always has to be identified as DREAM THEATER. But we felt that we were creating something a little more than what was previously done. I think when everyone hears the songs they're going to be going, 'Wow!' I think each track is very, very exciting and very, very unique."

Read the entire interview at Lotsofmuzik.

"Distance Over Time" will be released on February 22, 2019. The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, STONE SOUR). The disc was produced by Petrucci, mixed by Ben Grosse and mastered by Tom Baker.

"Distance Over Time" will mark DREAM THEATER's first album for Sony Music's progressive imprint InsideOut Music. The group spent the past 25 years recording under various labels in the Warner Music Group system, most recently Roadrunner Records, which released five albums by the band between 2007 and 2016.

The "Distance Over Time" tour of North America kicks off on March 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. The tour will run for seven weeks before wrapping up in Mexico City on May 4, 2019. Information on tickets for all upcoming shows as well as VIP packages can be found at DreamTheater.net.

ASKING ALEXANDRIA has released a brand new live video for its hugely successful single "Alone In A Room". Having spent 28 weeks on the Active Rock radio chart and peaking at No. 7, it is the band's third top ten hit at rock radio. The song has amassed a whopping 16.3 million streams on Spotify and the official music video has clocked up 6.3 million views on YouTube to date.

"Alone In A Room" is the second single from ASKING ALEXANDRIA's self-titled fifth studio album, which was released last December via Sumerian Records. The disc marks the group's first full-length effort with singer Danny Worsnop since he rejoined ASKING ALEXANDRIA in the fall of 2016.

During his time away from ASKING ALEXANDRIA, Worsnop pursued a more traditional hard rock sound with his other project, WE ARE HARLOT, while ASKING ALEXANDRIA recruited a new singer, Denis Shaforostov, and released a fourth album, "The Black". Danny also issued a country-tinged solo album, "The Long Road Home", last year via Earache Records.

ASKING ALEXANDRIA will join SHINEDOWN and PAPA ROACH for the "Attention Attention" tour in early 2019.

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Former MORBID ANGEL guitarist Richard Brunelle has launched a new project called MOSAIC COVENANT. He is joined in the group by drummer Brandon Thomas Lyons.

MOSAIC COVENANT recently released its first two songs via Knife Fight Media, "Silence The Dead" and "The Sun Never Stops The Rain".

Brunelle stated about MOSAIC COVENANT's music: "It is Alien Metal!!! Do you believe in Aliens? What if Aliens are really GOD? The MOSAIC COVENANT (named after Moses), also known as the Sinaitic Covenant (named after the biblical Mount Sinai), refers to a biblical covenant between God and the biblical Israelites, including their proselytes aka The 10 Commandments.

"I feel this music I am releasing was given to me by Aliens what I believe to be the true God. It is the beginning of what is hoped to be much more to come of them making their presence known. It is not me creating this music it is them. By all means do not take this as some Christian religious expression. This is to open the eyes of humanity to the existence of Aliens.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!!!"

Brunelle was in MORBID ANGEL from 1985 until 1992 and he appeared on the band's first two albums, 1989's "Altars of Madness" and 1991's "Blessed Are The Sick". He returned to the group a couple of times — most notably in 1994 and 1998 — to help out with live work, but he never took part in any additional recording sessions with the band.

Brunelle formed PATHS OF POSSESSION in 1999 with Randy Butman (SILHAVEN), Jay Fossen and Erin "Goat" Fuller (CRYPTIC WINDS) and appeared on the group's independently released CD-R demo "Legacy In Ashes" in 2000.

Brunelle has been largely inactive for the past decade and a half, having battled drug addiction, which has apparently landed him in jail nearly a dozen times.

A few years ago, Brunelle stated about his exit from MORBID ANGEL: "I was unable to stay with MORBID ANGEL for personal reasons. I spent the next few years trying to start a band and PATHS OF POSSESSION was born. But as fate would have it I quit the band just before they were signed to Metal Blade Records. After I left PATHS OF POSSESSION, there were many dark days for me. It has taken every ounce of strength I have to crawl out of the darkness."

A PERFECT CIRCLE, which debuted the video for "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" earlier this month, has released a limited-edition seven-inch of the track with a B-side featuring Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan's take on AC/DC's "Dog Eat Dog".

The "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish"/"Dog Eat Dog" vinyl single is available exclusively via "Record Store Day" Black Friday.

A PERFECT CIRCLE wrapped up its third leg of North American tour dates last night with a stirring show in Phoenix, with a European trek beginning December 2 in Glasgow.

The band's North American tour kicked off with an intimate Grammy Museum performance to 200 lucky fans. The evening was a rarity for A PERFECT CIRCLE, who just this week performed at Madison Square Garden and whose most recent hometown show was a sold-out outing at the venerable Hollywood Bowl.

b>Steven Sebring ("Horses: Patti Smith And Her Band", "Dream Of Life") directed a companion film to "Eat The Elephant". Viewable via a custom prism, the hologram film is a first-of-its-kind offering and can be found in the "Eat The Elephant" deluxe box set. Several clips from the film have been released in 2D versions, including the video for the album's title track.

Photo credit: Paul Harries

Germany's first female hard rock act ROSY VISTA was around for five years between 1984 and 1989. During this time, the group from Hanover helmed by guitarist Anca Graterol, released one professionally produced EP and two singles. In addition, the band performed a multitude of spectacular concerts alongside legends such as URIAH HEEP, JOE COCKER, MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND and MÖTLEY CRÜE, among others. So the only career dream left unfulfilled for the five bandmembers was a proper album. This obvious gap will be closed on February 8, 2019 at last, because ROSY VISTA is back together again and will present its debut album, "Unbelievable", almost precisely 35 after the group's foundation.

"We'd been thinking about it for a number of years, but good ideas always take a while to mature, that's why it took a little longer," confesses founding member Graterol, who has two more original bandmembers by her side, namely Andrea Schwarz (vocals) and Marina Hlubek (drums). The latest addition to the ROSY VISTA fold is bassist Angela Mann.

Another highlight: the cover artwork was designed by Circus Roncalli's Bernhard Paul and Steffen Maier. So mission accomplished! True to the motto "Good things come to those who wait", the four ROSY VISTA musicians have not only made their life's dream come true with "Unbelievable" but will also delight their many fans, which will no doubt culminate in loud applause at their official release party at the Hanover Musikzentrum on February 9.


"Unbelievable" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer on all digital formats in North America.


rack listing:

01. Crazy (3:25)

02. Sadistic Lover (3:59)

03. Master Of Control (3:51)

04. Too Much Feeling (5:11)

05. Tables Are Turned (3:57)

06. Until I'm Satisfied (4:37)

07. Hopatina (5:33)

08. Poor Rosy (3:17)

09. Sound Of Your Love (3:29)

10. Rockin' Through The Night (3:44)

11. Changin' My Mind (4:24)

12. Born To Be Wild (4:07)

Swedish skate-punk band MILLENCOLIN will release its ninth studio album, "SOS", on February 15, 2019 via Epitaph. The follow-up to 2015's "True Brew" was recorded at the group's own Soundlab Studios in Örebro, Sweden and was mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. It was produced by vocalist/bassist Nikola Sarcevic and guitarist Mathias Färm, with all artwork, photography created by guitarist Erik Ohlsson.


Says Sarcevic: "We're a band truly formed from respect and understanding for each other and our passion for rock music. If you ask us, this is the best job in the world."


MILLENCOLIN has announced its first 2019 festival appearances, including Belgium's Groezrock, Austria's Nova Rock and Germany's Mission Ready. More dates will be revealed soon.

"SOS" track listing:

1. SOS

02. For Yesterday

03. Nothing

04. Sour Days

05. Yanny & Laurel

06. Reach You

07. Do You Want War

08. Trumpets & Poutine

09. Let It Be

10. Dramatic Planet

11. Caveman's Land

12. Carry On

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has tapped Charlie Engen to play drums for the group on the fall leg of its tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN. Engen is filling in for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's founding drummer Jeremy Spencer, who is sitting out the trek to undergo a second back surgery for an undisclosed condition.

The 33-year-old Engen, who was previously identified only as "a drum prodigy" called "The Engine", played his first show with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on November 6 in Wichita, Kansas. The tour will end on December 11 in Portland, Maine.

The Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Engen has been teaching drums for more than 15 years and currently offers private and Skype lessons at his home studio, along with playing in the bands SCALE THE SUMMIT and IDEOLOGY.

Says Charlie in the bio section of his official web site: "Receiving a drum set for my second birthday, drums have been my main passion in life for as long as I can remember. Going to McNally Smith College Of Music for my masters degrees in percussion performance, I have focused on creating my own playing style combining elements of progressive metal, funk, Latin, and East African rhythms. My goal is to utilize the many different approaches and rhythmic tools to bring my percussive voice to its optimum level. I continue to push my own physical limitations daily, and hope that my playing style represents these concepts in a unique and musical way."

an-filmed video footage of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's second concert with Engen, which took place on November 7 at Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can be seen below.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is continuing to tour in support of its latest album, "And Justice For None", which came out in May.

Progressive music titans DREAM THEATER have launched the first in a series of three in-the-studio video interviews, where the entire band sat down and discussed how their upcoming 14th studio album, "Distance Over Time", came together.

"Distance Over Time" will be released on February 22, 2019. The disc showcases a newfound creativity for DREAM THEATER while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The album also marks the first for the band's new label InsideOut Music. The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (RUSH, IRON MAIDEN, STONE SOUR). "Distance Over Time" was produced by guitarist John Petrucci, mixed by Ben Grosse and mastered by Tom Baker.

Says Petrucci: "When I listen back to the album, I can distinctly recall every moment of the writing process; where I was standing in the room, what inspired us in that instant and the meaning behind each song. As a producer, my goal was to try and create the best-sounding DREAM THEATER record we've ever made so that listeners can just be enveloped in the music. I really wanted this recording to truly reflect the spirit, joy and passion that went into making the album and for people to walk away feeling some of the organic nature, personality and raw energy that the band captured while together in the studio. For me, I think it accomplishes that and I hope that other people will feel the same way."

In June 2018, the members of DREAM THEATER secluded themselves in a private location in upstate New York to begin writing for the new record. While spending the summer living together in the property's adjacent residence, the band spent their days and nights crafting the music that would make up the new album in the "Yonderbarn"; a beautiful and spacious barn that had been meticulously transformed into a state-of-the art film and recording studio. Following an intense and extremely productive period of group writing sessions and wanting to retain the magic that was captured in this scenic and inspiring location, they decided to record the album in the very room they had all convened to write together in. Living together during the writing and recording for "Distance Over Time" marked another first for the band's 33-year career. The result is a heavier collection of songs that showcases the early roots of the band while exploring new territory as musicians and as friends.

It was like going back to summer camp," says singer James LaBrie. "Being around each other the whole time made it that much more of a profound experience. I think the songs reflect the energy. It was a lot of fun to have a situation so powerful at this point in our career."

It has been three years since DREAM THEATER released new music. To announce the details of the brand new album, DREAM THEATER enlisted the help of one lucky contest winner to break the news of the record to the loyal fans of the band. An Alternate Reality Game was launched that encompassed a "treasure hunt" whereby fans were able to search for clues hidden in various photos, videos, social media posts, and more. Ultimately, one lucky winner was given access to content before everyone else including the release date and cover artwork, and the winner would be the one to share the first taste of never-before-heard music.

DREAM THEATER is also planning to hit the road in support of the new album. The "Distance Over Time" tour of North America was recently announced and kicks off on March 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. The tour will run for seven weeks before wrapping up in Mexico City on May 4, 2019. Information on tickets for all upcoming shows as well as VIP packages can be found at DreamTheater.net.

SPINAL TAP will reunite for a 35th anniversary screening of the film "This Is Spinal Tap" at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. The band — Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer — will also perform following the screening. They will be joined by "This is Spinal Tap" director, co-writer and star Rob Reiner for a conversation to follow.

Released in 1984, the mockumentary follows the fictional heavy metal rock band SPINAL TAP on tour.


"'Spinal Tap' proves there is definitely a fine line between stupid and clever," said Reiner.

"This Is Spinal Tap" was released to little fanfare in 1984 with some viewers convinced the bumbling dinosaurs — who had a knack of losing drummers in freak accidents — on screen were a genuine band. But word of mouth about the smartly observed film, which took a pop at bands such as STATUS QUO, LED ZEPPELIN and BLACK SABBATH, spread and it became a sleeper hit.

ccording to the Belfast Telegraph, McKean, Guest and Shearer prepared several scenes with Reiner but then ad-libbed. At the end of filming, they had more than 40 hours of footage, which was edited down to a more manageable form.

When "This Is Spinal Tap" was released, not everybody got that it was a "mockumentary." U2's The Edge immediately embraced it, saying: "I didn't laugh, I wept. It was so close to the truth." Ozzy Osbourne didn't understand it, saying the first time he watched it, he thought it was a real documentary. Early home video versions of the movie reportedly even had a disclaimer at the start and finish of the movie stating the band didn't really exist.

ALICE COOPER axemaiden Nita Strauss kicked off "The Guitar Collective" U.S. tour with renowned soloist Angel Vivaldi on November 19 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Fan-filmed video footage of the second concert of the trek, which took place November 20 in Philadelphia, can be seen below.

"The Guitar Collective" will visit several major cities, ending in Asbury Park, New Jersey on December 21. Vivaldi and Strauss are co-headlining each date of the tour with support from special guest Jacky Vincent (ex-FALLING IN REVERSE). "The Guitar Collective 2018" marks Strauss's live solo debut.


VIP and general admission tickets are available now via www.angelvivaldiofficial.com/tour. VIP meet-and-greets with Vivaldi and Strauss include a question-and-answer session, a signed tour poster, and an HD photo with Angel and Nita.


The main goal of "The Guitar Collective" tour, now in its second year, is to give fans of instrumental guitar music a chance to discover new artists, and for those artists to branch out to new fans. "The Guitar Collective" founder Angel Vivaldi sees the tour as a place where people can come year after year to discover new virtuosos in an exciting live setting, not just behind their computers and phones.


b>Vivaldi said: "The past four years have given us some of today's most incredible guitarists. After last year's 'Guitar Collective', which included SCALE THE SUMMIT and Andy James, I knew I had to make this 'modern G3' an annual outing. This year, not only do we have Nita Strauss's live solo debut, we've also got Jacky Vincent, who both will continue to carry the torch of instrumental guitar music for generations to come. I can't wait to get on stage night after night to jam with my friends."


Strauss added: "These will be my first shows ever as a solo artist, and I couldn't have hoped for a better fitting tour. I've been a huge fan of Angel's since I first discovered his music and became an even bigger fan when I saw his incredible live performance. Angel and Jacky are two of the most innovative and exciting solo guitarists out there in the scene today, and I am beyond honored to share the stage with them on this tour!"

Remaining "The Guitar Collective" 2018 tour dates:

Nov. 21 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz

Nov. 23 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Baazar

Nov. 24 - Kent, OH @ Outpost Concert Spot

Nov. 25 - Detroit, MI @ The Loving Touch

Nov. 27 - Berwyn, IL @ Wire

Nov. 28 - Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's

Nov. 29 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room

Nov. 30 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater

Dec. 01 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club X

Dec. 02 - Boise, ID @ The Shredder

Dec. 04 - Seattle, WA @ Club Sur Rocks

Dec. 05 - Portland, OR @ Paris Theatre

Dec. 06 - Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk

Dec. 07 - San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick

Dec. 08 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock

Dec. 09 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720

Dec. 11 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

Dec. 12 - Houston, TX @ Scout Bar

Dec. 13 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

Dec. 14 - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone

Dec. 15 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

Dec. 16 - Orlando, FL @ The Haven

Dec. 17 - Margate, FL @ O'Malley's

Dec. 18 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar

Dec. 19 - Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero

Dec. 20 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club

Dec. 21 - Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents

Nita's debut solo album, "Controlled Chaos", was released on November 16 via Sumerian Records.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD's Grammy Museum performance of "So Far Away" can be seen below. The recording is taken from "Live At The Grammy Museum" (Capitol), a special acoustic album recorded during the band's October 19, 2017 sold-out event at the famed Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles.

Produced by Joe Barresi (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, TOOL, NINE INCH NAILS) and the band, the digital-only release features unique renditions of new songs and classic tracks captured during the first-ever acoustic performance by Grammy nominees AVENGED SEVENFOLD. A portion of the album's proceeds will benefit the education initiatives of the Grammy Museum, which seek to inspire youth to the enduring qualities and cultural significance of music.


Presented as "An Evening with Avenged Sevenfold," the event was held at the Museum's Clive Davis Theater and featured an intimate conversation about the band's career and new music, moderated by Los Angeles Times pop music critic Mikael Wood. The interview followed a stunning acoustic performance from the band (backed by a string section) and saw the quintet (vocalist M. Shadows, guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman) discussing their latest release, "The Stage".


"Live At The Grammy Museum" track listing:

1. Opening

02. Introduction To 'As Tears Go By'

03. As Tears Go By

04. Introduction To 'Hail To The King'

05. Hail To The King

06. Introduction To 'Roman Sky'

07. Roman Sky

08. Introduction To 'Exist'

09. Exist

10. Introduction To 'So Far Away'

11. So Far Away

"The Stage" was re-released as a "deluxe edition" in December 2017.

In the spring of 2016, guitar heroes Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME) and Tosin Abasi (ANIMALS AS LEADERS) teamed up for a North American tour called "Generation Axe", in which the five musicians shared a backing band and performed together in addition to playing individual sets.

A year after their successful inaugural tour, the five guitarists reconvened for an 11-city tour of Asia that included a stop in Beijing, China. Select performances from that April 2017 concert appear on the new live recording, "Generation Axe - The Guitars That Destroyed The World: Live In China". The album is currently available for pre-order on CD and vinyl via Pledge Music.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Generation Axe - Foreplay (BOSTON cover)

02. Tosin Abasi - Tempting Time (ANIMALS AS LEADERS cover)

03. Tosin Abasi/Nuno Bettencourt - Physical Education (ANIMALS AS LEADERS cover)

04. Nuno Bettencourt - A Side Of Mash (medley of EXTREME solos)

05. Nuno Bettencourt/Zakk Wylde - Sideways (CITIZEN COPE cover)

06. Zakk Wylde - Whipping Post (THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND cover)

07. Steve Vai - Bad Horsie

08. Yngwie Malmsteen - [to be announced]

09. Yngwie Malmsteen/Steve Vai - Black Star

10. Vai/Wylde/Bettencourt/Abasi - Frankenstein (Edgar Winter cover)

11. Generation Axe - Highway Star (DEEP PURPLE cover)

he album's cover artwork can be seen below.

According to a press release, the "Generation Axe" experience goes way beyond simply gathering five guitar greats on one stage. Much of the time when multiple rock guitarists join in jamming, the results are conventional and often even a mess. But the arrangements of some of the classic tracks performed by these five players makes for a magnificent cacophony of organized chaos unlike anything ever presented before.

Vai says the idea behind "Generation Axe" was "to create a seamless show with one backing band and five completely accomplished and astonishing guitarists that take to the stage in various configurations, performing some of their solo music and merging together as cohesive co-creators of lushly orchestrated guitar extravaganzas."

In a video posted on the album's Pledge Music pre-order page, Vai describes "Generation Axe" as "pure controlled chaos." "My favorite thing about 'Generation Axe' is the tour bus," he says. "Between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., when we're all hanging out in the lounge just rapping. I wake up in the morning [and] my jaw hurts from laughing so much. These guys, they're out of their minds."

"Generation Axe" is currently in the midst of its second North American tour, which wraps up in Los Angeles on December 18.