Continuing the 50th anniversary celebrations ignited by his most recent album, the much-applauded Ride Of The Iron Horse, Canadian hard rocker Thor returns with a phenomenal new video, the aptly titled “No Time For Games”.
 
Accompanying one of Thor’s most emotion-laden power ballads, the video is built around a veritable scrapbook of vintage Thor footage and photos: robots, costumes, helmets, dancers, packed venues, Plus, of course, the shows of strength with which the one-time Mr Canada and Mr USA bodybuilder so astonished his audiences - bending iron bars with his teeth, exploding hot water bottles with his lungs, and his very own Mjölnir.
 
“As a child, I dreamt of becoming a hero....a cowboy, a gladiator, a superhuman,” recalls Thor, “and music gave me the opportunity to become these characters on stage and through song.'No Time For Games’ is a reflection of the past...yet an inspiration for the future. It’s a scrapbook of the battles won and lost and won again, of tributes to fellow bandmates who were true road warriors at my side and the loves of my life.
 
There were ups and downs....it was never a game, I was always a serious rock n roller,  but pondering it all, the true love that stands the test of time are the fans who were always there for my concerts and  music. I thank you all.
 
The adventure continues….”
 
Check out the video below.





Back in June, Thor shared the fifth video single, "Bring it On", from the recently released album Ride Of The Iron Horse. The video is edited by Ted Jedlicki with the song produced by Frank Meyer and Kevin Stuart Swain. Co-writer Frank Meyer, who now performs with the band Fear, makes a cameo appearance in the video. Watch below:







Ride Of The Iron Horse was released back in March on both CD and vinyl. In a nod to the vibrant visuals that have always accompanied Thor’s music, the album features original art design by internationally renowned comic book artist Timo Wuerz. With his dynamic illustrations, Wuerz captures the essence of Thor’s larger-than-life persona, bringing a visual dimension to the sonic onslaught.


Buy the CD/vinyl here; order/save the digital here.





Tracklisting:


"Ride Of The Iron Horse"
"Lightning Rod" feat. KHEMI$T
"5-0 Let's Go"
"Peace By Piece"
"Unlock The Power"
"No Time For Games"    
"Bring It On"
"Flight Of The Striker" (Unreleased 1987)
"Had It Been Another Day" (Unreleased 1986)
"Watch Your Back" (Unreleased 2002)
"Hit And Run" (1979 Demo)
"100%" (1979 Demo)
"Shields Up"


Bonus tracks:


"Thunder On The Mountain" (Unreleased 1979)
"To The Extreme" (Unreleased 1999)


"5-0 Let’s Go" video:





"Shields Up" video:





"Flight Of The Striker" lyric video:

Pestilent Scars is a five-piece melodic death metal band from Oulu, Finland. All members are between 18 and 19 years old, and he band's central themes focus on melodic songwriting, pure emotion, tight gigs and overall the old school way of getting around.


The band will release their debut album, Meadows Of Misfortune, on January 17th, 2025 via Inverse Records. The first single, "In Search Of Reason" is released today and it's available on all essential streaming services here. 


Guitarist Elias Vierimaa: "Mostly my writing comes straight from the heart. When I write music it has to come naturally. Melodies are very important to me and that's why we have lot of melodic riffs in our songs. It tells you a story, it's not basic death metal. I feel like I can show much more about myself with melodies. It's something that I do. I don't think a lot about which bands have inspired me, but I have to say that Gothenburg's melodic death metal scene from '90's has inspired me a lot. But our music still has that Finnish melancholy. Both Finnish and Swedish melodic death metal is very important to me."
 





Pestilent Scars was born in the winter of 2022 / 2023. The band has had the same line-up for almost its entire existence. They released their first single, "Deceitful Phoenix", in the summer of 2023. It was was followed by "All On My Own" in the autumn of the same year.


The band played several live shows in 2023 and 2024, which were energetic and showcased the band's overall idea. At their last gig the band performed their forthcoming album, Meadows Of Misfortune. The album will be released in early 2025.





Tracklist:


"Into The Meadows"
"Internal Torment"
"Golden Maiden" 
"Deceitful Phoenix" 
"Unreality" 
"A Reaching Hand" 
"Democide"
"All On My Own"
"In Search Of Reason"
"False Messiah"

Swedish modern metallers, Amaranthe, toured Australia for the first time at the end of August. On August 30th they performed in Sydney at The Metro Theatre. Fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below.


Setlist:


"Fearless"
"Viral"
"Digital World"
"Damnation Flame"
"Maximize"
"Boomerang"
"Strong"
"365"
"PVP"
"Crystalline"
"Interference"
"The Catalyst"
"Re-Vision"
"Amaranthine"
"The Nexus"
"Call Out My Name"
"Archangel"
"That Song"
"Drop Dead Cynical"










Amaranthe released their new album, The Catalyst, via Nuclear Blast Records in February 2024. Order the album here.





Tracklisting:


"The Catalyst"
"Insatiable"
"Damnation Flame"
"Liberated"
"Re-Vision"
"Interference"
"Stay a Little While"
"Ecstasy"
"Breaking the Waves"
"Outer Dimensions"
"Resistance"
"Find Life"


"Re-Vision" video:





"Outer Dimensions" video:

KINGCROW are maestros of progressive rock. For the past two decades, the Italian band have flown at the forefront of Italy’s progressive metal scene. But on the band’s new album, Hopium, they dive down a rabbit hole into a world where dreams are just illusions.

Hopium comes out tomorrow, Friday, August 23 on Season of Mist. But you can listen to all nine high-flying songs today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

Pre-order & pre-save at https://orcd.co/kingcrowhopium


Hopium is full of desire yet mixed with the bittersweet taste of longing. Produced by guitarist/keyboardist Diego Cafolla alongside his brother and drummer Thundra Cafolla, the album ranges from dark introspection to joyous crescendos.

Lead single “Kintsugi” draws from the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a hard-grooving riff, while “Night Drive” is an eerily hypnotic thriller that’s the perfect soundtrack for a dark night of the soul. The title track and closing number ends the album on a high note, weaving together progressive rock, ambient and metal music into a gripping tale about societal illusions.

With Hopium, Kingcrow demonstrate showcase their effortless command of dynamic range and raw emotion.


Cover Art by Devilnax
“Hopium is packed with great music, start to finish…This one is essential” – Progressive Music Planet

“Bands like Kingcrow just don’t get the attention they deserve…This album continues their tradition of excellence” – The Prog Mind

“Kingcrow’s Hopium is definitely a candidate for the best prog album of 2024” – Velvet Thunder UK

“Kingcrow confirm themselves as true champions of this style with an extraordinary album” – Rock Hard IT

Tracklist1. Kintsugi (3:53) [WATCH]
2. Glitch (3:56)
3. Parallel Lines (6:46)
4. New Moon Harvest (3:30)
5. Losing Game (5:28)
6. White Rabbit’s Hole (6:55)
7. Night Drive (5:48) [WATCH]
8. Vicious Circle (4:21)
9. Hopium (8:24) [WATCH]
10. Come Through (Bonus Track) (4:21)
Total runtime: 53:27

The first incarnation of the band was originally founded in Rome, Italy, by brothers Diego Cafolla (guitars) and Manuel Thundra Cafolla (drums) under the name of “Earth Shaker”.

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Raven” and driven by a will of change, the band’s name was soon altered into KINGCROW and a couple of self-produced demos/albums where recorded under the KINGCROW moniker: Something Unknown(2001), Insider (2004) and Timetropia (2006).

In the early months of 2010 the band finished recording their new album “Phlegethon” that was released in June of the same year under the “Scarlet Records” label.

It was considered on an international level as a relevant masterpiece and was classed as one of the elite progressive metal albums of the year. It has been near the top of the “album of the year” charts in some international prog-rock websites. Phlegethon promotion lasted for about two years and a half.

During the same year, the band recorded the new album “In Crescendo” that was released in February 2013 by the American label “Sensory Records.

The band toured along with Pain Of Salvation in North America in April and May, 2013. In 2015 the band released the album “Eidos” and toured Europe as Headliners. Meanwhile KINGCROW signed a management deal with GlassVille Music, house of very well known progressive acts like Pain Of Salvation and Riverside among others.

The band recorded the new album titled “The Persistence”.

The album was released on September 7th via Sensory Records and received great reviews and ended on a lot of “best of 2018” lists on magazines and webzines.

The upcoming album “Hopium” marks another step forward in pushing boundaries remarking the restless progressive attitude of the band in incorporating countless influences into a personal sound.

Describing the band today is quite a difficult task, but one could state that the influence of different kinds of music, from progressive rock , ambient music, alternative rock and metal are all present in the music of KINGCROW.

With each release KINGCROW has taken a step further away from their original roots and is regarded today as one of the most exciting bands that Italy has to offer.

Line-up
Diego Marchesi – Vocals
Diego Cafolla – Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì – Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra – Drums, Percussions

Recording Studio
Sound Under Pressure (Rome, Italy)

Production Credits
Produced by Diego Cafolla & Thundra Cafolla
Sound Engineer – Diego Cafolla

Mixed by Giampiero Ulacco at Holofram Studios (Francavilla al Mare, Italy)

Mastered by Marco Vannucci at Spitfire Mastering Studio (Italy)

Guest Musicians
Vikram Shankar – Piano solo on “Hopium”

With a spirit that fearlessly transcends musical boundaries, CHANGELING, the brainchild of virtuoso Tom Fountainhead, is proud to announce its signing with Season of Mist. This alliance marks the dawn of a transformative chapter, promising to reshape the musical landscape with an avant-garde fusion of genres.

An illustrious career that includes collaborations with titans such as Obscura, Defeated Sanity, and Amogh Symphony, Tom Fountainhead’s mastery in composition, production, and innovative fretless guitar work has earned him the reputation of a “modern-day guitar legend.” CHANGELING, Fountainhead’s newest incarnation, epitomizes his relentless pursuit of musical innovation.

Set to enthrall audiences with a 60-minute concept album, CHANGELING‘s debut stands as a complete exploration of artistic and technical prowess. Infused with progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, and enriched with intricate orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guests, the album is a multifaceted sonic experience, to be experienced not only in traditional formats, but also being the first extreme metal album to make full use of the spatial audio format Dolby Atmos.

“I’m extremely excited to be working with Season Of Mist for the release of Changeling” Fountainhead states. “The culmination of 4 years of work and the talents of over 50 musicians coming together in a new project that marks the absolute peak of my work in extreme metal so far. “

As CHANGELING begins this audacious journey with Season of Mist, music enthusiasts worldwide are invited to witness the beginning of a new era. Follow CHANGELING & Fountainhead for updates and prepare to experience a symphony of technical ingenuity and artistic exploration.

“The Steve Vai of the new millennium.” – Christian Münzner (Obscura, Necrophagist)

“The Steve Vai of the new millennium.” – Christian Münzner (Obscura, Necrophagist)

“One of the absolute best players in the world.” – Bill Hudson (DORO, Trans-siberian Orchestra, Savatage)

“It is my opinion that of the new guitarists described as “innovators”, Fountainhead (Changeling) is the most deserving of this title.” – Mike Abdow (Fates Warning, Ray Alder, Last Chance To Reason)

“Tom is one of the most expressive guitar players in my dictionary who is also a fantastic composer/producer.” – Vishal J. Singh (Amogh Symphony)

Fountainhead, the musical alter-ego of Berlin-based musician Tom Geldschläger, is a celebrated figure across diverse music landscapes. Known for his expansive involvement in the music industry, Tom has contributed to over a hundred releases in capacities ranging from guitarist to orchestrator, producer to mixing/mastering engineer, and occasionally even as an oud-player. His collaborations span globally recognized artists such as Obscura, Belphegor, Marco Minnemann, Defeated Sanity, Amogh Symphony, Hannes Grossmann, Voodoogods, Christian Münzner, Nader Sadek. Featured in numerous international music magazines, authored several books of non-fiction and musical notation, Tom has also been instrumental in integrating the fretless guitar into extreme metal genres.

Acclaimed as a “modern-day guitar legend,” Tom’s signature playing style and adventurous genre-defying compositions highlight his fearless approach to music. His endorsements include prestigious brands like Aristides Guitars, Elixir Strings, and Bare Knuckle Pickups. Additionally, Tom is a sought-after clinician and speaker, focusing on creativity, music production, and musician’s mental health, as well as being at the forefront of spatial audio and 360-degree audio production.

In a significant development in early 2024, Fountainhead, now branded under the name CHANGELING for his new project and album, signed with the label Season of Mist. This venture marks a new chapter in Tom’s career, amplifying his visionary approach to music. Accompanied by an all-star band featuring members from Fear Factory, Alkaloid, and Virvum, the project CHANGELING showcases a 60-minute concept album that takes all aspects of Tom’s artistry to new heights.

The album, sharing its name with the project, blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, enriched with complex orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guest musicians. It includes the eagerly anticipated “Part 2” to his renowned composition “Weltseele,” an orchestral metal epic from Obscura’s billboard-chart-entering “Akroasis” album, which broadly introduced Fountainhead to the metal community in 2016.

SPINEFARM is pleased to announce the signing of GORE. — vocalist Haley Roughton, guitarist Alex Reyes, and bassist Devin Birchfield — to the global roster.

The band will release the A Bud That Never Blooms EP on October 24. Pre-order it here.

The EP was produced by Miserable Productions, with Ben McGuiness and Caleb Freihaut serving as co-producers. The EP was mixed by Cody Stewart.

The band has also shared the video for “Babylon,” its debut single for its new label home.


“‘Babylon’ is about my desire to have a pure, somewhat traditional love,” offers Roughton, laying her emotional cards face up on the table. “The dream of having a strong and loving husband, with children and an unconditionally loving home being the center of my universe (and is what I felt I lacked in my childhood). Through the years, and all of the relationships I have failed to sustain, that dream has yet to come true. This song is the eulogy of that dream. In other words, ‘Babylon’ is the action of putting that dream of being a wife and a mother to rest, for now.”

Regarding the accompanying visual, Roughton shares, “The music video uses religious imagery to depict the dream for a pure, unconditional love that is slowly dying. In the video, the pastor can be seen as everything that causes a relationship to fail — ego, external pressure from others, unhealed inner wounds — even the other person in the relationship. The pastor is seen slowly killing the woman with the dream by holding her underwater, while she is seen crying and begging for the life she wants. From the action of killing her emerges a creature that is completely stripped of hope and innocence. The sludgy, disturbing human-like being can be seen as a symbol of cynicism, resentment and vengeance.”

A BUD THAT NEVER BLOOMS EP TRACK LISTING:
“Pray”
“Doomsday”
“Babylon”
“Angels Like You”
“Heaven Is Above Me”

Gore. will embark on a slate of tour dates supporting Within the Ruins in October. All dates are below.

Berlin based Carnal Tomb have revealed the new digital single cover track “Dismembered”, which is part of a two-track digital single "Dismembered Flesh" that will come out on October 8, 2024.


Preorder/save here.


"Dismembered Flesh" is an enthusiastic tribute to seminal Swedish death metal icons Dismember and Grave. It features cover versions of Dismember's eponymous track “Dismembered” and the Grave classic “Extremely Rotten Flesh”. 




Carnal Tomb's logo pastiche of the iconic Dismember lettering for this release was personally approved by the Swede's drummer Fred Estby.





The release of the full-digital single will also double up as the starting signal for Carnal Tomb's upcoming European Unearthly Decay Tour in support of Engulfed. The single will be also available as a limited physical 7" edition during the tour. The German death metal fanatics will also use this opportunity to introduce their new lead guitarist and background vocalist Liran Aloni aka Immolator live.


"Along with embarking on our tour with Engulfed, this October will also mark the 10th anniversary of the foundation of Carnal Tomb and we have prepared something special to celebrate this occasion," drummer Daniel 'Vomitchrist' Sturm writes. "The name of our band has been inspired by a song of the mighty Dismember. The Swedes have influenced us right from the beginning and they are still important to us. We decided to record a cover version of the song 'Dismembered' from their debut album Like an Everflowing Stream as a tribute. This track will also appear with a different mix on an upcoming Dismember tribute compilation."





Carnal Tomb will be touring in support of their latest album Embalmed In Decay, which was released on November 3, 2023.







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Featured Video







INFRARED - "Demon's Blood"

After 22 years since the last album Out Of The Darkness (2002) and 4 years since the compilation Fur And Claws, Redlynx, fronted by Torino singer Chris Heaven (who has previously collaborated with Tracy G, Mats Olausson, Bernie Marsden, etc.), have released a new EP titled Black Rain on all digital platforms.


The EP contains five vocal tracks and one instrumental. The band is currently rehearsing to begin a series of live performances.


Purchase the digital album on Bandcamp.







Tracklisting:


“Burned Bridges (Intro)”
“Black Rain”
“Red-Haired Temptation”
“Feel The Heat”
“All The Way In”
“Whispers In The Rain”










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Featured Video







INFRARED - "Demon's Blood"




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In a new interview with 93.9 WABY and That Fuzzing Rock Show, former ROB ZOMBIE and current MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist John 5 talked about how maintaining good health is essential for touring musicians, particularly as it relates to food choices. The 54-year-old musician said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Back in day, I would eat all [kinds of less healthy] stuff. And I just was, like, 'Oh God.' And I was getting busier and busier and busier. And I was talking to [Rob] Zombie. And he was, like, 'Oh, you should maybe not eat this.' And I was, like, 'Oh, that'll make me feel better?' And he's, like, 'Yeah.' And I tried it… So eventually I got to this plant-based diet and I felt like I was 18. Actually, let me just strike that, 'cause at 18 I didn't feel as good as I do now. So it was when I was really, really young, but I feel incredible. Then I was, like, 'Okay, well, now I'm not gonna eat sugar.' 'Cause I do all this research as well — I do all this research on stuff — and I found out that sugar causes a lot of bad stuff… So, yeah, so that's what I do. I try to eat as healthy as possible, because I'm playing and traveling every day."

He continued: "You know when you go on like a trip — anyone listening to this can can understand — when you go on a trip and you come home and you're, like, 'Oh, my God. Oh, I'm so tired,' or things like that. It's, like, you just feel really worn out.' And I have to do that every single day and sometimes all over the world, with jet lag and all that stuff."

John 5 went on to say that he likes to impart his knowledge about nutrition and dietary habits to other people so that it can improve their lives as well.

"It's so funny, and I don't really like to talk about this, 'cause people roll their eyes and stuff, but I've had so many people come to me and say, 'Oh, this and that,' and I'll tell 'em what to do, and they still, to this day, thank me for changing how they are and how they feel and how they look and all that stuff — still to this day," he said.

"I've always liked giving people just advice. I'm not a doctor, but I'm just using the things that worked for me, and it's worked for other people. And it's incredible. Why not? We're here for a short time. Why not feel as good as possible?"

This past June, John 5 released a new solo song called "A Hollywood Story". The track, and accompanying video, details John 5's incredible journey, from picking up his first guitar at the age of 7 to recording acclaimed solo material and touring the world with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford and — currently — MÖTLEY CRÜE.

The new track came after the release of the instrumental masterpiece "The Ghost" last October as well as a series of sold-out tour dates in 2023.

John 5 will hit the road again this fall on the "Strung Out" tour, with special guest TURNING JANE, beginning September 1 in Boston, Massachusetts and ending October 24 in Novato, California, with a number of Canadian dates. These new solo appearances will be in addition to John 5's confirmed dates with MÖTLEY CRÜE, including Louder Than Life and Aftershock festivals.

For over 30 years, John 5 has been one of the most in-demand guitar players on the planet. As well as being a songwriter/guitarist for hire, John 5 has shared the stage as axe-man for Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Rob Halford. He has also worked with an impressive array of names, from all walks of music, including KD Lang, Rod Stewart, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, Tina Guo, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Meat Loaf, Dolly Parton and Ricky Martin. In October 2022, it was revealed that John 5 would be joining MÖTLEY CRÜE as their guitarist following the announcement that Mick Mars would be retiring. John 5 continues to tour with MÖTLEY CRÜE on their 2024 world tour.

In a recent interview with the Brutally Delicious Podcast, KING'S X frontman Doug "Dug" Pinnick was asked what challenges he has faced as an aging musician and how he overcomes them. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The biggest challenge I faced, and it's happening right now 'cause I'm 73, is I just can't do it like I used to. Physically, I don't have the stamina. My voice doesn't hold up like it used to. Even my force, my drive, even the drive has waned in some ways. I'm just old, and that's what happened."

He continued: "For me, I call myself a grumpy old man 'cause it pisses me off that I can't do what I could do. And it concerns me when people say, 'Oh, man, Doug ain't got it no more.' Well, fuck, I don't. At 73. What's gonna happen when you get to 73? Come on, talk to me. I kind of laugh at it, but I have to just let it go, because I guess that's what it is. That's what happens to us. So it frustrates me not because it maybe disappoints a fan or I can't keep my place in the Rock Hall Of Fame of stamina. For me, I just wanna be able to get up and run down the street — run and come back and my legs don't hurt. And I've worked at it. I've worked at my body for a good while now, and my doctor says I got the body of a 53-year-old. And I can jump and run now. Arthritis started to get to me about five years ago, and all of a sudden my legs started swelling up. I mean, back in the day, I was walking around with a cane and stuff. And it was hard to walk upstairs. The last time we played Austin, I remember I had a cane to walk up this flight of stairs to the room. Now I can run up the stairs. And so for me, it's, like, 'Okay. Your body is waning. Let's get online. Let's find out what we can do and what can we take to help alleviate this.' And so there's probably about 30 different herbs that I take every morning. And I find that prostate and arthritis — go down the list — high blood pressure, everything is going back to normal; my body's going back to normal. I've been working at this for a long time and I got it now down pat. So, I'm not worried about living forever. I just wanna be able to walk on stage when I'm a hundred years old and get that fucking Grammy finally."

Asked what he wants his legacy to be, Doug replied: "Somebody asked me that a while ago. And this is really my answer. This is the analogy. My great-grandmother raised me. And she passed away in '74. And my great-great nieces and nephews don't even know her name, but they know if they opened up a book, the family history, they would see Ida Mae Pinnick. So the way I see it is, people have said what they've said, I've done what I've done, what happens happens, and sooner or later, I'll be forgotten. And I'm okay with that because that's life. And that's a beautiful thing. And for me, it's still make the best of my life as I can, whether anybody cares, whenever anybody knows or whatever. We are who we are, and our life is around us. This is our reality, and everybody else's reality is their own reality. We cannot compare it. We can only look into ourselves and try to be the best person we are."

KING'S X released its 13th studio album, "Three Sides Of One", in September 2022. The LP was recorded during 2019 at Black Sound Studio in Pasadena, California with Emmy Award-winning producer Michael Parnin.

The new KING'S X LP was mastered in June 2021 at the Bernie Grundman Mastering facility in Hollywood, California,

KING'S X was sidelined by several health scares in recent years, including Pinnick's two hernia operations and two near-fatal heart attacks suffered by Gaskill.

In October 2019, KING'S X canceled all of its previously announced tour dates for the year so that Gaskill could undergo undisclosed heart "procedures."

2008's "XV" was KING'S X's highest-charting album since 1996's "Ear Candy".

In 2005, VH1 included KING'S X in its list of "100 Greatest Artists In Hard Rock.

German black metal collective Groza will release their long-awaited 3rd album, Nadir, on September 20 with AOP Records. Today, the band has released the record's third single, "Deluge."


Conjuring a sound that melds intense atmospheric soundscapes and enraged melodic vocals with blistering blast beats and catastrophic riffs that invoke powerful emotions of anger and sadness, Groza has crafted six songs on Nadir that defy boundaries and create a new benchmark for modern black metal. 


Preorder/presave Nadir here.







Tracklisting:


“Soul: Inert”
“Asbest”
“Dysthymian Dreams”
“Equal. Silent. Cold.”
“Deluge”
“Daffodils” feat. JJ & MS // Karg & Harakiri For The Sky


"Deluge":





"Daffodils":





“Dysthymian Dreams” video:





Groza live:


October
2 - Munchen, DE - Backstage
3 - Essen, DE - Turock
4 - Hamburg, DE - Kronensaal
5 - Berlin, DE - Badehaus
6 - Copenhagen, DK - Stengade
7 - Arnhem, NL - Willemeen
8 - Wasquehal, FR - The Black Lab
9 - Paris, FR - Glazart
10 - Aarburg, CH - Musigburg
11 - Bologna, IT - Arcanum Fest
12 - Vienna, A

Iron Maiden played the second show of The Future Past World Tour 2024 in Adelaide, Australia at Adelaide Entertainment Center on September 4. Check out fan-filmed video of the Somewhere In Time classic "Wasted Years" below:





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




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


September
6 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne, Australia
7 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne, Australia
10 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Brisbane, Australia
12 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, Australia
13 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, Australia
16 – Spark Arena – Auckland, New Zealand
22 – Sky Hall Toyota – Aichi, Japan
24 – Osaka-Jo Hall – Osaka, Japan
26 – Tokyo Garden Theater – Tokyo, Japan
28 – Pia Arena MM – Kanagawa, Japan
29 – Pia Arena MM – Kanagawa, Japan


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


November
1 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA
2 – Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
6 – DCU Center – Worcester, MA
8 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
9 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ
12 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD
13 – Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
16 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
17 – AT&T Center –

Power metal heroes Twilight Force have unveiled a new lineup with the addition of two guitarists, a bassist, and an additional vocalist. 


Bassist Born and guitarists Aerendir and Lynd announced their departure earlier in 2024.


A message from the band states:




“Knights, apprentices, acolytes! Rejoice!! The Book of Time has spoken, and the prophecies have been re-interpreted. We are elated, proud, and overjoyed to finally unveil to you the new Crystal Bearers, and the all-seeing seer who brought them forth.


Galyn - High Elf Noble (Galen Stapley, guitars) 
Bramley Underhall - Halfling Herbalist (Bradley Hall, guitars) 
Xandor - Dwarven Lorewarden Knight (Alex Miles, bass guitar) 
Krysthara - Faun Seer (Kristin Starkey, choirs & vocals) 


“These brave adventurers have been chosen by fate to join the Twilight Force and bring prosperity to the Kingdoms. Please give them a warm and magical welcome, and May the Power of the Ancient Force be with

Dirty Honey has issued a brand new video for "Don't Put Out The Fire", from their second full-length album, Can't Find The Brakes, which was released in November 2023. 





The band has also shared a 30-minute livestream Q&A video. Be sure to check it out below as singer Marc LaBelle tells the tale of how he wound up in a Swiss prison, in addition to revealing the identity of his favorite vocalist.







With all three of its recent UK / European tours having completely sold out, and the band's first-ever Australian headline concerts also going clean, Dirty Honey announces the final North American leg of their "Can't Find The Breaks World Tour". The dates begin on September 13 in Illinois, and will wrap on November 2 in Southern California. The complete itinerary is below. On most of these dates, the band - vocalist Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian, and drummer Jaydon Bean - will welcome special guests, The Band Feel.


This tour announcement comes in tandem with Dirty Honey's new single, “Don’t Put Out The Fire,” coming in as the #1 Most Added Track at Active Rock Radio (Mediabase) in its debut week. Shot live in March 2024 at the band’s concert in Milano, Italy, you can check out the track’s concert video below.


Said the band’s vocalist Marc LaBelle, “After visiting fans all over the world, we’re really excited to announce the final leg of our 'Can’t Find The Brakes' tour where we’ll be hitting new corners of North America along with some cities we’ve grown very familiar with. As you can tell from our live videos, audiences from Milan to Sydney and everywhere in between have been thirsty for our brand of rock n' roll and we’re more excited than ever to get face to face with our fans right here at home.”


For all ticketing information, log onto DirtyHoney.com.





Dates:


September
13 - The Rust Belt - East Moline, IL
14 - Q Casino - Dubuque, IA
15 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI
17 - The Forge - Joliet, IL
18 - EPIC Event Center - Green Bay, WI
20 - The Bluestone - Columbus, OH
21 - Piere’s - Ft. Wayne, IN
22 - Bogart’s - Cincinnati, OH
24 - The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
25 - Maxwell’s - Waterloo, ON Canada
27 - Aura - Portland, ME
28 - Waterloo Casino - Del Lago, NY


October
1 - Big Night Live - Boston, MA
2 - The Paramount - Huntington, NY
4 - Sound Waves at Hard Rock -  Atlantic City, NJ
5 - The Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket, CT
6 - The Sherman Theatre - Stroudsburg, PA
8 - Wally’s - Hampton Beach, NH
9 - Empire Live - Albany, NY
11 - The Queen - Wilmington, DE
12 - The Event Center at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races - Charles Town, WVa
15 - Iron City - Birmingham, AL
16 - Minglewood Hall - Memphis, TN
18 - Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall - Ft. Worth, TX
20 - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX
22 - Temple Live - Wichita, KS
23 - The Admiral - Omaha, NE
25 - Mesa Theater - Grand Junction, CO
26 - Washington Foco - Fort Collins, CO
29 - Virginia Street Brewhouse - Reno, NV
30 - Ace of Spades - Sacramento, CA
31 - The Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA


November

Back on May 28th, Portland, Oregon's Unto Others were announced as the opening act for W.A.S.P.'s Album ONE Alive North American Tour. 


The 39-city run kicks off on October 26th in San Luis Obispo, CA, making stops across North America in Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON, Minneapolis, MN, Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Orlando, FL and more before wrapping up on December 14th at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA.


However, earlier today, September 5th, Unto Others issued the following unexpected announcement:




"North America:


We will not be touring with W.A.S.P. this fall. They have decided it is in their best interest to drop us from the tour. This came with no warning or room for discussion on our end, and with 7 weeks to go before the run, really leaves us with minimal time to plan a suitable alternative.


As I'm sure many will be left wondering why, we will tell you only the facts we know:


- W.A.S.P. told our team we never provided a marketing plan (we did, multiple times and have been working very hard promoting this tour and our new record.)


That’s it. No other reason was given. We are disappointed with this decision, we are all W.A.S.P. fans, and it’s a shame when things work out this way so we are sorry. We will get some North American dates going as soon as we can and keep you updated.


Subsequently, we have to cancel our Halloween show at Jackknife Brewing in Kelowna, BC which was routed as part of this tour.


On a more positive note: We are playing Maryland Death Fest Pre-Fest in Baltimore, MD on May 21st 2025. Tickets are on sale now."

Lionville, the acclaimed melodic rock band hailing from Italy, are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album, Supernatural, out on November 15 via Frontiers Music Srl.


The album marks an exciting new chapter in the band’s journey, featuring their new lead vocalist, Swedish singer, producer and songwriter Alexander Strandell (Art Nation).


To mark the occasion, the band also shares the title track, “Supernatural”, along with an official music video. Watch the video below, and pre-order the album here.




Commenting on the announcement, Stefano Lionetti said: “Sometimes change is necessary and represents an opportunity for growth and openness to new possibilities. We wish our friend Lars the best that life and music can give, and we thank him for having contributed to making Lionville what it has become in these years. It has been an honor to work with you! The present is called Alexander Strandell, an incredibly talented performer, let's all welcome him together!”


“The new album is a bridge between the past and the future of Lionville and I am thrilled with the final result, a perfect mix of melody and power!” continues Stefano, talking about the new album and the first single. "'Supernatural' is a song very rich in things to say, perfect to introduce our fans to the new course of Lionville with the extraordinary Strandell on vocals. The traditional melodies of Lionville create a devastating combination with the energy and vocal ability of Alex”.





Supernatural tracklisting:


"Heading For A Hurricane"
"Supernatural"
"Gone"
"Breakaway"
"The Right Time"
"Nothing Is Over"
"Unbreakable"
"The Storm"

FILTER's Richard Patrick joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS on stage on Thursday, September 5 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts to perform the FILTER classic "Hey Man Nice Shot".

After the concert, Patrick took to his social media to share a photo and video of his appearance, and he included the following message: "I met up with my best friends from STONE TEMPLE PILOTS!! we played 'Hey Man Nice Shot'. And tomorrow I'll be returning to the same place with FILTER and the 'Freaks On Parade' [tour with Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie]."

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bassist Robert DeLeo reacted to Richard's post, writing in the comments: "Now that was fun! Been quite a while since we busted that one out together! I love you Rich."

Following the release of FILTER's 2002 album "The Amalgamut", Patrick spent some time away getting sober before returning in late 2006 with ARMY OF ANYONE. That project, which also featured Robert and Dean DeLeo of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, issued one album and toured for several months before going on hiatus.

In a 2013 interview with Songfacts, Richard stated about ARMY OF ANYONE: "The reality is it was a side project for all of us. But it was a really huge, time-consuming thing, and I wished it just was something I could have just come in and sang and split and maybe do a little tour, instead of it encapsulating my entire life. I literally was with Robert and Dean, it was, like, 'This is it. This is the only thing we're doing. We're never going to be in STONE TEMPLE PILOTS again.' And I was, like, 'Okay.' And I even terminated my record contract with Warner Brothers — it was a really huge commitment on my behalf. When it came out [the group's 2006 self-titled effort], I don't think there was a hit on the record. I think it was a great record for musicians, but I don't think it was something that necessarily connected to radio listeners. Back then, that's absolutely what you needed. The Internet still wasn't promoting itself. You weren't finding Skrillex on the Internet back then. It was still a radio-based world. Unfortunately, it was kind of a tough thing for me to do.

"I love Robert and Dean, and it was a very arduous, tough, time-consuming project. I don't know how much I got out of it, other than I put so much of my work into it and I have a great relationship with Robert and Dean. It seemed to drive everybody crazy, and then we put it on the road and it didn't take off. I still hear people talking about it. Like, 'Oh, wow, when are you going to do another ARMY OF ANYONE record?' I'm, like, 'When people buy the first one.' That's kind of how I feel about it. It was a wonderful musical experience. It was great participating with those guys. But ultimately, it was a big drag."

FILTER's latest album, "The Algorithm", came out in August 2023 via Golden Robot Records.

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A post shared by Richard Patrick (@filter_richard_patrick)

With the support of rock and metal artists from around the world, Los Angeles's Kitten Rescue offers one-of-a-kind items at their online auction. Raising funds for their lifesaving mission, celebratory donors like JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford (a.k.a. The Metal God),GUNS N' ROSES' Slash, Tricia Helfer and Miranda Cosgrove have donated items for the rescue and care of cats and kittens.

From The Metal God come two separate cat t-shirts autographed by Halford himself. In the first listing, Rob proudly sports his singular catitude in this wicked kitty with claws "Pew Pew Madafakas!" 2XL t-shirt, as featured in his Instagram account. Fans of Halford, JUDAS PRIEST and cats can throw their horns and support when purrrchasing this autographed and collectible item. Item may be shipped to any destination at an additional cost (to be determined) or picked up in Los Angeles.

The second t-shirt donated by Halford commands the wearer to kiss the claw: the kitty mafia Tom cat demands it. Donated and autographed by the legendary vocalist, this 2XL t-shirt will be a hit in any heavy metal fan's collection. Also included is Halford's collection of traditional and original Christmas songs. One of rock's most recognizable voices raises his fist and a glass of eggnog to help celebrate the holiday. Rock out to original "Donner And Blitzen" as well as "Deck The Halls", "Away In A Manger" and "Joy To The World" and many more. This autographed CD will make the purrfect holiday gift for any metalhead. Item may be shipped to any destination at an additional cost (to be determined) or picked up in Los Angeles.

Unmistakable and iconic, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash, has donated a Slash "AFD" Les Paul Special-II with an Appetite Amber finish, inspired by Slash's own custom Les Paul. The AAA flame Maple Veneer top has single layer Ivory binding and the back, sides, and neck are finished in beautiful dark Cherry just like Slash's original. Both the body and neck are made from Mahogany, like all classic Les Pauls. The bolt-on neck has a Rosewood fingerboard with dot acrylic inlays and the headstock features Slash's "Snakepit" logo in gold silk print along with the iconic Epiphone signature logo in silver. Item may be shipped to any destination at an additional cost (to be determined) or picked up in Los Angeles.

Also available is a magnificent Schecter Robert Smith RS-1000 Busker Acoustic. Designed by Robert Smith of THE CURE and featuring his Star graphic on Gloss Black finish, the guitar has a rosewood fretboard with his Stars & Moon inlays. Play all your favorite songs on this special acoustic built for the dreamer himself. Item may be shipped to any destination at an additional cost (to be determined) or picked up in Los Angeles.

Kitten Rescue's annual Fur Ball At The Skirball" will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024. This year's feline-fueled event honors Officer Navarette of LAAS SMART with its Angel Award for his work in L.A.'s mobile animal rescue.

Kitten Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization devoted to finding loving homes for unwanted, homeless cats and kittens. Kitten Rescue saves cats and kittens from the streets of Los Angeles and from city shelter euthanasia. Since their start in 1997, they have grown into one of the largest, most well-respected animal welfare groups in L.A. Other notable rock icons such as Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH) and his wife Gloria Butler, OZZY OSBOURNE/ROB ZOMBIE bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson, DEEP PURPLE legend Glenn Hughes and his wife Gabi, as well as BLABBERMOUTH.NET, are some of the organization's loyal supporters.

Heavy Metal Legends Endorse LA's Kitten Rescue

Heavy metal legends Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST) and Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH),along with Robert "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE),Nita Strauss (ALICE COOPER) and horror icon Elvira, have come together to support Los Angeles animal rescue group Kitten Rescue. Raising money for their operations, the group has opened an online auction of one-of-a-kind items like a HELLYEAH 2017 autographed drumhead and Schecter Diamond Series Nick Johnston Traditional Electric Guitar, as well as Tricia Helfer's Dracula costume from the TV show "Lucifer". Auction closes today at 10:00 PM EST.
https://e.givesmart.com/events/hD6/i/_All/bzCF/?search=
https://e.givesmart.com/events/hD6/i/_All/bBmN/?search=

Posted by Blabbermouth.net on Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Danish death metal band, Neckbreakker, have announced their signing to Nuclear Blast Records. The fast-rising five-piece have built a reputation of delivering blistering live shows, having toured alongside the likes of Crypta, Left To Die, and Best as well as playing at festivals such as Hellfest, Bloodstock, Summer Breeze, Resurrection Fest, Inferno Festival, and more.


To coincide with the signing, the band have released the video for their first single ever, the ferocious "Horizon Of Spikes". Watch the clip below, and stream the song on all platforms here.







On their signing to Nuclear Blast Records and the release of their first-ever single, the band comments: "We are honored to announce that we have signed with Nuclear Blast Records and that our first single 'Horizon Of Spikes' and the accompanying music video is out now. To not only finally share

Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with MEGADETH and ANGRA, has released a new solo single, "Out Of Nothing". You can now listen to the track below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two years since the release of THUNDERMOTHER's last studio album, "Black & Gold", the Swedish quartet has revealed the first details of the follow-up effort, "Dirty & Divine". It is slated for release on February 7, 2025 via AFM Records.

A blistering onslaught of loud, proud and gritty hard rock, "Dirty & Divine" marks the start of a new era for THUNDERMOTHER. This album showcases the THUNDERMOTHER recording debut for both frontwoman Linnea Vikström Egg and drummer Joan Massing. "Dirty & Divine" also welcomes bassist Majsan Lindberg back into the fold.

Today the rock goddesses unleash a new music video for their latest single, the anthemic album opener "So Close".

Guitarist and founding member Filippa Nässil states: "'So Close' was so close to not being included on the album. But when we recorded it live in the studio after all the other songs were done, it turned out so well that it made it across the finish line. It seems we might have stumbled upon a hit."

THUNDERMOTHER have always been committed to the electrifying euphoria of real, organic rock 'n' roll. Over the course of 15 years and five widely acclaimed studio albums, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most vivacious and vital hard rock bands around, with a never-say-die spirit and collective charisma that underpin everything they do. These women are rock 'n' roll diehards, and "Dirty & Divine" takes that ethos up a notch. The sixth THUNDERMOTHER album crackles with gritty authenticity and unstoppable passion. For Filippa and Linnea, their newly forged partnership has been an unequivocal success.

"We've been working on this a long time, maybe a year and a half," says Filippa, who was pregnant during the "Dirty & Divine" recording process and is now a "thunder mother" for real. "As soon as Linnea came into the band, we started sending demos to each other, and we did loads of writing, which was great, because she's a fantastic songwriter. I was sending her the music and she was sending me these amazing lyrics and melodies. It's been fun to work with someone that good! On the last album we had outside songwriters because we didn't have that kind of synergy in the band. Now I send Linnea music, and then just kick back, because it is guaranteed she'll send lyrics and melodies that just crush the song."

"Dirty & Divine" illustrates perfectly all that is new and improved for THUNDERMOTHER. As the first two singles already made clear ("Speaking Of The Devil" and "I Left My License In The Future"),every one of the album's ten, sweat-soaked songs are dripping with potential to saturate and satisfy rock fans. Meanwhile, the decision to record the new material live in the studio has reaped its own rewards. "Dirty & Divine" is the sound of a kickass rock 'n' roll band doing it for real, and loving every raucous second.

"There is still that genuine THUNDERMOTHER feeling, with my guitar playing and all of that," says Filippa. "It's still got a '70s vibe, but the melodies are catchier and the vocals are obviously different. We're always evolving, never standing still. I think this is the best album we've made so far, and I'm very picky! [Laughs] We recorded it in Copenhagen, with Søren Andersen producing again, and we recorded eight songs in four days. So this was the quickest recording we've ever done, and the best outcome."

In support of "Dirty & Divine", THUNDERMOTHER will embark on an extensive European tour, kicking off in Hamburg, Germany in early 2025.

"Dirty & Divine" track listing:

01. So Close
02. Can't Put Out The Fire
03. Speaking of the Devil
04. Feeling Alright
05. Take The Power
06. I Left My License in the Future
07. Dead Or Alive
08. Can You Feel It
09. Bright Eyes
10. American Adrenaline

THUNDERMOTHER is:

Linnea Vikström Egg (vocals)
Filippa Nässil (guitar)
Majsan Lindberg (bass)
Joan Massing (drums)

The new THUNDERMOTHER lineup made its live debut on April 20, 2023 by playing a "secret" show at Pub Anchor in Stockholm, Sweden. The latest THUNDERMOTHER incarnation played its first "official" concert on April 22, 2023 at Ski & Rock in Sälen, Sweden. They then kicked off a series of European shows as the support act for the SCORPIONS.

In February 2023, it was announced that singer Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson and bassist Mona Lindgren were exiting THUNDERMOTHER and were forming a new band together. At the same time, Nässilrevealed that she would continue with a new THUNDERMOTHER lineup.

In early 2023, Mancini, who joined THUNDERMOTHER in 2017, gave several interviews in which she described her time with the group as "six tough years" and "a very bumpy ride". She also said that Filippa decided to fire her from the band without consulting the other members of THUNDERMOTHER, a move which they perceived as "very disrespectful towards them, being that they believed that we were a democracy and that we had a say in these things," according to Guernica.

In March 2023, Mancini, Johansson and Lindgren announced that their new band would be called THE GEMS. They have since signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records and have issued their debut album, "Phoenix".

With legions of fans worldwide, IMPELLITTERI is known for exciting music, addictive riffs, and mesmerizing melodies. Today they proudly announce that a new album — "War Machine" — is dropping on November 8 via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate this announcement, the band shares the album's first single "Out Of My Mind (Heavy Metal)" alongside a new music video available below.

"War Machine" features guitar hero Chris Impellitteri's guitar virtuosity and lead singer Rob Rock's vocal range powered by the incredible rhythmic foundation of bassist James Pulli and SLAYER/KERRY KING drummer Paul Bostaph.

About the album, Impellitteri had this to say: "This new album has been an absolute thrill to make with my friends Rob Rock, James Pulli, Paul Bostaph and our engineers Mike Plotnikoff, Jun Murakawa and Jacob Hansen.

"This music expresses where we are today as a band emotionally and technically! This is probably the most sincere album we have made because we just played music that moved us emotionally without chasing any trends or other bands. We definitely played our asses off! And so, I truly hope everyone gets a chance to listen to this new album and rock with us!! I am looking forward to touring behind this album!!"

With "War Machine", the IMPELLITTERI band presents a mind-blowing, highly energetic, and thrilling new musical adventure.

To date, IMPELLITTERI has sold more than two million records worldwide and has performed on the same stages as IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, JOURNEY, and more. The band has been featured on multiple magazine covers, television, radio, and internet shows. In its glorious past, IMPELLITTERI was also featured on MTV, VH1 and "Headbangers Ball".

Chris is an iconic guitar player and a huge inspiration for many players. He has been named one of the fastest guitar players of all time by magazines like Guitar One and Guitar World, while Japan's Burrn! voted Chris as the best rock guitarist. In 2023, Impellitteri was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame.

With "War Machine", the band delivers one of their best albums to date. From the opening riff of the title track to songs like today's "Out Of Mind (Heavy Metal)" or "Hell On Earth", the album is a manifest of bone-crushing riffs, hyper-technical solos, and anthemic choruses.

"War Machine" track listing:

01. War Machine
02. Out of My Mind (Heavy Metal)
03. Superkingdom
04. Wrathchild
05. What Lies Beneath
06. Hell On Earth
07. Power Grab
08. Beware The Hunter
09. Light It Up
10. Gone Insane
11. Just Another Day

IMPELLITTERI is:

Chris Impellitteri: Lead Guitarist
Rob Rock: Vocalist
James Pulli: Bassist
Paul Bostaph: Drummer

Photo credit: Alex Solca

Blind Guardian recently released Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited, which includes a complete re-recording of this classic as well as a live celebration of 1992’s Somewhere Far Beyond, a landmark record in the history of the band.


The band has shared an official lyric video for "Time What Is Time", taken from the album.







Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited, which was recorded in 2022 and 2023, is a refreshing and powerful tribute to one of the most influential albums in German metal history. It paved the way for Blind Guardian’s international career that is still going strong today and this re-recording impresses with all the class and quality these pioneers have been known and respected for since forming as Lucifer’s Heritage three decades ago.


Watch a live video for the revisited version of their most popular track, "The Bard's Song - In The Forest":





Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited is out today and can be listened to in full at any streaming service or purchased in physical form. Get it here





Tracklisting:


"Time What is Time" (Revisited)
"Journey Through the Dark" (Revisited)
"Black Chamber" (Revisited)
"Theatre of Pain" (Revisited)
"The Quest for Tanelorn" (Revisited)
"Ashes to Ashes" (Revisited)
"The Bard’s Song – In the Forest" (Revisited)
"The Bard’s Song – The Hobbit" (Revisited)
"The Piper’s Calling" (Revisited)
"Somewhere Far Beyond" (Revisited)


"The Quest for Tanelorn" (Revisited) video:





"Ashes To Ashes" live at Hellfest 2022 video:





About Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited:


Right on time with their show at 2024’s edition of Wacken Open Air, Blind Guardian proudly announce the release of Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited on August 2 which includes a complete re-recording of this classic as well as a live celebration of 1992’s Somewhere Far Beyond, a landmark record for Germany’s heavy metal titans. After three albums on No Remorse Records, it was the band’s major label debut via Virgin Records and opened the doors to the Japanese market resulting in a wider availability and presence on the global metal scene. After finding the right balance of speed, heaviness, melodies, drama, and irresistible choruses on 1990’s Tales From The Twilight World, Somewhere Far Beyond honed this approach to perfection, evolving further on a conceptual level and increasing Blind Guardian’s sonic range. On Somewhere Far Beyond the band experimented with keyboards, orchestrations, and folk elements, the latter manifesting in the group’s best-known song and live staple, "The Bard's Song (In The Forest)", whereas other tracks like "Ashes to Ashes", the rapid "Journey Through The Dark" or "The Quest For Tanelorn" connected well with previous mostly fast-paced albums yet offered an additional push in dynamics.


Fast forward 30 years! Prior to releasing the much lauded opus The God Machine in September 2022, Blind Guardian had been performing Somewhere Far Beyond in its entirety at Rock Hard Festival and Hellfest in Summer 2022 in front of tens of thousands of fans singing along to each track. Both shows were filmed and recorded professionally and aired via WDR and ARTE. For the limited triple-disc-edition of Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited the Hellfest material was newly edited by the band’s long-time videographer Dirk Behlau using additional multi-cam footage.


The idea of re-recording the album originated from the rehearsals for these shows as Hansi Kürsch explains in the detailed liner notes: “The original idea wasn’t to do a re-recording. When rehearsing for the anniversary gigs, corona hit and we couldn’t be certain that those shows would take place. We still wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the album and if we wouldn’t be able to include a live version, we initially thought we could at least record the rehearsals.”


Not 100% satisfied with those rough versions, Blind Guardian decided to go all in, knowing the risk of being frowned upon by fans who consider re-recordings utter blasphemy. “We tried to recapture what we did in 1992 but compensate youth with skillful experience, though in a hungry way. We never discussed any major changes but w

In a new interview with Cassius Morris, W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless was asked if he has seen former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes's documentary film "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes", written and directed by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart. The project, which was made available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in January 2021, was born in 2014 after De Montremy and Hart had an opportunity to meet and direct Holmes in a music video for the Holmes-penned song "Let It Roar" in Cannes. At that time, the now-66-year-old rocker had more or less disappeared from the music scene, leaving his home in the U.S. to seek a new beginning with his wife Sarah in France.

Blackie said about "Mean Man": "I have no desire to see anything that has to do with that. First of all, you wanna base anything you're gonna do in life on truth. And you know what? It may be his truth, but your truth doesn't necessarily make it fact. Anybody can have their own truth, but that doesn't make it real. And when somebody's spewing a bunch of hate because they can't create on their own… Listen, if the guy had genuine creativity, he wouldn't give two hoots about what I do. So, that's the yardstick on how you judge those things. And if somebody's coming from a perspective where they're not telling the truth, I'm not gonna waste my time on that."

Asked if that was the reason that he didn't participate in the documentary, Blackie said: "Well, I don't recall being invited, but if I would have, I wouldn't have done it. Like I said, I've got no desire to do something… I mean, if it's based on truth, then I might have taken a look at it. But for a guy to do a tutorial for an hour, or however long it was, to sit and give just their side of the story that's not based on truth, why do I wanna be part of that?"

Blackie also once again dismissed the possibility of a reunion of W.A.S.P.'s original lineup — Lawless, Holmes, guitarist Randy Piper and drummer Tony Richards — for the upcoming tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of W.A.S.P.'s first album. He said: "Allow me to be unapologetic for just a moment. The band that I have now… Mike Duda is one of the best bass players in the world. Doug Blair is one of the best lead guitar players in the world. Aquiles Priester, his drumming speaks for itself. I'm fortunate enough to be in a band with world-class musicians, the guys that are way better than me. And I look around sometimes during the show at I think to myself, 'Wow, I get to play with these guys.' And I'm being honest here — they're far better than me. So why would I wanna go back to something that would be taking a step backwards?"

Lawless continued: "I understand that the hardcore fanbase likes to romance ideas in their heads. I totally get that. But when we started doing [W.A.S.P.'s fourth studio album, 1989's] '[The] Headless [Children]', I was moving in directions that required musicianship that the original band could not do. I don't mean to be overly hard. It's just, again, these are just facts. If you want to do stuff where the degree of difficulty is up there, then you're gonna have guys that can play it and play it consistently. And then by the time 'Headless' was done and I moved into [1992's] 'The Crimson Idol', forget it. I mean, look at who played on that record. Your average run-of-the-mill musician is not gonna be able to do that. And again, I was privileged to work with guys that were world-class musicians. So if you're gonna get that level of creativity, professionalism, it's almost impossible to duplicate in an original situation. If that band grows together, then yes, you could. But if the band does not grow together, then it's never gonna happen. And it doesn't matter whether it's us or what band it is, that's gonna be the same every time."

Lawless also addressed the perception that W.A.S.P. is essentially his solo project, with hired guns helping him achieve his vision. He said: "No man's an island — no man. And I have gone to great lengths to speak out about the guys that are in this band to make sure that the world knows who they are. At no point have I ever wanted this to be just my situation.

"I grew up playing sports," he explained. "To me, team is everything. And I'm much more happy and comfortable, relaxed, it's a much more enjoyable situation in a team surrounding. So that's always been the thing that I focused on the most. What the world sees is when they look at the records, they see me as the primary songwriter. So I think that that's a lot of where they get that from. But when it comes to making those records, you see that I don't play all those instruments. I do what I do, but those other guys, they're doing their fair share of contributing to making those records what they are."

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, the guitarist returned to W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Chris has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

Back in January 2021, Holmes was asked by Cassius Morris if he had approached Lawless about participating in the making of "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes". Chris said: "I didn't, but Antoine did, and he said [Blackie] didn't have the time to do it."

Explaining that his relationship with Blackie is "over" and calling Lawless a "narcissist," Chris said: "When I left [W.A.S.P. for the final time] — or I really never left. [Blackie] just got another guitar player. They never even told me [I was out]. I found out that they were doing shows [without me]. So, I was, like, 'Wow. I must be out.' He never called me. Since then, I've dug in and found out some shitty stuff, what happened to me, and he knows that I know that, and he probably will never wanna talk to me ever again."

In October 2020, Chris said that he would never consider returning to W.A.S.P. unless Lawless agreed to pay him the publishing royalties that he allegedly owes him. He told Canada's The Metal Voice: "A lot of people think I made money from W.A.S.P. I've never gotten my royalties, or even my songwriting. All the stuff that I wrote, I've never gotten paid one penny. And you know whose fault it is? It's my my fault for not knowing the business, how it is. I trusted somebody.

"After every album, when the album is done, how they split up the publishing with the publishing contracts, the publishing companies — that's where the money comes from," he continued. "I was never told about when that meeting was. Because the other guys in the band never wrote — I was the only one [other than Blackie]. So I'm the only one that they have to screw over to get all the publishing. So I was never told. Then when I dug into it in about 2006 or [2007], I went into Sanctuary Music, had a lawyer go in to find out where all my publishing is, and I was written in as a session player into all the records. And if you don't know about it, and you're not told, and you don't see, you don't know. So I trusted Blackie Lawless about that. And when I found out, it really kind of yanked me wrong. It yanks me wrong — it makes me see he was sticking a knife in my back from the first day, from the first album, and not telling me, and being my best friend."

As far as Holmes is concerned, Lawless is solely to blame for him not getting his due from the W.A.S.P. records that he was involved with.

"If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be where he's at — I guarantee you that," Chris said. "And then he screws me like that. It's all right. It's been a long time. It's something that I will never, never get over. I'll take that to the grave with me. I'm pissed thinking about it.

"Anyway, that's the kind of person he is. Everybody thinks, 'Wow! He's got the greatest…' Yeah, he's got an outrageous voice, Blackie, yeah, but he turns his back on his bandmembers real bad — he screws 'em. I'm the only guy in the band that ever came back to get screwed twice, which I did. I came back for 'Kill.Fuck.Die', and I was promised half publishing on that album. Didn't get crap. Knowing that I couldn't get in to see what was written in the contracts, of course. That's why I wrote the song 'Two Faced Mother Fucker'. It's about him. It's on 'Shitting Bricks'. And I've got one on the new album. It's called 'The Truth'. It says, 'You can't handle the truth.' It's on my new [album]. I'm gonna write a song about him on every album."

Addressing the possibility of his return to W.A.S.P., Holmes said: "Everybody asks me about a W.A.S.P. reunion. Sure, I'd love to play a W.A.S.P. reunion — if he pays me my publishing. If it doesn't, then he can have a reunion with Randy Piper, Johnny Rod and [Steve] Riley and everybody else. I'm not gonna play it. It's not worth it.

"I came back to W.A.S.P. in '95. I got screwed again," he added. "Screw me once, screw me twice — you're not gonna screw me a third time."

During a November 2017 press conference in Moscow, Russia, Lawless was asked what he would say to those W.A.S.P. fans who continue to call for the band to reunite with Holmes. He responded: "People get divorced for certain reasons, and there's times when the kids want the parents to get back together, but sometimes it never happens. And this is one of those [times]. Sorry."

Chris Holmes image courtesy of Duke TV

Grammy-nominated progressive heavy metal mainstays SPIRITBOX have unleashed their blistering new single, "Soft Spine", available today via their label Pale Chord in partnership with Rise Records. Earlier this week, the band began teasing the song with a cryptic puzzle viewable at app.spiritbox.com, and postcards were sent out to nine super fans who leaked the puzzle on X (formerly Twitter). The new track follows SPIRITBOX's recent win for "Best International Artist" at the 2024 Heavy Music Awards and their much-talked-about European tour with KORN.

Recorded at Hallway Studios in California and produced by SPIRITBOX member Mike Stringer and Dan Braunstein (DAYSEEKER, SILENT PLANET, THE GHOST INSIDE),"Soft Spine" delivers an unrelenting sonic assault that is sure to satisfy fans who have been eagerly awaiting new music. The track showcases SPIRITBOX's signature visceral sound, elevated to new heights of intensity and musicality.

2024 has been a monumental year for SPIRITBOX, marked by over 300 million streams in the U.S. and a staggering 450,000 combined album sales. The band has brought their incendiary live performances to fans worldwide, from their unforgettable appearance at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas to a series of electrifying shows in the U.K. with nu-metal pioneers KORN. This summer, SPIRITBOX captivated audiences at Europe's most iconic festivals, including the Reading and Leeds festivals, earning rave reviews.

Next week they kick off the anticipated North American tour dates with KORN and GOJIRA. Later this year, they will join British metalcore titans BRING ME THE HORIZON as direct support for a massive stadium shows in Brazil and Mexico City. In February 2025, SPIRITBOX will embark on their biggest European headlining tour to date, further cementing their status as one of the most formidable forces in heavy music today.

With "Soft Spine" signaling a new chapter in SPIRITBOX's already storied career, fans can expect more exciting things to come from the band in the near future.

For many artists, a meteoric rise can often mean a sudden plateau. However, for SPIRITBOX, there appears to be no end in sight on their near-constant ascent to the top. Formed in 2017 in the picturesque yet isolated region of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, by vocalist Courtney Laplante and guitarist Mike Stringer, SPIRITBOX would fully cement themselves as a household name in the summer of 2020 with the release of their blistering breakout single "Holy Roller", along with a host of other captivating singles shortly after, resulting in a media firestorm of hype.

With new and existing fans eagerly watching their next move, SPIRITBOX exceeded every expectation imaginable in 2021 with the release of their genre-defining debut studio album "Eternal Blue" via Pale Chord/Rise Records. "Eternal Blue", which debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, kicked open the doors of the heavy metal scene and rewrote the genre's playbook with 12 stunning tracks that incorporated everything from djent and post-metal to infectious synth-laden pop sensibilities and cinematic arrangements, brought fully to life by the inimitable Laplante's ethereal and commanding vocal performances.

The album cycle for "Eternal Blue" saw SPIRITBOX not only grace the covers of esteemed music publications such as Revolver, Alternative Press, Rock Sound and Kerrang!, among many others but would also solidify the band as one of the most in-demand groups in live music today with their one-hundred percent sold out, first-ever headlining tour in support of the album which saw ticket sales over 40,000. The band would also share the stage with seasoned metal veterans such as LIMP BIZKIT and GHOST and win "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2021 Heavy Music Awards.

In 2022, SPIRITBOX secured highly coveted spots at numerous major U.S. rock and metal festivals and were nominated for two Juno Awards. SPIRITBOX would also round out their current lineup with the inclusion of drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert in addition to releasing their sonically experimental EP "Rotoscope" in June of that year as well as a cross-genre collaboration with dubstep artist Illenium for the track "Shivering".

During another whirlwind year for the band, including a U.S. tour with SHINEDOWN and PAPA ROACH, SPIRITBOX wrote and recorded their critically acclaimed EP "The Fear Of Fear", released in November 2023. The EP features the single "Jaded", which was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 66th annual Grammy Awards. In the same month, the band would make another genre-bending splash with a high-profile collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion for a remix of her song "Cobra".

Whatever comes next for SPIRITBOX, one thing is for sure: expect the unexpected and a firm commitment to creating wholly authentic music with passion, purpose, and constant evolution.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

In a new interview with the "Appetite For Distortion" podcastSKID ROW guitarist Scotti Hill spoke about the band's search for a new singer SKID ROW following the recent exit of Erik Grönwall. Erik, who was SKID ROW's fourth frontman since Sebastian Bach's departure, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021. As a result, he is immunocompromised, which made touring difficult.

Scotti said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are looking at some people. We've got a nice list of people that we're gonna sit down with. And we're continuing to look. But it's not like SMASHING PUMPKINS and we're just inviting the whole world in to throw their tapes on our desk. That's a little over the top."

Asked if singers have reached out to him and his SKID ROW bandmates about trying out of for the group or if they are actively seeking out potential vocalists, Scotti said: "Lots of people have reached out. I understand why. But I'm not the guy to get in touch with. I love SKID ROW. SKID ROW is my family, it's my life, but when I'm not with SKID ROW, I'm in here [at my home] doing stuff. So I kind of keep my fingers out of that whole thing. But a lot of people are getting in touch with us and some of them are really good. Some of them are not really good. But with YouTube and Instagram and such, you can go out and find people quite easily. It wasn't like the old days where you had to put an ad in every music paper in the country and word of mouth and all that stuff, pre-Internet. It's much easier now."

As for whether there is a preference of whether it's a "name" singer or not, Scotti said: "No. It doesn't even have to be a guy. Look at Lzzy [Hale of HALESTORM who played four shows with SKID ROW in late May and early June as a guest vocalist]. I mean, she came and rocked it. It could be a woman."

Hill also once again addressed some fans' incessant calls for a reunion with Sebastian Bach, who was the singer during the band's most commercially successful period. He said: "Well, they're never gonna stop asking [about a reunion]. But for me, and I think I can speak for the other guys, it's just a simple quality-of-life issue. People are, like, 'Just put your differences aside and do it.' Well, I don't wanna do it. There are no differences. I don't wanna do it. I don't wanna be in the room with somebody that I don't like.

"We did great things in the past, but this is about way more than a band or music," Scotti explained. "'Do it for the fans.' No, no. I'm not going to put my good life and well-being and peace, I'm not gonna sacrifice that for the fans. That's not what I do. And anybody that calls himself a fan wouldn't ask the band to put themselves through something they don't wanna do. But people just want what they want. They just want what they want. They want that band back with that guy. They still want Bon Scott back in AC/DC. I mean, come on."

Pressed about whether there is a specific "personality trait" that makes a SKID ROW reunion with Bach impossible, Hill said: "I don't wanna have food poisoning every day of the week. That's all. It's toxic. There's no specific thing. I mean, there's a lot of specific things. There's a lot of specific things. And we've always been really tight-lipped about that. And maybe someday we'll just start talking about it. There's a lot to talk about. Let's put the focus somewhere else.

"If you don't like SKID ROW without that singer, you don't have to listen," he added. "And on the flipside of that, if you love that singer, if you love both of us, then go see him, go see him. We're talking about Sebastian Bach. Go see him. I'll tell you what. You know what I'll give him, is the guy puts it out there, man. He puts it out there. He is 100 percent rock and roll all the time, and he puts it out there. So if you go see him, you're gonna get a rock show. But I don't need that in my life. I'm not gonna put myself through whatever. I just don't want it."

This past May, SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo also ruled out a reunion with Bach telling The Hook Rocks podcast: "It's not gonna happen. And I say the same thing every time. I'm thankful that people have such an interest in wanting to see that happen, but I also have to reiterate that this is about being happy in the situation that you're in. So I'll speak for myself personally.

"First of all, I do need to say something too, is that the reason that this isn't happening is because there's three of us — myself, Scotti and Rachel [Bolan, SKID ROW bassist] — who've had conversations about this, and we've all been on the same page that we don't wanna go down that road again. We just — we don't.

"Rachel has taken a beating over this through the years," Sabo continued. "He's the one who's been blamed for this. 'Oh, it's Rachel's ego.' 'It's this and that.' No, that's a load of bullshit. That is not true. And I feel bad because he's really, really had to shoulder that blame and has never said anything derogatory or anything like that. But you know what? The truth of the matter is that Rachel, Scotti and myself have continually felt the same way, that we enjoy being happy in this band and we're really happy.

"It's been such a great experience for the last however, 35 years, everything, all the ups, all the downs, everything, but we just don't wanna revisit that particular aspect of our history," he explained. "I love the songs, [I] love a lot of the memories, [I am] not fond of some of the memories, but just as individuals and as a collective, that's just how we feel. So this is not on Rachel. And this has nothing to do with anyone's ego or anything like that. So that's just gotta be clear. Again, for anyone to sit there and make assumptions that this is Rachel Bolan saying 'nope,' it's not. It's the three of us, and we've all collectively sat there and just said that we don't wanna do it. We just don't wanna do it. And we wish everybody all the best."

Snake added: "We've been just ripped apart by ex-members of the band and stuff — ripped apart. Some really shitty stuff [has been] said about all of us. And we just choose not to [respond]. It's not who I am. It's not who we are. We won't go down that road. We just wanna play music and be happy. This has really never been about a monetary aspect of things because it's known that we've been offered a good amount of money to do shows together and to reunite [with Sebastian] and whatever, but it's just never been about the money, man. I choose my happiness, my willingness to continue to be a really good friend to my best friends and a really good husband and a really good dad and bandmate and person. And I don't wanna endanger that in any way. So the people that we choose to play with, those choices are made in order to keep those particular things in line for all of us."

Bach fronted SKID ROW until 1996, when he was fired. Instead of throwing in the towel, the remaining members took a hiatus and went on to play briefly in a band called OZONE MONDAY. In 1999, SKID ROW reformed and, after a bit of shuffling over the years, featured a lineup consisting of bassist Rachel Bolan, guitarists Dave "Snake" Sabo and Scotti Hill, alongside drummer Rob Hammersmith and singer Johnny Solinger. SKID ROW fired Solinger over the phone in April 2015, a few hours before announcing ex-TNT vocalist Tony Harnell as his replacement. Eight months later, Harnell exited the band and was replaced by South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart, who previously fronted DRAGONFORCE, TANK and I AM I. Theart was fired from SKID ROW in February 2022 and was replaced by Grönwall, who was previously a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T.

Four years ago, Bolan confirmed that he and his bandmates "were entertaining the idea" of reuniting with Bach following Harnell's departure. But Rachel shot down the possibility of a rekindling of his friendship with Sebastian, explaining: "Well… Here's the soundbite for Blabbermouth. I wouldn't say we were friends [when we were in a band together]. We were bandmates. You know what I mean? We're two very different people." Bolan added that he hadn't seen Bach "in years."

Five years ago, Bach was asked by Rolling Stone what it would take for SKID ROW to be reunited. He responded: "It would take those guys to realize that I have a lifetime manager. His name is Rick Sales. I've been with him since 2006. They don't want to deal with a guy like that. They want to give some singer who doesn't have a manager $700 to $800 bucks a week. I've got a team that's worked with me and don't allow me to get fucked around. I didn't have that team when I was 19 years old."

In response to Bach's statements about the earnings of SKID ROW's singer, Sabo told Rolling Stone in an e-mail: "I guess fact-checking isn't in his skill set… The five of us go on that stage as a band and we all get paid equally. We're in this together. There's no egos."

Sebastian went on to say that SKID ROW was "close to reuniting, but then it didn't happen. The fact that it didn't happen obviously makes me somewhat bitter, because life is only getting shorter, as the song says," he added.

"I wouldn't say 'came close,'" Bolan told Rolling Stone in an e-mail response to Bach's account of the reunion talks. "We entertained the idea. Snake and I went as far as talking with agents and promoters about money. But we quickly learned after a few text conversations, why we fired him in the first place. Nothing is worth your happiness and peace of mind."

Sabo added: "It was already a miserable experience, and we didn't even get on the phone."