Greek heavy/stoner rock band, Beggars, have released a new lyric video for “Medusa”, the track is taken from their fifth studio album The Day I Lost My Head to be out on August 10th as digipack CD and black vinyl via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.

The album was produced by Nikos (Lizard) Chalkousis & Yannis Passas. Recorded and mixed by Nikos (Lizard) Chalkousis at Prova Music Studios, Athens Greece. Engineered by Nikos (Lizard) Chalkousis and mastered by Bill Lagos. Artwork design by SUGAHTANK. Photos by Danai Fokiou.

Tracklisting:

“Book Of Days”
“The Day I Lost My Head”
“Intersolar Traveller”
“Game”
“Medusa”
“Blind”
“You Break Me”
“Chief Commander (1945 – 2015)”
“Genesis”

"Medusa" lyric video:

England’s The Meads Of Asphodel have joined forces with Chinese folk metal exponents, Song Of Chu, for a unique split CD, featuring new material from both bands. (Also featuring Mirai (Sigh), Alan Davey (Hawkwind, Gunslinger)

This split cements the Meads commitment to the underground scene, and also celebrates the bands 20th year anniversary.

Formed in 10 years ago hailing from Tianjin, Song Of Chu descends from ancient warriors dominating the stage with classical Chinese tunes supported heavy grooves, the strength of 7-string metal guitars and a mighty voice that’s unique in the scene.

The Meads Of Asphodel’s sixth album, Running Out Of Time Doing Nothing, will be released in November 2018, and will feature a further ten new songs.

Spanish heavy metal band Valkyria, have revealed cover art, first advance single and tracklist of their second album Tierra Hostil (Hostile Land) that will be released October 10th through Fighter Records. Single “Abatido” is streaming below.

Tierra Hostil was recorded, mixed and mastered under the production of Pedro J. Monje (Vhäldemar) at his own Chromacity Studios where Valkyria recorded their debut album Principio y Fin (Beginning & End) in 2016. This new work shows a natural development and a more mature sound in their own style of melodic, catchy and powerful heavy metal that blends both modern and classic influences with a charming voice that creates killer vocal lines.

Tracklisting:

“Código de Honor”
“Abatido”
“Tierra Hostil”
“Rencor”
“Selenelion”
“Identidad Perdida”
“Vida Eterna”
“Ecos Del Mañana”
“Dunas De Sal”
“Tuareg”

“Abatido”:

Houston, TX energetic melodic hard rock band Love And War has released the new free advance title track "Edge Of The World" from their upcoming second album of the same name. Download the track at this location.

The band has checked in with the following comments:

Guitarist John Adams:

“The process has been a Journey well deserved for us! Recording in Beautiful Arcadia Valley Missouri, south of St. Louis, at Endeavor Studios with engineer/producer Greg Gill, former guitarist for Z-LOT-Z. Greg recorded our first record Up The Annie in Houston and has been a longtime friend and we welcomed him back with open arms in recording our latest record Edge Of The World! It’s going to be a MONSTER and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it! We expect to release it in the coming months.

“Writing the song/title track ‘Edge Of The World’ started in bits and pieces, I had the Intro already written for a while along with the main riff of the song, not knowing right away where to go with it. I was practicing one day and the chorus came together, I had read a quote about Standing on the Edge of the World, where the world is your ‘Reality’, where you stand and Look over the edge into your spirit world, by combining the two you will be whole! I wrote the chorus with that in mind, I turned it over to Jeff from there and said ‘write the verses’ and he finished it off. We are very happy with the way it came out, it’s a monster song!”

Vocalist Jeff VandenBerghe:

“Recording our new album Edge Of The Word at Endevor Studio with Greg Gill has been amazing. The raw tracks were laid down first with the guys then John and I went back and I added the main vocal tracks and harmony vocals…John put down rhythm guitar tracks and laid down his scorching leads. Working with Greg is awesome, he’s got a great ear and knows his way around the console. He had done such a great job on our first CD, Up The Annie it was a no brainer. This album is gonna be a monster; can’t wait for the world to hear it!

Some song lyrics come easier than others; ‘Edge Of The World’ just sort of flowed out once I had an idea of a thought process behind the title, sometimes I write about things that I've done good or bad or things that I don't want to do or places I don't want to go emotionally sometimes life's frustrations or situations make you feel like you're standing at the edge of a cliff looking down into a huge chasm; it's times like that you have to take a step back reevaluate and prioritize to make it through it. It sort of came from there. Then I just put a Twist on it John's music brought it to life. I love this song and the way it came out; coming up with a good melody line is always a challenge to make it work with the music John comes up with...that's what I love about working with him. We’ve worked together writing songs for years; it always just seems to come together we know each other styles.”

Bassist Ray Soliz:

“The recording process for me was quite easy. We had been playing the tunes for the new record live for quite some time. Leaving Houston and traveling to the beautiful town of Ironton, MO. was a much needed change of scenery. I actually recorded all my tracks within a few hours the first trip to Endeavor studios. Most of them are first takes, and I had very few fixes and punch ins. Greg Gill, our producer, was such a pleasure to work with and has such an awesome ear for music. He allowed me to just flow and play the songs as I had played them live. I'm looking forward to the new release. The first release was already recorded when I joined the band, so to be a part of this project with my friends has been special. The song ‘Edge Of The World’ was written rather quickly. John Adams already had the riffs, some lyrics, and of course guitar solo ideas. This is one of my favorites off the new release. It's got great riffs and hooks. Jeff did an awesome job on the vocals, and the guitar solo is blistering. Donny's double kick work really drives the tune.”

Drummer Donny Bragg:

This is the third time I've worked with Greg Gill and he always makes me feel comfortable in the studio. I couldn't imagine working with anyone else in the studio! He captured me at my best, as he did John, Ray, and Jeff. The new record, Edge Of The World, is something that I'm extremely proud and I feel that it's going set our fan base on fire! I think it's heavier and more groove oriented than Up The Annie. I'm really looking forward to EOTW being released soon! I really hope everyone loves it as much we do!”

According to Ham & High, British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have responded to a lawsuit filed by their former singer Dennis Willcock in which he accused them of stealing the lyrics to some of their classic early songs.

Willcock claims to have written the words to the tracks "Prowler", "Charlotte The Harlot", "Phantom Of The Opera", "Iron Maiden" and "Prodigal Son", which were recorded and released by MAIDEN on their first two albums, 1980's self-titled effort and 1981's "Killers".

In a formal written response to Willcock's legal action, IRON MAIDEN claims bassist Steve Harris, not Willcock, actually penned the lyrics in question. In addition, the band admits the songwriting credit on "Charlotte The Harlot" is wrong.

Since it first appeared on MAIDEN's debut LP, the track has been solely credited to guitarist Dave Murray. But in the documents served to the High Court, Harris and publisher Imagem state: "The lyrics for [the song] were written by Mr Harris in or around 1977 to accompany music written by Mr Murray, who had joined IRON MAIDEN in late 1976."

IRON MAIDEN has admitted that Willcock changed three words of "Prowler" and two of "Charlotte The Harlot" but has questioned whether he can remember writing them.

The band states: "[He] was, when he was a member of IRON MAIDEN, notorious for forgetting lyrics for the band's songs, or missing out words, or singing the wrong words. He… even had to sing from lyric sheets at live performances. Accordingly it is implausible that Mr Willcock can now remember lyrics he allegedly wrote some 40 years ago."

Willcock's lawsuit was filed by retired rock band manager Barry McKay, who previously took Harris and Murray to court over "Hallowed Be Thy Name", claiming MAIDEN reproduced major parts of another song, "Life's Shadow", co-written nearly a decade earlier by musician Brian Quinn, under the name Brian Ingham. That case was settled for around £100,000, according to a MAIDEN representative, who also referred to McKay as "a serial litigant." McKay later fired back, calling Harris and Murray and their managers "bad losers."

Willcock, who fronted MAIDEN from 1976 to 1978, was replaced in the band by Paul Di'Anno. Dennis claims never knew his lyrics were used because he never listened to the band's albums.

Willcock's lawsuit seeks damages in excess of £2 million (approximately $2.6 million).

Willcock was MAIDEN's second singer. The band's original vocalist, Paul Day, co-founded the group in 1976 along with Harris.

San Francisco Bay Area metal titans MACHINE HEAD have released a video for the song "Volatile". The track is the opening cut on the band's new album, "Catharsis", which was made available in January via Nuclear Blast. The clip, which was created by Fiaz Farrelly, was filmed earlier in the year during the U.K. leg of MACHINE HEAD's "Catharsis" tour.

"Volatile", featuring sociocritical lyrics, is dedicated to Heather D. Heyer, who lost her life during a protest against neo-nazism and white supremacy in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017.

"The lyrics were written on the same day as Charlottesville," MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn revealed last year. "We watched that video of Heather Heyer getting run over and killed and I was just, like, 'What the fuck is going on, man?' You just got a snapshot of me pissed off and raw anger and frustration and confusion. White supremacists are marching every two weeks in the U.S. now and it's pretty fucking insane."

The follow-up to 2014's "Bloodstone & Diamonds", "Catharsis" was produced by Flynn and was recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Zack Ohren (FALLUJAH, ALL SHALL PERISH) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Mastering was handled by Ted Jensen (HATEBREED, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES) at Sterling Sound in New York. Cover photography was created by Seanen Middleton.

MACHINE HEAD recently announced the second leg of its North American tour in support of "Catharsis". The upcoming dates also include the six rescheduled dates from the first leg where Flynn contracted a severe viral bronchitis lung infection. The band will once again will be giving fans "An Evening With" MACHINE HEAD, playing over two and a half hours of classic and new material.

Ann Wilson of HEART, one of rock's most distinctive and powerful vocalists, has released "You Don't Own Me" as the second track from her new album that's due out September 14 on BMG. Fittingly titled "Immortal", the album features 10 musically diverse tracks that pay tribute to some of Ann's influences and friends who've recently passed and whose music poignantly lives on.


Ann's hard-hitting and timely interpretation of Lesley Gore's fearless 1963 hit "You Don't Own Me" — featuring the esteemed Warren Haynes on guitar — was released today (August 3) across all digital platforms after its premiere yesterday at Billboard. The song is also available as an instant-grat track with album pre-orders, starting today.


"I think that song has come to be way more universal now," the iconic Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee told Billboard. "It could be the anthem of anyone who wants respect, anyone at all, not just women. I think we're in a time where we're having a discourse now as a culture about who people really are and how it's important to accept people, and so I thought the song really fits. I think it's really meaningful in today's world."

For "Immortal", which marks her debut for BMG, Ann has teamed with original HEART producer Mike Flicker. "Mike was the first producer to believe in me," Ann says. "He was my first teacher in the studio and knows how to provide that special support needed to bring out my soul in the recording process. It is exciting to work with him for the first time since 1980. I have traveled many, many miles since then but the old feeling is still there and fresh on 'Immortal'. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again and it's been a great collaboration."


Ann chose the album title "Immortal" after revealing some working titles early on in the project. "The original working titles evolved as the concept for the album evolved; a little bit at a time," explains Ann. "As my understanding of what I had undertaken grew and clarified, I realized a larger truth; that the souls may have departed but the songs will forever be their resonances. These are the poets of our time and their expressions must be handed down. Poetry is lasting and elemental like carvings in rock."


The finely etched tracks that comprise "Immortal" cover a lot of musical ground, with many highlights including songs by Leonard Cohen ("A Thousand Kisses Deep"), Amy Winehouse ("Back To Black"), David Bowie ("I'm Afraid Of Americans"), Lesley Gore ("You Don't Own Me") and Tom Petty ("Luna"). Ann says the criteria for choosing this collection of songs was easy. "First of all, I had to love them! They had to be songs I could get inside of authentically as a singer. Lyrics are important to me but the most important thing is always the marriage of words and melody that makes the song magic!"


"Immortal" includes some very special guests as well. "Warren Haynes plays on Tom Petty's 'Luna' and 'You Don't Own Me'," Ann reveals. "Ben Mink is featured on Leonard Cohen's 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' and Amy Winehouse's 'Back To Black'. They are both musicians and great people whom I admire. It's always a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Their souls shine through on these songs!"

"Immortal" track listing:

01. A Different Corner (George Michael)

02. A Thousand Kisses Deep (Leonard Cohen)

03. Back To Black (Amy Winehouse)

04. Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty)

05. I Am The Highway (Chris Cornell, AUDIOSLAVE)

06. I'm Afraid Of Americans (David Bowie)

07. Life In The Fast Lane (Joe Walsh, THE EAGLES) (in honor of Glenn Frey)

08. Luna (Tom Petty)

09. Politician (CREAM) (in honor of Jack Bruce)

10. You Don't Own Me (Lesley Gore)


Ann is on the road all summer on the in-progress "Stars Align Tour" with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers, which kicked off July 18 in West Valley City, Utah and stops in over 20 cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Toronto and Nashville, before wrapping August 26 in Tampa. Ann's setlist this summer will include songs from "Immortal". The songs will also be featured in Ann's first-ever solo television special (details to be announced), taped this past April at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, to coincide with the album's release.

Photo credit: Kimberly Adamis

ONKEL TOM — the solo project of Thomas "Angelripper" Such, bassist/vocalist of veteran German thrashers SODOM — will release a new album, "Bier Ernst", on September 28 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will consist of 21 tracks on two CDs, titled — in accordance with their lyrical content — "Bier" and "Ernst," respectively.

The official video for the song "Ich Finde Nur Metal Geil" can be seen below.

The band comments: "The song 'Ich Finde Nur Metal Geil' ('I Like Metal Music Only') speaks to us from the bottom of our hearts. It owns everything that we like in metal music. Some classical stuff, some thrash metal, melodic guitars and a strong chorus. The video is the perfect movie, put in scene stylish and costly by Moritz 'Mumpi' Künster, to show what we meant with the song. It's about the love to metal music, friendship, and a little bit of anarchy. We are metal extremists!"

"Bier Ernst" will be available on digipak double CD, double vinyl LP (gatefold) and for digital download. As hinted on "Zwischen Emscher & Lippe", ONKEL TOM presents itself on "Bier Ernst" more diverse and autonomous than ever before. Along with rock versions of the popular drinking and party ditties that ONKEL TOM and his band are renowned for, Tom and his four comrades-in-arms — drummer Cornelius Rambadt, guitarists Marcel Mönnig and Klaus Nicodem, and bassist Marc Beste — have recorded a dozen original numbers.

Tom reveals what his fans can look forward to: "The title track of our recent EP and eight additional numbers on the 'Ernst' CD present the band from a slightly different perspective. They're songs full of passion for music, but, of course, also full of anger about people's indifference that's bound to destroy the world. But don't worry: the twelve songs on the 'Bier' CD celebrate life, having a good time and sophisticated drinking. Our fans can rest assured that we're as thirsty as ever and that we will quench that thirst with them at our shows."

Track listing:

CD1 - "Bier"

01. Ich Steh' An Der Bar Und Ich Habe Kein Geld (2:12)

02. Flasche Zu Flasche (4:26)

03. Wir Trinken Wenig (3:05)

04. Bier, Bier, Bier Ist Die Seele Vom Klavier (2:09)

05. Durst Ist Schlimmer Als Heimweh (3:53)

06. Hätten Wir Lieber Das Geld Vergraben... (3:11)

07. Was Sind Wir Männer Doch Für'n Lustiger Verein (3:03)

08. Jacky Cola (3:54)

09. Durst Wird Duch Bier Erst Schön (1:58)

10. Trunkenbold (2:48)

11. Bier, Bier, Bier (3:02)

12. Prost (1:11)

CD2 - "Ernst"

01. Ich Finde Nur Metal Geil (5:19)

02. Todgeweiht (3:45)

03. Ich Muss Hier Raus (3:44)

04. Egal (4:16)

05. Von Arschlöchern Für Arschlöcher (5:05)

06. Zwischen Emscher & Lippe (05:45)

07. Auf Dünnem Eis (3:24)

08. Das Blaue Buch Des Lebens (3:44)

09. Polizisten (04:28)

ABORTED's new album, "TerrorVision", will be released on September 21 via Century Media Records. The artwork was created by Pär Olofsson (EXODUS, IMMOLATION, IMMORTAL).

The official lyric video for the "TerrorVision" title track can be seen below.

Comments ABORTED frontman Sven De Caluwé: "This song is the title track of the record first off and has Seth Siro Anton from SEPTICFLESH as guest vocalist. Basically, we chose it as a single because it has the dark, dirty vicious atmosphere the album has — it's fast but also has hooks and a heavy part. Lyrically, it captures the whole concept of the album, which is let's say looking at the media these days as if it were an ancient 'evil' entity in an '80s horror film that is manipulating the world as puppets.

"The album and song talk about a lot of things that have been happening in the last couple of years where the public opinion is clearly being molded and manipulated. There have been studies in communication showing that 55% of communication is non-verbal impact, 38% is verbal communication and the actual message is only important for about 7% of it. I know retarded figures that don't mean much by themselves, if not telling us that people don't give a fuck about what you're selling, as long as you package it right and the media/politicians know this all too well. The rise of ISIS has a lot to thank to the media as well, bigotry, racism all tools used by media to remove the eye on the actual problems for the human race as a whole and our planet.

"It’s not so death metal in itself, but it’s all packaged in our depraved little ABORTED sauce of dark humor and gross thesaurus bullshit language while containing a pretty strong message! Enjoy!”

With "The Necrotic Manifesto" and ABORTED's last album, "Retrogore", already showcasing what the band is capable of, "TerrorVision" lifts death metal to a higher level of intensity, atmosphere and brutality. Produced by Kristian "Kohle" Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studios, "TerrorVision" is not just a new chunk of high-class brutal death metal, it's a piece of art pushing the boundaries of the entire genre by combining over-the-top musicianship with skilled songwriting, a clear yet organic production and inexorable brutality that has no equals.

"TerrorVision" will be available in the following formats:

* Standard CD jewelcase

* Gatefold LP+CD

* Limited box set (with digipak CD, bonus CD with the tracks of the "Bathos" EP, black belt with metal belt buckle, sticker set and button set)

* Digital

"TerrorVision" track listing:

01. Lasciate Ogne Speranza (0:57)

02. TerrorVision (4:33)

03. Farewell To The Flesh (4:41)

04. Vespertine Decay (6:00)

05. Squalor Opera (4:01)

06. Visceral Despondency (3:32)

07. Deep Red (3:20)

08. Exquisite Covinous Drama (5:01)

09. Altro Inferno (4:49)

10. A Whore D'oeuvre Macabre (3:01)

11. The Final Absolution (5:07)

Tom Morello has released the official music video for his solo song "We Don't Need You". The track, which features a guest appearance by Vic Mensa, is taken from the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, AUDIOSLAVE and PROPHETS OF RAGE guitarist's upcoming solo album, "The Atlas Underground", which will be released on October 12 through Mom + Pop Music.

Morello recruited a number of other guest artists to appear on the 12-track LP, including GZA, Gary Clark Jr., K. Flay, Pretty Lights, Portugal. The Man, Whethan, Marcus Mumford, RISE AGAINST's Tim McIlrath, Carl Restivo, Nico Stadi, Leikeli47 and Herobust.

During an appearance on METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich's Beats 1 radio show "It's Electric!", Morello said about "The Atlas Underground": "I wanted to make a record that was the [Jimi] Hendrix of now, guitar playing that is outside of the norm and is extraordinary," creating "radio songs" that "connected with a mass audience" and fashioning a "new genre of music."

In a statement announcing the album, Morello said: "The riffs and the beats led the way, but the extraordinary talents of the collaborators set my creativity into uncharted territory.

"I've been devoted both musically and as an activist to fighting injustice at every turn," he added. "Amid this heightened sense of impending doom, it's now time to rally the troops in a last-ditch effort to save the planet, and our artistic souls. By challenging the boundaries of what music is and has sounded like before, you can open people's eyes to changing the status quo in society."

"The Atlas Underground" track listing:

01. Battle Sirens (feat. Knife Party)

02. Rabbit's Revenge (feat. Bassnectar, Big Boi, Killer Mike)

03. Every Step That I Take (feat. Portugal. The Man, Whethan)

04. We Don't Need You (feat. Vic Mensa)

05. Find Another Way (feat. Marcus Mumford)

06. How Long (feat. Steve Aoki, Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath)

07. Lucky One (feat. K. Flay)

08. One Nation (feat. Pretty Lights)

09. Vigilante Nocturno (feat. Carl Restivo)

10. Where It's At Ain't What It Is (feat. Gary Clark Jr., Nico Stadi)

11. Roadrunner (feat. Leikeli47)

12. Lead Poisoning (feat. GZA, RZA, Herobust)

According to Deutsche Welle, two elderly elderly German men escaped from their nursing home on Friday (August 3) to attend the Wacken Open Air festival.

The nursing home contacted the police after it discovered that the men were missing from the facility. The men were later found at 3 a.m. at the heavy metal festival, which is celebrating its 29th anniversary this year in Wacken, Germany.

Police escorted the men home with the help of a taxi and a patrol car.

This year's Wacken Open Air is sold out, with more than 75,000 metal fans in attendance. Headliners include JUDAS PRIEST, DANZIG, HATEBREED, IN FLAMES, RUNNING WILD and ARCH ENEMY.

Although Wacken has the reputation of being the muddiest festival in the world, this year's event has reportedly seen no rain so far.

Last year, it was reported that the fans who attend Wacken Open Air each year consume an average of about 5.1 liters of beer over the festival, according to the statistics portal Statista. This compares to 3.1 liters per person for the less heavy metal-centric Rock Am Ring festival.

For the 2018 installment of Wacken Open Air, organizers have joined forces with the Electronic Sports League (ESL) to create an esports arena.

The 1,800 square-meter esports village invites festivalgoers to compete in the daily amateur tournaments of popular games, including League Of Legends and Playerunknown's Battlegrounds.

ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, the jazz ensemble led by TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick, will release its new album, "Conundrum", on September 7 via Palmetto/MRI.

If you've attempted to keep up with the news cycle in recent years, then the "Conundrum" title should be a no-brainer. "It represents the sense of confusion many of us are feeling in the midst of the strangest sociopolitical upheavals of our lifetimes," says Skolnick, the guitarist and composer who helped define thrash metal as a founding member of TESTAMENT, before establishing himself on the international jazz scene. "This album captures many styles in an effort to channel that angst into art and inspire others to do likewise."

Ironically, given its globally pertinent message, "Conundrum" is in many ways Skolnick's most intimate record yet. It is the trio's first new studio album since 2011's "Veritas", and it features original music almost exclusively, with six compositions by Skolnick, one apiece by bassist Nathan Peck and drummer Matt Zebroski, and a gorgeous interpretation of Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1".

Far removed from the musical tunnel vision of "guitar" or "shred" albums, "Conundrum" reflects Skolnick's wide-ranging knowledge as a player and, even more important, as a listener. "What would I want to hear, regardless of the instrument and regardless of technique?" he asks. "That's the type of music I try to create as an improviser and composer."

The multi-layer, multi-section songs that resulted are, in a word, sweeping — and include plenty for guitar heads to dig into after all. Skolnick's "Unbound", part of which originated on piano, kicks off "Conundrum" with springy slapped harmonics. Beautiful chordal work follows, as well as soloing that lays out the guitarist's m.o. as a lead player: to tell a story by varying his attack, tone, intensity and harmonic approach with masterful control.

Born in 1968 and raised in the Bay Area, Skolnick was still a teenager when he made heavy-metal history on TESTAMENT's essential debut, "The Legacy". The band remained a major touring act in heavy music. Most recently TESTAMENT has been hitting arenas and amphitheaters as part of SLAYER's blockbuster final world tour.

Skolnick immersed himself in jazz at Manhattan's venerable New School. It was there that he dug even deeper into recordings by Miles, Trane, Wes, Jim Hall, Scofield, Metheny and more; studied with jazz greats like saxophonist George Garzone and bassist Reggie Workman; and formed his trio, which debuted on record in 2002 with "Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation".

And while TESTAMENT continues to thrive, it's the trio and its repertoire that Skolnick can see growing old with. "These days I still love playing screaming, loud guitar and heavy metal, though I don't think I'm going to be one of these guys who's past social-security age and in a rock band and touring," he says. "But I can see myself doing these songs with the trio for many years to come."

"Conundrum" track listing:

01. Unbound

02. Django Tango

03. Conundrum

04. Gymnopédie, No. 1

05. Culture Shock

06. Dodge The Bambula

07. Key Of Sea

08. A Question Of Moral Ambiguity

09. Protect The Dream

"Conundrum" will be available on vinyl, CD and all streaming services.

ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO tour dates:

Sep. 09 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies

Sep. 12-13 - New York, NY @ Iridium

Sep. 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Baked Potato (w/ Stu Hamm)

Sep. 16 - San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick

Oct. 17 - The Woodlands, TX @ Dosey Doe

Oct. 18 - San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald's

Oct. 20 - McKinney, TX @ The Guitar Sanctuary

Faroese folk metallers TÝR have recruited former NEVERMORE and SATYRICON guitarist Attila Vörös as the replacement for the recently departed Terji Skibenæs.

Said Vörös in a statement: "After the end of a very successful world tour off SATYRICON's latest record, 'Deep Calleth Upon Deep', the time has come for me to call it for a change and look for new adventures with my friends at TÝR. We'll be hitting the road together in South America in October 2018."

Terji announced his exit from TÝR earlier in the week, explaining in a statement that he had "no desire whatsoever to play in TÝR anymore.

"There's no drama or anything going on between me and the others," he added. "It's just me not having any joy to play the music in the style of TÝR anymore."

TÝR recently completed a North American tour with ORPHANED LAND, GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS and AETERNAM.

TÝR's latest album, "Valkyrja", was released in 2013 by Metal Blade. It featured covers of IRON MAIDEN's "Where Eagles Dare" and PANTERA's "Cemetery Gates".

Terji Skibenæs, longtime guitarist of Faroese folk metal band TÝR, has announced his departure from the group.

He said in a statement: "This is it. I am now officially leaving the band TÝR after 17 years.

"After months of thinking this through carefully, I've finally come to the decision that it's time for me to quit. The reason is very simple: I have no desire whatsoever to play in TÝR anymore.

"There's no drama or anything going on between me and the others. It's just me not having any joy to play the music in the style of TÝR anymore.

"I want to thank Heri Joensen and Gunnar Thomsen for the all the time we had and I wish TÝR all the best in the future. And thanks to all the fans for the support through the years.

"My last show with TÝR will be at Sabaton Open Air in August.

"More news to follow soon about my future projects."

TÝR recently completed a North American tour with ORPHANED LAND, GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS and AETERNAM.

TÝR's latest album, "Valkyrja", was released in 2013 by Metal Blade. It featured covers of IRON MAIDEN's "Where Eagles Dare" and PANTERA's "Cemetery Gates".

This is it. I am now officially leaving the band TÝR after 17 years. After months of thinking this through carefully,...Posted by TerjI on Thursday, August 2, 2018

German symphonic metal/power metal band BEYOND THE BLACK will release its new album, "Heart Of The Hurricane", on August 31 via Napalm Records (GSA via Airforce1).

The official music video for the song "Million Lightyears", taken from "Heart Of The Hurricane", can be seen below.

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

"Full Heart Of The Hurricane" track listing:

01. Hysteria

02. Heart Of The Hurricane

03. Through The Mirror

04. Million Lightyears

05. Song For The Godless

06. Escape From The Earth

07. Beneath A Blackened Sky

08. Fairytale Of Doom

09. My God Is Dead

10. Dear Death

11. Scream For Me

12. Freedom

13. Breeze

Bonus tracks:

14. Echo From The Past

15. Parade

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

BEYOND THE BLACK singer Jennifer Haben told Distorted Sound about the experience of touring with SCORPIONS: "I often tried to describe it, but I guess I will never find the right words to tell somebody how it feels like to share the stage with the SCORPIONS. When I was a small child, you found me singing and dancing on the table to 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' sometimes. It's crazy to think about something like this, while you are talking to them. They were very nice to us. I talked a lot with Klaus [Meine] and the last part with Mikkey Dee, too. We were at Mikkey Dee's private after-show party. Another surreal experience of that tour. Our drummer was bubbling over with joy! All in all, it was an incredible tour."

Photo credit: Heilemania

"The Rock Writer's Ramble" podcast recently conducted an interview with vocalist Ralf Scheepers of German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR about the band's forthcoming "Apocalypse" studio album. You can listen to the entire chat via the Spreaker widget below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On whether it's becoming more difficult for PRIMAL FEAR to write new material with 12 studio albums under their belt:

Ralf: "We don't put ourselves too much under pressure, actually. We are, somehow, five writing members. That's a big advantage here. We are experienced and have been doing this for many, many years now. We are really packed with a lot of self-esteem here when it comes to writing songs. We have 15 songs this time. We were choosing, somehow, in our opinion, which would make a lineup on the album. The other three which didn't make it on the album will be used, of course, because they are good composed songs. Basically, we are in a good position. That's a good point to start from. It's a good start."

On whether he can detect early on which new songs will translate well both on record and live:

Ralf: "We have a good feeling about that. That really is what happened in the studio already: 'This song is getting on really well.' I can only speak for me right now. When I sing the songs, I have a good feeling and I get these goosebumps when I sing the songs, that's a good sign. When you hear it during recording and when you somehow, 'witness' the process of recording it and also put harmonies on it, it's just amazing how it still gets you when you have a good feeling about the song. I don't want to talk about whether it can be live. First of all, it's important to get it good yourselves in the studio. Then, of course, we're always talking about what we're going to do live as a team and then we rehearse. Some songs are going better in the rehearsal studio, some don't. These arguments and these factors, they have to be somehow played through. Yeah, it's actually, that's a good procedure to start from."

On PRIMAL FEAR's every-other-year release schedule and whether they've ever thought of taking a break in order to recharge their creative batteries:

Ralf: "We also keep kicking each other's asses. Somehow, whenever, of course it's hard when you just came back from a tour and have already a deadline of possible new album. Of course, sometimes, you might think, 'Well, I need some more time.' You know, also as being a pro, you have your off-time and you have the time to recharge your batteries. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes it's only hours, sometimes it's only days. It depends on the condition you're in. Then, of course, it comes back straight back in terms of being creative and also in terms of being ready for me to sing again."

On PRIMAL FEAR recently celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first self-titled album:

Ralf: "First of all, it's really interesting how quick that was. It was so fast. I really didn't think it was 20 years already. But that's also because we were in different bands before. I was in GAMMA RAY and SINNER was there in the scene already and still is. We started late with PRIMAL FEAR. In 1998, I was 33 already. Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I mean, we are somehow, guys who are not looking so much back. We always look forward. Like I said, it was really quick now and now while it's 20 years, yes, we have to celebrate it somehow and that's what we'll do on this tour, which is offer the fans a different setlist this time. Of course, we always change the setlist for the next tour, but we think about a little bit more about playing some old songs which we haven't played in a long time or never played and also, we also have to think about the album, the new album, we also have to promote that one and we'll play a lot of songs from that one that too. As you would imagine, it's not so easy anymore to put together a setlist. But, in the end, you can't please everybody. It's the same as when you release an album, people bitch about this or that. You can't please everybody."

On PRIMAL FEAR's growth and development over the years:

Ralf: "I would never say we had difficult times. That always happens in every band. It's just like a relationship to a woman: there's ups and downs, like in marriages. You always have this, but in the end, I'm always a guy who thinks, 'Well, this is too precious to just call it a day.' Whenever you had a bad time or whenever things are, maybe there is quiet times here and there sometimes, but you always somehow, sort it out because we are also grown-up people and we can always speak about everything and if not, then, of course, yeah, then there are some people maybe not somehow agreeing anymore to what is going on or how things are handled. But, this never happened to Mat [Sinner, bass] and me because we knew this PRIMAL FEAR baby is a very precious one and we always want to keep it. It's also the reason I have this [tattoo] on my arm. It's the reason why you're tattooing a band name on your arm. People ask me 'How can you do that?' But I knew from the beginning that will last from until I stop, until I die. [Laughs]"

On the lack of new metal vocalists in the vein of Bruce Dickinson (IRON MAIDEN), Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST) and himself:

Ralf: "I don't know — I can't answer because I'm not so much listening to too many new bands anymore. I try my very best to do so. Yeah, when I hear bands at festivals, I totally agree with you that there's a lot of growling coming up. There's also a lot of combination singing, like growling and singing beautiful. But, to answer your question, yes, I mean, there are not so many out there anymore who are singing the '80s style of power metal. It wasn't even there, power metal, it's just an expression of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. It's just a label we're talking about. It's also not an easy way to sing. I can speak for myself only again, I use two registers: I use the chest voice and I have the belt-to-head voice, the shrieking, loud screams. That physically, it's not healthy. Every teacher, every classical teacher would tell you, 'You're wearing your voice out.' Like I said before you can somehow do a lot of maintenance work around it to keep it in shape for a long time and this belting and screaming is a very hard way to sing. As I can hear on Bruce's singing, he's lifting up his chest voice pretty high, same [Ronnie James] Dio did, he had a very high chest voice and just a phenomenal support from the stamina from the diaphragm. That's all a very important thing."

"Apocalypse" will be released August 10 via Frontiers Music Srl. Production of the record started at the end of 2017 and was wrapped by spring 2018 at Hansen Studios in Denmark with producer Sinner and engineer/mixer Jacob Hansen.

PRIMAL FEAR lineup:

Ralf Scheepers - Lead Vocals

Tom Naumann - Guitars

Alex Beyrodt - Guitars

Magnus Karlsson - Guitars & Keyboards

Francesco Jovino - Drums

Mat Sinner - Bass & Vocals

Listen to "Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear July 2018 interview" on Spreaker.

The Celtic metal songstress Leah will release her new album, "The Quest", on October 5 in Europe and North America through Inner Wound Recordings. The disc, which was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EVERGREY), features guest appearances by Troy Donockley (NIGHTWISH), Timo Somers (DELAIN), Chen Balbus (ORPHANED LAND), Barend Courbois (BLIND GUARDIAN) and Sander Zoer (ex-DELAIN).

The concept for "The Quest" is very simple: we're all on a journey, and sometimes we lose our way. There are adventures, wildernesses, treasures, monsters, looters, people out to send us down the wrong path. Through it all, we must grow in wisdom and experience, find our compass once again and find our way back to the true path in order to reach our full potential: our destiny.

With a strong Celtic and fantasy connection, some prog rock elements, ethereal ambiance, combined with traditional symphonic metal elements, this is an album Leah is very proud to present.

Leah sets the bar for both independent artists and the symphonic metal genre alike, which is often dependent on touring as the primary means of gaining new fans and marketing.

Being a full-time mother and family woman, Leah achieves all her success having never done a tour in her entire musical career. She hopes to tour one day, but in the meantime plans to continue her path as a recording artist and songwriter, as well as help other artists achieve success in the independent music arena.

"The Quest" track listing:

01. The Quest

02. Edge Of Your Sword

03. Lion Arises

04. Heir

05. Ruins Of Illusion

06. Labyrinth

07. Abyss

08. Oblivion (Between Two Worlds)

09. Ghost Upon A Throne

10. The Water Is Wide

It was the hard-rocking sound of hits like "Still Of The Night" and "Give Me All Your Love Tonight" that brought WHITESNAKE worldwide, multi-platinum success. Even so, the band's founder and lead singer, David Coverdale, has never been a stranger to the occasional ballad, going back to his early days with DEEP PURPLE on "Soldier Of Fortune" and, most famously, with WHITESNAKE on the 1987 No. 1 smash hit "Here I Go Again".

After WHITESNAKE finishes its current summer tour with FOREIGNER, the band will revisit some of its best acoustic performances with "Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition". This five CD/DVD collection brings together unplugged and acoustic-based performances recorded over the past 20-plus years, including rare and unreleased studio and live recordings, acoustic demos, concert videos, interviews and more. The extensive set will be available on October 19 for $59.98. On the same day, Rhino will also release "Unzipped" in three other formats: single-CD ($7.98), double-CD ($19.98), and double-LP ($29.98). All of the music will be available digitally and via streaming services.

The first disc from "Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition" mixes rare and unreleased versions of songs like "Summer Rain" and "Forevermore" from the band's recent studio albums, "Good To Be Bad" (2008) and "Forevermore" (2011). Also included are songs like "Love Is Blind" from Coverdale's solo album, "Into The Light" (2000); and a previously unreleased song, "All The Time In The World". All 11 tracks are available on the single-CD, double-CD and double-LP versions of "Unzipped".

In 1997, Coverdale and guitarist Adrian Vandenberg played an unplugged concert in Tokyo that was recorded and initially released exclusively in Japan as "Starkers In Tokyo". That recording has been remixed and will make its North American debut on the second disc of "Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition". The acoustic performance touches on the different stages of Coverdale's career, from his time in DEEP PURPLE ("Soldier Of Fortune"), to his solo albums ("Too Many Tears"), and, most famously, with WHITESNAKE on unplugged versions of hits like "Is This Love" and "Here I Go Again". These 12 tracks, along with all the music on the single-CD version of "Unzipped", will also be available on double-CD, and double-LP.

"Some of my favorite love songs are on disc one of this collection… and I LOVE, love songs," says Coverdale. "Though reluctant at first to go 'unzipped' in public, the shows I did with Adrian Vandenberg in 1997, and then Doug Aldrich in 2006, were incredibly memorable… primarily because it gave me an opportunity to be 'at one' with the crowd… some songs ask for a softer touch… and those are the songs we have here in this collection."

"Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition" has even more of unreleased, unplugged recordings, including more performances from Coverdale's 1997 tour with Vandenberg, plus several later shows featuring Coverdale and guitarist Doug Aldrich. Plus, more than two dozen of Coverdale's unreleased, acoustic demos are also included in the collection.

A DVD completes "Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition" with live, unplugged performances filmed around the world between 1997 and 2015, including a complete acoustic show recorded at the Cutting Room in New York in 2008. A highlight for U.S. fans will be the North American debut of the 1997 concert video "Starkers In Tokyo", which has been remixed in 5.1 and Stereo exclusively for this new collection. Additional bonus features include an interview with Coverdale and Vandenberg, bootleg videos, the "Love Is Blind" music video and a slideshow.

Coverdale continues: "These songs are some of the most personal I've been involved with through my almost five decades as a professional musician, singer and composer…This is me at my most unguarded… innocent… writing, as I still do, for the fun… the expression… the poetry… all LOVE songs."

"Unzipped: Super Deluxe Edition" track listing:

Disc One: Unzipped… In The Studio: The Love Songs

01. Love Is Blind

02. One of These Days *

03. All The Time In The World *

04. Wherever You May Go

05. Easier Said than Done *

06. Fare Thee Well *

07. Summer Rain

08. Forevermore

09. 'Till The End Of Time

Bonus Tracks:

10. Wherever You May Go (Instrumental) Strings only *

11. Love Is Blind (Instrumental) Strings only *

Disc Two: Starkers In Tokyo

01. Sailing Ships

02. Too Many Tears

03. The Deeper The Love

04. Love Ain't No Stranger

05. Can't Go On

06. Give Me All Your Love

07. Don't Fade Away

08. Is This Love

09. Here I Go Again

10. Soldier Of Fortune

Bonus Tracks:

11. Only My Soul (Acapella) *

12. Fool For Your Loving (Excerpt) *

Disc Three: Snakeskin Boots: Starkers In Europe Starkers In Warsaw (Poland, April 18, 1997):

01. Intro

02. Sailing Ships

03. Too Many Tears

04. Here I Go Again

Starkers In Stockholm (Sweden, December 2, 2006):

05. Intro

06. Give Me All Your Love

07. Ain't Gonna Cry No More

08. Only My Soul (Acapella)

09. All I Want Is You

10. Dog

11. Here I Go Again

Starkers In Cologne (Germany, November 24, 2006):

12. Intro

13. Give Me All Your Love

14. Ain't Gonna Cry No More

15. All I Want Is You

16. Slow & Easy

17. Dog

Starkers In Paris (France, November 30, 2006):

18. Give Me All Your Love

19. Ain't Gonna Cry No More

20. Northwinds (Acapella)

21. All I Want Is You

22. Dog

23. Blindman (Acapella)

24. Here I Go Again

Disc Four: More Starkers Promo Tour Rehearsals (2005):

01. If You Want Me *

02. Give Me All Your Love *

03. Slow & Easy *

04. All I Want Is You *

05. Judgement Day *

06. Ain't Gonna Cry No More *

07. Dog *

Starkers In New York (New York City, April 10, 2008):

08. Give Me All Of Your Love

09. Can You Hear The Wind Blow

10. All I Want All I Need

11. Lay Down Your Love

12. Fool For Your Loving

13. The Deeper The Love

14. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City

15. Here I Go Again

WSTV Jams Excerpts (2012):

16. Easier Said Than Done

17. Fare Thee Well

18. Love Will Set You Free

19. Mistreated

20. Slide It In

21. 'Till The End Of Time

22. Shake My Tree

Made In Japan Soundcheck Versions (2011)

23. Good To Be Bad

24. Tell Me How

Disc Five: Up Close & Personal

01. Wherever You May Go (Demo Version) *

02. Surrender *

03. Ain't No Doubt About My Girl *

04. Scat Man Blues *

05. Love's A Crazy Game *

06. I Will Love You *

07. Oh Baby You're The One *

08. So Long (Acapella) *

09. So Long *

10. It Would Be Nice *

11. Slide Thingy Blues *

12. Down To The River *

13. Feel Your Love Grow Stronger *

14. Blues Jam Riff *

15. Fun Lick Blues *

16. Don't Wanna Change The World *

17. It's So Hard *

18. River Song (Early Version) *

19. Let's Have A Drink Before I Go *

20. Can You Ever Forgive Me *

21. So Much To Live For *

22. Another Lick While The Missus Is Busy In The Kitchen *

23. Just The Two Of Us (Together You And I) *

24. Oh S___ Blues (featuring Jessica) *

25. Seasons *

DVD Starkers In Tokyo (1997):

01. Sailing Ships

02. Too Many Tears

03. The Deeper The Love

04. Can't Go On

05. Is This Love

06. Give Me All Your Love

07. Here I Go Again

08. Soldier Of Fortune

09. Love Ain't No Stranger

10. Don't Fade Away

11. Only My Soul (Acapella)

12: Fool For Your Loving (excerpt)

Starkers In New York (2008):

01. Give Me All Of Your Love

02. Can You Hear The Wind Blow

03. All I Want All I Need

04. Lay Down Your Love

05. Fool For Your Loving

06. The Deeper The Love

07. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City

08. Here I Go Again

Starkers In Warsaw (Poland, April 18, 1997):

09. Intro

10. Sailing Ships

11. Too Many Tears

12. Here I Go Again

Starkers In Stockholm (Sweden, December 2, 2006):

13. Intro

14. Give Me All Your Love

15. Ain't Gonna Cry No More

16. Only My Soul (Acapella)

17. All I Want Is You

18. Dog

19. Here I Go Again

Starkers In Cologne (Germany, November 24, 2006):

20. Give Me All Your Love

21. Ain't Gonna Cry No More

22. All I Want Is You

23. Dog

Starkers In Sofia (Bulgaria, November 24, 2015):

24. Soldier Of Fortune

Starkers In Paris 2 (France, June 4, 2009):

25. Blindman

Starkers In Wolverhampton (England, June 16, 2011):

26. Fare Thee Well

Starkers In Glasgow (Scotland, June 15, 2011)*

27. One Of These Days

Bonus Features:

- One-on-One with David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg discussing "Starkers"

- Poor Albert's Last: Photographic Slideshow (featuring audio from "Sailing Ships")

- Purplesnake's "Forevermore" Video

- "Love Is Blind" Music Video

* previously unreleased

Coming on the heels of the announcement of ALTER BRIDGE's career-defining set "Live At The Royal Albert Hall Featuring The Parallax Orchestra", the band has released another video from the live performance. The latest track, "Words Darker Than Their Wings", is a song from the group's 2010 "ABIII" album that, until those two shows in October 2017, had never been previously performed live. The longtime crowd favorite showcases the first time that Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti share lead vocal duties, something that would be repeated on "Waters Rising" from the "Fortress" release.

"'Words Darker Than Their Wings' was a song that we never played before ever and it's been one of our favorites, especially me and Scott Phillips," said Tremonti. "That's been one of our top three ALTER BRIDGE songs since we wrote it, and it's just one of those songs that we have been trying and trying and trying to play live, and Myles is always kind of pushing back about it. And finally, you know, with this orchestra, [Myles] said, 'This is the perfect time to do it.' We did and it was the biggest reaction of both nights."

After 14 years performing together, five full-length studio albums, and countless sold-out shows around the globe, there aren't many items left on a band's bucket list. For ALTER BRIDGE, one of the remaining list items was crossed off in October 2017 when the band performed two sold-out shows at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall backed by the 52-piece Parallax Orchestra led by conductor Simon Dobson. Those career-defining shows were captured and combined in the upcoming Napalm Records worldwide release "Live At The Royal Albert Hall" on September 7.

"Live At The Royal Albert Hall Featuring The Parallax Orchestra" is a 21-song collection that features some of ALTER BRIDGE's biggest hits, fan favorites and even a couple of rarities including "Words Darker Than Their Wings" — a song the band had never played live previously. Songs like "Before Tomorrow Comes", "Ghost Of Days Gone By", "The Last Hero" and "Broken Wings" all find new life with the unique arrangements presented by Dobson and the Parallax Orchestra performing alongside the band. The pre-order for the release is live and fans can order various audio and video configurations including Blu-ray, DVD, CD and vinyl as well as other unique bundles with exclusive content. A portion of the proceeds from all sales will go to the Future Song Foundation; an organization that Myles Kennedy is closely involved with.

The track listing for "Live At The Royal Albert Hall Featuring The Parallax Orchestra" is:

01. Slip To The Void

02. Addicted To Pain

03. Before Tomorrow Comes

04. The Writing On The Wall

05. Cry Of Achilles

06. In Loving Memory

07. Fortress

08. Ties That Bind

09. The Other Side

10. Brand New Start

11. Ghost Of Days Gone By

12. The Last Hero

13. The End Is Here

14. Words Darker Than Their Wings

15. Waters Rising

16. Lover

17. Wonderful Life/Watch Over You

18. This Side Of Fate

19. Broken Wings

20. Blackbird

21. Open Your Eyes

ALTER BRIDGE is:

Myles Kennedy - vocals/guitars

Mark Tremonti - guitars/vocals

Brian Marshall - bass

Scott Phillips - drums

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a judge on Wednesday rejected a bid by AEG to stop Ozzy Osbourne from pursuing an antitrust lawsuit. The BLACK SABBATH singer has alleged that AEG is using a practice called "block-booking" to force him to perform at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against his wishes.

Ozzy had tentatively agreed to perform at London's O2 Arena on February 11, 2019 as part of his "No More Tours 2" farewell run, but he claims that AEG added a provision stating that if Osbourne played an indoor arena within 25 miles of Los Angeles that was promoted by competitor Live Nation during the tour, he would have to play the AEG-owned Staples Center as well.

Osbourne's attorney Daniel Wall with Latham Watkins accused AEG of being a "monopolist" and trying to force Ozzy to play AEG's venue in Los Angeles in exchange for a London date at the arena.

"AEG argues that Ozzy was free to play anywhere he liked in Los Angeles as long as he did not use Live Nation as his promoter to do so," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Dale Fischer. "As Ozzy points out, this take on the allegations doesn't necessarily make AEG's actions less anticompetitive. But it is arguably different from what is pleaded in the complaint. … In any event, it is clear that the complaint alleges that Ozzy personally suffers damage in a fairly direct and non-speculative way by not being able to play in his preferred venues and that the damage stems from the kind of conduct that antitrust law is intended to prevent. AEG is alleged to be using market power in one market to foreclose competition in another through a tying arrangement. That tie allegedly harms Ozzy by constricting his choices on where to play his concerts regardless of whether Ozzy's or his concert promoter's name is on the contract with the venue."

Fischer also ruled that Osbourne has adequately alleged he's been coerced.

In its motion to dismiss the lawsuit from Osbourne, AEG said that Osbourne cannot claim anti-trust injury since the policy ties the promoter to the agreement, not the artist.

Wall submitted a rebuttal to the motion to dismiss, writing that AEG is misleading the court and is fully aware that the policy forces artists to play their venue in Los Angeles, sometimes against their will.

"Factually, AEG misrepresents its own practices with respect to the tying requirement it enforces," Wall's rebuttal read. "The formal venue hire agreement for the O2 referenced in the Staples Center Commitment unambiguously requires the promoter to ensure that the artist plays Staples when in Los Angeles."

AEG previously told Billboard in a statement that the company "has always worked hard to put artists first. At the same time, we must respond to the actions of those we compete with, specifically Live Nation and Madison Square Garden. Fighting for a level playing field is fair competition at its core."

Osbourne wants a judge to invalidate the provision in his contract that forces him to perform at Staples.

Variety reported that AEG's O2/Staples requirement came about in response to a challenge from MSG that found the company refusing to book acts into Madison Square Garden if they played at AEG's Staples Center in Los Angeles instead of the MSG-operated Forum. In response, AEG informed agents and promoters that acts who perform at The Forum instead of Staples will not be booked at London's O2 Arena.

Ozzy's final world tour is slated to last until 2020.

Venice, California crossover thrash/hardcore punk legends SUICIDAL TENDENCIES will release their new album, "STill Cyco Punk After All These Years", on September 7. A track from the disc, "F.U.B.A.R.", can now be streamed below.

While the album's title is an obvious reference to the re-recording of the band's iconic 1983 self-titled debut album, "Still Cyco After All These Years" (originally recorded in 1989 but not released until 1993), the track listing for the new disc suggests that it is a near-complete re-recording of frontman Mike "Cyco Miko" Muir's 1996 solo debut album, "Lost My Brain! (Once Again)".

"STill Cyco Punk After All These Years" track listing:

01. I Love Destruction

02. F.U.B.A.R.

03. All Kinda Crazy

04. Sippin' From The Insanitea

05. It's Always Something

06. Lost My Brain…Once Again

07. Nothin' To Lose

08. Gonna Be Alright

09. Ain't Gonna Get Me

10. All I Ever Get

11. Save A Peace For Me

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES recruited THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's Ben Weinman to play guitar for them on their North American run of shows in July.

Guitarist Jeff Pogan announced his departure from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES last month. He wrote in an Instagram post: "I have decided to leave SUICIDAL TENDENCIES for personal reasons. This means I will not be playing on any of the upcoming shows or tours. I wish the guys the best of luck and am grateful for all of the experiences I had with them."

Pogan had been the guitarist for SUICIDAL TENDENCIES since 2016. During his tenure with the band, he played on their most recent full-length studio album, 2016's "World Gone Mad", and the "Get Your Fight On!" EP, which came out in March.

Professionally filmed video footage of STONE SOUR performing an acoustic version of the song "Miracles" as part of the the "Zippo Sessions" at this past May's Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio can be seen below.

STONE SOUR recently unveiled details of a deluxe release for its acclaimed 2017 LP, "Hydrograd". The two-disc set, "Hydrograd Deluxe Edition", collects unreleased covers, b-sides, live recordings and alternate versions of songs from "Hydrograd". Available for pre-order along with a new exclusive t-shirt at StoneSour.com, the deluxe edition is highlighted by "Burn One Turn One", a previously unreleased b-side from "Hydrograd". "Burn One Turn One" is also available as an instant-grat download with all pre-orders. Fans can also pre-order signed physical copies of "Hydrograd Deluxe Edition" via PledgeMusic. "Hydrograd Deluxe Edition" features 13 rare or unreleased songs including an acoustic version of the No. 1 rock song "Song #3", as well as covers of hits from RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SOUNDGARDEN and VAN HALEN. "Hydrograd Deluxe Edition" arrives worldwide August 31.

"Hydrograd" was recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX and STEEL PANTHER.

STONE SOUR drummer Roy Mayorga told Topeka's rock station V100 about the making of "Hydrograd": "It came about pretty natural. It's just a collective of everyone. A lot of it was written together, live at my house. We demoed all of it at my studio at my house and just kind of pieced everything together there. We did five or six songs at a time, and every three months we'd get back together and do it that way. Corey [Taylor, vocals] would bring in some songs; Josh [Rand, guitar] would bring in some songs; Christian [Martucci, guitar] brought in a lot of stuff; I would submit some riffs to Christian and he would put 'em together… We wrote about, I'd say, 28 to 30 [songs], and we whittled it down to what you hear. You write as many as you can, you write the best songs you can, and then just pick from there."

STONE SOUR will support Ozzy Osbourne on the initial North American leg of the legendary vocalist's "No More Tours 2" tour, which kicks off August 30 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

DEMONS & WIZARDS, the side project of ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer and BLIND GUARDIAN singer Hansi Kürsch, is one of the confirmed acts for the 30th-anniversary edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 1-3, 2019 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are PARKWAY DRIVE, POWERWOLF, AIRBOURNE, ROSE TATTOO, WITHIN TEMPTATION, MESHUGGAH, KROKUS, DARK FUNERAL and AVATAR, with many more bands to be announced soon.

Jon told Wacken TV about DEMONS & WIZARDS' return: "It has been a while. It's been about… well, since our last record came out, that was 2005. And since the last time we performed, that was 2000."

Schaffer added that he and Kürsch are "very honored" to be performing at the 30th-anniversary installment of the festival. "It's a good pressure for Hansi and I, it's a good kind — it's the kind we like," he said. "We're very excited about it.

"The thing is we wanted to continue the DEMONS & WIZARDS thing, but with ICED EARTH and BLIND GUARDIAN, we're very busy people," Jon continued. "And our schedules, it's just one of those times right now where the holes are lining up in the right way for us to be able to commit to shows next summer. So it's cool."

This past spring, Schaffer told Metal Wani that he would be "really focused" on the songwriting process for DEMONS & WIZARDS' long-awaited third album "from August on through the rest of the year." He added: "I really need to be off and in that meditative state where I'm left alone and focused completely on music. If I've got all this stuff going on with the new [ICED EARTH] album cycle, which we are in, then it makes it hard for me to be productive in the best way for the product. I've talked to Hansi. He's, like, 'No pressure, dude.' The perfect timing for me is going to be at the end of this year. I expect that we will because once I get focused on something, it goes pretty quick. Hansi has his schedule opened up pretty much, so I think 2019 is realistic [for a new DEMONS & WIZARDS album]."

Asked how he separates the writing process between ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS, Jon said: "It's different because in ICED EARTH, when I'm writing a song by myself, I'm writing it with Stu [Block] or with Matt [Barlow] in the past, or whatever, it's worked in different ways. For me, when I'm working on a song with my lyrics, then I know at least what the theme or the title of the song is going to be, so that leads me in a direction in how I craft the music. I always want to make it so, that even without the vocals, somebody can close their eyes and really feel like they're on a journey of whatever that song might be about.,, With Hansi, it's a little different because a lot of that stuff gets decided later. It's really just about trying and coming up with cool musical arrangements that are what they are, then he adds his thing in."

He continued: "It's just different because I don't write as much in DEMONS & WIZARDS as I do in ICED EARTH; it's a different thing. If we end up talking early in the process and he says, 'Hey, I've got this theme of a song.' That always helps me for sure. I can go 'Okay, I know where my target is.' I have to be passionate about whatever subject it is that we're going to write about in order to create the soundscape that is convincing for people, whether there's vocals or not. That's the icing on the cake, but the music still has to speak. It's a big deal. It's like the soundtrack of a movie. If you turn that off, you're not going to cry and you're not going to get scared. It's a giant thing when watching any kind of movies. It's the movements that happen at a subconscious level that people sometimes don't really understand. To me, if we're going for a specific subject matter, we got to try to put the listener on a journey that's as emotive and powerful as possible from an instrumental standpoint, then the lyrics and melodies are the icing on the cake."

DEMONS & WIZARDS was launched in 1997 and has released two full-length albums so far: 2000's self-titled effort and 2005's "Touched By The Crimson King". The latter was partially based on the "The Dark Tower" series of books (written by Stephen King) in which the Crimson King is the main antagonist.

"Touched By The Crimson King" was released in Japan in September 2005 with the following bonus tracks: "Lunar Lament", "Wicked Witch" (slow version) and "Spatial Architects". The CD also included the "Terror Train" video. The disc featured an appearance by HALFORD and SEBASTIAN BACH drummer Bobby Jarzombek.

Schaffer said in a 2009 interview that he felt "Touched By The Crimson King" was a bit rushed and he was determined to do things differently next time around. "We had this window of opportunity where we had to get it done and we kind of let time dictate the schedule instead of our feelings, and that was probably a mistake," he explained. "I mean, I'm proud of that record and it sold killer and it's a good album, but I think Hansi and I are capable of a lot more, especially when we get back to the root reasons of why we did this thing together."

LIV SIN, the band led by former SISTER SIN vocalist Liv "Sin" Jagrell, has commenced work on the material for its second album. The group wrote on Facebook: "The ideas are there, demos will be recorded, and all we can say right now is that it's gonna be a real step forward from 'Follow Me'."

LIV SIN's debut album, "Follow Me", was released in April 2017 via the Swedish label Despotz Records. The effort was co-produced by longtime ACCEPT and U.D.O. member Stefan Kaufmann.

LIV SIN released an EP called "Inverted" this past May . The vinyl-only release, which was produced by Martin Sandvik of HARDCORE SUPERSTAR at Studio Österlyckan, includes a cover of the DANZIG track "Devil's Plaything", plus reworked versions of the songs "Black Souls" and "Killing Ourselves To Live" from "Follow Me", as well as a bonus track called "Murphy's Law" that was originally recorded for "Follow Me".

From the gutters of south Sweden, Jagrell emerged as a major force as the vocalist for hard rockers SISTER SIN. Throughout the band's 13-year career, SISTER SIN sold thousands of albums and toured the world with high-profile tours supporting the likes of SLAYER and KING DIAMOND on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, as well as being a part of the Revolver magazine "Hottest Chicks In Metal" tour. SISTER SIN toured relentlessly for over a decade across Europe and North America garnering an intensely loyal following of rockers that craved the band's aggressive and melodic brand of hard rock.

When SISTER SIN called it quits at the end of 2015, Liv knew that she had much more to give to her fans. From this, LIV SIN was born. Liv's new music shows the power, sexiness, and attitude that she is known for.

Los Angeles hard rock trio OWL takes a moment to explore the manifestation of dreams and desires on its potent and powerful new video, "Believe".

OWL is the highly personal creative vehicle of vocalist/bassist Chris Wyse, longtime bassist for THE CULT and member of Ace Frehley's band, along with drummer Dan Dinsmore (THE CLAY PEOPLE) and recently returned guitarist/vocalist Eric Bradley. Wyse and Dinsmore formed their first band together as teenagers in upstate New York, and have maintained a working version of OWL over the years, even as Wyse's star ascended as a bassist following his move to Los Angeles.

The band's new song, "Believe", explores the real act of materializing one's beliefs and taking control of destiny. Recorded between Wyse's tours with Ace Frehley and the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, the track is the first new recording in over ten years to include original guitarist Eric Bradley, who first met Wyse when they played together in the Jerry Cantrell band.

Camping out at Albany's Overit Studios, the trio utilized a live recording approach, and Wyse pushed the boundaries of integrating an upright bass and bow into the band's music in innovative ways.

Currently touring the world with the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, Wyse is excited about the future of OWL and the prospect of further uninhibited creation.

MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil performed with his solo band on August 3 at the Porispere festival in Pori, Finland. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Neil chose to go ahead with his shows at Porispere and Germany's Wacken Open Air (August 2) festivals despite the fact that his mother passed away just a few days earlier after a battle with cancer.

MÖTLEY CRÜE called it quits in December 2015 following an eighteen-month tour that saw the group performing to packed houses all over the world.

A tour film about CRÜE's final shows, "The End", came out last fall, and a film adaptation of the band's 2001 autobiography "The Dirt" is in the works.

Neil is continuing to tour the world with his solo band, which includes Dana Strum and Jeff Blando from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney.

Speaking to "Trunk Nation", Eddie Trunk's show on SiriusXM channel Volume (106), Vince acknowledged that he is currently the only member of MÖTLEY CRÜE who is waving the flag for the band's music by performing CRÜE songs as a solo artist.

"It's a cool thing, because I love MÖTLEY CRÜE, I love MÖTLEY CRÜE's music, and I love singing, and I love the fans' reactions when they hear the songs," he said. "Whether we're playing in front of a thousand people or twenty thousand people, I can only see the front row anyway. So I'm happy for me and for the fans to be able to still hear that music after MÖTLEY CRÜE is finished."

"Touch Taste Destroy", the title track of the new EP from THE WHITE SWAN, the Canadian doom-laden sludge rock trio founded by drummer-turned-vocalist/guitarist Mercedes Lander (KITTIE), can be streamed below. The disc will be released on September 7.

Lander commented: "'Touch Taste Destroy' is about experiencing real romantic love for the first time. The kind of love that completely consumes you and ruins any idea of what you thought real love was like.

"The main riff came together very easily for me and was written on an Alvarez baritone acoustic on my couch in about five minutes. We had the middle part tucked away in our bank of riffs and it fit very well with the main bit of music.

"Lyrically, the song is quite sappy, which is an underlying theme with THE WHITE SWAN in general, but I really wanted to keep the verses very dark sounding, to contrast the lyrical content, and the choruses a bit more intense but in the same dark vein as the verses.

"I felt like 'Touch Taste Destroy' perfectly describes the EP's theme. Not only is it one of my favorite songs, but it speaks for the content of all three songs on the EP."

Following up from THE WHITE SWAN's previous EPs, 2017's "The White" and 2016's "Anubis", "Touch Taste Destroy" spans over three tracks with support from guitarist Shane Jeffers and bassist Kira Longeuay. It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Noble Street Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with acclaimed engineer Alastair Sims (RUSH, THREE DAYS GRACE).

"Touch Taste Destroy" track listing:

01. Touch Taste Destroy

02. Pelvic Sorcery

03. Inamorato

"Touch Taste Destroy" will also be offered as a special limited-edition vinyl on gold variant via War Crime Recordings.

THE WHITE SWAN will hit the road this fall as they embark on a series of headlining dates across Eastern Canada stretching into the Midwest U.S.

WESTFIELD MASSACRE, which features in its ranks singer Seann Nicols (a.k.a. Sheldon Tarsha; formerly of Bobby Blotzer's RATT, ADLER'S APPETITE and QUIET RIOT), has released the official Ron Underwood-directed music video for its new single, "Famine". The track is taken from the band's forthcoming full-length album.

Nicols took over as the lead vocalist for WESTFIELD MASSACRE in June 2017 when the band parted ways with Tommy Vext, who currently sings for BAD WOLVES.

WESTFIELD MASSACRE has a sound that can be described as a bridge between modern American and European metal. With aggressive growls, high, soaring vocal melodies, impossibly fast drums, classically inspired passages and harmonized guitar leads, WESTFIELD MASSACRE aims to make its modern metal accessible to fans of all music genres.

"Famine" is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and other digital outlets.

WESTFIELD MASSACRE's self-titled debut album was released in April 2016 via Urban Yeti Records. The CD was recorded at Echelon Studios with producer Joseph McQueen.

Photo by: Kaelan Barowsky

The official lyric video for the song "Free" from ULTRAPHONIX, the new creation of Corey Glover (LIVING COLOUR) and George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), alongside the great rhythm section formed by drummer Chris Moore and Pancho Tomaselli on bass, can be seen below. The track is taken from ULTRAPHONIX's debut album, "Original Human Music", which is being released today (Friday, August 3) via earMUSIC.


"Original Human Music" was co-produced by Bob Daspit (SAMMY HAGAR) and it displays the magic match between Glover's iconic voice and Lynch's unique style on the guitar.


The core and value of ULTRAPHONIX lies in the songwriting and the quality of the songs.


"Original Human Music" is an album where Glover's profound and thoughtful lyrics sound loud — together with the warm and heavy wall of sound created by Lynch. It's all sustained by a rhythm section that can go anywhere musically.


Lynch says: "The album sounds like a fusion of early [RED HOT] CHILI PEPPERS meets KING CRIMSON meets JUDAS PRIEST! It's a super-fun band."


Drawing on (very heavy) rock, funk, and jazz influences, the band paints a picture of a band still believing that social consciousness could be celebrated through great rock songs.


"Original Human Music" track listing:

01. Baptism

02. Another Day

03. Walk Run Crawl

04. Counter Culture

05. Heart Full Of Rain

06. Free

07. Wasteland

08. Take A Stand

09. Ain't Too Late

10. Soul Control

11. What You Say

12. Power Trip

According to Billboard, AEROSMITH has signed a new management deal with ReignDeer Entertainment/Maverick's Larry Rudolph. The group had previously worked with Trudy Green and the late Howard Kaufman for nearly 20 years.

Rudolph has handled AEROSMITH lead singer Steven Tyler's solo career since 2014.

As previously reported, AEROSMITH will perform on "Today" show's Concert Series on August 15.

Back in March, during a chat with Atlantic City Weekly, guitarist Joe Perry shed light on what fans can look for regarding AEROSMITH tour plans. "I think, the way things are going, we are going to try and take it easy," he said. "We may do a couple more one-offs — maybe some festivals over the next six or eight months. In 2019, we will be closing in on our 50th anniversary, so we are planning some dates and a tour to celebrate that. Right now we are pretty much laying low and finishing up some solo things before we start that."

AEROSMITH officially formed in Boston in 1970 and last performed on May 5 at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

In 2017, AEROSMITH announced a run of dates called "Aero-Vederci Baby!", but stopped short of calling it a final tour.

AEROSMITH hasn't released a new studio album since 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!"

Perry issued a solo disc, titled "Sweetzerland Manifesto", on January 19.