Prior to KATAKLYSM's performance in Louisville, Kentucky on February 17, front man Maurizio Iacono was interviewed by "The Great Metal Debate" podcast. The full conversation can be streamed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the group's recent tour with SOULFLY:

Maurizio: "[It was] very good. It's been actually [a] really cool situation to meet Max [Cavalera] and SOULFLY. Being asked to do the tour with them was a really cool surprise for us, and the tour's been doing great. It's been a very, very uplifting tour."

On why the band had to drop off the tour early:

Maurizio: "We were supposed to do the whole thing. The problem — well, it's not a problem, but my wife is due. The due date came earlier [than expected], and we had to cancel the last week."

On juggling family life with his metal career:

Maurizio: "This will be my third kid, so I have a big family. I love it, and I think that makes me rich. I want to spend a lot of time with that, but I still want to do my passion. I still have a lot of fire for this... We are really committed, still, to both things. We work around it."

On whether, after moving to Chicago, he still follows the metal scene in Montreal:

Maurizio: "Not as much as I would like to or I used to be. When you live in an area and people see you every day, it's different. I moved to Chicago 15 years ago. My guitar player lives in Dallas; he's been there [for] 10 years. All of us are spread out, but still half of the band is there... I am in touch, and I do like Canadian metal in a special way because we have to be different in order to get noticed, because we're next to the big beast of America and it's very difficult to come out, so I think that's what makes the bands be different and just sound different."

On having described KATAKLYSM as "an outsider band":

Maurizio: "KATAKLYSM is very difficult to identify as one style. The band's got thrash metal [elements]; it's got melodic stuff. One moment, we're like PANTERA; the other moment, we're something like, maybe, death metal [like] CANNIBAL CORPSE. The band has a very distinctive sound that's ours, and I think it's difficult to label. It's difficult to place us on tours, too. We can do this [tour with SOULFLY] and turn around and [tour with] CANNIBAL CORPSE."

On the biggest change in the music industry he's seen during KATAKLYSM's nearly three-decade career:

Maurizio: "It's just a different medium now, how the music gets transported. Everything ends — tapes ended, and CDs obviously are ending. We're just entering now a digital world, and that's where we are. Is it different than before? Even record labels didn't know how to handle it. They're getting their feet wet now. It's not fair for the musician yet, like it wasn't fair when the CD came out. We're going into that new pattern. With the CD, it became kind of fair, and now it's dead, so now entering the digital world, it's not fair — and by the time that will be changing, it will be fair for the bands."

On Hard Impact, his management agency that represents such artists as FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, CARACH ANGREN and SEPTICFLESH:

Maurizio: "My job is to defend the bands and to give them the best deal they can get and protect them. It is extremely hard for me to do that [nowadays] because I see firsthand what's going on. The bands need to make money and survive, and it's getting harder and harder to do that playing music, so you have to have strategies behind it. That's the only way bands can do it now. I think that bands have way more voice now than we used to have back then, because the Internet opened up everything. It's fucked up a lot of shit, but it opened up a lot of stuff. Labels have a hard time now doing something bad without getting based by everybody online. Things get around quicker, so they are more on tippy-toes; they are more open to work with you on different things... Now, it's not that hard to get signed, [but] it's hard to get noticed, because you've got so many millions of bands out there. The Internet's making it so quick that as soon as something's working — that gets a little bit of heat — bands are flocking to it that are unsigned, trying to copy it. They burn it — they burn the band that's [catching fire], because there's 10,000 of them. Even if you start to get success, you've got to work around that success to be still different. It's more complex than it used to be, that's for sure."

On his sources of inspiration for KATAKLYSM:

Maurizio: "Everyday life. Even just the way we struggled as a band to get noticed, to come out of Canada... once you make it out and get a record deal, you're starting over again, because now you're global and you have to prove it to the world. We've struggled with that — we had a very tough upbringing as a band, and also in our personal lives. We don't come from, like, a suburb where mommy's paying for everything. I was from the city, and we had to duke it out. A lot of that is transposed into music, and a lot of it is also what I see around the world – just personal experience and emotions. KATAKLYSM's a very hands-on, street, real-life type of band."

KATAKLYSM's thirteenth album, "Meditations", was released last June via Nuclear Blast. The 10-song effort was produced by the band's guitarist Jean-François Dagenais and drummer Oli Beaudoin, and was mixed by Jay Ruston. Mastering duties were handled by Paul Logus (PANTERA).

The "Meditations" cover artwork was created for Ocvlta Designs by Surtsey, who also crafted the artwork for KATAKLYSM's previous record, "Of Ghosts And Gods".

Ex-KORN drummer David Silveria has defended his decision to countersue the band, explaining that he only wants what he is "rightfully owed."

The 46-year-old musician, who left KORN in late 2006, publicly broke his silence after The Blast reported that he has filed a new lawsuit against the group, claiming his former bandmates owe him almost a million dollars.

In a post on his Facebook page, Silveria wrote: "Yes, I found out I was being stolen from. Click on the link of our original partnership agreement. You can clearly read everything is split 20% all across the board.

"This is not about the individual band members. For all I know, they may have not even known about this theft.

"I feel so lucky that the five of us came together when we did. If it weren’t for the fans, we would have just been guys playing in a rehearsal studio. But thanks to the fans around the world, we got to tour all over the world playing for millions of fans. Because of the fans, my childhood dream became my reality. I will be forever grateful for that.

"This is all about business. I only want what I'm rightfully owed, and that's it. I have no hard feelings towards any of the guys. We were brothers once and I love them all."

Silveria originally sued his former bandmates in February 2015, claiming that his exit from the group was merely a hiatus and that he was rebuffed when he tried to return to the band in 2013. Silveria said he still had ownership interest in KORN and asked a judge to force the band to reveal how much money they've made since he left so that he can get his rightful share. KORN countersued and the two sides reached an agreement in 2016 that called for Silveria to give up his rights to KORN royalties going forward in exchange for a lump sum.

But Silveria now claims his 2016 agreement with KORN "omitted any reference to the 2003 agreement between the partnership and SoundExchange," which administers royalties from non-interactive streaming recordings. "The Settlement Agreement was also silent on the issue of how SoundExchange royalties were to be apportioned."

KORN sued Silveria last month, claiming that he contacted SoundExchange in July 2018 saying he was entitled to his cut. The band said they informed Silveria that this was in direct violation of the settlement agreement he reached and to withdraw his claim to SoundExchange. Silveria apparently did not do so, causing SoundExchange to place a hold on all payouts related to KORN.

In his countersuit, Silveria claims he was unaware the band had been receiving money from SoundExchange since 2003 and alleges KORN's deal with SoundExchange was entered into without his knowledge. He claims the band concealed the deal and the payments from him and now he is after what he believes he is owed.

He is suing for breach of contract, among other things, and is asking for damages in excess of $750,000.

When Silveria sued KORN in 2015, he was said to be especially upset over the fact that the band welcomed back guitarist Brian "Head" Welch six years ago but wouldn't do the same for him. Welch left the group in 2005 and continued as a solo artist before rejoining in 2013.


This is the only time I’m going to post on this. Yes I found out I was being stolen from. Click on the link of our...Posted by David Silveria on Saturday, March 23, 2019

BEAST IN BLACK guitarist and main songwriter Anton Kabanen spoke to Spain's GoetiaMedia.com about the band's ill-fated fall 2017 European tour with W.A.S.P. that ended after only four shows.

"I'm not gonna go into all the details, but [W.A.S.P. leader] Blackie Lawless, he has his reputation, and [he's] not the easiest touring partner," Anton said (hear audio below). "We didn't really meet him, actually, in person — only a couple of times in corridor and outside the car, but that's about it. Everybody knows he's the boss there and decisions come from [him]. And it was kind of very… not amateurish, but… well, how to say it…

"We've toured now with quite many bands — with bigger bands than W.A.S.P. — and how W.A.S.P. behaves or does things is weird. How can someone that has been in this career for many decades still cause this kind of problems for a support band?" the former BATTLE BEAST guitarist continued. "It's a weird attitude, I would say — an unprofessional attitude. Things can be done in a way that it's a win-win situation for both bands, so we didn't understand what's the motive behind those things, what they were doing there, to make things more difficult for us.

"But after that, the whole year, 2018, was so successful that now we look back to that W.A.S.P. tour and think, 'Hey, it was just a bump on the road. It didn't really stop [us] or anything,'" Anton added. "And, actually, it turned out into a good thing, because it's something people still keep asking us about: 'Hey, what happened with the W.A.S.P. tour?' It caused some kind of a buzz around the band, more hype for the band, because that happened. And a bad thing turned into a good thing. People still talk about it."

BEAST IN BLACK's sophomore album, "From Hell With Love", was released on February 8 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2017's "Berserker" was once again recorded in Anton's Sound Request Studio, and true to the motto "never change a winning team," the cover artwork was created by Roman Ismailov, who worked on "Berserker" as well as the first record Kabanen wrote with BATTLE BEAST, "Steel" (2012).

Kabanen was dismissed from BATTLE BEAST in February 2015 due to what was described at the time as "insurmountable disagreements" with the other members of the band.

Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST have released the official lyric video for the song "The Golden Horde". The track is taken from the band's fifth studio album, "No More Hollywood Endings", which was released on March 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.

"No More Hollywood Endings" was recorded by Janne Björkroth, Viktor Gullichsen and Joona Björkroth at JKB Studio. The production and mixing duties were handled by Janne. The cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, MANOWAR), who previously worked with BATTLE BEAST on 2017's "Bringer Of Pain".

Bassist Eero Sipila told Australia's Heavy about "No More Hollywood Endings": "It's very hard to think that this is already our fifth record. For me, it feels like we have just started and then it feels like we have always done this. As a teenager, I always thought that I would be in a band that would record forever and we would do 20 albums and tour for 40 years, but for me now that is hard to think about because it is such a big number… You just have to write a new album every two years. In our band, there are so many different musical inspirations — we have pop-rock, we have power metal — everybody has different musical inspirations, and we don't want to cut any of those out; we want them all to exist and I think that is what lets our sound evolve and let the sons come together naturally."

"No More Hollywood Endings" track listing:

01. Unbroken

02. No More Hollywood Endings

03. Eden

04. Unfairy Tales

05. Endless Summer

06. The Hero

07. Piece Of Me

08. I Wish

09. Raise Your Fists

10. The Golden Horde

11. World On Fire

Bonus tracks (digipak and 2LP only!)

12. Bent And Broken

13. My Last Dream

The official music video for the song "The Great Despair" from THE NEAL MORSE BAND — Neal Morse (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Randy George (bass), Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals), Eric Gillette (guitars, vocals) — can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest double concept album, "The Great Adventure", which was released on January 25 on Radiant Records via Metal Blade worldwide. It is available in three formats: a two-CD package, two-CD/DVD special edition featuring behind-the-scenes video clips of the making of the album, and three vinyl LPs.

The follow-up to 2016's critically acclaimed "The Similitude Of A Dream" is the ninth studio album with Morse, Portnoy and George, and the third as a true collaboration with this current lineup. Together, Morse and Portnoy have launched four bands, but the one that has endured the longest and thus with the most musical output has been THE NEAL MORSE BAND.


"Let the great adventure now begin…" The closing line of "The Similitude Of A Dream" has proved to be strangely prophetic. The new album is exactly that: a perfect companion piece to "The Similitude Of A Dream"'s partial retelling of John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress". It has everything that fans would expect from an album by THE NEAL MORSE BAND, and more: rock, metal, classical and jazz elements appear throughout, as well as some killer melodies, all played faultlessly by some of the greatest rock musicians on the planet.


As Neal Morse explains: "This band continues to amaze me! I have to say it was a little daunting to follow up 'The Similitude Of A Dream' as it was such a special album and it delivered every night at our concerts, but I believe that 'The Great Adventure' will have a tremendous impact as well. This new double album is everything that I hoped it would be! I listened through last night and I was in tears at the end!"


Mike Portnoy emphatically agrees. He says: "How do you follow an epic double concept album??? Well, create another epic double concept album!! Hahaha. I always knew topping 'The Similitude Of A Dream' was going to be difficult, if not impossible, as I held it in such high regard, but alas, I am absolutely blown away with what we achieved here! We've created what is the ultimate companion to 'The Similitude Of A Dream'."


"Sometimes there are things that you just can't mess with," Randy George continues. "On 'The Similitude Of A Dream', we tapped into something special. I was sure that the follow up should be something quite different, but you have to follow your heart and follow the music where it wants to go. 'The Great Adventure' is nothing short of a miracle. It's similar to 'Similitude' in concept and form, but yet it's tougher and deeper in its tone! This is a powerful work and I look forward to playing it live!


True to the album's title, the creative process was indeed a "great adventure." Unlike many previous Morse albums, which have often been written and arranged within weeks, this time around these prolific and world-class musicians spent almost a year working on the end result, producing an abundance of top-quality material. This meant some ruthless decision-making: some already completed songs and characters had to go, and — with studio time running out–new links and ideas were being composed and recorded up to the eleventh hour. "A lot of work and re-work has gone into this," says Morse, "but I know that some of the most successful and far-reaching albums I've been involved with have been just like that. 'Sola Scriptura' and SPOCK'S BEARD's 'Snow' album come to mind."


Another key question that had to be addressed in the studio was how to pull all the ideas together into a coherent whole. In the end, what unlocked this "adventure" for Morse was the realization that 'The Great Adventure' needed a new voice and perspective. This time, it is that of the Pilgrim's abandoned son, a younger, perhaps angrier, voice than was heard on "The Similitude Of A Dream".


Photo credit: Robert Smith

METALLICA has announced a second show with the San Francisco Symphony, exclusively for members of the band's fan club.

The new concert will take place on September 8 — two days after the previously announced performance — and will once again see METALLICA join forces with the orchestra for the first time in two decades for the opening of San Francisco's new Chase Center arena. METALLICA and the San Francisco Symphony last played together in 1999, at a concert that was recorded and filmed for the "S&M" album and DVD.

The classical musicians and classic rockers will be the first acts to perform at the new 18,064-seat arena that will serve as home to the NBA team Golden State Warriors in the fall.

Says the band: "Wow... that's all we have to say! The response from the 'TALLICA fan universe to the announcement of our show with the San Francisco Symphony blew us away. In fact, it was completely and totally overwhelming — thank you! However, we also understand that for a great number of you, it brought frustration and disappointment as the supply of tickets fell way short of demand.

"We've heard you and we've learned from our missteps with this particular ticket on sale. We're working to make this right as we are excited to announce that a second show has been added at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, September 8th. First order of business: No public on sale this time! Tickets for the second 'S&M²' show will be available exclusively to Fifth Members.

"We're thrilled to continue the celebration of this world-class arena's opening, to share the spotlight with the Golden State Warriors, the SF Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, the Chase Center and what this event represents to the city and the people of San Francisco. The second show gives us a chance to celebrate in a unique and very special way with all of you, the die-hard Fifth Members. We're all huddled at METALLICA HQ now working out a plan to give every one of you the most fair and equal chance at obtaining tickets (and to do everything possible to keep the bots from getting any).

"Under the full disclosure umbrella, due to contractual obligations with the Chase Center, there will be a small number of tickets available to Golden State Warriors season ticket holders, but the rest of the house will be all of you and only you... just the METALLICA Fan Club family. This is going to take a little time to get as close to foolproof as we can get it, so please sit tight for a few more days and we'll be back with more details.

"Thank you for all your comments, suggestions and most of all your support and patience! Stay tuned, watch this space."

On March 19, METALLICA fans took to Twitter to express their outrage after the pre-sale for the "S&M²" show ended within seconds due to bots grabbing all the available tickets.

Members of METALLICA's fan club were supposed to be given the opportunity to buy tickets a few days early, but it was reported that tickets began showing up instantly at StubHub before fans had a chance to view their pre-sale opportunity.

Fans reported signing in at exactly 9:00 a.m. PT and being unable to purchase a single ticket, while tickets went on sale at StubHub via resellers at prices ranging from $300 to $16,000 for one ticket.

The original "S&M" concerts were conducted by the late Michael Kamen in spring of 1999 at the Berkeley Community Theatre. The "S&M²" concerts will feature the first live performances of these arrangements in 20 years, plus the first-ever METALLICA/San Francisco Symphony renditions of songs written and released since the original "S&M", with new orchestral charts by Bruce Coughlin.

"Do The Paranoid Style", a brand new song from the acclaimed Los Angeles punk rock band BAD RELIGION, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the group's upcoming album titled "Age Of Unreason", which is due on May 3 via on Epitaph Records.

"When fringe groups blame shadowy forces for their problems it is, at worst, delusional," guitarist Brett Gurewitz said about the song, which was inspired by historian Richard Hofstadter's 1964 essay "The Paranoid Style In American Politics." "But when those holding the levers of power do the same thing, it's not delusion, it's a method of delegitimizing the opposition. It's a tool of authoritarianism."

Since the group's formative years they have steadfastly advocated for humanism, reason, and individualism. Now, when these values are in decline and nationalism and bigotry are on the rise, BAD RELIGION's message has never been more essential. "Age Of Unreason" delivers a powerful and inspired response — a political and deeply personal treatise on all they believe in.

"The band has always stood for enlightenment values," Gurewitz explains. "Today, these values of truth, freedom, equality, tolerance, and science, are in real danger. This record is our response."

The songs on "Age Of Unreason" are both furious and meticulously crafted. There are references to contemporary events; racist rallies, Trump's election, the erosion of the middle class, Colin Kaepernick's protest, alternative facts, conspiracy theories, and there are homages to the literary and philosophical works that have long inspired the band.

The track "Chaos From Within" uses the band's iconic fast, powerful and melodic sound to examine the current border wall controversy with the lyrics, "Threat is urgent, existential / with patience wearing thin / but the danger's elemental / it's chaos from within." As co-songwriter and lead singer Greg Graffin says: "Throughout history, walls have been used to keep the barbarians out, But it seems to me that the truly barbaric aspect of a civilization is the chaos that comes from within."

"Age Of Unreason" is BAD RELIGION's 17th studio album and was co-produced by Carlos de la Garza. It is a timely work of immense power and one of their very best. Society's step backwards has propelled the legendary band decidedly forward. There is an elevated craft in the way the song "Candidate" vividly evokes the current president, "I am your candidate / I am bloody lips and makeup /I'm your caliphate, opioids and mutilation / a celebrity and my name is competition." Another track, titled "The Approach", addresses the possible demise of democracy with the lyrics, "There's a moral and intellectual vacuum / and you're right to be lookin' askance / philosophically moribund, revolution hasn't a chance."

This record is both a dire warning and testament to resilience. The overall message being — seek truth about the world and oneself. As Graffin, who holds a PhD in the history of science, says: "When I saw all these headlines about how terrible our world had become, I started doing a lot of reading. I read about the French revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and I started to recognize that this is a pattern of history and something we should never venture into. There are ample warnings against it. Every school child should know this but it's hard to get people to read about these things. Maybe this album can help. Because right now, with social media, we are just playing a version of kill the guy with the ball."

"Age Of Unreason" track listing:

01. Chaos From Within

02. My Sanity

03. Do The Paranoid Style

04. The Approach

05. Lose Your Head

06. End Of History

07. Age Of Unreason

08. Candidate

09. Faces Of Grief

10. Old Regime

11. Big Black Dog

12. Downfall

13. Since Now

14. What Tomorrow Brings

15. The Profane Rights Of Man (bonus)

Photo credit: Alice Baxley

In progressive metal circles, the names of guitarist Jim Matheos and vocalist John Arch are spoken with due reverence. With the former having been a driving force in FATES WARNING for 35 years, and the latter the original frontman of that band, they also have a single seminal work under the ARCH/MATHEOS banner, 2011's "Sympathetic Resonance". In 2019, they have reunited to follow that record up with "Winter Ethereal", a more stylistically varied and perhaps deeper collection that explores a lot of sonic territory over the course of nine immersive tracks. "This stems from both of us trying to step out of our comfort zones a bit, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes being pushed," states Matheos. "Having worked together so many times, it would be easy to fall into the same way of doing things, and I think we were both interested in exploring some new areas." Arch concurs and adds: "Each song is notably different from the next, and nothing sounds repetitive. It is not a concept album, but somehow after a full listen from start to finish, there does seem to be continuity between the songs that I can't describe. At over an hour long, I think the fans will agree that it is a full listening experience."

"Winter Ethereal" will be released on May 10 via Metal Blade Records. A video for the song "Straight And Narrow" is available below.

Upon completion of "Sympathetic Resonance", the duo neither declared it a one-off work nor planned on making a follow-up, and rather than force anything, they waited for the right timing to present itself, opening the door for a sophomore release. Having commenced writing for the record in the spring of 2017, nothing included was at any point destined for a FATES WARNING record, and everything was penned specifically for ARCH/MATHEOS. This contributes to the record's distinctive feel, and had it not come so naturally, there would be no "Winter Ethereal".

"The way we work together is no pressure, no deadline, at least until we get close to recording," says Matheos. "We allow ourselves a lot of time and flexibility to see if we even have anything to say. That's first and foremost. We start by writing, and if things start shaping up and we're excited and inspired, we keep going until we're confident that we'll be able to do a whole record."

Rather than reform the full lineup of the first record — made up entirely of FATES WARNING members — this time around, the duo favored mixing things up with a variety of contributing musicians.

"We decided that it would be a good idea to use a different lineup and hopefully avoid a lot of the confusion created around the first record," Matheos says. "At the same time, we didn't want to give the impression that we were forming a new 'band' that would be touring/recording beyond this current record. With that in mind, I thought it might be an interesting idea to have a few different rhythm sections across the record, to give things a different feel and sound under the familiar top layer of vocals and guitars by John and I."

This lineup comprises both present and former FATES WARNING drummers and bassists — Joey Vera, Bobby Jarzombek, Joe Dibiase and Mark Zonder — plus other noted musicians, such as Steve DiGiorgio (DEATH, TESTAMENT), CYNIC's Sean Malone, and renowned drummer Thomas Lang.

While not a concept album, Arch asserts that "anyone who takes the time to read the lyrics will probably connect with a recurring theme touching on the mysterious weight or flight of human emotion that leaves us with more questions than answers." In the context of the title, rather than referring to the season, "Winter" was chosen for having "certain connotations sometimes associated with it, such as isolation, a withering to rebirth", and with "Ethereal" meaning "not of this world, or otherworldly", there came a "meaningful marriage between the two words that best summed up the theme of the album". For the most part, Arch's lyrics come as a reaction to the music Matheos presents him with, letting the thoughts and feelings evoked dictate the direction. Enjoying listeners making their own interpretation of his lyrics, he typically does not go into detail about specific tracks, but as an example of the direction he was drawn, he references "Pitch Black Prism" and the many influences that went into shaping it.

"The impetus for this song started with seeing images of dolls left behind at the schools and homes near the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster," he says. "Many weeks of research into the personal accounts and survivors' testimonies led me deeper into curiosity. I was halfway into the song when I stumbled across a documentary called 'The Russian Woodpecker', which inspired a larger twist on the direction of meaning. However, it wasn't until I saw a post from a Chernobyl survivor named Yuri, who was one of the musicians employed by the Russian government sent with his bandmates and a ballet dancer into the heart of the disaster to entertain the dying, that the song became complete."

Making the most of contemporary technology, almost all collaborators tracked their parts in their respective home studios, while guitars and vocals were laid down at Matheos's studio, with him handling the production. Working this way was conducive to creativity and a process that was most agreeable to both Arch and Matheos.

"For me, having the freedom and drive to work in isolation is one of the things I like best about recording," says Matheos. "It allows me to experiment, and often fail, without feeling inhibited or constrained. That said, John offered a lot of encouragement, whether remotely or in person, and pushed me into directions I wouldn't normally go."

Matheos was similarly supportive when it came to Arch laying down his parts. "I really enjoy the studio situation, mainly because it feels like home," the vocalist states. "It is a low-key relaxing environment, Jim is behind the console, and I'm behind the mic, and no one is pushing anyone. Whatever creative differences we have, we work out with compromise. I appreciate Jim's patience while I'm tracking vocals because it can be brutal at times. It's also cool because I get a front row seat watching Jim track his guitars, sometimes late into the night till we both run out of gas. We are longtime friends, and a couple shots and laughs at the end of a long day make for some good memories."

One thing is certain, with "Winter Ethereal", fans of ARCH/MATHEOS will feel that the long wait endured for new music has been worth it. The natural manner in which it all came together makes it all the more special.

"Sometimes after being away from something for a while and having life experiences to draw from, you feel you have something to say or offer. Music has always been the best medium for me to express what sometimes words alone cannot, and the timing for this record was just right," Arch asserts. When it comes to the words he would most readily apply to the album, he immediately goes to "unpretentious, emotionally driven, and, sometimes, the hard truth. 'Sympathetic Resonance' had many of these elements, but I think 'Winter Ethereal' does it with more breathing room, giving the listener time for reflection."

"Winter Ethereal" track listing:

01. Vermilion Moons

02. Wanderlust

03. Solitary Man

04. Wrath Of The Universe

05. Tethered

06. Straight And Narrow

07. Pitch Black Prism

08. Never In Your Hands

09. Kindred Spirits

L.A. GUNS has released an official statement regarding the departure of drummer Shane Fitzgibbon and addition of Scot Coogan (LITA FORD, ACE FREHLEY, LYNCH MOB, BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION).

The group says: "Now that the dust has settled a bit, we wanted to take this opportunity to clear up any misinformation circulating over social media.

"Our brother, Shane Thomas Fitzgibbon, has left L.A. GUNS to pursue a wonderful career opportunity that came his way. We totally support his decision to move on to the next chapter in his life, and we couldn't be happier for him.

"Shane, you will always be a part of the L.A. GUNS family, and nothing will ever change that.

"We also want to take this opportunity to welcome Scot Coogan to the L.A. GUNS family. Scot is an accomplished drummer and vocalist who has played with Tracii [Guns, L.A. GUNS guitarist] in BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, as well as Ace Frehley and Lita Ford, among others. We are excited and fortunate to have him behind the kit replacing Shane."

Fitzgibbon said in a statement: "Sorry about my ridiculously abrupt departure. I have been working with some people part time in the off season that took a real liking to me and made me a life-changing offer that if I didn't take I would have potentially regretted for the rest of my life.

"To the band: we fucking rule as a band because you all rule individually and I'm confident that the badassery will undoubtedly continue indefinitely. I am so proud to have been a part of this unit and to have made two bad motherfuckin' records with you. This was seriously the most difficult decision I have ever made. I'm pumped that Scot is on board because he is deserving of you guys, and I hope you keep crushing it to infinity and beyond. You're my brothers, and I don't want that to ever change."

According to L.A. GUNS frontman Phil Lewis, Fitzgibbon quit the band "for an amazing studio gig building rooms for [producer] Rick Rubin."

L.A. GUNS will release its new album, "The Devil You Know", on March 29 via Frontiers Music Srl.


One door closes, another opens ...

Statement from L.A. Guns

March 23, 2019, Las Vegas, NV

Now that the dust has settled...Posted by L.A. GUNS on Saturday, March 23, 2019

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH continues to dominate the airwaves as its latest single, "When The Seasons Change", has officially hit No. 1 at rock radio this week. This marks the seventh No. 1 hit and the 21st Top 10 hit for the band which became the No. 1 most-played artist on U.S. rock radio in year-end radio reports. "When The Seasons Change" follows the success of the No. 1 hit single "Sham Pain" off the group's latest album, "And Justice For None".


The music video for "When The Seasons Change" is dedicated to those police officers and first responders around the world who selflessly put their lives on the line every day.


After donating over $95,000 to the C.O.P.S. organization through last year's tour, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has kept going and raised an additional $33,000 for the Injured Police Officers Fund via its Facebook this year.


FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is currently preparing to record its eighth studio album.

The band has yet to announce a permanent replacement for drummer Jeremy Spencer, who left FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in December. After sitting out the fall leg of the group's recent co-headlining tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN, Spencer underwent a second back surgery and will need a significant amount of time to recover.

For its fall tour, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH was joined behind the kit by Charlie "The Engine" Engen. It is not clear if he will remain with the group or if they will seek a new and permanent replacement for Spencer.

Spencer co-founded FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in 2005 with guitarist Zoltan Bathory.

Behemoth have released the video below, recapping their performance at Download Festival Australia 2019, which took place March 9 in Sydney, and March 11 in Melbourne.

Behemoth performs next on June 1 at Fortarock in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Find the band's complete tour schedule here.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Immortal Bird, fronted by Thrawsunblat drummer Rae Amitay, have checked in with the following update:

"Artwork is finished. Masters are done. Release details soon via 20 Buck Spin. Touring this May/June and making plans for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, future productivity has been slightly delayed/redirected toward the stormtrooper helmet in our practice space."

Immortal Bird tour dates are as follows:

May
24 - Denver, CO - Syntax*
25 - Colorado Springs, CO - Triple Nickel*
27 - Tempe, AZ - Yucca Tap Room*
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Catch One
29 - Sacramento, CA - Blue Lamp
30 - Oakland, CA - Elbo Room JL*
31 - Eugene, OR - Old Nick's

June
1 - Seattle, WA - Northwest Terror Fest
2 - Portland, OR - High Water Mark
4 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
6 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar

* w/ Gadget & Cloud Rat




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Swedish blackened death/thrash metal band, Wachenfeldt, have released a video for "Ut", featured on the album The Interpreter, released last year. Watch the clip below.

The Interpreter, mixed by Tommy Rehn (Angtoria, Corroded), contains nine songs with two of them ("Colophon" and "Litany To Satan") previously featured on the Colophon album, now in new versions. The music is situated between death, thrash and black metal with elements of classical and folk music.

The Interpreter (Extended Version) tracklisting:

"Spirits Of The Dead"
"Arhan"
"The Interpreter"
"Ut"
"Intermezzo - Aiwass"
"Colophon"
"Athor And Asar"
"Litany To Satan"
"The Ladder"

Bonus tracks:
"Hymn To Lucifer"
"Necrophiliac" (Slayer cover)

"Ut" video:




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Swedish thrash metal veterans, Carnal Forge, have posted a guitar playthrough of the song "Endless War", from their new album Gun To Mouth Salvation, available via ViciSolum Productions. Watch below:

Gun To Mouth Salvation is Carnal Forge's first album since 2007's Testify For My Victims. Cover artwork by Federico Boss at Abstract Chaos Design.

Tracklisting:

"Parasites"
"Reforged"
"Aftermath"
"Endless War"
"Bound In Flames"
"King Chaos"
"The Order"
"Hellride"
"State Of Pain"
"Sin Feast Paradise"
"The Stench"

“Bound In Flames” video:

"Reforged" lyric video:

“Parasites” lyric video:

Carnal Forge lineup:

Tommie Wahlberg - Vocals
Petri Kuusisto - Lead Guitar
Jari Kuusisto - Rhythm Guitar
Lars Lindén - Bass
Lawrence Dinamarca - Drums




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Armored Saint performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer 0f 2015. You can now see the band perform "Win Hands Down", "Last Train Home", and "Can U Deliver". Watch below:




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Veteran British metallers TANK will release their new album, "Re-Ignition", on April 26 via Cleopatra Records (Rubicon Music in Japan). The LP is a tribute to the early days of TANK and features 11 classic TANK songs chosen from the first four albums which were originally released in the early '80s: "Filth Hounds Of Hades", "Power Of The Hunter", "This Means War" and "Honour And Blood". "Re-Ignition" also features two very special guest appearances. CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth and thrash legend Tom Angelripper of SODOM both add their own unique style and energy to this already formidable album.

"Re-Ignition" track listing

01. Walking Barefoot Over Glass

02. Power Of The Hunter (feat. Tom Angelripper)

03. Just Like Something From Hell

04. (He Fell in Love With A) Stormtrooper

05. This Means War

06. Shellshock (feat. Dani Filth)

07. W.M.L.A.

08. Honour And Blood

09. Blood, Guts And Beer

10. Echoes Of A Distant Battle

11. The War Drags Ever On

The official lyric video for Shellshock, featuring a guest appearance by Dani Filth, can be seen below.


Says TANK guitarist Mick Tucker: "Many of the songs from those classic albums are still present in our live set and we are constantly being asked by our fans if we would ever consider re-recording any of them. Those original recordings are timeless and will always be there but we thought what harm can it do to give them a full metal makeover and inject new life into them. They deserve it!"


Adds TANK guitarist Cliff Evans: "We approached U.S. label Cleopatra Records to see if they would be interested in releasing the album. They jumped on it straight away and suggested the possibility of adding some special guests on the album. Maybe some artists who were influenced by TANK back in the '80s. Great idea! We recruited CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani Filth to record a version of 'Shellshock' in his own unique style and also German thrash legend Tom Angelripper from SODOM who has taken 'Power Of The Hunter' to another insane level."


Tucker and Evans are joined on the album are recent recruits David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) on vocals and Randy Van Der Elsen on bass. Longtime TANK member and former SODOM drummer Bobby Schottkowski occupies the drum throne.


Readman replaced former TANK vocalist and one time DRAGONFORCE frontman ZP Theart after he was approached by SKID ROW to join them on a permanent basis. ZP recorded one album during his time with TANK ("Valley Of Tears") which became the band's best-selling album since 1984's "Honour And Blood". Prior to ZP, the vocalist position was taken by former RAINBOW frontman Doogie White who is a member of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. His contribution to TANK includes the albums "War Machine" and "War Nation" plus the band's first-ever live DVD ("War Machine Live!").

Says Evans: "We've always aimed high when it comes to recruiting new vocalists and musicians and it's always paid off. We're very proud of the albums we've made with Doogie and ZP and now this new album showcases the amazing vocal talent of David Readman."

TANK will embark on a run of shows in April when they'll be visiting Holland, Belgium, Finland, Sweden and also making an appearance in the Ukraine for the first time at the Volume Club in Kiev. A full European tour is scheduled for September/October along with shows in Japan and South America.

PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, the project led by the former PANTERA and current DOWN/SUPERJOINT frontman, played several PANTERA classics — including "Mouth For War", "Domination" and "Becoming" — during its March 21 concert in Canberra, Australia. Fan-filmed video footage can be seen below.

Anselmo spoke to Australia's Heavy magazine about his decision to play a number of PANTERA songs during the recent North American tour with PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS.

"This past year has been pretty rough as far as the PANTERA camp goes," he said. "So, with Vinnie's [Paul, PANTERA drummer] passing, I figure, this past year, why not play some of the old songs that people wanna hear and have been asking to hear for a long time. So that's been a different spin on the set, man. And once again, I can't say enough about my guys around me… Mike DeLeon, my guitar player, is really a death metal player, and Blue [José Manuel Gonzalez], my drummer, he comes from death metal roots, and everybody expands, but to ask them to do this PANTERA stuff, it was big, man — it was really big. So, big props to them, man."

Asked if performing classic PANTERA songs brings up good memories or bad memories for him, Anselmo said: "When I'm onstage, it's all good. And I will say there have been some bizarre moments. What freaks me out is the younger audience — the kids whose parents grew up as PANTERA fans in the house. It's amazing. Seeing the youngsters come in and go bananas, man — it's inspiring, man. Yeah, you know, strange feelings here and there, but overall, the payoff's been great."

Up until his death in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for the death of PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, who was his brother.

Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.

Video credit: Housecore Man

A new trailer for Yngwie Malmsteen's upcoming album, "Blue Lightning", is available below. The disc will be released globally on March 29 via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group.

To call Malmsteen a "maestro" or "virtuoso" is to state the obvious. But such terms don't do sufficient justice to either his talent or impact. There are innumerable guitarists who have copied a small part of the vast musical spectrum that defines him, but nobody comes close to achieving what he has over a period of nearly four decades.

This man is an undoubted pioneer, someone whose style and creativity has inspired so many others. While he first came to everybody's notice in Los Angeles with STEELER's self-titled album (1983), followed by ALCATRAZZ's "No Parole From Rock 'N' Roll" the same year and "Live Sentence" ('84), it's been what he's done since in a distinguished and far ranging career as a solo performer and band leader that has momentously shown Malmsteen's craft and worth as one of the elite guitarists on the planet. Combining skills that span a vast spectrum of inspirations, he stands as a giant, melding melody, technique and an epic scope in a unique and inclusive fashion.


Now, with "Blue Lightning", the man highlights not only his enduring dexterity and diversity, but also pays homage to those from the blues world who have fueled his artistic spirit for so long.

"I have always played around with old songs, both live and also in the studio," he said. "I did a similar album called 'Inspiration' a while ago (1996), and it was Mascot who came to me and suggested I do a blues record.


"Now, I grew up in a classically trained family, and people know me for playing in what is called a neo-classical style. But when I got a guitar for my fifth birthday, what I would try to emulate were JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS — I would jam along to what they did on record with Eric Clapton ('Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton' album). That's something people don't realize about me — I do have a strong interest in the blues. So, when Mascot came to me with the suggestion of doing an album of songs in this style, it didn't faze me at all. In fact, it seemed so natural."


What Malmsteen has done here is combine choices which might seem almost obvious with some that will turn heads. He shares: "There were songs that were immediately clear I wanted to do. These were the likes of 'Purple Haze' and 'Smoke On The Water' which I have been playing since I was a kid. But then I also went for something like 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' which I wasn't sure I could do. In this case, it was about trial and error. I am delighted that I was able to do justice to the original."


Anyone who is expecting Malmsteen to copy exactly the way the original versions sound is in for a shock. Because that is not what he has done. He reflects: "I have never been one of those people who wants to sit down and mimic the way in which a song sounds on record. I don't see the point in doing that. If all you want to hear is a song the way you remember it, then the originals are there for you. What I have done is add in my own vibe and personality, while paying tribute to what you already know. That way I feel I am being myself, yet also being respectful to those artists."


One thing this album has allowed Malmsteen to do is to challenge himself, which is certainly the case of Eric Clapton's "Forever Man". He offers: "I heard this on the radio, and honestly I didn't know whether I could do it for this album. But I sat down and tried things, and they worked out. I had to rise to the occasion and am delighted to have done exactly that." This track showcases not only Malmsteen's celebrated guitar qualities, but also his maturing individual vocal confidence. He reflects: "On the singing side with 'Forever Man', I did it all in one take. I got the lyrics through, went into the studio, and just got them done. I am not someone who likes to do take after take. I feel you should be able to get it right the first time around. That applies to the vocal parts and also my guitar playing. And for the most part, this is the way I did 'Blue Lightning'."


The man has also paid homage to a particular favorite. He shares: "When I was ten years old, I got DEEP PURPLE's 'Fireball' album, which I have always thought was very undervalued. And the song that really killed me was 'Demon's Eye'. And I was very keen to do it for the album. Thankfully, the key was just right for my voice, and I had so much fun doing it. In fact, I would say that I had a great time doing all the songs here."


Aside from the covers, there are also four original tracks included. And these clearly bring to the fore Malmsteen's abiding love for the blues, as well as his capacity for doing interpretations possessed of emotion and depth. He offers: "I have always featured songs with a blues groove on albums. So, having my own material in this vein was very natural for me."


The album is produced by Yngwie, and Malmsteen has followed a traditional manner in the way this was recorded. He shares: "In the old days, a band would go into the studio, do a couple of songs, then go out on tour, before returning to the studio to do a couple more new tracks. That's the way I did things this time. I have been so busy on the road in recent times that it was the most pragmatic way to do the album. In all, it took me about ten months to get it done, but by going in the studio in between touring commitments, I feel it kept everything fresh."

"Blue Lightning" track listing:

01. Blue Lightning

02. Foxy Lady

03. Demon's Eye

04. 1911 Strut

05. Blue Jeans Blues

06. Purple Haze

07. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

08. Sun's Up Top's Down

09. Peace, Please

10. Paint It Black

11. Smoke On The Water

12. Forever Man

Bonus tracks (vinyl and deluxe CD only)

13. Little Miss Lover

14. Jumping Jack Fish

TOOL is working on the artwork for its long-awaited new album.

The news of TOOL's progress on the follow-up to 2006's "10,000 Days" was revealed by METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett during a recent interview with New Zealand's The Rock.

Asked what advice he had for TOOL so that the Maynard James Keenan-fronted outfit could finally finish its new album, Hammett said: "Well, I talk to [TOOL guitarist] Adam Jones quite a bit, and the last thing I knew, he was dealing with artwork. So that is a good sign. If they're dealing with artwork, it must be close."

Earlier in the month, TOOL shared a photo of Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor and drummer Danny Carey alongside the new album's producer, Joe Barresi, and mastering engineer Bob Ludwig, who previously mastered "10,000 Days".

Although unconfirmed, it appears that the picture was taken at Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, Maine. The mastering process is usually the last step, after recording and mixing, before an album gets pressed, released and distributed. TOOL entered the studio exactly one year ago, in March 2018, to begin recording the disc.

Keenan recently said that the band's fifth full-length album and first in 13 years would likely arrive "between mid-May and mid-July."

TOOL will play nearly a dozen U.S. shows in May.

Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine performing during the March 21 "Experience Hendrix" concert at Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user "tristanfabriani").

Mustaine is taking part in the 2019 edition of the "Experience Hendrix" tour. The 30-date trek, a celebration of Jimi Hendrix's legacy and musical genius, kicked off in Pompano Beach, Florida on March 3 and will run through April 6 when it finishes in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Along with Mustaine, shredders like Joe Satriana, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang and Dweezil Zappa are performing with the all-star tribute led by Jimi's BAND OF GYPSYS bandmate Billy Cox.

Asked by "The Opus" podcast how he got involved with "Experience Hendrix", Mustaine said: "Just like doing the classical performance with the [San Diego] Symphony [in April 2014], it's getting out of my wheelhouse. When these guys asked me to do this, I myself was very flattered, because, to me, Jimi is the status which I aspired to be my whole life. I wanted to be a guitar legend, and granted, I am considered a legend right now, but I still think Jimi is so much more grand than I am. I love his legend, I love how people revere him, and this is one of the, if not the most flattering thing outside of MEGADETH I've ever been able to do."

Mustaine admitted that he didn't immediately jump at the opportunity to take part in the trek.

"I think when you look at the people who are playing here, paying respect to Jimi, it can't help but pique your curiosity," he said. "It certainly piques my curiosity. I was a little bit apprehensive to take this gig, because knowing how extremely talented Joe Satriani is, and I've been a fan of Eric Johnson's for years — ever since the 'Cliffs Of Dover' song came out. So I was a little bit nervous, but then I thought, 'God, I'm gonna be in the presence of these guys walking the earth and the spirit of Jimi Hendrix. How can I lose?'"

Since its inception as a single tribute show at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000, "Experience Hendrix"has become an anticipated fan experience.


"The tour is more than a series of concerts," Experience Hendrix LLC CEO Janie Hendrix, Jimi's stepsister, said in a statement. "It's a celebration of a man whose amazing gift changed the face of music and informed an entire culture. His influences were varied and diverse. And this year we're shining a light on that diversity with artists who represent it across cultures and who also share a love for Jimi and his music. It's exciting to be able to honor Jimi's enduring legacy in this way."

Jon Anderson says that he is "very open" to a YES reunion.

Anderson sang "Roundabout" and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" with YES at the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction two years ago, and his former bandmate Steve Howe makes a guest appearance on a song called "Now And Again" on Jon's upcoming solo album, "1000 Hands".

Asked by Rolling Stone whether he and Howe might they team up for some sort of reunion once his solo tour, "1000 Hands - Past Present Future", ends, Anderson replied: "I'm very open to it. It's been 50 years now. You think something has got to happen. To me, a great album has to be made. That's what I think. I don't know how it's going to be made, but the final YES event should happen."

He continued: "I've talked to a couple of people about it and they get it. I really want to do this. I've even written eight songs for the record that I'm thinking would work with a full orchestra and a choir."

Pressed about whether Steve Howe is also into the idea, Anderson replied: "I don't know. Maybe he'll read this article and say 'Yes' or 'No.' I don't know."

In the Rolling Stone interview, Anderson also confirmed that YES FEATURING JON ANDERSON, TREVOR RABIN, RICK WAKEMAN is on indefinite hiatus, explaining that the project with Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman enjoyed "a good couple of years" together. He added: "Onstage, we were just killing it every show. It was magic. But there was, dare I say it, mismanagement of the situation.

"I love the guys — we're musical brothers," he continued. "I just thought, 'I need to breathe.' I couldn't breathe towards the end. It felt like too much weight on me. Also, there was too much of, 'Should we do an album?' We couldn't agree on that. As soon as I said I didn't want to tour this year and just make my own album, I could finally breathe again."

Due on March 31, "1000 Hands" features additional guest appearances by JETHRO TULL's Ian Anderson, Steve Morse, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Jonathan Cain and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty.

You can watch the video for Anderson's new song "Ramalama" below.

The official music video for the new QUEENSRŸCHE song "Light-Years" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "The Verdict", which was released on March 1 via Century Media Records. The disc was produced, mixed, and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, ICED EARTH, HATEBREED) at Uberbeatz in Lynwood, Washington; Planet-Z in Wilbraham, Massachusetts; and Watershed Studio in Seattle, Washington.

Says QUEENSRŸCHE bassist Eddie Jackson: "We're very excited to unveil our new video for the song 'Light-Years', from our new album 'The Verdict', directed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest of MyGoodEye Music Visuals."

"The Verdict" marks QUEENSRŸCHE's third full-length release with singer Todd La Torre, following the departure of Geoff Tate in 2012.

For the past two years, drummer Scott Rockenfield has been taking time off from QUEENSRŸCHE's touring activities to spend time with his young son, who was born in early 2017. Filling in for him is former KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo.

La Torre, who has played drums since the age of 13, laid down the drum tracks on "The Verdict".

La Torre spoke about "The Verdict"'s musical direction with Eclectic Arts, saying: "It's got more driving songs on this record than the last one… I think there's elements that are more progressive — some different time signatures. It's a good-flowing album. There's some slow, kind of haunting, creepy, cool stuff on this record," he continued. "Really good lyrical content — thought-provoking stuff. Certainly never trying to tell anyone what to think, but to think. Again, a lot of it deals with things that are happening in the world that everyone can identify with and relate to. I tried to have some really good vocal acrobatics on this [album]. There's not a ton of high singing, but there's some high stuff on there vocally. I mean, it just sounds like a great QUEENSRŸCHE album to me."

QUEENSRŸCHE's spring U.S. headline tour with special guests FATES WARNING kicked off on March 2 in Orlando, making stops in major markets such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, before wrapping on April 3 in Seattle.

PAPA ROACH's official music video for the song "Elevate" can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's tenth studio album, "Who Do You Trust?" , which was released in January.

Guitarist Jerry Horton said: "The song 'Elevate' is about someone who's stuck in a depression and feels isolated and alone and is looking for something to bring them out of that. I love how the mood and the music goes along with that sentiment as it moves from sadness into hope."

"Who Do You Trust?" features the band's signature heavy rhythmic guitars and catchy hooks on the title track and "Renegade Music", with "Not The Only One" supplying melody and emotionally charged lyrics. The album is produced by Nick "RAS" Furlong and Colin Cunningham except for "Top Of The World", which is produced by Jason Evigan.


Asked why PAPA ROACH decided to work on new music so soon after the release of 2017's "Crooked Teeth", Horton told the Milwaukee radio station 102.9 The Hog: "Normally, we give it a couple of years to two and a half years, just because the touring cycles usually take a pretty long time. And then six months we'll do [in the studio] for the record. This time it was, like, a year on tour and maybe three months [in the studio]. We got in with the same guys [producers Nicholas 'RAS' Furlong and Colin Brittain] that we did 'Crooked Teeth' with, and we have this flow together, and it just went really quick."

He continued: "We've been doing this for so long that we kind of know if we get to a certain point with a song that it's not happening naturally, then we just kind of set it aside and move on to something else and then maybe come back to it later. But we don't try and sit there and force it for days on end like we used to."

PAPA ROACH's summer 2019 headlining tour with ASKING ALEXANDRIA and BAD WOLVES will kick off July 27 in Dallas, Texas and make new stops in Bethlehem, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles, before wrapping September 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Professor Esa Lijla of Helsinki University recently spoke to CNN's Richard Quest about why he thinks Finns love heavy metal.

He said (see video below): "We are a small country. Such a small country that many times, we only have one thing at a time. So, let's say, in the '80s, it was heavy metal; in the '90s, it certainly wasn't heavy metal — it was Euro-dance pop. Nowadays, it seems that heavy metal is more or less in the popular mainstream.

"We have private music schools, which are funded by government mostly," he continued. "The ideal behind that was that everyone should be able to learn music in a high level, if they wanted."

When the interviewer pointed out that Finland's love of headbanging heavy metal music appears to be counterculture to everything else the country is known for, Lijla responded: "It's a bit like a myth that also maybe Finnish musicians, or Finnish people in general, like to think or like to advertise that we are a strange country and strange people living in the woods."

Back in 2013, Slate reported that Finland had the most heavy metal bands per capita in the world. While Sweden and Norway were said to have had only 27 heavy metal bands per 100,000 inhabitants, Finland boasted double as much, 54 bands per 100,000.

Some even claimed that Finland was the only country in the world where metal was "mainstream," and people actually studied Finnish and Norwegian to better understand heavy metal music.

People have speculated that the climate in Finland, which is characterized by cold, and sometimes severe, winters and relatively warm summers, has contributed to the population's disproportionately high interest in heavier forms of rock. Says the A Metal State Of Mind web site: "When someone is surrounded by cold and dark for long periods of time, it is only natural that some form of depression will start to set in. And how do many Finns combat this depression, release the negative energy, and make themselves feel more positive? Well, I can't think of one form of music more tailored to the release of the negative more than metal."

Although the suicide rates of Finland are higher than those of other Nordic countries, the number of suicides among Finnish men has gone down by 48 percent since the '90s, according to a July 2014 report in the Helsinki Times.

Former DIO guitarist Doug Aldrich says that he would "definitely" pay money to go see the Ronnie James Dio hologram even though he doesn't believe the the legendary heavy metal singer would be pleased about having a a life-size digital version of him touring the world.

The former vocalist in BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW, who died in 2010 at the age of 67, is now the subject of a touring show in which his three-dimensional representation is backed by members of his band DIO.

"I'm fine with it," Aldrich, who was in DIO between 2002 and 2006, told Totally Driven Radio (hear audio below). "I'd like to see it. It definitely would never compare to the real thing. It wouldn't even scratch the itch at all. But I would support it, just because those guys are all friends of mine and stuff. To be honest, I don't think Ronnie would be into it that much. But at least people are getting something and it keeps his music alive. And like I said, I would go see it. I'd pay money to go see it — definitely."

The Dio hologram was created by a company called Eyeillusion and made its debut at the Wacken Open Air festival in August 2016 in front of more than 75,000 fans.

The Dio hologram production uses audio of Ronnie's live performances from throughout his career, with the DIO band playing live, consisting of Craig Goldy on guitar, Simon Wright on drums and Scott Warren on keyboards, along with Bjorn Englen on bass. Also appearing with them are former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens and ex-LYNCH MOB frontman Oni Logan.

After the tour's initial seven-date run was completed in December 2017, Ronnie's hologram is undergoing "some changes" before the launch of the next leg of the "Dio Returns" world tour, scheduled for this spring.

Former DIO keyboardist Claude Schnell has slammed the Ronnie James Dio hologram, calling it a "travesty" and "disrespectful" to the singer's memory.

Wendy Dio, who is a member of the Eyellusion team, recently said that the people that criticize the Ronnie James Dio hologram should at least see it in person before voicing their disapproval. "Don't criticize it if you haven't seen it," she told "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie. "It's done with love. The band love doing it. And we just wanna keep Ronnie's memory and his music alive."

She added that a digital version of Dio makes perfect sense. "I think that Ronnie was an innovator of heavy metal music, so why not be an innovator of technology?" she said. "And I think technology is coming a long way with holograms — a lot of people are doing it now. And I think the reason is because we are losing all of our innovators; everybody is getting older. And we need to keep them alive and keep their memory and their music alive. I think it's a new way. It's like when people first came out with a CD or a cassette: 'Ooh, we don't want that.' But then it was the way of technology."

Borknagar founder Øystein G. Brun has checked in with the following update:

"Friday night, I drove the 800 km from the woods of Örebro in the midst of Sweden to the shores Bergen, in one intense drive. Through the endless woods of Sweden, wintry Oslo, over the stormy (!!) mountains of Hemsedal and finally waiting my way through a billion of tunnels here in west, as many of them were under construction / upgrade work. Quite an ordeal for an tired old fart, but I was indeed smiling all the way back home.

The new Borknagar album is finally done. I am so proud of what we have achieved musically this time around. Hard work always pays off, and this time we all pushed it to the extreme.

I want to share my sincere gratitude to everybody involved in this production so far. First and foremost this goes to my brothers in music Lars, Simen, Jostein and Bjørn. And not to forget my always supportive family making all this possible.

Moreover, I would like to thank Jens, Linus and Tony at Fascination Street Studio, Marius at Strand Studio and John Ryan from Cruachan. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Now, onward!"

Borknagar recently announced that vocalist Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund has left the band. They issued the following statement:

"Due to personal reasons, Andreas 'Vintersorg' Hedlund has decided to step down as the lead vocalist of Borknagar. The decision is based on mutual understanding, respect and in a friendly manner with the rest of the band. Borknagar would like to express their sincere gratitude for the musical brotherhood we have shared throughout the years and wish Andreas the very best in his future endeavours. There is no drama to this situation, and our friendship will remain. No one should be too surprised if Vintersorg reappears as a guest vocalist on a future record.

As a natural consequence, I.C.S Vortex will take a step forward into the role as the band´s lead vocalist, and will, together with Lars Nedland, carry on Borknagar's legacy of vocal brilliance."

Founder / mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments:

"It is with a lot of respect, gratitude and good memories I see one of my brothers in music set sails for new shores. Times are changing, and we both saw this coming for a while. Even though we are splitting as partners in Borknagar, I am happy to say that we have decided to carry on our musical brotherhood in Cronian. A new album will be released whenever time allows for that."

Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund issued the following statement:

"Time has come to make some tough decisions and let reality set the rules. It is with both a light and heavy heart I leave Borknagar as the lead vocalist. The light part is that it´s done in an amicable way and that this is the right thing to do for me, in respect for the fans and Borknagar. The heavy part is that it’s hard to leave something this meaningful and beautiful. My situation after the accident makes it hard to tour, and my job situation complicates things further. So in a way I’m not 'leaving' as such, it’s more like I’m putting some oil into the Borknagar machinery so the band can keep their busy schedule, get out on the road and meet you guys. Borknagar will always have a special place in my heart and mind, and I hope that I can do some guest performances further down the road. The guys in the band are fantastic musicians and persons and I wish them the best of luck. However, Cronian is not dead and may shake its head before you know it."




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum songwriter, vocalist, and frontman Scott Stapp has will release his new album, "The Space Between The Shadows", in July via Napalm Records. The visualizer video for the disc's bombastic first single, "Purpose For Pain", can be seen below.

"The Space Between The Shadows" documents a five-year journey to find meaning — and redemption — in a world where shadows lurk and the space between is a gauntlet towards the light. It is Scott's manifesto of lessons learned in the six years since his last release, yet listeners will find their own solace, hear their own frustrations, feel hope, revelations, victories and losses.

"'Purpose For Pain' is about seeking a higher meaning, a spiritual mentality when dealing with our struggles and life’s painful moments," says Scott. "There are unexplainable, dark times that everyone goes through, and that pain is real. If we can dig deep and hold on to hope during the most difficult situations, believing there is a purpose waiting for us on the others side, we can find meaning and clarity that gives us the strength to keep fighting."

Stapp is known as frontman for CREED (over 50 million albums sold worldwide), and for his work as a solo artist who released the platinum-certified "The Great Divide" (2005) and "Proof Of Life" (2013), which featured his first solo Billboard No. 1, "Slow Suicide".

Scott will embark on a cross-country summer tour in late June. Tickets for the first leg go on sale Monday, March 25.

Tour dates (more to be added):

Jun. 20 - Oshkosh, WI @ Waterfest Concert Series

Jun. 21 - New Buffalo, MI @ Four Winds Casino Resort - Silver Creek Event Center (on sale March 29)

Jun. 22 - St. Charles, IL @ The Arcada Theatre

Jun. 27 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall

Jun. 28 - Toledo, OH @ Civic Music Hall

Jun. 29 - Boardman, OH @ Ribs-N-Rock Festival

Jul. 10 - San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theater

Jul. 12 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues

Jul. 13 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues

Jul. 14 - Oklahoma City @ Tower Theatre

Jul. 25 - New York City @ Sony Hall

Aug. 02 - Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre (on sale March 29)

Stapp went through a highly publicized, drug-inflamed meltdown in 2014, after which he entered into an intensive rehab program. Stapp also lost custody of his three children during this period, while also missing a court hearing and allegedly threatening to kill President Obama.

Stapp is now sober and in intensive therapy. He takes medication for bipolar disorder — a condition that causes unexpected shifts in mood, energy and activity levels — works through a twelve-step program, and meets with a sponsor, saying, "Nothing is more important than my sobriety."

PANTERA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Far Beyond Driven" by releasing a name generator that enables you to create your own personalized logo in the style of the band's logo as it appears on that classic album. Simply head to this location, enter your name, and you're all set.

Both METALLICA and JUDAS PRIEST have previously provided their own logo generators.

The 20th-anniversary reissue of "Far Beyond Driven", which still stands as the heaviest LP to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, was made available in 2014. Singer Philip Anselmo told TV Rock Live about the chart achievement: "I don't think any of us had any idea at all that we would have a No. 1 record or anything like that. As a matter of fact, when I was first told about it, I didn't even believe it. My dad told me. 'Hey, son, your record's No. 1.' I was, like, 'You're drunk.' But then I found out later, of course, it was true."

Anselmo told ARTISTdirect.com about the making of "Far Beyond Driven": "I think, at that time, we were all very much on the same page, so to speak.

"PANTERA had a lot of success before I was in the band. When I first joined the band, I was singing fucking tracks on 'Power Metal' after two weeks of being with them. Then, we wrote 'Cowboys From Hell' all throughout the rest of 1987 and 1988. We had been playing those songs live. We had been through a lot up to the point as far as personalities go and getting to know each other.

"Becoming a trusted member and true singer for this band was a process to where I didn't have the rest of the band peeking over my shoulder like, 'What are you writing about?' By the time I got to 'Far Beyond Driven', it was, 'I'm going to write what the fuck I'm going to write.' So, I was very comfortable at the time. I guess the rest of the guys were like, 'Leave Phil alone. Let him do his job.' [Laughs] It felt so fucking natural."

Asked if those "Far Beyond Driven" sessions were particularly intense, Anselmo said: "Well, I knew that's what I wanted. There was a lot of speculation out there about what type of record we were going to make. I definitely had a chip on my fucking shoulder because there was no way in hell I was going to go the fucking commercial route. At the time, I think we were very aware of other heavy metal bands that had found a little bit of fame and taken that 'commercial route,' so to speak, with their music. I very much instilled that there was no fucking way I was doing that into the other guys. I think they were on board quite a bit. It's like when you have a favorite band, you follow their entire career, you wait anxiously to buy their new record, you open up it, you put it on, and it's a letdown. That's a shitty feeling. We knew what our fan base wanted. We were very focused on delivering what our fan base had come to know and come to know of us. A lot of people like to say we did things in reverse. Meaning, we didn't start out this heavy fucking band and get more commercialized. It was kind of the other way around. That was the main focus there. When I laid my vocals on that fucking record, I wanted people to feel the fucking spit on their faces coming out of the speakers. [Laughs] I meant every fucking second."

Lindsay Schoolcraft (Cradle Of Filth, Antiqva) has checked in with the following update:

"Finally getting some content up on YouTube! To start, here is a live video from my solo tour through Australia thanks to Incursion Alternative Parties. Big thank you to Tim and Tash of Ne Obliviscaris for joining me on stage with your talents. Enjoy!"

UK's legendary extreme metal icons Cradle Of Filth will perform their 1998 album, Cruelty And The Beast, on a string of exclusive European dates in April. Support on the shows listed below comes from The Spirit.

April
24 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
25 - Paris, France - La Machine
26 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z-7
27 - Parma, Italy - Campus Industry
29 - Warszaw, Poland - Progresja
30 - Bratislava, Slovakia - MMC

Tickets at cradleoffilth.com/tour.

Cradle Of Filth recently announced their return to North America in support of their latest album Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness of Decay. For the second leg of their North American onslaught, the band has enlisted industrial/metal shock rocker Wednesday 13 as well as theatrical metal new comers Raven Black. Check out a trailer promoting the tour:

For the first time in years, Cradle Of Filth's set will feature an all new, massive stage production.

Comments Cradle Of Filth vocalist Dani Filth: "As a band, we are very much looking forward to the upcoming second leg of our US/Canadian Cryptoriana World tour. The first, at the beginning of last year, was such a success that we decided to come back armed with a bigger, better show coupled with two awesome bands in support. We can’t wait to bring the noise back to our favorite hunting ground! Ia! Ia! Cthulhu Fhtagn!"

Tickets on-sale here. Confirmed dates are listed below.

March
25 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
26 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
27 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
29 - Guelph, ON - Guelph Concert Theatre
30 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
31 - Quebec City, QC - L'Imperial Bell

April
1 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
2 - Huntington, NY - Paramount Theater
3 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
5 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
6 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
7 - Newport News, VA - Boathouse Live
9 - Greensboro, NC - Cone Denim Entertainment Center
10 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
12 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
13 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
14 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
15 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre
17 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
18 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();