Philip Anselmo has paid tribute to RIGOR MORTIS and WARBEAST vocalist Bruce Corbitt, who died on Friday (January 25) after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 56 years old.

The former PANTERA singer commented on Corbitt's passing via a video message recorded before PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS' concert in Santiago, Chile. Also appearing in the video is THE ILLEGALS drummer José "Blue" Manuel Gonzalez, who was previously a member of WARBEAST.

Anselmo said: "I have so much I can possibly say about Bruce, and I will eventually. But for right now, all I can say is I send my love to his wife, his daughter, his mother and everybody that was close to him. The guys in WARBEAST, the guys in RIGOR MORTIS, all the DFW [Dallas-Fort Worth] fans, I love you so much, and I know Bruce loved you so much. I wouldn't even know Blue if it weren't for Bruce. And there's a lot to sort through and a lot to deal with. Over the next few days, just find it in your heart to think about Bruce and his family and his music and his impact on heavy metal and music in general. And that's really all I can say right now. We love you."

All three of WARBEAST's albums were released through Anselmo's label, Housecore Records. He was even the best man at Corbitt's wedding when Bruce and Jeanna Corbitt were married in 2012.

"I've seen his world crash down around him when he was young," Anselmo told Billboard. "I've always felt there is no fucking way I could let him down as a friend and business partner. "Bruce is my big brother, and that's how we roll. His family is my family, and vice versa, yet again."

Corbitt was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer in May 2017. Two months later, WARBEAST played one last show.

"In retirement, know this: You made a dent in this crazy biz, and yes, your contribution to the long line of great metal vocalists is valid as it comes," Anselmo said about his friend and colleague shortly before the concert.

RIGOR MORTIS is considered one of the most influential thrash metal bands to come out of North Texas.

Corbitt formed WARBEAST in 2006 with Rick Perry and Scott Shelby, both of whom played guitar in GAMMACIDE.

RIGOR MORTIS and WARBEAST vocalist Bruce Corbitt died earlier today (Friday, January 25) after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 56 years old.

Corbitt began his fight against esophageal cancer in May 2017. He went through extreme radiation and chemotherapy treatment before they could attempt surgery. Just when everyone thought Bruce would surely be out of the woods, his first doctor's visit in 2018 brought him the horrible news that the cancer was still there and that it was at Stage 4. He was given two months to two years to live but was told that he would be lucky to make it a year. Due to issues with insurance companies not wanting to approve a second opinion at MD Anderson in Houston, Bruce was forced to use a second opinion in Dallas. His hopes were raised when he was told there was a trial that he could be part of and that there were great results from this trial. A week after signing all the paperwork for the trial treatment, Bruce received a phone call advising him that, unfortunately, his cancer was one that was not treatable with the trial treatment. Bruce was upset, but he didn't let that stop him from fighting.

"I may not have won this fight, but I did beat it longer than most would have," Corbitt said in a Facebook Live video in late December 2017. "I got some extra time in life. I couldn't have done it without my beautiful wife Jeanna Corbitt. The hardest part for me is just knowing that I will have to leave her."

Jeanna Corbitt said last March: "I can't even imagine my world without my husband in it. We both feel so cheated out of our future together at this point. We try to make the best of every moment we have together, even when he feels terrible. He's such a brave and tough man... MY Superhero!"

Bruce, who previously survived a stabbing and a heart attack, told Billboard last August that he had "a 2.8 percent chance of living five years. So what am I going to do, sit around and cry about it or be that 2.8 percent?" he asked rhetorically.

Bruce's medical bills from 2017 alone totaled over $1 million in charges.

Earlier this month, Corbitt announced in a Facebook Live video that he was entering hospice care with a 24-hour morphine drip. "Man, I'm still fighting, fighting, fighting," he said, raising his fist.

All three of WARBEAST's albums were released through Philip Anselmo's label, Housecore Records. The PANTERA frontman was even the best man at Corbitt's wedding when he and Jeanna were married in 2012. "I've seen his world crash down around him when he was young. I've always felt there is no fucking way I could let him down as a friend and business partner," Anselmo told Billboard. "Bruce is my big brother, and that's how we roll. His family is my family, and vice versa, yet again."


Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Bruce Corbitt. A true fighter. Rest in peace....Posted by Earsplit PR on Friday, January 25, 2019

QUEEN biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" has been dropped as a nominee for the outstanding film category at this year's annual GLAAD Media Awards following new sexual assault allegations against director Bryan Singer. Singer has consistently denied misconduct, and called yesterday's bombshell Atlantic exposé "a homophobic smear piece."

"In light of the latest allegations against director Bryan Singer, GLAAD has made the difficult decision to remove 'Bohemian Rhapsody' from contention for a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Film – Wide Release category this year," GLAAD told Variety. "This week's story in The Atlantic documenting unspeakable harms endured by young men and teenage boys brought to light a reality that cannot be ignored or even tacitly rewarded."

"Singer's response to The Atlantic story wrongfully used 'homophobia' to deflect from sexual assault allegations and GLAAD urges the media and the industry at large to not gloss over the fact that survivors of sexual assault should be put first.

"The team that worked so hard on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' as well as the legacy of Freddie Mercury deserve so much more than to be tainted in this way. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' brought the story of LGBTQ icon Freddie Mercury to audiences around the world, many of whom never saw an out and proud lead character in a film or saw the impact of HIV and AIDS in fair and accurate ways. The impact of the film is undeniable. We believe, however, that we must send a clear and unequivocal message to LGBTQ youth and all survivors of sexual assault that GLAAD and our community will stand with survivors and will not be silent when it comes to protecting them from those who would do them harm.

"Other films that involve Singer now or in the future should take note of the backlash to The Atlantic story and other previous allegations. The industry cannot let those who perpetuate harms against anyone — especially vulnerable young people — go unnoticed or unchecked any longer."

The Atlantic's exposé alleged years of sexual misconduct by the openly gay "Bohemian Rhapsody" director, and included new claims against him that he had sexual encounters with underage boys.

In response to the allegations, Singer said in a statement: "It's sad that The Atlantic would stoop to this low standard of journalistic integrity. Again, I am forced to reiterate that this story rehashes claims from bogus lawsuits filed by a disreputable cast of individuals willing to lie for money or attention. And it is no surprise that, with 'Bohemian Rhapsody' being an award-winning hit, this homophobic smear piece has been conveniently timed to take advantage of its success."

Singer was fired from the film and replaced by Dexter Fletcher for allegedly being "unexpectedly unavailable" for several days on set.

Glen Matlock is one of rock's most iconic figures as a founding member and songwriter for the SEX PISTOLS; a brilliant bass player, raconteur extraordinaire and all-around musical legend.

To kick off 2019, Matlock releases the single "Keep On Pushing", taken from his latest album, "Good To Go". It follows an action-packed 2018 that saw him join U.S. Celtic punks DROPKICK MURPHYS on their sold-out European tour and be the first U.K. musician to perform in South Korea's demilitarized zone (attracting much attention from the media). There was also various tours and performances in Sweden, India, France, Italy, Japan plus Seoul's Anzari Festival, London's 100 Club and, of course, the release of his solo album, "Good To Go". Many believe this is his best work to date and features legendary musicians Earl Slick and Slim Jim Phantom (STRAY CATS), among others.

"Keep On Pushing", with its infectious guitar-led groove, which features British guitar maestro Chris Spedding, has already caught the attention of Steven Van Zandt (of "Sopranos" and E STREET BAND fame) who chose it for the "Coolest Song In The World" feature on SiriusXM channel Little Steven's Underground Garage.

On the faders is producer/engineer Jon Moon, known for his work with such luminaries as Amy Winehouse, Roger Waters and Cat Stevens. Lyrically, "Keep On Pushing" is a true call to arms, about finding inner strength and pushing on through to a better tomorrow, which, in this pre-Brexit world, is just the right message to take to the people. Matlock says of the release that "unless you kick against the pricks, slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, you'll never go anywhere and you'll get nothing done, so you've gotta keep on pushing."

Firmly placed in the upper echelon of rock 'n' roll history for his part in the SEX PISTOLS' short-but-meteoric rise to fame, Glen and company were the voice of a generation. Through songs such as "Pretty Vacant" and "God Save The Queen", they influenced and changed not just music itself but British culture as we know it.

Yet his time with the PISTOLS only serves as a reminder that it's only a fraction of his legacy. Glen was a founder member of new wave / power pop act the RICH KIDS — featuring future ULTRAVOX members Midge Ure and Rusty Egan plus THE CLASH's Mick Jones — before going on to tour and record with Iggy Pop. As a further mark to how prolific his career has been to date, Glen put out an acclaimed solo record on Creation Records (the home of OASIS) with his band THE PHILISTINES, all while being headhunted to tour and record with THE FACES, Wendy James, Viv Albertine and others.

With another busy year ahead, there'll be opportunity a plenty for punk, blues and rock fans alike to catch the man himself live over the coming months.

Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, Misshapen are a diverse and melodic metal band blending elements of death metal, technical metal, and black metal. They are releasing their Transcendence EP on February 8th, and now present the official music video for "The Swarm".

Capturing the attention of audiences since 2016, Misshapen seeps melodies with harsh vocals, further ignited with technical riffs and meaningful lyrics. "The Swarm" is the most ferocious track on the EP and would be recommended to fans of Ne Obliviscaris, Children Of Bodom, At The Gates, and Dimmu Borgir.

The band shares their thoughts on the track: “It’s the black metal song of the EP, filled with dark riffs and horrific orchestration that revisits early Dimmu Borgir days. The lyrical inspiration was derived from ‘Castlevania’ the series. It means that people who follow a corrupt leader will bring a sense of hell on earth. This song intelligently showcases how we visit the other side of the spectrum of the emotion we generally induce in our music.”

Check out the Transcendence cover art and tracklisting:

"The Pressures Of Time Pt.1"
"The Pressures Of Time Pt.2"
"The Swarm"
"Strong Man's Will"
"Transcendence"

For further details, visit Misshapen on Facebook.

 

Dutch death metallers Putrefied Corpse have just inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the release of their debut album, titled Left To Rot, scheduled for March 19th internationally.

Putrefied Corpse was born in 2013, but after going through different stages and changes in its lineup, the band has finally achieved a steady one that includes ex-members of bands like Phlebotomized, Adetar and Death Squad. Throughout the year 2018, the band has been recording their debut album, Left To Rot, which they showed to Xtreem Music, who immediately offered them a deal. The style of Putrefied Corpse is pure death metal the old-school way whose main influences come from bands like Gorefest, Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Obituary, and Massacre.

Hear the first single "Procreation Of The Rotten Flesh" below. The cover art and tracklisting for Left To Rot follow.

"Intro I"
"Smashed To Pieces"
"Cordon Bleu Of Her Curvaceous Body"
"Embrace Death In Solitude"
"Bloodbath"
"Sociopathic Monstrosity"
"Intro II"
"Obliteration Of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation"
"Procreation Of The Rotten Flesh" (feat. Per Boder)
"Necrotopia - Zombie Apocalypse"
"Joyful Repeating Movement"
"Godly Beings" (Obituary cover)

For further details, visit Putrefied Corpse on Facebook.

 

Philadelphia's progressive power metal outfit, Mortanius, have released a lyric video for "Facing The Truth", featured on the band's debut album, Till Death Do Us Part, out on February 22nd via Rockshots Records. Watch below.

Mortanius, a progressive power metal band with symphonic and neo-classical elements was formed in 2013 by ex-Outlander vocalist Lucas Flocco and drummer Victor Cardone who were joined by guitarist Mike Gissi and bassist Jesse Shaw. From 2014 to 2016, the band recorded three EPs, each one steadily increasing the band's online presence and fan base. In 2016, after the release of their third and most successful EP at the time, A Voice From Beyond, drummer Victor Cardone departed from the band.

A year later in 2017, Mortanius returned to the studio to create their first full-length album, Till Death Do Us Part. Ollie Bernstein (Ousiodes) recorded all lead guitars on the album, while AJ Larsen (of Madison Rising, Vicious) handled rhythm guitar duties. Mortanius also reached out to renowned power metal singers, Leo Figaro (Minstrelix, Dragon Guardian) and Jonas Heidgert (Dragonland) to provide guest vocals. Till Death Do Us Part featured the longest production cycle out of any of Mortanius' previous releases, finally wrapping up production a year later, in the fall of 2018. This album features Mortanius' most fully fleshed out and dynamic compositions, tightest performances, and highest quality production to date.

Tracklisting:

“Facing The Truth”
“Disengage”
“Jaded”
“Till Death Do Us Part”
“Last Christmas” (WHAM cover)

“Facing The Truth” lyric video:

“Last Christmas” lyric video:

New to the Vancouver rock scene, Getaway Van has been maneuvering through venues to bring their slightly out of control punky blues stoner fuzz rock to entertained audiences for the past year. Collectively, the band shares a broad taste in music and using that to their advantage it's translated into a record full of different styles and influences that they are gearing up to release on February 23rd, which features their latest single, "Lord I’ve Been Running".

Coming from a personal place, the lyrics to the single were written by Zach Fox and it’s hard hitting with a real classic rock feel.

“This song has a little bit of everything. Some Zeppelin, ZZ Top, RHCP, all wrapped up in a Getaway Van bow.  This heavy, classic rock tune is about life taking everything out of you until you feel like you have nothing left to give.  The narrator is pleading with God/the universe/anyone who will listen, to just give him a break.”

Listen to the single below.

Tracklisting:

Intro
"Branches"
"Comin' Back"
"Follow Me"
"Ugh"
"Blacktop Mistress"
"You Make Everything"
"Lord I've Been Running"
"So Long"
Outro

"Lord I've Been Running":

(Photo - MarkBell Photography)

Debilitating stoner metal/sludge collective Asthma Castle - featuring drummer Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Scour), the twin guitar attack of Justin Ethem (Integrity touring guitarist) and Cameron Smith (Passage Between, Crawler), vocalist Zach Westphal (ex-J. Roddy Walston And The Business), and bassist Jeff Davis (Damnation Audio effects pedals) - will release their Mount Crushmore debut full-length via Hellmistress Records this March.

Self-described as "hefty metal", Asthma Castle manifests a unique and seamless, riff-heavy blend of stoner metal/rock, heavy metal, prog, and sludge that takes its cues from the likes of Weedeater, Church Of Misery, Mastodon, Lowrider, Dozer, and Clutch without ever seeming derivative.

Their fittingly-titled Mount Crushmore full-length is a six-track, thirty-seven-minute bruiser recorded and mixed at Wrightway Studios (Dying Fetus, Misery Index) and mastered by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer at his own Visceral Sound Studios with cover art by Gary Ronaldson at Bite Radius Designs (Napalm Death, Kreator, et al).

Whether it's their bottom-heavy grooves, infuriated wails, bludgeoning riff assaults, or tongue-in-cheek song titles (see "The Incline Of Western Civilization", "The Book Of Duderonomy") one thing's for certain, you'll always have a good time stealing souls and packing bowls with Asthma Castle.

Mount Crushmore will be released on March 15th on CD, digital, and vinyl formats via Hellmistress Records. The vinyl edition will be limited to 500 in three color variants: 175 x heavy black splatter on gold, 175 x white splatter on black, and 150 copies x gold, white, and black tri-color bleed.

Stream the title track below.

Mount Crushmore tracklisting:

"The Incline Of Western Civilization"
"Mount Crushmore"
"Here Come The Black Ship"
"Methlehem"
"Brazilian Catbox Incident"
"The Book Of Duderonomy"

"Mount Crushmore":

Mount Crushmore by Asthma Castle

Brazilian symphonic metal band, Lyria, have released a video for the single "Let Me Be Me", featured on the band's recently released second album, Immersion.

The message is very clear: each person is unique and it is foolish to try to change for the others. In "Let Me Be Me", the band shows that it takes courage to be who you are and to live your inner truth. Recorded at the top of a building, the video was directed by Lyria in partnership with CS Music Videos, producer already known in the independent scene.

"Music speaks about freedom, how to get out of the other's eyes and see yourself as your own, with your defects and qualities, that make you a unique being. Some people project themselves into the other, pointing out defects", says Aline Happ, the lead singer and songwriter of the band.

The "Let Me Be Me" video was edited and produced by CS Music's Vinicius Hozara, who also directed and directed the film with Lyria. The capturing of images by means of drones was of Glauber Barros and CS Music Videos. CS Music Videos is an independent production company that has worked with Lyria on other occasions, such as the "Jester" video. The company has also worked with bands like Hatefulmurder, Cara de Porco, Ágona, among others.

"For the last 15 years we've been recording and mixing nearly every live show around the world and making them all available for you to download via LiveMetallica.com," reads a message from Metallica. "Thanks to nugs.net, we’ve been able to offer a variety of formats from mp3 to high-res audio and - over the past few years - a CD option as well for the fans of physical media out there. The logical next step is, of course, streaming!

"Over 600 professionally mixed Live Metallica recordings, including every night of the WorldWired Tour as well as some shows from the vault, are now streaming in both standard and HiFi on demand at nugs.net.

"With a subscription to the service for $12.99 (or $24.99 for high-res), you'll not only have access to our Live Metallica catalog, but also over 10,000 shows by other artists including Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Phish. Sign up here or download the app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to start your 30-day free trial and take your music with you wherever you go."

Metallica have teamed up with Stone Brewing imprint, Arrogant Consortia, for Enter Night Pilsner. A new 10-minute documentary, The Story Of Enter Night Pilsner, is available for streaming below.

"It’s certainly been no secret, but we are beyond excited to make the official announcement and introduction to Enter Night Pilsner, our collaboration with Arrogant Consortia, a Stone Brewing imprint," states a message from Metallica. "If you’ve been to one of our recent arena shows, you may have sipped from the black and red cans or even picked up a few in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Now we’re expanding nationwide, and come spring, taking it international covering Europe, Australia, China and beyond!

"Stone Brewing is the perfect partner for us with endless commonalities in our ideals, outlooks, and paths forward. Our views of the worlds that we each inhabit, of creativity and process, and of sense of place in relation to our peers and “The Man” are almost identical. This collaboration is beyond effortless and pure, and we can’t wait to share this incredible beverage with everyone out there. In conjunction with the leadership of Stone, we have participated throughout every step alongside their talented brewing team. From our HQ outside of San Francisco to Stone’s brewery and HQ in San Diego to many beers backstage at shows, the spirit of collaboration was powerful.

"Check out the Arrogant Consortia beer finder to locate Enter Night near you.

"Don’t see it in your neighborhood yet? Check back… our friends at Stone are putting those Enter Night cans and kegs in new locations all the time!"

Crowned In Frost is the new album from Frozen Crown, coming a year after the debut The Fallen King, which gave the band huge media exposure and brought a deal with international booking agency Nine Lives Entertainment, amongst many other accomplishments.

This time, mastermind and songwriter Federico Mondelli amplified the classic/heavy and power metal components of the band, making Crowned In Frost an aggressive and monolithic album from the very beginning, still keeping the listener engaged with its rich sound and wide variety of songs, including instrumental interludes and outstanding female vocals, brought to life by talented Giada "Jade" Etro.

As with the first album, Federico wrote the music and recorded all guitars and keyboards (being an all-round artist he designed the beautiful artwork as well), whilst the drum parts were arranged by drummer Alberto Mezzanotte. Lyrics are once again the result of the joint efforts of Giada and Federico. Production duties have been handled by Andrea Fusini.

Crowned In Frost broadens Frozen Crown’s musical landscape still keeping intact an uncommon taste for melody and catchy refrains. The album will be released on March 22nd via Scarlet Records.

Tracklisting:

"Arctic Gales"
"Neverending"
"In The Dark"
"Battles In The Night"
"Winterfall"
"Unspoken"
"Lost In Time"
"The Wolf And The Maiden"
"Forever"
"Enthroned"
"Crowned In Frost"

(Photo - Frozen Crown Facebook)

New York City's Mother Feather are kicking off 2019 with brand new video for "Man, I Wish You Were Here". The video originally debuted at the Triskelion Arts Dance Film Festival in November of 2018. Watch the video below, and listen to more cuts from Constellation Baby, out on Metal Blade Records / Blacklight Media Records, here.

Vocalist Ann Courtney elaborates on the concept behind the video and what makes it special: "I am a huge fan of artist Lia Bonfilio's short-format dance films, and watching them on Instagram while listening to mixes for 'Man, I Wish You Were Here' gave me the idea to enlist her to create a music video for the song. Her visceral choreography and magic realism she often employs in her editing, along with the recurring theme of a woman in isolation, deeply resonated with my connection to this song. With Bonfilio cast as a sort of avatar, we were excited about another opportunity to ask the question, 'Who is Mother Feather?'"

In a musty, age-old cellar of old town Gothenburg, Sweden’s death metal act Vampire is gearing up for spawning a successor to 2017’s With Primeval Force, but before time is nigh for new aural terrors, the band present an intense live video for "Knights Of The Burning Crypt", off their lastest LP.

Says Vampire: “The ‘Knights Of The Burning Crypt’ live video is a perfect ending of the With Primeval Force album cycle. The video was shot in Malmö last autumn on the mini-tour we did with At the Gates and Nifelheim. We’re honoured to have been part of such a legendary team of bands. After the final gigs in 2018, we’ve gotten around to record semi-professional demo takes of a couple of songs that have been in the works for about a year. We’re aiming for a first studio visit this spring to begin the "real" recording sessions for our third album. The new Vampire songs are partly a continuation of the more epic sides of With Primeval Force but there will be a lot of fast stuff, as well.”

The video was created by Wheelmust Production and can be seen below:

Lineup:

Hand of Doom - vocals
Black String - guitars
Sepulchral Condor - guitars
Command - bass
Abysmal Condor - drums

Temperance is where exceptional vocal melodies, energetic metal guitar riffing and symphonic atmospheres meet in perfect harmony. Different from most symphonic metal bands, these Italians bring together no less than three vocalists, all adding their own style and flavour to the ensemble. The combination of Alessia Scolletti’s crystalline voice, the strong timbre of Michele Guaitoli and the rough vocals of mastermind and guitarist Marco Pastorino, makes Temperance stand out completely.

This vibrant five-piece has now joined forces with Napalm Records and is ready to take the next step.

Marco Pastorino (vocalist/guitarist/main songwriter of Temperance) on the new signing: "We are thrilled to announce that we are joining Napalm Records for the release of our next album! They are the best team possible to be part of for the most important chapter of our career. We are working extremely hard to give you the best Temperance album ever and we are looking forward to giving you more updates very soon! New energetic hymns of Melodic Metal are coming your way!"

Sebastian Muench, A&R Napalm Records states: “We are super thrilled and excited to finally announce the signing of the melodic metal band Temperance. After hearing the 2018 album release of  Of Jupiter And Moons and seeing the perform live alongside Visions Of Atlantis we are certain this amazing Italian band has what it takes to reach the next level in their career. Fans of Within Temptation, Delain or Visions Of Atlantis should be very pleased!”

Over the past four years the band performed around 200 shows worldwide, including a full European tour supporting Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, another European tour supporting Serenity, one Japan tour and finally two own headlining tours in Europe. On top of that the band performed in support of Nightwish, Slipknot, Within Temptation among others.

Here are your next chances to meet Temperance live on tour:

March
23 - Moskva, Russia - Rock House Club

April
10 - Barcelona, Spain - The Jokers House
11 - Zaragoza, Spain - CC Delicias
12 - Pozal De Gallinas, Spain - Galia Metal Fest II
13 - Sevilla, Spain - tba
14 - Valencia, Spain - Paberse Club

Lineup:

Alessia - Vocals
Michele - Vocals & Piano
Marco - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Luca - Bass
Alfonso - Drums

(Photo - Lisa Berg)

Wendy Dio, wife and longtime manager of Ronnie James Dio, has confirmed that there are also plans to produce a documentary that will cover Dio's career from his early days with ELF to his final project, HEAVEN & HELL. She told The Metal Voice at this past Wednesday's (January 23) Hall Of Heavy Metal History event at Marriott Delta Garden Grove in Anaheim, California (see video below): "The documentary will go back to his childhood. I have many photos. We have a lot of old videos. There'll be things that people have never seen."

Wendy added that she is current "interviewing people" about producing the documentary, which will be distributed via BMG.

Best known for his work with BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW and DIO, Ronnie James Dio passed away of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67. A few months after his death, MTV Books announced plans to release his memoir, which at the time was going to be called "Rainbow In The Dark: The Autobiography Of Ronnie James Dio".

Asked about the status of the book, which was three-quarters written before the singer's death, Wendy told The Metal Voice: "I'm collaborating with Mick Wall. He's done a lot of different books. He knew Ronnie very well. [He's British]. I've had meetings with him, and we're definitely doing it this year."

Wendy also talked about the touring plans for the Ronnie James Dio hologram, which 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.

"We have a new [Ronnie hologram] we're developing that's gonna be fantastic," she said. "I'm actually seeing the finish of it on the 4th of February, and we are hoping to tour with this probably from May onwards."

The Dio hologram production uses audio of Ronnie's live performances from throughout his career, with the DIO DISCIPLES band playing live, consisting of Simon Wright on drums, Craig Goldy on guitar, 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.

Wendy, who is a member of the Eyellusion team, previously 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."

AEROSMITH's "Walk This Way" is one of 25 recordings being inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. The song was originally released as the second single from the band's 1975 album "Toys In The Attic", and was a Top 10 hit in early 1977. It hit big again when RUN–D.M.C. covered the song, along with AEROSMITH, for the rap pioneers' 1986 album "Raising Hell".

Continuing its ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings, the Recording Academy has announced the newest inductions to its distinguished Grammy Hall Of Fame. The latest additions recognize a diverse range of both singles and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 46th year, currently totals 1,088 recordings and is on display at the Grammy Museum.

"The Grammy Hall Of Fame is proud to be a pillar of musical excellence and diversity year after year, honoring some of the most iconic recordings of all time," said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy. "We are proud to acknowledge the ever-changing landscape and evolution of musical expression for which the Academy has become known. We're honored to add these masterpieces to our growing catalog and are delighted to celebrate the impact they’ve had on our musical, social, and cultural history."

Representing myriad tracks and albums, the 2019 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from "Walk This Way" to Miles Davis's "Round About Midnight". The highly reputed list also features Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", Dolly Parton's "Coat Of Many Colors", Nina Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted And Black" and Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever".

Photo credit: Zack Whitford

"Brokenhearted Daydream", the new video from JETBOY, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Born To Fly", which is being released today (Friday, January 25) via Frontiers Music Srl.


Founded in 1983 by guitarists Billy Rowe and Fernie Rod, JETBOY continues to crank out its brand of rock 'n' roll in the 21st century with the same passion that has existed from the beginning.

"Born To Fly" — put together by the band's core of guitarists Billy Rowe, Fernie Rod and vocalist Mickey Finn, alongside former FASTER PUSSYCAT bassist Eric Stacy and drummer Al Serrato — is the first full-fledged set of new material from JETBOY since 1990.

"The band wasn't working on any new material when Frontiers approached us," says Rowe. "Mickey and I had written one or two songs a few years back, but that's about it. For myself, I've been very into writing music and got very into recording, so I had a good amount of complete musical songs that I always felt could end up as new JETBOY material, and some of it did. But the majority of the songs on this album were written within a couple of months after we got the offer from Frontiers."


Rowe continues: "Writing and recording this album came so naturally, there was no struggle at all. We feel it happened at the right time and was meant to be.

"The spirit of the band has been at an all-time high ever since we started this new album. We shared ideas via e-mail and then demoed every song before enteringthe studio. Once we started tracking this album, we all felt something special was going on."


Best described as a blend of edgy rock and roll with a traditional blues-based influence, "Born To Fly" is the perfect vehicle to exploit the commanding style of JETBOY's classic rock 'n' roll sound.

"The musical inspiration for the "Born To Fly" album came from a lifelong list of influences from bands we all grew up on from the 1970s," states Rowe.

"JETBOY has always approached its writing with a simple, stripped-down, no-nonsense rock 'n' roll structure, starting with a great riff and a catchy hook.

"This album flowed so organically, everything felt like it was meant to be. We've also all really grown as musicians, which really helped capture what we feel is some of our best work to date."


Vocalist Mickey Finn says the "lyrics flowed amazingly fast, with most songs being written in one sitting. My feelings were to stay true to JETBOY's roots and style, but to also incorporate where we are at today, pleasing old and new fans alike.

"My wife was the inspiration for 'Every Time I Go' and my firstborn son inspired 'The Way You Move Me'. Our life struggles as a band and lifelong friends inspired tracks like 'Beating The Odds' and 'Born To Fly'. 'Inspiration From Desperation' covers our political climate in America these days, 'Brokenhearted Daydream' reminds us that love is sometimes fickle and hearts get broken, but don't let it destroy your heart — we have to learn to move on and allow love to come into our lives again.

"So, all in all, lots of inspiring messages on the record, as well as some good old rock 'n' roll fun and 'Party Time!' lyrics make it a well-rounded listen!


"Born To Fly" track listing:

01. Beating The Odds

02. Born To Fly

03. Old Dog, New Tricks

04. The Way That You Move Me

05. Brokenhearted Daydream

06. Inspiration From Desperation

07. All Over Again

08. She

09. A Little Bit Easy

10. Every Time I Go

11. Smoky Ebony

12. Party Time!


JETBOY is:

Mickey Finn - Lead Vocals, Harmonica

Fernie Rod - Rhythm, Lead Guitar, Vocals

Billy Rowe - Rhythm, Slide Guitar, Vocals

Eric Stacy - Bass

Al Serrato - Drums

In 2013, ZZ Top treated The Howard Stern Show to a special extended version of their hit, "La Grange", and told Howard the song's origin story. Stern posted the archive footage on January 19th, 2019. Check it out below.

On Tuesday, January 15th, two ZZ Top titles were released as part of Rhino's Start Your Ear Off Right campaign: El Loco (pink vinyl), limited to 5,300 copies, and Tejas (purple vinyl), limited to 5,300 copies.

El Loco tracklisting:

"Tube Snake Boogie"
"I Wanna Drive You Home"
"Ten Foot Pole"
"Leila"
"Don't Tease Me"
"It's So Hard"
"Pearl Necklace"
"Groovy Little Hippie Pad"
"Heaven, Hell Or Houston"
"Party On The Patio"

Tejas tracklisting:

"It's Only Love"
"Arrested For Driving While Blind"
"El Diablo"
"Snappy Kakkie"
"Enjoy And Get It On"
"Ten Dollar Man"
"Pan Am Highway Blues"
"Avalon Hideaway"
"She's A Heartbreaker"

These will be available only at participating brick and mortar retail outlets. For a full list, head here.

"Good Morning Midnight", the new video from Swedish rockers BACKYARD BABIES, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's upcoming album "Sliver & Gold", which will be released on March 1 via Century Media Records. The disc will contain 10 sizzling new songs following the exact same recipe that has made BACKYARD BABIES one of the most consistent rock bands of our time: a perfect balance between sleazy, punky, all-out party rock 'n' roll on the one hand, and decidedly mature, thoroughly melancholic tunes on the other.

While catchy sing-a-long smashers like the first single "Shovin' Rocks", album opener "Good Morning Midnight", the anthemic "Bad Seeds" or "44 Undead" will have you fist-pumping and foot stompin' along with your left foot in a cowboy boot and your right paw in a Chuck Taylor sneaker, the beautiful ballad-like album closer "Laugh Now, Cry Later" will cause you to shed a tear or two into your Jack and Coke.

"Sliver & Gold" track listing:

01. Good Morning Midnight

02. Simple Being Sold

03. Shovin' Rocks

04. Ragged Flag

05. Yes To All No

06. Bad Seeds

07. 44 Undead

08. Sliver And Gold

09. A Day Late In My Dollar Shorts

10. Laugh Now Cry Later

According to BACKYARD BABIES guitarist Dregen (real name: Andreas Tyrone Svensson), the "Sliver and Gold" title is a play on words.

"It is going to be a bit like if you cut yourself with a piece of sliver," he told Metal Casino. "It's a bit like our career. It's been golden moments, but it's also been kind of rough times. It's going to be hopefully the greatest BACKYARD BABIES album [yet]."

Regarding first single "Shovin' Rocks", Dregen said: "Since we're celebrating thirty years together as a band, the single is a bit like... it's kind of like a statement about how it is to play in a band in a three-minute song, which is kind of hard," Dregen said. "I think that the whole next album is going to be like the gold watch then you're at a [job] for a long time. It's going to be our own kind of, like, celebration — not just to our own band, but to the music form of rock 'n' roll."

Dregen said that the group approached the album's recording sessions in an unfamiliar manner. "We've done it for the first time after thirty years in a different way," he said. "Before, we've been writing the whole album, and then when we're ready with the songs, [we] choose the songs, enter the studio and start recording it. Now, we're writing songs, but when we have three or four songs that we think are great, we're entering the studio, we record these three or four songs, and we mix the songs and master the songs and they are, like, totally ready. Then we go back into writing, and we write new songs. We record, like, four EPs, and then we put it together as an album."

He added that he prefers the abbreviated studio sessions to more traditional album-length recording process. "Sometimes when you go into the studio and you have, like, 14 songs, it gets a little bit industrial," he said. "It's almost like going to work — it's like, 'Okay, drums for this song, next...' You lose kind of the heart of the song, because it gets very mechanic [sic]. Recording three or four songs, I always like. I love recording EPs or singles, because you have full control over what you do."

BACKYARD BABIES officially reunited in 2014, five years after they announced that they were going on an "indefinite hiatus." A new album, "Four By Four", arrived in 2015.

BACKYARD BABIES is:

Nicke Borg - lead vocals, guitar

Dregen - lead guitar, vocals

Johan Blomquist - bass

Peder Carlsson - drums

Classical guitar virtuoso Thomas Zwijsen has joined forces with former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley for a new classical acoustic album, entitled December Wind. A video for the title track can be found below, and the album is available now at ThomasZwijsen.com with worldwide shipping.

Tracklisting:

"Eye Of The Storm"
"Love Will Conquer All"
"2AM" (Iron Maiden)
"Miracle On The Hudson"
"December Wind"
"We Fell From The Sky"
"The Crimson Tide"
"The Love Of Your Life"
"Stealing Time" (Blaze)
"Russian Holiday"
"Soundtrack Of My Life" (Blaze)
"One More Step"
"Sign Of The Cross" (Iron Maiden)

"December Wind" video:

The official lyric video for the song "Moonglow" from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project can be seen below. The track is the title cut of AVANTASIA's new album, which will arrive on February 15 via Nuclear Blast.

Tobias comments: "Yes, we've found a song on the new album that is below the four-minute benchmark and it would work as a single. And despite being rather short, it's also representative for the world of AVANTASIA. Somehow in hindsight I think that my admiration for Mike Oldfield shines through here, which wasn't intentional, but you can't really control that. And, by and large, I find the song to be a typical AVANTASIA song nevertheless. The enchanting Candice Night [BLACKMORE'S NIGHT] did an amazing vocal job, and in all modesty, I think so did I, ha! 'Moonglow' is a declaration of love to the moon, the night; it's about entering a different world and the sacred experiences that go along with it."

Comprising 11 tracks, the new opus features several other guest vocalists. This time around, Tobias worked not only with such well-known faces as Ronnie Atkins (PRETTY MAIDS), Eric Martin (MR. BIG), Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE), Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN) and Bob Catley (MAGNUM) but also with new collaborators like Candice Night (BLACKMORE'S NIGHT) and Mille Petrozza (KREATOR). The cover artwork was created by Alexander Jansson. "The Raven Child" features lead vocals by Sammet, Kürsch and Lande.

Comments Sammet: "I really can't wait to unleash 'Moonglow'. First reactions by press and friends are the most enthusiastic comments I have ever gotten in my whole career of 27 years. No bullshit; it's the truth. Sascha and I are overwhelmed!

"In order to avoid boredom, in the middle of promotion and tour preparations, I was getting myself involved in every detail of the album sleeves, booklets and packaging, to make sure the album drags the listener into a different world. I wanted 'Moonglow' to be an overall experience for escapists like myself.

"My favorite edition is the giant super strictly limited art book edition with bonus track and a bonus CD. A massive coffee table book with photos, interview, liner notes and illustrations of Victorian painter Grimshaw who has been very inspirational to me. This book edition is everything it takes to invite the listener into the world of 'Moonglow' and its productional process. There is also a smaller digibook version that features one bonus track and that is limited and beautiful as well. And, of course, there are also vinyl editions to hug, feel, watch, smell and caress.

"I am extremely proud of all these little treasures and can't wait to unleash them!"

"Moonglow" track listing:

01. Ghost In The Moon

02. Book Of Shallows

03. Moonglow

04. The Raven Child

05. Starlight

06. Invincible

07. Alchemy

08. The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

09. Lavender

10. Requiem For A Dream

11. Maniac

12. Heart (bonus track)

On March 22, MEGADETH will celebrate its 35th anniversary with the release of "Warheads On Foreheads", a 35-track career retrospective. The anthology spans the band's entire studio recording career, from its first album "Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good" to its 2016 Grammy Award-winning release "Dystopia", and will be available as a 3-CD set, a 4-LP set and a digital edition via UMe Recordings. A limited-edition, four-LP set pressed on silver colored vinyl will be available exclusively through the band's online store, with deluxe bundles to be announced. Visit this location for details.


"Thirty-five years ago I chose the name MEGADETH for my band and I see these songs as the most efficient weapons in the band's arsenal," says Dave Mustaine. "'Warheads On Foreheads' is a U.S. military term for targeting efficiency. It's all about using the right tool for the job and these tracks were created for maximum destruction (or stopping power, or something else!)."


In 1984, Mustaine was determined to start a new band that would be heavier and faster than his peers. Mustaine's songwriting was rapidly maturing, and he set about combining the attitude and energy of punk, with the power and intricate riffing of metal, along with direct, sociopolitical lyrical content. With David Ellefson on bass and Gar Samuelson on drums, the band recorded its infamous three-song demo which quickly circulated through the underground tape-trading circuit and became an underground hit leading to a deal with Combat Records.


"Warheads On Foreheads" starts at that beginning with the early thrashers "Rattlehead" and "Mechanix" from the band's 1985 debut, "Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good", an album that would lay down the blueprint and establish MEGADETH as forerunners of what would later be called thrash metal (and recently hailed by VH1 as the greatest thrash metal debut of all time).


MEGADETH was quickly signed by Capitol Records and released its 1986 major label debut "Peace Sells…But Who's Buying?", which became the band's first certified gold record and would go on to become MEGADETH's first platinum-selling release. Featured on "Warheads On Foreheads" are "The Conjuring" and the track "Good Mourning/Black Friday", which Pitchfork describes as "everything great about hardcore, plus a dose of the kind of show-off skill that makes lesser musicians' fingers bleed." Other songs included are "In My Darkest Hour" from its platinum-selling "So Far, So Good, So What!" (1988), "Hangar 18" and "Holy Wars…The Punishment Due" from its Grammy-nominated platinum album "Rust In Peace" (1990), and "Symphony Of Destruction" and "Sweating Bullets" from 1992's Grammy-nominated double-platinum release "Countdown To Extinction". Also featured are "A Tout Le Monde" and "Reckoning Day" from 1994's platinum-selling release "Youthanasia", "Kingmaker" from 2013's Top Ten release "Super Collider", which hit No. 3 on both the Hard Rock Albums and Top Rock Albums charts, "She-Wolf" from the Grammy-nominated Top Ten release "Cryptic Writings" (1997) and the title track from the band's most recent album "Dystopia".


Upon its release in 2016, "Dystopia" reasserted MEGADETH's place at the top of the metal world, equaling the chart impact of their early-nineties output, earning the band its first Grammy, as well as rave reviews (The Guardian gave it five out of five stars and stated "'Dystopia' is an absolutely blistering return to the state-of-the-art bombast and refined technicality.")


MEGADETH burst onto the scene thirty-five years ago, virtually inventing a genre and selling more than 38 million albums worldwide, earning numerous accolades including a 2017 Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for the title track "Dystopia", 12 Grammy nominations, and scoring five consecutive platinum albums. With sheer determination and a relentless recording and touring schedule, MEGADETH worked its way up from headlining clubs to headlining arenas, festival and stadiums, cementing a legacy that continues to grow and spread throughout the world.


"Warheads On Foreheads" track listing:

Disc 1

01. Rattlehead

02. Mechanix

03. Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!

04. The Conjuring

05. Wake Up Dead

06. Devils Island

07. Good Mourning / Black Friday

08. Set The World Afire

09. In My Darkest Hour

10. Holy Wars…The Punishment Due


Disc 2

01. Hangar 18

02. Tornado Of Souls

03. Rust In Peace…Polaris

04. Five Magics

05. Take No Prisoners

06. Skin O' My Teeth

07. Angry Again

08. Symphony Of Destruction

09. Sweating Bullets

10. A Tout Le Monde

11. Train Of Consequences

12. Reckoning Day


Disc 3

01. Trust

02. She-Wolf

03. Wanderlust

04. Dread and the Fugitive Mind

05. Blackmail The Universe

06. Washington Is Next!

07. Head Crusher

08. Public Enemy No. 1

09. Kingmaker

10. The Threat Is Real

11. Poisonous Shadows

12. Death From Within

13. Dystopia

It's long been clear that the Canadian hard rock trio DANKO JONES lives and breathes — and even sweats and bleeds — rock n' roll. The group's namesake front man loves to talk about it (check out his long-running "The Official Danko Jones Podcast" for proof); he loves to write about it (as his new book, "I've Got Something To Say: 10 Years Of Rock And Roll Ramblings", pointedly captures); and he loves to sing about it, as evidenced by a number of the group's best-loved songs ("I Gotta Rock", "Rock Shit Hot", "Do You Wanna Rock", etc.).

On the group's new album, the aptly titled "A Rock Supreme", Danko Jones — the man and the band — ups the ante considerably from the moment the very first words blast from the speakers: "I'm in a band, and I love it / All I want to do is play my guitar and rock and roll." There's no midlife crisis here, no softening with age, no signs of self-doubt — just 11 fist-pumping (literally, in the case of "Fists Up High") jolts of sonic adrenaline with nary a ballad in sight.

"'A Rock Supreme' is the name of our new studio album. There are 11 songs on it, and they're all fantastic," says Jones. "Trust me — we know what we're doing when it comes to hard rock."

Produced by GGGarth Richardson (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, RISE AGAINST, BIFFY CLYRO) and featuring cover artwork by Ulf Lunden (GRAVEYARD, EUROPE, BOMBUS), "A Rock Supreme" — which is available now for pre-order — will be released on April 26 via M-Theory Audio (U.S.), Rise Above (UK), Indica (Canada, AU, NZ) and AFM (rest of the world). All digital pre-orders include three instant downloads — the previously released singles "We're Crazy" and "Burn In Hell", and the newly released "Dance Dance Dance", which can now be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other digital platforms.

A music video for "Dance Dance Dance" — which premiered on Wednesday on Los Angeles's iconic KLOS during a live appearance on "Jonesy's Jukebox" with host Steve Jones (SEX PISTOLS) — will premiere early next month, when the band will hit the road in the Western United States for a two-week headlining tour with support from the like-minded hard rock group NASHVILLE PUSSY and recent European tour mates PRIMA DONNA.

DANKO JONES — whose namesake frontman contributed guest vocals to VOLBEAT's 2017 #1 Active Rock hit "Black Rose", a song he performed live with the group at their stadium show in Denmark (a show that was released as the DVD/Blu-ray "Let's Boogie! Live From Telia Parken") — has made a name for itself over the years as a must-see live band during memorable tours with the likes of GUNS N' ROSES, MOTÖRHEAD and CLUTCH.

The group's last album, 2017's "Wild Cat", cracked the sales charts in Canada and eight European territories, achieving the group's highest chart positions yet in Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland. Upon its release, lead single "My Little RNR" became one of the fastest-streaming songs of the band's career and has since become a live staple.

Over the years, DANKO JONES has earned extensive praise for its visceral live shows and attitudinal, libidinous rock. The group's best-known material includes "Had Enough", which earned the group their first gold and platinum singles in Sweden and has racked up more than 13 million Spotify streams; "Gonna Be A Fight Tonight", which WWE used as the official theme song of the 2015 Royal Rumble; and "Lovercall", its first of seven singles to crack the U.S. Active Rock Top 40.

"A Rock Supreme" track listing:

01. I'm In A Band

02. I Love Love

03. We're Crazy

04. Dance Dance Dance

05. Lipstick City

06. Fists Up High

07. Party

08. You Got Today

09. That Girl

10. Burn In Hell

11. You Can't Keep Us Down

DANKO JONES is:

Danko Jones on guitar, vocals

John "J.C." Calabrese on bass

Rich Knox on drums

"Dead End Ride", the new video from former WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp, can be seen below. The song is taken from his upcoming studio album, "Stray From The Flock", which will be released on March 1 via Target Records. Staying true both to the timeless roots of rock 'n' roll and his own roots, it is a record that won't disappoint fans of previous releases from the Danish singer/songwriter.

With more than a hundred shows planned in 2019 to support the new album — starting off in the U.S. in February and March with 22 shows — this will be another great year for Tramp.


Stadium concerts. Number one chart entries with solo releases. History of rock'n'roll written all over him. Tramp has had it all. Right now, however, after spending the last two decades studiously carving out a solid solo career for himself, Tramp is happy being Mike Tramp.

"Many years ago, I realized that going back to basics, demanding nothing and being surprised if there was a tray of sandwiches in the dressing room was the way forward," he says.


"Stray From The Flock" is the latest in a stellar collection of records written and released by Tramp since 1997. From the excellence of his solo debut "Capricorn" to "Maybe Tomorrow", the Danish singer has been on a distinctive, solo journey that has seen him reinventing himself and reach a consistency in look, feel and a sound that centers on some of the finest, acoustic-based-yet-hauntingly melodic songs you'll ever hear.

Recorded at Ark Studio in Denmark and mixed in Sweden by Peter Masson, "Stray From The Flock" essentially takes the template of the 2013 release "Cobblestone Street" one step further. It’s also an album that pretty much wrote itself. "I picked up the guitar and the songs just started flying out of me," Tramp says. "I thought, 'Fuck! There's an album that wants to come out of here."

Mike will, of course, be touring in support of "Stray From The Flock", but, as with his previous solo excursions, there won't be any explosions, moving drum risers or confetti bombs on stage. There will just be a guy standing in the middle being the real deal.

"Stray From The Flock" will be released on on CD, double gatefold LP on black 140-gram vinyl, limited double gatefold LP on orange color LP, 180-gram (500 copies only), digital and cassette.

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) — is taking fans on "The Great Adventure" with its latest double concept album, which is being released today (Friday, 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 official music video for the song "I Got To Run", taken from "The Great Adventure", can be seen below.

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".


THE NEAL MORSE BAND will bring "The Great Adventure" to fans worldwide with a new round of headlining tour dates, which begin February 2 in Nashville at City Winery.

Photo credit: Robert Smith

Last night (Thursday, January 24), Santa Ana, California's Observatory OC hosted a massive "Dimebash", a tribute to late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The event was hosted by Sirius XM's Jose Mangin and was headlined by an all-star jam of top musicians performing Dime's music and his favorite tunes.

Video footage of Dimebag's PANTERA bandmate Rex Brown, along with Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR), Dave Grohl (FOO FIGHTERS), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) and Chris Broderick (MEGADETH, ACT OF DEFIANCE) performing the PANTERA classic "Walk" at this year's "Dimebash" can be seen below.

"Dimebash" also featured individual performances by KILL DEVIL HILL and FIREBALL MINISTRY.


Dimebag was co-founder and lead guitarist for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage. He was 38 years old.

"Beating The Odds", the new video from JETBOY, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Born To Fly", which will be released on January 25, 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.


Of the new single, guitarist Billy Rowe says: "'Beating The Odds' features a spoken-word piece by the late, great Lemmy Kilmister. In 1990, Lemmy became friendly with us and jumped on stage at the Cathouse for our second album-release party to cover a rocked up version of Jerry Lee Lewis's 'Great Balls Of Fire'. A year or so later, Lemmy ended up helping out with some backing vocals on a demo, along with a spoken-word piece titled 'The Reading', which was written by Lemmy and Mickey [Finn, vocals]. In the breakdown of this new single, we edited a portion of the reading as we felt it was such a perfect fit for the track. The video was also inspired by Lemmy, with an animated story of a war pilot in a dog fight and beating the odds to survive."

Founded in 1983 by guitarists Billy Rowe and Fernie Rod, JETBOY continues to crank out its brand of rock 'n' roll in the 21st century with the same passion that has existed from the beginning.

"Born To Fly" — put together by the band's core of guitarists Billy Rowe, Fernie Rod and vocalist Mickey Finn, alongside former FASTER PUSSYCAT bassist Eric Stacy and drummer Al Serrato — is the first full-fledged set of new material from JETBOY since 1990.

The band wasn't working on any new material when Frontiers approached us," says Rowe. "Mickey and I had written one or two songs a few years back, but that's about it. For myself, I've been very into writing music and got very into recording, so I had a good amount of complete musical songs that I always felt could end up as new JETBOY material, and some of it did. But the majority of the songs on this album were written within a couple of months after we got the offer from Frontiers."


Rowe continues: "Writing and recording this album came so naturally, there was no struggle at all. We feel it happened at the right time and was meant to be.

"The spirit of the band has been at an all-time high ever since we started this new album. We shared ideas via e-mail and then demoed every song before enteringthe studio. Once we started tracking this album, we all felt something special was going on."


Best described as a blend of edgy rock and roll with a traditional blues-based influence, "Born To Fly" is the perfect vehicle to exploit the commanding style of JETBOY's classic rock 'n' roll sound.

"The musical inspiration for the "Born To Fly" album came from a lifelong list of influences from bands we all grew up on from the 1970s," states Rowe.

"JETBOY has always approached its writing with a simple, stripped-down, no-nonsense rock 'n' roll structure, starting with a great riff and a catchy hook.

"This album flowed so organically, everything felt like it was meant to be. We've also all really grown as musicians, which really helped capture what we feel is some of our best work to date."


Vocalist Mickey Finn says the "lyrics flowed amazingly fast, with most songs being written in one sitting. My feelings were to stay true to JETBOY's roots and style, but to also incorporate where we are at today, pleasing old and new fans alike.

"My wife was the inspiration for 'Every Time I Go' and my firstborn son inspired 'The Way You Move Me'. Our life struggles as a band and lifelong friends inspired tracks like 'Beating The Odds' and 'Born To Fly'. 'Inspiration From Desperation' covers our political climate in America these days, 'Brokenhearted Daydream' reminds us that love is sometimes fickle and hearts get broken, but don't let it destroy your heart — we have to learn to move on and allow love to come into our lives again.

"So, all in all, lots of inspiring messages on the record, as well as some good old rock 'n' roll fun and 'Party Time!' lyrics make it a well-rounded listen!


"Born To Fly" track listing:

01. Beating The Odds

02. Born To Fly

03. Old Dog, New Tricks

04. The Way That You Move Me

05. Brokenhearted Daydream

06. Inspiration From Desperation

07. All Over Again

08. She

09. A Little Bit Easy

10. Every Time I Go

11. Smoky Ebony

12. Party Time!


JETBOY is:

Mickey Finn - Lead Vocals, Harmonica

Fernie Rod - Rhythm, Lead Guitar, Vocals

Billy Rowe - Rhythm, Slide Guitar, Vocals

Eric Stacy - Bass

Al Serrato - Drums

Legendary progressive rock band KING CRIMSON will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year by embarking on a 50-date world tour.

The North American leg will begin in late August, with European and South American shows to follow in the coming months.

Since the band's return to live performance in 2014, with critically acclaimed sell-out shows all over the world, including two defining shows at the Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, the audience has been reinvented, as much as the band itself.

Says guitarist Robert Fripp: "In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level."

The band's packed three-hour shows regularly include material from 12 of KING CRIMSON's 13 studio albums, including many of the songs from their seminal 1969 LP "In The Court Of The Crimson King", described by Pete Townshend as an "uncanny masterpiece."

The new eight-piece KING CRIMSON lineup plays many historic pieces which the band has never played live, as well as new arrangements of CRIMSON classics. There are also new instrumentals and songs, as well as the compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey, which are a regular highlight. It is a unique show, where eight of the best musicians in the world play music without distraction or adornment.

Tour dates:

Jun. 10 - Leipzig, DE @ Haus Auensee

Jun. 12 - Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle

Jun. 13 - Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderthalle

Jun. 15 - Stuttgart, DE @ Liederhalle

Jun. 16 - Stuttgart, DE @ Liederhalle

Jun. 18 - London, UK @ Royal Albert Hall

Jun. 19 - London, UK @ Royal Albert Hall

Jun. 20 - London, UK @ Royal Albert Hall

Jun. 22 - Nijmegen, NL @ De Vereeniging

Jun. 23 - Nijmegen, NL @ De Vereeniging

Jun. 26 - Warsaw, PL @ Teatr Roma

Jun. 27 - Warsaw, PL @ Teatr Roma

Jun. 29 - Berlin, DE @ Zitadelle

Jul. 04 - Basel, CH @ Romisches Theater Augusta Ruarica

Jul. 08 - Verona, IT @ Arena Di Verona

Jul. 10 - Torino, IT @ Stupinigi Sonic Park

Jul. 12 - Cataluna, ES @ Doctor Music Festival

Jul. 13 - Cataluna, ES @ Doctor Music Festival

Jul. 14 - Cataluna, ES @ Doctor Music Festival

Jul. 18 - Perugia, IT @ Arena Santa Giuliana

Aug. 23 - Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan

Aug. 24 - Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan

Aug. 27 - Guadalajara, MX @ Teatro Diana

Aug. 29 - Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan

Sep. 03 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre

Sep. 05 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

Sep. 06 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater

Sep. 08 - Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre

Sep. 10 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Sep. 12 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre

Sep. 14 - Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage

Sep. 17 - Montreal, QC @ St Denis Theatre

Sep. 19 - Boston, MA @ Wang Theater

Sep. 21 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall

Sep. 23 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Met

Sep. 25 - Cleveland, OH @ Hard Rock Rocksino

Sep. 27 - Nashville, TN @ The Ryman

Sep. 29 - Atlanta, GA @ The Cobb Center

Oct. 06 - Rio de Janeiro, BR @ Rock in Rio