Peaceville recently issued the long awaited remix of Mayhem's cult classic, Grand Declaration Of War. The release can be ordered in various formats at this location, and a full album audio stream can be found below.

Completely reworked from the original master tapes by producer Jaime Gomez at Orgone Studios (Solstafir, Paradise Lost, Primordial, Ghost, Ulver, etc), this experimental black metal milestone sounds like you never heard it before.

Tracklisting:

"A Grand Declaration Of War"
"In The Lies Where Upon You Lay"
"A Time To Die"
"View From Nihil, Pt. 1"
"View From Nihil, Pt. 2"
"A Bloodsword And A Colder Sun, Pt. 1"
"A Bloodsword And A Colder Sun, Pt. 2"
"Crystalized Pain In Deconstruction"
"Completion In Science Of Agony, Pt. 1"
"To Daimonion"
"Untitled I"
"Completion In Science Of Agony, Pt. 2"

Album stream:

In other news, on December 14th, Mayhem are releasing a unique box, containing not only both LP versions of Grand Declaration Of War, but also the 12" LP's of Chimera (2004) and Ordo ad Chao (2007), the 10" EP of Wolf's Liar Abyss (1997), and two 10" EP's containing never released bonus tracks all bound together in a very special leather box.

Watch an unboxing video below, and order here.

Finland's Arion have released a video for "Through Your Falling Tears", a track from their new album, Life Is Not Beautiful, out now via AFM Records. Order the album here, and watch the new clip below.

Tracklisting:

"The End Of The Fall"
"No One Stands In My Way"
"At The Break Of Dawn" (Feat. Elize Ryd)
"The Last Sacrifice"
"Through Your Falling Tears"
"Unforgivable"
"Punish You"
"Life Is Not Beautiful"
"Last One Falls"

"Through Your Falling Tears" video:

"Punish You" lyric video:

"At The Break Of Dawn" video:

"Unforgivable" video:

Lineup:

Lassi Vääränen (Vocals)
Iivo Kaipainen (Guitars)
Arttu Vauhkonen (Keyboards)
Georgi Velinov (Bass)
Topias Kupianen (Drums)

Devin Townsend's Eras - Vinyl Collection Part III is out now. An unboxing video can be found below. Order the set here.

After the tremendous success of the first two LP box sets, now comes box number three. This one includes the albums Accelerated Evolution (2LP + etching), Epicloud (2LP), Transcendence (2LP + etching), Sky Blue (2LP) and Live At The Royal Albert Hall (2LP). All five albums come in Gatefold sleeves and on 180 g vinyl. Sky Blue and Live At The Royal Albert Hall have specifically been mastered for vinyl for this box to guarantee the best possible sound and listening experience.

The five albums come in a sturdy box, which also includes an extensive LP-booklet with complete lyrics, liner notes and comments from Devin Townsend. As the two previously released box sets, Eras - The Vinyl Collection Part III is also worldwide limited to not more than 2,500 copies.

Live At The Royal Albert Hall is the second part of the live album Ziltoid Live At The Royal Albert Hall and has never been released on vinyl before.

Find Me have announced that their third album, Angels In Blue, will be released on February 22nd via Frontiers Music Srl. The band has also released the first single and video from the album, "No Tears In Paradise". Watch a lyric video for the single below. Pre-order the album and stream the single here.

Vocalist Robbie LaBlanc on the new album: "I really like our first album, but I like Dark Angel better than the first one. I have to say that I love our new one the best of all three so far. I hope everyone else agrees, haha. There are some really amazing songs on this record and Daniel stripped the production down a bit on this one, which I really like. I had a lot of fun on this album vocally and I think you’ll hear that in the tracks. They were a joy to sing and there wasn’t one key change on any demo that was presented. It was like the songs were written right for me to sing them. Really, really cool!"

Songwriter, drummer, and producer Daniel Flores adds, "Like always, everything is built around Robbie's voice and range. Carefully structuring all arrangements around the melodies, crafting a powerhouse for every song. I think we have nailed down what that means for Find Me's melodic rock approach. Third time's the charm!"

Of tracks from the album they are particularly fond of, Flores says, "As a producer I tend to fall in love with all songs on the records we do, but the songs 'Desperate Dreams' and 'No Tears In Paradise' are two favorites." With LaBlanc adding, that "'Waiting For A Lifetime' and 'Show Me What You’d Die For' are two that quickly stand out in my mind as favorites. 'No Tears in Paradise' as well. I love our cover of 'Desperate Dreams' by Survivor, I thought it came out really nice and hopefully a great tribute to Jimi Jamison."

Find Me is an ongoing collaboration between Swedish musician, songwriter and producer Daniel Flores (Issa, The Murder of My Sweet) and singer Robbie LaBlanc from Blanc Faces. The partnership was put together by Frontiers President, Serafino Perugino with a vision to unleash yet another AOR behemoth from the label. Mission accomplished! Find Me’s debut album, Wings Of Love, and the follow-up release Dark Angel were greeted with rave fan and critical reviews, with fans left begging for more music from the duo. No demand could have been easier to fulfill as Daniel and Robbie simply love working together. The result of their latest collaboration is Angels In Blue. Once again, a delightful and massive melodic rock album full of mighty, anthemic AOR songs with Robbie’s soaring lead vocals and amazing performances from Daniel Flores and guitarist Philip Lindstrand. Sonically, this powerhouse album sits in between the classic sound of Journey and Giant and newcomers like W.E.T and Eclipse. Yet another unmissable album for the Melodic Rock/AOR crowd from Frontiers.

"Robbie and I really hope you can hear the sweat and tears we have endured during the making of this record. Every finished record is a miracle in the making and this one in particular was hard to make. Thank God it all came through in the end. This is for you guys, the fans who make my work feel like a walk in the park everyday," says Flores.

"I’m really excited Find Me's third album is coming out. I hope the fans love it and I want to express my great respect to all the guys in the band: Phil, Michael, Daniel, Johnny, Rolf, Soren, and all the great writers like Alessandro Del Vecchio and Michael Palace. What a great bunch of musicians and talented, talented people. I am very lucky to be involved with such beautiful and talented people. God bless you all," concludes LaBlanc.

Tracklisting:

"No Tears In Paradise"
"Chain Of Love"
"True Believer"
"Straight For Eternity"
"Can’t Let Go"
"One Last Kiss"
"Living A Lie"
"Angels In Blue"
"Show Me What You'd Die For"
"Waiting For A Lifetime"
"You Are The Only One"
"Desperate Dreams"
"Only The Lonely"

"No Tears In Paradise" lyric video:

Lineup:

Robert LaBlanc - Lead vocals and backing vocals
Daniel Flores - Drums, percussion and additional keyboards
Sören Kronquist - Keyboards
Philip Lindstrand - Rhythm guitars
Johnny Trobro - Bass
Micael Palace - Lead guitars and rhythm guitars on “Can't Let Go” and “Only The Lonely”

Altitudes & Attitude, a collaboration between Anthrax’s Frank Bello and Megadeth’s David Ellefson - two virtuosic bass players who’ve anchored some of the fiercest thrash records of all time - will release its debut album, Get It Out, on January 18th via Megaforce. A testament to the expressive strength of rock songcraft, Get It Out reaches far beyond the boundaries of an all-star metal outing.

Get It Out is available for pre-order here, and a lyric video for the track "Out Here" can be found below.

A kind of rock ‘n’ roll primal-scream therapy, Get It Out is the result of nearly four years of writing and recording sessions - and decades of touring, searching, striving and living.

“I’ve learned that writing songs is very cathartic,” says Bello, who has long made songwriting a daily practice. When Anthrax is off the road, he tries out new material at open mics around New York City. “A lot of these lyrics are about the inner struggles of my life, and about the rage that has built up from my life experiences - my brother’s murder; my father abandoning my family when we were young, leaving us with no funds to pay the bills. The ups and downs of life in general. I’ve always had an anger inside that music really helps me deal with.”

“The album has the perfect title,” Ellefson adds. “This is music that has been living inside of us for so long.  There’s a big musical part of each of us that doesn’t get heard anywhere else.”

Boasting producer Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther), drummer Jeff Friedl (A Perfect Circle, Devo, Filter) and a deep bench of guest stars including Ace Frehley (the track “Late”) and Gus G., the record also represents the fulfillment of a lifelong but little-known ambition for two uniquely gifted artists.

As Bello puts it, “All I ever wanted to do was write good songs. I’ve always been a melody guy. I love hooks; I love catchy songs with a good riff.”

Tracklisting:

"Get It Out"
"Late"
"Out Here"
"Part Of Me"
"Slip"
"Talk To Me"
"Leviathan"
"Cold"
"Another Day"
"All There Is"
"Booze And Cigarettes"
"Tell The World"
"Here Again"

"Out Here" lyric video:

The Altitudes & Attitude story begins in 2010, when Bello and Ellefson started touring together to lead bass clinics for the amp manufacturer, Hartke. In need of backing tracks to support their demonstrations, they embarked upon some writing sessions and discovered their chemistry.

Bello and Ellefson debuted Altitudes & Attitude in early 2014, with a self-titled three-song EP that earned the duo airplay on SiriusXM and an appearance on VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show. Those tracks - “Booze And Cigarettes”, “Tell The World”, “Here Again” - are included on Get It Out as bonus cuts, in remixed and remastered form.

Ellefson explains that “A&A could have only happened at this moment in time” - when the titans of thrash metal’s Big Four are older, wiser, kinder and more open creatively. “When you’re still climbing up the hill,” he says, “there’s no room for friendly competition. But once you’ve been to the top of the hill and you’ve seen the view - which all of the Big Four have - it’s OK to break bread, hang out, have a drink.”

Or, in the case of Altitudes & Attitude, delve into hard-rock songwriting in a profound way. “To hear other sides of us as artists - not just as musicians and performers, but as artists.”

Altitudes & Attitude have announced 2019 UK/European tour dates including six shows with Slash f/Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators in support of their debut album.

Dates:

February
7 - Rescue Rooms - Nottingham, UK
9 - Academy 3 - Manchester, UK
10 - Underworld - London, UK
12 - Waterfront - Norwich, UK
14 - 013 - Tilburg, Netherlands
15 - Bett - Frankfurt, Germany
16 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
17 - Zeche - Bochum, Germany
22 - Zenith - Paris, France*
23 - Cirque Royal - Brussels, Belgium - SOLD OUT*
24 - AFAS Live - Amsterdam, Netherlands - SOLD OUT*
27 - Sentrum Scene - Oslo, Norway - SOLD OUT*
28 - Annexet - Stockholm, Sweden*

March
3 - Sporthalle - Hamburg, Germany*

*with Slash

Toy maker Funko will release Pop! vinyl figures of AC/DC guitarist Angus Young in January.

Young figures will be made available in three separate combinations of hats and schoolboy outfits: a black suit and cap, or a navy blue suit with a blue hat featuring both an "A" and the "Highway To Hell" devil horns; and an FYE-exclusive variant featuring a red suit and the blue "A" cap, minus the horns.

Since they were first released in 2011, Funko Pop! figures have quickly taken over the market of collectible pop culture icons and events.

Funko recently crafted a special Pop! vinyl figure in the likeness of the cover artwork for METALLICA's 1988 album "…And Justice For All". Previously, all four members of the legendary heavy metal band were turned into Funko Pop! figures.


b>AC/DC is rumored to be in the midst of making — or at least planning — another album, with drummer Phil Rudd and singer Brian Johnson both back in the lineup. Online reports have also indicated Angus Young will dedicate the new AC/DC album to his late brother.

View this post on Instagram Coming Soon: AC/DC Pop! https://www.funko.com/blog/article/28560621614/coming-soon-ac-dc-pop A post shared by Funko (@originalfunko) on Dec 10, 2018 at 9:03am PST

French melodic death metal outfit, Temnein, have released a video for “White Stained Inferno”, the title track of the band’s latest album, available via Massacre Records. Watch below.

The album was produced by Frederic "El Mobo" Motte at Conkrete Studio. All artwork by Ibay Arifin Suradi.

Tracklisting:

“Impending Outbreak”
“Ataxia”
“Denying The Threat”
“Bad Omen”
“Knowledge As A Burden”
“White Stained Inferno”
“Against The Waves”
“The Seal”
“Wrong Escape”
“A Momentary Peace”
“Dawn Of A New Day”

“White Stained Inferno” video:

“Against The Waves” video:

"Denying The Threat" lyric video:

Napalm Records welcomes Sojourner to the label family. Sojourner is a folk-influenced atmospheric metal band with members from New Zealand, Sweden, and Italy. Their sound combines epic, ethereal elements with the aggression of black metal, evoking the sweeping, melancholic atmospheres of nature.

Formed in 2015, their first album, Empires Of Ash, was well received in the underground metal scene for its driving guitars, blackened rasps and ethereal female vocals. In 2018 the band released their second album, The Shadowed Road, building on their epic, fantasy atmosphere, and made their debut live performance to fans from across the world in Glasgow.

Since then Sojourner have been playing at festivals in the UK, Germany, and Italy, and will be embarking on their first European tour in January 2019 with Draconian and Harakiri For The Sky. Continuing the progression of their diverse sound, the band will be releasing their third album in late 2019 on Napalm Records.

The band states: “We're incredibly proud to be working with Napalm Records, a label that we've all listened to and respected for years! We'd like to thank Sebastian for reaching out to us, and all of our supporters both old and new. We're hard at work on the follow up to The Shadowed Road and we can't wait to share it with you all through this new partnership!”

Sojourner on tour with Draconian and Harakiri For The Sky:

Lineup:

Mike Lamb - Guitars, Keyboards, Piano
Chloe Bray - Tin whistle, Vocals, Guitars
Emilio Crespo - Vocals
Mike Wilson - Bass
Riccardo Floridia - Drums

(Photo - Gavin McLaughlin Photography)

Progressive power metallers, Blind Guardian, have re-released three more classic titles from their back catalogue. The remixed and remastered versions of Imaginations From The Other Side, Nightfall In Middle-Earth and A Night At The Opera are out now on 2CD digipack and 2LP gatefold vinyl format, in a variety of limited edition colours.

Singer Hansi Kürsch comments: "So great that Imaginations From The Other Side, Nightfall In Middle-Earth and A Night At The Opera will finally be re-released on vinyl and as limited-edition CDs. I really love the bonus material for each album. Always great to re-visit these albums. Have fun."

Today, the band launches the official documentary series, A Night At The Opera Revisited. Watch Part 1 below:

Order the reissues here.

Imaginations From The Other Side (1995), remixed 2011/2012,  remastered 2012

- 2 CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD+original CD)
- LP in gatefold

Tracklisting:

"Imaginations From The Other Side"
"I’m Alive"
"A Past And Future Secret"
"The Script For My Requiem"
"Mordred’s Song"
"Born In A Mourning Hall"
"Bright Eyes"
"Another Holy War"
"And The Story Ends"

Bonus:
"The Wizard"
"System’s Failing"

Imaginations Revisited Documentary, Part 1:

Imaginations Revisited Documentary, Part 2:

Nightfall In Middle-Earth (1998), remixed 2011/2012,  remastered 2012

- 2 CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD + original CD)
- LP in gatefold

Tracklisting:

"War Of Wrath"
"Into The Storm"
"Lammoth"
"Nightfall"
"The Minstrel"
"The Curse Of Feanor"
"Captured"
"Blood Tears"
"Mirror Mirror"
"Face The Truth"
"Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns)"
"Battle Of Sudden Flames"
"Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)"
"The Dark Elf"
"Thorn"
"The Eldar"
"Nom The Wise"
"When Sorrow Sang"
"Out On The Water"
"The Steadfast"
"A Dark Passage"
"Final Chapter (Thus Ends…)"

Bonus:
"Doom"
"The Tides Of War"

Nightfall In Middle-Earth Revisited Documentary, Part 1:

Nightfall In Middle-Earth Revisited Documentary, Part 2:

A Night At The Opera (2002), remixed 2011/2012,  remastered 2012

- 2CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD+original CD)
- LP in gatefold

Tracklisting:

"Precious Jerusalem"
"Battlefield"
"Under The Ice"
"Sadly Sings Destiny"
"The Maiden And The Minstrel Knight"
"Wait For An Answer"
"The Soulforged"
"Age Of False Innocence"
"Punishment Divine"
"And Then There Was Silence"

Bonus:
"Age Of False Innocence" (demo)
"Under The Ice" (demo)

Arch Enemy have released a strictly limited, hand-numbered 7" single and digital single for their song, “Reason To Believe”, via Century Media Records. An unboxing video for the 7" vinyl can be seen below:

Guitarist and founding member Michael Amott comments on the motivation behind writing “Reason To Believe”: “Growing up, I guess I was what would be considered the “different kid”, the odd one out at school etc. I fled into my own shell and the music that I loved. Not having a lot friends and not being popular made me who I am today. My passion for music is really where I found my identity and also the strength to pull through those not always so easy times as a young teenager. Luckily, I was always obsessed with music, I had a lot of ideas for starting a band even before I hit puberty! When I finally saved up enough money to buy my first guitar at the age of thirteen I started creating my own songs immediately and started my first band soon thereafter. I haven’t stopped since. Music has been with me every step of the way through life and is still, to this day, my best friend and greatest passion. I’m sure a lot of people out there feel the same way. 'Reason To Believe' is a song that was born out of reminiscing about my own youth and also the stories from our fans around the world. This one’s for you... Always keep on fighting my friends!”

Both formats of the "Reason To Believe” single, physical and digital, feature the Tears For Fears cover “Shout” as a b-side.

The 7" single is available in the following vinyl colors:

- Black vinyl (limited to 300 copies)

- Clear vinyl (limited to 100 copies, only available at CMDistro EU)

- White vinyl (limited to 200 copies)

- Silver vinyl (limited to 200 copies, only available at Nuclear Blast)

- Red vinyl (limited to 200 copies, only available at EMP)

Order here.

On January 18th, Arch Enemy will release a compilation of all cover songs they have recorded throughout their career, entitled Covered In Blood. More details will follow soon.

Metal Blade Records welcomes Fractal Universe to its worldwide roster.

Founded in 2014, Fractal Universe is a progressive death metal band from Nancy, France. They released their first EP, Boundaries of Reality, in February 2015, and played numerous shows in support of it, opening for bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder, Exodus, Monuments, and many more. With the release of their first full-length, Engram of Decline, in April 2017 via Kolony Records, Fractal Universe received even more exposure in international press, before touring throughout Europe and appearing at various festivals. Soon after, Metal Blade Records offered the band a worldwide deal.

Fractal Universe comments: "We're thrilled to announce our collaboration with Metal Blade Records for the release of our upcoming album. The label has put out a countless amount of great albums over the years, that shaped our tastes in metal and contributed to making us the musicians we are today. Signing to them has been one of our main objectives since we started the band, and is really a dream come true. We couldn't be more excited about the months to come, and we can't wait to share the first tracks of the album with you!"

Fractal Universe's sophomore album - and Metal Blade Records debut - is entitled Rhizomes Of Insanity. Set to be released in spring 2019, Rhizomes Of Insanity was recorded between May and July 2018, with drums recorded at Ghost City Recordings with Nikita Kamprad, and mixing and mastering handled once again by the band's long-time engineer Flavien Morel of Boundless Productions Studios. Stay tuned for more news about the album coming soon.

Fractal Universe tour dates:

January
12 - Audincourt, France - Le Moloco

April
19 - Nilvange, France - Le Gueulard+
20 - Limours, France - Asylum Fest

Fractal Universe lineup:

Vince Wilquin - Guitar / Vocals
Hugo Florimond - Guitar
Valentin Pelletier - Bass
Clément Denys - Drums

(Photo - Vilvain Pictures)

Tasmanian extreme metal stalwarts, Psycroptic, have released a guitar playthrough video for the title track of the the band's new studio album, As The Kingdom Drowns, out now. Watch the new video below.

Formed by brothers Dave and Joe Haley, Psycroptic have always lived in that very small space between technical and metal. The over the top insanity peaked with their third album, 2006’s Symbols Of Failure. From there the band looked to smooth things out a bit, whether it was with some ambience or industrial elements in 2008’s Ob(Servant) or focusing in on the groove on 2012’s, The Inherited Repression. 2015’s Psycroptic seemed to encompass all that the band had done, so where does one go from there? For the band, it was somewhat easy.

The self-titled album gave the band a new and solid platform to launch off of, making experimentation easier. The hard part was where to go and just how far to take it. Singer, Jason Peppiatt comments, “As always with this band we wanted it to have the distinctive sound of a Psycroptic album but wanted to push ourselves further with adding new elements and having a darker vibe than on previous releases. I think we achieved our goal and this is something we are all very proud of!”

The new album was once again produced by J. Haley and was mixed and mastered by Will Putney. Artwork was handled by Mariusz Lewandowsky.

Tracklisting:

"We Were The Keepers"
"Frozen Gaze"
"Directive"
"Deadlands"
"As The Kingdom Drowns"
"Beyond The Black"
"Upon These Stones"
"Momentum Of The Void"
"You Belong Here, Below"

"Frozen Gaze" video:

"Directive" video:

"We Were The Keepers":

"We Were The Keepers" guitar playthrough:

Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing "Fight Fire With Fire" on November 30 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah and "Seek & Destroy" on December 2 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington can be seen below.

The second North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" features in-the-round production and a few firsts, including a "Light It Up" pre-show party hosted by the band's friend, comedian Jim Breuer; and a "Wherever I May Roam Black Ticket" that gives a limited number of fans floor access to any show on the tour.

The "WorldWired" set and stage design, designed by the show's director, Dan Braun, features an immersive concert experience with a 44' x 44' square main-stage equipped with several prop lifts located in the center of the arena.

The "WorldWired" show features the touring industry's first autonomous indoor drone swarm, with 99 micro drones dancing like fireflies for the song "Moth Into Flame".

b>METALLICA kicked off the 2018/2019 U.S. leg of the "WorldWired" arena tour on September 2 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of Mind Key, whose new album, MK III - Aliens In Wonderland, is planned for release in 2019.

Mind Key is a progressive metal band formed in Napoli, Italy in 1999 by Dario De Cicco (keyboards) and Emanuele Colella (guitars). The two wanted to create a band that melded the sound of bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Evergrey, and Pain of Salvation with a songwriting approach inspired by '80/'90s hard rock style.

Mind Key issued the album Journey Of A Rough Diamond in July 2004 on Frontiers. The lineup also included Mark Basile (currently of DGM) on vocals, Raffaele Castaldo on bass, and Andrea Stipa on drums. The band played various gigs in support of the album’s release, including shows with Dream Theater, Vision Divine, and Pendragon, among others. Mind Key then began recording their second album, Pulse For A Graveheart. Released in 2009, the album saw the band simplifying their songwriting and introducing new singer Aurelio Fierro. Fierro was able to showcase his immense vocal potential on the album, which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, and Jorn Lande.

Pulse For A Graveheart - out via Frontiers - grew the band's fanbase. MK toured for many shows to support the album and played live with awesome bands like Edguy, Vanden Plas, Europe and Hammerfall. But unfortunately, life got in the way and it was necessary to wait a few years before Mind Key could regroup. When they were able to reconvene, it was with new members: bassist Lucio Grilli (ex-Soul Secret) and drummer Mirko De Maio (The Flower Kings, Hangarvain). Work commenced on the writing and recording for their new record then.

Keyboardist Dario De Cicco says, “I think MK III - Aliens In Wonderland can be considered our most mature album. Song-writing is more melodic, hooks are stronger, and the album is more song-oriented than ever. However, we certainly have not forgotten about our beloved instrumental interweaving, in perfect prog-metal style! This is the key third album, and I am confident this record will bring us back with our best musical material ever.”

Guitarist Emanuele Colella adds, "I think that we have finally found our sound and path. In terms of genre, heaviness and melody, this album is, in my opinion, a balanced mix and a fine link of the previous ones. If I should define it, I would call it like melodic prog metal with a strong hard rock flavour.”

The label tentatively plans to release the album in the early summer of 2019.

Lineup:

Elio Fierro Jr. - vocals
Dario de Cicco - keyboards
Emanuele Colella - guitars
Lucio Grilli - Bass guitar
Mirkko De Maio - drums

Following a series of social media teasers, THE UNDERGROUND THIEVES — Nick Perri's new, eclectic band — released its sixth single, "Fall", today, with accompanying music video. This release follows Perri and THE UNDERGROUND THIEVES' heavy summer and fall touring schedule that saw them supporting acts like Slash, GRETA VAN FLEET and BLACK STONE CHERRY.

"Fall" blends elements of psychedelic rock, soul, and blues, set to a down-tempo waltz that features Perri's signature, fierce guitar playing and haunting lead vocals. "This was the kind of song that almost wrote itself," said Perri. "It's honest emotion. Once I got into the groove it was done in a matter of minutes."

The track also features fellow THIEVES members Justin DiFebbo (K-FLOOR) on Hammond organ and synth, Jimmy Gnecco (OURS) and Hannah Gernand on background vocals, and Kevin Rice (Christina Perri, Mike Posner) on drums. The single follows a plan laid out by Perri last January, for yearlong music releases: chapters of a 12-part story showcasing the singing and songwriting talents of its various collaborators.

"I don't like the idea of asking people to wait for music anymore, especially for long periods of time," said Perri. "With this project, we can share our music as it comes to fruition, bringing our fans along on the journey in real-time."

he hallucinatory music video sees Perri teaming up again with Orange County filmmaker Austin M Bauman, for an erie performance silhouetted against a prism of colors and shapes. The video also features beautiful acrobatics from Dana Point residents Nathan Brouwer and Madisen Clanton.

"I wanted the sonic and visual aspects to line up and become one, and I think we achieved that and more," said Perri. "It was an honor to work with such incredible performers who brought this music video to life."

Perri said THE UNDERGROUND THIEVES will continue releasing one new single, or "chapter," as often as possible until all 12 songs are complete. At that time, the band will compile the chapters into a full-length album to be distributed both physically and electronically.

"Fall" is now available on iTunes, Spotify and other major music networks. It was mixed and mastered by Marc DiSisto, whose credits include PINK FLOYD, Joe Cocker and Don Henley, among other classic rock and pop icons. DiSisto also engineered SILVERTIDE's "Show & Tell" album, on which Perri was lead guitarist and co-songwriter.

THE UNDERGROUND THIEVES will perform at The Ardmore Music Hall in Philadelphia on December 23, a concert which will be recorded for a forthcoming live album.

Photo by Derek Brad

Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley celebrated the 40th anniversary of his acclaimed solo debut by performing the album for the first time in its entirety on the final day of the New Jersey Kiss Expo 2018, which took place December 7-9 at the Hilton Parsippany in Parsippany, New Jersey.

His setlist was as follows:

01. Rip It Out

02. Speedin' Back To My Baby

03. Snowblind

04. Ozone

05. What's On Your Mind?

06. New York Groove

07. I'm In Need Of Love

08. Wiped-Out

09. Fractured Mirror

Other guests that appeared at the event included Lita Ford, Bobby Rock (VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, NELSON), Lydia Criss and artist Ken Kelly ("Destroyer", "Love Gun").

o-produced with frequent KISS collaborator Eddie Kramer, "Ace Frehley" is widely hailed as the best of the four KISS solo albums released simultaneously in 1978. It peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and outsold the solo efforts of his three bandmates.

Regarding how the decision to perform all of "Ace Frehley" came about, the guitarist told BUILD Series: "It came from the people putting the event together and some of the people who work for me. They all said it would be a great idea, and I said, 'Yeah, I think it would be,' so we're going to make it happen."

In addition to a trio of songs ("Snow Blind", "Ozone", "Wiped-Out") that reflect Frehley's extracurricular interests at the time, the album includes a cover of HELLO's 1975 song "New York Groove", which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and remains a staple of the guitarist's live performances today.

During a recent "live conversation" at Hollywood's Musicians Institute, Frehley discussed his goals for the album. "I just wanted to make the best record possible," he said. "I had a revelation after all four albums came out and mine became the most successful — pretty much there's this voice in my head going, 'Ace, you know you're a lot more creative away from those guys than you are with them.' That was kind of the beginning of the end for me, because I realized that I could make a lot better music away from Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] and Peter [Criss] than I could with them. But I was also drinking and doing a lot of drugs, so that could have affected my decision-making."

Frehley's latest solo album, "Spaceman", was released on October 19 via eOne.

CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Patrick "Pat" O'Brien appeared in a Florida court Tuesday morning (December 11), one day after being arrested for breaking into a home and assaulting a police officer.

O'Brien was clad in an anti-suicide vest, with his wrists and ankles chained together, when he was told by a judge at the Hillsborough County Courthouse that had to be tested for drugs if he is able to bond out of jail.

A short video report from WFLA News Channel 8 on O'Brien's court appearance can be seen below.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, O'Brien broke into a house near the Northdale Golf and Country just before 7:00 p.m. on Monday (December 10) and ignored orders from the two people inside the home to leave. O'Brien didn't know anyone at the house and didn't have permission to be there, an arrest report states. A sheriff's office supervisor says O'Brien shoved a woman to the ground and then went into the backyard.

eputies responding to the burglary found O'Brien hiding behind a fence near the house, which was less than half a mile from his own home. They say O'Brien "would not obey his lawful commands and ran towards" one of the deputies "with a knife in his right hand." Deputies then shot O'Brien with a Taser and arrested him.

O'Brien is charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. His bond was set at $50,000.

"The investigation is ongoing," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Cristal Nunez.

While O'Brien was being arrested, firefighters were battling a massive fire at a home where officials say the guitarist was living. Hillsborough County firefighters were able to get the fire under control after about an hour but had to contend with suspected live ammunition going off inside the house.

Officials say two military-style flamethrowers inside the home, making the fire much harder to battle for firefighters.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the house fire.

CANNIBAL CORPSE announced Monday that it would be part of the next North American leg of SLAYER's farewell tour.

THE CARDS, a brand new blues/rock trio featuring British guitarist Paul Quinn (SAXON), American singer and bassist Harrison Young (ex-DORO, ex-U.D.O.) and Dutchman Koen Herfst (ex-DEW-SCENTED, ex-I CHAOS) on drums, will release its self-titled debut album on January 18, 2019. The disc mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö and features cover artwork by Dutch artist Sophia Den Breems.

After meeting backstage at a German metal festival, Paul and Harrison bonded over a shared set of musical influences which became apparent in their early songwriting process. With the addition of drummer Koen, they find themselves branching out into new territory beyond the metal world with the creation of this album.

From classic blues stompers to full on rock and roll burners, this album leaves no territory unchartered.

Says Young: "This album was born out of friendship and camaraderie over the music making process, but it has become so much more."

b>"The Cards" track listing:

01. No Soul

02. Bandit On The Run

03. Rock & Roll Rocketship

04. The Process

05. Pitfalls

06. Ride The Freight Train

07. Sweet Lowdown Dirty Love

08. If I Had You

09. Agent Orange

10. Long Way To Go

11. For You

THE CARDS made its live debut in May 2018, headlining the prestigious Arkangelsk Blues Festival in Russia and will announce live dates for 2019 soon.

A performance clip of the song "For Evigt", taken from VOLBEAT's upcoming live album and concert film, "Let's Boogie! Live From Telia Parken", can be seen below.

On August 26, 2017, VOLBEAT became the first Danish band to headline and sell out its hometown venue, Denmark's Telia Parken, setting the record for the biggest show by a domestic artist in Denmark ever, with over 48,250 people in attendance. To commemorate and immortalize the record-breaking event, the band will release "Let's Boogie! Live From Telia Parken" on December 14 via Republic Records.


Lead singer Michael Poulsen said about the historic show: "Headlining Telia Parken was a dream come true, and we're humbled and honored that so many members of the VOLBEAT family came from far and wide to celebrate with us. We're thrilled to be able to share what was a milestone night for us with everyone."

The 26-track "Let's Boogie! Live From Telia Parken" includes live versions of VOLBEAT's chart-topping hits "Still Counting", "For Evigt", "The Devil's Bleeding Crown" and "A Warrior's Call", as well as a live performance of a new song, "The Everlasting". Special guests on the album (in order of appearance) include Mille Petrozza (KREATOR), Johan Olsen, Mark "Barney" Greenway (NAPALM DEATH), Lars Ulrich (METALLICA), boxer Mikkel Kessler and Danko Jones. The album and concert film will be available in the following configurations: Blu-ray/2CD, DVD/2CD, 2CD, 3LP vinyl and digitally.

b>"Let's Boogie! Live From Telia Parken" track listing:

01. The Devil's Bleeding Crown

02. Heaven Nor Hell

03. Radio Girl

04. Lola Montez

05. Let It Burn (feat. Mia Maja)

06. Doc Holiday

07. Sad Man's Tongue

08. 16 Dollars

09. 7 Shots (feat. Mille Petrozza and Rod Sinclair)

10. Fallen

11. Slaytan

12. Dead But Rising

13. Goodbye Forever

14. Maybellene I Hofteholder

15. The Everlasting

16. For Evigt (feat. Johan Olsen, Mia Maja and Rod Sinclair)

17. Evelyn (feat. Mark "Barney" Greenway)

18. Lonesome Rider

19. Seal The Deal

20. The Garden's Tale (feat. Johan Olsen)

21. Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood (feat. Lars Ulrich)

22. Enter Sandman (feat. Lars Ulrich)

23. A Warrior's Call (feat. Mikkel Kessler)

24. Black Rose (feat. Danko Jones)

25. Pool Of Booze, Booze, Booza

26. Still Counting


Special guests (in order of appearance):

* Mia Maja - Vocals on "Let It Burn", "For Evigt"

* Rod Sinclair - Banjo on "7 Shots" and "For Evigt"

* Mille Petrozza - Vocals on "7 Shots"

* Johan Olsen - Vocals on "For Evigt" and "The Garden's Tale"

* Barney Greenway - Vocals on "Evelyn"

* Lars Ulrich - Drums on "Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood" and "Enter Sandman"

* Mikkel Kessler - Special Appearance on "A Warrior's Call"

* Danko Jones - Vocals on "Black Rose"

According to the Tampa, Florida television station WFTS-TV, CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Patrick "Pat" O'Brien has been breaking into a home and then running toward a deputy with a knife.

The 53-year-old musician reportedly went in the house without permission just before 7:00 p.m. and ignored orders from the family to leave. A sheriff's office supervisor says O'Brien pushed a woman down inside the house then went into the backyard.

Deputies responding to the burglary found O'Brien hiding behind a fence near his home. They say O'Brien charged at them with a knife. Deputies then took O'Brien down by using an electronic control device and arrested him.

O'Brien is charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

ust as O'Brien was arrested, a massive fire broke out at his nearby home with exploding ammunition inside. Hillsborough County firefighters were able to get the fire under control after about an hour but struggled due to the ammunition inside exploding due to the flames. Crews remained at the scene throughout the night and kept the road blocked long off after the fire was put out.

Officials say there were military-style flamethrowers inside the home, making the fire much harder to battle for firefighters.

CANNIBAL CORPSE announced Monday that it would be part of the next North American leg of SLAYER's farewell tour.

This is the story of how an Irish nuclear construction safety inspector brought 10 former members of BLACK SABBATH together to produce a tribute album to one of the greatest bands ever.

The "Ninth Star" album by EMERALD SABBATH is an ambitious epic rock and classical music tribute to BLACK SABBATH.

"Ninth Star" features 10 former members of BLACK SABBATH and much more, including:

* Adam Wakeman (BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE)

* Bev Bevan (BLACK SABBATH, ELO)

* Neil Murray (BLACK SABBATH, WHITESNAKE)

* Terry Chimes (BLACK SABBATH, THE CLASH)

* Laurence Cottle (BLACK SABBATH, THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT)

* Ron Keel (BLACK SABBATH, KEEL)

* Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL)

* Dave Walker (BLACK SABBATH, FLEETWOOD MAC)

* Bobby Rondinelli (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW)

* Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH, HEADLESS CROSS)

* Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE)

* The English Chamber Choir

ther EMERALD SABBATH contributors include Will Malone and Mike Lewis ("Sabotage", "Technical Ecstasy"), Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST), Skaila Kanja (Royal Academy Of Music) plus BLACK SABBATH album graphic designers Richard Manning and Colin Elgie ("Technical Ecstasy") and Hugh Gilmour ("Born Again").

EMERALD SABBATH founder/producer Michael Suilleabhain states about "Ninth Star": "I have been a BLACK SABBATH fan since 1983, when I heard them for first time. Like a lot of fans, it was BLACK SABBATH's debut album I heard first, and as they say, the rest is history. Over the years, I have since seen BLACK SABBATH a total of 82 times with every lineup [except with Ray Gillen]. I also have a great passion for classical music, and in May 2015 I decided to mix both of them. Adam Wakeman was the first to contribute to the project, with keyboards on 'Changes', and then it snowballed into this final product.

"I decided to re-record BLACK SABBATH tracks and instrumentals with as many as ex-members of BLACK SABBATH as possible. A lot of the artists also played on the originals (such as Vinny Appice, who joined SABBATH on drums for the 'Heaven And Hell' tour, and The English Chamber Choir on 'Supertzar'). I then brought in a string quartet along with various classical players.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be able to do this, but my persistence paid off.

"I would like to thank all the ex-BLACK SABBATH guys for helping me with this, as well as the former BLACK SABBATH graphic designers, string arrangers and producers.

"I hope that everyone will enjoy this album.”

"Ninth Star" will be released on February 15, 2019 via Plastic Head Distribution.

Track listing and credits:

"Embryo"

Adam Wakeman: Keyboards

Bev Bevan: Percussion

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Anneka Sutcliffe: Violin

Sarah Tobias: Flute/Clarinet

"Die Young"

Ron Keel: Vocals

Vinny Appice: Drums

Rudy Sarzo: Bass

DC Cothern: Guitar

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

Ellen Morgan: Keyboards

"Fluff"

Sarah Tobias: Flute/Clarinet

Ardeton String Quartet

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

"Trashed"

Ron Keel: Vocals

Vinny Appice: Drums

Bev Bevan: Percussion

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

"Stonehenge"

Adam Wakeman: Keyboards

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

Sarah Tobias: Flute

"She's Gone"

Dave Walker: Vocals

Neill Murray: Bass

Bill Dwyer: Drums

Ardeton String Quartet

Lisa Ljungberg: Backing Vocals

"In For The Kill"

Tony Martin: Vocals

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Bobby Rondinelli: Drums

Pete Rinaldi: Guitars

Adam Wakeman: Keyboards

"Orchid"

Neil Murray: Bass

Sarah Tobias: Flute/Clarinet

Ardeton String Quartet

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

"Hole In The Sky"

Ron Keel: Vocals

Bobby Rondinelli: Drums

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

"Changes"

Michael Suilleabhain: Vocals

Adam Wakeman: Keyboards

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Bev Bevan: Percussion

Queenie May: Backing Vocals

Annela Sutcliffe: Violin

Sarah Tobias: Flute/Clarinet

"Supertzar"

English Chamber Choir

Adam Wakeman: Keyboards

Terry Chimes: Drums

Laurence Cottle: Bass

Pete Rinaldi: Guitar

Skaila Kanja: Harp

Elen Morgan: Glockenspiel

"Down In Flames", the first video from DEADLAND RITUAL, the new band featuring bassist Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH), guitarist Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL, VINCE NEIL), drummer Matt Sorum (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) and singer Franky Perez (APOCALYPTICA), can be seen below. The song, which was produced by Greg Fidelman (METALLICA, SLIPKNOT) was released via Sonik Riot Records/AWAL powered by Kobalt.

"Down In Flames" features the lush and powerful vocals of Perez, alongside Stevens's signature thundering guitar conjugating with the hard-driving tribal rhythm section of Butler and Sorum.

Drawing inspiration from the ritual symbolism of desert badlands paired with Sorum's love of the idea of a "ritualistic forgotten space," the name DEADLAND RITUAL felt appropriate for the darker tone of the music the group was making. "Obviously, we've been through some stuff," Perez says. "If you're being honest artistically, all the turmoil of love, loss, happiness and pain in life makes its way into the music."

Sorum's longtime friendships with Stevens and Perez helped to form the initial core of the lineup, but it was a pivotal moment when Butler agreed to join. Butler admits there was a lot to think about when he got the invitation. "I had to get used to the idea of starting from scratch again, which is good," he says. "But I really liked the music I was hearing. It's not your typical hard rock or metal stuff."

or Stevens, it was a revelation the first time he found himself recording with Butler. "There's a lot of times in the studio as a guitar player, you get a guitar sound and you're trying to make it work, tweaking it," Stevens says. "There was none of that bullshit. It just fit against his bass sound and it was really exciting to me. I get to hear my guitar against a bass guitarist that I've idolized forever."

Sorum was determined to take things to the next level. "I wanted to get the best drum sound I've ever gotten, and play the best I've played," he says. "I think I've achieved that. As a drummer I've morphed through a lot of decades of rock and roll."

The initial recordings are only the beginning of what fans can expect in the coming months. The band is focused on quality vs. quantity and letting the muse carry them in the appropriate direction. With festival appearances booked and headline dates in the works, they'll use the time leading up to that trek to continue writing and recording, releasing singles along the way and perhaps an LP.

DEADLAND RITUAL will make two European summer festival appearances next June — Download in the U.K on June 14 and Hellfest in France on June 22.

DEADLAND RITUAL promises the live shows will be something special, mixing the original material with deeper cuts from their collective past. "Not the typical songs you would expect," according to Sorum.

After BLACK SABBATH played its final show in February 2017, Butler admitted: "I felt relief that it was all over, that it was done with, that we'd done a good show, and quite sad in a way to think that we’d never do it again. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, actually. It just felt right. We've been around for 49 years now, and it's time to call it a day."

In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Butler spoke about his post-BLACK SABBATH plans, saying: "I'm not in a hurry to do anything… I'm traveling a lot, seeing the places [the band] only stayed for one night and going back and spending some time there. We've recently moved house this year and I'm going to be building my home studio, but it's taken me ages. Next year I'll see if I can get back into music."

Last year, Butler told Rolling Stone that he had "about 120 riffs written down" for his next musical project, adding that he just needed "to pick a guitarist and sort through them."

Butler's last solo album, "Ohmwork", which was released under the band name GZR, sold less than 900 copies during its first week of release back in May 2005, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Geezer's first project under the GZR banner was 1995's "Plastic Planet". 1997's "Black Science", which was credited to GEEZER, featured vocalist Clark Brown, who also performed on "Ohmwork".

A founding member of BLACK SABBATH, Butler is also the lyricist of such SABBATH classics as "War Pigs", "Iron Man", "Paranoid" and others.

"Bohemian Rhapsody", the iconic single by British rock legends QUEEN, has become most-streamed song from the 20th Century, as well as the most-streamed classic rock song of all time.

On Monday (December 10), Universal Music Group (UMG) announced that the song has garnered more than 1.6 billion global streams — a figure that takes into account all registered streams on global on-demand streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, as well as streams from official song or video streams on YouTube.

In taking the top spot, the song pulled ahead of NIRVANA's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", GUNS N' ROSES' "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "November Rain", and A-HA's "Take On Me".

"Bohemian Rhapsody"'s popularity has been boosted by the recent success of the QUEEN movie "Bohemian Rhapsody", which became the highest-grossing music biopic in history five weeks after its release. The film has already grossed more than $596.1 million at the global box office.

b>QUEEN guitarist Brian May said in a statement: "So the River of Rock Music has metamorphosed into streams! Very happy that our music is still flowing to the max!"

Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said: "'Bohemian Rhapsody' is one the greatest songs by one of the greatest bands in history. We are so proud to represent QUEEN and are thrilled to see the song still inspiring new fans around the world more than four decades after its release. My congratulations to QUEEN and [longtime manager] Jim Beach on an incredible achievement that is a testament to the enduring brilliance of QUEEN."

"Bohemian Rhapsody" was first released as a single on October 31, 1975. Despite its unconventional structure and exorbitant length for a single, it became QUEEN's first Top 10 hit in the U.S. In the U.K., it went to No. 1 for nine consecutive weeks, a record at the time. The song revisited the charts 16 years later, when it appeared in the 1992 comedy "Wayne's World", starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.

BLACK EARTH — the project featuring former and current members of ARCH ENEMY performing material from ARCH ENEMY's first three albums live on stage — will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the "Burning Bridges" LP with a Japanese tour in May 2019.

BLACK EARTH is:

Michael Amott - guitar

Christopher Amott - guitar

Johan Liiva - vocals

Daniel Erlandsson - drums

Sharlee D'Angelo - bass

BLACK EARTH completed its first Japanese tour in May 2016.

b>ARCH ENEMY recorded three albums with Liiva: "Black Earth" (1996), "Stigmata" (1998) and "Burning Bridges" (1999).

Liiva was replaced by German singer Angela Gossow as ARCH ENEMY's lead vocalist in 2000. Gossow exited the band in 2013 and was succeeded by former THE AGONIST frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz, while remaining as the group's manager.

Christopher Amott first left ARCH ENEMY in 2005, only to return to the group two years later. His second, and apparently final, departure came in March 2012.

Liiva told the Marunouchi Muzik Magazine about "Burning Bridges": "The album has a very special place in my heart. The songs are majestic in many different ways. The span goes from doom and gloom, happiness, sadness, hope, anger and so on. I love the energy on that album and I am very satisfied with my own vocal performance, probably the best I ever did. And the production is spot-on too."

Johan also talked about his departure from ARCH ENEMY after the release of the group's third LP. He said: "At first, my reaction was, of course, I felt quite disappointed having to leave the band, but at this very time ARCH ENEMY was in a stage of taking the step up to the next level and I simply was not able to give it a 100%, unfortunately. However, not long after this happened, I already had two new bands going (HEARSE and NONEXIST) that kept me going musically for more than 10 years. When looking back at it, I think it was the best for all of us. The band has been and still is very, very successful and I am perfectly happy with my life just as it is. Especially now when being able to go on stage every now and then with BLACK EARTH."

Liiva said that it is highly unlikely BLACK EARTH will work on new, original music anytime soon. "There are no plans for any album at the moment because of various reasons," he said. "The other guys are very busy with ARCH ENEMY, Chris has his life in the USA and me being busy at my work. Also, this is more like a project that we enjoy and have a lot of fun doing together. Still, ARCH ENEMY is priority number one and to do something like this would mean it to get more serious. But who knows what will happen in the future."

ICED EARTH mastermind Jon Schaffer has teamed up with his old pals in PURGATORY, the band that he originally founded in 1985, then later became ICED EARTH, to record five tracks that were written between 1985 and 1987, now to be released as the "Purgatory" EP on December 21 through Century Media. All five tracks featured on the EP offer real U.S. metal and perfectly capture the spirit of the mid 1980s with a powerful production, rounded up by liner notes or comments of Schaffer, Gene Adam, Greg Seymour and Bill Owen and fitting cover artwork by David Newman Stump and Roy Young, known from their excellent work on ICED EARTH's latest album, "Incorruptible". The greatest surprise might be Gene Adam, ICED EARTH's original singer who sang on the band's self-titled debut album from 1990, who delivers his best vocal performance ever.

An unboxing video for the "Purgatory" EP is available below.

"Purgatory" is dedicated to Richard Bateman, the band's original bass player, who passed away right before the EP went into production.

The "Purgatory" EP can be pre-ordered here.

b>"Purgatory" track listing:

01. In Your Dreams (4:55)

02. Dracula (6:08)

03. In Jason's Mind (5:03)

04. Jack (4:00)

05. Burning Oasis (5:38)

Jon Schaffer's PURGATORY is:

Jon Schaffer - Rhythm And Lead Guitars, Vocals

Gene Adam - Lead Vocals

Bill Owen - Lead Guitar

Guest appearances by:

Jim Morris - Lead Guitar

Ruben Drake - Bass Guitar

Mark Prator - Drums

In a recent interview with Rockpages, Schaffer defended the prospect of re-recording ICED EARTH's early albums, saying: "It's a lot of work to do. It would be completely different than [the previous re-release of] 'Days Of Purgatory', because the only thing that was was re-recorded vocals. This, we're talking about a ground-up production so that we have it for a set of masters that we actually own and can exploit in our way in the future, and that this band will be able to benefit from financially going forward, because our contracts were terrible back in the old days, so there's very little income from all the years of work. Plus, with my knowledge of production now compared to the very beginning, we can make those records sound amazing. I'm certain of that. But it's not to try to beat them — it's just to create something that we can actually control and have some financial benefit from, instead of a big corporation like Sony. People go, 'Well, you should just focus on new music.' We will do that too. I have my own studio, and we're not in a hurry to do a new record — we just put one out — so if we can take a year and just take the time to spend time in the studio doing re-records, and then work on a new album, and then do more re-records or whatever, we can do whatever the fuck we want. I don't really care if somebody lost their virginity listening to 'I'd Die For You'. It's my fucking song; I'll re-record if it I want to re-record it. That's the way it is."

During an appearance on today's edition of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation", Ace Frehley said that while he has not been approached to be a part of KISS's recently announced "End Of The Road" world tour, he is not ruling out being involved in some capacity.

"There's always a chance I might get that emergency phone call," Ace said (hear audio below). "But pretty much I think it's built into my… I told my agent to build into my contract, in the event I do get an emergency phone call and KISS wants me to join the tour and take over for Tommy [Thayer], that I can get out of the dates that I have booked for the summer. So we'll see what happens. You know me — I'm the kind of guy that says 'never say never.' But at this juncture, I have no plans on performing on the upcoming KISS tour, and I haven't gotten any phone calls or had any correspondence. So that's where it stands at this juncture."

As for his solo touring plans for 2019, Ace said: "I have two shows coming up in January on the West Coast. We're doing Seattle, Sacramento, and they might even add some shows and bring us all the way down to San Diego. And then I think might be doing some dates with Alice Cooper in the summer. My guys get along with their guys, and I've known Alice forever. So that's always gonna be a lot of fun. I think they're talking about July and August — it'll be five weeks. So that can be a really special thing."

KISS frontman Paul Stanley recently told the "Rolling Stone Music Now" podcast that while he is not closing the door on the possibility of guest appearances by former members during the "End Of The Road" tour, he doesn't promise anything either. "I really can't say," Stanley said. "This will be a celebration of KISS and not any individual lineup or any individual members. I wouldn't rule anything out, but it's not the crux of what we're doing… and I'm not being coy either. I don't want to mislead anybody. That's not something that's been given a lot of thought at this point. The majority of our time has gone into what is the stage going to be, what is the show going to be, and we're actually in the midst of toying with setlists now."

b>Frehley — whose new solo album, "Spaceman", was released in October via eOne — first left KISS in 1982. He rejoined in 1996 and parted ways with the band once again in 2002 after the conclusion of their first "farewell tour."

Dave Grohl performed his 23-minute instrumental song for his "Play" documentary live for the first time Saturday night (December 8) at Warren Haynes's 30th annual "Christmas Jam" at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina. The FOO FIGHTERS frontman was joined by members of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and JANE'S ADDICTION, as well as producer Greg Kurstin.

Grohl handled drums for "Play"'s live interpretation. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Alain Johannes, Jason Falkner, and Laundry Room Studios' Barrett Jones all played guitar, alongside Kurstin on keyboards, JANE'S ADDICTION's Chris Chaney on bass, and FOO FIGHTERS collaborator Drew Hester on percussion.

"Play" was first unveiled last August in a two-part documentary of the same name that ended with Grohl performing the song on seven different instruments. Grohl created the project to showcase "the rewards and challenges of dedicating ones life to playing and mastering a musical instrument."

Grohl performed the entire piece on one instrument at a time and then merged the videos of each to create a seven-piece one-man band. The first part of "Play" focused on the behind-the-scenes preparation for the performance, which was unveiled in the second part. The film was also intercut with young musicians from the Join The Band music school in the San Fernando Valley practicing their craft. Grohl said: "Watching my kids start to play music and learn to sing or play drums, it brings me back to the time when I was their age listening to albums, learning from listening.. and when I take my kids to the place where they take their lessons, I see these rooms full of children that are really pushing themselves to figure this out."

roceeds from "Christmas Jam" benefit the Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity.







Can't wait to #PLAY with these guys tomorrow night! LOOK OUT ASHEVILLE!

Dave Grohl: drums
Greg Kurstin: keyboards
Alain Johannes: guitar
Jason Falkner: guitar
Barrett Jones: guitar
Chris Chaney: bass
Drew Hester: percussion pic.twitter.com/4Q93rDNIxe— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) December 7, 2018

Legendary drummer Carmine Appice (BLUE MURDER, VANILLA FUDGE, KING KOBRA) has slammed the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, saying that the name of the institution should be changed to reflect the musicians that have been inducted. "It shouldn't be called [Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame] — it should be called the Music Hall Of Fame," he said in a brand new interview with Rock Titan (see video below). "Because they're bringing in rap artists; they're bringing in all these pop artists. They're not rock and roll… They're getting some of these people in there that have nothing to do with rock. They should have a Pop Hall Of Fame or R&B/Pop Hall Of Fame and Rock Hall Of Fame. Don't put these pop singers into a Rock Hall Of Fame. They didn't influence anybody."

For the past few years, the Rock Hall has broadened its base to include rap artists such as the late Tupac Shakur and N.W.A. The move has drawn criticism from many fans and fellow musicians who have taken issue with hip-hop acts — and other non-rock artists — being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

"I thought it was about influence — not popularity," Carmine said. "Influence on the business, influence on people. All my bands — CACTUS, VANILLA FUDGE and BECK, BOGERT & APPICE — we influenced so many people. I know that, because people tell me that all the time and over the years. But [Jeff] Beck is in there. CACTUS ain't in there. Me and Tim Bogert aren't in there."

Carmine went on to say that he doesn't really care about getting into the Rock Hall. "Because, like I said, they're bringing in rap artists; they're bringing in artists that really don't mean nothing. And now, the people who are bringing them in are so young, they don't even know who VANILLA FUDGE is. So I assume we're not even gonna get in ever. But it don't matter. I mean, I know some rock people that are in there — Rock Hall Of Fame — and they're broke and they're not playing and they never really influenced anybody. So it doesn't really change your career."

b>Carmine's autobiography, "Stick It!: My Life Of Sex, Drums, And Rock 'N' Roll", was released in May 2016 by Chicago Review Press.

Under the moniker APPICE, Carmine and his brother Vinny released "Sinister", their first joint studio album, in October 2017 through SPV/Steamhammer.

Nikki Sixx has revealed that he will shoot a video with SIXX:A.M. in two weeks. The band hasn't released any new music in two years and has been on hiatus since 2017. Guitarist DJ Ashba and singer James Michael have since formed a new band, PYROMANTIC.

Sixx recently hinted at fresh material from SIXX:AM.. Asked by a fan earlier this month if he has written any new songs for SIXX:AM. or if he has closed that door, Sixx responded: "We have a lot of cool new music coming next year."

SIXX:A.M. embarked on its first North American headlining tour in support of the band's third album, "Modern Vintage", in 2015.

The 10th-anniversary editions of SIXX:A.M.'s "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack" was made available in October 2017.

b>SIXX:A.M.'s latest album, "Vol. 2, Prayers For The Blessed", was released in November 2016 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc was written and recorded at the same time as "Vol. 1, Prayers For The Damned", released earlier that same year, and it acted as a companion piece to the first chapter.

Back in October 2017, Sixx said that there were "no tour plans for SIXX:A.M." He explained: "James and DJ and me talked at the beginning of [2017], and I think that the idea of SIXX:A.M. being a side project has been just the way it's been, and we went out and started focusing on it being a main project. And I think DJ has a bunch of stuff he wants to do musically, and he has this media company that he focuses on that he does really good at. And James is a producer and a songwriter."

In other news, Sixx said that he and drummer Tommy Lee are spending the weekend with producer Bob Rock mixing the four new songs MÖTLEY CRÜE recorded earlier this year for the film adaptation of the band's 2001 autobiography, "The Dirt". The movie will premiere on Netflix in March.

In addition to all the above-mentioned projects, Sixx is working on the Broadway adaptation of his memoir, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star".

Posted by Nikki Sixx on Sunday, December 9, 2018

In 2017, Memphis rockers TORA TORA were approached by Frontiers Music Srl about recording a proper new studio album and they enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity. The resulting LP, "Bastards Of Beale", set for release on February 22, brings back the magic of the band's blues-rooted hard rock sound that gained them a loyal following upon their debut in the late '80s. Always a far cry from their more polished mainstream peers and more spiritually connected to blue collar hard rock, the band's return picks up where they left off, while not sounding even the slightest bit dated.


The first single from "Bastards Of Beale", a song called "Rose Of Jericho", can be streamed below.


"The first draft of this song was titled 'Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Dead Yet'," says vocalist Anthony Corder. "It began with the idea of us tapping into our passion of writing together again, and getting to create new tunes, but it also opened a floodgate of memories, of our experiences with our fans. It is about finding the things that make you happy and passionate, what drives you... music, art, friends, family, inspiration, partying... even when you feel like you may lose touch with them sometimes, they are still present."


Guitarist Keith Douglas stated about the band getting back together and recording a proper studio album: "The last studio album we did was 'Revolution Day' which was recorded in '94. It's hard to believe that was almost 25 years ago! Music in general was in kind of a weird place at that point and our fit within our label was questionable, so we just kind of stepped away to do other things for a while. We played one show together in 2001 for a special occasion, but it was 2008 before we started playing together again semi-regularly. We had always talked about trying to do a new project and just happened to come into contact with Frontiers at the right time to make that happen. So why not now?"


The band recorded the new album at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, Tennessee," continues Corder. "Sam is, of course, recognized for his work with Sun Studios and Elvis, arguably being responsible for creating rock and roll. But after Sun Studios, he moved right down the street to create Sam Phillips Recording. He wanted to be on the cutting edge of technology with recording, while having room to expand. This building has hosted too many icons to name, but a few would be Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Dylan and Robert Plant. While we were there, William Bell (Stax) was visiting. We were really inspired while recording there."

TORA TORA started in 1985 in the garage of then high school students Antony Corder, Keith Douglas, John Patterson and Patrick Francis. They beat out sixty other groups in a local Battle Of The Bands contest and received some free studio time at Ardent Studios. They cut one track before using the prize money they had won to record an entire independent EP called "To Rock To Roll". Ardent was so impressed with the recordings that they offered to help shop the demo and gave them even more free recording time. TORA TORA eventually singed with A&M. That debut album made the Billboard Top 100 and hovered on the brink of breaking wide open as songs such as "Walking Shoes", "Riverside Drive" and "Phantom Rider" became local anthems. They followed up with "Wild America", which produced two more singles. A third album, "Revolution Day", was recorded but never released due to label restructuring. Due to the onset of the grunge era, TORA TORA, much like many other bands of their genre, called it quits in 1994.

In 2008, all four original members reunited for some performances. One was a sold-out performance at Newby's, a local club in Memphis, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of receiving their major label recording contract. The second appearance occurred during Rocklahoma 2008 before the band played another reunion show at The New Daisy Theatre on March 7, 2009 in Memphis.


Since the reunion, TORA TORA has issued three albums of previously unreleased material — "Before & After", "Bombs Away: The Unreleased Surprise Attack Recordings" and "Miss B. Haven': The Unreleased Wild America Recordings". But fans were clamoring for new music from the band, and that is just what they will get with the release of "Bastards Of Beale".

"Bastards Of Beale" track listing:

01. Sons Of Zebedee

02. Giants Fall

03. Everbright

04. Silence The Sirens

05. Son Of A Prodigal Son

06. Lights Up The River

07. Let Us Be One

08. All Good Things

09. Rose Of Jericho

10. Vertigo

11. Bastards Of Beale


TORA TORA is:

Anthony Corder: Vocals, Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitars

Keith Douglas: Lead And Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

Patrick Francis: Bass

John Patterson: Drums, Percussion