Mark Evans, who played bass for AC/DC from 1975 until 1977, has joined fellow legendary Australian hard rockers ROSE TATTOO.

News of the 61-year-old musician's addition to ROSE TATTOO's lineup was broken in a Facebook post by another new member, former ANGELS guitarist Bob Spencer. Joining Evans and Spencer in ROSE TATTOO's current incarnation are former AUSTRALIAN CRAWL drummer John Watson, Dai Pritchard — the band's guitarist for the past decade — and frontman Angry Anderson.

"How's this for a band? Dai Pritchard, Mark Evans, John 'Watto' Watson, Angry, Moi. Meet the new ROSE TATTOO," Spencer wrote.

Anderson, Evans and Pritchard recently played together in the band BLOOD, SWEAT & BEERS, a touring outfit put together in celebration of the music featured in writer Murray Engleheart's Australian rock history book of the same name.

Evans joined AC/DC in 1975 and remained with them through their barroom days, their first international tours, and the majority of the Bon Scott-era albums: "High Voltage", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap", "T.N.T.", "Let There Be Rock", and the U.S.-only '74 "Jailbreak" collection — recordings that have since sold in excess of ten million copies in the U.S. alone.

Although Evans's tenure in AC/DC was short-lived, it was during a pivotal point in the band's development. "We were really honing the classic AC/DC sound," he told Music Radar. "The steady, pounding rhythms; the hard-edged, twin-guitar attack; the in-your-face vocals — it was all right there. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was honest. It was something everyone could relate to."

Evans in 2011 released his memoir, "Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside Of AC/DC".




How's this for a band?Dai PritchardMark Evans John "Watto" Watson AngryMoi.

Meet the new Rose Tattoo.:-)

Over!Bob.

Posted by Bob Spencer on Thursday, August 3, 2017

STAIND members Aaron Lewis and Mike Mushok were joined on stage by GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna at last night's (Friday, August 4) Aaron Lewis And Friends benefit concert at Pines Theater at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts to pay tribute to SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell and LINKIN PARK vocalist Chester Bennington, both of whom died earlier this year within months of each other.

Video footage of the three musicians performing acoustic cover versions of TEMPLE OF THE DOG's "Hunger Strike" and LINKIN PARK's "Crawling" can be seen below.

After Cornell committed suicide in May, Bennington sang at his funeral and also wrote a heartfelt message paying tribute to the SOUNDGARDEN frontman. In part, he wrote "I can't imagine a world without you in it." Bennington was also reportedly godfather to one of Cornell's children.

Chester died on July 20, which would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.

Neither Chester nor Chris left a suicide note.

The two singers bonded when they toured together nearly a decade ago.

The encore of last night's Aaron Lewis And Friends concert featured three original members of STAIND — Lewis, Mushok and bassist Johnny April — with current drummer Sal Giancarelli performing a three-song acoustic finale that included "Outside", "Something To Remind You" and "It's Been A While".

Berlin, Germany-based rock overlords, Kadavar, have released a video for “Die Baby Die”, featured on their upcoming fourth studio album, Rough Times, out on September 29th via Nuclear Blast. The clip can be found below. Pre-order the album here.

Commented drummer Tiger: "The process of making this record was quite intense. I kind of went through my inner hell. Working all day, you're fine but at night all these things were torturing me. The new songs are crazy and absurd sometimes, but also serious and very personal. It's the ambiguity that holds Rough Times together. Every song evolved from a certain strong feeling.

“We chose the title because it has this duality. It's not just funny, yet it's not a complete serious title. we're doing fine, but something's missing in this world. We don't really fit in or want to but at the same time we're stuck in this. the times are rough when you wake up and just wanna die, but times can also be rough for very trivial reasons, the latter I have the feeling is very zeitgeisty.

“This collage for the cover is the perfect match for the title. I had this picture in my head throughout the whole process. It's a little rough, but this picture tells a lot."

Added singer/guitarist Lupus: "For me it's a very serious title, bar any humor. We maintain the achievements of our elders, such as women rights, peace and a corporate Europe by touring through clubs, sniffing 100 euro bills through our noses and call attention to ourselves by posting insta stories. Meanwhile people rising to power decline economy, free thinking and progress. If we don't start to really care for this heritage and leave it to people who just want to enrich themselves, we will soon face Rough Times.

“The album itself is a journey through our states of mind. The first three songs is us venting our spleen. About everything and everyone we despise - until towards the end when there's something kinda like hope."

Tracklisting:

“Rough Times”
“Into The Wormhole”
“Skeleton Blues”
“Die Baby Die”
“Vampires”
“Tribulation Nation”
“Words Of Evil”
“You Found The Best In Me”
“The Lost Child”
“A L'Ombre Du Temps”
“Helter Skelter” (Bonus Track)

“Die Baby Die” video:

(Photo -  Elizaveta Porodina)

Austrian thrashers Silius recently revealed the artwork and tracklisting of their upcoming album Hell Awakening, which will be released on September 1st via Massacre Records.

The video for the single and album opener "Seven Demons" was directed by Kriss Jakob of Aurora Motion Pictures, and is available for your viewing pleasure below:

Hell Awakening was mixed and mastered by R.D. Liapakis and C. Schmid. Anestis Goudas is responsible for the cover artwork.

Silius' debut album is a wake-up call for everyone, who thinks that metal is a dying art! Expect a sound that feels like uncompromising punches in the gut, topped with fast, groovy and catchy melodies.

​

Tracklisting:

"Seven Demons"
"Immortalize"
"War Planet"
"Invictus"
"Anger Management"
"Kingdom Of Betrayal"
"Sick And Tired"
"Message In A Molotov"
"Tool Of Destruction"
"Joy And Pain"
"Evol Monument"

Memphis, TN rockers, Every Mother's Nightmare, have released a teaser for their upcoming full-length release, Grind. The album teaser features new music from the album. "It's straight up rock and fuckin roll,” says founder and vocalist Rick Ruhl. Find the teaser below.

Grind features a total of 11 tracks and three videos. The enhanced CD contains the five tracks from the self-released EP, plus three brand new studio tracks, three new live tracks recorded from the band's performance at Minglewood Hall in Memphis, TN on August 21st, 2016 and the new video for “Push” along with the videos “Blown Away” and “Loco Crazy”.

Studio tracks on Grind were produced by Justin Rimer at Cross Trax Studios. Live tracks were produced by David Cowell at Cleaved Owl Productions with mastering by Brad Blackwood at Euphonic Masters. The project also features appearances by Jim Dandy (The Jim Dandy) guest vocals on “Stand Up”, Wayne Swinny (Saliva) guitar on “Snake”, and Zach Myers (Shinedown) guitar on “Crazy”.

Street date is set for October 6th. The album will be distributed in North America via MRi/Sony, Europe via Cargo, iTunes and all digital platforms.

Tracklisting:

“Loco Crazy”
“Snake”
“Upper Hand”
“Blown Away”
“Sacred Circle”
“Days Are Through”
“Stand Up”
“Swing”
“Closet” (Live)
“Walls” (Live)
“Push” (Live)
“Push” (Video)
“Blown Away” (Video)
“Loco Crazy” (Video).

Album teaser:

“Loco Crazy” video:

(Photo - Eric Martin)

"Blood & Chaos", the new video from cult U.K. metallers PARADISE LOST, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Medusa", which will be released on September 1 via Nuclear Blast.

With "Blood & Chaos", PARADISE LOST presents a dystopian short film about the struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Director Ash Pears from AshTV Music Video explains: "The track talks about elements of savagery and basic instinct. It felt right to set the video in a dark and dystopian post electrical-blackout world, where those who remain are essentially scavengers, and barely survivors. Things they once took for granted like batteries, matches and lighters are now the most sought after. This confusing new world has quickly turned upside down what's important to our character; and also makes him question what he would kill for. Our fantastic lead actor Nick Lester fully threw himself at this role — he really brought it to life alongside his collaborations with our other very talented actors Adele, Cris and Matt.

"The band and their team have been very supportive. I've shot with them before on a performance for 'Beneath Broken Earth', but this narrative-based video is an entirely different animal. They are the kind of band who know what they like but equally give great freedom in how to bring the track to life. It was Nick and Greg who offered advice on the idea of savagery and basic instinct, so I took those ideas and developed them into a story."

You can pre-order "Medusa" in several formats: standard jewelcase CD digibook including two bonus tracks; various colored 180-gram LP (black, clear, copper, gray+red bi-colored, gold and NB anniversary green); collector's box including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, the seven-inch single of "Blood & Chaos", a candle, poster, band photo card and poster flag; mailorder edition collector's box, including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, a seven-inch single featuring the tracks "Shrines" and "Symbolic Virtue", a candle, poster, band photo card, poster flag and exclusive cover artwork.

Pre-order the physical editions of the new album, including special merchandise, at this location.

"Medusa" track listing:

01. Fearless Sky (8:30)02. Gods Of Ancient (5:50)03. From The Gallows (3:42)04. The Longest Winter (4:31)05. Medusa (6:20)06. No Passage For The Dead (4:16)07. Blood & Chaos (3:51)08. Until The Grave (5:41)

Bonus tracks:

09. Frozen Illusion (5:45)10. Shrines (3:59)11. Symbolic Virtue (4:38)

The artwork was created by Branca Studio and shows the infamous Gorgone Medusa from Greek mythology, carrying venomous snakes as hair and turning anyone into stone who would dare to look into her eyes.

PARADISE LOST guitarist Greg Mackintosh states about the artwork: "Whilst we were writing 'Medusa' and realizing what the new songs were becoming, we had to find an artist to reflect this direction. After searching around for a while, I found Branca Studios. They have a keen eye for design and their modern take on retro artwork really fit the bill. What they have come up with is a blending of colorful-yet-retro styling, whilst maintaining the classic PARADISE LOST feel."

About the choice to make her the figurehead of this new album, singer Nick Holmes adds: "I was intrigued about a greater meaning and thinking more along the lines of what Medusa represents metaphorically. 'Medusa' as a title works in many ways. From a nihilist perspective, when I read the description of 'Medusa' on the Wikipedia page: 'Attempts to avoid looking into Medusa's eyes represents avoiding the ostensibly depressing reality that the universe is meaningless.' The title was pretty much in the bag!"

PARADISE LOST has announced a very special release show that will take place in Stuttgart at the iconic LKA Longhorn. Only on this night of September 1, PARADISE LOST will perform its entire new album. A short time later, PARADISE LOST will embark for an extensive European journey and bring their label mates and U.S. doomsters PALLBEARER, as well as SINISTRO from Portugal.

Regarding the sound of "Medusa", Nick told Italy's Linea Rock: "I would say if you've ever heard every album by PARADISE LOST, it's closest to the 'Shades Of God' album, our third album. It's an album carrying on from that, but hopefully it's a lot more sophisticated and it's better produced and better played than that album." Gregor added: "Style-wise, it's more between 'Gothic' and 'Shades Of God' era, with modern touches to it as well."

"Rain", the new video from JOSH TODD & THE CONFLICT, the new band featuring singer Josh Todd and guitarist Stevie Dacanay (a.k.a. Stevie D.) of BUCKCHERRY, can be seen below. The song is taken from JOSH TODD & THE CONFLICT's debut album, "Year Of The Tiger", which will be released on September 15 via Century Media.

The conceptual "Rain" clip was directed by Billy Jayne (BUCKCHERRY) and shot in downtown Los Angeles.

"Year Of The Tiger" was co-produced by Dacanay and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS drummer Eric Kretz. The aforementioned new disc is also now available for pre-order and anyone pre-ordering "Year Of The Tiger" will also automatically receive an instant-grat track of the title song.

Regarding the motivation to start this new project, Josh said: "I have a lot of story telling in me and I always wanted to start another band. Something more reckless and off-the-beaten rock path.

"A lot of changes had taken place in BUCKCHERRY and I didn't want to go another year without making new music.

"BUCKCHERRY is in a great place; we have a great new lineup and we have a handful of dates to complete this year. However, my full attention is on JOSH TODD & THE CONFLICT and the record dropping on September 15th. We're gonna do a worldwide tour behind this. My goal is to give each band a break, so I can stay consistently making music without over touring and build both situations into something really cool."

He continued: "It was time for me to make a record. It has been two years since I put out new music and that's a long time for me. I am a student of the game and this was an opportunity to not just make a traditional-sounding rock record like I have been doing in the past. THE CONFLICT stuff is heavy, melodic and honest, with a lot of risk taking, and these are the records that bring out the best in me."

JOSH TODD & THE CONFLICT is:

Josh Todd - VocalsStevie D - Guitars/Back-Up VocalsSean Winchester - DrumsGreg Cash - Bass

Iconic Los Angeles rock band MÖTLEY CRÜE celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of its fourth studio and four-times-platinum album, "Girls, Girls, Girls", with special album reissue bundles that will be available on August 25 via Pledge Music. Fans can get a jump start on owning the exclusive merchandise today by pre-ordering bundles exclusively at Pledge Music! Various bundles will include, colored vinyl, cassette tape, commemorative poster/lithograph, vintage t-shirt, vinyl test pressings, a limited-edition, numbered drum head, a flexi single of "Wild Side", "Girls, Girls, Girls" patch, and more! The band recently celebrated the thirtieth anniversary on the album's actual release date – May 15 — with the announcement of the August 25 reissue.

MÖTLEY CRÜE paved the way for rock bands to push the envelope since the band's inception and their music, as well as their antics, provided them a successful thirty-six-year career as a leading force in rock around the world. 1987's "Girls, Girls, Girls" included three smash hits, "Wild Side", "You're All I Need" and the title track, which became a global success, despite the original uncensored video being banned from MTV at the time.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx says: "It's hard to believe 'Girls, Girls, Girls' already turned thirty this year. We went against the grain with this album when it first came out in 1987. The music and lyrics reflect what was going on in the streets of Los Angeles at that time.

"A big thank you to all the fans who have made the album stand the test of time. It's really cool to now see a new generation of fans exploring and digging 'Girls, Girls, Girls' three decades later."

A new trailer for the "Girls Girls Girls" special deluxe edition is available below.

A product of the '80s Hollywood Sunset Strip, MÖTLEY CRÜE was the quintessential L.A. hair metal band. Their string of hit albums and crossover songs on radio and MTV was only matched by their over-the-top live show, mounting legal bills, and alarming drug use. By 1987, the band was dancing on a fine line between real life or death. Sixx told the "In The Studio" show what he remembered about the Billboard No. 2-charting album. "We were a mess," he said. "I know we didn't go overseas, because the management said, 'You guys go, and somebody’s not coming back. Or if they do, they're coming back in a body bag... We were operating like a punk band! We were completely out of control."

MÖTLEY CRÜE's last studio album was 2008's "Saints Of Los Angeles", which was followed by a 2009 "Greatest Hits" compilation.

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

Sixx told SiriusXM's "Debatable" about MÖTLEY CRÜE's decision to call it quits after one last show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles following an eighteen-month tour that saw the group performing to packed houses all over the world: "MÖTLEY CRÜE was never really meant to stay together. I mean, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. It was wired like a bunch of Rottweilers or like a gang. And there's all these Type A personalities and different issues within the band that made it really magical. But maturity and that doesn't necessarily work together, and I think that it was kind of cool that we sat down together and said, 'Hey, man, let's just let this thing go.'"

The official trailer for "Rock Or Bust: The Official Photographic Tour Book" can be seen below. The book will begin shipping October 16 from Rufus Publications.

The first official AC/DC book with an introduction by Angus Young, the book covers the full extent of AC/DC's groundbreaking 2015 world tour supporting the multi-million selling "Rock Or Bust" album, released in 2014.

Starting in Coachella, the "Rock Or Bust" tour has played to millions of fans around the world, setting records for attendance and sell out times. It is also the last tour to feature legendary vocalist Brian Johnson.

Renowned music photographer Ralph Larmann has captured AC/DC throughout this incredible tour, creating an amazing photographic documentary of the band and fans in action.

This 300mm square coffee table book has been produced in conjunction with the band and features an introduction by Angus Young. Printed on 170gsm art paper and with 264 pages in full colour, this coffee table book features hundreds of behind-the-scenes images and live action shots of key dates on the 2015 tour tour, finishing in Australia in December.

If you pre-order now, you can get your name in the back of the book. When you place your order, you will see an area to add your name on the main order page. Please make sure your name is spelt correctly. All names will appear at the back of the book in alphabetical order. If you do not wish your name to appear, please put "No Thanks" in the name box.

After August 18, it will not be possible to have your name in the book (they need to start printing) and the offer price will be revised. The book will also go on public pre-sale at this point.

The official Leather And Metal Edition:

Bound in recycled, black leather with a pewter embossed logo and supplied in a red metal, die-cut slipcase together with 300mm square art prints of AC/DC album covers. Individually numbered and limited to 500 copies.

- A unique AC/DC collectible weighing 6 kilos!- Normal price £295 plus shipping.- Pre-order price £275, including free worldwide shipping.

The official Standard Edition:

A large-format, softcover book with matt lamination and spot UV supplied in a presentation black buckram slipcase with foil embossed logo. Printed in color on 170gsm art paper.

- Normal price £95 plus shipping.- Pre-order price £85, including free worldwide shipping.

The Bundle Editions:

Both versions of the book bundled together at a special price for pre-orders.

- Normal price £390 plus shipping.- Pre-order price £330, including free worldwide shipping.

Why are the books shipping in October? It takes six weeks to print, bind and put together each edition and they have to allow a month to get people's names in for the subscriber section of the book. It then takes a while to assemble and pack each edition for sending to customers via their courier service.

Four years after announcing it was calling it quits, long-running Swedish rap/metal combo CLAWFINGER is back with a new single, "Save Our Souls". The official video for the song, which was also released digitally, can be seen below.

CLAWFINGER states about the track: "The song is about how Trumpism turnst he world into a cesspool full of fucking heartless piss." The Swedes don't mince words against what they call "the neo-nationalistic govering of U.S. president Donald Trump." "How can someone put a logic on certain ethnics, religions or sexes having certain traits of character and how can someone blame them for the world going wrong?" they say. "How regressive and ridiculous is that? There are idiots in all shapes and colors, same as heroes, and if we aren't standing together, the world will be fucked."

With "Save Our Souls", CLAWFINGER makes a clear and loud statement after a four-year break during which the musicians have been taking care of their families while performing sporadic reunion shows, mostly at European festivals. "CLAWFINGER no longer is our main job," the band explains. "We all have other jobs and families to love."

CLAWFINGER has three gigs scheduled in August and one more in December.

CLAWFINGER's last studio album, "Life Will Kill You", was released in the U.S. in July 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD, which entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 89 upon its European release in 2007, was recorded and produced at Sweden's Fear And Loathing Studios, a facility that CLAWFINGER runs along with the members of MESHUGGAH.

Toni Cornell, the 12-year-old daughter of late SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell, joined the band ONEREPUBLIC onstage earlier today on ABC's "Good Morning America" to perform the Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah". The performance, which can be seen at ABCNews.go.com, was a celebration the lives of Cornell and late LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington, both of whom died earlier this year within months of each other.

"It's an honor to perform this for my dad and Chester and to sing for them," Toni Cornell said.

LINKIN PARK was scheduled to perform on "Good Morning America", but ONEREPUBLIC filled in after the former band canceled its tour and concert dates. "This is just an honor to be here," ONEREPUBLIC's Ryan Tedder told "Good Morning America"'s Lara Spencer, adding that he had met Bennington a few times and was friends with Cornell. "I was lucky enough to write and produce with [Chris], and get to know him and his family over the years. He was even in one of our videos."

After Cornell died two months ago, Bennington wrote a letter thanking him for inspiring him and hoping he would find peace in "the next life."

Chester died on July 20, which would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.

The two singers bonded when they toured together nearly a decade ago.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD is continuing to expand its latest album, "The Stage", into an evolving body of work by adding a series of new tracks over the course of several months. Today sees the release of the album's latest addition, their rendition of "Runaway", the 1961 song made famous by Del Shannon. The track, which features a guest appearance by THE VANDALS guitarist/vocalist Warren Fitzgerald, follows the recent release of AVENGED SEVENFOLD's version of MR. BUNGLE's "Retrovertigo", and the band's first-ever Spanish-language recording, "Malagueña Salerosa", a song whose companion video has already amassed over three million YouTube views. The band recorded all three tracks with producer Joe Barresi (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, TOOL).

The official video for AVENGED SEVENFOLD's cover of "Runaway", which features lead vocals by guitarist Zacky Vengeance, was directed by Rafa Alcantara and produced by TWENTYFOURCORE. Check it out below.

"We love the idea of putting out music in a non-conventional way," AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows told Billboard. "We also love making albums, so this allowed us to do both. This was all put into motion when we made the original recording for 'The Stage', so it all feels cohesive; We put out 'The Stage' and let it sink in for seven months, and now we can add to that piece of work. This way, throughout the cycle you'll be able to hear new music while going back to the original album.

"The idea of turning an album into a living piece of art and adding new installations is really intriguing," he continued. "It expands the journey."

Shadows added that AVENGED SEVENFOLD took inspiration from the way hip-hop and pop artists have taken to surprise and random releases of new material, sometimes with little or no notice, and sometimes simply releasing individual songs not related to any particular album or other project.

"We told all the kids we were going to evolve the record... It was just a matter of how," Shadows said. "Obviously it works in the (pop) mainstream a little better than it does in rock 'n' roll. You look at what Kendrick Lamar or Drake are doing, or any hip-hop or pop act. Their streaming numbers are through the roof. And you look at rock, and they're just not there. But we want to get new stuff out to people. We don't have the answers to all the big questions in the music industry, but we do have control of keeping ourselves artistically satisfied, and this just seemed fun to us."

"The Stage" was released at the end of October with almost no promotion beforehand.

M. Shadows recently confirmed to Kaytie of the Razor 94.7 radio station that AVENGED SEVENFOLD will embark on a full North American headlining tour in January and February 2018. The trek, which will be announced after the completion of AVENGED's current stadium run as the support act for METALLICA, was originally "supposed to happen this summer until we got that call from METALLICA, so we decided to put it on hold," the singer explained.

Veteran Los Angeles hard rockers AUTOGRAPH have signed a deal with EMP Label Group, the U.S.-based label of MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. The band's new album, "Get Off Your Ass", will be released on October 6 on CD and digital, with a limited-edition vinyl LP version available in November.

"Get Off Your Ass" is the first official studio LP from the revamped quartet, featuring original/founding members guitarist Steve Lynch and bassist Randy Rand, alongside new vocalist/rhythm guitarist Simon Daniels and drummer Marc Wieland.

Lynch, an iconic guitarist, revered worldwide as a bona fide guitar hero (known for his signature eight-finger hammer-on technique), reactivated the band in 2013 with bassist Randy Rand after reconnecting at the NAMM show. After approaching original vocalist Steve Plunkett, who was unavailable for the reunion due to other business interests, with his blessing, the newly resurrected AUTOGRAPH recruited former JAILHOUSE vocalist Simon Daniels, the rest, as they say, is history.

"Get Off Your Ass" features an updated, hard-edged (and keyboard free) sound for the band, featuring down-tuned guitars, and the fiery, blues-soaked delivery of Daniels, as evidenced on tracks like "Every Generation", "I Lost My Mind In America", and the first single, edgy title track "Get Off Your Ass". The album also features an updated live version of the band's classic rock staple "Turn Up The Radio", performed by the current lineup.

Says Lynch: "'Get Off Your Ass' definitely sets a new direction for the band, with an updated, heavier sound, while still retaining the signature melodic hooks people have come to expect from AUTOGRAPH. This record is bound to get the attention of old AUTOGRAPH fans as well as the new. So put your ears on and turn this one up!!"

Adds Daniels: "We are so excited about this record! This is a lineup of brothers with a vision and the perfect chemistry. We wanted the record to be musically timeless, and translate a heavier sound featuring the melodies and harmonies, but with heavier guitars and a more 'in-your-face' attitude. The lyrics come from the heart and are directed to people of our current era, with uplifting messages and positive energy. It's AUTOGRAPH on steroids."

On their partnership with EMP, Daniels adds: "EMP is the perfect match for us. They understand what we're doing, they have the same vision and we are grateful to work with such great experienced humble focused achieving people!" Drummer Marc Wieland concurs: "EMP shares and supports the same vision we had for our new album, 'Get Off Your Ass'. We are stoked to be part of their family!"

Ellefson expresses a mutual admiration. "When I first moved to L.A. to go to MI (then known as GIT), Steve Lynch was the guy everybody went there to learn from. As far as guitar players in L.A. went, he was the guy. I never did end up at GIT, we formed MEGADETH and obviously went down an extremely different path, but Steve truly is an iconic guitar hero of the highest caliber, and I am so proud for EMP to be able to partner with him and the re-imagined AUTOGRAPH to release this killer album."

"Get Off Your Ass" will be available for pre-order this Friday, August 4 from empmerch.com.

Forming in 1983, AUTOGRAPH gave the world the perpetual rock anthem "Turn Up the Radio", which still commands nearly constant airplay on classic rock stations around the world, and has become an iconic piece of pop culture, making appearances in mass media classics like "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" and more recently in the film "Hot Tub Time Machine".

With seminal albums "Sign In Please" (1984), "That's The Stuff" (1985) and "Loud And Clear" (1987), as well as years of touring alongside legendary artists, including MÖTLEY CRÜE, DIO, VAN HALEN and AEROSMITH, AUTOGRAPH left an everlasting imprint on rock 'n' roll. Now this undeniable rock legacy is reclaimed with "Get Off Your Ass".

AUTOGRAPH will continue to tour through 2017, and into the new year, with more dates added daily, and an appearance on the 2018 Monsters Of Rock Cruise.

British rockers THE DARKNESS have released the highly entertaining, tongue-in-cheek video for their brand new single, "All The Pretty Girls", out now through Cooking Vinyl. Introducing the video in his own inimitable manner, frontman Justin Hawkins proclaims: "Dear people of the Internet. We have made this excellent video to distract you from the humdrum banality of existence. By looking at film of THE DARKNESS preening and cavorting, you will be transported to an unattainable world of awesomeness. Furthermore, we recommend that you purchase our new record album, for which the above video serves as an amuse-bouche. Enjoy!" The video finds England's most distinctive, multiple award-winning, platinum-selling rock gods performing "All The Pretty Girls" along the beautifully overcast Cornish shoreline. They embrace the typical British summer by rocking out whilst playing tennis, going on a band banana boat ride, travelling on a tractor and even attempting guitar solos while surfing, amongst other suitably seaside-like japes. "All The Pretty Girls" was released last month to great acclaim and all round fabulous excitement, heralding their magnificent new album, titled "Pinewood Smile", which will be released on October 6. The single is available on all streaming platforms and also available for download with pre-orders of the album for the instant gratification of fans.

"Pinewood Smile" finds THE DARKNESS on electrifying form, delivering some of the most sharp-witted, infectious, humorous and downright brilliant songs of their career. The album is also the first to feature the drumming and vocal talents of new band member Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of QUEEN legend Roger Taylor, who shares vocal duties with Justin on two of the tracks, and gets roundly pelted with tennis balls in the "All The Pretty Girls" video… as is only right and proper for the new boy! To celebrate the release of "Pinewood Smile", THE DARKNESS will tour extensively at the end of this year, playing seventeen dates in the U.K. throughout November and December, including a headline show at London's Hammersmith Eventim Apollo on December 10. The shows are part of a wider European tour.

Brian "Head" Welch has apologized for implying Chester Bennington was a "coward" just hours after the LINKIN PARK frontman's death.

Bennington was found dead on July 20 at his home in Southern California. A Los Angeles County coroner confirmed that the cause of death was "suicide by hanging."

In a Facebook message posted shortly after he saw the news, the 47-year-old KORN guitarist said "giving up on your kids, fans, and life is the cowardly way out."

Reacting to the controversial post, one commenter called Welch's remarks "incredibly tactless and distasteful" while another blasted them as "ignorant."

Now, in a brand new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Welch clarified his statement, saying that he "meant no disrespect" and insisting that he "would have worded" his message "differently" if he had a chance to do it all over again. The guitarist, who just two months earlier revealed that Chris Cornell's death hit him hard, said (hear audio below): "It was unfortunate. I spoke from a broken heart, a shattered heart, devastation and grief. And I would have worded it different. But when in the history of rock music, or even the music business, have we ever seen anything like that? [Both guys with] monster voices, such inspirations to so many. Chris Cornell ended his life [and I was] heartbroken. I wasn't close to him, but it was just like… [You would expect that from] people that are messed up in their lives — not this guy who has a family and is doing so well. And we heard stories, maybe it was the Ativan [a medication used to ease symptoms of anxiety] that did it. So tragic, right? So I started feeling okay after that, 'cause a couple of months passed, or whatever. We wake up and we all see this [news of] Chester [hanging himself] all over TMZ. I'm, like, 'This has gotta be a hoax. It's gotta be a hoax. It just can't be real.' Then I find out that it's actually true. And we were all devastated; you should have seen our faces. Just like the whole world, I bet, that knew of this guy. We were in shock. The whole band was talking about it."

He continued: "What happened was I started grieving. I went and got alone. I went to my hotel room and just kind of was just in shock, thinking about reading everything. 'Are they sure? Are they sure they got it right?' And I was just over it. I'm, like, 'No more, man. Stop!' Two guys are dead now. They took their lives. And I hear that Chester took it on Chris Cornell's birthday. I freaked out. I'm, like, 'It's gotta stop.'

Welch went on to say: "Slash [GUNS N' ROSES] said it best. As I was tweeting, he said… he tweeted, 'An avalanche of emotions and feelings: sadness, anger, confusion, loss, heartbreak.' He says, 'I can go on, but loss and heartbreak reign here.' And I think I was going through all that stuff, and I did it online. So I learned not to process grief online. And apologies to any of his fans — I meant no disrespect. I was shattered, I was heartbroken and so sorry for my good friends that have been so close to him. But it's been over a week now. It's just a sad thing all around."

The KORN axeman added that he "will take the blame" for the things he said in his original post "because it's my fault. But I would have worded it differently. 'Cause I'm honored to [Chester], and the LINKIN PARK guys are so amazing; they're so cool, man."

Bennington was laid to rest in a private funeral Saturday (July 29) near his home in Palos Verdes.

LINKIN PARK has canceled plans for a North American tour, with the future of the group unclear at this point.

In a brand new interview with the Goldmine Magazine Podcast, former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown was asked for his opinion on the passing of LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington, just two months after the suicide of SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell. "I wanna say I've met [Chester] a few times," Rex said. "We weren't close at all. You know, I'm still trying to get over Chris.

"These guys just taking [themselves] out when they have it all, I just don't understand it," he continued. "But then again, I understand mental illness very well. Not that I have it — I don't. I think we all, in some sort of way, do, but I've never thought of fucking taking myself out. I'm just not like that. My life is beautiful. But then again, you get to a point… I can see it, man. Everybody's been down. If you ain't been down, you can't sing the blues."

Rex added: "It's horrible. I feel bad for his family and all his bandmates and everything else."

Bennington was found dead in his home in Palos Verdes, California by one of his employees on July 20. A Los Angeles County coroner confirmed that the cause of death was "suicide by hanging."

Chester was laid to rest in a private funeral Saturday (July 29) near his home.

Brown's debut solo album, "Smoke On This", was released on July 28 via Entertainment One (eOne). The disc marks the first time in Rex's career in which he serves as both lead vocalist and guitarist in a band.

Paul Stanley says that he finds the idea of making a new KISS studio album "more and more enticing" as time goes on.

KISS hasn't released a full-length disc of new music since 2012's "Monster", which sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's previous LP, "Sonic Boom", opened with 108,000 units back in October 2009 to enter the chart at No. 2. This marked the KISS's highest-charting LP ever.

Asked by the Loudwire Podcast for his thoughts on the prospect of recording a new KISS CD, Stanley said: "If we're going to do an album, it would be because we want to do an album, not because of sales. I think we're living in a time, obviously, now where albums don't sell what they once did, so you either do it because it's a creative outlet and because it satisfies something in you, or not. If you're doing it purely for sales, then you're probably doing it for the wrong reason. So if we do an album, it's only gonna be because it feels right to do it. And as time has passed, I find it becoming more and more enticing, the idea of doing another album. For me, the only thing we have to make sure is that we don't do 'Son Of Monster' or 'Son Of Sonic Boom'. Unless we are in a different direction — not to go to the route of 'The Elder' [KISS's much-maligned 1981 concept album] — but, again, if we're doing it for ourselves, then if people like it, that's great. But the only way to do an album, for me at this point, is to do something that I find intriguing. So I'm kind of more into it than I was before, only because once you set the parameters and your expectations… So, for me, it really just comes down to: is it gonna be exciting creatively?"

According to Stanley, he doesn't feel any pressure to come up with an album that will rival KISS's classic early offerings, even if the band's next output turns out to be its last. "You know, the greatest champs got knocked out towards the end," he explained. "They're not remembered for that — they're remembered for their history and for what they've done. I remember going to see Muhammad Ali get outpointed by Leon Spinks. Manny Pacquiao just lost a boxing match. So I feel no pressure. The story's been written. It's as good as gold. If there's a hundred and fifty pages that tell the story of victory and a few that tell of stumbles, that's fine with me." Paul's bandmate Gene Simmons recently confirmed that "some writing" has been going on for a possible new KISS studio album but once again said that he was "not incentivized" to release another KISS disc unless there are some major changes in the way music is consumed. He said: "Not too long ago I wrote a song called 'Your Wish Is My Command'. It sounds anthemic, like something that might have come off 'Love Gun', maybe. But I'm not incentivized. The idea that you work your ass off and then someone with freckles on their face decides they want to download your music and file share — that's not what I work for. How'd you like to be a plumber, come over somebody's house and work all day to fix their plumbing and then when it's time to get paid, they say, 'No, I just wanted to say thank you.' No."

In a brand new interview with Meltdown Of Detroit's WRIF radio station, legendary rocker Alice Cooper was asked for his opinion on the passing of LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington, just two months after the suicide of SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell.

"I worked with Chris Cornell, I wrote a couple of songs with Chris for 'The Last Temptation' album," Alice said (hear audio below). "And I just went, 'This guy has got the whole package.' I'd never seen anybody that had the package as much as he did, when it comes to just talent, guitar playing, singing, songwriting, charisma… the whole thing. So I was unbelievably shocked by that one. I didn't get that one. I didn't understand that one at all. A suicide on that level, I went, 'Why?' I'm like everybody else, going, 'Why?' And then Chester Bennington, same thing. Chester is one of those guys I played golf with… well, I was teaching him golf. And we talked about music the whole time. And he was in two bands at the same time — LINKIN PARK and I think [STONE TEMPLE PILOTS] he was in. [He had] great kids, great family, no financial problems and then all of a sudden he's dead. And you go, 'Why? What is going on?' I don't get it at all. I really don't get it. I've never had any kind of depression, so I can't speak for that. I don't think it was drugs, I don't think it was any of that. I think it was just a matter of maybe clinical depression."

Adding that "you couldn't find two people with more potential than those two guys," Cooper said that "it was kind of the same thing with Scott Weiland," referring to the former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer who died in December 2015 of an accidental drug overdose. "That guy had the whole package also, and yet decided that heroin was more important than that. But these guys, I don't really think their thing was a drug problem. I think it was more of a physical problem. I think it had something to do with clinical depression."

After Cornell died two months ago, Bennington wrote a letter thanking him for inspiring him and hoping he would find peace in "the next life."

Chester died on July 20, which would have been Cornell's 53rd birthday.

The two singers bonded when they toured together nearly a decade ago.

Cooper's new album, "Paranormal", was released on July 28 via earMUSIC. The disc features two songs written and recorded with the original members of the ALICE COOPER band and also has guest appearances by ZZ TOP guitarist Billy Gibbons, U2 drummer Larry Mullen and Roger Glover of DEEP PURPLE.

"Wall Of Sound", the new solo album from former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, can be streamed in its entirety below. The disc will be released on August 4 via Prosthetic Records.

Produced by Friedman, engineered by Paul Fig (GHOST, RUSH, ALICE IN CHAINS) and mixed by Jens Bogren (KREATOR, OPETH, SEPULTURA), "Wall Of Sound" "expands and destroys any conventional notions of instrumental music," according to a press release. Legendary QUEEN producer Mack came on board to handle the mixing on two tracks, "Streetlight" and "For A Friend", which Friedman proclaimed was "an honor for me, for sure."

Friedman said last year about the musical direction of the follow-up to his 2014 album "Inferno": "This time it's even more ambitious than that album was, a bit more dense, and, with any luck, more exciting for those of you who will hear it."

He added: "There will be elevent or twelve songs in total. Sometimes a song you really love doesn't make it to the album because it doesn't fit nicely in the sequencing. Either way, we're pushing sixty minutes, so it won't be a short album."

Marty's new CD was recorded in part at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in California with engineer Paul Fig (ALICE IN CHAINS, RUSH, DEFTONES) and was previously described by Friedman as "a way more intense version" of its predecessor: "deeper, sadder, happier and more aggressive."

Like "Inferno", Friedman's upcoming album will feature several guests, including prog-thrashers MUTOID MAN, Jørgen Munkeby of the Norwegian avant-garde jazz-metal outfit SHINING and Jinxx of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES.

Regarding how the collaboration with Jinxx came about, Friedman told Guitar World: "I'm a big fan of Jinxx and BLACK VEIL BRIDES. He came to my show in L.A. in 2015. Right after that, I was told that he plays violin. I didn't even know that! Then light bulbs went off. I thought now's the chance to really turn some heads by doing something that's a little bit, well, a lot, unexpected to my fans and his fans."

"Wall Of Sound" track listing:

01. Self Pollution02. Sorrow And Madness (featuring Jinxx of BLACK VEIL BRIDES)03. Streetlight04. Whiteworm05. For A Friend06. Pussy Ghost (featuring Shiv Mehra of DEAFHEAVEN)07. The Blackest Rose08. Something To Fight (featuring Jørgen Munkeby of SHINING)09. The Soldier10. Miracle11. Last Lament

ALL THAT REMAINS's video for its cover version of Garth Brooks's "The Thunder Rolls" can be seen below.

The original song, which was a No. 1 Hot Country Songs hit during the spring of 1991, was written "about somebody who's cheating on his wife, and every time he does it, the thunder rolls," according to Brooks.

ALL THAT REMAINS's version of "The Thunder Rolls" appears on the band's latest album, "Madness", which was released on April 28 via Razor & Tie in the U.S. and Eleven Seven Music in Europe. The disc was recorded at West Valley Studios in Woodland Hills, California with producer Howard Benson, who has previously worked with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH, THREE DAYS GRACE, FLYLEAF, P.O.D. and HALESTORM.

ALL THAT REMAINS singer Phil Labonte told Billboard about the "sellout" accusations that have been leveled at the band for the more radio-friendly sound of the album's first single and title track, "Madness": "We're continuing to push what people's notion of what ALL THAT REMAINS is and what we're allowed to do and what we're willing to do, in what ways we're willing to go and experiment. So far the reaction has been really cool. It's also kind of what I expected; Our core audience likes a lot of diverse styles of music and gets it, and I think there's enough stuff on it for people that haven't heard ALL THAT REMAINS before to be kind of lured in. That's always our point: how can we reach out to new people?"

Issue #3 of the newly launched U.K. magazine Rock Candy features a candid interview with ex-STYX vocalist and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung where he makes an emotional plea to his former bandmates to get the classic lineup back together.

DeYoung, the voice behind such STYX classics as "Come Sail Away", "Best Of Times", "Pieces Of Eight" and "Babe", used the interview with respected British rock journalist Derek Oliver to urge Tommy Shaw, James "JY" Young and Chuck Panozzo to put their differences with him aside. And he wants the classic STYX lineup to reunite for one last tour, a tour that would surely play to packed houses worldwide.

"The fans want a reunion and I've wanted one every day since I was replaced," DeYoung — who was forced out of the band eighteen years ago in 1999 — told the British magazine. "I never wanted to be a solo artist. Still don't. I like being on a team and that's what a band is like. It's us against them, strength in numbers, and sharing the success and failure."

"After being replaced in STYX, everyone around me encouraged me to try and stop them legally," he explained in an emotional interview. "I just couldn't. It would have been like suing myself and I held out hope they'd ask me back. They toured under the STYX name for a year and a half before I initiated legal action. I didn't sue for money or use of the name. I simply wanted back in the band."

DeYoung recognizes that there are some significant hurdles to get over if every pomp rock fan's dream is to become a reality. But he firmly believes the classic STYX lineup — DeYoung, guitarists and vocalists Shaw and Young and bassist Chuck Panozzo (drummer John Panozzo sadly died in 1996) — would be able to serve up an unforgettable live show.

"I haven't spoken to Tommy or JY since 1999," he admits. "But it's in their hands. Imagine one last tour with the original cats! I think there might be some interest."

Read the entire article in issue 3 of Rock Candy, available online only at this location.

Swiss black metal pioneers SAMAEL will release their tenth album, "Hegemony", on October 13 via Napalm Records.

The band states: "The creative process that led to the completion of 'Hegemony' took over four years. Throughout that time, we lived with and saw each song growing into what they finally became.

"'Hegemony' is an album that acknowledges the world we're living in, and emphasized on the effort to take control of that world. It's all about change and evolution. It's a strong statement, a testament of our time and a call for revolution."

"Hegemony" track listing:

01. Hegemony02. Samael03. Angel Of Wrath04. Rite Of Renewal05. Red Planet06. Black Supremacy07. Murder Or Suicide08. This World09. Against All Enemies10. Land Of The Living11. Dictate Of Transparency12. Helter Skelter13. Storm Of Fire (bonus track)

The official lyric video for the track "Angel of Wrath" can be seen below.

SAMAEL frontman Vorph (real name: Michael Locher) told Serbia's Agoraphobic News about "Angel Of Wrath": "It is more like a fantasy song, but it's kind of a mix between some deeper meaning, maybe for us, as the name of the band is SAMAEL, it is the angel of wrath. We wanted to have something maybe to connect back to the past and start fresh. That's why we chose that one first. The new album will be more wide than just this song."

Regarding the overall musical direction of "Hegemony", Vorph said: "I think it's kind of wide [sounding]. There's faster songs… probably 'Angel Of Wrath' is one of the heaviest. We have more mid-tempo songs. We try to have variation. I hope it is a varied album."

Founded in 1987 as an old-school black metal act that was influenced by the likes of BATHORY, fellow countrymen CELTIC FROST and VENOM, the brothers Vorph and Xy later developed the band's style further towards a more industrial dark metal sound that found its previous high peak in those legendary albums such as "Passage" and "Eternal".

SAMAEL is:

Vorph: Guitar, VocalsXy: Keyboards and ProgrammingMakro: Bass

You're unlikely to find a phenomenon like Carmine and Vinny Appice a second time in the history of rock music. For more than forty years, the two brothers have been among the most sought-after and renowned rock drummers worldwide. Carmine and Vinny (each of them on his own) can be heard on numerous legendary albums and have toured countless times with some of the world's greatest acts. Carmine embarked on his musical path in the 1960s with the unforgotten VANILLA FUDGE, manning in the course of his illustrious career the drums for superstars such as Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne, among others. His brother Vinny, who is eleven years his junior, looks back on an equally spectacular career, having worked with acts such as BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL and DIO, among others. With the exception of the live album "Drum Wars - Live!" (2014), there has been no direct collaboration between the two so far. That's about to change!

"Sinister" is the first joint studio album by Carmine and Vinny and was recorded with the support of a number of prestigious guests. Vinny says: "As Ringo said: with a little help from our friends." "Sinister" consists of a total of thirteen tracks, recorded by Carmine and Vinny together with distinguished colleagues. "Killing Floor" and "Future Past" feature the wonderful Craig Goldy (together with bassist Tony Franklin), Franklin resurfacing, together with Paul Shortino, on "Suddenly" and on "You Got Me Running". Shortino also lends his awesome vocals to "War Cry" and the programmatic "Monsters And Heroes", the latter also featuring BULLETBOYS guitarist Mick Sweda, while Shortino teams up with WHITESNAKE stringsman Joel Hoekstra on "War Cry". Talking of vocals: "Sinister", "Danger" (bass: Phil Soussan), "In The Night" (guitar: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal) and "Sabbath Mash" (guitar: Erik Turner, keyboards: Erik Norlander) are all sung by Jim Crean, while Chas West recorded the vocal parts for "Killing Floor", Scotty Bruce featuring on "Future Past" and Robin McAuley on "Riot". The biggest surprise of all: Carmine himself doubles as vocalist on "You Got Me Running". Vinny says: "Carmine has been singing lead and background for years. He's a very good singer and I"m glad he sang one number on this record." So fans can look forward to a haunting rock album which the Appice brothers plan to premiere live on stage as soon as possible. Carmine says: "We cannot wait to take the album on the road! Heavy drums and heavy songs. It will kill!"

"Sinister" will be released on October 27 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipack, double gatefold vinyl, download and stream.

Track listing:

01. Sinister02. Monsters And Heroes03. Killing Floor04. Danger05. Drum Wars06. Riot07. Suddenly08. In The Night09. Future Past10. You Got Me Running11. Bros In Drums12. War Cry13. Sabbath Mash

Lineup and guests

Carmine Appice (drums, vocals)Vinny Appice (drums)

Jim Crean (vocals)Paul Shortino (vocals) (ROUGH CUTT, ex-QUIET RIOT)Robin McAuley (vocals) (MSG)Chas West (vocals) (ex-LYNCH MOB)Scotty Bruce (vocals)

Craig Goldy (guitar) (ex-DIO, ex-GIUFFRIA)Bumblefoot (guitar) (ex-GUNS N' ROSES)Joel Hoekstra (guitar) (WHITESNAKE)Mike Sweda (guitar) (BULLETBOYS)Erik Turner (guitar) (WARRANT)David Michael Phillips (guitar) (KING KOBRA)

Tony Franklin (bass) (ex-BLUE MURDER, ex-THE FIRM)Phil Soussan (bass) (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE)Johnny Rod (bass) (KING KOBRA, ex-W.A.S.P.)Jorgen Carlson (bass) (GOV'T MULE)

"Program", a new song from LIVING COLOUR, can be streamed below. The song is taken from the band's sixth studio album, "Shade", which will be released on September 8 via Megaforce Records. The disc's cover artwork can be seen below.

Corey Glover, Vernon Reid, Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun recorded the follow-up to 2009's "The Chair In The Doorway" with producer Andre Betts.

"We spent a great deal of time fretting over a lot of stuff and trying to make sure it says exactly what we wanted to say and that we play it the way we wanted to play it," Glover told Billboard. "We spent a great deal of time just laying these grooves and getting lyrical ideas and building on those. Then it was a matter of picking and choosing among all that stuff we had and what works and what was kind of fair to middling, what needed work and what doesn't work and go from there. And during the process we have families and children and we have lives. It was a balancing act."

In addition to LIVING COLOUR's original songs, "Shade" features covers of Robert Johnson's "Preachin' Blues" — the song that inspired the album when LIVING COLOUR performed it during a 100th-birthday tribute to Robert Johnson at the Apollo Theater in Harlem — as well as The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya" and Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues".

Reid told New Zealand's Elsewhere about "Shade": "A lot of the record was conceived around the idea of engaging what the blues is in a hard rock/metal context, so we got together with a hip-hop producer. So it was a bunch of different careening ideas. It's also in the context of identity as an American. 'What does it mean to be an American?' and what if you are an African-American. That conversation. We deal with hard realities but also absurdity. There's a moment of looking at this whole situation as a kind of weird, funhouse mirror. It's been a very interesting experience."

He continued: "'Who Shot Ya?' has a resonance. What happened to Notorious B.I.G.? He was making a conversation about what happened to Tupac who had been shot. He'd been shot and wounded and 'Who Shot Ya?' was the song that broke their friendship. That was a really funky time. Because B.I.G. put the song out when Tupac was recovering and he took it personally and that's when the whole East Coast/West Coast scenario started happening. Then you are forced to consider what happened to both of these men, these young men. But then it is in the context of all kinds of shooting crime which outstrips any worries about terrorism. Terrorism is the least likely way you are going to die in America. The video didn't leave anything off the table and we talk about gun violence with regard to accidental discharge and suicide."

American rock band POP EVIL has been hard at work in the studio this summer working on an all-new LP, due out early next year. The group has been collaborating with veteran producer Kato Khandwala at Studio A in Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and will finish up the disc in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

"The band is in such a great creative groove right now," says POP EVIL frontman Leigh Kakaty.

"After taking much-needed time off, we started the writing process in Michigan this past April and May, before heading to the Sound Emporium in Nashville.

"We have recorded close to twenty songs for the album and are now narrowing down our choices before heading to L.A. to finish the record.

"Our producer Kato has been a blessing and a pleasure to work with, and he's the best devil's advocate we've had in the studio!"

The band has released a short studio video which premiered via SiriusXM Octane earlier this week.

Kakaty continues: "It's been the smoothest recording process to date, and we've been taking our time and giving each song its due diligence. One thing I can say is you will get a little bit of everything from us on this album. We're letting all our emotions out on this one. No boundaries. New POP EVIL music is on the horizon!"

The band hasn't let up on its road dog reputation, virtually staying on the road for the past two years since their last LP. POP EVIL will continue that trend and be on the road all summer starting with two sold-out shows at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan. Other highlights include supporting BUSH at the Blue Stream Amphitheater in Moorhead, Minnesota, Sturgis 2017 with OZZY OSBOURNE, Moonstock with PAPA ROACH and RIFF Fest with ROB ZOMBIE.

Dirty Thrills are a young, exciting and charismatic London-based hard rock quartet who play bluesy rock 'n' roll with an appealing filthy edge, churning out endless crowd pleasers that make guitar music sound sexy again. With lung-busting, powerful vocals from front man Louis James, killer guitar riffs from Jack Fawdry and solid low-end grooves from the rhythm section of Aaron Plows and Steve Corrigan, each member's wide-ranging influences also combine to produce a pool of sound similar to current rock icons such as Queens Of The Stone Age, The Black Keys and Rival Sons.

Dirty Thrills are set to release their new album, Heavy Living, on September 15th. A video for the album’s opening track, “I’ll Be With You”, is available for streaming below.

Dirty Thrills formed after a drunken night of jamming in a quiet village pub in Wiltshire, but what started out as an inconspicuous session swiftly birthed an ambitious group with the drive and determination to bring the glory days back to the rock scene. Having released and toured a self-titled debut record in 2014, the band recently signed to Frontiers Music Srl and played the UK's Camden Rocks and Wildfire Festivals in June as part of the build-up to their new single, “Law Man”, which Louis James describes as a song "about one man's fight for freedom, only to be struck down by a figure of austerity." They will also be performing at Ramblin' Man Fair in late July, while a full UK tour will follow the mid-September release of their brand new album, Heavy Living, which was recorded at Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield, Monmouth and produced/mixed by James Loughrey (The Darkness, Skindred, Sumo Cyco).

Heavy Living tracklisting:

“I'll Be With You”
“Go Slow”
“Law Man”
“Hanging Around”
“Lonely Soul”
“No Resolve”
“Interlude”
“The Brave”
“Rabbit Hole”
“Drunk Words”
“Get Loose”

“I'll Be With You” video:

“Drunk Words”:

“Law Man” video:

Dirty Thrills lineup:

Louis James - Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Jack Fawdry - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Steve Corrigan - Drums
Aaron Plows - Bass

Los Angeles based thrashers Mindwars are hard at work completing their new album and preparing themselves for its launch in 2018.

Mindwars was created in the fall of 2013 by the desire of two individuals who wanted to bring the sound of metal from the 1980s to the current power of today. Mike Alvord (formerly of Holy Terror) and Roby Vitari (formerly of Headcrasher and Jester Beast), met by chance in 1989 when Holy Terror was touring Europe in support of their 1988 release, Mind Wars. Approximately 25 years later Mike and Roby reconnected through the internet and discussed creating something musically that they both believe has been lost. The result is Mindwars, a rebirth of speed/thrash metal with metal, punk, and rock in uences.

Mindwars have released two full length albums, The Enemy Within and Sworn To Secrecy. The later was mixed and mastered with legendary metal producer Bill Meter. Bill’s credits include the likes of Slayer, Dark Angel, D.R.I. Fates Warning, and dozens more.

Mindwars are:

Mike Alvord - Guitar/Vocals
Mike was absent from the music scene since the demise of Holy Terror in 1989. However, he has since reemerged and has a vault of musical diversities and plans to continue unleashing this sound with Mindwars.

Roby Vitari - Drums
Roby has been a staple in the Italian music scene for over thirty years. He has toured Europe extensively playing drums for various bands and recording dozens of records. His musical credits extend to studio work as an engineer and producer.

Danny “Z” Pizzi - Bass
Danny provides the pounding heart beat and solidi es the rhythm section along with his Italian cohort Roby. He has been active in the music scene since 1990 playing in many rock/metal bands in the Turin area.

Mike Alvord: “I am ecstatic to be working with everyone at Dissonance and stoked to be part of their family! With Do Unto Others, I hope to continue the aggressive drive of the music so many of us love! Speed Kills!!!

Steve Beatty / Dissonance Productions: “I’m so excited to have Mindwars on the label! I really like their previous two albums and was always a big fan of Holy Terror. I expect the new album to elevate the band to new heights and hope to see these guys hit the road in 2018!”

(Photo - Alex Solca)

On April 20th, Internal Bleeding drummer and veteran FDNY firefighter Bill Tolley passed away after falling five stories from a rooftop while battling a two-alarm apartment fire in Queens, New York. The tragedy touched family, friends, his bandmates, the city of New York, and the worldwide metal community. Many fans expressed concerns as to whether Internal Bleeding would continue. The band utilized the drum services of basher Kyle Eddy for their recent The Strike Of The Empire US tour with Vader and are pleased to welcome Eddy as a permanent member.

Issues the band in a collective statement, "Losing a beloved friend and band mate has been a traumatic event for us, and needless to say, the past few months have been a roller coaster of conflicting emotions. But, through it all, there was never a thought given to packing this band up and calling it quits. There was no doubt in our mind that Bill would want the band to continue. As a matter of fact, he spoke about it numerous times with us. In short, he always said, 'the band needs to go on.'

“We're not quite sure how we managed, but we pulled off a full US tour with a fill-in drummer who only had a few weeks to practice and get the set down. That drummer was upstate New York native, and death metal veteran Kyle Eddy. He did an amazing job learning the music, getting the set down, and fit in perfectly with our personalities. We had a great time with him on tour, and it felt like he'd been in the band for years - that's how comfortable we were with him.

“Kyle is a true professional in every sense of the word. He is deeply dedicated to his craft and brings unrelenting enthusiasm and energy to the band. For those reasons - and many others - we have chosen him to become the new drummer for Internal Bleeding.

“Longtime fans of the band may remember seeing a much younger Kyle bashing the skins for Internal Bleeding during our second Onward To Mecca tour. He did a superb job then, and we're supremely confident that his skills will help propel the band to new heights. It's always painful to move forward after a tragic loss, but it must be done. We've decided that Kyle should be our new drummer, and we think - scratch that - we know that Bill would be really happy about our choice. Please welcome him to the Internal Bleeding fold!"

Adds Eddy: "It's a honor to be accepted into the Internal Bleeding family. Lookout everyone - we are driven to conquer all!"

Internal Bleeding's digital single, "Final Justice," was released just one day after Tolley's passing. The track serves as a teaser from the band's forthcoming full-length, Corrupting Influence, currently in preproduction with producer Frank Bones. While filled with all the hooks, slams, and grooves you've come to expect from the band, the track is more focused, sophisticated, and sharper, than anything they're released previously.

Hear "Final Justice" below:

Final Justice by Internal Bleeding

Internal Bleeding will appear at NY Deathfest 5 next week at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn alongside Malignancy, Thanatology, Immortal Suffering, and more. The band will also be headlining the Berlin Deathfest in October with additional live abrasions to be announced in the weeks to come.

(Photo - Undead Scene)

Extreme metal act, Expulsion, featuring members of Repulsion, Exhumed, Phobia, Intronaut, Gruesome, and numerous others, has shared an official guitar playthrough video for "Total Human Genocide”, performed by guitarist Matt Olivo. The track comes by way of the band's debut album, Nightmare Future, out now on Relapse Records. Watch the clip below.

Nightmare Future was produced by Matt Olivo, mixed by Toxic Holocaust's Joel Grind and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Mayhem, Faith No More, Halford). Physical orders and bundles are available at Relapse.com here and digital downloads can be ordered via Bandcamp here.

Spawned from the cerebral mind of grind legend Matt Olivo (Repulsion), Expulsion combines grind, punk, and crust into a caustic musical vomit guaranteed to stack the corpses high. Olivo's partner-in-grind, Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) was recruited over beers in a sweaty Los Angeles apartment to bring his classic brand of oratory assault. The additions of veterans - drummer Danny Walker (Intronaut, Exhumed, Phobia) and bassist Menno Verbaten (Lightning Swords Of Death) - complete the fit-to-burn outfit. Expect nothing but the best of throat-shredding vocals, relentless blast beats, buzzsaw riffs, and raw bass tones. Expulsion will leave you horrified with their vile brand of classic, 80's sickness.

Nightmare Future tracklisting:

“Total Human Genocide”
“Altar Of Slaughter”
“Mask Of Fear”
“Nightmare Future”
“Funeral Bells”
“Compulsions”
“Comatose”

“Total Human Genocide” guitar playthrough video:

“Altar Of Slaughter” guitar playthrough video:

Album stream:

Expulsion lineup:

Matt Harvey - Vocals
Matt Olivo - Guitar
Danny Walker - Drums
Menno Verbaten - Bass

(Photo - Jay Valena)