Long time friend Tommy Vext (formerly of Bad Wolves, pictured above) will be filling in on lead vocals for Ill Niño's upcoming European Tour. Marcos Leal will not be performing on the upcoming European Tour.


Ill Niño and Vext got their start on the East Coast, in the early days of the NY/NJ hardcore scene, and Vext opened for Ill Niño when he was just a teenager. This multi-cultural urban landscape helped cultivate the band's sound. Ill Niño's Revolution and Confession-era songs are no stranger to Vext, as they share a 25-year brotherhood.


Tommy Vext has had great international success with the multi-platinum cover of "Zombie." Dave Chavarri says "We are excited to have Tommy perform with Ill Niño across all these European stages."




Find Ill Niño's complete tour itinerary here.










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SILVERA concludes their album run with the electrifying single and official video, “Show Me How to Live”. This track embodies one of Silvera’s trademarks: a catchy chorus that stays with you long after the song ends. The powerful vocal arrangements add depth and intensity, showcasing the band’s remarkable synergy and musical craftsmanship.

“Show Me How to Live” is poised to be a hit, with its radio-friendly appeal and widespread resonance among fans. It’s a definitive track that not only captures the essence of Silvera’s sound but also has the potential to reach an even broader audience, solidifying their mark in the music industry.

Enjoy the video premiering here:

Defiled have released a video for "Horror Beyond Horror", the title track of their upcoming new album, out September 20 via Season Of Mist. Pre-save / pre-order the album here, and watch the new clip below:





When it comes to Japanese death metal, there is no shrewder sensei than Defiled. Since they started their training in the world's most vulgar of art forms back in the early '90s, the band have toured everywhere from their native Tokyo to Milwaukee Metal Fest with the likes of Mayhem, Incantation, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse.




Now, after 30 years of destroying the opposition at the highest level, these self-proclaimed samurai of death metal are back with their eighth album. Horror Beyond Horror is the kind of good ol' fashioned ass-kicking that only a true master can deliver.     


After they first took to the stage in 1995, Defiled needed nearly a decade before finally erupting with wrath on their debut album. But ever since the band's lineup solidified around original member Yusuke Sumita, they haven't  stopped to look back and admire their war path. Horror Beyond Horror comes hot on the heels of the album they released just last year.


Anyone who took The Highest Level at face value will be pleasantly surprised to hear that Defiled have only added another grimy coat of blood to their blade. "To See Behind The Wall" is the final boss on Horror Beyond Horror, but the album's first single wastes no time charging into the fray behind a barrage of old-school death metal. Whether they're slicing, dicing or leaping into a furiously fast solo, the riffs take no prisoners.   


"The path to your elimination", Shinichiro Hamada cries, digging in amidst a flurry of blast beats, before unleashing an ungodly war cry.


"What is behind the wall?", Defiled ask on their new single. "The truth that has been hidden? Our sanity as human beings? Are we, who are inside the wall, now in a world of deceit and madness?"





Tracklisting:


"Smoke And Mirrors"
"Horror Beyond Horror"
"Syndicate"
"The Alchemy"
"Demagogue"
"The Terminal Phase"
"Trojan Horse"
"Spectrum Of Fear"
"The Crook And Flail"
"Replicator Dynamics"
"Equinox"
"The Chains"
"Psychopomp"
"To See Behind The Wall"


"Smoke And Mirrors" video:





"To See Behind The Wall" video:





From the depths of Tokyo's darkest alleys, Defiled have emerged once again, claws sharpened, eyes bloodshot, ready to unleash a fresh dose of unadulterated savagery with their latest full-length studio album, Horror Beyond Horror. Marrying the grotesque with technical prowess, these samurais of sickness are poised to carve another notch into the archives of death metal's sordid history.


Since crawling from the primordial soup of the underground scene in the early '90s, Defiled have forged a path littered with broken souls. Their journey of destruction first sank its teeth into the international jugular with Erupted Wrath, mixed by the masterful Jim Morris in Tampa, Florida. This brutal assault opened gates to a global bloodletting, from leveling stages in South Korea to crushing skulls at the Milwaukee Metalfest, and not even the November to Dismember fest could foresee the carnage they'd bring.


Commandeering the technical tightrope between anarchy and precision, Defiled evolved, much like an aberrant spawn isolated on the Galapagos, grotesque yet ultimately superior. Their subsequent onslaughts — Ugliness Revealed, Divination, and the sheer violence of In Crisis — built a monument to atrocity that ascends to new heights with Horror Beyond Horror.


Taking no prisoners in their three-decades-long campaign of terror, Defiled have become the indestructible behemoth of Asia's death metal scene, powered by the relentless engine of their old school roots and the twisted wreckage of technical thrash and progressive rock innovation.


But enough with the history lesson, you came here for the carnage, didn't you? Horror Beyond Horror is a 14-track massacre, riddled with riffs sharp enough to slit your throat and a rhythmic onslaught that'll pulverize your pathetic bones. Each track, from the visceral "Smoke And Mirrors" to the haunting "To See Behind The Wall", is a calculated strike, precision-engineered to leave no survivors. Let's not forget the eponymous "Horror Beyond Horror", a track that cements Defiled's legacy as harbingers of the apocalypse.


With a sound as raw as exposed nerve endings and as unrefined as a mass grave, Defiled stands defiantly apart from the polished poseurs and shameless sellouts. They don’t peddle in cheap gimmickry or nostalgia; they deal in the currency of pure, unfiltered destruction. As they look out upon the charred landscape of the genre they’ve helped to define, Defiled is not content to rest on their laurels. Horror Beyond Horror sees them, once again, ascending to the blood-soaked throne of death metal sovereignty.


(Photo - Shigenori Ishikawa)







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VENDED, the band fronted by Griffin Taylor, the 21-year-old son of SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor, will release its self-titled debut album on September 20. The official Derek Rathbun-directed music video for the LP's latest single, "Serenity", can be seen below.

The record will arrive in the midst of VENDED's North American tour dates with SLIPKNOT and KNOCKED LOOSE and subsequent headline run with WRISTMEETRAZOR and LIE.

Commenting on their debut full-length, Griffin says: "There's a level of aggression and emotion that's missing from music right now, and we aim to fill that void on this album. It represents everything that VENDED are about. 'Fuck your ignorance, just grab ahold of it.' You're either with us or against us. VENDED is a unit aimed at world domination, and this album is the first step. Welcome to VENDED."

VENDED's LP was produced by Chris Collier (KORN) and features 13 rage-fueled tracks, including previously released singles "Am I The Only One", "The Far Side" and "Nihilism", that restores some faith in the metal scene.

Since VENDED's inception in 2018, the band came out swinging with singles replete with relentless energy and unparalleled ferocity that lit a firestorm of excitement. Now, the five-piece is ready to unleash a level of fury unseen in modern metal. This band gives no fucks; just pure unrestrained mayhem.

"Vended" track listing:

01. Intro
02. Paint The Skin
03. The Far Side
04. Am I The Only One
05. Going Up
06. Nihilism
07. Pitiful
08. Serenity
09. Disparager
10. Where The Honesty Lies
11. Ones'...
12. Downfall
13. As We Know It

VENDED's lineup is completed by Simon Crahan (son of SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan) on drums, Connor Grodzicki on rhythm guitar, Jeremiah Pugh on bass and Cole Espeland on lead guitar.

In an interview with Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3, Corey spoke about Griffin's work with VENDED, saying: "I cannot tell you how proud I am of that boy. And, of course, being a typical Taylor, on one hand I'm super proud of him, but I still can't get him to clean anything, dude; he's just such a nightmare.

"The funny thing is you and I were talking the day after he was born. And I keep going back to that night, going, 'What's he gonna be? Who's he gonna be in life?' And now [21] years later, , and he is this crazy metal pirate, just like I was," Corey continued. "And I'm just, like, 'Oh, I failed as a father. What did I do?' I kept trying to push him to be anything other than what I do. And, yeah, dude, he's crushing.

"I've heard the new stuff that he just recorded with [producer] Chris Collier, and it is so good," Corey added. "VENDED, their new stuff is so rad. Not only Griffin, man, but Simon's [Crahan] drumming sounds incredible. All of the guys — Cole [Espeland] and Grod [Connor Grodzicki] sound great [on guitar]. The guitars have just gone above and beyond. J.J.'s [Jeremiah Pugh] crushing it on bass. I'm really, really proud of those guys, man. And then to be able to watch my boy get out there and just be himself and crush. It's so easy for him, and it just makes me angry. Because he's got all the great stuff that I never had when I was… He can wear anything. It's just criminal. I'm just, like, 'You don't know how good you've got it, kid. The carbs haven't caught you yet.'"

VENDED's five-track debut EP, "What Is It / Kill It", arrived at DSPs in November 2021. The collection was recorded with Griffin Landa of THE ACACIA STRAIN. The two singles bookended VENDED's first U.S. headline tour, after which the band went on to open the day's proceedings at the huge Knotfest Los Angeles show at the Banc Of California Stadium, playing alongside SLIPKNOT, BRING ME THE HORIZON, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FEVER 333, CODE ORANGE and CHERRY BOMBS.

Formed in February of 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa, VENDED had its first mainstream exposure in 2020 when they performed as part of Knotfest.com's virtual "Pulse Of The Maggots" festival.

VENDED played its first headlining show in March 2020 at the iconic local club Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, Iowa.

Griffin, who looks a lot like his father, previously showcased his skills when he joined Corey onstage during STONE SOUR shows in 2017 and 2018. He's also played cover tunes with Simon Crahan, while Clown's daughter Alexandria Crahan-Conway has snapped some of VENDED's previous press pics.

Photo credit: @ras_visual

Extinction A.D., New York's relentless purveyors of ferocious hardcore tinged thrash metal, have released a mini-documentary in support of their single, "Burnt Sienna", featured on their new album, To The Detested, available via Unique Leader Records.


Speaking on "Burnt Sienna", Rick Jimenez shared, "This entire song was a crazy journey from start to finish. From conception of incorporating Bomba into our typical metal style, to singing in Spanish, to diving into the "personal turmoil turned pride in exploration” of my Puerto Rican heritage and my upbringing in an unwelcoming environment, to putting together the exposition video doc of the creation of the song, to choosing this as a single. It’s a lot of personal exposition and being raw about my own individual experiences and evolution as I grow older in this world while simultaneously coming to terms with some things and discovering others."


Watch the new mini-documentary, as well as the "Burnt Sienna" music video, below:










Speaking on the release of the album, Jimenez stated: "This album took on a life of its own very quickly and is by far the freshest one of our career. There was no second guessing or laboring over anything, it was pure unbridled energy from the first note of the first song we wrote to the final sound we recorded. We’ve never pulled any punches musically or lyrically but this is a whole new level of intensity, vitriol and honesty. It is not for the thin-skinned or the weak hearted. This record is in fact our declaration to the detested."





To The Detested tracklisting:


"Desperate Grasp"
"Escape From New York"
"Epidemic Of Mutation"
"Apocalypse Rising"
"Impervious (Unrepentant)" feat. Matthew Kiichi Heafy
"Fill The Void"
"Burnt Sienna"
"Shepherding Swine"
"Behind The Veil Of Sanctity"
"The Cure Or The Cause"


"Impervious (Unrepentant)" video:





Extinction A.D. is not for the faint of heart and the intensity of these New Yorkers has yet to be tempered. The bands signature level of ferocity has reached new levels on their fourth album To The Detested, which follows their EP Ruthless Intent from earlier this year.


So many different worlds shaped this band; from writers like Alan Moore and George Orwell; lyricists like Wreak Havoc and Chuck D; to directors like Tarantino and John Carpenter. But musically, Extinction A.D. hook up a tube of early 90s era of metal into their veins. Not just bands like Pantera and Machine Head, but the often overlooked 90s offerings from Testament, Sepultura and Slayer.


Thrashing just as hard as their predecessors, the band also break their surroundings down and deliver some heavy as hell riotous mosh; hitting that all-important sweet spot mixture of 80s thrash, 90s extreme metal and New York hardcore, all encompassed into one.


Never afraid to speak their minds amidst a divisive world, Extinction A.D. bring a decisive power to match their frenetic energy. The endgame is not just rebellion but revolution.







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The Mojo Dojo has released a new video for David Lee Roth's "Mississippi Power". A message from animator Ramses Rios follows:


"A very rare, but amazing track by David Lee Roth from the YFLM (Your Filthy Little Mouth) album (Non-LP track). It has been around for ages, but not many are aware of this gem the Diamond blessed us with. Dave has always had an incredible bluesy voice, and he hits it out the park every time. Enjoy this track if you have not already heard it. Illustration by myself - a little tip of the hat to the art portrayed on the YFLM booklet (Moon)."












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Danish hard rockers Black Oak County are ramping up for the release of their anticipated third album “III”, with their highly energetic new single and video “Boom Boom Baby”, featuring Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Aries Descendant, Danish Eurovision preliminaries).

““Boom Boom Baby” is kind of a silly party song based on an experience a friend of ours had in our teenage years. It’s a comedic and cheeky song with plenty of balls (literally!), a bad-ass riff, one of the catchiest choruses of the album. We had such a fun time writing and recording this tune with Nicklas, and felt this was the perfect song for him to join in on!” says the band, currently gearing up for another run of shows in Denmark and Germany later this summer.

With its intense, groovy and dead-simple riff and its massive chorus, hook and melody, “Boom Boom Baby” marks a venture into new musical territory for the Danish quartet – who decided to take a step further in a new direction, by having their very first feature artist on a track.

“With the theme of the lyric and the hookline, we felt like this song could be even better by having a sort of “antagonist” join in for the third verse – and Nicklas’ vocals just fit our sound perfectly. He blends amazingly with both René and Niels in the final chorus, and in some cases felt like a third voice in the band like he’d always been there. His gritty vocal performance perfectly summarizes the climax of the song, and not only that – he plays a kickass guitar solo on “Boom Boom Baby” as well! We couldn’t be happier with how this collaboration turned out!”.

“III” was written in collaboration with Sonne, who co-produced, engineered, mixed and mastered the album, which is set to release on October 25th, 2024 through Mighty Music.
Catch Black Oak County on tour, as they head out into Europe for a series of dates in Denmark and Germany, with the year culminating in a nationwide tour of Denmark with Danish guitar legends Electric Guitars. For more information, head to http://www.blackoakcounty.com

US-based metalcore band, Dead Rabbits, has released the new single, “Oxygen”, featuring Attila‘s Chris Fronzak (AKA Fronz) on vocals. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, Redefined,, whose release date has not yet been revealed. The album was produced by heavyweights Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace under their Judge & Jury label.





Stream/download "Oxygen" here, and watch the music video below.




Craig Mabbitt (frontman of Dead Rabbitts and Escape The Fate) has stated about the new track: "'Oxygen' is a song about bottling the shit that life throws at you up so much you feel like you can’t breathe, playing pretend and wearing a mask with a smile when you’re feeling the complete opposite, an empowering tune to help push you through and find that strength inside again and there’s no better feature I could’ve asked for when it comes to giving the middle finger to life’s bullshit and living your best life than Fronz. He absolutely crushed it.”


“I'm stoked to announce that I had the honor of working on the new single “Oxygen” with the incredible Dead Rabbitts," Fronz adds and continues, "This track is straight fire, and it was an absolute blast collaborating with Craig for the first time. Craig's an absolute beast on the mic, and his energy brought out the best in all of us. Can't wait for you all to hear it!”










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CWF is a supergroup featuring TOTO's Joseph Williams, former CHICAGO vocalist Bill Champlin and Swedish guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt. The band emerged following the success of their first studio album and a chart-topping live DVD in Sweden. Williams, known for his work with TOTO and as the singing voice of adult Simba in "The Lion King", brings his acclaimed vocals to the project. Friestedt, an accomplished session player and producer with two successful solo albums, has collaborated extensively with Williams. Champlin, a 25-year veteran of CHICAGO and Grammy-winning songwriter, rounds out this remarkable AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) trio, bringing together decades of musical expertise and success.

Today, the legends of CWF release "Brighter Day", marking the first single off their upcoming opus "CWF III".

One of the most anticipated releases of 2024, "CWF III" is set to become a milestone in the AOR/West Coast genre. This highly anticipated album, due on September 27, follows the tremendous success of "CWF II", which achieved impressive chart positions in Sweden and Japan, along with the chart-topping "Live In Concert" DVD.

The album features an impressive lineup of iconic artists, making it a true celebration of the AOR/West Coast sound. Alongside Williams, Champlin and Friestedt, contributions from CHICAGO's Jason Scheff on vocals and bass, legendary drummer John "J.R." Robinson, and Grammy Award-winning songwriters Randy Goodrum and Bill Champlin ensure top-notch production quality and a stellar listening experience.

Musically, the album offers a rich journey through rock, soul, and classic AOR elements. Key tracks include the TOTO-flavored "Brighter Day", featuring stellar lead vocals from Joseph Williams, the CHICAGO-sounding ballad "Find The Love" and the straightforward rock anthem "Wings Of Tomorrow". Another highlight is the soulful duet "I Will Find You There", performed by Michael Ruff and Bill Champlin.

"CWF III" track listing:

01. Brighter Day
02. Sure
03. Wings Of Tomorrow
04. Find The Love
05. Carrie
06. I Will Find You There
07. Stay With Me
08. Almost Had Me There
09. Fly Away Now
10. Moments Of Joy
11. The Last Unbroken Heart

Canadian thrash metal gods, Triskelyon, have returned, delivering stainless steel fury on their highly anticipated third album, Shattered Elysium this coming September 27th from Moribund Records.


Founded in 2021 by guitarist Geoff Waye of the acclaimed true metal band Category VI, Triskelyon burst onto the scene with a self-titled EP, quickly securing a deal with Moribund Records for their radio chart-topping debut album Downfall (2022). In the following year, they demolished expectations with their masterful sophomore release, Artificial Insanity, which earned rave reviews and dominated the radio charts for six weeks!


Triskelyon is again back to enthralling the metal world with Shattered Elysium. With their lethal third strike, Geoff Waye once again drafted some of the finest emissaries of the Canadian metal scene. Enlisting the vocal talents of guests Amanda Kiernan (Into Eternity, The Order of Chaos), Eric Forrest (E-Force, ex-VoiVod), Tiina Teal (Détente), Amanda Jackman (Category VI), Armin Kamal (Infrared), Dale Drew (Sea Dogs), Fíochmhar (Artach), Des Mason and Pete Healey, this album detonates as a pure and true thrash metal masterpiece. The record features a unique style along with refreshing variations of thrashing classics! Traditional, yet intricate, drum duties are exceptionally executed by Raul Marques (Burning Torment), while Dwayne Pike, Keith Jackman (Category VI), Rick White, and Darrin Pope are conscripted on bass.




Shattered Elysium runs the gamut from pure 80’s thrash and speed metal to classic power metal, and traditional heavy metal, and even includes some brutal death-thrash. It attains an impressive new milestone in classic thrash metal, with far-reaching appeal across all heavy metal sub-genres. Shattered Elysium truly resurrects the glory days of the 1980s, while maintaining a fresh and modern sound!


In keeping with Triskelyon's tradition of closing their albums with an iconic cover, this release delivers a thunderous metal rendition of Duran Duran's mega-hit, “Hungry Like the Wolf.”


Check out the first single, "Anarchy Avenue" below. 





Geoff Waye comments on the track:


"For 'Anarchy Avenue,' I was thinking more about issues like urban decay, homelessness, corruption, the rich-poor divide, and how these factors contribute to the destruction and deterioration of some parts of cities. Problems like increased violence, crime, drug use, etc., all become more prevalent in such environments, as you can see in most cities. The vocals on this track are by returning guest Armin Kamal from the band Infrared. As always, he delivers a stellar performance with some guttural parts and plenty of soaring melodic thrash—how can you not love it?"





Tracklist:


"Beyond Shattered Elysium (Intro)"
"Endgame Euphoria"
"Anarchy Avenue"
"Hellbound Hellions"
"Sealed Hypocrisy"
"Under His Eye"
"Eternal Conflict"
"The Battle for Monte Cassino"
"Phantom Serenade"
"Whispers from the Shadows"
"Hungry Like the Wolf" (Duran Duran cover) 


Pre-order Shattered Elysium bhere.







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On August 15th, The Black Dahlia Murder performed at the 2024 edition of Germany's Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set, courtesy of ARTE Concert.


Setlist:


"Aftermath"
"King's Of The Nightworld"
"Mamooth's Hand"
"What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse"
"Statutory Ape"
"Nightbringers"
"Everything Went Black"
"I Will Return"
"Deathmask Divine"







"Mammoth's Hand" is the latest single from The Black Dahlia Murder. The track comes by way of the band's upcoming tenth studio album, Servitude, set for release on September 27 via Metal Blade Records.


"Mammoth's Hand" is partly inspired by a scene from Don Coscarelli's 1982 swords 'n' sorcery epic, The Beastmaster. "We usually like to give some idea of what kind of diversity is gonna be on the album with the first two tracks we release," vocalist Brian Eschbach offers. "[guitarist] Ryan Knight wrote the music for this, and the slow rhythm made me think of these barbaric warriors riding mammoths out in the snow or that scene from The Beastmaster when the Jun horde takes the village."


Eschbach further elaborates, "'Mammoth's Hand' is a romp through a fictitious frozen tundra in which a clan of nomadic mammoth riding cannibals conquer villages in a time devoid of technology. The slow groove of this song is a vibe not often implemented by the group but immediately inspired a vision in my mind of a slow moving yet gigantic and powerful beast of antagonistic nature."


Watch The Black Dahlia Murder's video for "Mammoth's Hand," created by Marco Pavone:





The guitars, bass and vocals for Servitude were recorded at guitarist Brandon Ellis'  home studio in New Jersey. The drums were recorded by Mark Lewis in Nashville, Tennessee where the album was also mixed. Servitude was mastered by Ted Jensen.





Servitude will be released on digipak CD, cassette, and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants and special editions:


- Electromagnetic (US)
- Rising Smoke (US)
- Transcosmic Blue (US)
- Endless Tide (US)
- Utopian Black (US)
- Cursed Creation (US - Exclusive Band Tour Variant)
- Limited Edition Box Set *(with Ephemeral vinyl variant and a bonus LP that Includes 3 Live Tracks (US - Ltd. 400 / EU - Ltd. 600)
- 180g Black (EU)
- Bloody Pulp (EU - Ltd. 1000)
- Nature's Grain (Impericon Exclusive - Ltd. 300)
- Blood Spray (EMP Exclusive - Ltd. 200)
- Stone Cold (EU - Ltd. 200)
- Lost Nobility (UK - Ltd. 300)


Find pre-orders here.





Servitude tracklisting:


"Evening Ephemeral"
"Panic Hysteric"
"Aftermath"
"Cursed Creator"
"An Intermission"
"Asserting Dominion"
"Servitude"
"Mammoth's Hand"
"Transcosmic Blueprint"
"Utopia Black"


"Aftermath" video:










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Chilean metal masters, Sinner’s Blood, have shared their new single, "Dark Horizons", the title track of their second album, out on September 27 via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch the official video below.


Guitarist Nasson explains the meaning behind the song: “'Dark Horizons' opens up the range of what we achieved on the album. This song is about uncertainty and doubts about the future, even when wanting to escape from the past, and this is beautifully portrayed by our friend/director Daniel Pino on the music video. Musically, it is one of the heaviest on the record and a very emotional ride with lots of different textures and moments”.







Sinner’s Blood emerged at the end of the ‘10s as a project conceived by James Robledo, Chilean vocalist and producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Nasson (Chaos Magic). Robledo is renowned for always bringing a powerful and emotional performance rooted in the vein of heavy metal singers like Ronnie James Dio, Jorn Lande, and Russell Allen. He has also released two solo albums on Frontiers Music, Wanted Man in 2021 and Broken Soul in 2023.


Nasson is a Chilean producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist with over 15 years of work in the metal scene, collaborating with several world renowned artists. His most recent collaborations with Caterina Nix on the last two Chaos Magic releases and his solo record Scars (2022) received international acclaim and showcased the breadth of his talents.


Rounding out the lineup is bassist Nicolás Fischer, who has been performing for years as a singer and guitarist for a variety of progressive music acts.


Sinner’s Blood delivered their impressive debut album, The Mirror Star, in October 2020. Drawing influences from Symphony X, Primal Fear, Evergrey and early Masterplan, the band managed to create a truly fresh and exciting debut, a mixture of all of the band’s hard rock favourites with a touch of modern vertigo. The quartet supported the release with a Chilean tour, including shows with Symphony X and other renowned acts.


Their sophomore album Dark Horizons takes where the first album has left off, offering the listeners a massive and contemporary approach to melodic metal with strong songwriting and of course outstanding vocals from James Robledo.


Every song Nasson wrote for this album is a different beast and, with James’s voice, they are truly brought to life. With lyrics that are honest and emotional and superb production, Dark Horizons contains some of the most powerful songs ever crafted by Sinner’s Blood.





Dark Horizons tracklisting:


"Bound"
"Enemy"
"Not Enough"
"It Comes In The Dark"
"Dark Horizons"
"The Man, The Burden And The Sea"
"Victim Of The Will"
"Poison"
"The Voice Within"
"The Firestorm"
"Redemption Or Fire"


"Enemy" video:





Lineup:


James Robledo - Vocals
Nasson - Guitars, Vocals & programming
Nicolás Fischer - Bass & Vocals
Guillermo Pereira – Drums


(Photo - Claudio Poblete)







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German thrashers Eradicator have released their new single "Beyond The Shadow's Void." The song is the third to be revealed from The Paradox, the band's forthcoming new studio album to be released on September 20th via Metalville Records. The official video for "Beyond The Shadow's Void" can be seen below.


"Beyond The Shadow's Void" is not only the third single from the new Eradicator album, The Paradox, but also the opening track of the thrashers' sixth long-player. The lines of the track were inspired by the reporting of significant misdemeanors by great artists and driven by the question of whether one can still consume the cherished art without hesitation. Long before Jon Schaffer of US metal pioneers Iced Earth was involved in the storming of the Capitol in January 2021 and Til Lindemann used his position of power to pressure women into sexual acts, the master of morbid horror stories Howard Phillips Lovecraft was already surrounded by obvious xenophobic and anti-Semitic tendencies. The lyrics deal with the moral challenge that a reflective consumer of the art in question must face in this case. The special thing about it is that the lyrics are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's writing style and choice of words. 







Eradicator begin the song with an atmospheric rain backdrop that introduces the melancholic clean-guitar intro. The brute walls of guitars shatter the calm, and the storm develops into a pounding headbanger. The anger with which the lyrics are spat at you drives the verses forward. The patience to experience the approaching chorus is rewarded with a catchy melody and twin guitars with earworm potential. Until the last note, "Beyond The Shadow's Void" builds up to a furious thrash metal thunderstorm.


The Kraken dethrones the master. For the illustration of this single cover, Bianca Rother used the depiction of the immortal monster god Cthulhu from Lovecraft's stories. The single, as well as the entire album, was mixed/mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm) and produced together with Seba Stöber. 





The Paradox is undoubtedly the most versatile album by thrashers Eradicator. It will be released in the year of the band's 20th anniversary. The ten new songs deal lyrically with the contradictory nature of being human and present many musical facets, not only of thrash metal. 


The Paradox bears the signature of Eradicator and shows their unbroken joy of playing. The band has now also made a name for itself live. However, the four guys from the Sauerland region in Western Germany are not afraid to refine and develop their new compositions stylistically. On The Paradox, Eradicator begin atmospherically with "Beyond The Shadow's Void": The track develops into a pounding headbanger, only to finally erupt into a thrash thunderstorm. In addition to death metal growls, including in the title track, "The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)" is the first half-ballad in the band's repertoire. However, Eradicator have by no means forgotten how to swing the thrash club, as they tirelessly prove with "Drown In Chaos", "Hell Smiles Back" and "Fake Dealer," among others. 


The lyrical themes on The Paradox reflect the dichotomy and ambivalence of human action and thought. "Perpetual Sacrifice" is about denigrating the weaker in order to make oneself feel greater and about the reversal between victim and perpetrator. "When The Shooting Begins" is about the paradox of wanting to create peace through war - whereby the truth is usually one of the first victims after the outcry of the weapons. The concluding "Debris Of Demise" is a fictional tale of mankind having to evacuate the planet due to environmental destruction, but the saving ark being unable to leave orbit due to the large amount of space debris. Singer / guitarist Seba Stöber comments: "We don't want to make a name for ourselves as moralizers, but rather reflect the issues and problems of our time. As artists, our task is also to stimulate a discourse!"


Like its predecessor, the album was mixed and mastered by Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm), who once again managed to give Eradicator an authentic sound. After 20 years, the four musicians know what they want to sound like, and that's exactly what The Paradox sounds like. 





Tracklist:


"Beyond The Shadow's Void"
"Drown In Chaos"
"When The Shooting Begins"
"Kill Cloud"
"The Paradox"
"Hell Smiles Back"
"The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)"
"Perpetual Sacrifice"
"Fake Dealer"
"Debris Of Demise"








For further details, visit Eradicator on Facebook.


 







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Italian metal titans Kryptonomicon have just unleashed their new music video for the track "Satanama". The song appears on the band's new album Daemonolatria, released on June 30, 2024, under the banner of Punishment 18 Records.


For fans of Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, Venom, Kreator, and Slayer, Kryptonomicon’s latest offering promises an unrelenting assault of raw and aggressive metal that harks back to the golden era of the genre.







Led by Stefano Rumich on vocals and guitars, Frank on vocals and bass, and Randy on drums, Krytponomicon delivers a sound that is both obscure and atmospheric, blending the raw energy of early thrash, black, and death metal with their own unique edge. Daemonolatria is a 39-minute journey through ten tracks of pure sonic devastation, crafted to immerse listeners in an intense and evil auditory experience.


Stefano Rumich, the mastermind behind Krytponomicon, shares, "Our new album is very different from the previous one. Now we are a trio and have chosen to feature two vocalists, much like early Kreator. Both Frank and I bring distinct vocal styles, which has driven the songs to be faster and more aggressive. We believe our fans will appreciate this new direction."





Tracklisting:


"Satanama" 
"Between Five Candles" 
"The Emperor Rising" 
"The Spreading Wind Of Epidemic" 
"There’s No Life,There’s No Death" 
"Lord Of Flies" 
"The Sea Of Creeping Evil" 
"Blood For The Fire" 
"Necromantical Suicide" 
"Daemonolatria"


Cover artwork by Paolo Girardi. For further details, visit Kryptonomicon on Facebook.


 







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Lates

In a new interview with John The Metal Mailman, MEGADETH guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari was asked if there has been any talk of him and his bandmates working on new music. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, that's actually the plan. Right now everybody's gathering their own riff ideas, and then, at some point, we're gonna put them together and probably record in Nashville. And the plan is to get the next album done next year."

Asked if he has been writing riffs for possible new MEGADETH music, Teemu said: "I've got a bunch of stuff. What I do is I just pick up the guitar, I usually improvise and come up with ideas, then I record it on my phone, just the video. And I leave it there maybe for a week or two so I forget it. I wanna forget it, and then when I look back at it, then that maybe inspires me to look at the riff from a different perspective and maybe I get another idea from that. And then I record it down on my computer, laid out with the click track and do double-tracked guitars, and then save it in the folder of ideas. And what we've been talking about is that Dave [Mustaine, MEGADETH leader] often wants to work in this riff-based idea, not necessarily that everybody brings full songs, but you bring riffs and then we listen to them together and then we pick things that might go together well. And then that's how the songs start to actually form."

Mäntysaari stepped in last September for MEGADETH's longtime axeman Kiko Loureiro, who announced earlier that month that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland. It was later revealed that the 37-year-old Finnish musician would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.

Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.

In a recent interview with Kyle Meredith, Mustaine was asked what Mäntysaari has brought to MEGADETH that wasn't there before. Mustaine responded: "God, he's such an amazing talent. And as far as being a human is concerned, he's a really humble guy. He's fun to be around because he's kind of — there's this 'greenness' to him, if that's a word, greenness. He makes it really fun because he's gone from being in a band that was pretty well known to being in MEGADETH. And so everything's very new for him at this level. And for us, we get to kind of enjoy ourselves, because we sometimes forget where we're at and then you see other people that, 'Wow, the bread is round and so is the meat,' that kind of shit. And it just makes him really happy, and it just reminds you of how good you have it."

Regarding how much a lineup change like that actually alters the musical DNA of the band, Dave said: "Well, it depends on who the new player is. If they're willing to learn the parts, then the songs either, they stay where they are or they get better. And a lot of times when you have a new player, like when Teemu came in, he played everything identical to the original players. So, he's been one of the best guitar players to step in and play somebody else's stuff. I don't know what his stuff's going to sound like yet, which I'm looking forward to finding out."

Asked if that means that he and Teemu have started writing new material together yet, Mustaine replied: "Well, we've been we've been dissecting songs, which is kind of writing in reverse."

This past June, Mustaine told Sakis Fragos of Rock Hard Greece that he thinks Teemu will contribute to the songwriting process on MEGADETH's next studio album. "I think he's gonna be a great addition to MEGADETH," Dave said. "He already has. We're playing more songs now than we were playing before. And that has nothing negative to say about any of the previous lineups. It just says that he knew more about the band and understands the metal backbone of so many of these songs more than some of the other people would understand it."

He continued: "When you're a metal guy, I think you understand metal compositions more than somebody who, say for example, knows progressive rock like [former MEGADETH guitarist] Chris Broderick does, or somebody who knows bossa nova, which [former MEGADETH guitarist] Kiko does, or somebody that plays jazzy, like [former MEGADETH guitarist] Glen Drover would play, maybe Al Pitrelli. These guys all have their strengths."

Mustaine added: "I've often thought, although I've never said it, I do believe that when somebody gets singled out by me, that's pretty much it for them. They've been indoctrinated into the world of great guitar players, and from that moment on, their life will change."

Asked if he saw any signs that Kiko would leave MEGADETH permanently or if it came as a surprise to him, Dave said: "Well, it wasn't really a surprise, because it started to become clear that his family was gonna need him. And I'm a dad too, so I saw it and I knew that his wife and babies all needed their daddy. And Kiko is a good husband, he's a good dad, and he needed to do what was right for him and for his family. And I applaud him for doing what he did. A lot of people would not have the guts to walk away from being a rock and roll star to take care of their kids. They would somehow sacrifice something, and it probably would not be their family."

This past May, Teemu told Italy's Poisoned Rock webzine about his addition to MEGADETH: "I definitely was aware of MEGADETH for a very long time. They were one of the first bands that I got into when I discovered metal. I think, for most people, at least my generation or our generation, when they get into metal, it's usually the biggest bands, and MEGADETH, of course, being one of them."

Regarding his first show with MEGADETH, which took place on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mäntysaari said: "That was a very nice venue. We had a day there before, before the show, for production rehearsals, to rehearse on stage, and then on the next day we had the show. So that was nice and relaxed. I think we played through the whole setlist once before the show, the day before, and then played the show. And yeah, it felt very good from the beginning. And I felt like I was prepared. I was confident with my skills and confident with everything. The guys were so helpful and welcoming and, yeah, everything felt to kind of click and fall in the right place. So, it was really nice."

Earlier this year, Teemu told Guitar World magazine about his addition to MEGADETH: "I never thought something like this would happen to me. But at the same time, I've always felt like being prepared was important in case a big band like this did call me."

"I have a specific skillset where I can learn fast, jump into new situations, and be comfortable," Mäntysaari told Guitar World. "I've always liked doing that. I love teaching, and I've been on many cover projects, so being detail-oriented is part of my skillset."

Regarding his preparation for the way he approached playing the MEGADETH material, Teemu said: "[We'd] look at the small details of how they groove, the moods, and the technical side. We talked a lot about what Dave [Mustaine] wants to project, picking directions, being very aware of down-picking, alternate picking, and, in many of the songs, being aware of both. We also talked about things like dampening, the flow of songs, creating contrast, hand positions, and trying to get things right fingering-wise, all of which I enjoy doing. There's a bit of detective work involved, and to get that information from the source in Dave was amazing."

This past February, Mustaine told Brazil's A Rádio Rock about how Teemu ended up landing the MEGADETH gig: "Kiko had recommended Teemu, and Teemu is an exceptional guitar player. Kiko was at the top of his game when this happened, so we were obviously disappointed, but it is what it is. If Kiko would have said, 'I don't know anybody, and you're on your own,' that would have been a lot harder. But Teemu is the right guy for MEGADETH. And Kiko knows that Teemu is the right guy for me. So, he actually did us a really big favor, and I love him and I wish him the best with everything that he does."

In early October, Mustaine told Shaggy of the 94.9 and 104.5 The Pick radio station in Idaho Falls, Idaho about Teemu's addition to MEGADETH: "People are losing their minds over how things are going right now 'cause we have a really good chemistry together."

In September, Mustaine was equally full of praise for Mäntysaari, telling Wes Styles in a separate interview: "He's really great. And I'm super excited with what Teemu has brought. And it's uncanny because he plays a lot like Marty. And it's really exciting. At certain times I just close my eyes during the set and I just hear these songs played, whether like Kiko in the past or Teemu now, it just sounds really magic because these guys have learned these songs and they're not just going out there and just banging their guitar around; they actually learned the solos from some of the virtuosos that I've played with over my career."

Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Broderick's exit from the group.

On Saturday (August 17),ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna played with his tribute band to Ronnie James Dio at OCC Road House in Clearwater, Florida. The new group, in which Belladonna is joined by Mike Rivera on guitar, Ron Stokes on bass, and Jim McCourt on drums, is performing music from DIO, BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW. Check out fan-filmed video of the concert below (courtesy of hdrainbowlive).

A decade ago, Belladonna spoke to Jay Nanda of the San Antonio Metal Music Examiner about the ANTHRAX frontman's involvement in "This Is Your Life", the tribute to album to Ronnie James Dio. Asked why ANTHRAX chose to record a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "Neon Knights", Belladonna said: "I think I suggested it. When we talked about doing something, collectively, we all like the song, so it was a no-brainer. We could pretty much pick anything… I went for the heavier."

Asked if recording the "Neon Knights" cover was a more emotional experience than some of the other cover versions ANTHRAX had recorded over the years, Belladonna said: "For me, no. I just love doing that type of thing, and it was another day for me to sing something of his. Obviously, I'm excited, because it is a record, but I don't think I did it any different. In fact, I only did a couple of takes. I mean, I actually have on video the first time I tried it, and it pretty much sounds like what it sounds like already. It was business as usual for me."

Regarding what Ronnie meant to him, Joey said: "Ronnie's an inspirational singer for me." He added: "I really believe that as you grow up, you're inspired by the people that perform and things that you would like to hear yourself be in that kind of category and have such a talent like he did and just be inspired. [He was a] great human being, great musician — just all that… He was just the slickest. He was so heavy but melodic, as well as his attitude about everything. He had great charisma."

Belladonna also spoke about the first impression Ronnie made on him. "He made me laugh big time," Joey said. "He just want[ed] to be funny. And yet he [was] so sincere and [could] have that serious point of view. You need to be enthralled with that when you're around him, to have him speak to you with that kind of attitude and spunk that he had. And I'd been around him when things weren't so good, which I won't bring up right now, but to have him share that with me, which was more private, about being in his band — things like that. Just to engage in that with me and run that by me."

Belladonna, whose most recent return to ANTHRAX was officially announced in May 2010, was originally the lead singer of ANTHRAX from 1984 to 1992, and was considered part of the influential thrash metal group's classic lineup (alongside guitarists Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante),which reunited and toured during 2005 and 2006. His voice was featured on over 10 albums, which reportedly sold eight million copies worldwide.

In a new interview with "The Bogus Otis Show: 9 Degrees Of Sammy Hagar" podcast, Sammy Hagar was asked if there is any chance of original material being written and recorded by his current "The Best Of All Worlds" touring band. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yes. I guarantee it. I mean, it's, like, I don't know when and why, because records don't sell. I've made a couple of my best records of my life, my last two solo records, and I'm lucky to sell 50 or 60,000 records. You go and make a record nowadays just to lose a couple hundred thousand bucks. It's all good. But I need a tax write-off, so it really helps. 'I made too many this year. Let's go make a record.'"

For "The Best Of All Worlds" tour, Hagar and his bandmates in THE CIRCLE — ex-VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Jason Bonham — are being joined by guitarist virtuoso Joe Satriani, who has recorded and performed with Hagar and Anthony in the band CHICKENFOOT, and multi-instrumentalist Rai Thistlethwayte.

"The Best Of All Worlds" setlist consists largely of VAN HALEN material, including the opening track "Good Enough", from 1986's "5150" album, as well as two songs from 1991's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge", "Poundcake" and "Runaround", and a pair of David Lee Roth-era VAN HALEN classics, "Panama" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", as well as a section of "Jump".

The rest of the set includes Satriani's "Satch Boogie", the rousing rock-swing guitar instrumental that put him on the map in 1987 and helped propel his second album, "Surfing With The Alien", to platinum status. and several of Hagar's solo classics, such as "There's Only One Way To Rock", "Eagles Fly", "Heavy Metal" and "I Can't Drive 55".

Produced by Live Nation, the 28-date "The Best Of All Worlds" tour will conclude on August 31 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Hagar and Anthony previously worked with Satriani in the supergroup CHICKENFOOT. They recorded two albums between 2009 and 2011 and toured across America but never performed any VAN HALEN material. More recently, Hagar and Anthony have played some of the VAN HALEN catalog with guitarist Vic Johnson and Bonham in SAMMY HAGAR AND THE CIRCLE.

Hagar mended his relationship with Eddie Van Halen months prior to the legendary VAN HALEN guitarist's October 2020 passing.

Sammy, Eddie, Alex Van Halen and Michael last teamed up in 2004 for a U.S. summer tour. In exchange for taking part in the tour, Anthony reportedly had to agree to take a pay cut and sign away his rights to the band name and logo.

Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. The iconic VAN HALEN axeman passed away from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

PANTERA's August 15 club show in Minneapolis, Minnesota may or may not have been recorded for a future live album. If the effort does materialize, it will mark PANTERA's first release with the band's reformed lineup, featuring classic-lineup members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass),along with Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums)

Prior to PANTERA taking the stage at First Avenue, comedian Craig Gass performed a stand-up set during which told the crowd (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Announcement number one. The band you are seeing tonight is not called COWBOYS FROM HELL," a reference to the fact that First Avenue announced the PANTERA gig by tweeting out PANTERA's CFH — Cowboys From Hell — logo on Tuesday, placed over the band's star on the wall outside the venue. "You are about to watch an exclusive show from the band PANTERA. The rumors got out quickly, [and] you guys bought up all the tickets. And you may have heard this rumor. And this is also true. We are recording our first-ever live album right here at the First Avenue. So, there's a couple things you need to know about it. First of all, you will all, for eternity, be heard on a live PANTERA album. That's the good news. The bad news, you're not gonna get paid for this. Welcome to the music business."

It is not clear if Gass's announcement of a PANTERA live album was a ruse that was part of his stand-up routine or if the performance was actually recorded for future release.

METALLICA's Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett joined PANTERA on stage for a performance of the song "Walk" during First Avenue concert. The club show took place the night before the reformed band opened for METALLICA at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

According to Setlist.fm, PANTERA's setlist for the concert was as follows:

01. A New Level
02. Mouth For War
03. Strength Beyond Strength
04. Becoming
05. I'm Broken
06. Suicide Note Pt. II
07. This Love
08. Fucking Hostile
09. Walk (with Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett on backing vocals)
10. Domination / Hollow
11. Cowboys From Hell

Encore:

12. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit

The classic PANTERA lineup played First Avenue several times, including twice in 1990 around the time the band's major-label debut, "Cowboys From Hell", was released, one with EXODUS and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES in the Mainroom and a headlining show in the smaller 7th Street Entry.

In July 1997, PANTERA released a live album called "Official Live: 101 Proof", recorded throughout the "Tourkill" trek the band embarked on in support of 1996's "The Great Southern Trendkill" album.

In a recent interview with Brazilian music journalist Igor Miranda, Wylde was asked about Benante's recent comment that there has been talk of the current lineup of PANTERA releasing a live album. Zakk said: "Yeah, whatever the fellas wanna do, we knock it out. Let's be real — it's a live album every night. People with their phones and everything are recording it anyway, so it doesn't [matter] to me. You go up there and you play to win every night."

As for the possibility of new songs from the current PANTERA lineup, Zakk said: "No, we haven't sat and talked about, like, 'Oh, guys, let's get together and write songs,' or whatnot; there hasn't been anything like that. I mean, the only discussions we'll have is just what other new songs we wanna put in the setlist. Like when we put 'Floods' in and then we got together at rehearsals, got together over at Phil's house, we just rehearsed everything. But no, nothing like… We haven't been sitting around writing riffs and things like that."

Miranda also asked Wylde about whether he views the current PANTERA lineup as a tribute or something else. Zakk responded: "Yeah, that's what I feel it is. It's not even a tribute. It's more just a PANTERA celebration. Like whenever we go out and do the 'Experience Hendrix' [tours], which I always have a blast when I do that, it's all of us going out and celebrating Jimi's greatness. To me, this is [a] PANTERA celebration. We're celebrating all the mountains that PANTERA conquered. So that's what this is."

Wylde also addressed the fact that he doesn't exactly reproduce the parts originally written and recorded by late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. He said: "Oh, yeah, even if Dime was up there playing the solo to 'No More Tears' or 'Mama I'm Coming Home', it's gonna sound like Dime playing the solo to 'No More Tears'. 'Cause he has his touch and his feels. Like when Randy Rhoads was playing BLACK SABBATH songs, it sounds like Randy Rhoads playing BLACK SABBATH songs. You listen to the 'Tribute' album [from Ozzy Osbourne], when Saint Rhoads was playing 'Iron Man' and he was playing 'Paranoid' and 'Children Of The Grave', it sounds like Randy playing BLACK SABBATH songs. It's Randy's guitar tone and Randy's touch and Randy's playing. But that's what makes it cool. Yeah, to me, it's just common sense. Dime just sounds like Dime no matter what he's playing."

The reformed PANTERA is headlining a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and staging some of its own headline concerts. They are also supporting METALLICA on a massive stadium tour in 2024.

It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

Four months ago, Zakk spoke to Ultimate Guitar about the decision to tour with a reformed version of PANTERA. The lineup has reportedly been given a green light by the estates of PANTERA's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott: "I feel [Dimebag] all the time. Even when we were getting ready to do the [PANTERA tour in 2022], [the early] rehearsals, and they were just figuring out how we were gonna do this, there'd be signs all over the place, whether [it was] a license plate that would be, like, '333' [three being Dimebag's favorite number], or I'd run into like a Dimebag license plate in the middle of nowhere. It was just, like, him just pushing this thing along, willing it to happen. So he's just always around. When we were in New York, just like signs, when we just did [a headlining show at] the [Madison Square] Garden [in February 2024], my wife Barbaranne was, like, Check this out.' Something came up and it just reminded us of Dime, and I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy.' Or we would look on our phone and it would be '333'. It's just these signs everywhere. And I could see Dime just doing it, going, 'I hope these idiots realize it's me sending these signs.' [Laughs]"

In a recent interview with Sweetwater, Brown stated about touring with PANTERA again: "The last show, man, I had a creepy, like a cold — something came by me. It felt like there was a cold feeling. And I've gotten this a couple of times before. When we were down recording with Charlie — me and Charlie just went down [in late 2022], put up eighty to a hundred hours of tape before Zakk [started rehearsing with us]. Zakk was still on the road. So we wanted to get the bass and the drum real tight, and we had this scratch guitar player. I felt that same chill. And, to me, they're angels. And I think you know who they are. Those guys, I think they're looking down, or they're looking around us, with us, and I think they're digging what they're seeing, man. I really do. And that's the only kind of way I can look at it, and get as close as we can with Charlie and Zakk. And God, it's getting really, really good. And there's so much more potential to get even tighter."

Speaking about the opportunity to perform PANTERA's music to new generations of fans who never saw the band before, Rex said: "There's a lot of memories in this band that are hard to put down. And losing the brothers, I just never in a million years thought that something like that would happen. Here we are 22 years later, and to see these new fans' faces. You've got one kid sitting there, or man, woman or child crying, and you have this other guy just going, 'You did it right.' It's just amazing."

In April, Rex told Rolling Stone Australia about performing with PANTERA in 2024: "Two of our beloved brothers that just aren't here anymore man, that's life, you know? They're just not with us man. That's just fate; it's the way the ball rolls, dude."

He added: "This is no tribute band — Philip and I get to play these songs of ours that we haven't played in 23 years. And to be able to do that and connect with the enormity of what's happened is just extraordinarily fucking insane, you know?"

Regarding PANTERA's latest additions, Rex said: "We knew who would fit and who wouldn't. We knew what the obstacles were in front of us, and we knew after… I'll put it this way — Charlie and I came down in September [2022] before we played that [first] show in December [2022], and we have probably one hundred hours of tape of us playing every fucking PANTERA song that I could remember. And so, you know, me and Charlie lockin' in like that… the drummer and the bass player, that's your foundation. So when Zakk came in, there were certain things we had to go over and over and over, to get tight. And today, this band is about as tight and about as badass as I fucking want. You know what I mean, and that's all I'm gonna say on that."

"But, man, this band is on fuckin' fire, and I couldn't be happier, man," he added. "I just can't explain that as much as I need to, I could not be happier."

Rex previously told AndrewHaug.com that he was "absolutely" open to writing new music with the reformed version of PANTERA. "Yeah, I could tell you more but I'm not going to," he teased.

Earlier in the chat, Brown talked about what is has been like to go out and perform as PANTERA to a whole new generation of fans.

"You can't see it on the YouTube. You can't feel that vibe until you actually come to the show," he explained. "And we haven't been doing interviews just for the fact we want people just to come to the show. It's not about anything prior past or present that I wanna talk about today — just the show tonight.

"We're pinching ourselves over these new fans that have never seen this before, and it's a whole another generation that we either didn't know a) that were out there, b) that were still listening to us, and the turnout has just been unbelievable," Rex continued. "Of course, at first you had the naysayers and all that stuff, and as we played gig by gig, it's made us tighter. And I've been trying to rehearse this band as much as I can within schedules, and we'll just go down for no fucking reason and just jam. That's what makes a band tight."

Asked how it feels playing those "timeless" songs again, Rex told AndrewHaug.com: "You just said it — they're timeless. So getting to play them again is a… These were a big part of Philip and I's songs too. Of course, respect to the brothers. I think that looking down on us and giving us a big — and they're with us. It's just uncanny. That's the glue. Those guys are hanging around with us.

"Look, I'm not some crazy old man, man. I know that we're here for reasons," Rex added. "And this time he gave us a heavy load, and we have come through in spades. And I'm very proud of Charlie and Zakk and Phillip for stepping up… All of us [were very close back in the day]. We were intertwined. There was a close-knit family of friends — Jerry Cantrell and all those guys, ALICE IN CHAINS. We were all brothers and we all had each other's backs — even as fucked up as we got. We're fine now, I'll put it that way. But it's just such a different time and we're older men and can appreciate this more. And I feel 25 years younger, man. It's just insane."

Addressing complaints from some fans that Brown and Anselmo are going out and touring under the PANTERA name even though Dimebag and Vinnie Paul are not involved, Rex said: "I don't call it anything. I call it PANTERA. The show itself is a celebration of the lives of all four of us. Two are sadly not with us, and we cannot bring them back. God, do I want them back. But that's just not possible. So we're doing the best thing that we can to keep our music alive. And I think they're smiling down and saying, 'You guys are doing all right, man.' And they're with us. And I'm not shittin' you."

Asked what his initial thoughts were when he was first approached about relaunching PANTERA as a touring act, Rex said: "Philip and I talked for several months before. He got on the phone and said, 'Hey, man, you wanna do it? I didn't have — maybe a six-second… not a hesitation, but just to wrap my head around the full gravity of the enormity of it. I went, 'Okay, I've got a couple of questions.' And, man, ever since that call we've worked really, really hard to get this thing going. And we've jumped over a lot of mountains."

Up until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

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

Vinnie, who was Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Probably the most legendary concerts I’ve ever been to last night PANTERA AT FIRST AVENUE!! It was a last minute...

Posted by Justin Dotson on Friday, August 16, 2024

Breaking News! Pantera announces they are recording a live album tonight at First Ave. in Minneapolis. Brutal Planet has a writer and photographer there and will have a full review.

Posted by Brutal Planet Magazine on Thursday, August 15, 2024

Minneapolis has been amazing! Pantera secret show in the books and live album in the works. Met new friends and saw...

Posted by Karl Adamik on Friday, August 16, 2024

In a new interview with The Delz Show, former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, who became a world-renowned, prize-winning watchmaker after leaving the band for the first time, was asked if he could ever see himself reuniting with ANTHRAX again, even if it's just for a one-off appearance at a concert. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We did a reunion, which ended up being three years long. I agreed to do that. And I think it was supposed to be about a year, and it was so well received, we kind of kept going. And I enjoyed that very much. I've missed the guys. We grew up together, right? And a fun fact that no one has talked about is we are the only band of the 'Big Four' [of 1980s thrash metal] that everyone is still alive that made the greatest music. Everyone else had somebody that's passed away. So right now I have my new [watch repair and watch dealer] facility here in Delray Beach [Florida]. Everybody knows probably I'm this crazy master watchmaker dude, so I'm fucking around with crazy-ass expensive watches, enjoying myself. So you never know what happens in the future."

Reflecting on his initial exit from ANTHRAX, Dan said: "In the late '90s, mid-'90s, I was the only one in the band that had been married for a long time, and I was already on to my second child. And the other guys, I don't even think anyone was even engaged or anything like that. So I was years and years ahead of them, and it was very difficult for me to say goodbye to my children for those lengths of time that we toured, which was forever. And I had been on in vans and buses starting when I was 13. Before [I played with] OVERKILL, I was playing all through Rockland [County and] New Jersey, opening up for TWISTED SISTER and all that kind of stuff. So I had kind of had enough. There was no animosity or anything. If everything I have is not in something, I need to take a break and clear my head. And then I headed down this path. I immediately [went] to school for watchmaking, then ended up in Switzerland for many years, going to school over there and then heading up to some really big watch companies."

In 1995, Spitz left ANTHRAX to pursue a career in luxury Swiss watchmaking, attending the Swiss watchmaking school WOSTEP on a full scholarship. He was certified a Mechanical Complications Specialist, earning Swiss degrees in micro-mechanical engineering, and opened his own luxury watch service. In 2012 Spitz was voted the number 1 interview of the year for the watchmaking magazine Hodinkee. In 2016, the production company Great Big Story produced a documentary on Spitz's work as a watchmaker.

Spitz told The New York Times in a 2021 interview that his carpal tunnel syndrome inhibits him from playing guitar for long periods of time. However, it hadn't stopped him from designing and building about three custom wristwatches a year, with prices starting at $128,000.

"When you want to become one of the best guitar players on the planet, you lock yourself up in your room for years and you play and you play and you play — you have to figure it out," Spitz said. "It's the same in watchmaking."

Seven years ago, Spitz, a born-again Christian and Messianic Jew who frequently cites his faith as an influential component to his life, told the "Talking Bollocks" podcast about his decision to leave ANTHRAX for the second time after taking part in the reunion of the band's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006: "We were all in at that point in time. We did, like, two, three years [of touring], and we wanted to make new music [with the classic lineup]. And it was difficult. In the very end, we decided to stop touring, and it was difficult to get Joey [Belladonna, ANTHRAX singer] to commit [to making a new album]. Me and Charlie [Benante, ANTHRAX drummer] were going back and forth talking to Joey, and I'd call Charlie afterwards and say, 'Did you get an answer? Did you get a 'yes'?' And he'd say, 'Did you get a 'yes'?' And I'm, like, 'I don't know what I got. I just got talked to for an hour.' We couldn't get Joey to commit for a very long time, and they couldn't stand still for very long. Obviously, it's a business; you can't just not do anything — you have to know: are we continuing, or are we not? So I was in to make another album as the real ANTHRAX. And we just [could not come to an agreement with] Joey. And you saw what happened thereafter. So I decided to just go back and chill. They continued on, and whatever they did, they did."

In 2021, Spitz spoke to the Beyond Time YouTube channel about the passion and dedication that he puts into everything he does, whether it's playing music or making watches.

"Now you see what's called slamdancing everywhere," Dan said. "You see it at a Britney Spears concert. It's pretty sickening. If you know what that is, you know it comes from the punk era — it was dancing for the punk era. But eventually we brought that into heavy metal; it made its way in there. And you saw people at the beginning of the 'Big Four', which is METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX, you saw the crowd try to get onstage. And it wasn't, 'It's the pop star. We wanna touch him. He's so cute.' It's the opposite. We're like these disgusting metal dudes. So why would you wanna be onstage? It's because we're all one big family. It's almost like THE GRATEFUL DEAD — it's the same kind of thing. They're not fans of what I do; they're in the band. Every single person is in the band. It's like they're there, [and] they're almost writing the songs, if you follow what I'm saying. It's that kind of human connection and love. And to give love is the most important thing. God gives us… and fills us with love. What we're supposed to do is transcend that love into the next person. And that's what I try to do with whatever I do. So even if it's a nontangible piece of metal that gets strapped to your wrist — we don't need to tell the time anymore on our wrist, do we? It really is a tangible piece of my love getting to you. So that better represents every fiber that God has made me to be."

Roppongi Rocks has uploaded video of GRAHAM OLIVER'S ARMY's August 17 concert at Space Odd in Daikanyama, Tokyo, Japan.

When GRAHAM OLIVER'S ARMY returned to Japan in August 2024, they again brought along Graham Oliver's former SAXON bandmate Paul Quinn. The band performed a special gig in Tokyo consisting of SAXON classics.

Oliver and Quinn played together in SAXON for 20 years from 1975 until 1995. The pair co-founded SAXON and co-wrote many of the band's classic songs. In June 2023, they reunited for two shows in Tokyo. That was the first time they played full shows together since Graham left SAXON in 1995. In August 2024, they did it again.

The GRAHAM OLIVER'S ARMY lineup for the Space Odd concert consisted of Graham Oliver (guitar),Paul Quinn (guitar),Brian Shaughnessy (vocals),Gav Coulson (guitar),Jamie Mallender (bass) and Rod Fearnley (drums).

In September 2023, Oliver revealed during an appearance on "The Classic Rock Podcast" with host Tim Caple that he had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "I was shocked at first," he stated about his diagnosis. "I mean, in '76 I cut my finger off and [thought] I'd never play guitar again. When I was 59, I had a mini stroke and that paralyzed my left side and I thought I'd never play again. So I've overcome them, so I've got another battle on my hands. So I've done it three times. So it'll be the third time lucky. It's not gonna beat me as yet, so I'm just going to keep going till I can't."

Regarding how his condition has affected his playing so far, the now-72-year-old Graham said at the time: "Well, I'm on medication. I went to 'jam night' last week. I did a gig in Lancaster with OLIVER'S ARMY, which is the band that we're using now. And I did really well, 'cause before I had to concentrate on my left hand to make it work properly whereas it was a lot like I was playing things that I hadn't played for a couple of years. 'Cause I've had these complaints since lockdown and thought it was a trapped nerve. I didn't know what to put it down to. I just put it down to inactivity, bitter old age and arthritis or a trapped nerve. So it's been slow. Hopefully medication is gonna keep it under control."

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications, surgery and multidisciplinary management can provide relief from the symptoms.

Oliver is not the only heavy metal musician battling Parkinson's disease. JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Glenn Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's 10 years ago after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier.

Pat Torpey, the longtime drummer for rock group MR. BIG, died in February 2018 due to complications from Parkinson's disease.

Ozzy Osbourne announced in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with a form of Parkinson's disease, Parkin 2, which affects the nerves in the body.

Tonight! Graham Oliver's Army featuring Paul Quinn (a reunion of the mighty original Saxon guitarists). Supported by Re-Arise Official and Split Heaven. UPP-tone company

Posted by Roppongi Rocks on Friday, August 16, 2024

Norfolk blues-rockers Bad Touch announced a change in the ranks as guitarist Rob Glendinning has left the group. The band issued the following statement earlier today:


"It's a very sad day as we announce our friend and brother Rob is stepping away from Bad Touch. 


After being a cornerstone of the band for over a decade he has decided to focus on his family commitments, a decision we support him in whole-heartedly. We wish him all the happiness in the world, in everything that he does and we thank him for all his hard work within the band and wish him nothing but the best for his future.




We thank you for all the good times, the laughs, and the face melting solos. 


We'd like to announce that our good friend Todd Winger will be stepping in for the three shows next weekend. So we'll see you there.


August
23 - The Carlisle - Hastings
24 - The Parish - Huddersfield 
25 - Thunder In The Glens - Scotland 


Please join us in sharing love and support to Rob, without him we wouldn’t be the band we are today."





Bad Touch released their fifth studio album, Bittersweet Satisfaction, in November 2023 via Marshall Records. 


Bittersweet Satisfaction sees Bad Touch back, bigger, and bolder than ever before. The band combines classic rock riffs with choruses destined for stadiums, and their signature fun loving attitude to create a some of their best work to date. The record is a ray of positive energy, a celebration of living in the moment and leaving your troubles at the door.


“We are a feel-good, good-time rock’n’roll band.” So says guitarist Daniel “Seeks” Seekings, and really, why does it need to be more complicated than that? It’s been recorded and finished for half a year, and – with a more polished, mainstream sound than they’ve explored before, but still with its roots in the classic rock of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and The Black Crowes – the band are bursting to let it loose on the world.


“We've never sat on anything that long because we're like kids in a candy shop, as soon as we write something, we want to get out there and play stuff,” says frontman Stevie Westwood. “So, it's very exciting. It's slightly more mature. I love every song. It's a different sound for Bad Touch. It's less balls-to-the-wall rock, and the songs seem a bit more thoughtful rather than just kind of exploded out of a tin can.”


Bittersweet Satisfaction finds Bad Touch with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Recorded at The Marshall Studio in Milton Keynes, it was self-produced by the band, engineered by Marshall’s Adam Beer and Ollie Brightman, then mixed in Wales by Motörhead / Bring Me The Horizon producer Romesh Dodangoda, who has made the drums sound suitably immense. A collection of classic rock anthems with heart and soul to spare, it’s sparked grand but relatable ambitions in the Bad Touch camp, a desire to give up the day jobs and dedicate their lives to rock’n’roll, and maybe even, Seeks hopes, have a shot at hitting the charts. Really, though, it’s all about the live experience, the coming together of likeminded people to celebrate the healing powers of music.


“I love meeting new people,” says Seeks. “The ultimate thing is being on stage. Especially if you've got a roomful of people who are really enjoying the music that you've created.”


“There are so many people that come up and shake my hand and go, ‘Your music has really helped me’, and that's a really special thing,” adds Westwood. “I think that's why music resonates with people; they want to feel that their emotions are validated. That's what I always long for when I come to songwriting – I want to write a song that someone can resonate with and go, ‘I've been here, and this is not necessarily a lovely place, but as long as there's someone else who's feeling the same emotions, then at least I'm not alone.’ Doing the nine-to-five is okay, as long as you got a Bad Touch gig at the end of the week.”


Bittersweet Satisfaction artwork and tracklisting:





"Slip Away"
"This Life"
"Spend My Days"
"Bittersweet Satisfaction"
"Nothing Wrong With That"
"Taste This"
"Tonight"
"Come Back Again"
"See It To Believe It"
"Dizzy For You"








(Photo courtesy of Blackham Images)


 







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Metallica have released more official live footage from their concert at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on August 9. "Sad But True" joins the previously posted "Nothing Else Matters" from the show. Watch both below:










Metallica frontman James Hetfield has donated a unique experience to benefit his friends with the Adaptive Sports Foundation and their auction currently running through Charitybuzz. 100% of the net proceeds raised by this auction will go to the non-profit's efforts to empower the lives of children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities through adaptive sports.


Enjoy dinner with James Hetfield of Metallica in Colorado. You and up to three additional guests will join James Hetfield, iconic lead singer, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of Metallica, for a meal in Edwards, CO (near Vail). Plus, you will be joined for the meal by an Adaptive Sports Foundation athlete and an accompanying staff member, who will share their success story with James and your group.


The current bid is $28,500. The auction, which can be found here, ends on August 21st at 3:02 PM, EDT. Additional details are as follows:


- Travel and accommodations are not included.
- Valid for 4 people.
- Participant must be 21 years or older.
- Approximate duration: 90 - 120 minutes.
- The winner may take a photo.
- The winner can take something small to be signed.
- Scheduling is subject to mutual agreement between James, the charity and the winner.
- Please note that an ASF athlete, as well as an accompanying staff member, will be in attendance.
- Winner must contact the charity immediately upon the close of the auction to commence the process of selecting a date.
- Date must be determined within 3 months of the auction's close and is to take place within 1 year of the closing.
- Winner is responsible for the cost of the meal for all present.







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In a recent interview with Chile's Sonar FM, DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, who returned to the band last October after a 13-year absence, was asked if he missed playing with DREAM THEATER during his time away from the group. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, of course, I always missed DREAM THEATER and the music and the guys and the fans. Not all DREAM THEATER fans went on the ride with me with all of my other bands. So, every time I would tour with SONS OF APOLLO or WINERY DOGS or SHATTERED FORTRESS or NEAL MORSE BAND, I would see some DREAM THEATER fans, but there's a big portion of the fanbase that wasn't with me for all those years. So yeah, I missed them and I missed the guys and I missed the music. We were always a family first and foremost."

Regarding the fact that he is once again in charge of coming up with the setlists for DREAM THEATER's live shows, Mike said: "Yeah, it's an area that was always my department and my passion. I always wrote all the setlists for DREAM THEATER, as well as any of my bands or projects. That's an area that's very important to me. And yeah, when I came back to DREAM THEATER, a lot of the things we have to figure out who's gonna be in charge of what. There's a lot of areas that I used to be in charge of, which now John [Petrucci, DREAM THEATER guitarist] may do, or maybe the band makes band decisions. So I have to kind of find my place within the band's chemistry now. But yeah, one of the things that they did give back to me was the setlist and writing the setlist. So yeah, it was something that was a lot of fun and exciting — a great open palette to work with, really. 40 years of music, and I haven't played any of this music with the guys in almost 15 years. So it's all so fresh. Back in 2010, I might have been bored with it, but now in 2024, I'm just as excited to play those songs as any of 'em."

On the topic of how different it is to play with DREAM THEATER in 2024 compared to how it was 14 years ago, Mike said: "There's two sides to that question. The first I'll say, personally, I think we're just all older and wiser, more mellow. I am not as much of a control freak as I used to be; I'm a lot more easygoing, a lot more mellow. So, yeah, there's the one side of the natural age of everybody just — we're now in our fifties and sixties, and I think we're just more mature and experienced. But the other side to that question is, like I just mentioned, finding my place within this new chemistry and overseeing every area. And then when I left the band, they needed to take some of these areas and divide them up amongst themselves and have different people overseeing different areas. And now that I'm coming back, I have to kind of see what's comfortable. I have to very much respect that they've had 13 years without me and they may do things a certain way differently now. So it's up to me to really be very respectful to that and not try to force myself in any of the areas. So anytime something comes up, whether we're talking about a setlist or the merchandise or how they wanna record in the studio, no matter what the subject is, it's always now, like, 'Okay, well, how do you guys do it now? How do you want me involved? Do you want me to oversee it? Do you want me to stay out of it? That's fine too.' And it's kind of like a learning process to find myself comfortable with the way that the band works now."

Portnoy also talked about DREAM THEATER's upcoming sixteenth album, which is still in the process of being recorded. He said: "We started the new album in February of this year, and we figured that was about 15 years since we last made a record together with 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' in 2009. So we got together — February 7th, 2024, I think is when we moved into the studio to begin — and it felt like it had only been one week since we finished 'The Count Of Tuscany' and wrapped the last album. It felt like it was only one week. It felt like only a week had passed. Like, okay, here we are 15 years later, but it felt like just yesterday. That's how familiar and comfortable the chemistry is with the five of us. We immediately felt comfortable, like not a day had passed, and immediately started writing ideas and bouncing ideas off of each other. And it just quickly snowballed and we were up and running and off and going."

Portnoy recently told the "So...You Want To Be A Musician?" podcast about his mindset when rejoining DREAM THEATER: "At our ages, we realized when we decided to reunite and get back together, I'd be lying if I didn't say we didn't start to look in the mirror and look at the clock and say, who knows how much time we have left? The clock is ticking, and we realize we're not gonna be here forever. And we wanna spend whatever time we have left together making music with the people that we grew up with and the people that we love. So, yeah, that's kind of where we're at at this stage."

Portnoy admitted to Spain's Mariskal Rock that he "needed to get used to was being the 'new guy'" after rejoining DREAM THEATER, "being the new guy in a band that I helped form when I was a teenager. So it's a bit of a transition for me to go from being a bit of the leader, as I was back when I left the band, now I have to kind of find my way back into the chemistry and I need to respect the fact that they've been doing this for 13 years without me and they have maybe new ways of doing things, new ways of making decisions," he explained. "So … I have had to be very respectful for my role as the new guy and finding my way back into the chemistry of the band."

This past June, Portnoy was asked by Brazil's Marcelo Vieira and Matheus Ribeiro if DREAM THEATER's upcoming sixteenth studio album picks up from where the last DT LP he played on, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", left off or if it's a different thing entirely. He responded: "If I'm being honest, I think it picks up right where 'Black Clouds' left off, to be honest. There's a certain style that the five of us have when we write together. And if you listen to the album with this lineup from 1999, '[Metropolis Pt. 2:] Scenes From A Memory', through 2009's 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings', if you look at that string of five or six albums, that's the sound and style of these five people. So I think that's a good indication of what you can expect with the new DREAM THEATER album. It definitely sounds like classic DREAM THEATER."

DREAM THEATER's upcoming effort will mark the progressive metal legends' first LP since Portnoy's return to the group.

Portnoy co-founded DREAM THEATER in 1985 with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung. Mike played on 10 DREAM THEATER albums over a 20-year period, from 1989's "When Dream And Day Unite" through 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", before exiting the group in 2010.

Mike Mangini joined DREAM THEATER in late 2010 through a widely publicized audition following the departure of Portnoy. Mangini beat out six other of the world's top drummers — Marco Minnemann, Virgil Donati, Aquiles Priester, Thomas Lang, Peter Wildoer and Derek Roddy — for the gig, a three-day process that was filmed for a documentary-style reality show called "The Spirit Carries On".

This past April, DREAM THEATER announced the European leg of its "40th Anniversary Tour 2024 - 2025". The trek — presented as "An Evening With Dream Theater" — is the first outing since Portnoy's return.

The European leg of DREAM THEATER's "40th Anniversary Tour 2024 - 2025" consists of stops in 23 cities and kicks off on October 20 and runs through November 24.

In memory of legendary former GREAT WHITE lead singer Jack Russell, the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois will host a tribute concert on Friday, August 23.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE was originally scheduled to appear with headliner VIXEN, but Jack's illness caused him to back out of the show just two weeks before. The JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE band will still perform the show under its new name, ONCE BITTEN, enlisting the powerful vocals of Terry Ilous, former GREAT WHITE frontman.

Onesti Entertainment president and CEO Ron Onesti, who runs Arcada Theatre, said that Jack would have wanted the show to go on and that this tribute is a fitting way to honor his musical legacy. Additionally, the release of Jack Russell's autobiography, "The True Tale Of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative", was planned to coincide with the concert. Katelyn Louise "K.L." Doty, the author and official Russell family spokesperson, will still attend to discuss her book and share stories about Jack.

"This is another sad day in rock and roll," said Onesti. "Jack would have wanted the show to go on, what better way to honor his musical life than with a salute by his own bandmates?

VIXEN will close the night with a performance of their greatest hits.

"I know this will be an emotional evening for all rockers present, including the girls from VIXEN. I am sure they shared many co-bills with Jack and his band. Thanks to VIXEN for being a part of this," said Onesti.

Russell's death was announced by his family in a social media statement on Thursday (August 15). The statement read: "With tremendous sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jack Patrick Russell — father, husband, cousin, uncle, and friend.

"Jack passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Matthew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barbor, and dear friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik.

"Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.

"Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakeable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive.

"His family asks for privacy at this time."

The news of Jack's passing came less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.

Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

Lewy body dementia impacts memory, decision-making and ability to solve problems. It has led to motor and muscle weakness and rigidity. It also can cause sleep disorders and hallucinations.

Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease due to its early similarity to those other neurodegenerative diseases.

After actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life in August 2014, autopsy results revealed he was suffering from LBD.

Russell was performing with his version of GREAT WHITE when a pyrotechnics display sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people at a 2003 concert in Rhode Island. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Guitarist Mark Kendall, who founded GREAT WHITE with Russell in 1982, later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Guitarist Ty Longley died in the blaze.

Russell exited GREAT WHITE in December 2011 after he was unable to tour with the group due a series of injuries, including a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis. Jack largely blamed these injuries on his alcohol and painkiller addictions as well as the prednisone drug he was prescribed.

Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. A short time later, Russell was countersued by Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell most recently performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE.

In October 2022, GREAT WHITE officially named Brett Carlisle as its new lead singer. Carlisle joined the band as the replacement for Andrew Freeman, who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Russell's autobiography, titled "The True Tale Of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative", was recently released via Gatekeeper Press. Penned by author Katelyn Louise "K.L." Doty, it features a sentimental foreword by Lita Ford, with additional commentary from Eric Singer, Eddie Trunk, John Kalodner, Kip Winger and others. The book, with a cover photo by legendary rock photographer Mark Weiss, is available in paperback, hardcover and e-book form.

For more information, visit www.jackrussellbook.com.

In memory of legendary former Great White lead singer Jack Russell, The Arcada Theatre will host a tribute concert on...

Posted by Arcada Theatre on Friday, August 16, 2024

Legendary hard rockers AC/DC played the 24th and final concert of their "Power Up" European tour on Saturday, August 17 at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.

The setlist for the show was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:

01. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
02. Back In Black
03. Demon Fire
04. Shot Down In Flames
05. Thunderstruck
06. Have A Drink On Me
07. Hells Bells
08. Shot In The Dark
09. Stiff Upper Lip
10. Highway To Hell
11. Shoot To Thrill
12. Sin City
13. Rock 'N' Roll Train
14. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
15. High Voltage
16. Riff Raff
17. You Shook Me All Night Long
18. Whole Lotta Rosie
19. Let There Be Rock

Encore:

20. T.N.T.
21. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

Prior to this past weekend's concert, AC/DC last played Ireland in 2015 with a sold-out show in the Aviva Stadium.

The "Power Up" European tour marked AC/DC's first with the band's new touring lineup consisting of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group's touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.

The European tour was the first run of gigs since AC/DC's return to the stage at last year's rock Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

AC/DC's last tour took place in 2015 and 2016 and had a $180 million gross, with 2,310,061 sold tickets reported to the Pollstar box office.

Laug is an American drummer who has played with many bands/artists such as Alanis Morissette, Alice Cooper, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and Vasco Rossi. Matt moved to Los Angeles after graduating from South Florence High School in 1986 and after attending college in L.A., Matt became a sought-after studio drummer.

In 2001, Laug supported AC/DC as part of SLASH'S SNAKEPIT on the North American and European legs of the "Stiff Upper Lip" tour.

In its announcement about Laug's addition to the band's Power Trip lineup, AC/DC offered no explanation for the absence of the band's longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group's comeback album, "Power Up", which came out in November 2020.

Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band's "Rock Or Bust" tour by Chris Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC's drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album "The Razor's Edge".

Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist." At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC's singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, the now-76-year-old Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer's hearing problems.

Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and "miniaturizing" the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.

Chaney is best known as the bassist of JANE'S ADDICTION and as a member of Alanis Morissette's touring and recording band. Chaney was also a member of TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS and CAMP FREDDY, as well as being a prolific and versatile session musician, having played with artists including Joe Cocker, Shakira, Slash and Avril Lavigne to Sara Bareilles, Gavin Degraw, Cher, SHINEDOWN and Celine Dion. Chaney is also a founding member and partner in the all-star supergroup ROYAL MACHINES along with Dave Navarro (JANE'S ADDICTION),Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY),Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL).

Bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement at the end of AC/DC's 2015-2016 "Rock Or Bust" tour, which also saw Johnson leaving. However, Williams — and Johnson — took part in the recording sessions that resulted in "Power Up". Both of them were also part of the AC/DC lineup that performed at Power Trip.

During an October 2020 interview with Dean Delray's "Let There Be Talk" podcast, Cliff was asked if Johnson's departure from the road was what led to his desire to stop touring. Cliff responded: "It was before then. I spoke to Angus about it initially. I was at a point — and this is at the beginning of the 'Rock Or Bust' tour — that I just felt, for me, it was time to hang it up. I knew that I didn't wanna keep doing these two-year tours, and I didn't wanna hold them back, so I made them aware of the fact that this was gonna be my last go-round. It was a tough tour to finish. God bless Axl for coming in and helping us out, finish it up. He did a great job. And at the end of that, I was definitely — that was it for me. Done — just done. That compounded the whole thing."

According to Williams, he wanted to take part in the recording sessions for "Power Up" as a tribute to Angus's late brother, founding AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on "Power Up".

"If 'Back In Black' has [late AC/DC singer] Bon Scott all over it, for me, 'Power Up' has got Malcolm Young," Cliff said. "This is for him. And it's the band that we played together with for 40-plus years. And I wanted to do that — I wanted to come back and do that.

"We did some rehearsals earlier [in 2020] before this darn COVID thing popped up, and we had great rehearsals," he continued. "The band was playing really well. So [they asked me], 'Do you wanna do a few shows? 'Sure'. A few shows. We were planning on doing that. Everyone goes home to their respective homes, and bang, we've been here ever since [because of the coronavirus-related shutdown]."

Cliff went on to confirm that his commitment to AC/DC was only for "a few" dates in support of "Power Up".

"For both [my mental and physical] health," he said. "I definitely have some physical issues, which I won't bore you with the details of. But, yeah, it's tough. I'm very grateful for everything. It's been fantastic. But I just don't wanna do that anymore."

Williams previously revealed that a "terrible" bout with vertigo contributed to his 2016 retirement. He also admitted the return of both Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd convinced him to rejoin the group. "It was like the old band back together," he told Rolling Stone. "It was not like starting over again, but as close to the band that's been together for 40-plus years as we can possibly make it. I didn't want to miss that."

The follow-up to 2014's "Rock Or Bust", "Power Up" was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O'Brien, who also worked 2008's "Black Ice" and "Rock Or Bust".

Former Skid Row frontman Erik Grönwall recently challenged himself to write a power metal song on the spot. The end result is "Dragon Knights", which you can check out below. 


The song features Grönwall, guitarist Jona Tee (H.E.A.T), and bassist Jens Anderson (Crazy Lixx). "Dragon Knights" was co-written, produced, mixed and mastered by Jona Tee 







Grönwall recently released a new video featuring a performance of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", the title track of Black Sabbath's 1973 studio album. Watch below:










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In a new interview with "The Rich Shertenlieb Show" on Boston's 100.7 WZLX radio station, Zakk Wylde spoke about the decision to tour with a reformed version of PANTERA, also featuring surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass),alongside Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) on drums. The lineup has reportedly been given a green light by the estates of PANTERA's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Asked what his immediate thought was when he was first approached about taking part in the PANTERA tour, Zakk said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Phil called me up and he was, like, 'Zakk, would you wanna…?' I've always told Rex and Phil if they ever wanted to do it, since day one, when [Vinnie Paul] was still alive, and they would always talk, there'd be rumblings of talking about it, it was, like, 'Guys, whatever you wanna do, you know I'm always here. Allied forces. I'm always here to support you.' So, and then it never came about, but I was just like always… I remember I was telling [JUDAS PRIEST's] Rob Halford, 'cause Rob saw one of the [recent PANTERA] shows, he was like, 'Zakk, it's really a beautiful thing you guys are doing.' And I was telling Rob, I said, it was never a matter of if I'll do it, it's a matter of when I'll [do it], you know what I mean? It's just like one of those things with your parents. If they ask you to come home, you don't say… you just go home. If they need help around the house, you just do it. So, yeah, to me it's the same thing."

Regarding the challenge of reproducing Dimebag's parts in a live situation, Zakk said: "I always tell everybody, with Dime's, his legacy and his greatness. aside of his great chops and his technique and everything like that, it was a Dime's writing. Where [BLACK SABBATH's Tony Iommi created a whole genre, pretty much with PANTERA, it's its own entire genre. So I always put Dime, status-wise, just like Tony Iommi. As far as creating a genre, they're the benchmark of that music, for LAMB OF GOD and all those guys that play in that genre. They're THE BEATLES, THE [ROLLING] STONES, the SABBATH, the [LED] ZEPPELIN of that genre."

Asked if there been any talk of PANTERA's reformed lineup putting out new music at some point, Zakk said: "No, we haven't talked about anything like that… That's up to the fellas. Whatever they want to do. 'Cause, like I said, me and Charlie, we're basically just allied forces and they're brothers. So it's just, whatever the guys want to do right now. But as far as right now, I think we're gonna be — we're just rolling right now. After this [run of shows], I think we go out in February, over in Europe. Six weeks over in Europe."

Back in February, Zakk told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about the possibility of the reformed lineup of PANTERA making new music: "I think you would have to call it something else. You know what I mean? PANTERA is those four guys [Philip, Rex, Vinnie and Dimebag]. So, yeah, you can't replace that."

Pressed about whether he would want to do it under an altered name rather than calling it PANTERA, Wylde said: "Yeah. If that was ever a bridge we crossed, we'd have to wait until we get there. But right now, it's just the four of us celebrating what the fellas [from the classic lineup] created."

Zakk went on to say that he was open to making new music with Anselmo, Brown and Benante, provided that it was presented differently than just PANTERA. "Yeah, of course," he said. "I mean, how could you call it PANTERA unless it was just pre-existing material and we were gonna record it — stuff that was in demo state or whatever, and it is songs that the guys wrote. But as far as new songs, it would have to be — you'd call it something else."

Earlier this month, Wylde was asked by The Mistress Carrie Podcast what he would have said a few years ago if somebody had told him that he would one day be the guitarist in PANTERA. Zakk responded: "Well, [it's] the PANTERA celebration. It's not PANTERA. PANTERA is Dime, Vinnie, Phil and Rex. So that's PANTERA. But no, it's a beautiful thing honoring the guys every night. Everybody's having a blast. Everyone that comes down to the shows either — you have the PANTERA faithful taking a trip down memory lane, and you've got all the younger, like Phil always calls it, the new blood. And it's amazing every night how many… It's just a testament to what the fellas created. Because we've got so many young people that have never seen PANTERA before."

He continued: "For me, for my situation, I never got a chance to see LED ZEPPELIN. So, if ZEPPELIN got back together, and you had, I mean, right now with Jason [Bonham] playing the drums, 'cause I never got a chance to see it. So, it's that kind of situation. So it's all the younger kids coming up hearing that their older brothers listened to it or their dad or whatever, and now they're at the gig to hear this music live. So, to me, it's truly a beautiful thing every night we play honoring the guys."

Regarding how his opinion of Dimebag as a guitar player has changed as a result of having to dissect his parts, Zakk said: "I already knew my buddy was great. I already knew Dime was great. But then the more I was learning this stuff, I was, like, he's even greater than I ever thought. But, no, learning all the stuff or going through actually learning the songs, it's just, aside of Dime's great technique and his chops and everything like that… I mean, to me, his legacy is — I put it more like Tony Iommi, where what Tony created with SABBATH was basically its own entire genre of music. So PANTERA, they're the gold standard of that genre of music, whether it's 'power groove' or whatever, what Dime called it. The LAMB OF GOD guys are amazing, but they're cut from that cloth, that style of music that PANTERA forged, and all the bands that come after that. I mean, it's just kind of like PANTERA, what PANTERA created in their genre is the same thing as THE BEATLES, THE STONES, ZEPPELIN and SABBATH, all the bands that we love, where they're the benchmark of that style of music. So, yeah, that's why I always tell everybody, it's not so much how fast Dime was and everything like that; it's what he wrote. And that's his legacy, to me."

Asked what it's like to play the opening riff of the classic PANTERA song "Walk" every night, Wylde said: "It's truly amazing. Phil always says it every night. When we're, doing the shows with METALLICA, he goes, 'I think a lot of people don't know who we are, don't know who PANTERA is, he goes, 'but once that riff starts. They go, 'Oh, yeah, I've heard this song before.' It's an iconic riff, for sure. Totally."

In a separate interview, Zakk was asked by Joshua Toomey of the Talk Toomey podcast what goes through his mind when the curtain falls down as he and his bandmates launch into the opening riff of "A New Level" every night, Zakk said: "Oh, it's awesome. I love every second of the show — from the beginning to the end, man. Obviously, when we're doing 'Floods', I get pretty choked up doing that one, especially the end bit, the outro of Dime's, 'cause it's just me by myself. I don't see the video screens that are behind me, but, obviously, when I've seen the footage of it, it's just, like, 'Wow.' There's just pretty much not a dry eye in the house on that one. Yeah, I definitely get choked up doing that one, when we do 'Floods'.

"Everybody in the camp, everybody's just all great people," Zakk continued. "I mean, we've all known each other — the fellows in the band, we've known each other, but as far as the whole camp and the crew, we've all known each other from various tours and things. So it's like one gigantic family out there. So, I mean, the whole vibe, it's just a beautiful thing."

Regarding whether there were any PANTERA songs or parts that took him longer to figure out than the rest, Zakk said: "What I just found really awesome was Dime's… I mean, the reason why we're still talking about Dime's greatness and everybody, and all the guys that we love, whether it's King Edward [Eddie Van Halen], St. Rhoads [Randy Rhoads], Jimi Hendrix, I mean, all the guys, it's what they wrote. Aside of Dime's great technique and how amazing he was and how fast he could play and everything like that, it's what he wrote, just like with Randy and Eddie and everybody. I mean, all the guys that we love. But Dime's writing, like his chord choices and everything like that, it's just, like, 'Oh, wow. That's definitely really cool.' So, a lot of unexpected pre-choruses and things like that. It's, like, 'Oh, wow. I wonder what made him go there,' like really interesting chord choices. But, yeah, for sure.

"Going through, learning the whole catalog and learning deeper cuts and everything like that, I was, like, 'Wow. This one's pretty cool,'" he continued. "I mean, even the pre-chorus to 'Walk' or just the opening riff — a lot of a lot of the chord choices would end up becoming… They're dissonant, where that's obviously what Dime's going for, is the dissonance, whereas opposed to something would be like if it was a more ear-pleasing chord choice, but it would sound routine, and you could just tell Dime was going for… 'No, that's what everybody expects us to go. So, let's go here. Everyone expects us to make a left turn. So, let's make a right.' So, it's, like, oh, 'Wow, that's definitely interesting.' So, yeah, that's what I found, learning all the material and everything like that. So, for sure. So that, to me, is what puts Dime in that league with all the guys we love, whether it's Jimi Hendrix, whether it's Eddie and Randy. It's his writing."

This past April, Zakk told Ultimate Guitar about touring with the reformed PANTERA: "I feel [Dimebag] all the time. Even when we were getting ready to do the [PANTERA tour in 2022], [the early] rehearsals, and they were just figuring out how we were gonna do this, there'd be signs all over the place, whether [it was] a license plate that would be, like, '333' [three being Dimebag's favorite number], or I'd run into like a Dimebag license plate in the middle of nowhere. It was just, like, him just pushing this thing along, willing it to happen. So he's just always around. When we were in New York, just like signs, when we just did [a headlining show at] the [Madison Square] Garden [in February 2024], my wife Barbaranne was, like, Check this out.' Something came up and it just reminded us of Dime, and I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy.' Or we would look on our phone and it would be '333'. It's just these signs everywhere. And I could see Dime just doing it, going, 'I hope these idiots realize it's me sending these signs.' [Laughs]"

The reformed PANTERA is headlining a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and staging some of its own headline concerts. They are also supporting METALLICA on a massive stadium tour in 2024.

It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

During a recent appearance on "Drinks With Johnny", the Internet TV show hosted by AVENGED SEVENFOLD bassist Johnny Christ, Zakk was asked how he, Philip, Rex and Charlie all "came together to decide that this was the right time, the right group to pay homage to the mighty PANTERA". The guitarist said: "Well, BLACK LABEL [SOCIETY] and DOWN, we did some shows together in 2014, we did a tour, and it was great. 'Cause I've known Phil [who also sings for DOWN] and Pepper [Keenan, DOWN guitarist] and all the guys, and Jimmy Bower [DOWN drummer], Father Bower Power, over there for a while. It was just a bunch of friends going out doing shows together. And we did some PANTERA stuff then, and then Father Rex came out and we jammed 'I'm Broken' and stuff like that, and it was a lot of fun. And it's always been rumored for years. I just said that's always on the fellas. Me and Charlie are buds, and we'll be here to support our friends, whatever they wanna do. So when Phil called me up one day, he was, like, 'Zakk, you wanna get together and do this? We're thinking about me, Rex and Charlie and yourself, and we'll go out and pay tribute to Dime and Vinnie.' I was, like, 'Of course. I always said I would be there for you guys when you felt the time was right to do it.'"

He continued: "But, yeah, we just got together and did the rehearsals down in New Orleans and then we've been rolling ever since. We just did the [Madison Square] Garden and everything like that, with LAMB OF GOD and the guys and everything like that. So it was great. So just looking out every night and seeing people taking a trip down memory lane, the people that have seen the original PANTERA… When Phil says every night, he's just, like, 'How many people, this is their first time ever seeing PANTERA?' And all the younger people that never got a chance to see 'em [raise their hands]. It just really is a beautiful thing.

"I always say it every night, when we were playing the Garden, it's just like if Dime and Vinnie were right there on the side of the stage, I'd go, 'Look at what you guys created.' So it's really special. I think it's just a beautiful thing every night paying honor and tribute to Dime and Vinnie every night, Phil and Rex and Dime and Vinnie, this thing that they created that brings so many people joy. So, I just think it's a beautiful thing every night."

Zakk previously discussed his involvement with PANTERA in a February 2024 interview with Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights. At the time, he said: "Everybody in the whole camp, it's all great people. And it's crazy, because we've known each other for years, but you end up knowing, even with the crew and everything like that, all these people you've known for years — I mean, people that I've been with when I started with Ozzy [Osbourne] and everything like that. So, it's just a great time out there, man, for sure. And then, obviously, celebrating Vinnie and Dime every night, it's just awesome.

"The beautiful thing about music is, all the bands that we love, whether it's ZEPPELIN or [BLACK] SABBATH, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS or Elton John or PANTERA or whatever, everybody has their connection to that music," he continued. "That's the most powerful thing about music. I mean, you hear stuff, it just transports you back to when you were 13 years old, 14 years old, where you were and what you were doing when that music was going on. So, for so many people — it's amazing 'cause Phil always does it at like almost every night, he's just, like, 'How many people saw PANTERA back in the day?' And everybody, obviously, you have all the PANTERA faithful. And then he goes, 'How many people, this is their first time seeing PANTERA?' It's mind-blowing. I mean, I'd say it's almost like 60-40, 70-30 sometimes, where it's, like, 'Wow. That is amazing.'

"I never got a chance to see ZEPPELIN back in the day, so to see… When I went and saw the [Jimmy] Page and [Robert] Plant thing with the orchestra and everything, that was just amazing, because I never got a chance to see them back in the day. So, just the power of the music, to see it live was just… I saw 'em at Brendan Byrne Arena [in East Rutherford, New Jersey in April 1995] when we were working on [Ozzy Osbourne's 1995 album] 'Ozzmosis'. I got tickets and we went down to the gig that night, and it was amazing — 'cause I never I never got a chance to see it back in the day. So, it's pretty much the same, 'cause I know I was getting chills when I was watching it. So, yeah, it's a beautiful thing, man."

Zakk was also asked if he would be open to working on new material with PANTERA. He said: "Nah, I don't think so. Whenever Phil says that and all the younger kids are screaming and yelling, when they put the house lights on and everyone's got their fists up in the air 'cause that's the first time [they're seeing PANTERA live], I just look at like Vinnie and Dime, if they were on the side of the stage, and go, 'See what you guys created.' So it's just, like, yeah, it's awesome. It truly is, man. But, no, I don't think [the plan is] to record [as PANTERA]. I mean, it'd be like if [Eric] Clapton was playing with [drummer] Mitch [Mitchell] and [bassist] Noel [Redding], honoring Jimi [Hendrix], they're not gonna go in and record [and call it] THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE with Eric Clapton. [Laughs] I don't think anything like that. Obviously, if we were ever to do anything, it would be under a different name. Like Jimmy Page, if he was playing with Paul Rodgers and everything, it's THE FIRM; they're not going out as LED ZEPPELIN."

Up until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.

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

Vinnie, who was Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie suggested that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

SLIPKNOT played the fifth show of the North American portion of the "Here Comes The Pain" tour last Monday night (August 12) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This year the nine are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut album, "Slipknot", which catapulted the band back in 1999.

SLIPKNOT's 14-song set consisted of nothing but material from that LP, including two tracks which hadn't been performed in almost 25 years.

Fan-filmed video of the entire Madison Square Garden concert, courtesy of StageVibez, can be seen below.

Featured songs:

00:13 "The Shining" Grady Twins
01:28 742617000027
03:28 (sic)
07:10 Eyeless
11:48 Wait And Bleed
19:16 Get This
21:26 Eeyore
23:23 Tattered & Torn (Sid Remix)
25:28 Me Inside
28:26 Liberate
32:13 Frail Limb Nursery
34:16 Purity
39:20 Prosthetics
45:49 No Life
49:54 Only One
53:01 Hidden Track Intro (Mudslide hidden track)
55:55 Spit It Out
1:00:00 Surfacing
1:05:03 Scissors

"Nothing you will hear tonight was written after 1999," SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor has been telling the crowd at all the shows, which normally open with "(sic)", "Eyeless" and "Wait And Bleed", and include "No Life" and "Scissors", neither of which had been played live since 2000. Other rarely performed songs include "Get This" (played for the first time since 2019),"Me Inside" (first time since 2015) and "Only One" (2012).

As has been the case with all of SLIPKNOT's shows in 2024 so far, the band adopted a classic look, bringing back the 1999 red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks into their modern versions, tying into the fact that SLIPKNOT is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Produced by Live Nation, the "Here Comes The Pain" tour's highlights include Los Angeles's Intuit Dome, Austin's Moody Center and more with direct support from Kentucky's young and vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners KNOCKED LOOSE. ORBIT CULTURE and VENDED are confirmed as support on select dates.

There actually was a time when SLIPKNOT and the maggots (the loving name for their fans) did not completely rule the world. 25 years ago, the Des Moines band were just some guys trying to get their new LP noticed — a record that would start their metamorphosis into the most crucial band of the 21st century. That record would change rock as we know it, measuring success with a yardstick bigger than music, one for the influence on youth culture writ large. But these faceless demons from middle America would not only capture the hearts of the youth, they would help guide their tastes, and challenge them and their kin towards a new future.

Released on June 29, 1999, SLIPKNOT's self-titled debut was a smash hit with critics and an instant classic with fans. It was, and is, a molotov cocktail signaling a revolution — embracing a creative direction that eschewed metal traditions in favor of fresh ideas. While the jaw-clenching riffs coupled with Ross Robinson's venomous production were crucial to the album's success, it was the care and attention to detail in the songcraft that moved the needle from "great" to "benchmark." Not too shabby for a bunch of guys that only hoped to be heard.

"We loved what we did with the first record but we didn't even know if there was gonna be anything after that," recalls guitarist Jim Root. "We just wanted people to hear it. Selling out of records and shows, having successful tours– those are goals for any band. But the dream scenario in some ways, came true for us."

In the years following, SLIPKNOT's popularity nipped at the heels of elder statesmen and even the band's heroes, eventually navigating this brave new world with unending drive, fresh ideas and a bloodlust for odometer clicks. Tens of billions of streams and tens of millions of subscribers and followers later, the accolades tell the story: 64 award nominations and 27 wins including a Grammy for "Before I Forget" from "Vol. 3". A seemingly endless number of tour dates. Headlining slots at some of the biggest festivals in the world such as Download, Rock In Rio, Hellfest, Wacken and many more. Not to mention RIAA certifications by the truckload — 14 platinum certifications and 40 gold across more than 30 million in record and video sales.

In addition, SLIPKNOT positioned themselves for success with the creation of their own festival Knotfest in 2012, a traveling, multi-stage and experiential event that has appeared 28 times across several countries and locations. The festival has since spun off into a successful entertainment media hub — Knotfest.com, which became a juggernaut of its own making, giving a platform to young freethinkers and like-minded artists.

All of SLIPKNOT's achievements have helped them claim their rightful seat as pioneers and thought leaders, establishing them as a generational talent — loved by parents and their children alike. And, of course, with all those incredible live performances, all that influence, and all that history of playing all those incredible songs, SLIPKNOT has only attracted the most dedicated of fans, reaching all the way back to that fateful self-titled effort.

SLIPKNOT is approaching this 25th anniversary by making the conscious decision to connect to fans as closely as possible, in a similar way to how they encountered SLIPKNOT all those years ago.

"Every time I've walked on stage, it's never been about how many people have been there because my culture, the maggots, always show up," says founding member Shawn "Clown" Crahan with a smile. "But as we've grown as a band, we have had fewer and fewer of those intimate, personal moments, trading them for massive ones. So we're gonna make it more personal on the anniversary, but how remains to be seen. Just get ready to have your face kicked in. Because we just do what we do, spread that maggot culture – that disease. And you've been infected."

SOLD OUT!.. it's almost SHOWTIME!😎

Posted by Tommy Garris on Monday, August 12, 2024

Slipknot Slipknot: "Here Comes The Pain" 25th Anniversary Tour Madison Square Garden Corey Taylor 👊🤡👊 Celebrating the 25th Anniversary WSOU 89.5 FM WRAT 95.9FM 105.5 WDHA Q104.3's Out of the Box

Posted by Chris Kennedy on Monday, August 12, 2024

Former Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his weekly cover, this time performing a powermetal version of Irene Cara's 1983 hit, "What A Feeling". 





Majestica are back with their first new music of 2024. The Swedish power metal quartet proudly presents their latest single, "A New Beginning", which is the band's first release since 2021. Therefore, the song name not only fits in relation to this, but also speaks about a new beginning and letting things come to an end. Paired with musical elements reminiscent of the 80s, Majestica unleashes a new catchy tune upon their fans that puts the band back on the radar.







As if the release of this brand new single wasn't enough, Majestica have also delivered a brand new music video for their single, which you can watch below.


Tommy Johansson comments: "When Majestica finally returns with a new song it couldn’t have been a better one than 'A New Beginning'. Not only is it a heavy power metal song with a catchy sing-along chorus, but it’s also very melodic in the style of Stratovarius, 80’s rock, and Helloween with some hints of Gary Moore. The song reflects on (as the title says) to start over, but also of something that comes to an end. But the end isn’t always a bad thing. It feels great to finally release some new music with Majestica again and to show that we’re back - back with a new beginning."


Stream the new single here, and watch the video below:





Majestica is:


Tommy Johansson - guitars, vocals
Petter Hjerpe - guitars
Chris David - bass
Joel Kollberg - drums







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