Wisconsin’s vicious heavy metal band Rig Time! has released their new single and video for “Deserve”. The video’s track is featured on the band’s recently released album, War, which is available now from Innerstrength Records.

“The video was filmed/edited entirely by vocalist/drummer Bryan W. Fleming. Lyrically, ‘Deserve’ addresses reaching a point of being powerless as civilians under the government. We are represented to the world by an organization that has more interest in profit and control tactics, than it's citizens basic needs. The song is spoken from an angle of tragedy and accepting consequence declaring ‘We should have never let them speak for us’ and ‘We deserve the worst, and now it's coming full force’. It's meant to provoke thought and paint a dystopian landscape.” - Rig Time!

Rig Time! is an angry, caustic and vehemently heavy trio based in La Crosse, WI. Their full length album War was released on October 20, 2017 via Innerstrength Records, following the self-released full-length Sick of It (2016) and two EP’s (2014’s Awful and 2015’s Devout). Featuring a sound that is the audio equivalent of a tank column entering a besieged city, the crunch and clangor of War is a game-changer. Forged in the fires of hardcore, sludge, and powerviolence, War epitomizes Rig Time!’s scorched-earth tactics and demonstrates the natural chemistry of the band.

War was recorded/mixed by Pete Grossman at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, IL (Weekend Nachos, Harm’s Way). The album was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in Portland, OR.

"Today we would like to announce a member change in Seven Kingdoms," says the band. "We have parted ways with Aaron. It's obviously not easy choice to make, but this decision is what we found necessary to continue moving forward. We wish him the very best with his other projects and want to thank him for the last 8 years of dedication and hard work! You can check out his other band here: Soulmass.

"As one door closes, another opens. We would like to welcome John Tyler McDaniel, who will be stepping in as a full time replacement on bass. Tyler has been a dear friend of the band for a very long time and he will keep that low-end fat and tight for the foreseeable future. You may know him from his other band Monotheist (Prosthetic Records). We are very excited to get this new lineup on the road and will be announcing new North American dates soon!"

Tyler's statement: "When I first learned about the band in 2011 I thought what a pro band! I wish I could only be in something as legitimate as Seven Kingdoms one day. Over the next years, I was lucky enough to become very close friends with everybody in the band. They helped me through a rough time and took me out under their wings in 2013 on the Stratovarius and Amaranthe European Tour. It really showed what kind of amazing people they are. I immediately wanted to return that feeling. Over the years I've been involved from everything from the backyard BBQs all the way to being an assistant engineer on Decennium. When the time came for change, I don't think there was any hesitation on mine or the bands part to ask me to step in. I have some big shoes to fill and I plan to give it all I got, on and off stage. I think it's a new chapter for everyone and I know I'm super excited to see what we can do!"

(Photo - Kyle Evans Photography)

German web site Mothergrid has uploaded behind-the-scenes footage from the European leg of METALLICA's 2018 "WorldWired" tour, featuring interviews with the band's crew, including lighting director Rob Koenig and audio engineer Mick Hughes. Check out the four-part report below.

METALLICA recently landed on Pollstar's Global Concert Pulse chart with concert grosses of more than $2 million per market appearance on the band's recent European tour.

The San Francisco-based metal giants averaged 20,451 tickets per market, at an average ticket price of $104.

The 19 market reports included a two-night stand at Stuttgart, Germany's Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle, which grossed $3.3 million. Both shows were sold out, with an attendance of 14,695 per concert.

METALLICA is currently home on a three-month break before launching a North American arena tour on September 2 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Touring in support of its latest album, "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", that arrived in November 2016, METALLICA launched the world tour in Latin America a month before the disc's release. In early 2017, prior to the North American stadium tour, the band made festival appearances and headlined concerts at venues in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Although METALLICA played U.S. stadiums last summer, the band was mostly indoors for the first leg of its European tour last fall.

METALLICA's European tour included the first drone swarm for a major touring act. It consisted of 120 autonomous micro drones that emerge from the main-stage prop lifts during the song "Moth Into Flames" and swarm into several formations over the band's heads, according to Pollstar.

The 2017 dates on the "WorldWired" tour, which included stadium shows across the U.S., grossed $110.3 million in North America and $152.8 million worldwide.

W.A.S.P. has recruited renowned drummer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy, known for his tours of duty with WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER and OZZY OSBOURNE, to sit behind the kit for the band's current run of European festivals.

Fan-filmed video footage of Tichy performing with W.A.S.P. on June 23 at the Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark can be seen below.

W.A.S.P. completed a European tour last fall with te help of Brazilian drummer Aquiles Priester.

Drummer Mike Dupke left W.A.S.P. in 2015 after a nine-year stint with the band. He was initially replaced on the road by YNGWIE MALMSTEEN drummer Patrick Johansson and, later, by Randy Black (PRIMAL FEAR).

On February 2, W.A.S.P. released the critically acclaimed 25th-anniversary edition, "ReIdolized (The Soundtrack To The Crimson Idol)" , of the band's iconic hit album "The Crimson Idol".

Aaron Lewis held a moment of silence in honor of Vinnie Paul Abbott during his June 23 concert at at Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The STAIND frontman then moved the microphone to the back and performed a very raw, acoustic version the band's song "Intro" as a tribute to the former PANTERA drummer, who died one day earlier in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In a 2011 interview with the Dallas Observer, Lewis said that he was greatly affected by the 2004 death of PANTERA guitarist — and Vinnie's brother — "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. "He is a dear friend who is no longer with us," he said. "Every show that I can ever remember playing in Dallas, Vinnie and Darrell were there. I have found it strange playing in Dallas and feeling like someone was missing."

Vinnie Paul passed away on Friday (June 22) at the age of 54. The former PANTERA drummer apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

The official video for the song "I Am Night" from veteran Swedish metallers TAD MOROSE can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's tenth album, titled "Chapter X", which was released on June 15 via GMR Music.

After the release of "St. Demonius", the quintet took to the road to do what they do best, destroy clubs, theatres and festival stages all across the European continent. "2015 and 2016 was the same as always with these guys — lots of fun touring and collecting souls, or, as most people call it, 'gaining new fans,'" says singer Ronny Hemlin.

TAD MOROSE spent much of 2017 holed up at Hemlin's Studio Claustrophobic and working at the pace of "freedom." There was no pressure or time restraints so the five worked when they wanted and how they wanted. "The actual recording process was the same as for the two previous albums," says guitarist Christer Krunt Andersson. "Kenneth recorded his guitars at his place and I recorded mine at my studio. The drums, bass and vocals were recorded at Studio Claustrophobic. This way we all can record whenever we want. Then we meet up and listen through everything at Studio Claustrophobic and add some bits and pieces. Then when we are satisfied it goes into mixing. The mixing was done yet again by Ronny and his studio partner Johan."

"Chapter X" opens with the powerful "Apocalypse", a semi-proggy, symphonic melodic metal tune loaded with a chorus that kicks the listener in the ass while "Deprived Of Light" is straight-up double bass melodic power metal with a stench of '80s Germany yet very modern at the same time. "I Am Night" is a fist to the face with a chorus that screams for an audience sing-along and album closer, "… Yet Still You Preach" calms things down with an atmospheric feel.

Signing with GMR Music in the spring of 2018, TAD MOROSE has a new home to tie to their new chapter. "It feels great to have signed with GMR!" Andersson declares. "We are really looking forward to see how this will evolve. We've got some shows booked for the summer and more to come. It feels great to get back on the stage again since playing live is the fuel in our engine."

Mastering of "Chapter X" was handled by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge Studios and the band turned to an old friend, Rainer Kalwitz ("A Mended Rhyme") to take care of the album's artwork.

TAD MOROSE is:

Ronny Hemlin - Lead Vocals

Christer Krunt Andersson - Guitar

Kenneth Jonsson - Guitar

Johan Löfgren - Bass

Peter Morén - Drums

BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo spoke to A&P Reacts about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the band's fifth album, tentatively due in early 2019. "We have been working on it since the beginning of this year," she said (see video below). "But the busiest times are now when we are doing also the festivals around Europe and also doing the recordings and also songwriting still during this summer. But we are definitely gonna release the album next year."

Louhimo said that she doesn't mind BATTLE BEAST's hectic schedule, explaining: "Well, of course, it doesn't fit for everyone, but for myself, this kind of lifestyle — being on the road all the time or recording or something — it's something that I really love to do. And I don't really feel that I would need more time to have a vacation or anything. Because, for example, when we get this album done, until the end of this year, then we have about half a year of spare time to do whatever we want to do, and then we go on, of course, with the new album around the world again. And then when we have the break with BATTLE BEAST, I can't stay still — I have to do other stuff. I'm teaching vocals and performing and doing my own gigs, my own music. So it's constant doing. Of course, I love to have my own home too. I live in Tampere, in Finland, and I have my cats there, I have my home there. It's good to have a place also to go back to and a place where you feel that, 'Okay, this is the place where I have my den going on, and no one is disturbing me.' Of course, everyone needs their own space and time sometimes."

BATTLE BEAST's fourth album, "Bringer Of Pain", was released in February 2017 via Nuclear Blast Records. The ten-track disc was recorded and produced at JKB Studios by keyboardist Janne Björkroth, was mixed by Björkroth alongside Viktor Gullichsen and Mikko Karmila, and was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The cover artwork was crafted by Jan Yrlund.

"Bringer Of Pain" was BATTLE BEAST's first album to feature guitarist Joona Björkroth, who joined the band in 2015.

BATTLE BEAST in February 2015 parted ways with lead guitarist and main songwriter Anton Kabanen due to "insurmountable disagreements" with the other members of the band.

Photo credit: Natalia Enemede

VOLBEAT guitarist Rob Caggiano was interviewed by Oui FM at the French edition of the Download festival on June 18 in Paris. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked if fans can ever expect the death metal influence to find its way into VOLBEAT's music, Caggiano said: [VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen] really loves the death metal stuff; he comes from that world. Actually, our bass player, Kaspar [Boye Larsen], as well, I think, comes from that scene."

He continued: "I think we all have a lot of different influences, and I think it all comes out in the music. Are we gonna do a death metal record? No. [Laughs] But there might be a flavor of that here and there. I mean, it's part of what you grew up listening to; it's all part of your musical DNA, I guess."

Poulsen, who played extreme metal with his first band, DOMINUS, back in the early 90s, recently said that he wouldn't rule out a return to death metal in future. "I do have things at home — I can pick up some few death metal riffs here and there," he told Heavy TV. "I've got so many good friends in the death metal scene, and I've been talking to some of them to one day, when the time is right, sit down and write some old-school death metal. When that's going to happen, I don't know. It will happen; it's just timing is everything."

VOLBEAT plans to enter the studio before the end of the year to begin recording its seventh album for a tentative 2019 release. The follow-up to 2016's "Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie" will mark the band's first full-length effort to feature Kaspar Boye Larsen, who joined VOLBEAT too late to appear on the last CD.

Vocalist Dani Filth has confirmed to Rock Sins that CRADLE OF FILTH that the band has commenced writing material for the follow-up to last year's "Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness Of Decay" album. "We've got some really good ideas and we need to sit down and work on them, but they're really fresh and exciting; I'm excited by it," he said. "Obviously it's going to be very different from the last two records. I think we pushed that envelope as far as we could go, and I think the next one is going to be a bit of an eye opener. I think we are going to do a lot more shorter songs, and we are going to experiment a lot more, but I think there's going to be a lot of things where people go, 'Fuck me! That's intense!' I mean, we know what works. Like when we were on Sony and everybody was expecting us to be the next BACKSTREET BOYS and we brought out a 78-minute-long album that was literally falling off the edge of the CD, that was probably the most extreme thing we ever did and I'm proud of that, and I'm proud of the fact that we spent £180, 000 on the album [laughs] and got this massive orchestra because I think that was the last time any money was spent in an extreme market, on being that exotic, and I'm all about that."

Asked what it is about the current CRADLE OF FILTH lineup that makes it so special, Dani said: "It's because everyone is so into the band and there's no egos; we treat each other like idiots and with respect. We spend a lot of time together. Tonight I'm going to stay at Rich's [Richard Shaw, guitar]. Lindsay [Schoolcraft, keyboards] has been there for a week, then we're going to go walking around mountains with him in the summer. We just spend a lot of time together. When we write, we go over to the Czech Republic. I stayed over at Lindsay's in Oshawa in Canada. We're just good friends. It's kind of like a Trivial Pursuit piece — everyone has their own little triangle and it forms a good hub. I mean, the whole ego thing, that fact that people can talk to each and see the benefits we get, everybody is available to do stuff.

"There was always this whole miasma about me being a tyrant, and it never was — it was always people making that up, because they couldn't get their views across and I don't know why," he added. "And now everybody is cool with each other, everyone's got their own place and everyone knows what they're doing. People come up with great ideas and you go, 'Fucking hell! That's great. We've gotta do that,' whoever comes up with it, so we're comfortable with ourselves."

Released last September, "Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness Of Decay" was recorded at Grindstone Studios, Suffolk, U.K. by Scott Atkins, who has been the resident go-to producer for CRADLE OF FILTH for several albums.

NINE INCH NAILS releases its new "Bad Witch" EP on Friday (June 22) and, according to The Pulse Of Radio, frontman Trent Reznor continues to take aim at other artists and the state of U.S. politics in interviews. Speaking to The Guardian about Kanye West's new album "ye", Reznor bemoaned the lack of serious writing about rock, saying: "How many Kanye West thinkpieces have The Guardian done in the last fucking month? The guy's lost his fucking mind: that's the thinkpiece. His record sucked, and that's it. He has made great shit; he's not in a great place right now."

Reznor also spoke about the state of the U.S., remarking: "It feels like things are coming unhinged, socially and culturally. The rise of Trumpism, of tribalism; the celebration of stupidity. I'm ashamed, on a world stage, at what we must look like as a culture... It doesn't feel like we've advanced. I think you're seeing the fall of the empire of America in real time, before your eyes."

Reznor, who is a recovering addict, said that NINE INCH NAILS' recent string of EPs was inspired by his past history. He explained: "I think I know who I am now, the chaos feels behind me, there's family life and stability. It was me daring myself to say: 'What if all that was bullshit? And what I really am is an addict in remission that can't wait to light a match to the whole thing?'"

"Bad Witch" concludes a trilogy of EPs that started in 2016 with "Not The Actual Events" and continued in 2017 with "Add Violence".

Finnish melodic metallers SoulHealer has inked a worldwide deal with Rockshots Records for the release of the new album.

Up From The Ashes is the symbolic title of their new album, since the band is now back stronger than ever after a difficult period.

SoulHealer play traditional heavy and power metal with no compromises, with an old fashioned attitude to the 80's blended with a modern metal sound. Catchy lyrics and unforgettable guitar riffs will deliver a perfect record to both the 80's lovers and the new listeners looking for great melodies and easy-to-remember songs.

First single “The Final Judgement” will be released on July 13th with the album set for worldwide release on September 14th. 

Tracklisting:

“Up From The Ashes”
“Through Fire And Ice”
“Fly Away”
“Sins Of My Father”
“Prepare For War”
“Pitch Black”
“The Final Judgement”
“Behind Closed Doors”
“Am I In Hell”
“Land Of The Free”

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has once again said that he agrees with singer Ozzy Osbourne that the band should play the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England — the city where the group formed in 1968. Iommi told Planet Rock on the red carpet of the Kerrang! Awards in London last night (Thursday, June 21): "I haven't spoken to Geezer [Butler, SABBATH bassist] about it, but I know Ozzy wants to do it and I'm up for that. I think it's great. We're from Birmingham and if we can represent Birmingham and they ask us, that's great. If we can still play by that time. And if we're still here."

Tony also suggested that he might return to making music soon. Asked about his upcoming plans, Tony said: "I'm going to carry on playing, but I've been taking it easy, you know, just to figure out what and pick things that I want to do as opposed to… You know, when you do a tour you have to go out there for a year, 18 months, so that time's gotta be taken. But now I don't have to do that, and I can pick and choose what I want to do. So, I've been doing a lot of charity stuff, and eventually I will start writing and putting some stuff together."

Ozzy recently told ITV News that he would definitely consider playing the opening ceremony of the Games after his farewell world tour ends. He said: "Yeah, that would be fantastic. With BLACK SABBATH or on my own."

SABBATH completed its last major tour in February 2017 with two shows in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

The trek was the band's last because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time. But he has said he would not rule out special events or one-off shows.

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have launched the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation in honor of their guitarist who is suffering from the degenerative neurological disorder.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST record since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

In a statement announcing the formation of the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation, Glenn said: "As you probably know by now, I've had to pull out of the current PRIEST tour due to ill health. I am still doing some shows and joining the guys on stage for some songs and will carry on for as long as I can without compromising the band. So far, when I walk on stage, the audience reaction has been amazing, heartwarming and quite emotional.

"I knew that something was wrong as my coordination and speed were affected and have both been slowly getting worse over the last ten years. Accordingly, when I was diagnosed, it wasn't really a shock.

"Rob [Halford], Richie [Faulkner], Ian [Hill] and Scott [Travis] are playing better than ever and Andy is doing a really great job. They have all given me so much support.

"It was the band that suggested we start a foundation which, although in my name, is really a JUDAS PRIEST foundation. We are selling t-shirts with the slogan 'No Surrender' (a track off the latest album), which is very appropriate considering the determination you have to summon up to get on with life and beat this illness; it's the sort of thing that always happens to 'someone else.'

"There are many Parkinson's-related charities were we could send the funds we raise to which deal with the many different aspects of this disease both physically and mentally, but what really excites me is a brand new pioneering treatment called MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy, which, although in its early stages, has already had great success with a Parkinson's-related condition called essential tremor. Dr. Bain, my specialist who is one of the leading experts in this field, and his colleagues are now turning their attention to treating Parkinson's patients with state-of-the-art MR scanners and are very optimistic as to the positive results that are emerging.

"All proceeds we receive from you will go to this cause and I urge not just JUDAS PRIEST fans but everyone out there to help."

"If you can't get to the shows, you can also purchase t-shirts online at this location.

"We will keep you posted on what you have all raised through this tour so remember… Keep the faith and… no surrender!!"

PRIEST will return to the United States at the end of August for a co-headlining run with fellow classic heavy rockers DEEP PURPLE.

THE GLENN TIPTON PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION

As you probably know by now I've had to pull out of the current Priest tour due...Posted by Judas Priest on Monday, June 25, 2018

On the heels of announcing their signing with Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin’s label G4L Records last month, hard rock/metal trio To Whom It May (TWIM) has revealed that they are releasing their new album The Great Filter on Friday, July 20th.

Featuring their hard-hitting single “Calculate”, which will be unveiled to radio and available digitally starting July 9th, TWIM’s latest effort is already being hailed as an impressive lesson in contrasts by many, including the group’s frontman Jonathan Jourdan. As the band’s main songwriter, he describes the record as “a blend of rhythmic and melodic ideas that depend on each other to sound complete.” He goes on to say that it also encompasses “chaotic and soothing moments that depend on each other for balance”.

This dichotomy is also evident within the band itself. Featuring elements of prog, metal, and unadulterated rock n’ roll, the paired down threesome has created a complexity that is larger than the sum of its parts. Featuring Dexas Villarreal on drums and Robb Mars on bass, these two stellar musicians serve up the group’s signature hard-rocking, groove-infested backbeat while Jourdan adds his guitar riffs soaring into the ether. The result was enough to make multi-platinum selling artist Kevin Martin a fan.

"I knew the minute I heard To Whom It May that I wanted to work with them in any way possible”, said Martin. “There is something intangible about EVERYTHING TWIM does musically and that's what I love about them; they make me want to listen more and more to try and put my finger on it, challenging me, if you will, to understand why, who, or what has inspired these musicians to create such awe-inspiring music!”

The concept for The Great Filter, which was produced by Dean DiChosa (Candiria, Family Force 5), is based on the Great Filter Hypothesis, answers the question as to why we humans haven’t made contact with aliens yet. It suggests that at some point there is an evolutionary leap that no species can survive, leaving humans with two choices: we’ve passed “The Filter” and were the lucky species that survived or we haven’t met “The Great Filter” yet and inevitably will meet our extinction.

“This resonated with us as an album title because, in a lot of ways, this album was our personal Great Filter, said Jourdan. “A lot of people also have their own ‘Great Filter’ in their life. Something that makes them fear an inevitable defeat. In that moment you can chose to be paralyzed by it, or you can believe that you will survive.”

The album will be supported by a series of shows immediately following its release, including Warped Tour dates that start on Friday, July 6.

The Great Filter tracklisting:

"Bypass"
"Calculated"
"Quick"
"Descend"
"Weight Of The Stone"
"The Signal Fire"
"Firescape"
"Sick Day"
"Ghost"
"Take What I Can"

Swedish death metal act Feral have revealed the cover artwork and title of their upcoming album, Flesh For Funerals Eternal.  The cover art was created by Costin Chioreanu, and the album will be released through Transcending Obscurity Records later this year.

The album features ten tracks of furious death metal, sure to strip the meat from your bones. To be available as a gatefold LP, 6-panel digipack CD, digitally, as well as the boxed sets that Transcending Obscurity Records are known for. Stay tuned for more info, music and detailed pre-order info.

Says the band: "Finally! We have been waiting to reveal this fantastic piece of art done by Costin for quite som time now. It really catches the essence of the album as a whole, looking like the scarier older brother of our previous full length album. Rest assured that the music will deliver no less. Get ready, because these funerals have no end, and there is flesh to go around for eternity, Flesh For Funerals Eternal!"

Lineup:

David Nilsson - Vocals
Viktor Klingstedt - Bass
Markus Lindahl - Guitar
Sebastian Lejon - Guitar
Roger Markström - Drums

(Photo - Nicklas Lundqvist)

The Elements Tour Box was originally devised specifically as a one-off edition for the 2014 King Crimson tour but has since become an in-demand series with subsequent editions in 2015, 16 & 17 becoming firm sellers.

As with previous releases in the series, the full variety of King Crimson’s music can be represented over 2CDs with extracts from rehearsals, new live recordings, elements from studio recordings, full tracks, alternate takes & finished recordings from 1969-2017, many of which make their first appearance on CD. Every line-up is featured across the 2CD set.

The accompanying booklet features sleeve-notes by co-compiler Sid Smith, photos of memorabilia, full info about the current tour & a number of band & individual photos of the now 8 musicians King Crimson lineup.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1

"Wind" (Extract)    
"The Court Of The Crimson King" (Instrumental edit section) *    
"The Court Of The Crimson King" (Live 2015) *
"Groon" (Take 6)    
"Cirkus" (Live 2017) *    
"Formentera Lady" (Live 1972)    
"Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part I" (Live 2016) *    
"Doctor Diamond" (Live 1973)    
"Red" (Live 2016)    
"Discipline" (Jakko Jakszyk/Gavin Harrison Demo recording) *    
"Neurotica" (Live 2017) *    
"Funky Jam"    
"The Errors" (Jakko Jakszyk, Tony Levin & Gavin Harrison Demo recording) *    
"Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part IV" (Guitars highlighted from original album multi-tracks) *    
"Heroes" (Radio Edit)    

Disc 2

"Deception Of The Thrush" (Robert Fripp: Guitar/Soundscape extract) *
"A Scarcity Of Miracles" (Live 2015)    
"Prelude: Song Of The Gulls" (Rehearsal Take)    
"Cadence & Cascade" (studio recording, Vocal overdub: Jakko Jakszyk) *
"Book Of Saturday" (Alt. take)    
"Dawn Song" (studio recording, Vocal overdub: Jakko Jakszyk) *    
"Interlude" (Live 2017) *    
"Matte Kudasai" (Live 1984) *    
"Spenta's Counter Claim" (Live 2016)    
"The Night Watch" (Extract, elements highlighted from original album multi-tracks) *    
"Walking On Air" (Live 1995) *    
"Peace" (Live 2015)    
"Islands" (Live 2017)    
"Starless" (Extract, element highlighted from original album multi-tracks) *
"Deception Of The Thrush" (Live 1999) *    
"I Talk To The Wind" (Original album recording sessions)    

Tracks marked * previously unreleased on CD

Purchase here.

Doom metal heroes Candlemass performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2017. Professionally-filmed video of the band's full performance can be found below.

Setlist:

Intro ("Gothic Stone")
"Well Of Stones"
"Codex Gigas"
"At The Gallows End"
"Samarithan"
Interlude ("March Funebre")
"Dark Are The Veils Of Death"
"Mourner's Lament"
"Bewitched"

Ravage, the heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts which formed in the mid 90's and showcase a combination of power speed and speed metal influences, has released the first single from their forthcoming limited edition EP The Derelict City.

The song, "Till Heven Cries", is the first all-new music the band has released since The End Of Tomorrow album appeared on Metal Blade Records in 2009. The new five song offering The Derelict City features four never-before-heard original tracks as well as a cover of a song from the band My Pet Demon.

Singer Al Ravage has checked in with the following comment: "It's great to finally get some brand new music out there. We have a pile of material we've been putting together for a long time and this limited edition EP is just a taste-test to display some of the kinds of sounds we've been working on. There are more or less traditional NWOBHM-type songs like "The Derelict City", Overkill and Kreator influenced thrashier material like "New Age Survivor" and this first single "Till Heaven Cries" which is a typical speed metal romp with a lot of guitar work I really like. The lyrics are kind of strange. I channeled a lot of Ronnie James Dio for the lyrics, but they were mostly inspired by one of my favorite graphic novel collections... the old mid 90's comic book series Preacher by Garth Ennis. It's a fantastic series that any comic book fan should check out. For good measure we rounded out the EP with a cover of a local band we used to play with a lot called My Pet Demon. They broke up a long time ago and the song we covered was only available on a local demo, but it was one of my favourites from that scene."

The Derelict City will be released independently through the band's own label SWWR Recordings and will be distributed by CD Baby. It will be limited to just 300 collectible eco-digipak CD copies worldwide and will be available for streaming and digital download. Ravage is currently working on a double album of new material, tentatively entitled Ravage The Earth / Ravage In Peace.

Tracklisting:

"Till Heaven Cries"
"Chief Of Lies"
"The Derelict City"
"New Age Survivor"
"Demons Are Forever" (bonus track, My Pet Demon cover)

"Till Heaven Cries" lyric video:

Ravage heads out on a 19 show, 10-country European Tour for the entire month of July along with Lich King and Seax which culminate with an appearance at the Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany.

July
3 - Rostock, Germany - Peter-Weiss-Haus
5 - Deinze, Belgium - Elpee
6 - London, England - The Dev
7 - Manchester, England - Aatma
8 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Little Devil
9 - Hasselt, Belgium - De Witte Non
11 - Paris, France - Le Klub
12 - Nantes, France - La Ferrailleur
13 - St. Etienne, France - Thunderbird Lodge
14 - Olten, Switzerland - Coq D'or
15 - Milan, Italy - The One
16 - Vienna, Austria - Arena Beisl
18 - Budapest, Hungary - Blue Hell
20 - Berlin, Germany - Tommyhaus
21 - Krakaw, Poland - Warzstat
22 - Warsaw, Poland - Poglos
23 - Wroclaw, Poland - Liverpool
25 - Zielona Gora, Poland- Wyspa
26 - Brande- Hornerkirchen, Germany - Headbangers Open Air

(Photo - Stephen Schmidt Photography)

BLACK VEIL BRIDES bassist Ashley Purdy has denied ever saying in an interview that the band was planning to break up.

Purdy made headlines yesterday for saying during an appearance on a since-deleted "Another FN Podcast" episode that the forthcoming Vans Warped Tour dates would be "the last time" to see BLACK VEIL BRIDES.

"We are going to do eight dates through the southern California area," Ashley reportedly said. "That is where you are going to see BLACK VEIL BRIDES for the last time ever in your entire lives. So, you better fucking go, because that's gonna be it."

One day after BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack did a round of interviews shooting down the split report, Purdy took to his Twitter account to give his side of the story, insisting that his words were taken out of context.

"Just for the record and clarification: And this is expressed in great humor," he wrote.

"I never once said 'the band is breaking up,' as news outlets used as their headline to click bait you basically into reading way more into a story than it actually was.

"The misinformation came from a podcast that i was doing with a fellow musician and another industry colleague where we were just having a discussion about music and laughing and having a good time. It was basically a friendly discussion and less of an interview, but when someone did ask what's on the horizon for BLACK VEIL BRIDES, the honest answer is still the same.

"We have eight shows left on the final Warped Tour ever, so, again, yes, that's the last time you'll see us play there, and again, come see us now as this will be the last time. See the context.

"We have one festival show out in October and that's it, so yeah, that's all thats on the calendar and that's kind of how all of that got taken out of context.

"Very few listened to the entire podcast in its entirety before that headline quote of the band breaking up got blown outta proportion. Of course, for something newsworthy, it played into the dramatic.

"But honestly, it was a lighthearted and fun discussion that one news outlet just writes Ashley says 'the band is breaking up' and then so on and so forth everyone just takes that and runs with it again, out of context from the entire discussion and not the literal words I've ever said.

"Anyhow, Day 1 of Warped and we're all excitedly looking forward to performing for you all. 'See us now 'cuz you won't see us there again.' Lol"

BLACK VEIL BRIDES are continuing to tour in support of their fifth album, "Vale", which came out on January 12 via Lava/Universal Republic. The follow-up to BLACK VEIL BRIDES' 2014 self-titled effort was produced by John Feldmann at his Southern California studio.

✍?? pic.twitter.com/yQXiNvTk98— ☆ ?????? ????? ☆ (@AshleyPurdy) June 21, 2018

On June 29, GUNS N' ROSES will reissue its classic 1987 debut album, "Appetite For Destruction", in a "Locked N' Loaded" box via Universal Music Group.

An 18-minute "Locked N' Loaded" piece-by-piece unboxing video can be seen below.

The "Appetite For Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" box is the one true GN'R Holy Grail. The box includes the Super Deluxe Edition with four CDs featuring the album newly remastered for the first time ever; "B-sides N' EPs" newly remastered; the previously unreleased 1986 Sound City Session N' More recordings; a Blu-ray Audio disc with the album, bonus tracks and music videos in brand new 5.1 surround sound along with the unearthed music video for "It's So Easy" originally shot in 1989 but never finished; and a 96-page hardcover book showcasing unseen photos from Axl Rose's personal archive and a wealth of memorabilia.

Among the rare and previously unreleased material are two songs GUNS N' ROSES recorded with producer Mike Clink, "Shadow Of Your Love" — laid down during a trial session that resulted in Clink getting the production job — and an acoustic version of "Move To The City", which was recorded during the "GN'R Lies" sessions. Additional highlights of the unreleased audio include the first two work-in-progress recording attempts of the 1991 epic masterpiece "November Rain" which was originally penned as the ballad for "Appetite", covers of songs like Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel", AEROSMITH's "Mama Kin", two distinctly different recordings of THE ROLLING STONES' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (one electric, one acoustic) and two never-finished tracks/jams, "The Plague" and "New Work Tune".

On the vinyl front, the original "Appetite For Destruction" album has been broadened to 2LPs for the first time, including expanded gatefold jacket art and a limited-edition foil printed plastic slipcase. The music itself is being presented on three sides only for maximum audio fidelity, with the fourth side featuring a vinyl Hologroove Hologram of the band's iconic logo. Seven seven-inch singles are also included: the five original singles from the album, plus one for "Patience" and a new song, the aforementioned "Shadow Of Your Love". All of the bonus tracks appearing on 12-inch vinyl will only be available in the "Locked N' Loaded" box, including a reissue of the band's first EP, "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide".

"Appetite For Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" track listing:

Disc One - Appetite For Destruction

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. It's So Easy

03. Nightrain

04. Out Ta Get Me

05. Mr. Brownstone

06. Paradise City

07. My Michelle

08. Think About You

09. Sweet Child O' Mine

10. You're Crazy

11. Anything Goes

12. Rocket Queen

Disc Two - B-sides N' EPs

01. Reckless Life

02. Nice Boys

03. Move To The City (Live)

04. Mama Kin

05. Shadow Of Your Love (Live)

06. You're Crazy (Acoustic Version)

07. Patience

08. Used To Love Her

09. You're Crazy

10. It's So Easy (Live)

11. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Live)

12. Whole Lotta Rosie (Live)

Disc Three - 1986 Sound City Session

01. Welcome To The Jungle (1986 Sound City Session)

02. Nightrain (1986 Sound City Session)

03. Out Ta Get Me (1986 Sound City Session)

04. Paradise City (1986 Sound City Session)

05. My Michelle (1986 Sound City Session)

06. Think About You (1986 Sound City Session)

07. You're Crazy (1986 Sound City Session)

08. Anything Goes (1986 Sound City Session)

09. Rocket Queen (1986 Sound City Session)

10. Shadow Of Your Love (1986 Sound City Session)

11. Heartbreak Hotel (1986 Sound City Session)

12. Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986 Sound City Session)

Disc Four - 1986 Sound City Session N' More

01. Shadow Of Your Love

02. Move To The City (1986 Sound City Session)

03. Ain't Goin' Down No More (Instrumental Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

04. The Plague (1986 Sound City Session)

05. Nice Boys (1986 Sound City Session)

06. Back Off Bitch (1986 Sound City Session)

07. Reckless Life (1986 Sound City Session)

08. Mama Kin (1986 Sound City Session)

09. New Work Tune (1986 Sound City Session)

10. November Rain (Piano Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

11. Move To The City (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

12. You're Crazy (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

13. November Rain (Acoustic Version - 1986 Sound City Session)

14. Jumpin' Jack Flash (Acoustic Version- 1986 Sound City Session)

15. Move To The City (1988 Acoustic Version)

Blu-Ray Audio

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. It's So Easy

03. Nightrain

04. Out Ta Get Me

05. Mr. Brownstone

06. Paradise City

07. My Michelle

08. Think About You

09. Sweet Child O' Mine

10. You're Crazy

11. Anything Goes

12. Rocket Queen

Bonus Tracks

01. Shadow Of Your Love

02. Patience

03. Used To Love Her

04. You're Crazy

05. Move To The City (1988 Acoustic Version)

Music Videos

01. Welcome To The Jungle

02. Sweet Child O' Mine

03. Paradise City

04. Patience

05. It's So Easy (Brand New Video From 1989)

MEGADETH dedicated the song "My Last Words" to Vinnie Paul Abbott during the band's June 24 performance at Hellfest in Clisson, France.

Prior to launching into the track, frontman Dave Mustaine told the crowd: "This next song we're gonna do for you, we played it last night for the first time in almost 20 years; we haven't played this song for a very long time. And we played this and we dedicated it to a friend of mine — all of ours — who passed away. This song is dedicated to you, Vinnie. This song is called 'My Last Words'."

In a 2013 interview with the Dallas radio station 97.1 The Eagle, Vinnie confirmed that he and his brother, PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, once came close to joining MEGADETH. "Yeah, man," he said. "It was right before we ever got our record deal. It's a true story. [Mustaine] called and told Dime, 'Man, look, I'm gonna hook you up with a Nike endorsement, I'm gonna give you a paycheck, and you're gonna play guitar in MEGADETH.' And, of course, at that time, PANTERA had been struggling, playing all the clubs around Dallas, Oklahoma, [and other cities in] Texas, all those different places, and we'd been doing it for about seven years. And Dime straight-up just told Dave, he goes, 'Look, if you want me to play guitar for you, my brother's gotta come with me. That's the deal. That's the way it works.' And Dave's, like, 'Man, we've already got a drummer.' And Dime was, like, 'Well, sorry, dude. I'm not playing for your band.' And he stuck with PANTERA and everything worked out."

Vinnie Paul passed away on Friday (June 22) at the age of 54. The former PANTERA drummer apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach played a cover version of the PANTERA classic "Cemetery Gates" as a tribute to Vinnie Paul Abbott during his June 24 concert at The Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be seen below.

Back in 2015, Bach told Australia's "The Morning Show" that PANTERA was the "craziest" band to tour with. "I warm up my voice doing scales — all this boring vocal stuff — and they would warm up by doing 14 shots of Crown Royal [whisky]," he said. "'We're ready! Let's go!'"

After PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was murdered on stage in December 2004, Bach released a lengthy message in which he said that "it was an absolute dream to stand on the side of the stage every night witnessing PANTERA's rise to fame, night after night, city after city," when SKID ROW and PANTERA toured together in 1992. "To have those crazy fuckers as my friends was something I will never forget," he said.

Vinnie Paul passed away on Friday (June 22) at the age of 54. The former PANTERA drummer apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

French progressive metallers GOJIRA have shared a live performance of their song "Global Warming", filmed at the band's New York City headquarters, Silver Cord Studio.

The GOJIRA members discussed why they chose to film the live performance of "Global Warming", a standout track from their acclaimed LP "From Mars To Sirius", in a note to fans.

"A few weeks ago, we played 'Global Warming' together for the first time since the recording of 'From Mars To Sirius' (2004)," the band wrote. "We never played it live before, as it is a challenging one to play and place in a setlist. It's emotionally heavy and would almost 'hurt' the rest of the songs in a way."

The group added: "Global warming is a reality and a relevant topic. We feel it's good to be reminded of one of the most important challenges of our time: How to grow as a species without being a parasite to our planet, the only home we have. 'We will see our children growing' is a mantra for future generations, and in a figurative way, we hope the children in all of us will grow, evolve, and take action for a more compassionate and meaningful world."

This week, GOJIRA will kick off a run of international tour dates and festival performances, which begins with two shows in the band's hometown of Biarritz, France at the Atabal (June 27-28) and continues through early August.

In 2016, GOJIRA's "Magma" staked its claim among the best albums of the year, earning Metal Hammer's coveted "Album Of The Year" title while also landing on Rolling Stone's "Top 20 Metal Albums of 2016," Consequence Of Sound's "Top 50 Albums of 2016" / "Top 10 Metal Albums of 2016" lists, and Pop Matters's "Best Metal of 2016" recap. Additionally, "Stranded", the lead single off "Magma", was named one of Stereogum's "100 Favorite Songs Of 2016." "Magma" also earned GOJIRA their first-ever Grammy nominations for "Best Metal Performance" and "Best Rock Album." GOJIRA's crushing track "Silvera" received a nomination for "Best Metal Performance", while "Magma" was nominated for "Best Rock Album" at the awards.


"Magma" took the #1 spot on Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart upon debut, making GOJIRA the first French band to hold the #1 spot on the chart in its nine-year existence. The release of "Magma" marked the highest chart debuts of GOJIRA's career, landing them at #4 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, #6 on Billboard's Tastemaker Albums chart and Top 25 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, GOJIRA earned career-high chart positions around the globe, including Top 10s in France, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Norway, with Top 15 debuts in Australia and Germany.

Last summer, GOJIRA was the support act on a number of North American dates on METALLICA's "WorldWired" tour.

Wargaming — the company behind free-to-play titles World Of Tanks (2010), World Of Warplanes (2013) and World Of Warships (2015) — recently announced that IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson is hosting 10 online educational warplanes diaries. This free-to-view series is being released weekly on the World Of Warplanes official portal and YouTube channel across June, July and August, alongside an exclusive World Of Warplanes video tribute to the classic IRON MAIDEN song "Aces High".

As an avid enthusiast of military aviation, pilot, and supporter of World Of Warplanes' dedication to historical accuracy, Bruce has recorded "The Bruce Dickinson Warplanes Diaries" about the classic WW2 fighter and bomber aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109. As an extra treat for MAIDEN and Warplanes fans, World Of Warplanes have created, with many of the graphics from their in-game engine and some classic archive footage, a tribute video clip to the epic "Aces High" music video. Featuring many of the Battle Of Britain planes that Bruce profiles in the series, viewers can see the machines really brought to life.

"We are all delighted that Bruce has brought his enthusiasm and expertise to World Of Warplanes with these informative videos which he has delivered in his own inimitable style," commented Wargaming's global marketing director, Al King. "As well as the diaries and the 'Aces High' tribute, we are also introducing a renovated hangar subtly branded with iconic IRON MAIDEN imagery. It's unlike anything the game’s ever had before and we hope MAIDEN fans will have fun spotting the various Easter eggs hidden throughout!"

Dickinson's second video sees him talking about the Messerschmitt BF 109, the German World War II fighter aircraft that was the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force.

"Tell No Lies", the new video from CORELEONI, the project founded by GOTTHARD guitarist Leo Leoni to pay a very personal tribute to his rock and roll past, can be seen below. The track is taken from CORELEONI's debut album, "The Greatest Hits - Part 1", which was released on February 23 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Leo Leoni is joined in CORELEONI by Ronnie Romero (LORDS OF BLACK, RAINBOW) on vocals, Hena Habegger on drums, Jgor Gianola on guitar and Mila Merker on bass.

Says Leo: "On the 25th anniversary of the release of the first GOTTHARD album, I wanted to pay tribute to songs like 'Downtown', 'Firedance', 'Higher', 'Here Comes The Heat', 'In The Name', 'Ride On…', 'Let It Be' and 'All I Care 4'. Songs that with GOTTHARD we have kind of left aside. We've re-recorded, refreshed, and 're-brushed' them in a respectful way. These songs are very dear to me and they are part of a period that will remain forever with me."

Leoni dusted these songs off and brough a new life to these overlooked masterpieces from his past.

"Walk On Water" is the sole new track featured on "The Greatest Hits - Part 1".

"This CORELEONI project made me feel so many emotions and memories, filling my heart with joy," says Leo. "I hope hearing these new versions gives all the GOTTHARD fans, especially the ones who knew and loved the band in the early days, the same great emotions that it has brought to me."

"The Greatest Hits - Part 1" track listing:

01. Il Padrino

02. Firedance

03. Downtown

04. Higher

05. Get It While You Can

06. In The Name

07. Let It Be

08. All I Care For

09. Walk On Water

10. Here Comes The Heat

11. Tell No Lies

12. Ride On

13. Anytime Anywhere

14. El Traidor (bonus track; CD edition only)

SLAYER has announced that it will play its "last French show ever" at next year's Hellfest.

The 2019 edition of the annual festival will be held June 21-23 in Clisson and will also include appearances by MANOWAR, CARCASS, MASS HYSTERIA and DROPKICK MURPHYS, among others.

In a video announcement via Facebook, SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya said: "We will be playing our last French show ever at Hellfest next summer. So be there."

Added guitarist Kerry King: "Next year, at Hellfest, we will be doing our last-ever performance in France. I expect to see you all there. Send us off with shots, beers, horns — whatever you've got."

The North American leg of SLAYER's "farewell" tour kicked off on May 10 in San Diego.

SLAYER has U.S. dates booked through August 26 at San Jose, California's SAP Center. The band will embark on the European leg of the tour in the fall.

SLAYER has been touring in support of its latest album, "Repentless", which was released in September 2015 via Nuclear Blast. That effort marked the band's first release since the death of SLAYER's co-founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, in January 2011 from a spider bite in his backyard. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries, skin grafts and intense periods of rehab that forced him into semi-retirement and left him near death at several points.

Hanneman eventually died in May 2013 from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. He is credited for writing many of SLAYER's classic songs, including "Angel Of Death" and "South Of Heaven".

Original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo was effectively fired from the band after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of SLAYER. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.

21 . 22 . 23 JUNE 2019

⚠️ Special Annoucement ⚠️Posted by Hellfest Open Air Festival on Sunday, June 24, 2018

Vinnie Paul Abbott told Metal Hammer in an interview that he wanted GUNS N' ROSES' classic debut album, "Appetite For Destruction", played at his funeral. The former PANTERA drummer explained: "I'd really want to choose an album that was a goddamn good time, like fuckin' GUNS N' ROSES. I'd want people to celebrate what we've done and the fact that we'd had a great life. I wouldn't want my funeral to be a sad, sappy thing. I'd have the whole album, but 'Paradise City' and 'Welcome To The Jungle' would give off a positive vibe."

Vinnie Paul passed away on Friday (June 22) at the age of 54. He apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

Over the weekend, GUNS N' ROSES members Slash and Duff McKagan paid tribute to Vinnie, with Slash writing on Twitter: "Tragic news about Vinnie Paul today. He was one of the warmest people I knew. A truly good & fun friend. We're going to miss you more than you could possibly have known. RIP buddy." Duff added in his own tweet: "RIP Vinnie Paul. Friend. Humorist. Badass drummer. All-around good man. Condolences to the family. You will be missed bro..."

In a 2016 interview with Meltdown of Detroit, Michigan's WRIF radio station, Vinnie spoke about the impact "Appetite For Destruction" had on him at the time of its release. "It was huge, man," he said. "Before PANTERA got a record deal, that album came out, and we covered just about every song on that record, man, and it was before that band blew up. We were such fans of the music. And it took that record about a year before it caught on, and then it caught on. Man, it's one of my all-time favorite records. To this day, [ the song] 'Welcome To The Jungle', you hear it in front of every football game, in front of [every] hockey game; it won't go away. And that's a great thing, man, when there's a song that has that kind of life. And then, of course, they're back doing it and they're touring. I saw them the other night at the big, gigantic [AT&T Stadium] here in Dallas, and I thought it was amazing."

He continued: "I would really love to see them be able to get [Steven] Adler [drums] back in the band and, of course, Izzy [Stradlin, guitar], but, you know, seeing Slash [guitar] and Axl [Rose, vocals] and Duff [McKagan] up there together was pretty amazing. And those songs… People go because they wanna hear those songs; those are some of the greatest rock songs ever. And I think I kind of equate it to when the people that were older than us came up with THE BEATLES or LED ZEPPELIN in the '70s; GUNS N' ROSES was that band for us. So I love that record, man."

Vinnie went on to say that seeing GUNS N' ROSES perform during the "Not In This Lifetime" stadium tour exceeded his expectations. "I've seen GUNS many, many times, and I'm telling you, man, this is the best, I think, I've ever seen Axl, man," he said. "He's really spot-on, and he's really singing great. And Slash doing his solo thing for so long, he's always had his chops up to par. So it's great to see those two really at their 'A' game with these songs again."

On Saturday, June 23, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante made an appearance on Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM tribute show to Vinnie Paul Abbott, who died one day earlier at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 54. Asked about the first time he met the former PANTERA drummer, Benante said: "The very first time, it was the first time we ever were in Texas. And those guys [PANTERA] were there. We played at this club, and I believe PANTERA were the opening band. A mutual friend of ours, who everybody knows now — Rita [Haney, longtime girlfriend of PANTERA guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott] — she kind of was the conduit to grouping us together to become friendly. We've known those guys since 1985, and just the two of them, Darrell and Vinnie, after you met those two, it was like you had a friend in Texas, both of them, and they just made the experience so much better, and you immediately bonded. So throughout the years, we just remained friends."

Benante went on to draw a parallel between PANTERA and another legendary rock band which featured siblings who achieved notability together.

"I always equated Dime and Vinnie as, like, Alex and Eddie from VAN HALEN; I always thought PANTERA was like VAN HALEN reborn," he said. "They had a guitar player, who was a hero. The drummers were fucking awesome, but the thing about Vinnie that, I think, not a lot of people know — maybe they do — but from a technical side of things, Vinnie made those PANTERA records sound like that. He was the guy behind it all who was turning the knobs, EQing shit so that his kick drum wasn't fighting with Darrell's fucking chunky guitar. He was a lot of the brains and the glue that held that band together and, basically, pushed that band."

Vinnie Paul apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

In December 2004, Dimebag was shot dead onstage at the age of 38 by a deranged gunman as DAMAGEPLAN performed at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio.

ALICE IN CHAINS dedicated the song "Nutshell" to Vinnie Paul Abbott during the band's June 24 performance at Hellfest in Clisson, France.

Prior to launching into the track, guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell told the crowd: "Almost every night we like to play a song for our good friend Layne Staley [late ALICE IN CHAINS singer] and Mike Starr [late ALICE IN CHAINS bassist], and we're gonna do that. But I'd like to play this one for Vinnie Paul."

Cantrell told Billboard that he first met Vinnie Paul and his brother, late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, in the mid-1980s in Texas. "I graduated in '84 and was going to winter semester of college, and then got the bright idea to put school off for a year and try to put a band together with a bunch of buddies of mine," he said. "So we drove to Dallas in a van and got jobs. We jammed and went to clubs at night. One of the clubs we went to was a place called Cardi's in Houston. They had rock bands all the time — I saw YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE, TALAS, all sorts of cool fucking bands. PANTERA was one of the bands I saw there. I remember talking to Dime after the show, just about gear and about how much I enjoyed how he played. I thought he was an amazing guitarist and he turned out to be an even better person. That started a long, long friendship… I remember talking to [PANTERA bassist] Rex [Brown] and Vinnie that night, too."

Vinnie Paul passed away on Friday (June 22) at the age of 54. He apparently died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death was given at press time, but sources close to the drummer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he suffered a "major heart attack."

Vinnie's body had been turned over to the medical examiner to determine an official cause of death, after which his body will be flown to Texas to be buried between his mother and brother.

Former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown has broken his silence on the passing of the band's drummer, Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Vinnie Paul reportedly died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas on Friday, June 22. He was 54 years old.

Earlier today, Rex took to his personal Facebook page to make the following public post: "The last few days have been very difficult and painful. At this time, I need more time to process my feelings.

"Thank you for all the love that has been sent. A formal press release will be coming shortly. Rest in peace, brother Vinnie!"


In a separate message in the comments section below his original post, Brown added: "I had to put something out socially. I am doing okay considering.

"This is not about me; it's about the love, amazing times and friendship we had long ago.

"Everybody is going through their own strife with this.

"Pray for Jerry Abbott [father of Vinnie Paul and 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott]. No man should have to bury two incredible sons in one lifetime.

"God bless. You will hear my deepest feelings in the days to come."