Former members of disbanded symphonic black metal band, Sothis, have regrouped to form progressive blackened death metal project, Witch Casket.

The formation of Witch Casket began in 2013 when ex-Sothis guitarist Colin "Nylock" Cameron and guitarist Neal Tiemann started working on writing songs together in Nylock's Los Angeles studio. Once a majority of the songs had been written, ex-Sothis vocalist Adam "Drogoth" McCarthy was brought on to handle writing lyrics and recording vocals.

Originally formed simply as a studio project, all musical instrumentation was composed and executed by both Nylock and Tiemann. The album in its entirety was also produced, engineered, and mixed by Nylock himself in both his personal Hollywood studio and Los Angeles based Unfriendly Studios, where he is the lead engineer and co founder along with Metal Sanaz.

The album was completed with this lineup, however towards the end of the recording process, Tiemann departed the project to focus on writing for and touring with established SoCal metal band DevilDriver. As completion of the band's debut album, Hatred Index, approached, live rehearsals were started with the addition of ex-Sothis guitarist Robert "Scathe" Enriquez, drummer Kaspars Lucey-Grinbergs, and bassist Rick DC.

With the debut album recorded and the formation of the live band complete, Witch Casket are poised to explode on the metal scene with a crushing brutality, a high-energy live show, and are ready to deliver to the masses their unique brand of progressive blackened death metal.

Witch Casket have released a lyric video for their debut track, “That Damn Devil”. While they are putting the final touches on their debut full-length album, Hatred Inde”, the band also have plans to shoot music videos for several of the upcoming song releases.

(Photo - Witch Casket Facebook)

THUNDER will release a brand new studio album, "Rip It Up", on February 10, through earMUSIC. The disc, the band's eleventh, features eleven brand new songs recorded in 2016, and is proof positive that this is a band that exists only to push itself and aim higher. Following on from the Top Ten success enjoyed by previous release "Wonder Days", "Rip It Up" — as the title suggests — sees Danny Bowes, Luke Morley, Ben Matthews, Chris Childs and "Harry" James stretching themselves musically, lyrically and creatively.

A live studio session video for the album's lead track, "No One Gets Out Alive", can be seen below. Frontman Danny said simply: "After the positive reaction to 'Wonder Days', we were very happy, and it justified the approach we took in the writing and recording. We decided to push it further on all fronts this time, to see what happened, and I think it shows in the writing and the individual performances. We couldn't have made this album 10 or even 5 years ago, we weren't good enough! We're really looking forward to playing the new tunes live alongside the more established ones." Fans don't have to wait long, the band will embark on a nationwide U.K. tour in March, with full details and ticket links on the band's web site. This album comes nearly three decades into their career and, if 27 is normally famed and feared as the rock milestone at which many of the great and the good have had their creative flames extinguished, then THUNDER have arrived with a bulging bag of tunes, a notebook of great lyrics, a jerrycan of petrol, and a match. There are rockers, like the incendiary title track, ripsnorters like "She Likes The Cocaine", while songs like "Right From The Start" take the pace down, but turn the intensity up. While the album closes out with the stylish blues-tinged melancholia of "There's Always A Loser", it's clear that the band have continued with their winning ways. After a summer of great gigs including killer performances at Ramblin' Man and Steelhouse festival, the quintet know what works and how to pace a set of songs. Title track "Rip It Up" is more than just a great and contemporary rock track, it's a statement of intent. THUNDER, as Danny sings, "Don't do subtle, don't rely on luck," there's quality in depth and style to burn here. THUNDER have never sounded so intent or intense and, whilst this album cleaves to what made the band's fans fall in love with them originally, there's risk taking and ambition aplenty here. THUNDER have no interest in taking the easy way. "Rip It Up" track listing:

01. No One Gets Out Alive02. Rip It Up03. She Likes The Cocaine04. Right From The Start05. Shakedown06. Heartbreak Hurricane07. In Another Life08. The Chosen One09. The Enemy Inside10. Tumbling Down11. There's Always A Loser

Drummer Paul Wandtke has confirmed that he is no longer a touring member of the Florida-based metal band TRIVIUM.

On December 22, BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported the rumor that TRIVIUM had parted ways with Wandtke and welcomed Alex Bent, a member of BATTLECROSS and DECREPIT BIRTH who has previously played with TESTAMENT as the fill-in for that band's longtime drummer Gene Hoglan.

After TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy stated in a Metal Insider interview that TRIVIUM's last three drummers were merely "session" musicians, Wandtke posted a message on his web site in which he said: "I guess the rumors are true, so check out my new band called BEDLEM that I'm starting in Chicago." Paul went on to refer to himself as "TRIVIUM's former 'touring powerhouse,'" and revealed that BEDLEM's debut single, "Triumph", will be released in February.

Meanwhile, Heafy has continued to downplay the fact that TRIVIUM has undergone yet another drummer change, tweeting yesterday that fans should "read beyond the headlines" and "go into the substance," apparently referring to his comment in the Metal Insider interview that "the last three [TRIVIUM drummers] were session players [who] aren't the people in the band." He also tweeted out a "list of ex-drummers of TRIVIUM you didn't know about (various studio gigs, live gigs, extensive tour fill-ins, etc.)"

Heafy's current stance is a far cry from the picture he painted less than a year ago when he heaped praise on Wandtke, saying that it felt as if Paul had been part of the group for years.

"For the first time in our careers, everything we're playing sounds like the record," he said at the time. "And I'm not putting that as a fault upon any of the previous drummers, but I'm putting that as a fault of the previous three lineups.

"The four of us, at each point in time when we had to make a drummer change, because our band wasn't able to either perform well or create good music or really be functional as a unit anymore… So, thankfully, with someone like Paul, who comes to the table with a full set of a musical pedigree, it allows us to play anything. And we're playing music from records two through seven right now. I finally retrained myself how to scream again, so everything is exactly as it was."

Heafy added that finding the right drummer to fill the drum position was vital, as TRIVIUM didn't have the time to being someone up to speed.

"[Paul's] an amazing drummer," Matt told Full Metal Jackie in early 2016. "He's what we've always been missing. We've been missing someone who can keep up with us musically and creatively and someone who already has stage presence. So he comes to the table completely prepared; it's as if he's been with us the whole time."

Wandtke made his live debut with TRIVIUM on December 5, 2015 at Knotfest in Mexico. A short time later, he appeared in an official promotional photo with the three core members of the band.

Paul previously drummed for the hit musical "Rock Of Ages" and sat behind the kit for KILL HANNAH during the band's main-support run with the SMASHING PUMPKINS.

Wandtke joined the Florida outfit on the recommendation of DREAM THEATER's Mike Mangini and replaced Mat Madiro, who departed due to reasons of "creativity."

In addition to Wandtke, BEDLEM includes the drummer's "good old best friends from high school," Joe Brassal, Mike Petrasek and Brian Acorn.

Bent is also a member of TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson's DRAGONLORD project, whose long-awaited third album, "Dominion", is expected to arrive later this year.

Madiro was the featured drummer on TRIVIUM's latest album, "Silence In The Snow", which was released in October 2015 via Roadrunner.

List of ex-drummers of #trivium you didn't know about (various studio gigs, live gigs, extensive tour fill… https://t.co/vAYauYwWky

— Matthew Kiichi Heafy (@matthewkheafy) January 19, 2017

Greek / Swedish metallers, Nightrage, are streaming the new song, “Affliction”, featured on the band’s new album, The Venomous, out on March 31st via Despotz Records. Listen to the track below, and pre-order the new album here.

The Venomous  is a relentless tale of extinction, told with as much venomous aggression as there are intriguing and mesmerizing melodies. Memorable hooks and some of the catchiest choruses that metal has seen in decades does nothing to compromise the brutality and honesty that Nightrage is known for. The music is catchy and extreme.  Lyrically the album deals with the failure of mankind and how we as human beings are racing towards our own extinction.

Tracklisting:

“The Venomous”
“Metamorphosis/Day Of Wrath”
“In Abhorrence”
“Affliction”
“Catharsis”
“Bemoan”
“The Blood”
“From Ashes Into Stone”
“Trail Of Ghosts”
“Disturbia”
“Desolation And Dismay”
“Denial Of The Soul” (Instrumental)

“Affliction”:

"The Venomous”:

Nightrage is:

Marios Iliopoulos - guitar
Anders Hammer - bass
Ronnie Nyman - vocals
Magnus Söderman - guitar
Lawrence Dinamarca - drums

(Photo - Soile Siirtola)

Nancy Wilson, one of the founding members of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame group HEART, has teamed up with former Prince bandmember and R&B singer Liv Warfield to form a new supergroup called ROADCASE ROYALE. The sound of ROADCASE ROYALE is muscular rock with some R&B/blues and in-depth ballads thrown in, reflecting the iconic sounds of both their respective bands.

ROADCASE ROYALE's debut song is available to stream now via the band's Soundcloud page. The track, "Get Loud", is a ROADCASE ROYALE original, and will debut January 20 immediately following "Concert For America: Stand Up, Sing Out!", which will be livestreamed through Facebook. The song will also be featured at the Women's March on Austin, Texas (the largest ever gathering of Texas women) on January 21.

Joining Wilson (guitar) and Warfield (vocals) are lead guitarist Ryan Waters (the musical director for Liv's solo work and Prince protégé) along with HEART members Chris Joyner (keys), Dan Rothchild (bass), and Ben Smith (drums). Each of the members' musical talents shines in "Get Loud". The song begins with a laid-back groove, providing a solid acoustic and electric foundation for Warfield's vocals – all about getting loud and standing up for women's equality. "Get Loud" blends this important message with the group's R&B and rock influences, resulting in a uniquely powerful track.

The band has recorded five new original songs as well as plans for a tour early in 2017. Wilson has said ROADCASE ROYALE's activity doesn't mean HEART is going away. "ROADCASE ROYALE is a side project," she noted, "and not a replacement for HEART." She also stated that the name ROADCASE ROYALE came to the group during a backstage meeting they had last year, and said: "When I came up with the name ROADCASE ROYALE, it was an interesting symbol to me since the big heavy duty road cases that our amps, drums and guitars travel in are much like the musicians they accompany on the road. Strong and regal looking yet all scuffed up and dented, covered in funny stickers that tell the story of a crazy traveling circus."

"It's going to be fun to see our road cases with ROADCASE ROYALE stenciled on the side!" Wilson added.

After forty years together, Canadian rockers SAGA will call it quits following one more "Final Chapter" of touring in 2017.

SAGA's original singer Michael Sadler said in a statement: "This year marks four decades of writing, recording and touring as a band. However, after much deliberation and discussion, my brothers and I have regretfully decided that after forty incredible years together, 2017 will be SAGA's 'Final Chapter'.

"With the exception of a very special one-off performance on the 2018 'Cruise To The Edge', I'm afraid this is it, folks!

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank absolutely everyone. You have made it possible for us to have been on this incredible ride. Words alone will never be enough to expess all our thoughts and feelings. We are completely aware that without all of you and your support, well… we wouldn't be where we are right now.

"Although it will be bittersweet, we're very much looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible this year. We will make every effort to visit new territories and hope the circumstances will allow it.

"Here's hoping we'll see you all somewhere on the road so we can thank you in person!"

SAGA formed in 1977 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and released its first album in 1978. Since that time, SAGA has sold ten million albums and performed in over twenty countries to over fifteen million people.

For over thirty-five years, SAGA has led the way in music innovation and audience interaction. Throughout this time, the band has released twenty-one studio recorded CDs under the umbrella of major record companies and have filmed over twenty music videos. Their hits include "Don't Be Late", "Wind Him Up", "On The Loose", "The Flyer" and "Scratching The Surface".

SAGA is widely regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock bands in Canada and around the world.

SAGA is: Michael Sadler, Jim Crichton, Ian Crichton, Jim Gilmour and Mike Thorne.

VESCERA, the new band led by acclaimed heavy metal vocalist Michael Vescera (LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, OBSESSION), has signed a worldwide deal with Pure Steel Records. The group — whose lineup is completed by ex-NITEHAWKS members Mike Petrone (guitar) and Frank Leone (bass), along with drummer Fabio Alessandrini, will release its debut album, "Beyond The Fight", in April.

According to a press release, fans can expect "superb melodic heavy metal of the highest quality."

Check out a preview of the upcoming album below.

VESCERA is:

* Michael Vescera (OBSESSION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, LOUDNESS, ANIMETAL USA) - Vocals * Mike Petrone (ex-NITEHAWKS) - Guitar * Frank Leone (ex-NITEHAWKS) - Bass * Fabio Alessandrini (ANNIHILATOR) - Drums

Vescera joined LOUDNESS in 1988 following the firing of Minoru Niihara. In pursuit of greater commercial success with English-speaking audiences, Vescera and the rest of LOUDNESS recorded two albums, "Soldier Of Fortune" (1989) and "On The Prowl" (1991). However, the pairing did little to improve the band's status in America and also took its toll on LOUDNESS' Japanese fan base. Vescera exited LOUDNESS (and joined Yngwie J. Malmsteen in 1993) during the group's American tour in 1991 and was eventually replaced by EZO vocalist Masaki Yamada.

Vescera rose to metal popularity at the age of 18 years old as the legendary vocalist of the band OBSESSION. A classically trained pianist, Mike chose the path of a metal frontman instead of Julliard.

In recent years, Mike Vescera has gained a reputation in the business as being a masterful producer and engineer working from his studio The Toy Room, which was located in the hills of Connecticut just outside of New York. A few years ago the studio moved to Nashville, where Mike now makes his home.

Mike continues to front OBSESSION and ANIMETAL USA, the American counterpart to ANIMETAL, the Japanese heavy metal band which specialized in metal covers of popular Japanese anime/tokusatsu theme songs.

US power/thrash metal act Wretch will release their new album, The Hunt, on February 24th via Pure Steel Records. The pre-order phase will start on February 10th. Listen to the single "The Final Stand" below.

Wretch are pioneers of their local Cleveland metal scene and have since forged ahead to become an internationally recognized force of powerful melodic metal with festival performances in Germany and Greece. Prepare for the bands latest release The Hunt - a shredding masterpiece that will appeal to fans of Primal Fear, Iced Earth, Helloween and Iron Maiden.

The first album to feature new singer Juan Ricardo, who has a voice reminiscent of the mighty Bruce Dickinson, the new album is 40 minutes of exceptional power/thrash that marks the bands long journey since its 2006 debut, Reborn.

Released through Pure Steel Records, who also released the band’s previous album Warriors, the new album will be released in February before the bands upcoming European tour in March alongside Split Heaven.

Tracklisting:

“Sturmbringer”
“The Hunt”
“Throne Of Poseidon”
“Twilight´s End”
“The Final Stand”
“Fortune’s Fool”
“The King In Red”
“Straight To Hell”
“Pierce The Veil”
“Once In A Lifetime”
“She Waits”

"The Final Stand":

Lineup:

Juan Ricardo - vocals
Nick Giannakos - lead- and rhythm guitar
Michael “Mjölnir” Stephenson - lead- and rhythm guitar
Tim Frederick - bass
Jeff Curenton - drums

Amsterdam based metal band, The Charm The Fury, has announced their sophomore album, The Sick, Dumb & Happy, will be released on March 17th via Nuclear Blast (worldwide) and Arising Empire (Europe).

Today, the band released the music video for the first single, "Down On The Ropes". Watch the music video below.

Pre-order your copy of The Sick, Dumb & Happy here. Pre-order your copy of the album on either iTunes or Amazon and receive a download for "Down On The Ropes" instantly.

The album was recorded at Wisseloord, ICP Belgium. The mixing was completed by Josh Wilbur (Megadeth, Lamb Of God) with additional mixing by Stefan Glaumann (Within Temptation, Paradise Lost). Ted Jensen (Machine Head, Death Angel) of Sterling Sound in New York City and  Brian 'Big Bass' Gardner (David Bowie, Gemini Syndrome) handled the mastering of The Sick, Dumb & Happy..

Tracklisting:

1. Down On The Ropes
2. Echoes
3. Weaponized
4. No End In Sight
5. Blood And Salt
6. Corner Office Maniacs
7. The Future Need Us Not
8. Silent War
9. The Hell In Me
10. Songs Of Obscenity
11. Break And Dominate

“Down On The Ropes” video:

Teaser trailer:

Lineup:

Caroline Westendorp - Vocals
Mathijs Tieken - Drums
Rolf Perdok - Guitars
Martijn Slegtenhorst - Guitars
Lucas Arnoldussen - Bass

Pride & Joy Music has announced the signing of Italian modern hard rock band Starsick System for the release of their second album, Lies, Hopes & Other Stories. Release is set for June 23rd.

Starsick System is a new sensation in modern hard rock, mixing influences from bands like Alter Bridge, Sixx:A.M, Shinedown with the deep research for a personal sound where catchy choruses and melodies are melted with heavy riffing.

After the release of their debut album Daydreamin’ in the year 2015, the band supported Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society and Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist) on tour in Italy.  

The sophomore release, Lies, Hopes & Other Stories, was recorded during the year 2016 and caught the attention of Pride & Joy Music in the same. The first instant grats, a lyric video and a full video clip will be released shortly and more touring is planned for later in the year. 

Line-up: 
Marco Sandron – vocals, guitars 
David Donati – guitars 
Ivan Moni Bidin – drums 
Valeria Battain – bass

Vicious metal-edged hardcore band, First Blood, are streaming the new song “These Are The Rules”, featured on their new album, Rules, out February 10th via Pure Noise Records. Listen to the track below, and pre-order the record at this location.

First Blood’s union with Pure Noise Records marks a new chapter for the band as they join the label’s eclectic roster, which includes fellow hardcore acts like Terror, Knocked Loose, Senses Fail and more.

"Not only has Jake (Round) at Pure Noise been there and seen us during our earlier days back in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he has worked hard and created a tremendous record label that continues to make a huge impact in the underground music scene worldwide,” says vocalist Carl Schwartz. “We are proud to join the Pure Noise roster, excited to share our newest album with the world, and thankful for the new life. FIRST BLOOD RULES 2017."

On their first album in seven years, First Blood has come out swinging with a savage third full-length record, Rules. Produced by recording mastermind Will Putney at Graphic Nature Studios (formerly known as The Machine Shop) in Belleville, NJ, Rules features 12 tracks of the band's hardest, yet most inward-looking material to date. Elaborating on the album title, Schwartz adds, "Rules are everywhere. Explicit rules. Unwritten rules. Unspoken rules. The rule of law. Some rules we accept. Others we hate or choose to ignore. Frequently, those who set the rules are found guilty of breaking those rules. Many have become victims of the rules they live by, either by conquest or consent. I hope that, after listening to this album and reading the lyrics, we can revisit and remind ourselves of the very essence of the underground music scene: Living our own lives by our own rules."

That rebellious sentiment can be felt throughout the band’s torrential new song “Rules of Life,” which pushes back against society’s norms and puts a fist in the air for individuality and freedom of thought.

“We are often the product of the rules we are taught to live by,” Schwartz adds. “Growing up, someone I looked-up to once told me, "You wake up everyday. You go to a job you hate. You come home miserable. Then you go to bed. And then you do it again. And again. And again. And then you die. That's life." For a while, I believed this was true. Now that I am older and have a son of my own, I wish for him to see things differently--to live differently. To him, I say "Have courage to stand on your own. Follow what you believe even when you're alone. Be strong. Be proud. Be brave. Be a fucking rebel instead of a slave. See the world and follow your dreams. Wolfgang, this is for you. That's life."

First Blood will tour Europe with Deez Nuts and Comeback Kid in February and are expected to return to the US later this year.

Rules tracklisting:

“Fuck The Rules”
“These Are The Rules”
“Rules Meant To Be Broken”
“Rules Of Life”
“Rules Of Conviction”
“Rules Of Engagement”
“Rules Of Justice”
“Rules Of Survival”
“Rules Of Freedom”
“Rules Of Sacrifice”
“Rules Of Government”
“Rules Of Crisis”

“These Are The Rules”:

“Rules Of Life” lyric video:

(Photo - Azumi Tomoshige)

Thrash-metal stalwarts, Havok, are disseminating the first new track off their upcoming album, Conformicide. The song, titled "Hang 'Em High”, can be heard via the lyric video below and is the first instant grat track for those who pre-order the album on Amazon and iTunes. Conformicide will see a March 10th release on Century Media Records.

Speaking about the message behind "Hang 'Em High" and the accompanying lyric video, David Sanchez (lead vocals, guitar) comments, "In our current political atmosphere, corruption runs deep. This is our response. It's time to wake up."

In addition to Conformicide being released on CD, digital and streaming platforms, the album will also be available in an array of limited edition vinyl colors. See below for a complete list of these color LPs and where fans can purchase them.

Color Vinyls:

Black - All Outlets (unlimited)
White - CM Distro Europe Exclusive (100 copies)
Lilac - Europe (200 copies)
Golden - Nuclear Blast Europe Exclusive (200 copies)
Neon Yellow - US Stores / Indie Merch (400 copies)
Clear - Pledge Music Exclusive (300 copies)
Transparent Blue - Tour/Band Exclusive (300 copies)

Fans can now pre-order Conformicide via CMDistro or Pledge Music. Also available via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

Tracklisting:

“F.P.C.”
“Hang 'Em High”
“Dogmaniacal”
“Intention To Deceive”
“Ingsoc”
“Masterplan”
“Peace Is In Pieces”
“Claiming Certainty”
“Wake Up”
“Circling The Drain”

Bonus Tracks (Special Edition CD)
“String Break”
“Slaughtered”

Bonus Tracks (Gatefold 2LP + CD)
“String Break”
“Slaughtered”
“Claiming Certainty” (Live)

North American Headline Tour with Exmortus, Extinction A.D.:

February
8 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock Club
9 - Detroit, MI - Small's
10 - Toronto, ON - Rockpile West
11 - Quebec City, QC - L'Anti
12 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques
13 - Somerville, MA - Once Ballroom
14 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
15 - Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge
16 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
17 - Dayton, OH - Rockstar Pro Arena
19 - Oklahoma City, OK - Thunder Alley

Suicidal Tendencies will embark on a headlining tour through The US during February and March with Crowbar as main support and Havok as opening band. Tickets go on sale January 6th, confirmed shows are as listed.

February
22 - Santa Ana, CA - Observatory
23 - San Diego, CA - Observatory
24 - Tucson, AZ - Club XS
25 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
27 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey
28 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger

March
1 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
3 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
4 - Ft. Meyers, FL - Harborside Events Center
5 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre
7 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theatre
8 - Lawrence, KS - Granada
10 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall Complex
11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Complex

 

 

European Headline Tour with Warbringer, Gorod & Exmortus:

April
1 - Edingburgh, UK - Heavy Scotland Festival * Havok only!
2 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion   
3 - Birmingham, UK - Mama Roux’s  
4 - London, UK - Underworld  
5 - Hasselt, Belgium - Muziekodroom   
6 - Tilburg, The Netherlands - 013   
7 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo  
8 - Aarhus, Denmark - Royal Metal Festival  
9 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers  
11 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia  
13 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset Klubben  
14 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset   
15 - Berlin, Germany - Cassiopeia  
16 - Markneukirchen, Germany - Framus & Warwick Concert Hall  
17 - München, Germany - Feierwerk  
19 - Vienna, Austria - Arena  
20 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Orto Bar  
21 - Brescia, Italy - Circolo Colony  
22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7  
23 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage  
24 - Nantes, France - Ferrailleur   
26 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol  
27 - Barcelona , Spain - Salamandra 1  
28 - Puget, France - Le Rats  
29 - Paris, France - Petit Bain  
30 - Essen, Germany - Turock

(Photo - Havok Facebook)

Global Music Award-winning heavy metal group, Enemy Remains, have released their new album, No Faith In Humanity. A full album stream can be found below.

No Faith In Humanity features pre-production by Jeffrey Weed (Trivium, Korn) and Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Sepultura, Halford). The album was recorded, engineered and mixed by Nick Bellmore (Toxic Holocaust, Jasta, Kingdom of Sorrow) at Dexters Lab Recording, and mastered by Chris Zeuss Harris (Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Hatebreed).

No Faith In Humanity tracklisting:

“Colony”
“Trust In No One”
“Divided By Hate” (feat. Nick Bellmore [Toxic Holocaust, Jasta, Kingdom of Sorrow])
“Civilization”
“No Faith In Humanity” (feat. Joey Concepcion [Armageddon, Dead By Wednesday] & Jeff Curtis [Obsession & StikPin])
“Breathe Again”
“Empty Inside”

Album stream:

“Trust In No One” video;

 

“No Faith In Humanity” video:

Enemy Remains will perform with Nonpoint on February 8th at The Webster in Hartford, CT. The second stage opens at 5 PM and the main stage opens at 7 PM.

Enemy Remains is:

Steve Zimmerman - Drums
Bob Bryk - Keyboards
Tommy Blardo "The Beast" - Guitars/Vocals
Frank Morin - Vocals
Jeff Curtis - Bass
Scott Kadish - Guitars

Egonaut, the Swedish doom connoisseurs, return to the sonic maelstrom that is streaming music media with the new single “Initiium”. Mellotrons and organs set the scene followed by crushing drums, heavy guitars and soaring vocals giving the listeners a taste of what is to come from Egonaut.

Intended as a preview of the upcoming album, "Initiium" continues down the musical path from Egonauts previous full length album, Deluminati, albeit a bit doomier and gloomier.

Egonaut's fourth album, The Omega, will be out on Mighty Music in late summer 2017.

Egonaut are:

Emil Kyrk - Vocals
Fredrik Jordanius - Guitars
Mikael Bielinski - Bass
Dennis Zielinski - Keyboards
Markus Johansson - Drums

Capitol Chaos TV has uploaded live footage of Entombed A.D. performing live from the Starlite Lounge in Sacramento, CA last night (January 19th).

Check out the death metallers bang out “Out Of Hand” and “Revel In Flesh”:

Entombed A.D.’s US tour wraps up this Sunday.

Remaining dates:

January
20 - Portland, CA - Dantes
21 - Seattle, WA - Highline
22 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw

Fairport Convention will release a new album to celebrate their 50th anniversary, featuring guest vocals from Robert Plant, reports Uncut.

The singer joins Pentangle vocalist Jacqui McShee on the record, titled 50:50@50 and tentatively set for release in May. It will consist of both new studio recordings and live favourites.

Plant has collaborated with Fairport Convention before, including joining them onstage at their Cropredy festival in 1986 and 2008, at the latter performing a version of Led Zeppelin‘s “The Battle Of Evermore”, which originally featured Fairport’s Sandy Denny on vocals.

Read more at Uncut.co.uk.

Cult Of Luna has released a video trailer for their ucpcoming CD/DVD package of live recordings, entitled Years In A Day. Watch the trailer below.

The band states: “A few years ago we took the decision to keep touring to a minimum. The sole reason was to prevent us from burning out, to keep the flame and the passion burning. But the experiences on the road that we've shared for almost 20 years has been life changing for all of us. It has boned us together like brothers and we have been given the privilege to interact with incredible people all around the globe. So we thought it was time to release a special object related to the live aspect of Cult Of Luna and how we have progressed since the release of Fire Was Born eight years ago.”

Years In A Day will contain:

- 2 hour DVD captured in Paris last year at La Gaîté Lyrique
- 2 live CDs from Roadburn Festival 2013 and 2016
- Hi-res digital audio from Paris

The release will be coming in a collector 10” vinyl digipack only on sale at the band’s website and strictly limited to 7,000 copies.

Pre-orders at cultofluna.com.

Anglo-Swedish modern metal powerhouse Sonic Syndicate are streaming the third and final single from the Confessions album, released in 2016. On “Still Believe”, the band is joined by alt pop singer Madyx. Listen below:

A video for “Confessions”, the title track of the album, can be seen below. The video, directed by Bröderna Blom, features the band in a "live" situation with intercut scenes of people from carious walks of life, a female boxer, a model, a nun, a businessman and a young girl, amongst others, revealing and confessing their sins to the world.  

“Confessions” video:

Amaranthe have announced four spring shows for their homeland featuring Sonic Syndicate as support. Dates are as follows:

March
16 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik
17 - Malmö, Sweden - KB
18 - Ronneby, Sweden - Club Ron
31 - Huskvarna, Sweden - Folkets Park

After announcing their new line-up recently (the addition of new vocalist Giacomo Voli and drummer Manu Lotter), Italian symphonic power metal kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE are now working on their upcoming release, which will be a 75 minutes long album revisiting a selection of songs written and produced during the 5 first years of the Rhapsody Era (1997-2002). Yes, indeed: 14 epic tracks completely re-recorded! All drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, vocals, epic choirs, opera choirs, and numerous classical instruments have been recorded already. The album will be mixed by Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan).

“To re-record old historic tracks is not that common among bands because there is probably a lack of self-confidence or because, for some musicians and fans, what is part of the past should not be touched. We do not agree”, Alex Staropoli says.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE are different and absolutely confident to achieve a stunning result. The precision of playing, the new vocal approach of Giacomo, the modern technologies, a careful mix and great mastering will give the songs a new incredibly great sound. Of course everything is done with immense dedication, passion, emotion and respect for these beautiful tracks co-written by Alex Staropoli and the band’s former guitarist Luca Turilli.

“We already had the chance to listen to some rough mixes and we can clearly say that the result goes far beyond any bright expectations. The result is just fantastic. We can’t wait to start the mix!"

The album will be released during Spring. Exact release date and album title will be announced soon.

Swedish hard rockers, Horisont, have released a video for the title track of their new album, About Time, out on February 3rd via Century Media Records.

Says the band: “New single and video! As our third single from the album About Time we decided to go with the title track. It is perhaps not what you would expect a single by Horisont to be but that is also exactly why we decided to go for this song. The outstanding video directed by Max Ljungberg completely captures the essence of the song and together with the song and lyrics; it will make your heart bleed. A big thanks to Leif and Jennie-Ann for acting like true actors, no one could have done it better, and the amazing team of Sami, Johanna and Marcus.”

The band recently commented on the cover artwork, “The fabulous artwork for our fifth album About Time is once again crafted by the wizard of art himself – Henrik Jacobson, who also did the Odyssey artwork. Henrik has managed to capture the concept of the album and title in a brilliant Horisont way. We couldn’t be happier with the result and we hope you’ll enjoy it!”

About Time will be available as Special Edition Digipak (Europe only), Jewel Case CD (North America only), Gatefold LP and as digital album.

The LP will be available in the following vinyl colours:

* Black vinyl – unlimited
* Lilac vinyl – limited to 200 copies / exclusively available at Bengans
* Clear vinyl – limited to 100 copies / exclusively available at CMDistro
* Silver vinyl – limited to 200 copies / exclusively available at Green Hell
* Transparent Green vinyl – limited to 200 copies / exclusively available at Nuclear Blast
* Yellow vinyl – limited to 300 copies / North America only

About Time tracklisting:

“The Hive”      
“Electrical”          
“Without Warning”          
“Letare”          
“Night Line”          
“Point Of Return”          
“Boston Gold”         
“Hungry Love”          
“Dark Sides”          
“About Time”   

“The Hive”:

       

“Electrical” video:

Swedish stoner rockers, Stonewal Noise Orchestra (S.N.O.), have released a video for “Superior #1”, a track from their latest album, The Machine, The Devil & The Dope, on May 20th, released last year via Steamhammer/SPV. The new clip can be found below.

The Machine, The Devil & The Dope was produced by S.N.O. at their own Studio 454, with Jonas Kjellgren (Scar Symmetry, Carnal Forge) mixing and mastering the album at his Black Lounge, renowned for its close collaboration with Peter Tägtgren’s (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann) The Abyss studio. The album artwork was designed by Per Wiberg (Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, Arch Enemy).

Tracklisting:

“The Fever”
“Welcome Home”
“Into The Fire”
“Don't Blame The Demons”
“Superior #1”
“Stone Crazy”
“I, The Servant”
“On A Program”
“The Machine, The Devil & The Dope”

“Superior #1” video:

“Welcome Home” video:

German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN are preparing to release a new concert DVD and Blu-ray, "Paris". The set was recorded in March 2012 at the then-named Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris (now AccorHotels Arena) during RAMMSTEIN's "Made In Germany" tour, and was helmed by the band's longtime collaborator, Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund.

The first trailer for "Paris" is available below.

Åkerlund has also worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others.

RAMMSTEIN last year played a number of concerts where the band opened each show with a brand new song, presently only known as "Ramm 4". The track contains lyrics that seem to be a combination of various titles of previous RAMMSTEIN songs.

RAMMSTEIN in 2015 released a 21st-anniversary box set, a numbered, career-wide collection titled "XXI". The set included the band's six studio albums, produced by Jacob Hellner and remastered onto 180-gram heavyweight double vinyl by Svante Forsbäck, as well as a separate rarities double LP, "Raritäten", including a previously unreleased version of the track "Los".

RAMMSTEIN hasn't made a new CD since 2009's "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da".

The band's frontman Till Lindemann in 2015 released a debut album with his side project LINDEMANN.

RAMMSTEIN guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe's EMIGRATE project issued its sophomore album, "Silent So Long", in November 2014 via Spinefarm.

"Ten Miles Wide", a brand new song from RATT singer Stephen Pearcy, can be streamed below. The track is taken from Stephen's fourth solo album, "Smash", which will be released on January 27 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Speaking about the songwriting process for his solo material, Pearcy told Music Existence: "RATT's music is its own entity and animal, and it has its own schematics. With my solo stuff, I tend to do whatever I like — an acoustic song, a really heavy song — and go places and talk about things that I want to. It's my freedom of speech. That's one thing I like about it, and I'm always writing, so what else can I do, you know? Just try to get it out and get it heard! I don't care if it sells ten million or nil million; it's just what I do. You do the best that you can."

Pearcy also talked in more detail about the musical inspiration for "Smash", saying: "It's just my guitar player Erik [Ferentinos], who I co-wrote most of the stuff with. We'd just come up with songs and take them through a journey. That's pretty much how it happens. I don't think about anything. If it sounds like something that's an influence, and if it's a good one, that's even better! I don't really think about emulating anybody; it's more of an influential thing that just came out. That's a compliment to both of us, how I respect them. And I'm sure they'd say, 'Woah, that sounds pretty good!' But that's about it — the light and the dark of the things, you know?"

He continued: "I wanted this record to be diverse. The subject matter's very different than what was expected, and what would be expected. And there's some personal stuff in there — a song I wrote for my daughter, 'Rain'. I'm able to do whatever I want with my solo stuff, so this is what you get."

Stephen will be supporting "Smash" with live dates in the U.S. and internationally. "It took long enough to finish the new record 'Smash' and it is well worth the patience taken, giving every song as much attention as the next," said Pearcy. "Erik Ferentinos (lead guitarist and co-writer), Greg D'Angelo (drummer) and Matt Thorne (bassist, keyboardist) and myself didn't settle on any first, second or third takes. We let some songs grow if needed, then go back and complete it. We're very happy with the outcome, that we were able to experiment and grow with the new songs."

"Smash" track listing:

01. I Know I'm Crazy02. Ten Miles Wide03. Lollipop04. Dead Roses05. Shut Down Baby06. Hit Me With A Bullet07. Want Too Much08. What Do Ya Think09. Jamie10. Rain11. Can't Take It (album version)12. Summer's End13. Passion Infinity Credits:

Stephen E. Pearcy - Lead Vocals, Back-up Vocals

Musicians:

Erik Ferentinos - Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Back-up VocalsGreg D'Angelo - Drums, PercussionMatt Thorne - Bass GuitarChris Hager - Guitars, Lead Guitars on track #3

The second trailer for "Bringer Of Pain", the fourth album from Finnish metallers BATTLE BEAST, is available below. Due on February 17 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" is BATTLE BEAST's first album to feature guitarist Joona Björkroth, who joined the band last year.

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.

Speaking to Metalholic, BATTLE BEAST vocalist Noora Louhimo stated about the writing process for "Bringer Of Pain": "You always have the pressure on to write good music and do a good album, but now we had extra pressure because people had their suspicions. People were already judging us that, 'They're not going to make it. They're not going to make as good music.' But as you can hear, yes we can! [Laughs] So, yes, it was a nerve-breaking, but still a very rewarding process to do this new album. For me personally, this was such a great experience. I learned so much about the other guys; the other band members. We got Joona to be part of this BATTLE BEAST family and now I'm just full of excitement. I can't wait to get on the road and bring the pain!"

Asked how she thinks having six songwriters instead of one impacts the sound and dynamic of the band, Noora said: "We all learned a lot from each other, how we want to work together. There are so many different ways to write songs. For example, Janne likes to write songs by himself and bring them to the table when they are almost final. I like to do solo also, but I like co-writing also. With Joona, we have a similar wave we are on, and we have a really good work ethic, and a good friendship also. So it's very easy to work with him. I did write some demos with Eero, our bass player, and our other guitar player Jusso, and it was fun also. I think through these next years, we are going to find new ways, and the best ways, for BATTLE BEAST to produce music."

"Bringer Of Pain" track listing:

Digi / CD

01. Straight To The Heart02. Bringer Of Pain03. King For A Day04. Beyond The Burning Skies05. Familiar Hell06. Lost In Wars07. Bastard Son Of Odin08. We Will Fight09. Dancing With The Beast10. Far From Heaven

Bonus (digi only)

11. God Of War12. The Eclipse13. Rock Trash

2LP

Side A

01. Straight To The Heart02. Bringer Of Pain03. King For A Day04. Beyond The Burning Skies

Side B

01. Familiar Hell02. Lost In Wars03. Bastard Son Of Odin

Side C

01. We Will Fight02. Dancing With The Beast03. Far From Heaven

Side D (Bonus)

01. God Of War02. The Eclipse03. Rock Trash

BATTLE BEAST's third studio album, "Unholy Savior", entered the Finnish chart at position No. 1. The CD was released in January 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

Louhimo joined the band in 2012 as the replacement for Nitte Vänskä.

Quality fan-filmed video footage of ACCEPT's January 16 performance at L'Olympia in Paris, France as the support act for SABATON can be seen below.

ACCEPT released a new live set titled "Restless And Live" on January 13 via Nuclear Blast. This package included the entire show ACCEPT played at 2015's Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany on Blu-ray/DVD plus two CDs.

Asked why it's so important for ACCEPT to still make new music after all this time, Wolf recently told Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon: "For us, it was very important, especially since we got [singer] Mark [Tornillo], and when we had our reunion with Mark, the new singer, we really wanted to show to the fans and to us that we still can write relevant new songs, and so that's why we really did three albums in five or six years — really banged them out, one after the other. And those three albums are, in a lot of fans' views, as strong as most of the stuff we've done in the eighties, if not stronger. So I think it's very important for us to come up with new songs, 'cause, you know, once you stop trying, or you're just living on the past, I think that's no good. We're trying to stay relevant, and the fans really appreciate that."

Regarding what Mark Tornillo has added to ACCEPT's sound, Wolf said: "He very much inspired us to write songs, because all of a sudden, he can pretty much sing anything we want him to do. With Udo [Dirkschneider, former ACCEPT singer], it was much more limited, what worked and what didn't work. And Mark, man, anything Peter [Baltes, bass] and I come up with, he can perform, and so that opened a lot of doors, musically, for us, and that inspired us totally. But, like I said before, we always try to stay close to what ACCEPT fans are wanting to hear from us, 'cause we could write a bunch of stuff that was left and right, genre-wise, but I'm not sure if fans would really appreciate it that much. And that's also where [producer] Andy Sneap came in, especially during the 'Blood Of The Nations' [2010] recording. He really, sort of, forced us more to stay true to the course. 'Cause he grew up being an ACCEPT fan and listening to the old albums, and he came in with an expectation, 'All right, we're gonna make a great new ACCEPT album, but it'd better sound like I want it to sound as an ACCEPT fan.'"

Richie Faulkner (JUDAS PRIEST), Scotti Hill (SKID ROW), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE), Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE) and Marzi Montazeri (PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS) Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT), are among the musicians who gathered Thursday night (January 19) during the 2017 NAMM show to honor one of rock's most legendary guitarists at the "Randy Rhoads Remembered: A Celebration For A Guitar Legend" concert at Yost Theatre in Santa Ana, California.

Founded in 2013 by former WHITESNAKE drummer Brian Tichy and his producing partner Joe Sutton, the event is aimed at recognizing the incredible contributions of the late Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, whose life was tragically cut short at the young age of 25.

The fourth annual star-studded evening featured several iconic metal and hard rock artists performing some of Osbourne's greatest hits, including "Crazy Train" and "Over The Mountain".

Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.

Tichy said about his decision to launch the event: "I love Randy Rhoads! He came into my life right at the same time I was learning guitar: 1980. He made me want to learn every note he played. I was already a drummer, but the guitar was right there with the drums, and a lot of that initial inspiration came from Randy's playing on 'Blizzard Of Ozz'. I didn't know what I was doing, but I really wanted to play like Randy Rhoads."

In a 2012 interview with Guitar World, Sarzo was asked if still sees Rhoads' influence today — and if he still thinks about him. "I think about him enough to have to sit down and write a book to answer the No. 1 question I get asked around the world: What was it like to play with Randy Rhoads?" Sarzo said. "He's such an influential musician even today, 30 years after his passing. The way I put it is, in any post-Randy Rhoads guitar player, I always hear some kind of influence in their performance, even in their compositional style. Every time I receive an email or a message on Facebook or whatever, from kids, young guitar players, 10, 14 years old, they say, 'Man, I discovered Randy Rhoads. He's my favorite guitar player.' That really touches me because it's great to hear a new generation giving Randy the credit he deserves for being the well where most guitar players drink from. He has influenced generations and still does. So do I think of Randy every day? Of course I do. We all do. All of us that got to know him and perform with him. We have that common. We'll never lose that bond, that thread, our admiration toward Randy as a musician and as a friend."

AUDIOSLAVE reunited for its first performance in over a decade on Friday, January 20 at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles. The band played three songs — "Cochise", "Like A Stone" and "Show Me How To Live" — as part of the Anti-Inaugural Ball, a star-studded concert protesting the 45th president Donald Trump hours after his swearing-in.

Video footage of AUDIOSLAVE's set can be seen below.

AUDIOSLAVE features SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell alongside RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk.

Morello discussed the possibility of an AUDIOSLAVE comeback during a recent interview with Music Radar.

"I love Chris and I love what we did together," he said. "That door has certainly never closed in any way, but right now, it's looking like we're pretty busy. We're in the middle of a North American tour [with PROPHETS OF RAGE], I'm also working on a record of my own and the other guys have things going on, too. But whatever happens in the future, Chris is one of the greatest singers of all time, and there's no way I couldn't be proud of the shows and music we played together."

Cornell told U.K.'s Total Guitar magazine in 2015 that he would also be open to an AUDIOSLAVE reunion. He said, "I think it would be great. We did a lot of songs, and with the benefit of not having done anything with those guys for so long, I can't imagine what it would be. It would be a really amazing experience just to get back and work with the same guys again."

Cornell continued, "We were certainly a prolific group of people; we wrote three whole albums in around five years, maybe less. And these were albums that were raw, and we had extra material, and we just never seemed to have trouble ever trying to agree on what would come out of the songs."

He added, "They were great guys, and I really enjoyed the experience that I had with them, so yeah, I would always be open to doing something."

AUDIOSLAVE came together in 2001 when Cornell teamed with the instrumental members of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE.

After the break-up of SOUNDGARDEN in 1997, Cornell attempted a solo career which didn't catch fire at the time.

AUDIOSLAVE made three albums, a self-titled 2002 debut, 2005's "Out Of Exile" and 2006's "Revelations", before Cornell left the group in 2007.

He eventually reunited with SOUNDGARDEN in 2010, while RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE intermittently performed live between 2007 and 2011.

Morello told The Pulse Of Radio not long after AUDIOSLAVE's demise that he had no hard feelings against Cornell for quitting. "You know, Chris I consider a good friend and I love that guy, you know, and we went through a lot together, both musically and personally," he said. "And it was, you know, my belief that the band's friendship and roots were deep."

Cornell previously made a guest appearance in September 2014 during a performance by Morello at the El Corazon in Seattle.

DIO DISCIPLES — the project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar) and Scott Warren (keyboards) alongside vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and bassist Bjorn Englen (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) — performed at the Hall Of Heavy Metal History all-star induction ceremony on Wednesday, January 18 at the Anaheim Expo Center in Anaheim, California. Check out fan-filmed video footage below.

DIO DISCIPLES, which pays tribute to Ronnie James Dio and is fully supported by Dio's widow/manager, Wendy, features a rotating lineup of musicians, including singers Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB) and Joe Retta (SWEET, HEAVEN & EARTH).

DIO DISCIPLES performed three new, original songs during the band's May 2016 appearance at the "Ride For Ronnie" motorcycle rally and concert for Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund in Encino, California.

Speaking to Hek82 at the "Ride For Ronnie" event, Owens stated about DIO DISCIPLES' plans to record and release original music : "Craig has really been instrumental in getting these songs written and trying to get it going on. And Joe and Oni [have] been doing a lot of shows with DIO DISCIPLES. They're really trying to push DIO DISCIPLES to put some music out — Wendy's been pushing it, and Craig's been pushing it — so these three we have here was three good ones we've already recorded. So it makes it special and it makes it even cooler that DIO DISCIPLES is gonna do our own thing."

In an interview with Myglobalmind, Goldy stated about the formation of DIO DISCIPLES: "You see, the band DIO was run like a family. So when your family member dies, the other members of the family that are left behind often try to do things to keep their loved one's memory alive. So that's where the DIO DISCIPLES came from. Wendy and Simon [Wright, sometime DIO DISCIPLES drummer] called me and said, 'We should really do something.' Because there were all these tributes going on for Ronnie; some of them were just trying to cash in on his passing and some of them were legitimate. However, we said, 'We are his family we should do something.' So that is where DIO DISCIPLES came from."

Goldy told Music Life Magazine that DIO DISCIPLES live performances are unique experiences. He said: "At every DIO DISCIPLES concert, there is a moment when the audience and band really connect. I am getting chills just talking about it. There are people in the audience looking up to the sky and singing at the top of their lungs with tears in their eyes, singing to Ronnie in heaven saying they miss him. It's just beautiful, and that's what the project was for."

Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS), Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL), Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION), Erik Eldenius (BILLY IDOL) and Dave Kushner (VELVET REVOLVER) are among the musicians that took part in Friedman Amplification's pre-NAMM concert Tuesday night (January 17) at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood, California. Fan-filmed video footage of the show can be seen below.

ALICE IN CHAINS opened the first five shows on GUNS N' ROSES' 2016 North American stadium tour, and completed a headlining trek last fall.

ALICE IN CHAINS frontman William Duvall told the WRIF radio station last June that it was "too early" to talk about the band's new music, despite the fact that it's been more than three years since the release of their last studio album.

"The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" came out in 2013 was the band's second disc with DuVall, who joined in 2006 following the death of Layne Staley.

Don Dokken (DOKKEN), Mikkey Dee (SCORPIONS, MOTÖRHEAD), Doug Pinnick (KING'S X) and Marq Torien (BULLETBOYS) were a few of more than fifty performers that played at "Ultimate Jam Night"'s second-anniversary party this past Tuesday night at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.

Torien joined Dokken on stage for an unplanned version of DOKKEN's "The Hunter", along with Don's longtime friend and ex-bandmate Dee, Ira Black, Sean McNabb, with background vocalists Maureen Davis and Kevin Robinson.

"Ultimate Jam Night" is a long-running free weekly show currently in residence at Whisky A Go Go. Founded in 2015 by QUIET RIOT's Chuck Wright, the show features a rotating cast of the world's finest musicians assembled in an entirely unrehearsed setting. Integrating live music, performance art, comedy bits, walk-around characters, and community and charitable giving, it has established a loyal following.

More information can be found by visiting www.ultimatejamnight.com.