Metallica performed their classic track, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, during their show at Foro Sol in Mexico City, Mexico on March 3rd. Pro-shot video of the performance can be seen below:

Footage of the band performing “Ride The Lightning” at the same venue on March 5th can be seen below:

Watch video of Metallica performing the Hardwired… To Self-Destruct album track, “Moth Into Flame”, on April 1st in Santiago, Chile:

Metallica’s next concert is scheduled for May 10th a M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The band’s complete live schedule can be found at this location.

SOUNDGARDEN's Chris Cornell spoke to The Pulse Of Radio last week about the status of the band's next studio album. "[I'm] not really sure," he said. "I mean, I think we're kind of halfway through. We haven't really recorded anything, so we're just sort of working on ideas. I think we have about half the songs we need for an album. But you never know. We tend to make pretty long albums. At some point when we feel like we're done, five more songs show up at the doorstep."

Guitarist Kim Thayil was also asked about the new SOUNDGARDEN album by Philadelphia radio station WMMR, to which he replied: "There's some things that have been documented in rehearsal, there's some things that are at the demo stage, there are some that are still in the developmental stage, ideas that we jammed on that we're kind of working out arrangements for. Every different stage within the process of songwriting is being addressed at this point."

Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that the band should get into the studio "sometime" this year.

Work on SOUNDGARDEN's seventh studio effort started in 2015, but the band took breaks while Cornell toured his "Higher Truth" solo set and drummer Matt Cameron hit the road with PEARL JAM.

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year hiatus, first touring and then writing and recording "King Animal", its first new studio album in 16 years.

The band will kick off a North American tour on May 3 in Atlanta, winding down on May 27 at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.

Support on selected dates will come from THE PRETTY RECKLESS and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN. This will be SOUNDGARDEN's first trek since a summer 2014 co-headlining run with NINE INCH NAILS.

DISTURBED bassist John Moyer spoke to Metal Wani about the band's plan to release a new acoustic record which will include brand new material as well as reworked versions of songs from the group's catalog.

According to Moyer, an acoustic EP now could capitalize on the success DISTURBED has had with its cover of SIMON & GARFUNKEL's "The Sound Of Silence", which has been a massive hit that has introduced the band to new audiences. "With the success of 'The Sound Of Silence', it seems like now is a good time to kind of… We've always talked about it, but now seems like the best time to go down that road and explore it," he said.

Singer David Draiman revealed in February that DISTURBED's acoustic EP will be released before the band begins work on the follow-up to 2015's "Immortalized" album.

Prior to the arrival of "Immortalized", DISTURBED had been on hiatus since the fall of 2011, after completing the touring cycle for its previous studio effort, "Asylum", and issuing a rarities collection called "The Lost Children".

Asked if it will take DISTURBED another four years to release its next studio album, Moyer told Metal Wani: "No, no. I'm not really sure what the time [frame] is, but I'm sure it will be less than four years. DISTURBED will be back out with a new record probably by 2019, but who knows? There's no plans to take a hiatus like we did previously."

Moyer also said that DISTURBED's next album will likely contain similar musical elements to the band's first six efforts while dipping into some new territory. "Even the last album had a lot of moments of aggression and melody," he explained. "The band's always gonna have that vibe. I expect DISTURBED to explore new avenues and always push themselves and evolve, but at its core, you're gonna have a band that plays heavy riffs with heavy emotion."

"Immortalized" became DISTURBED's fifth album to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 — a feat shared only with METALLICA and DAVE MATTHEWS BAND.

Moyer is currently on the road with ART OF ANARCHY, which also features CREED singer Scott Stapp, ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and brothers Jon and Vince Votta on guitar and drums.

ART OF ANARCHY issued its sophomore album, "The Madness", on March 24.

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was interviewed by Radio Futuro before the band's April 1 concert at Lollapalooza Chile in Santiago. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about METALLICA's willingness to constantly take chances with its music and other projects, Hetfield said: "At the end of the day, we are artists and we love creating art that we like, and the songs and the artwork and the logos and t-shirts — everything. We are very blessed to be able to be in a position of doing whatever we want as an artist. But I think that honesty is very important for the integrity of the music, integrity of all of METALLICA. I think the fans really enjoy the fact that we write music that we want to hear. And it's simple — we keep it simple that way. And the fans will come, if you're honest about your art."

Hetfield also talked about the success of METALLICA's latest album, 2016's "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct". He said: "[I'm] very surprised — very surprised that, after 36 years, an album like this is important to people. It's a surprise still; it blows my mind that after this long, people are enjoying our music. It's as simple as that. We will continue to make music, play shows and do what we need to do as people. METALLICA helps us stay alive, and the fact that we're gonna be on tour for another two and a half years, it's exciting."

The North American leg of METALLICA's "WorldWired" 2017 tour kicks off in Baltimore and will hit stadiums in 25 cities before winding down in mid-August. Support on the quartet's first North American trek since 2009 will come mainly from AVENGED SEVENFOLD and VOLBEAT, with GOJIRA taking over for the latter group for the last six shows.

The first European leg of "WorldWired" kicks off on September 4 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and stretches through November. After a break, the trek will pick up again on February 10, 2018 in Bologna, Italy, and continue through May, finishing up in Helsinki, Finland.

Legendary British guitarist and composer Allan Holdsworth has died at the age of 70.

In a short statement his daughter Louise said on Facebook: "It is with heavy hearts that we notify everyone of the passing of our beloved father. We would appreciate privacy and time while we grieve the loss of our dad, grandad, friend and musical genius. We will update close friends and family when service arrangements have been made and will notify the public of an open memorial service, which all would be welcome. We are undeniably still in shock with his unexpected death and cannot begin to put into words the overwhelming sadness we are experiencing. He is missed tremendously. Louise, Sam, Emily & Rori."

Holdsworth, born in Bradford, England in 1946, embarked on a solo career as composer and bandleader exclusively in 1979. Holdsworth’s career as producer, bandleader, and lead composer is documented in a new box set called The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever, featuring a 28-track selection of favorites on his label Eidolon Efformation featuring material from 1982 through 2003.
 
Holdsworth has been recognized by many of the world’s most accomplished and unique rock and jazz guitar virtuosos. Luminaries including Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello universally expressed reverence and astonishment at Holdsworth’s pioneering approach to his playing and vast vocabulary of “uncommon” chord voicings.
 
He further expanded the guitar’s orchestral potential with a range of electronic effects, then moved on to become one of the early innovators of guitar-based synthesizer controllers. In the nearly five decades Holdsworth has been touring, collaborating, and recording, he has created an immense sonic and musical legacy.
 
In the ‘70s he played with legendary Miles Davis drummer, Tony Williams and Cream bassist Jack Bruce as the band Lifetime, and toured with Soft Machine. He worked with former Yes and King Crimson drummer, Bill Bruford’s first solo project, Feels Good To Me, and subsequent recordings with Jean-Luc Ponty, and Gong. Bruford suggested Allan for the progressive-rock “supergroup,” U.K., which, along with Bruford, also featured John Wetton and Eddie Jobson.
 

Members of DREAM THEATER, WHITESNAKE, LIVING COLOUR, JOURNEY and ARCH ENEMY are among the rock musicians and scores of other artists who reacted on social media to the passing of the groundbreaking British guitarist Allan Holdsworth.

The news of Holdsworth's death was broken by his daughter's Louise on her Facebook page earlier this evening. In a short statement, she said: "It is with heavy hearts that we notify everyone of the passing of our beloved father. We would appreciate privacy and time while we grieve the loss of our dad, grandad, friend and musical genius. We will update close friends and family when service arrangements have been made and will notify the public of an open memorial service, which all would be welcome. We are undeniably still in shock with his unexpected death and cannot begin to put into words the overwhelming sadness we are experiencing. He is missed tremendously. Louise, Sam, Emily & Rori."

Holdsworth released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played a variety of musical styles spanning a period of more than four decades, but is best known for his work in jazz fusion.

Holdsworth has been cited as an influence by such renowned rock, metal and jazz guitarists as Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo and Tom Morello.

Holdsworth was working on a new solo album at the time of his death.

Devastated to hear of the passing of a legend! RIP Allan Holdsworth

— Richie Kotzen (@Richie_Kotzen) April 16, 2017

F*ck!!!!! RIP Allan Holdsworth....One of the all-time greats and innovators...no Holdsworth = no Eddie Van Halen #UK #OneOfAKind pic.twitter.com/xXuPwb8ctn

— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) April 16, 2017

R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. pic.twitter.com/ubyzaV6JXH

— Michael Amott (@Michael_Amott) April 16, 2017

I'm very saddened to hear about the death of Allan Holdsworth today. He was a huge influence on my playing as... https://t.co/gUzIYxlEjd

— John Petrucci (@JPetrucci) April 16, 2017

I cant believe it! Allan Holdsworth, legendary guitarist of our generation !He changed the game + was the sweetest guy ever... RIP

— Steve Lukather (@stevelukather) April 16, 2017

Wow, just heard that Allan Holdsworth passed away. Another one of the greats is gone. RIP

— Gus G. (@gusgofficial) April 16, 2017

Rest in peace, my brother Allan pic.twitter.com/drfLxTCev1

— Tony MacAlpine (@tonymacalpine) April 16, 2017

Very sad to hear about the loss of Allan Holdsworth. We were just at NAMM together for ISP! A brilliant guitarist & innovator. God Bless you

— MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) April 16, 2017

Alan Holdsworth...RIP...Stunning Guitarist. Thoughts & Prayers To His Family, Friends & Fans... pic.twitter.com/tTDmObQwun

— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) April 16, 2017

RIP Allan Holdsworth 🙏🏾 Wow... how very sad. Enjoy life it's been 2 very heavy years✝️... God Bless https://t.co/SUnlOhACmT

— Neal Schon (@NealSchonMusic) April 16, 2017

Music legend Iggy Pop is streaming a new single, "Asshole Blues", which debuted via Rolling Stone. It will be available on April 21st as part of a flexi-disc series on Jacuzzi Boys' Mag Mag label.

Eagle Rock Entertainment released Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression: Live At The Royal Albert Hall on DVD+2CD and Digital Formats on October 28th, 2016. This film captures a critically acclaimed concert that is a much-anticipated release for Iggy Pop fans.

Post Pop Depression: Live At The Royal Albert Hall features tracks primarily from The Idiot, Lust For Life and Post Pop Depression. The Post Pop Depression album, a collaboration with co-writer and producer Joshua Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age, is one of his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album for many years.

On May 13th, 2016, Iggy Pop brought his Post Pop Depression live show to London’s revered Royal Albert Hall and almost tore the roof off! As reviewed by the Telegraph, “I have been going to gigs for a very long time and that was one of the best I have ever seen.”

With a backing band including Joshua Homme, Dean Fertita, and Troy Van Leeuwen from Queens Of The Stone Age, Matt Helders from the Arctic Monkeys, and guitarist Matt Sweeney, Iggy delivered a set focused almost entirely on the new album plus his two classic David Bowie collaboration albums from 1977, The Idiot and Lust For Life.

Post Pop Depression: Live At The Royal Albert Hall will definitely be remembered as one of Iggy Pop’s finest concerts.

Tracklisting:

“Lust For Life”
“Sister Midnight”
“American Valhalla”
“Sixteen”
“In The Lobby”
“Some Weird Sin”
“Funtime”
“Tonight”
“Sunday”
“German Days”
“Mass Production”
“Nightclubbing”
“Gardenia”
“The Passenger”
“China Girl”
“Break Into Your Heart”
“Fall In Love With Me”
“Repo Man”
“Baby”
“Chocolate Drops”
“Paraguay”
“Success”

“The Passenger”:

Veteran Dutch extreme metallers PESTILENCE have recruited Slovenian bassist Tilen Hudrap (VICIOUS RUMORS, PARADOX, THRAW) for their upcoming studio album, "Hadeon", and accompanying world tour.

An audio clip of Hudrap playing the new PESTILENCE song "Discarnate Entity" — which will appear on "Hadeon" — can be streamed below.

PESTILENCE has just inked a deal with Hammerheart Records. The band will enter the studio in June to begin recording "Hadeon" for a late 2017 release.

Hammerheart has also come to an agreement on the PESTILENCE back catalog, but plans are still in the works to get all details finalized concerning these essential recordings ("Malleus Maleficarum", "Consuming Impulse", "Testimony Of The Ancients" and "Spheres"). It is hoped that those records will be reissued as deluxe 2-CDs and LPs later this year 2017.

Joining Hudrap and vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli in the band's current lineup are Santiago Dobles (AGHORA) on lead guitar and Septimiu Hărşan (DISAVOWED) on drums.

In July 2014, Mameli announced that PESTILENCE was "on a permanent hold" while he concentrated fully on his new NEUROMORPH project, which he said would be "more brutal, more crazy, more tech, more futuristic and more death" than his longtime outfit.

PESTILENCE's seventh album, "Obsideo", was released in November 2013 via Candlelight Records. The CD was produced by Mameli and featured ten new songs. According to Mameli, the album's overall lyrical theme was "the journey of the human soul."

Photo credit: Dominika Torkar




Our new bassplayer Tilen plays Discarnate Entity, new track on the upcoming new Pestilence album called HADEON🤘

Posted by Patrizio Marco Giovanni Mameli on Saturday, April 15, 2017

EYEHATEGOD frontman Mike IX Williams made his triumphant return to the stage this weekend following a successful liver transplant this past December. Williams, who hadn't performed live in a year, made his 2017 stage debut on April 14 at this year's Berserker Fest in Pontiac, Michigan. From there, the band hit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a performance last night (April 15) at First Unitarian Church.

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

Williams recently said it was "totally strange" seeing Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN) and Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD) sing for EYEHATEGOD while he recovered from his liver transplant.

He underwent the successful surgery last year after fans pledged more than $50,000 thanks to a crowdfunding drive.

Williams told Clrvynt: "The idea to get Philip to sing was my idea, and the idea to get Randy was also mine. I didn't want to cancel that DISCHARGE tour.

"This is my band, and whether I'm there or not, I want to do it. It's always gonna be part of me. So, when I found out I was absolutely too sick, we had already had Philip do some shows, so we got Randy to do some others.

"I just didn't want to cancel and let down more people. They at least got to see EYEHATEGOD, even if it was a different version of the band."

He continued: "It's just another part of this situation. Shit happens. I just wanted the band to go on.

"It was crazy to watch — totally strange to watch somebody in my spot onstage — but it's another part of the game and another chapter in this weird band that I'm in. It's life."

EYEHATEGOD continues to deafen the masses in support of its self-titled LP which dropped in 2014 via Housecore Records, breaking the band's decade-and-a-half gap since their prior full-length and marking the most successful release of the band's storied history.

Having helped define the "NOLA sound" with their signature down-tuned, blues-inflected guitars awash in furious distortion, underpinning the tormented screams of Mike IX Williams over a thundering rhythm section, EYEHATEGOD re-emerged stronger and more determined than ever before.

EYEHATEGOD personifies desperation and addiction in the various backwaters of forgotten America, punctuated by the "N'awlins" sound of rebellion and pollution resulting in triumph over adversity. The band will be celebrating its thirtieth anniversary next year. Stay tuned for special releases to be announced in the future.

Broken Teeth, led by former Dangerous Toys frontman Jason McMaster, will release their new album 4 On The Floor, on April 21st via EMP Label Group; pre-orders can be placed now at this location. 

Twenty years after seizing power in Austin, Texas, rock-roll battering squad Broken Teeth throw it's hardest punch ever after signing with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and former Corporate Punishment President Thom Hazaert at their powerhouse EMP Label Group.

"I've had my eyes and ears on Broken Teeth for a few years now and have a history with singer Jason McMaster," Ellefson said. "It was only a matter of time until I found a way to partner with them. Given their reputation as a crushing live act, along with their previous string of classic, underground hard-rock albums, I couldn't be more proud to welcome Broken Teeth to the EMP family and help them share their music with an even wider audience."

Once described as "a pissed-off AC/DC," Broken Teeth has evolved into a hard-rock / heavy metal bomb blast built on the swaggering boogie of bad-boy blues. Not surprisingly, 4 On The Floor continues the band's gritty legacy with odes to the rebellious, forbidden love of rock-n-roll (the slow-stomping "Sinful"); standing proud as a loner (the riotous burner, "House Of Damnation"); life on the rock-n-roll highway to hell (the bluesy shuffle of "Borrowed Time"); and the ultimate salute to legendary Motorhead mainman, Lemmy Kilmister (the appropriately rollicking "Never Dead", which was written before Lemmy's passing). "We don't really do tributes, but Lemmy and the kind of rock-n-roll he did is what we're all about," said Broken Teeth guitarist Jared Tuten. "It just felt right for Broken Teeth to immortalize him forever."

Tracklisting:

"4 On The Floor"
"Sinful"
"All Or Nothin'"
"Getcha' Some"
"Borrowed Time (W.O.M.G.)"
"House Of Damnation"
"Let The War Machine Roll"
"Never Dead"
"All Day Sucker"
"Rock Bottom"

Broken Teeth is:

Jason McMaster - vocals
Jared Tuten - guitar
Bruce Rivers - drums
David Beeson - guitar
Robb Lampman - bass

For further details, visit Broken Teeth on Facebook and at their official website.

 

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler has released another new song via his Owl Stretching side-project. He has posted the following update:

"Just finished this new song/draft which is a warbling post apocalyptic unrequited love tragedy in waltz time... set in a bar in southern California in the mid-70’s. I’m still absorbing it but really feel like there is something to the chorus."

Where Dreams Go To Die by Owl Stretching

Saigon Kick recently updated their live schedule with three shows in Texas over the summer. It is now as follows:

April
28 - The Viper Room - West Hollywood, CA

June
29 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
30 - Trees - Dallas, TX

July
1 - Fitzgerald's - San Antonio, TX

German/American metallers ACCEPT will release their new studio album, "The Rise Of Chaos", on August 4 via Nuclear Blast. The band will launch the disc on August 3 with special show at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The group's set will consist of three parts: Part one will bring fans a classic ACCEPT set, packed with new and old hits. Part two will present another premiere: Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann will play tracks from his solo album, "Headbangers Symphony", released in 2016, with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra for the very first time. On this record, Wolf covered famous opuses by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi and Mozart in a metal guise. And in Part 3, all elements can be seen and heard together: ACCEPT will make the holy Wacken ground shake by sharing the stage with the orchestra, supported by a complex multimedia show.

This unique concert experience will take place on this year's "Night To Remember", which makes it even more special. The "Night To Remember" is a celebrated, long-lasting Wacken tradition; for one night of the festival a selection of established bands will do something unique and special with their performance.

Hoffmann stated: "It's always impressive to see how bands take this evening seriously and how much love the artists and the organizing team put into their work to get a varied result. It's a great tradition which underlines and documents the top-notch level of the international rock community like nothing else. We also want to present something that ACCEPT has never done before, we hope we can give something really special to the fans."

Added Thomas Jensen, organizer of Wacken Open Air: "ACCEPT have been and are still a very important part of Germany's heavy metal scene. We're really looking forward to having them with us once more. With this epic concept, the Thursday evening will be one to remember for sure."

Hoffmann told Metalholic about ACCEPT's upcoming follow-up to 2014's "Blind Rage" album: "[The band's sound is] not gonna change ever dramatically, because as long as Peter [Baltes, bass] and I sort of write the songs in the way that we do, it's always gonna sound very much like ACCEPT, and it's what we're going for. We don't really ever want any changes. 'Cause we're going for that consistent vibe in our songs. And the best compliment we sometimes give each other is when we finish a song and we say, 'Man, that sounds like 1982 all over again.' 'Cause we don't want it to sound any different at this point. We just want it to sound like it could have been written thirty years ago — only with a modern twist and a modern production and maybe better than ever, but the general vibe shouldn't be any different. We don't really wanna change at this point."

Organizers of the Inferno Metal Festival, which ran from April 12th - 15th in Oslo, Norway, have posted the following message on their official Facebook page:

"We are very sorry that Abbath left the stage after 30 minutes into their show. Of course this has nothing to do with the festival and an official statement will come from the band. We hope you all had a great festival even that the night was cut a bit shorter than expected. Thanks for your understanding!"

Abbath headlined on Saturday, April 15th at Rockefeller, hitting the stage at midnight. Stay tuned for a statement from the band on the reason for their abbreviated set.

Inferno 2017 featured Abbath, Carcass, Gorgoroth, Destruction, Samael, Borknagar, Belphegor, Primordial, Venom Inc, Anaal Nathrakh, Crowbar and many more.

Abbath, the band led by former Immotal frontman Olve Eikemo (aka Abbath), are due to release a new album later this year.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was recently interviewed on the "Thunder Underground" podcast. You can now listen to the chat using the SoundCloud widget below.

Asked for his opinion on streaming music services like Spotify, Simmons said: "Good luck to 'em. I am not a supporter. I do believe in free market economy — supply and demand and all that kind of stuff — and I support Taylor Swift and METALLICA and anybody else who doesn't wanna play the game; THE BEATLES didn't wanna play the game for a long time.

"Look, it doesn't affect me," he continued. "I'm a rich bastard. I do well. By some standards, I'm rich and famous and all that stuff. By Warren Buffett standards, I couldn't pick a booger of the floor for him; actually, I can. But it's all relative. However, none of this affects me. It doesn't. I make a living. We have our fans, they show up, that's great. We sell truckloads. We outsell THE BEATLES and Elvis [Presley] on licensing and merchandising combined, as well as any other ten bands put in there. But imagine you're a new band and you have your passion and your music and you really love it, you can't do it. There's nothing else. They can't show up live, because they don't know who you are, so somehow you've gotta get the music out there. But if you wanna earn a living, you can't get the music out there. So you're living in your mother's basement, you have to have a dayjob and the kids get your music for free. 'I'm just promoting my live shows.' It doesn't work. And the people that killed all the new bands are the fans themselves. It wasn't corporate America, it wasn't aliens from space. The people that killed the music they love are the people who love the music."

Simmons went on to say: "Remember, RADIOHEAD put out a record: 'Hey, pay what you wanna pay.' [Editor's note: RADIOHEAD's 'In Rainbows' album was first released in October 2007 as a digital download from the band's web site. Fans were encouraged to 'pay what you wish' — even nothing — and a 'digital tip jar' was set up to collect voluntary payments.] They did it once, didn't they? It doesn't work. Charge people. Make them pay. Make a cross, draw a line in the sand. This is commerce, and that's charity. Once you get your money and all that stuff, then you can decide if you wanna do charity. Or advertise it as charity: 'What I'm about to do? Charity.' But I don't want somebody else deciding when I do charity or how much I'm giving.

"Did you ever heard a freckle-faced kid go, 'Hey, you're too rich. You don't need that money.' Listen, bitch, I didn't ask your opinion. I'll let you know what money I need and what I don't need. I don't need some kid who hasn't wiped his first cumstain off his leg to tell me what I need in my life."

Simmons recently said that he was not interested in producing another KISS studio album "unless and if there's a financial model that works" to make it worthwhile for the band to write and record new music.

KISS's last studio effort, 2012's "Monster", sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart.

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

Video footage of former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe performing a new song called "One Foot Out Of The Grave" on the Finnish reality singing competition "The Voice Of Finland" can be seen below.

Playing bass in Monroe's backing band for "The Voice" performance was Swedish musician and BACKYARD BABIES guitarist/vocalist Dregen, who left Monroe's solo band in 2014 to focus on a solo career. Dregen was filling in for Monroe's regular bassist Sami Yaffa, who was in Bali shooting the television series "Sound Tracker".

Released as a single on April 7, "One Foot Out Of The Grave" is one of five bonus tracks that will be included on Monroe's best-of compilation album, "Michael Monroe - The Best", which will be released before the summer to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of his debut solo album, "Nights Are So Long". There will also be a "very significant" cut featuring an as-yet-undisclosed "big-name" guest.

Monroe revealed the first details of the upcoming compilation during an interview with "Star Radio Rock Show With Neil Jones". Asked if he has already begun work on material for the follow-up to his last solo album, 2015's "Blackout States", the Finnish singer said: "We've already got a bunch of stuff. Right now we've got at least half an album of really strong stuff.

"Right now we're in the middle of labels, actually," he continued. "Well, I'm releasing a compilation of… It's been thirty years now since my first solo album, 'Nights Are So Long', came out, so it's like a thirty-year-anniversary kind of year. So we're releasing a best-of of all these years of all my solo albums. It's twenty-six songs, including the last three, and there's five bonus tracks, including a new single called 'One Foot Out Of The Grave', which is also included. There's five bonus tracks, previously unreleased, and one of them is very significant. I can't reveal yet, but there's a big name playing on one of them, so it'll be a nice surprise."

"Michael Monroe - The Best" was mastered last month at Chartmakers studio in Espoo, Finland with mastering engineer Svante Forsbäck.

Even though HANOI ROCKS was formed in Finland, their trashy, hedonistic, decadent hard rock/pop-metal boogie influenced many Los Angeles acts, including GUNS N' ROSES and MÖTLEY CRÜE.

Asked in a January 2016 interview with Ytsejam if he ever felt like he was unfairly coined within the hair metal scene, Monroe said: "First of all, I never felt like I was part of that hair metal scene, I was blamed for it. I got blamed for it a lot. I said don't blame me. I didn't do that, I couldn't relate to a lot of that stuff. Those guys were into posing; sex drugs, rock and roll stuff. They guys were so wacky; partying, chicks and booze that always seemed more important to the music. To me, it was always about music and the attitude. HANOI ROCKS was always more about punk. I think any words such as glam, punk, or grunge or whatever, as soon as something has a name, it's over. The cool thing about HANOI ROCKS is that it defied all categories. Nobody could categorize us because we played everything from punk to calypso. I think, okay, what do you call AEROSMITH? Are they a rock band? I never liked being put into categories. The hair metal thing was ridiculous. Most of those bands played their hairspray cans better than they did their actual instruments. That was why I was almost embarrassed to say I was a rock singer."

Nikki Sixx is recovering at home in Los Angeles from hip replacement surgery.

The MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX:A.M. bassist underwent the two-hour procedure earlier this month after announcing online that was he was preparing to go under the knife.

Speaking about the operation during this past Thursday's episode of his nationally syndicated radio show "Sixx Sense", Nikki said (hear audio below): "There's so much about it that I was excited about, and then there was parts of me that I was a little bit freaked out about.

"The thing that was interesting is, at first, when I heard that I needed that, I had that feeling, 'Oh my God! That's like an old person thing.' And I started getting a lot of feedback from our listeners and people in their 30s and 40s that have had hip replacement. In fact, I was just talking to a friend of mine, and his wife, who is 38, just had it done. So it's actually more common than not. And especially because people are more active now."

Sixx said that the doctor told him he could take sawed-off bone home "for religious reasons," but added that it "was complete mush." He explained: "The bone had just basically disintegrated from where they sawed it off and from where it was bone-on-bone. So I'd actually earned this surgery."

Nikki marveled at the speed of his recovery, saying: "It's amazing what they can do with modern medicine. I have to tell you, I was up, I was walking. The next day, I walked three hundred feet, and the next day, with only a cane, I walked up a flight of stairs, they showed me how to get in and out of a car, and they sent me home. And I've been here in the house pretty much ever since then. I went out a little bit yesterday, and I kind of took it too far. But I just wanted to be active."

He added: "So for anybody out there that has to go through a surgery like this, it's probably the best thing you'll ever do for yourself, 'cause I'm really feeling a lot better than I was before I went in for surgery."

Sixx is working on the Broadway adaptation of his memoir, "The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rock Star".

SIXX:A.M.'s latest double album, "Prayers For The Blessed" and "Prayers For The Damned", came out during 2016.

Audio:

Fan-filmed video footage of RATT singer Stephen Pearcy and his solo band performing on April 13 at the Proof Rooftop Lounge in Houston, Texas can be seen below.

Stephen's fourth solo album, "Smash", was 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."

Celebrating the brilliant talents of Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord, check out this classic Deep Purple instrumental performed live at the Alpine valley stadium in 1985 supporting the Perfect Strangers album.

Deep Purple released their new studio album, inFinite, on April 7th via earMUSIC. The label has uploaded Part 1 of new video series, entitled About The Album. Watch below:

inFinite album details follow.

Tracklisting:

"Time For Bedlam"
"Hip Boots"
"All I've Got Is You"
"One Night In Vegas"
"Get Me Outta Here"
"The Surprising"
"Johnny's Band"
"On Top Of The World"
"Birds Of Prey"
"Roadhouse Blues"

“All I Got Is You” video:

“Time For Bedlam” lyric video:

From Here To inFinite documentary snippet:

Rapid Fire Q&A Part 1:

Rapid Fire Q&A Part 2:

 

 

 

 

Tommy Bolin will be inducted into the South Dakota Rock And Roll Music Association Hall Of Fame on Saturday, April 22 at the Ramkota Exhibition Hall in Sioux Falls.

"Tommy is being inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Spirit of Music recipient," Johnnie Bolin, the younger brother of Tommy Bolin, explained to Sioux City Journal. "He'll be inducted alongside (teen idol and Fargo, North Dakota, native) Bobby Vee and Buddy Miles (an Omaha native best known for being a drummer in Jimi Hendrix's BAND OF GYPSYS)."

"It was an honor and a privilege to play drums with one of the greatest guitar players and songwriters on the planet." This quote from respected Sioux Falls drummer Bobby Berge encapsulates how many musicians and fans remember Tommy Bolin.

Tommy was born in Sioux City, Iowa on August 1, 1951. He loved rock and roll as a young boy, idolizing Elvis Presley. Bolin got his first guitar at the age of 10, and soon was organizing his own band. He and other pre-teen musicians used to attend THE VELAIRES rehearsals. His PATCH OF BLUE band played frequently at the Broadway Ballroom in Centerville, and he appeared several times with the Vermillion-based THE CHATEAUX, led by Bob Ellison. Tommy even played organ with the group at the Varsity Pub as a 14-year-old. He is said to have appeared on guitar on "Reference Man", released by THE CHATEAUX.

This restless, precocious young man grew tired of the local rock scene. As a 10th grader, Tommy was expelled from school because his hair was deemed too long. After getting it cut once, he was sent back home for not having enough trimmed off. With his parents' blessing, 15-year-old Tommy hitch-hiked to Denver to find fame. His brother, Johnnie, refers to the event: "To let a kid hitch to Denver, it's not like they didn't care. They knew that it was what Tommy had to do."

Soon after arriving in Denver, he met singer Jeff Cook and joined CROSSTOWN BUS. Cook said, "Tommy was very humble about his gift, and he never made any of us feel that we weren't as good as he was. We grew and became better players and better people." In 1968, Tommy joined ZEPHYR, but his love for jazz caused problems with the rest of the group. Tommy and Bobby Berge left to form ENERGY. Headquartered in Boulder, ENERGY was one of the first jazz-fusion bands. They backed John Lee Hooker, Albert King and Chuck Berry.

Tommy discovered glam rock. He wore flashy clothes designed by his girlfriend, Karen Ulibarri. His hair was multi-colored and he wore leopard skin platform boots. Tragically, this era started Bolin's attraction to hard drugs.

Drummer Billy Cobham visited Tommy's apartment to ask him to play guitar on his "Spectrum" album. That led to the JAMES GANG asking him to replace Joe Walsh when Walsh left the group. Albums in 1973, "Bang", and 1974, "Miami", featured Tommy's guitar virtuosity.

Jazz-fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon asked Bolin to play on his 1975 album, "Mind Transplant". That led to an invitation from DEEP PURPLE to join them. He recorded "Come Taste The Band" with DEEP PURPLE, and was able to finish his only solo album, "Teaser", that year. He had begun work on a second solo disc, "Private Eyes", but that was cut short by his tragic premature death in Miami from a drug overdose.

It's less then a week away and then the new Junkyard album, High Water, will be released April 21st via Acetate Records; get yourself a copy at this location. Eleven songs mark a triumphant return for Junkyard on their first official album in 26 years. To whet your appetite, the group have shared the song "Styrofoam Cup", enjoy it now via the Soundcloud audio player below.

While odds and sods have been released over the decades, High Water is a firm statement of the band's 2017, and onward, intent. As singer and founding member David Roach explains, in recent years, Junkyard had a blast playing "reunion" shows, which quickly turned into mini-tours through Spain and packed gigs across America. New songs began percolating, and Junkyard began writing.

"I had no grand illusions of a magnum opus, or that we'd try and recreate what we were 25 years ago," Roach states. "This album is not a departure; it's a rock 'n' roll record from Junkyard with songs about life, love, regret, addiction and memories."

Junkyard, who hit MTV and radio hard with their self-titled 1989 Geffen Records debut and singles "Hollywood" and "Simple Man”, cement the authenticity their first two records on High Water, such blunt songs as the soul-searching of "Cut From The Same Cloth," to "We Fuck Like We Fight" (politely abbreviated as "WFLWF" for the politically correct) going down as easy as an aged Kentucky bourbon.

The band members are straight ahead guys, but High Water has a few shades of meaning. Guitarist Tim Mosher explains: "It could be interpreted more than one way - like a "high water mark" or the old phrase come "hell or high water," or with the image of the bottle on our CD cover, the actual "high water," aka booze!" High Water also boasts writing and lead guitar credits from Brian Baker, a Junkyard founding member who played with the band more than 25 years, but now plays his trade full time with Bad Religion. On the road, Junkyard are joined by Jimmy James (The Hangmen), with founding member Pat Muzingo and bassist Todd Muscat, who joined the band in 1991, rounding out the lineup.

"The Junkyard sound is a pretty classic one: big guitars and drums with David spilling his guts on top," says Mosher, who produced the album. We wanted High Water to sound loose and live, so as far as production goes we weren't trying to re-invent the wheel, just deliver the songs in the best light we could, then mix in some big riffs and throaty vocals and that's 'Yard." Junkyard's classic sound got some help from a fan and friend on High Water: Charlie Starr from the band Blackberry Smoke wrote the dramatic, forthright statement "Till the Wheels Fall Off" specifically for Junkyard.

As for a theme running through High Water, Roach jokes "we're not that clever," but describes the album as "a rock 'n' roll record with a nod to punk rock and outlaw country rock." It's a sound that's both timeless and timely.

As always, Junkyard steer clear of politics: "I personally prefer to keep politics out of my rock. I understand it's a great platform, and maybe some feel it's your duty to use it to a purpose, but I just feel our music is just for escape."

For his part, lyricist Roach is unafraid to mine his own missteps in song, as he did in the past with 1989 fan favorite, "Hands Off." This go-round, he confesses all via the tune 'Wallet." "That song was inspired by a night I spent with a stranger on the eve of a tour," says Roach. "I met her at [Hollywood bar] Boardners and we went to her place. The next day I snuck off like a rat to go home and pack for the tour. After I left I realized I left my wallet and had to do the walk of shame to retrieve it. Similar incidents have occurred--before and since to me--and I'm sure, countless others."

The band-and it's legion of longtime fans--is excited that High Water brings back Junkyard as an ongoing concern. As one of the great guttersnipe L.A. bands of the late 80s - a storied crew that includes Guns N' Roses, Little Caesar, The Hangmen - Junkyard were proud to be part of "one of the last great rock n roll scenes" as they term it.

"I don't think we dated ourselves too badly in the beginning so a lot of our songs still have some relevance," said Roach. "Also, we were in hibernation a while, we weren't playing while a lot of our contemporaries were. It's not so much longevity as it was people who missed us 20 years ago finally have a chance to see us."

Mosher, who was a fan of the group before joining Junkyard in 2000, sees all angles of the Junkyard saga...

"Although it's been 17 years since I joined, I'm still 'the new guy,' so with High I wanted to give the fans something I would've wanted as a Junkyard fan--a proper 3rd album," said Mosher. "It was important to all of us that the record be a statement of intent that could connect with fans from back in the day as well as hopefully find new ones for whom this might be their first 'Yard record. It's a tall order, but we're up for it."

Tracklisting:

“Walk Away”
“Faded”
“Cut From The Same Cloth”
“Styrofoam Cup”
“Hellbound”
“W.F.L.W.F.”
“Don't Give a Damn”
“Hell or High Water”
“Wallet”
“'Til The Wheels Fall Off”
“Kindness to the Dead”

Bonus tracks:

“The River”
“Rome Is Burning”
“Don't Give A Damn” (acoustic)
“Styrofoam Cup” (acoustic)
“Wallet” (live)

“Cut From The Same Cloth”:

“Wallet”:

Order the new album here. 2017 tour dates are listed below:

April
29 - M3 Festival - Columbia, MD

May
19 - Blackthorn 51 - New York, NY (w/ Little Caesar)
20 - Jewel Nightclub - Manchester, NH (w/ Little Caesar)
21 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY (w/ Little Caesar)
22 - Brass Monkey - Ottawa (w/ Little Caesar)
23 - The Rockpile - Toronto (w/ Little Caesar)
25 - Phatheadz - Green Bay, WI (w/ Little Caesar)
26 - The Token Lounge - Westland, MI (w/ Little Caesar)
27 - TBA - Cleveland, OH (w/ Little Caesar)
28 - TBA - Philadelphia, PA (w/ Little Caesar)

June
30 - Texas Mist - Austin, TX

July
1 - The Curtain Club - Dallas, TX

August
26 - Hair Metal Heaven Festival - Hull, UK

September
22 - 80’s In The Park Festival - Cocoa Beach, FL

Junkyard lineup:

David Roach - Vocals
Tim Mosher - Guitar
Todd Muscat - Bass
Patrick Muzingo - Drums
Jimmy James - Guitar

SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil spoke to the 93.3 WMMR radio station about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2012's "King Animal" album. "There are some songs that have been demoed," he said. "I think Matt's [Cameron, drums] demoed some things completely on his little… stuff he's recorded on computer. Chris [Cornell, vocals] has demoed a few things. He's written lyrics for ideas that I've written and that Ben [Shepherd, bass] and Matt have written. So there's some things that have been documented in rehearsal, there's some things that are at the demo stage, there are some that are still in the developmental stage, ideas that we jammed on that we're kind of working out arrangements for. Every different stage within the process of songwriting is being addressed at this point."

Work on a new SOUNDGARDEN record started in 2015, but the band took breaks while Cornell toured his "Higher Truth" solo effort and drummer Matt Cameron hit the road with PEARL JAM.

SOUNDGARDEN reunited in 2010 after a 13-year layoff, touring and then eventually writing new material that became the basis for "King Animal", its first new studio album in 16 years.

SOUNDGARDEN's North American headline tour will kick off on May 3 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Fox Theatre. THE PRETTY RECKLESS and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will provide support on select dates.

SOUNDGARDEN will also appear at a variety of previously announced summer festivals, including WXTV Rockfest, Welcome To Rockville, Fort Rock Festival, 89.7 The River's Rockfest, Rock On The Range, and more.

On March 10, SOUNDGARDEN released a remixed deluxe version of its 1988 full-length debut album, "Ultramega OK". This expanded version of the record is described as a "correction" of the original mix, which the band was never satisfied with.

Since reuniting seven years ago, SOUNDGARDEN has embarked on an extensive restoration of its catalog, including deluxe archival versions of the classic albums "Badmotorfinger" and "Superunknown", along with a three-disc collection of rarities, B-sides and previously unreleased tracks called "Echo Of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across The Path".

"My Rock", the new video from Richie Kotzen, can be seen below. The song is taken from the ever-adventurous triple-threat songwriter/guitarist/vocalist 21st solo album, "Salting Earth", which was released on April 14 via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc. Kotzen tossed convention on its ear by actually taking one step back in order to move two steps forward. "It's something I really needed to do in order to reset myself," he explains. Kotzen's "charge to recharge" was officially put into play following the mega-success of the 2015–16 tour behind his band THE WINERY DOGS' sophomore effort, the oh-so-appropriately named "Hot Streak". And the man's reset manifesto wound up hitting all the right buttons too. The proof is on display deep within the grooves of "Salting Earth", which veers from the balls-out, heads-up declaration of the opening track and first single, "End Of Earth", to the burning-sky harmonic thrust of "Thunder" to the Prince-like funk-jazz swing of "This Is Life" to the acoustified take-me-as-I-am self-reflection of the album's final song, "Grammy". The majority of "Salting Earth" is the result of Kotzen's one-man production machine, with the exception of Julia Lage adding background vocals to "Make It Easy", a tasty, sing-along groove stew. "It's really not deliberate when the record is finished and suddenly I'm the only performer on it," Kotzen admits. "It actually comes out of my process of writing and documenting my ideas. It started back in the late '80s when I had a makeshift studio in my parents' barn. I grew up fairly isolated, and I soon realized in order to get this music out of my head and onto a format where I could listen to it, I'd have to figure out how to do it alone." Kotzen's previous solo release, 2015's diverse, far-reaching "Cannibals", was a well-received hit among his core fan base, and "Salting Earth" cuts like the aforementioned "End Of Earth", "Thunder" and "Divine Power" all showcase the scorching guitar solos and soaring vocals that one would expect from a Kotzen solo album. That said, there's also quite a vulnerable side on display here that's perhaps best demonstrated in the stripped-down approach to the album's closing salvo, "Grammy". "That song came to me in the oddest way at the most inconvenient time," he reveals of the track that can be filed in the "first thought, best thought" category. One night when he was home alone, "I basically woke myself up with the chorus melody in my head, and in my haze, I knew that if I didn't at least record the idea, it would be forever lost. I ended up programming a simple drum beat, and then recorded the acoustic guitar. The lyrics pretty much wrote themselves. By 6 in the morning, the song was finished. I was going to do more overdubs, but I kept playing it over and over, and I just felt like there was something so personal coming out of the speakers. By messing with it, I'd likely destroy the magic — so I left it as it is." Bringing "Salting Earth" live to the people is Kotzen's next holy mission. "My real outlet is touring — playing live as much as I can, wherever I can, whenever I can," he says enthusiastically. "It's one of the few things you can't copy, steal, or download. It's an engaging human experience that's a give-and-take between both the performer and the audience, and there is nothing else like it on this earth." Kotzen will launch his "Salting Earth" tour on April 21 at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills, California. He and his band are planning to tour extensively throughout the U.S. and continue their journey into Mexico, South America, and Europe. "Salting Earth" track listing: 01. End Of Earth02. Thunder03. Divine Power04. I've Got You05. My Rock06. This Is Life07. Make It Easy08. Meds09. Cannon Ball10. Grammy

Photo credit: Julia Lage

HELLYEAH guitarist Tom Maxwell has revealed that he has already begun composing material for the follow-up to the band's 2016 album, "Unden!able". "I'm already there, yeah," he told Metalshop TV in a new interview (see video below). "I'm already thinking next record. I'm already starting to write. [I'm] not quite there yet."

He continued: "I'm weird when it comes to writing music. It's, like, I can't just do it… I mean, I can — I can sit down and probably write a song every day — but it doesn't mean it's gonna be any good. And I really have to… My head's gotta be right. I've gotta want to write songs. It's almost like your guitar calls you. And when I don't hear that call, it's not time."

Maxwell also confirmed that HELLYEAH will once again work with producer Kevin Churko, who helmed "Unden!able" and 2014's "Blood For Blood" record. "Yes, I hope so, yes," the guitarist said. "I don't wanna work with anybody else. [He's] kind of like the sixth member.

"For me, producers… It's a loosely thrown around word," he continued. "In my opinion, most producers are just glorified engineers. They know how to do good sounds, but a good producer, to me, is a composer who can bring ideas, who can help you re-write your song five or six different ways. And that's a good thing to have. I welcome feedback, and I welcome other ideas. It just inspires me. You might not like it, you might like it; you've just gotta try it and see if it works.

"So, yeah, the next record, I'm sure we're gonna be back in the studio with Kevin and it's gonna be just like what we're doing now — moving forward, [recording the] same heavy [kind of stuff]. Up and down, and giving people a journey."

HELLYEAH's fifth album, "Unden!able", which was released on June 3, 2016 via Eleven Seven Music. The effort marks the first time HELLYEAH's current lineup — Maxwell, singer Chad Gray, guitarist Christian Brady, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and bassist Kyle Sanders — has recorded together as a unit.

Kelly Keagy, the drummer, co-lead vocalist and co-founder of long-running rock band NIGHT RANGER, is taking a temporary leave of absence from the band during April and May, as he recovers from a successful heart procedure. Veteran drummers Deen Castronovo (formerly of JOURNEY and BAD ENGLISH) and Fred Coury (CINDERELLA) will sit in for Keagy for the next six weeks during the "35th Anniversary World Tour", which coincides with the release of the band's eleventh studio album, "Don't Let Up". Keagy issued the following statement: "I've dealt with a heart abnormality my entire life. At the recommendation of my doctors, I decided to undergo a procedure that will allow me to come back even stronger. I've asked the guys in the band to go ahead with the tour, and I'm looking forward to rejoining them on the road as soon as I can. I'm grateful for the support and prayers of my family, my bandmates, and our fans, which have meant everything to me as I've gone through this process." Keagy is now at home continuing his recovery, which is expected to take six weeks. NIGHT RANGER's Jack Blades (lead vocals, bass), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars), and Eric Levy (keyboards) issued the following statement: "We support and applaud Kelly's decision to put his health first and undergo this treatment now so he can be back at full strength as quickly as possible. While it will be strange being out on the road without our brother Kelly for the first time in the band's history, we take comfort in knowing it's a temporary situation, and he'll be back soon even stronger to continue the '35th Anniversary World Tour'. "We're grateful to our buddies Deen and Fred, for agreeing to step in as guest drummers for NIGHT RANGER during Kelly's short hiatus (Deen will perform at the May shows and Fred will perform at the April shows). They've both been good friends of the band for years, and it'll be great to be rockin' America with them while Kelly recuperates. "We know our fans join us in sending their thoughts and prayers to Kelly and his family as he recovers from his procedure, and we look forward to reuniting with him on the road very soon as we celebrate the release of 'Don't Let Up' and the '35th Anniversary World Tour' rolls on."

KIX guitarist Ronnie Younkins will once again be checking in to rehab to be treated for alcohol abuse, his bandmates have revealed.

Younkins missed a KIX concert in Pennsylvania last month when the rest of the band was unable to reach him. He was eventually found "not in great condition and very upset," according to TMZ.

In a new statement posted on the KIX Facebook page, the group wrote: "Thank you for your concern about our dear friend Ronnie. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family, and we wish him the best on his continued journey toward recovery.

"As we all well know, the road to recovery is not easy, but with the support of family, friends, and fans too, this difficult time becomes just a little easier to manage.

"Ronnie is currently headed to a rehab facility and will be in good hands. Brian will once again fill Ronnie's shoes until Ronnie is ready to return to KIX, to his side of the stage, which is waiting for him."

In a December 2015 interview with the Rock N Roll Experience, KIX guitarist Brian Forsythe confirmed that Younkins went back to rehab earlier that year to receive treatment for alcohol addiction. Forsythe said at the time: "[Ronnie returned to rehab] for a little bit — for a month and a half, two months. He did kind of a refresher course. He had been sober for a long time and then had this relapse, so we had to stick him back in there just to get him back on track."

KIX frontman Steve Whiteman told Sleaze Roxx two years ago that Younkins's substance abuse problems date back to the early '80s when the guitarist was briefly replaced by Brad Divens. "Ronnie has an addictive personality," Steve explained. "Ronnie has had his battles with drug problems throughout his life, and at that point, he was of no good to us, so we had to find a replacement for that period of time. Brad was a young guy in the area and we moulded him into what we needed for another guitar player. So he came in and did a great job and recorded 'Cool Kids' with us. And then we got wind that Ronnie had recovered and gotten better. It just felt weird not having Ronnie in the band. So when we knew that he was ready to come back, we got him back and cut Brad loose and set him off to — what's the name of the band? — WRATHCHILD AMERICA was his next band. And he did quite well after that.'

Younkins, a founding member of KIX, told The Frederick News-Post in a 2014 interview that he had been abusing hard drugs and alcohol for a while before he hit his rock bottom while the band was promoting its 1988 album "Blow My Fuse". "My drinking and drugging went overboard," he said. The guitarist checked himself in to rehab, an experience that turned his life around. Out on tour, he played gigs at night and attended addiction meetings during the day. "I took it seriously," he said. "And it saved my life."

Last October, KIX released the "Can't Stop The Show: The Return Of Kix" two-disc DVD/CD set via Loud & Proud Records. The 71-minute film was an in-depth look into KIX's decision to record their first new album, 2014's "Rock Your Face Off", in almost twenty years.




To all our fans:Thank you for your concern about our dear friend Ronnie. Our hearts and prayers go out to him and his...

Posted by Kix Band on Thursday, April 13, 2017

Rock vocalist Titta Tani (Takayoshi Ohmura, ex-DGM), metal bassist Alberto Rigoni (solo artist, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits), guitarist Alessio "Lex" Tricarico (HorsePowerOverload, Four Roxx Down) and drummer Denis "Denzy" Novello teamed up to create the outstanding new metal band, Badass. More Pain, More Gain is the name of their debut album, released through Lion Music.

Titta Tani is an Italian singer and drummer, worldwide known also for his collaborations with Takayoshi Ohmura (Baby Metal, Marty Friedman), DGM, Emir Hot, Roger Staffelbach (Artension), Arthur Falcone, Ashent, Phoenix Rising and many others. As drummer he is currently playing for Claudio Simonetti’s Globin and has collaborated with bands such as Necrophagia, Edu Falaschi (Almah, Angra), Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire), Mistheria (Vivaldi Metal Project). In October 2016 he joined Badass as their official singer.

More Pain, More Gain is Badass' first album and was released digitally today (April 15th). The record was mixed andmastered by Federico Solazzo at Pannekoek Rehab Studio (NL), artwork by Laslzo “Absurdcus” Demeter.

Tracklist:

"Intro"
"More Pain, More Gain"
"Nightmares of My Youth"
"Royal Chains"
"Strong and United"
"What We Need"
"One More Night"
"Join Me"
"Redemption"
"Don't Bother Me"
"Outro"

 

The last year has been quite a ride for legendary rock band Candlebox. Not only did they come out swinging with the April 2016 release of Disappearing In Airports (Pavement Entertainment), which debuted among the Top 10 of the Top Rock Albums, and netted them the hit single “Vexatious” but they also went on to conquer both the U.S. and Europe with a relentless tour schedule that brought in an entirely new generation of Candlebox fans.
 
Now, about to embark on the anniversary of their comeback, the band that refuses to slow down has announced that they and Pavement Entertainment have teamed up with Record Store Day 2017 to release Disappearing Live. The first official live Candlebox CD, this seven-song EP was recorded in Long Island, NY from the uber successful Disappearing in Airports tour. And as a special bonus to fans, an exclusive live rendition of the band’s multi-platinum hit “Far Behind” has been included.
 
The EP was recorded and produced by renowned sound engineer Carlos Novais and mixed by bassist/engineer/mixer Adam Kury. Featured on the album are lead singer/guitarist Kevin Martin, Drummer Dave Krusen, who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Pearl Jam, Bassist Adam Kury, Lead Guitarist Brian Quinn and Guitarist Island Styles.

In addition to “Far Behind”, the EP includes the following tracks:

“Vexatious”
“Supernova”
“Crazy”
“I Want It Back”
“All That We Got”
“The Bridge”

Disappearing Live EP Digi-pack will be available starting April 22 at participating Record Store Day locations. For a list, visit http://www.recordstoreday.com. The EP will then be available on May 22 as a special bundle with a commemorative T-shirt on Pavement Entertainment’s web site (http://www.pavementmusic.com) and on all major digital platforms starting in June.
 
To celebrate the release of Disappearing Live, Candlebox has announced that it will also be releasing its third single “Crazy” to Mainstream Rock and Alternative Rock Radio. The track is streaming NOW at the BraveWords Featured Audio page. The follow up to the album’s single “Vexatious”, Martin describes the track as a song about obsession.

“It’s about the position that a lot of people find themselves in at some point in their lives”, Martin said. “That place where they want something physical that they necessarily couldn’t have but pursue it anyway. It’s about that unrelenting desire to always have more than we should.”
 
The release of their new EP and single aren’t the only things that will keep Candlebox busy this summer. According to Martin, the band will be performing at some of the largest venues and rock music festivals throughout the U.S.

Candlebox Disappearing In Airports dates:

April
15 – Everett, WA – Historic Everett Theater
22 – Orlando, FL – WJRR Earth Day Birthday

May
6 – Yucaipa, CA – Yucaipa Music And Arts Festival
7 – Pauma, CA – Casino Pauma

June
3 – Kansas City, KS – Rockfest

July
14 – Oshkosh, WI – Rock USA

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett has once again defended "Lulu", the band's controversial collaborative disc with Lou Reed, calling it "one of the most important albums" he has ever been a part of.

"Lulu" polarized fans around the world and earned METALLICA some of the most scathing reviews of its career. The effort featured the late THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman's spoken-word poetry and lyrics combined with METALLICA's musical assault for a jarring experience that didn't sound like anything METALLICA had ever attempted before.

More than five years since its release, "Lulu" has only sold around 35,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Speaking to Chile's HumoNegro.com, Kirk said about "Lulu" (see video below): "I think it's one of the best things we've ever done. I mean, you can kind of call it a METALLICA album, but it's not really a METALLICA album. I think that's part of the reason why it's so misunderstood. People were thinking it was gonna be an album of heavy metal songs with Lou Reed, but no — it was a collaboration. It was our two musical entities coming together to build something fresh and new and unique. And the fact that it turned out so unique was, I think, a huge success. And I love it. I still listen to it. I miss Lou; it's a shame that he's not with us anymore. But in retrospect, that's one of the most important albums, I think, I've been a part of in my life. So that's how I feel about it."

In a 2012 interview with Spin, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich admitted that the band was caught off guard by the vehement reaction to "Lulu", saying, "It was more spiteful than anyone was prepared for. Especially against Lou. He is such a sweet man. But when METALLICA do impulsive riffing and Lou Reed is reciting abstract poetry about German bohemians from 150 years ago, it can be difficult to embrace." Asked whether the band had second thoughts over some of Reed's lyrics, like "I swallow your sharpest cutter / Like a colored man's dick," Ulrich said, "I understand that to some 13-year-old in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, it can all seem a little cringe-worthy, but to someone raised in an art community in Copenhagen in the late '60s, that was expected."

The collaboration between METALLICA and Reed was sparked by their performance together of Reed's "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat" at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009.

The songs were all written by Reed with extensive arrangement contributions by METALLICA.

Only two songs on the album are under five minutes in length, while two are more than 11 minutes long and the closing cut, "Junior Dad", clocks in at 19 minutes.

Reed died in October 2013 at the age of 71, five months after he had a life-saving liver transplant, according to his wife, Laurie Anderson.

Prevail delivers groovy death metal directly from the darkest parts of Jutland Denmark. The experienced five-piece - including former members of Svartsot, recently released their debut album through Prime Collective.

Now they are releasing a music video for their first single "Smiting Our Enemy". With a tornado of leg crushing guitar riffs and technical ability fused with lyrics that address topics and stories about the darker side of the human mind, they present to you a very controversial music video, which includes the executions of major political characters.

The production of the album is thick, chaotic and crystal clear and is recorded and mixed in the legendary Hansen Studios by Jonas Haagensen.

Their debut album is available on most digital streaming services - Spotify, Tidal, iTunes, and others.

Former MORBID ANGEL members David Vincent (vocals, bass) and Tim Yeung (drums) will join forces with guitarists Bill Hudson (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) and Ira Black (METAL CHURCH, LIZZY BORDEN) to perform classic MORBID ANGEL songs under the I AM MORBID banner.

The new band, which will play material from MORBID ANGEL's "Altars Of Madness" (1989), "Blessed Are The Sick" (1991), "Covenant" (1993) and "Domination" (1995) albums, will perform five shows in Russia in late May, followed by fourteen dates in the rest of Europe. The tour, whcih is presented by The Flaming Arts Agency, will feature NECROPHAGIA as direct support.

Tour dates/locations:

May 23 - Krasnodar (Russia) May 24 - Samara (Russia)May 25 - Ekaterinburg (Russia)May 26 - Moscow (Russia)May 27 - St. Petersburg (Russia)May 29 - Bielsko-Biala (Poland)May 30 - Kosice (Slovakia)May 31 - Budapest (Hungary)Jun. 01 - Ljubljana (Slovenia)Jun. 02 - Venice (Italy)Jun. 03 - Lyss (Switzerland)Jun. 05 - [to be announced]Jun. 06 - Munich (Germany)Jun. 07 - Erfurt (Germany)Jun. 08 - Flensburg (Germany)Jun. 09 - Den Haag (Netherlands)Jun. 10 - Tilburg (Netherlands)Jun. 11 - Leipzig (Germany)Jun. 12 - Oberhausen (Germany)

Vincent recently told Ghost Cult about I AM MORBID: "It's been discussed off and on for a few years now, but, as they say, actions speak louder than words. While it was exciting to discuss, it was held off for a few years until I decided to go through some personal changes in my life, and really absorb the possibility of it happening. I went ahead and focused on my roots music, but this kept lingering, and now it's time for I AM MORBID to finally happen."

Regarding the I AM MORBID setlist, Vincent said: "Like everything I do, I want to make this special. This is very different from MORBID ANGEL. If you want to see a MORBID ANGEL show, you know where to go, but this isn't it. I'm only going to be performing songs that I wrote on this tour. If I didn't write it, we aren't playing it. We are going to throw in things, here or there, to make things more unique, but it's going to be one brutal show. I can promise you that."