KORN frontman Jonathan Davis has launched a two-week t-shirt brand campaign with Merchful to help those that are suffering from bullying or suicidal thoughts.

Davis explains: "As you know, bullying is something a lot of people have to deal with, and many times that type of harassment leads to suicide.

"Let's help shine a light on this crap, let's be weird, let's be different, but always be yourself.

"Let's see how many people we can get behind this movement."

Get your official "Freaks Do It Better" shirt at Merchful.com.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit organizations the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention and Stomp Out Bullying.

Back in 2014, KORN released a song called "Hater" — the lead single off the band's world tour edition deluxe reissue album, "The Paradigm Shift: World Tour Edition". Directed by Yarvo Productions, the accompanying video featured fan-submitted video clips where they shared personal experiences of being a victim of bullying, abuse or hatred and how that affected them.

Davis told Loudwire of "Hater": "I think it's for everybody. I don't understand what's going on with society today where it's to the point where kids are getting bullied to the point they blow their fucking heads off or people hate on people because they have stuff that they don't have. Somebody needs to go out and take a belt and whip those kids' asses like they used to back in the day. Something fucking happened, something switched and everyone thought it was funny and okay, so I just wanted to do … a self-empowering kind of song."

Gun N' Roses brought their Not In This Lifetime tour to Japan this weekend, kicking it off in Osaka on January 21st at Kyocera Dome. Video from the show can be viewed below. The setlist on the night was as follows:

"It's So Easy"
"Mr. Brownstone"
"Chinese Democracy"
"Welcome to the Jungle"
"Double Talkin' Jive"
"Better"
"Estranged"
"Live and Let Die" (Wings cover)
"Rocket Queen"
"You Could Be Mine"
"Attitude" (Misfits cover)
"This I Love"
"Civil War"
"Coma"
"Speak Softly Love" (Love Theme From The Godfather)
"Sweet Child O' Mine"
"Wish You Were Here" (Pink Floyd cover) 
"November Rain"
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan cover)
"Nightrain"

Encore:
"Patience"
"The Seeker" (The Who cover)
"Paradise City"

The resurgent Guns N' Roses and their massively successful Not In This Lifetime Tour continue to show no signs of slowing down as the legendary band storms into 2017 with more than 30 stadium shows lined up across Europe and North America.  Starting on May 27th, 2017 at Dublin’s Slane Castle, the Live Nation produced tour will then steamroll into 18 more cities across the UK and Europe including shows scheduled in London, Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Copenhagen and more.  Following the European leg of the tour, the acclaimed band will once again return to North America for even more stadium dates starting on 27 July at the Dome At America’s Center in St. Louis, MO and then move along to 15 more cities across the US and Canada including Denver, Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Minneapolis, Miami and more.  Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, December 9th in Canada and Europe, and Saturday, December 10th in the United States.

The Not In This Lifetime Tour has sold over two million tickets throughout 2016 to become the year’s most successful rock tour proving beyond a doubt that the attitude, spirit and influence of both Guns N’ Roses and the rock n’ roll genre are as strong as ever.  The history-making Not In This Lifetime Tour, which visited 21 cities (25 shows) in less than two months, wrapped the first North America leg last summer before setting its eyes on South America.  In South America, the band completely sold out all 15 dates of the tour including 13 stadium dates.  

Following the group’s 1985 formation, Guns N’ Roses injected unbridled, unrivalled, and unstoppable attitude into the burgeoning Los Angeles rock scene. The spirit went on to captivate the entire world with the release of their 1987 debut Appetite for Destruction –the best-selling U.S. debut ever, moving 30 million copies globally.  In 1991, the seven-time platinum Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II occupied the top two spots of the Billboard Top 200 upon release. Over the course of the past decade, Guns N’ Roses have performed sold out shows and headlined festivals worldwide following the critically acclaimed release of 2008’s RIAA platinum-certified Chinese Democracy. Six studio albums later, Guns N’ Roses are one of the most important and influential acts in music history and continue to set the benchmark for live performances connecting with millions of fans across the globe. Guns N’ Roses’ are Axl Rose (vocals, piano), Duff McKagan (bass), Slash (lead guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboard), Richard Fortus (rhythm guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums), and Melissa Reese (keyboard).

Guns ‘N Roses – Not In This Lifetime Tour 2017 Europe dates:

May
27 - Slane Castle Dublin, Ireland
30 - Estadio San Mames - Bilbao, Spain

June
2 - Passeio Martimo De Alges - Lisbon, Portugal
4 - Estadio Vicente Calderon - Madrid, Spain
7 - Letzigrund Stadium - Zurich, Switzerland
10 - Autodromo - Imola, Italy
13 - Olympiastadion - Munich, Germany
16 - London Stadium - London, GB
20 - Stadion Energie Gdansk - Gdansk, Poland
22 - Messe - Hannover, Germany
24 - Werchter Classic - Werchter, Belgium
27 - Telia Parken - Copenhagen, Denmark
29 - Friends Arena - Stockholm, Sweden

July
1 - Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto - Hämeenlinna, Finland
4 - Letnany Airport - Prague, Czech Republic
7 - Stade De France - Paris, FR
10 - Ernst Happel Stadium - Vienna, Austia
12 - Goffertpark - Nijmegen, Netherlands
15 - Hayarkon Park - Tel Aviv, Israel

Guns ‘N Roses – Not In This Lifetime Tour 2017 North America dates:

July
27 - The Dome at America's Center - St. Louis, MO
30 - U.S. Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN

August
2 - Sports Authority Field at Mile High - Denver, CO
8 - Miami Marlins Stadium - Miami, FL
11 - BB&T Field - Winston-Salem, NC
13 - Hersheypark Stadium - Hershey, PA
16 - New Era Field - Buffalo, NY
19 - Parc Jean Drapeau - Montreal, QC
21 - TD Place Stadium - Ottawa, ON
24 - Investors Group Field - Winnipeg, MB
27 - Mosaic Stadium - Regina, SK
30 - Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, AB

September
1 - BC Place Stadium - Vancouver, BC
3 - The Gorge  - George, WA
6 - Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, TX
8 - Alamodome - San Antonio, TX

"Era", the new video from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, can be seen below. The beautifully shot, cinematic clip was directed by Markus Hofko and features stunning visuals that perfectly sync with the band's dynamic music.

Commented OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt: "I have to say our involvement in the making of the 'Era' video was so minimal we can't take credit either for or against its brilliance.

"We did 3D scans of our bodies (clothed) in Munich during the last European tour. I remember everyone was extremely tired and probably slightly hungover. The director just placed us in a ice-cold room and then scanned us with something that looked like a flashing hairdryer. Done! We've done our part for the video. Next!

"During the process of finishing the piece, it got clear to me that it really works with the song. That's something I was involved in actually, picking the song. It's extremely difficult. Which song to choose? How do I know what works best for this format? Well, I don't. I picked a song from the record that has a strong chorus. Slightly old-school way of thinking, I guess, but ultimately it didn't matter all that much to me.

"The video is nice. I dig it. It's slightly on the pretentious side, but hey, works for me! And like I said, it really works with the overall vibe of the song. Lyrically and musically and definitely emotionally."

"Era" is taken from OPETH's twelfth album, "Sorceress", which was released at the end of September.

For the band's first effort for Nuclear Blast via OPETH's imprint label Moderbolaget Records, the group returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales, also home to pivotal releases from QUEEN, RUSH and JUDAS PRIEST, where the Swedes had tracked "Pale Communion" in 2014 with Tom Dalgety

"It's got a little bit of everything," Åkerfeldt told Guitar World about the album's musical direction. "There are some progressive moments, some jazz moments, some acoustic things. And even though it's not a death-metal record, it's still got some really heavy moments in there as well."

Vocalist Steve Grimmett of STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER, the revamped version of the cult '80s British metal act GRIM REAPER, remains in a South American hospital after being refused flight home when the airline disallowed him to board on Saturday evening. Grimmett has been battling a life-threatening condition for a week after being rushed to a local hospital in Ecuador; the singer was amidst a tour in support of STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER's latest album, "Walking In The Shadows". Grimmett's wife, Amelia Grimmett, has been updating fans around the globe of the singer's condition via the band's official Facebook page since the reports started to surface on January 14. "[On] Saturday [January 14], whilst doing a gig in Ecuador, Steve was taken very ill," she noted. "He finished the gig sitting down but was transported to a local hospital immediately after the performance where they operated to remove an infection." In an interview with Jimmy Kay of "The Metal Voice" this past weekend, Mrs. Grimmett further detailed the situation. "The band was only ten days into a South American tour when Steve began to feel ill," she said. "He took some tablets thinking it was maybe altitude sickness. However, during the early part of the band's performance, Steve's health went downhill quickly. He was taken to hospital and rushed into surgery to attempt to remove a growing infection on his foot. The following morning, they scanned him and confirmed the infection had spread. He was rushed back in to surgery and was told he would at minimum lose a few toes, worst-case scenario his foot. Additional tests were conducted and the infection had again spread. On Wednesday, a decision was made for a third operation; one that resulted in doctors removing Steve's right leg below the knee in order to stop the infection that could, if allowed to spread, take his life." Fans have taken to social media since initial reports started to appear regarding the beloved singer. Now an official fundraising page has been created to help Steve with costs that are quickly rising. Donations can be made here. Grimmett is currently expected to return to England on Friday. "Steve is booked on a plane to fly home this week," notes Amelia. She shares: "The rest of the band has now flown back so Steve will be on his own in the hospital but he says he's okay. The embassy has promised they will look after him and get him back to the U.K. safely." Steve Grimmett has issued the following statement: "I would like to thank my band mates for their support and to our fans for doing the same." Amelia adds: "I am overwhelmed with all the messages of support. Even though this was a life-changing operation, it saved Steve's life, and me and the rest of our family are eternally grateful." All previously announced STEVE GRIMMETT'S GRIM REAPER dates are cancelled.

Former GREAT WHITE and current JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell has weighed in on underdog Donald Trump's stunning upset of Hillary Clinton in the U.S. presidential election, saying that he "would take" the real estate mogul "over Hillary any day."

Trump shocked the political establishment and the world by becoming the 45th president in one of the biggest upsets in U.S. political history. He won with 306 electoral votes compared to 232 for Hillary Clinton. 270 were needed to win. Clinton, however, handily won the popular vote, despite losing the overall election.

Speaking to Seb Di Gatto for The Metal Gods Meltdown, Jack said about the U.S. election outcome (hear audio below): "You know, I'll tell you what… I would take [Trump] over Hillary any day. To me, she's just a crook. The fact that she hasn't shown her face since then kind of tells you a lot. As far as being a president? I don't know. I mean, I hope he does what he says he does. I think he has the right ideas in mind, but we'll see. I just think now he's getting blamed a lot in the press over here for stuff that Obama did. He's only been in the office one day. It's, like, hey, wait. Give the guy a chance. He hasn't even had a chance to poop in the White House yet. You know what I mean? Give the guy a chance."

He continued: "I'm not into politics, really, and I don't vote. I can't vote, 'cause I'm an ex-felon. But if I could, I would have voted for [Trump]. It wasn't like we had a bunch of choices… He was the one… I've gotta had it to him, man. He pulled it off, and for a guy that's not a politician… And that's what I like about him — he's not a politician; he's a businessman. And this country is just basically a big business, a giant corporation, and it needs to be run like that. It doesn't need to be run by politicians with nothing but their own agendas."

Russell added: "The government has its hands in too much stuff, and it needs to be brought back to the people. Obamacare is the biggest piece of crap ever. I'm paying fifteen hundred dollars a month for insurance, just for me, and I call up and I go, 'Yeah, I need this prescription. My doctor said it's gonna fix me right up.' 'Oh, that's not on your formula. You can't have that.' I'm, like, why is my insurance company telling me how to treat…? Why are they the ones that are responsible for treating me? It should be a doctor. But they say, 'No, you can't have that.' I'm, like, 'Then what am I paying all this money for?' That's a lot of money for one guy, you know, for insurance for a month. That's a lot of money. It's, like, dude, really? I can make a house payment with that, on a nice house."

The singer went on to say: "If they [Democrats] would have won, you wouldn't have seen Republicans out there doing all these demonstrations and stuff. As a matter of fact, I'm looking at one right now — right in front of my marina. I live on a boat — me and my wife. I'm a big sport fisher. And I'm sitting here in the marina office and I'm looking outside and there's a huge march. Everybody's wearing pink bikinis — women's equal rights. I guess they're protesting that they're not gonna get birth control for free; people have to pay for their birth control pills. Well, why not? I've gotta pay for condoms, if I want. Men have gotta pay for their own contraception. Why should women get 'em for free? How is that equal rights?

"People are always doing something or against something. It's just I've never seen the country so divided, and it's sad. It should be, 'Okay, we don't really like him, but let's just give him a chance.' If Hillary would have won, I wouldn't have been protesting. I just would have said, 'Okay, that's the way it is. Let's see how she does.' And I would have probably moved to some other country. [Laughs] I would have been across the pond quick."

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE's debut album, "He Saw it Comin'" (originally titled "The Gauntlet"), will be released on January 27 via Frontiers Music Srl. The disc features Jack Russell alongside former GREAT WHITE bassist-turned-guitarist Tony Montana (as a guitar player and keyboardist), Dan McNay (MONTROSE) on bass, Robby Lochner (FIGHT) on guitar and Dicki Fliszar (BRUCE DICKINSON) on drums.

Swiss extreme metallers SAMAEL have signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band is working on a new album, to be released later in 2017. Founded in 1987 as an old-school black metal act that was influenced by the likes of BATHORY, fellow countrymen CELTIC FROST and VENOM, SAMAEL — led by brothers Vorph and Xy — developed its style further towards a more industrial dark metal sound that found its high peak in legendary albums such as "Passage" and "Eternal". Commented Napalm's A&R Sebastian Münch: "I could not be prouder! Today we would like to announce the worldwide signing of the Swiss cult band SAMAEL! SAMAEL has created some of the most lethal and authentic black metal albums with 'Blood Ritual' and 'Ceremony Of Opposites'! With a more industrial approach later on, masterpieces likes 'Passage' and 'Eternal' saw the light of day! To make a long story short, SAMAEL are musical geniuses and we are happy to continue, together, this success story! Welcome to the Napalm family!" Added the band: "We're thrilled to announce that we've tightened the knot with Napalm Records for the release of our new album! We're looking forward to this exciting alliance for what will undoubtedly be the most important record in the SAMAEL history! "We've been around long enough to appreciate the importance of collaboration when it comes to turn projects into reality. We still have many great things to achieve and our partnership with Napalm Records will most certainly help us in doing so. "2017 is the year! With a dynamic and enthusiastic team behind us and with the help of our dedicated fans we're more than ready to unleashed new music upon the world... More to follow soon!"

SAMAEL is:

Vorph: Guitar, VocalsXy: Drums, PercussionsMakro: GuitarDrop: Bass

STONE SOUR has set "Hydrograd" as the title of its new album, tentatively due this summer via Roadrunner Records. The disc is being recorded at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, California.

During this past weekend's NAMM show in Anaheim, California, STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor told Rock Cellar magazine about the upcoming album (see video below): "We are doing everything old school. We're recording it live and then layering stuff on top of it. We are doing a song a day, and we've already done nine songs; we're about halfway done. And, yeah, it is incredible; it's the best stuff we've ever written."

Taylor recently told Matt Pinfield about the musical direction of the new STONE SOUR material: "It is such a great amalgam of all of these different styles that we just absolutely love. It's got a little bit of the heavy, like we like to do, but it's also way more hard rock — way more rock 'n' roll and hard rock than heavy. I mean, there's even a little bit of punk in there. And there's an energy there that is gonna decimate and blow away a lot of stuff that comes out [this] year. That's how excited I am."

Regarding the recording sessions for the next STONE SOUR album, Corey said: "We're [co-producing] ourselves with a good friends of ours named Jay Ruston, who has done a lot of work with a lot of different people. He has produced and mixed STEEL PANTHER, ANTHRAX [and] a bunch of different other people. He also mixed the two 'House Of Gold And Bones' albums that we put out, and he mixed the two covers EPs that STONE SOUR put out as well. So we have a great relationship with him, and he's somebody we really trust and we absolutely love to work with."

STONE SOUR, has released two EPs of cover songs — "Meanwhile In Burbank…" and "Straight Out Of Burbank" — and was slated to issue a third, titled "No Sleep 'Till Burbank", but those plans now appear to have been scrapped.

STONE SOUR in 2015 named Christian Martucci as the permanent replacement for Jim Root, who was dismissed from the band in late 2013 after he decided to sit out the group's last tour in order to begin working on the new SLIPKNOT album. Martucci was recruited to play on that tour and was confirmed as a permanent member in March 2015 in a Facebook post.

Root did not speak kindly of STONE SOUR in interviews after he was fired, saying, "Some of the guys in STONE SOUR, I think they just want to be a radio band and write strictly for radio and try to be more of a poppy rock band. And that's not really what I'm into. There's at least one guy in the band that's only concerned about money. I really have no desire to associate with people like that anymore."

Root played on all five STONE SOUR studio records to date, including 2010's "Audio Secrecy" and the band's last collection of original music, "House Of Gold And Bones", a double concept album which was released in two parts in 2012 and 2013.

Today @NAMMShow, @CoreyTaylorRock officially confirmed to us that @stonesour's new LP is titled #Hydrograd. Full interview soon! #NAMMShow pic.twitter.com/0upDzdj1ID

— Rock Cellar Magazine (@RockCellarMag) January 22, 2017

British heavy metal five-piece, Synaptik, recently announced the re-release of their debut album, The Mechanisms Of Consequence, as a heavier remixed album, due out on January 30th.

The Norwich-based band show no signs of slowing down as they are set to make a huge impact in 2017 by following it up with the release of their sophomore album, Justify & Reason, out March 10th.

For US fans, it’s a double dose of metal as the remix album and the new album, Justify & Reason, will be released as a double album directly via Divebomb Records. The first pre-orders for this collection will be available on February 1st from the band's website.

Synaptik describe Justify & Reason as: "A collection exhibiting real finesse, true technicality but not at the expense of neck-snapping riffs and a progressive air that’s both bracing and intimidatingly menacing."

The UK and US version of Justify & Reason come with different artworks, as seen below.

UK Edition:

US Edition:

Justify & Reason tracklisting:

“The Incredible Machine”
“Human / Inhuman”
“Conscience”
“White Circles”
“Esc Ctrl”
“A Man Dies”
“As I Am As I Was”
“I Am The Ghost” (intro)
“Your Cold Dead Trace”

“Esc Ctrl” video:

Both UK and US editions have the same track listing. However the US version has the remix album as a bonus disc.

San Diego brutal death metalists Condemned return with their third full-length His Divine Shadow.

Set for worldwide release via Unique Leader Records on March 10th, Condemned's latest endeavor was recorded and edited by producer John Haddad (Abysmal Dawn, Phobia, Intronaut) at Trench Studios in Santa Ana, California, mixed by Art Paiz at Mana Recording in St. Petersburg, Florida and mastered by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Converge, Mastodon) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. His Divine Shadow comes swathed in the cover art of Swedish artist and designer Par Olofsson (Deeds Of Flesh, Cult Of Luna, Immortal), with album logo art by the lord of logos, Christophe Szpajdel (Emperor, Moonspell, Old Man's Child).

Tracklisting:

"Penumbræ"
"Dawn"
"Omniscient Perturbations"
"Legion"
"Ascending The Spectral Throne"
"Nefarious Sanguine Decree"
"His Divine Shadow"
"Pestilential Reign"
"The Hive Ablaze"
"World-Reaving Terror"

His Divine Shadow is a vast, horrific tale of a darkened, parallel universe inhabited by an insect humanoid civilization that lives dominated and enslaved by a dark mysterious ruler whom they call "His Divine Shadow." Spread across ten tracks, Condemned carry on their brutal legacy with a signature brand of punishing riffs, fast, chaotic grooves, planet-rupturing breakdowns, Suffocation / Disgorge-ian style blasts, and an overall dark, menacing ambiance.

Sample third cut, "Omniscient Perturbations" now streaming at the Unique Leader Bandcamp audio player below.

His Divine Shadow by Condemned

Since the release of 2011's Realms Of The Ungodly, Condemned has weathered a variety of personnel changes leaving only original guitarist Steve Crow. Leading the way on vocals in 2017 is Sam Townsley who appeared as guest vocalist on the band's Desecrate The Vile debut in 2007. His unique vocal style demonstrates absolute pandemonium: low and powerfully deep roars complimented by creative vocal patterns. Manning the drum kit is Tyson Jupin (Vile) whose powerful hits, fast kicks, varied blasts, and solid execution elevates Condemned's inexorable heaviness tenfold. On bass guitar, is Ryan Reidy who shines with an innovative style, heavy dialed bass tones, and killer live performance skills. With the newly added members and a new album, Condemned returns to the death metal scene heavier than ever before. Believe it.

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET exclusively reported as a rumor on December 22, Florida-based metallers TRIVIUM have now officially confirmed that they have recruited Alex Bent to play drums on their upcoming European headlining tour.

Bent, a member of BATTLECROSS and DECREPIT BIRTH who previously played with TESTAMENT as the fill-in for that band's longtime drummer Gene Hoglan, will make his live debut with TRIVIUM on February 11 in Dublin, Ireland.

Bent's official audition video can be seen below. TRIVIUM bassist Paolo Gregoletto explained via Twitter: "Alex sent us this video two days after being put in touch with him. We also had a few weeks of rehearsal together in November."

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.

Alex joins TRIVIUM following the departure of the band's drummer of eleven months, Paul Wandtke, who was given his walking papers in November.

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

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

The clip  below features Deep Purple live in Alpine Valley in 1985. As the band celebrated the successes of Perfect Strangers, they sold out stadiums all across the world and played a second USA tour in 1985, this time in front of a massive audience at The Alpine Valley Arena on August 17th. Check out "Knocking At Your Back Door" from the night.

Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice spoke to Heavyworlds recently and talked about the band’s Long Goodbye Tour and the possibility that it might be Purple’s swansong.

"It'll be a long tour," Paice told Heavyworlds. "It may be the last big tour; we don't know. But it will be a long tour and we will try and get lots of the new record on the stage without losing some of the old songs."

He continued: "We haven't made any hard, fast plans (about whether we will do any long touring after Long Goodbye). But it becomes obvious that you cannot tour the same way you did when you were 21. It becomes more and more difficult. People have other things in their lives, which take time. But never say never."

Deep Purple will release their new album, inFinite, the highly anticipated follow-up to their worldwide chart topping album NOW What?!, on April 7th via earMUSIC. The track “Time For Bedlam” (lyric video below) is available as instant grat as part of the digital album pre-order, as well as on all streaming platforms. A limited edition EP for “Time For Bedlam”, with non-album songs and unreleased recordings will hit the shops on February 3rd.

“Time For Bedlam” lyric video:

A documentary movie, witnessing the songwriting process and the recording of the album with producer Bob Ezrin, has been produced, allowing for the first time for the fans to be part of the private band member interactions in the studio. The movie will be included in some editions of the album and it will be presented before release in various fan events worldwide.

Deep Purple recently announced their Long Goodbye Tour, which will bring the legendary live show once again all over the world. The band have not yet answered, in fact, the many questions received by fans from all over the world who are speculating about the meaning of the title inFinite and "Long Goodbye".

Singer Ian Gillan has in fact declared: “If you take it literally you may, quite reasonably, think the ‘Finite’ part of the word describes the life of Deep Purple, with a clear beginning and a nebulous end; but what of the ‘in’ bit? The word infinite is a three-dimensional double edged sword. It describes something that goes on forever in all directions; not unlike its temporal equivalent ‘Eternal’ What’s that all about?

“Stephen Hawking declared (in A brief History Of Time) that, before the Big Bang there was nothing. That would put the kybosh on the idea of our universe being Infinite, as he provides a starting point, which is not acceptable to the concept. So, Hawking’s universe in ‘Finite’; by definition; whether he agrees or not.

“Ironically, he is quite wrong (scientists always are eventually), therefore the Universe is infinite, which means it will never end, and also means that it never started, and the corollary to that of course is that we don’t exist.

“There is a metaphysical solution to all this, but it will have to wait until the tour is over because (thanks heavens) there are only 24 hours in a day (for the time being) or 10 hours in a metric day. More on that later…”

inFinite trailer clips:

Tour dates:

May
17 - Wien, Austria - Stadthalle Halle D
19 - München, Germany - Olympiahalle
23 - Lodz, Poland - Atlas Arena
24 - Katowice, Poland - Spodek
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Barclaycard-Arena

June
1 - Lille, France - Zenith Arena
2 - Amsterdam, Holland - Ziggodome
3 - Paris, France - Accorhotels Arena
6 - Köln, Germany - Lanxess Arena
7 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
9 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena Leipzig
10 - Frankfurt/Main, Germany - Festhalle
13 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes-Benz-Arena
14 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyer-Halle
16-18 - Clisson, France - HellFest (exact date TBC)

July
1 - Barcelona, Spain - Rock Fest

November (with Europe)
17 - Birmingham, England - Birmingham Arena
18 - Manchester, England - Manchester Arena
20 - Cardiff, Wales - Cardiff Arena
22 - Glasgow, Scotland - SSE Hydro
23 - London, England - 02 Arena

Finland's Gorephilia will release its second full-length, Severed Monolith, on March 3rd. The album will be available on CD and digital formats via Dark Descent Records, with vinyl treatment through Me Saco Un Ojo.

Album track "The Ravenous Storm" can now be streamed via the audio player below. 

Severed Monolith by Gorephilia

Five years and two new members - drummer Kauko Kuusisalo who joined right after the release of their debut album, and second six-stringer Pauli Gurko who arrived last year - later, Finland's most in-your-face death metal band is back and they still are forging their way with a hammer.

 "This was meant at first to be an EP," reveals original guitarist Jukka Aho. "But it slowly grew into a full-length. Some of the songs date all the way back to 2012, and the material has had much time to ferment resulting in Gorephilia's most refined compositions yet. The lyrics explore the inner conflict and self-destructive nature of man - parting from his will, values and life. The album was recorded with Tommi Otsavaara, mostly live in studio with the exception of vocals and guitar solos, just like for our debut."   

Tracklisting:

"Interplanar" 
"Hellfire"
"Harmageddon Of Souls"
"Words That Solve Problems"
"Black Horns"
"The Ravenous Storm"    
"Return To Dark Space"
"Eternity"
"Crushed Under The Weight Of God"
"Untitled"

If lately many of their contemporaries, including labelmates Krypts, whom guitarist Jukka Aho is incidentally also part of, have decided to reconnect themselves with the "classic Finnish sound" of the early '90s, Gorephilia have on the other hand decided to go against the tide and turn their gaze towards the US for inspiration. Their goal is pretty simple: making sure their take on the genre has the kind of sudden impact few will recover from. Whereas others tend to wave around their prey, they're in for the kill and after Embodiment Of Death back in 2012, their second full-length Severed Monolith is deemed to twist the knife in the wound even deeper. 

The only moment where you'll be able to catch your breath is the interlude "Words That Solve Problems", basically a stepping stone for the following onslaught, "Black Horns". And the first track previewed above, "The Ravenous Storm" is no different, with its furious barrage of blasts and blistering solos. Rounded off by Raul Gonzalez 'cosmic' artwork reminiscent of what he already had done for Morbus Chron, Severed Monolith is just that, a testament to death metal crushing power. Pre-orders are now being accepted at this location.

 

W.A.S.P. will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its classic fifth album, "The Crimson Idol", by releasing a re-recorded version of the LP along with a 50-minute DVD film of the album's story. In addition, the band will perform "The Crimson Idol" in its entirety — on a tour dubbed "Re-Idolized: The 25th Anniversary Of The Crimson Idol" — along with three missing songs originally intended to be part of the recordings. The show will be done in two parts, with the first being "The Crimson Idol", and part two being a collection of greatest hits.

A full list of currently confirmed tour dates can be found at WaspNation.com.

Released in 1992, "The Crimson Idol" is a full-length conceptual album that tells the twisted tale of a suicidal rock and roll icon and the perils that come with fame. With guitarist Chris Holmes no longer a member of W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless recorded "The Crimson Idol" with guitarist Bob Kulick and drummers Stet Howland and Frankie Banali. Voted one of the Top 20 conceptual albums of all-time by Metal Hammer magazine, "The Crimson Idol" is obviously more of a soundtrack than, say, a straight rock 'n' roll album.

Issued internationally in 1992, "The Crimson Idol" was not made available in the United States until 1993 and it gave W.A.S.P. the band's first U.S. radio hit single with "Hold On To My Heart". Ironcally enough, it was the way Capitol Records handled the push (or lack thereof) on "Hold On To My Heart" that made Blackie decide to leave the label.

"The main theme of 'The Crimson Idol' which is a haunting acoustic guitar riff was in a [pre-W.A.S.P. band] SISTER song called 'What I Am'," Blackie said. "I've always been very economical with my songwriting. If something wasn't working out I'd scrap it. But if something was a good idea but not ready, or didn't quite fit what we were doing at the time, I'd go back to it later and re-work it."

During an interview with RIP magazine, Lawless had this to say about the album: "'The Crimson Idol' is an enormously complicated story. There are ten songs on it and each one is a euphenism for something else. Nothing on this album is really what it appears to be at first glance. Everything is a symbol for something else. The story was written from a satirical point of view. That means that wherever a person is at their life and whoever's viewpoint they're listening to in the story are going to determine the story they're going to get. If you're 18 and you listen to it, you're going to see one thing. If you go back and listen to it five or ten years later, you're going to get a completely different story. I didn't want to create fast food for the ears. I wanted something that I thought was going to have longevity."

Blackie also spoke about "The Crimson Idol" in a 2010 chat with Metal Asylum. He stated at the time: "'The Crimson Idol' was about a kid who was a musician and gets famous and all this stuff, and he finds out fame really isn't what he is looking for, but, really, 'Crimson Idol' is about love. It's a real simple story, and at the time when I did it, I thought it was more complex than it was. But looking back on it, you can see what it really boils down to, and I'm not diminishing the value of the album because it is real powerful. Part of the reason it worked is because its something everyone can relate to. Especially that whole idea of not getting what you want from your parents, or being loved in general; that's what struck a nerve in people. And at the time, I was almost writing it as a footnote, but when I look back, it was much bigger in the story than I gave it credit for."

Winners in 31 technical and creative achievement categories were announced at the 32nd annual NAMM TEC Awards, presented annually by the NAMM Foundation and held January 21 in Anaheim, California. The annual event celebrates the best in professional audio and sound production and is held during the NAMM Show, the world's leading global music industry trade event. Comedian Sinbad returned to host for the third time. Joe Perry, one of music's most significant artists and executives, received the evening's highest honor, the Les Paul Award, presented to remarkably distinguished and accomplished individuals from the music industry. HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES bandmate and actor Johnny Depp presented Perry with the award, then joined Perry, Brad Whitford and Alice Cooper on stage for a live performance.

The Les Paul Award named for the revolutionary inventor and esteemed musician, honors individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology. Instituted in 1991, the honor has been granted to luminaries, including Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, Peter Gabriel and Slash.

Perry dedicated the award to his manager Howard Kaufman, who recently passed away.

Keeping it in the family, famed AEROSMITH engineer and producer Jack Douglas also became the newest inductee to the NAMM TEC Awards Hall Of Fame. Douglas is associated with many of the band's most iconic releases and affectionately dubbed "the sixth member" of AEROSMITH for having contributed lyrics to several tracks released from the band. He also engineered and produced many multi-platinum AEROSMITH albums, including "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks", both of which ranked among Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." Douglas rose to prominence when the Record Plant Studio opened its doors and eventually engineered John Lennon's "Imagine" and THE WHO's "Who's Next" EP.

In total, winners were selected from 180 nominees.

ANTHRAX will embark on its first full European headline tour in more than a decade in February. All shows will see the band celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of its classic "Among The Living" by performing the LP live in its entirety along with fan favorites from throughout the band's rich 35-year career.

In support of this upcoming trek, ANTHRAX will release a limited tour edition of its latest studio album, "For All Kings", on February 17. In addition to the regular album, it will include "Vice Of the People" (previously only available in Japan) as well as a bonus disc of demo versions of several of the album's songs.

The official trailer for the tour edition of "For All Kings" is available below.

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante commented on the "For All Kings" tour edition: "We've included some of the demos from 'For All Kings' in this package. We wanted to show the evolution of the songs. The idea of a song can start from a guitar riff or a thought in your head. It then takes shape and goes from my music to Scott's [Ian, guitar] lyrics to Frank [Bello, bass] and Joey's [Belladonna, vocals] ideas and melodies to Jon's [Donais] lead guitar. This is our way of making ANTHRAX music — ENJOY!"

"For All Kings" tour edition track listing:

CD1 - "For All Kings"

01. You Gotta Believe02. A Monster At The End03. For All Kings04. Breathing Lightning05. Suzerain06. Evil Twin07. Blood Eagle Wings08. Defend/Avenge09. All Of Them Thieves10. This Battle Chose Us11. Zero Tolerance12. Vice Of The People (bonus track)

CD2 - Demos

01. Breathing Lightning02. A Monster At The End03. This Battle Chose Us04. Soror Irrumator05. Vice Of The People

ANTHRAX has sold in excess of ten million units, received multiple gold and platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, industry and fans. In 1991, their music helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with PUBLIC ENEMY on "Bring The Noise". And, of course, along with METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH, ANTHRAX helped pioneer the thrash/metal genre as a member of the "Big Four".

"For All Kings" sold 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Fan-filmed video footage of Ace Frehley's entire January 20 concert at Brewster Street Icehouse in Corpus Christi, Texas can be seen below.

Rumors about Frehley's return to KISS gained strength lasty year after he teamed up with KISS lead singer Paul Stanley on a cover of FREE's "Fire And Water", marking their first collaboration since 1998's "Psycho Circus".

Asked if there is a chance that he will re-team with KISS, Frehley told "Talking Metal" at last month's Revolver Music Awards in New York City: "I haven't heard anything from Paul and Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] — although I did get a text from Gene the other day. He wanted to come see me perform this January. So, you know, maybe he'll pop the big question. Who knows? [Laughs]

He added: "Whatever happens, we're all good. It's all good."

Ace's latest comments echo those he made in November when he told Eddie Trunk of the "Trunk Nation" radio show: "I haven't been contacted [about a reunion]. I'm not ruling it out. It's a possibility, I guess. But the ball's in Paul and Gene's court. If that's something that they would like to do to end off the career of KISS, I think it could be… if it was handled correctly, it could be great. But those guys pretty much run the show these days. And I'm doing my thing, and they're doing their thing. And if it happens, it'd be great, and if it doesn't, I'll be fine and they'll be fine."

Ace told "Trunk Nation" that his relationship with his former bandmates was never bad as it was portrayed by the media. "However the press colors the fact that we don't get along, in reality we do," he said. "You know, we have disagreements and things are said sometimes, taken out of context. But I've always been friends with those guys and they've been friends with me. We may not have agreed about certain things over the years and maybe there were times we didn't talk. I mean, we created something amazing that withstood the test of time."

Frehley's version of "Fire And Water" appears on his covers collection "Origins, Vol 1", which received great reviews and landed in the Top 25 on the Billboard album chart.

Death metal act Sinister will release their new album Syncretism on February 24th, via Massacre Records. Check out the tracklisting and new song "Blood-Soaked Domain" below.

The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken at Soundlodge. The band once again teamed up with the Russian artist Alex Tartsus, who's responsible for the cover artwork.

The band comments:

"It's a new story of sacrilege. Sinister is here to support the amalgamation of dark religions and rituals. The killer riffs, pounding drums and extra dimensions provide this dark atmosphere! Wait for this majestic delivery and convince yourself - this is Syncretism! This is death metal!"

Syncretism tracklisting:
“Neurophobic”
“Convulsion Of Christ”
“Blood-Soaked Domain”
“Dominance By Acquisition”
“Syncretism”
“Black Slithering Mass”
“Rite Of The Blood Eagle”
“The Canonical Rights”
“Confession Before Slaughter”

Digipak Bonus CD
“Unhallowed Blood”

A record release show is scheduled to take place on February 18th at the P60 in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

Season Of Mist has announced the signing of Spanish atmospheric metal band Foscor. Named after the Catalan word for "darkness," the innovative band have finished recording a new album to be released by the label later this year.

Regarding the signing, the band comments: "Long has been the path through darkness, but a new light shines and will accompany us on the most thrilling journey Foscor have ever undertaken. We are pleased to announce that we have signed a deal with Season Of Mist, visionary home of pioneers all around the globe in the noble art of musical creation, and the best partner possible to unveil our new emotional act to the world. We feel delighted sharing a label with brilliant bands from the most intricate and extreme language to the most subtle and beautiful dark sounds. It gives us a great opportunity to expand our musical language and outlook on life while learning from such an experienced team. We are eager to have you bear witness of this moment. Stay with us to see where this venture will lead. Expect more news very soon."

(Picture by Raquel Garcia)

Following the release of their acclaimed debut album 1917 and last year's successful Pledge Music campaign, doom pop act Courtesans will release their  new 5-song EP, Better Safe Than Sober, on March 31st. Hailing from London, England, Courtesans are reminiscent of Aegis-era Theatre Of Tragedy according to BraveWords scribe Carl Begai. 

Tracklist:

"Mesmerise"
"Feel The Same"
"John Doe"
"Knowhere"
"The Tide"

The band has issued the following statement: "We want more women to pick up instruments. Be musicians, tour managers, sound engineers... Don’t leave it up to the boys, but do not dumb down your femininity to be respected, be yourself and be free! We want to not only encourage women in music but for more men to accept that it is ok to look up to female artists."

Check out the first release from the EP, "Mesmerise", below.

Courtesans current tour schedule for the UK include:

February
18 - London, UK - Electrowerkz
22 - Leeds, UK - Lending Room
23 - Edinburgh, UK - Bannermans
24 - Glasgow, UK - Ivory Blacks
25 - Newcastle, UK - Think Tank

March
17 - Southampton, UK - Talking Heads
25 - Cardiff, UK - The Full Moon

April
1 - Manchester, UK - Ruby Lounge
28 - Brighton, UK - Green Door Store

Infernö Records recently announced the signing of Serbian speed metal band Jenner, who will release their debut album, To Live Is To Suffer on February 20th. Check out a new album teaser below:

Formed in December 2013, Jenner are the only all-girl metal band from the Belgrade area and in spite of their young age, they're showing a high potential and great abilities in delivering high-quality speed metal.

They released a two-song demo in 2015, already showing great professionalism and technical abilities. After weeks of intense hard work, they recorded their first full-length album called To Live Is To Suffer that will soon be released on Infernö Records.

“How Deep Is Your Greed”:

Guitar legend George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob, KXM) appeared at the ESP booth this weekend at NAMM 2017 in Anaheim, CA on January 20th. Chec out his demo session in three parts along with an isolated clip of Lynch performing Lynch Mob's "Wicked Sensation".

Coming on the heels of the announcement of their sophomore album, KXM has released the video for the debut single “Scatterbrain”. The video, directed by previous KXM director Jamie Brown, features the band performing live in the desert. The video can be seen below, and is the first song from the upcoming release of the same name.

The new album is scheduled for release on March 17th via Rat Pak Records. Fans who pre-order the album digitally via iTunes will receive “Scatterbrain” as an instant download.

Scatterbrain is currently available for pre-order via the Rat Pak Records website in various bundles including signed CD’s and t-shirts. All fans who pre-order the album through the Rat Pak website will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind custom guitar as well as other prizes. Pre-order the new album at this location.

KXM is comprised of dUg Pinnick of King’s X on vocals/bass, George Lynch of Lynch Mob/Dokken on guitars and Ray Luzier, of Korn on drums. Scatterbrain features 13 brand new tracks and was recorded at the Steakhouse studio in North Hollywood California. The album was produced by Chris “The Wizard” Collier (Flotsam And Jetsam, Prong, Last In Line) who also produced the band’s 2014 debut.

From the infectious riff of the album opener “Scatterbrain” to the outro of “Angel”, KXM have created something truly special and musically diverse. Songs like “Breakout”, “Calypso”, and “True Deceivers” are sonically different from each other taking the listener on a musical journey. Scatterbrain is thematically a darker record than the debut. The album builds upon the developed KXM rock sound but this time includes some different dynamics drawing inspiration from prog, ska, punk and metal. Through it all, it remains undeniably KXM.

Recorded over the span of 10 days, every song on Scatterbrain was the result of a musical jam from all three members playing together in the same room. Ray Luzier explains on the process, “We wanted to use the same formula as the 1st KXM record: book studio time, come in fresh every day with a new idea & run with it and not over think anything.”

George Lynch described the sessions as Record-topia: “we showed up in the studio, camped out with a bunch of gear and let the tape roll! Just like the first album, no pre-production, no rehearsal, no pre-written songs.”

dUg Pinnick adds: “The vibe was like a bunch of old friends having fun creating music like the previous record, nothing but fun!”

Scatterbrain tracklisting:

“Scatterbrain”
“Breakout”
“Big Sky Country”
“Calypso”
“Not A Single Word”
“Obsession”
“Noises In The Sky”
“Panic Attack”
“It’s Never Enough”
“True Deceivers”
“Stand”
“Together”
“Angel”

“Scatterbrain” video:

KXM formed in early 2013 when dUg, George and Ray spoke about trying to jam together. At the time it wasn’t clear what would come from those jams. The only thing that was clear was that these three musicians, at the top of their game, wanted to play together. The self-titled debut, KXM, was released on March 11th, 2014 and debuted at #31 on the Billboard 200. The band takes its name from the combination of the member’s other projects: K from Korn, X from King’s X and M from Lynch Mob. In a world that constantly searches for new and unique music, KXM delivers all the power and punch that one would expect from these high level players.

On January 7th, German rockers The New Black celebrated their 10th Anniversary with their very own Blackfest in Schweinfurt at the Stattbahnhof featuring support bands Motorjesus and Serpent Smile. The clip below features highlights from the night including The New Black's acoustic and full-on electric sets.

The New Black's setlist on the night was as follows:

Acoustic Set

"Long Time Coming"
"Stuck"
"Send In The Clowns"
"Buddha Belly"
"Wound"

Electric Set

"Why I Burn"
"More Than A Man"
"Everlasting"
"Drive"
"The King I Was"
"Into Modesty"
"Batteries & Rust"
"Downgrade"
"Any Colour You Like (As Long As It's Black)
"Muzzle & Blinkers
"Superhuman Mission"
"Burning D"
"Blockbuster Life"
"That's Your Poison, Not Mine"
"A Pill Named Ting"
"Dead In The Water"
"Long Time Coming"

The New Black released their new album A Monster's Life on February 26th, 2016 via AFM Records.

Tracklist:

"Long Time Coming"
"Blockbuster Life"
"With A Grin"
"Send In The Clowns"
"Dead In The Water"
"Buddha Belly"
"The Beer Of No Return"
"A Pill Named Ting"
"Better"
"That’s Your Poison, Not Mine"

"Send In The Clowns" lyric video:

"With A Grin" video:

"Long Time Coming" video:

"Buddha Belly" lyric video:

For information and updates on The New Black go to this location.

Beautiful Creatures have announced they will be releasing a remixed, remastered, re-sequenced Deluxe edition of their sophomore album Deuce.

Following Beautiful Creature's self titled release in 2001, the core band Joe LeSte (vocals), Kenny Kweens (bass) and Anthony Focx (guitar) immediately entered the studio with a new lineup which included lead guitarist Alex Grossi and began recording material for the follow-up to their debut, which would end up being titled Deuce.

Produced by guitarist Anthony Focx and bass guitarist Kenny Kweens mixed by Toby Wright, (whose past production work includes Alice In Chains, Korn and KISS), Deuce was released worldwide in 2005 and ultimately landed premier placements on the hit FX TV series Sons Of Anarchy, the Walt Disney/Touchstone hit film The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as well multiple other TV and movie soundtracks.

Beautiful Creatures founding bassist Kenny Kweens states: "unlike our  debut record, Deuce was never properly released digitally and nearly impossible to get physically due to all the changes in the industry. We are really looking forward to everyone hearing Deuce as it was meant to be sonically.”

Deuce Deluxe (which is currently set for a March release) will feature every track the band recorded for the Japanese Release (JVC Records) as well as the US release (Spitfire/Eagle Rock), In one digital package that has been re-mixed and remastered. It will also include new album cover artwork and edits that up until now, were not included in either initial release.

"We are really excited to be doing this,” says Joe LeSte. "We have all been through a lot both personally and professionally as a band - and even though we have all gone down different roads, whenever we see each other or chat on the phone, it's like no time has gone by at all. I saw Kenny (Kweens) and Alex (Grossi) on the last Monsters Of Rock Cruise, we ended up all onstage together playing a Beautiful Creatures tune, it was really fun - within 48 hours, all of our phones lit up. So, we collectively said fuck it, let's go for it and well, here we are!"

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett has issued his strongest condemnation yet of Donald Trump, comparing the new president's inaugural address to the speeches that were made in Germany under Adolf Hitler's rule and urging the American people to "reject the lies from the people in the new administraton."

After Trump — one of the most polarizing figures to assume the office — was officially sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, January 20, a number of celebrities took to social media to share their thoughts, including Hammett, who has previously said that the new leadership lacks "a general sense of what is right and what's wrong."

In a series of tweets, the METALLICA guitarist was especially critical of Trump's inaugural address, which painted a bleak picture of life for some in the United States, promised to end what Trump called the "American carnage," and work tirelessly to put "America first."

Hammett wrote: "Trump's Inaugural Address and his asking us to put America first sounds, to me, familiar to what was said in speeches going around Germany in the 1930's …and later Russia in the 1940's

"Pay attention people Stand up for truth, compassion and togetherness. Don't settle for anything less.

"Reject lies, Fear mongering, Misguided Anger

"The system wants us divided, so it's easier to control us emotionally.

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

"LIKE IT OR NOT, WE NEED EACH OTHER TO OVERCOME THE BIGGER THREAT…

"And we all know what the threat is – people in power who are trying to deny us and our children and grandchildren a healthy green future REJECT AMERICAN CARNAGE

"We are a better nation right now than ever, better than just 5 years ago! REJECT THE LIES FROM THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW ADMINISTRATON, THEY ARE THERE ONLY TO FEED THEIR OWN THIRST FOR GREED AND POWER

"America never stopped being great!!

"America is one of the wealthiest and most prosperous nations on the planet.

"I'm proud of America!!

"To say America is not great, that it lacks greatness, sets up a scenario for manipulation and control from others – pay attention people!

"Remember the great America of today.

"Then I'll check in with you about America's greatness in 6 months and we'll see what's changed.

"The only people who deny CLIMATE CHANGE are the same people who stand to lose from renewable energy

"This administration is thinking that it can just ignore CLIMATE CHANGE.

"People, it now comes down to us to make up the difference..

"Let's not stand for their preaching lies about our Mother Earth –DENY THE DENIERS !!!

"THEY ARE THE EARTH KILLERS

"REJECT the term Alt-Right, just another sneaky euphemism for white supremacy, call it what it is!

"Don't let them hide behind dishonesty!

"One final thing – If we don't put up a fight we risk losing our rights..

"Defend Democracy from those who want to crush it !"

Hammett's latest comments echo those he made last month when he told Billboard: "For me, a good leader is someone with integrity, honesty and altruism, and a general sense of what is right and what's wrong. We don't have that in our leadership right now, and that puts me in a state of awareness and attentiveness, and it puts me in a state of wait and see what will happen. But if anything happens that I'm not okay with, I'm going to be super vocal about it for the first time in my life."

Hammett added that his decision to speak out on political matters was a departure from METALLICA's long-standing policy of not getting involved in issues that could be considered divisive.

"The thing is, METALLICA appeals to such a wide range of people," Hammett explained. "We have people on the left, people on the right, in droves. Part of the reason why we don't consider ourselves a politically oriented band is because when you start talking about politics you draw a line in the sand, and all of a sudden [there's] division, and that's not what we want. We want everyone to be in this together, experiencing the music together. We see politics as a completely different thing. It's like music and NASCAR racing, that's how different politics are to METALLICA."

Acknowledging that music has the power to reach people and change their minds, especially young fans that hang on their favorite artists' every word, Hammett said: "That's why I've chosen my words carefully, that I — not METALLICA, but I — will take it upon myself to get involved, if there is something I see that is seriously wrong, and I really feel that it's my job to say something, and to call out people who need to be called out. I believe in fairness. I believe in equal ground for everyone. I believe in equal opportunity and I believe that everyone is equal. That guy doesn't even believe in that! He does not believe that everyone is equal."

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who has made no secret of his liberal views, said in a recent interview with Vulture that he has never "willfully had a political conversation with" frontman James Hetfield, who has described himself as being somewhat conservative politically. Ulrich explained: "The thing you've got to understand is that METALLICA is made up of four people from four different places who took four very different paths to where we are now. The one thing that unites us is the love of the music that we're playing and that all four of us felt like outsiders trying to figure out who the hell we were. We didn't come together because we were questioning this in the culture or that about politics. We came together because we were all a little lost and trying to get a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. I'll sit and talk politics with you all night, but I don't necessarily feel the need to do it in an interview. METALLICA is a collective, but we've just never been the kind of band to sit down and say, 'Okay, what's our common view of the world?'"

Ulrich made headlines in October when he said that he would consider returning to his native Denmark if Donald Trump won the election.

Hetfield told BBC 6 Music that METALLICA stays away from topics like politics or religion in its music because "that just seems to polarize people even more. We all have our own beliefs, but at the end of the day, we're trying to connect with people and it seems like political views don't do that as much as music does."

The singer/guitarist continued: "There's a lot of polarization going on in the States, and I see it other places as well. But it just seems like you have to get more extreme to balance out the other extreme. We've got to find some balance in the middle here somewhere."

During Friday night's (January 20) broadcast of "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC, host Rachel Maddow opened the program by drawing an unlikely connection between the 2010 "American Carnage" tour featuring SLAYER, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT and President Donald Trump's grim inaugural address, which painted a bleak picture of the America he now leads, declaring, as he had throughout the election campaign, that it is beset by crime, poverty and a lack of bold action. "This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared in his speech. "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

Maddow stated at the start of her show (see video below): "I have somebody to introduce you to on this fine inaugural Friday. His name is Tim Araya [sic]. Tim Araya is the bass player and lead singer for the band SLAYER. And being the lead singer of the band SLAYER is a job — actually, being anybody in the band SLAYER — it's a job that has specific requirements that don't apply to all that many other jobs in life. One of the things you have to do if you're in the band SLAYER is you have to really wang your head around a lot — all the time, every time you play in public, any time you shoot a video, everything."

She continued: "You know, it's one thing if you're, like, in a metal band for a year in high school and you're 16 and you're basically made of rubber, right? But the guys in SLAYER have been doing this for a very, very long time. They've been doing this for decades. They're a very successful band. They haven't gone away. But the guys in SLAYER are now old guys. And there are just these seven little vertebrae in your neck, in all of our necks. And once you're no longer in high school, and you're an awesome metal dude who has started to turn gray, and you're still wanging your head around as part of your day job, those little vertebrae in your neck don't like it when you do that for decades. And so, in January, Tim Araya got cervical radiculopathy, which is a bad thing. And in order to deal with his cervical radiculopathy, he had to get surgery on his neck. And that was a drag for him. It was also a drag for a bunch of other aging metal dudes in his band and in other bands. It was also a drag for their fans, because him having to get surgery delayed the mega-metal all-star tour that was due to start in January 2010.

"This was an incredible tour. This was not just gonna be SLAYER — this was gonna be SLAYER and MEGADETH and TESTAMENT all playing the same concert, all playing the same night. This was an incredible tour. And because of the surgery, the whole tour had to get postponed, because the SLAYER guy had to get an anterior cervical discectomy to deal with all the consequences of all of his decades of vigorous headbanging. And nobody knew if the show would be able to go on. But lo and behold, it turns out the Almighty smiles even on bands named SLAYER, and Tim Araya recovered and we did, in the end, get — this is the important part — look at the top there [on the tour poster], see the red banner at the top there, it's kind of a bloody background. That's right — the 'American Carnage' tour. You can still buy posters, you can still buy commemorative posters from the 'American Carnage' tour. It's funny, by the time they got to their Canadian dates, they changed it to the 'Canadian Carnage' tour, but when they were in America, it was the 'American Carnage' tour. As you see on the poster there, it was a meeting of metal titans — SLAYER and MEGADETH and TESTAMENT. Even though it had been in doubt, it had to be delayed, it did happen, and for a certain generation of metal fans, that was metal heaven on earth. SLAYER and MEGADETH same night. And before today, if you were looking for 'American Carnage' in our national cultural life, that is what it was — it was when SLAYER and MEGADETH toured together in 2010 after the SLAYER guy had his neck surgery and nobody knew if he would be able to make it. That was 'American Carnage' before today. Now, as of today, 'American Carnage' will be forever known as the theme for the inaugural address of the 45th president of the United States."

This is not the first time heavy metal bands were mentioned on Maddow's program. Back in August 2012, she brought up the Tampa, Florida death metal scene in a segment debunking stories in the day's news. Three years earlier, she interviewed METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich about a number of topics, including how he felt about his group's music being used to psychologically torture prisoners of war.