MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil spoke to Telegram.com about the band's decision to call it quits after one last show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles following an eighteen-month tour that saw the band performing to packed houses all over the world.

"I think I was the only one in the band who got emotional. It all kind of came together that night. 'This is it,'" Vince said about the final performance, which took place on December 31.

"There were a lot of emotions that came into my head," he added. "It really was surreal — know what I mean?"

Neil also talked about his "The Legacy Continues Tour" where he performs classic MÖTLEY CRÜE hits, as well as select cuts from his three solo albums, backed by a band that includes SLAUGHTER's Jeff Blando on guitar and Dana Strum on bass, with Zoltan Chaney on drums.

"It never really stopped for me," Neil said. "I am last man standing." In fact, "I live for it. I'm a road singer. My band guys say, 'You sound better Day 3 than Day 1.' When I'm performing, I'm happy."

Neil's first solo album, "Exposed", came out in 1993, reaching No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. His follow-up effort, "Carved In Stone", arrived two years later. Neil's third and latest solo album, "Tattoos & Tequila", was released in 2010 and included two originals along with covers of classics songs from AEROSMITH, SCORPIONS and SWEET.

"Look, I'm going to always be the guy who was in MÖTLEY CRÜE, but my first solo record, with [the song] 'You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)', was over a million seller, so a lot of people enjoyed it and 'Sister Of Pain' and many of those songs," Neil told The Michigan City News-Dispatch. "I'm looking forward to recording more stuff, but I'm really a road singer. I love giving cool, fun performances with a big look."

MÖTLEY CRÜE's farewell concert film, "The End", hit U.S. cinemas earlier in the year and was made available through leading cable, fiber and satellite television providers in the U.S. and Canada last month.

Alice Cooper has commented on his HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES bandmate Joe Perry's recent backstage collapse, saying that the guitarist "was not ready" for the rigors of the band's busy and physically demanding touring schedule.

"It scared the hell out of me," Cooper tells Rolling Stone about the July 10 incident in Brooklyn, New York. "The lyrics to ['Raise The Dead'], the first song we played that night, go, 'Cardiac, heart attack … they never feared the reaper,' and I look around the stage and he's gone. He was lying behind an amp on his back, and I went, 'Oh, my God.' We didn't know what happened until after the show."

It was later reported by Premiere Networks that a combination of dehydration and exhaustion caused the AEROSMITH guitarist to collapse, resulting in a trip to the hospital.

"AEROSMITH does two shows a week, but we were on our eighth show in nine days, and I'm used to working like that," Cooper says. "I'm used to working an hour and 40 minutes or two hours, five nights a week. I was in shape and so was Johnny [Depp, HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES guitarist] and everybody else. I think Joe was not ready for that kind of pace."

Perry rejoined HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES on the road on July 22 in Rohnert Park, California.

The VAMPIRES — which also include ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bassist Robert DeLeo — wrapped up their tour on July 25 at the California Mid-State Fair.

AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler, who recently released his debut solo album, said that he was extremely worried about Perry, telling The Pulse Of Radio it's very likely that the VAMPIRES' itinerary is simply too strenuous to allow Perry the time needed to recharge between gigs.

Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd's debut solo album, "Head Job", will be re-released in Europe on September 30 via Wave 365 Media. He will be visiting Europe at the end of September to promote the re-release and will be available for press, radio and television interviews.

Described by Malcolm Young, co-founder of AC/DC, as "the real deal", Rudd, the band's long term drummer, played in several Melbourne bands such as BUSTER BROWN and THE COLOURED BALLS before joining up with the rock giants in 1975.

Rudd powered the band to superstardom with his dogged consistency and unshakeable backbeat on classics like "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock 'N' Roll)", "TNT" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", becoming an indelible part of AC/DC history.

To the untrained ear, Rudd's drumming may seem rudimentary, but his style and groove have earned him the adoration of generations of his peers. RAMMSTEIN's Christoph Schneider said in the October 2010's Modern Drummer: "AC/DC were my absolute heroes because they are simple and easy to copy, though soon you find they are not so easy to copy." The magazine's May 2010 issue also honoured the rocker with the feature "50 Reasons To Love Phil Rudd."

Rudd has appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 studio albums, which have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. When the blockbusting album "Highway To Hell" went multi-platinum worldwide, Rudd said he "‘went straight down the road to buy my first Ferrari,'' sparking a lifelong love of luxury cars. Rudd showcased eleven of his luxury cars in Christchurch, New Zealand as part of an earthquake appeal fundraiser. His current collection includes a rare 1991 Ferrari F40, a brand new Ferrari 599, two Lamborghinis, a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, 2011 Bentley Mulsanne and Bentley super sport, Audi R8 V10, a 2011 Aston Martin DBS and 2010 Mercedes SLS AMG. The cars have a combined worth of approximately $3 million. Rudd's airport hangar is also home to his MD 520N helicopter.

With the lavish rock star lifestyle firmly in place, Rudd recorded and released his first debut album, "Head Job", with Kiwi musicians Allan Badger and Geoffrey Martin in 2014. The album was released via Universal Music Group in Australia and New Zealand but further promotional plans were scuppered by well-publicized legal problems in New Zealand.

Rudd served an eight-month home detention sentence which thwarted the 2014 release of "Head Job", but 2016 sees him determined to leave his problems in the past. He has embraced a more positive lifestyle and says his "hell-raising days are over... I see a psychiatrist once a week and I'm closer than ever to my children. I still have all my flash cars, but now I want to grow chillies."

Rudd has turned a corner, completely dedicating his life to the most important things in his life; family, friends and music.

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser was the latest victim of the "Jackson Speed Round" challenge, and he held up quite well under the pressure of Jackson's rapid-fire questioning.

Can you guess what he'd be doing if he wasn't a musician? Or what his guilty pleasure album is? Get all the answers in the clip below.

SEPULTURA played a new song called "I Am The Enemy" during their July 2 appearance at the Rock Al Parque festival at Parque Simón Bolívar in Bogota, Colombia. The track will be featured on the band's new album, due in October via Nuclear Blast Records. The the follow-up to 2013's "The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart" was recorded at at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with OPETH, KREATOR, PARADISE LOST, SOILWORK and AMON AMARTH, among others.

Regarding how SEPULTURA ended up working with Jens Bogren on the new CD, Kisser told SVT.se: "We did like a small research on different producers that we didn't work [with] before; we wanted to work with somebody new. And the Swedish music and scene and the bands like MESHUGGAH, OPETH and many others inspired us to come here and to work with him. He also worked with KREATOR, a band from Germany, and ANGRA, another band from Brazil, friends of ours, and I was really impressed with the way he worked [with] both bands."

According to SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, the band's next record will see him and his bandmates continuing to take their sound in new, previously unexplored directions, something that has become somewhat of a SEPULTURA trademark.

"This album, it's exciting, because I think a lot of fans don't have any idea what to expect, but they know that a SEPULTURA album is always different from the last," Derrick said. "I think that makes us better musicians, and I think that's what our fans expect."

PROPHETS OF RAGE, the supergroup featuring members of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, PUBLIC ENEMY's Chuck D and CYPRESS HILL's B-Real, will release its debut EP, "The Party's Over", on August 26. The five-song effort will include the previously released, eponymous single "Prophets Of Rage" — re-imagination of the PUBLIC ENEMY track of the same name — as well as live versions of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's "Killing In The Name" and PUBLIC ENEMY's "Shut 'Em Down", a Republican National Convention-inspired interpretation of BEASTIE BOYS' "No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn" called "No Sleep Til Cleveland", and the new original "The Party's Over". "No Sleep Til Cleveland" and "The Party's Over" will debut on Apple Music's Beats 1 on August 18 and August 25, respectively.

"The Party's Over" track listing:

01. Prophets Of Rage02. The Party's Over03. Killing In The Name (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE cover) (live)04. Shut ‘Em Down (PUBLIC ENEMY cover) (live)05. No Sleep 'Till Cleveland (interpretation of BEASTIE BOYS' "No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn") (live)

Even though PROPHETS OF RAGE does not feature RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE frontman Zack de la Rocha, the group plays classics like "Bulls On Parade" along with tunes by PUBLIC ENEMY and CYPRESS HILL.

"I think the music of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE is more relevant today than it was when it was written," Morello told Cleveland.com. "And we give a lot of credit and honor to Zack at every show because his lyrics are brilliant."

Last month, PROPHETS OF RAGE released the "Prophets Of Rage" single through digital download and streaming services. Featuring new music and a new original verse from B-Real, the single was recorded with legendary producer Brendan O'Brien who has done notable work with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE.

PROPHETS OF RAGE made their live debut in May in Los Angeles, playing numbers from all three acts.

The band will embark on a North American tour later this month.

Psychedelic, classically-infused doom metal act, Spirit Adrift, have released a video for the track “Psychic Tide”, from their debut full-length album, Chained To Oblivion, out now via Prosthetic Records.

Produced again by Bob Hoag at Arizona's Flying Blanket Studios, Chained To Oblivion show the continuing evolution and growth of the band's creator, Nate Garrett, both as a songwriter and a person.

"The songs on Chained To Oblivion deal with struggle, adversity, suffering, helplessness, hopelessness, but ultimately triumph", commented Garrett, "I believe that the life experiences which fueled these songs, plus the amount of emotion and energy attached to the recording session itself... all that will touch listeners who are open to it. Sonically speaking, expect more vocal harmonies, trippier lyrics, more guitar harmonies, groovier bass, and drumming that's way more solid. It's heavier, prettier, more concise, more focused, and more confident."

Garrett continued to share details on the album's stunning artwork from Revolting Worship's Nate Burns adding, "He nailed it, again. The artwork on Chained To Oblivion continues to follow the trials and tribulations of Spirit Adrift's matriarch, Brenda. Nate Burns and I talked about my ongoing obsession with outer space, old X-Men comics (particularly some of the Phoenix story arcs), and subliminal stimuli within art. This artwork goes hand in hand with the listening experience, so we've made sure the physical versions of the album are well worth the fans' hard-earned money. I can't wait for the world to hear this album"

Chained To Oblivion features five tracks spanning over 45 minutes of music and is available on digipack CD and across all digital outlets. A gatefold double LP version of the album will also be offered through Chicago-based War Crime Recordings.

Tracklisting:

“Psychic Tide”
“Marzanna”
“Form and Force”
“Chained To Oblivion”
“The Hum Of Our Existence”

“Form And Force” video:

Spirit Adrift is the result of a lifetime dedicated to music. Both musically and lyrically, the music is punishingly heavy and equally uplifting. Psychedelic currents ebb and flow throughout passages of unrelenting doom and entrancing melody. The focus is on writing memorable, meaningful songs that evoke every sonic influence that shaped the musician channeling them.

Spirit Adrift represents the culmination of every bit of Garrett’s musical experience, from piano lessons at age three, through voice training in school choir, whiskey-soaked Sabbath riffs, the joy of Thin Lizzy guitar harmonies and ZZ Top pinch harmonics, good times, awful times and everything in between. Garrett cut his teeth in the south, in a humid melting pot of doom, sludge, psychedelic rock and hardcore punk. He played, recorded and toured with as many bands as possible and was deeply influenced by the artistic and personal relationships he shared with fellow Arkansans such as Deadbird, Rwake, Seahag and Pallbearer.

The release date of the Bernhard Welz album, Stay Tuned 1.5, charity project for the Linda McCartney-Fundraising Centre on CD is September 30th.

Shortly before his 40th birthday, Bernhard Welz (No Bros, Schubert In Rock) was able to make his dream come true. For Stay Tuned he set up an all-star band. Obviously moved by good intentions, the project presented by the Graz originated musician made quite an impression, and the artists came to him in droves. So legends like Dan McCafferty (Nazareth), Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), Neil Murray (Whitesnake) or Carl Sentance (Krokus, Nazareth, Geezer Butler) were quickly recruited. Even Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, Roxy Music), Steve Lukather (Toto), Mike Stern, Mark King (Level 42), Katrina Leskanich (Katrina and the Waves), Laurence Cottle (Sting, Alan Parson’s Project) and Chris Childs (Thunder) could not resist the call.

Written and arranged by Bernhard Welz, the music is a mix of Rock music and classical ballads that should generate enthusiasm everywhere. Ballads like “Let The Star Shine On You” or heavy Rockers such as “I Don?t Believe That Rock ’N’ Roll Is Out” clearly give us that impression. Since a considerable part of the musicians consists of Ian Paice, Don Airey, Roger Glover and Steve Morse from Deep Purple, cracking Hammonds and exhilarated guitar leads in songs such as “Traffic Night” or in the Oriental styled “Secret Land” do not come as a surprise at all. While “Fading Away” can be interpreted as a tribute to Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Steve Lee (Gotthard), and even show hints of a John Miles vibe, “Young Free And Deadly” (original version on “Schubert In Rock”), which include a harmonica solo, can be regarded as a life attitude. Soulful songs like “Always Behind You” or “Believe Me” conclude this effort and feature a drum jam by Ian Paice as well as an incredible live version of “Child In Time”. To crown it all, Sir Paul McCartney appears with his 1970-released song “Maybe I’m Amazed” in a version from 2014. An epic song on just such an incredible album – stay tuned.

Tracklisting:
“Traffic Night”
“Fading Away”
“Let The Star Shine On You”
“I Don´t Believe That Rock´n´roll Is Out”
“Young Free And Deadly”
“It´s Just A Long Way”
“Always Behind You”
“Believe Me”
“Secret Land”
“Wanna Give You My Lovin´”
“Drum Jam”
“Child In Time”
“Maybe I´m Amazed”

Special guests:

- Sir Paul McCartney
- Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
- Paul Mccartney
- Jon Lord (Deep Purple)
- Don Airey (Deep Purple)
- Roger Glover (Deep Purple)
- Steve Morse (Deep Purple)
- Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd)
- Steve Lukather (Toto)
- Lee Sklar (Phil Collins Band)
- Dan Mccafferty (Nazareth)
- Tony Martin (Black Sabbath)
- Neil Murray (Whitesnake)
- Mark King (Level 42)
- Mike Stern - Steve Lee (Gotthard)
- Klaus Schubert (No Bros)
- Kaitner Z Doka (Jon Lord)
- Matt Filippini (Ian Paice)
- Christina Lux (Jon Lord)
- Neil Taylor (Tears For Fears)
- Ernesto Ghezzi (Gotthard)
- Carl Sentence (Nazareth)
- Aitch Mcrobbie
- Laurence Cottle (Alan Parsons Project)
- Chris Childs (Thunder)
- Robby Musenbichler
- Andi Brunner (No Bros)
- Geri Moder
- Freddy Potsch
- Katrina (Ex-Katrina The Waves)
- Nota Bene Symphonic Orchestra

 

Arizona's Twingiant are streaming their new two-track demo (listen below). Containing two brand new songs, the demo shows how the band is veering away from their stoner metal/rock template into heavier territories.

Guitarist Nikos Mixas commented: "I think we've settled into a groove where even though the new material is different from the past, we've still added the Twingiant touch."

The band will return to the studio shortly to produce new material for their upcoming album, which will be released in 2017. Twingiant’s previous album, Devil Down, was released in 2014 via Medusa Crush Recordings.

Twingiant Demo 2016 by TWINGIANT

(Photo - twingiant.com)

Detroit progressive metal artists, Imminent Sonic Destruction, have released a video for “The Fog”, a track from their forthcoming album, Triumphia, out on September 2nd via Luxor Records.

Triumphia is the tale overcoming all obstacles to start a new life, within a nature-heavy theme, featuring seven brand new songs including the 22-minute epic, "Arborous Calm”. The album artwork was created by acclaimed artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Death, Anathema).

Triumphia tracklisting:

“The Crashing Waves”
“Something In The Way”
“The Fog”
“Sleepless”
“Lake Of Fire”
“The Knife”
“Arborous Calm”

“The Fog” video:

Skeletonwitch have transcended genre boundaries over the past decade with their trademark mixture of blackened thrash, death and heavy metal. It should therefore come as no surprise that their new EP, The Apothic Gloom (due August 19th), features some of their catchiest riffs and most pummeling rhythms to date, as well as more shredding than ever before. Ahead of the release this Friday, a full EP stream can now be found below.

Channeling new energy via the addition of Adam Clemans (Wolvhammer) on vocals, the Ohio-based quintet headed to Baltimore's Developing Nations Studio earlier this year to record The Apothic Gloom with producer Kevin Bernstein (Noisem, Mutilation Rites).

The complete tracklisting for The Apothic Gloom is as follows:

“The Apothic Gloom”
“Well Of Despair”
“Black Waters”
“Red Death, White Light”

EP stream:

Physical pre-orders are now available at this location. Options include:

- 180-gram black vinyl (1000 copies)
- White/yellow marble vinyl (800 copies)
- Clear vinyl (100 copies)
- Light Grey Cassette Tape (125 copies)
- Metallic Gold Cassette Tape (125 copies)
- Digipak CD

All of the above options can be paired with a t-shirt or raglan featuring the intense album artwork completed by Sin Eater Illustrations.

Skeletonwitch - No Sleep 'Til Vancouver Tour Dates:

August
15 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina
16 - Edmonton, AB - Mercury Room
17 - Calgary, AB - Dickens Pub
19 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw Theater
20 - Victoria, BC - Logan’s Pub
22 - Spokane, WA - The Pin
25 - Madison, WI - The Frequency
26 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird
27 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups

Skeletonwitch are excited to bring new material from their forthcoming release, The Apothic Gloom, back to fans across the US this fall. Featuring direct support from Iron Reagan, Oathbreaker, Gatecreeper (9/29-18) and Homewrecker (19-30), the tour will span just over four weeks starting in Asheville, NC and ending in Richmond, VA. A complete listing of dates can be found below.

Guitarist Scott Hedrick: “Stoked to finally announce this! We've got new tunes to play and a killer group of bands to shred with. Love this lineup from top to bottom. See you all soon."

Tour dates:

September
28 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight #
29 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl ^
30 - Savannah, GA - The Jinx ^

October
1 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^
2 - Gainesville, FL - The Atlantic ^
4 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia ^
5 - Houston, TX - White Oak ^
6 - Dallas, TX - RBC ^
7 - Austin, TX - Barracuda ^
9 - Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge ^
10 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick ^
11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy ^
12 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge ^
14 - Portland, OR - Panic Room ^
15 - Seattle, WA - Highline ^
17 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Bar ^  
18 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater ^
19 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room &
20 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews &
21 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock &
22 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean &
23 - Indianapolis, IN - 5th Quarter &
25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo &
26 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts &
28 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus &
26 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery &
30 - Richmond, VA - Hardywood Brewery &

# with Iron Reagan & Oathbreaker & All Hell
^ with Iron Reagan & Oathbreaker & Gatecreeper
& with Iron Reagan & Oathbreaker & Homewrecker

Dope has released a music video for “Hold On”, the first official single from their upcoming sixth studio album, Blood Money Part 1. The album officially hits streets on October 28th via Entertainment One Music (eOne Music), but fans can pre-order the record, along with a plethora of bundle packages, meet and greets, and exclusive new merch designs at this location.

Edsel Dope co-directed "Hold On" alongside his old friend and acclaimed video director Dale Rage Resteghini.

"I think that it's fair to say that Dope is one of the more evolved bands from our genre and time period," says Edsel. “Our new single, “Hold On”, is a great example of this. It sounds like Dope, but it is clearly, very modern, and in no way reflects a band who is stuck in its past. The hooks are melodic and memorable, while the musicianship is on full display. I'm very proud of Dope's ability to walk that evolutionary line."

"It's been a long time coming, and I'm very happy with how the new album came out," says Edsel Dope. "I'm super excited for fans to hear the entire record and for us to get out there on tour and feed off of each other's energy."

Blood Money Part 1 tracklisting:

“Intro: Confessions Of A Felon”
“Blood Money”
“Shoulda Known Better”
“Lexipro”
“Hold On”
“1999”
“Razorblade Butterfly”
“Drug Music”
“A New Low”
“Hypocrite”
“X-Hale”
“End Of The World”
“Selfish”
“Numb”
“Violet”

“Blood Money” video:

Dope recently announced the US dates of their Die Mother Fucker Die Reunion Tour, featuring support from the bands Flaw and Motograter. The Dope reunion tour will feature the classic line up of Edsel Dope, Acey Slade, Virus, and Racci Shay. Beginning September 13th in San Francisco, the tour winds through the US before finishing up at the legendary Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood on October 30th.

Tour dates:

September
13 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
14 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
15 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw
16 - Pasco, WA - La Tropicana
17 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
18 - Spokane, WA - The Palomino
19 - Idaho Falls, ID - The Falls Venue
20 - Denver, CO - Herman's Hideaway
21 - Colorado Springs, CO - Sunshine Studios
22 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground
23 - St Louis, MO - The Ready Room
24 - Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze
25 - Des Moines, IA - Val Air Ballroom
27 - Waterloo, IA - The Reverb
28 - Stevens Point, WI - Live On Main
29 - Chippewa Falls, WI - Every Buddy's
30 - Battle Creek, MI - Music Factory

October
1 - Flint, MI - Machine Shop
3 - Toledo, OH - Realm
4 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
5 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora
6 - Columbus, OH - Park Street Tavern
7 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
8 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater
9 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
10 - Toronto, ON - Sneaky Dees
11 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
13 - Amityville, NY - Revolution
15 - Baltimore, MD - Fish Head Cantina
17 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
19 - Austin, TX - Dirty Dog Bar
20 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
21 - Dallas, TX - Trees
22 - Merriam, KS - Aftershock
23 - Oklahoma City, OK - 89th St. Collective
25 - Gallup, NM - The Juggernaut
26 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
27 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
28 - Las Vegas, NV - Counts Vamp'd
29 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove
30 - W. Hollywood, CA - The Whisky

Indian metal veterans Demonic Resurrection have just released a playthrough video for the song “Architect Of Destruction”, featured on the band’s latest album, The Demon King, released worldwide on Candlelight Records and Universal Music India. Find the new clip below.

The Demon King tracklisting:

“The Assassination”
“Facing The Faceless”
“The Promise Of Never”
“Death, Desolation And Despair”
“The Demon King”
“Architect Of Destruction”
“Trail Of Devastation”
“Shattered Equilibrium”
“Even Gods Do Fall”
“The End Paradox”

“Architect Of Destruction” playthrough video:

Singer and lead guitarist Mahmoud Kattan of Zurich, Switzerland-based thrash/melodic metal act, Atropas, gives you an in depth look into the riffs, leads and melodies for their song "Take Me Home", so you can learn the tune just the right way.  

Watch how he plays both guitar parts of the song in this playthrough video:

The lesson and playthrough videos were filmed and edited by Thomas Riediker, who is a freelance still and moving graphics designer, author and a passionate twitch streamer.

Catch Atropas on their Eastern European Tour with Words That Burn in September. Dates on the flyer below.

Lifeforce Records artists / London-based progressive metal/hardcore act When Our Time Comes have released a new video for their track “Beyond Limits” (streaming below).

Filmed on the band's first ever UK headline run in support of their debut album, vocalist Joe Carter-Hawkins says: "Touring makes it all worth it. These days, being in a band usually comes with an admin role and it can feel like an uphill struggle trying to get people to fight in your corner. For us, performing is the pay out at the end of a long working day. It’s the feet up, TV on feeling. This was our first headline tour and it was amazing, the reaction we received in every city is why we do this. We got to visit places we’ve never been to before to play our music to people we’ve never met. We had fans travel miles to come and see us jump around like idiots, that’s something only a small percentage of the world can claim and we are eternally grateful for it. Our closing show in London was practically ethereal. We were stood on stage in front of an almost sell-out crowd with their hands in the air screaming lyrics we’d written in our bedrooms. We can't wait to get behind the wheel again. See you in the pit"

The video, shot and edited by Jamie Carter can be seen below:

Italian prog metal masters DGM will release their new album, The Passage, on August 26th. A music video for the track “Fallen” can be found below.

The Passage is DGM’s eighth studio album and is the culmination of almost 20 years of hard work that started back in 1997 with the release of their self-produced mini-album, Random Access Zone. The band went through several incarnations and lineup changes during the years, but since singer Mark Basile joined the group in 2007, DGM evolved and developed their sound into what they have now become.

It was probably the release of Frame (2007) that pushed the band into the top of the league of international prog metal. It was also on the strength of this material that DGM managed to tour for almost four years around the world, taking part in some of the biggest metal festivals, supporting Symphony X on their European tour, and sharing the stage with Pagan's Mind too. In 2013, DGM came back with Momentum, an album which showed the full stylistic maturity of a band which felt fully confident with their abilities, both on the songwriting and the musicianship side. The last album was promoted with more shows and after several gigs in Europe, they performed for the second time at ProgPower USA and started their first Asian tour in November 2014 playing Beijing, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka as headliners.

The new album, The Passage is another substantial step forward for DGM. Sounding like a hungry, urbanized version of Symphony X, with substantial hard rock influences, the new record is remarkable in several aspects. The compositions are phenomenal, with sweeping choruses, technical passages, lightning fast fretwork, big vocals and bombastic transitions. The playing is simply faultless and the melodies are perfectly woven into the killer guitars, epic keyboards, and pounding drums!

“This album can easily be seen as our most ambitious work to date,” says guitarist and producer Simone Mularoni.

“This time we tried to evolve to an even more personal sound. We took all the elements we developed through all these years and we tried to take them to the limit. Throughout the whole record you will hear a recurrent musical theme. Instead of doing a usual concept album with the lyrics, we decided to do a sort of musical concept with this melody that repeats in every song but every time with different time signatures and keys,” tells drummer Fabio Costantino.

“This album will offer to the listener a key for a positive dimension. A path made of sound vibrations: The Passage to our dreams and hopes,” concludes bassist Andrea Arcangeli.

Evergrey singer Tom Englund and Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo also appear as special guests tributing the value of this outstanding album. And let's not forget the great job that producer Simone Mularoni did in the studio. The future looks bright for these guys. Check them out live when they come to a town near you.

The Passage tracklisting:

“The Secret (Part 1)”
“The Secret (Part 2)”
“Animal”
“Ghosts Of Insanity”
“Fallen”
“The Passage”
“Disguise”
“Portrait”
“Daydreamer”
“Dogma”
“In Sorrow”

“Fallen” video:

"Ghost Of Insanity" lyric video (featuring Tom Englund):

“Animal” video:

“The Secret (Part 1)” audio:

EPK:

Teaser:

DGM lineup:

Simone Mularoni – guitars, keyboards
Marco Basile – vocals
Andrea Arcangeli – bass
Fabio Costantino – drums
Emanuele Casali – keyboards

Special guests:
Tom Englund – vocals on “Ghosts Of Insanity”
Michael Romeo – lead guitar on “Dogma”

German epic metal band, Equilibrium, have released an official trailer video for their new album, Armageddon, out now via Nuclear Blast. The clip can be found below.

Armageddon tracklisting:

“Sehnsucht”
“Erwachen”
“Katharsis”
“Heimat”
“Born To Be Epic”
“Zum Horizont”
“Rise Again”
“Prey”
“Helden”
“Koyaaniskatsi”
“Eternal Destination”

Official trailer:

“Eternal Destination” video:

“Born To Be Epic” lyric video:

Track-by-track Part 1:

Track-by-track Part 2:

“Prey” lyric video:

The limited Digipak Edition includes a bonus CD with the instrumental versions of the entire album.

Album orders at this location.

Dust Bolt are streaming their cover of Black Sabbath’s “Into The Void”, only available on the LP edition of their new album, Mass Confusion, out worldwide via Napalm Records.

Mass Confusion is be available as:

- Regular Jewel Case
- CD & Shirt Bundle (Webstore)
- 1LP Gatefold (black & different colors) & Vinyl exclusive Track “Into The Void” – Black Sabbath cover

Order here.

Mass Confusion tracklisting:

“SickxBrain”
“Mass Confusion”
“Allergy”       
“Turned To Grey”
“Blind To Art”   
“Mind The Gap”  
“Exit”
“Empty Faces”
“Taking Your Last Breath”
“Portraits Of Decay”
“Masters Of War”
“Into The Void” (LP Bonus Track)

Album preview:

“Mass Confusion” video:

European progressive rock band The Tangent have returned, following band leader Andy Tillison's heart attack last year and subsequent recuperation. Never one to shy away from confronting issues head on, Andy has enlisted his band-mates in The Tangent including Luke Machin, Jonas Reingold and Theo Travis, to create one 20-minute long piece titled “A Few Steps Down The Wrong Road” which you can hear now via the video below.

The track sees The Tangent joined by author, playwright and former Chumbawamba member Boff Whalley, for what is a preface to a new album that finds the band focussing on politics and the practice of mass migrations in the contemporary world.

Andy Tillison had this to say: "Inevitably, after a very upbeat and nostalgic album that revisited our early career with "A Spark In The Aether", I wanted to turn my head again towards the more socially aware music that I have written since I was a teenager. The idea has been building with me for some time, and now it's time for me to get on with it. In the light of the UK's decision to leave the EU, a political framework where the Tangent flourished as an international positive idea, it's obvious that I want to say something about that. I've never been good at political debate, but in song I find my courage and I'm not letting this pass me by."

The track, and the forthcoming album, is accompanied by artwork created by UK comic artist Mark "Bucky" Buckingham, whose images have graced comics for both DC and Marvel. You can see some of the early work he has done for The Tangent below.

Andy continues: "We in the west decimated the lives of so many in other parts of the world - in generations gone by and right up to this moment. We're doing it now. The Chilcott report on the Iraq War identifies this frequently occurring British/American behaviour and attributes much of the desperate actions of people to that very behaviour pattern. When people travel to escape the chaos in which we had a hand either by political interference or by selling their Warlord governments weapons, they follow the trails WE left for them. We should not be surprised or indignant that they are coming. We left the invitations open when we left those people destitute once before. They will continue to come. Being ready for this is not about building walls to stop them. It's always been about making good for the past. Whether we can - in our current "economic state" - handle this is really a question as simple as this....

If there was a Tsunami that destroyed half of Southend On Sea, would they build a wall around Basildon to stop the resulting refugees?

Your answer to that question is what England (and I mean England) IS. Or perhaps your answer is what it COULD be. We could make it better. Economics is a consideration, not another brick wall.

Tangent means Tangent. Go off on one. Think again."

Brazil-based animator Val Andrade, who made a splash several years ago with his unique cartoons based on Iron Maiden's catalogue of songs, has returned with a new clip for the classic "Flight Of Icarus". Check it out below.

Earlier this year Andrade released a clip for the band's classic, "Powerslave", featuring a dedication to late muic icons Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) and David Bowie. Watch to the very end.

Iron Maiden’s The Book Of Souls World Tour concluded on August 4th when the band performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany, marking the end of the trek that began in late February and touched down on six continents.

In a video recap, which can be found below, the members of Iron Maiden share memories from the tour and thank fans for coming out to the shows.

Iron Maiden Manager Rod Smallwood stated: “We decided to finish the tour at Wacken as it is the ideal way to end this magical tour playing to 80,000 core metal fans at this legendary metal festival. Wacken has become such as international event with many thousands of fans from many other countries around the world joining and celebrating with the German fans so it is perfect for the final show of a memorable tour. Everywhere we’ve played the fans have been amazing and the reaction to the new songs and stage show has been phenomenal. The band has loved every minute on stage.”

Iron Maiden’s setlist for the final show on The Book Of Souls tour was as follows:

"If Eternity Should Fail"
"Speed Of Light"
"Children Of The Damned"
"Tears Of A Clown"
"The Red And The Black"
"The Trooper"
"Powerslave"
"Death Or Glory"
"The Book Of Souls"
"Hallowed Be Thy Name"
"Fear Of The Dark"
"Iron Maiden"
"The Number Of The Beast"
"Blood Brothers"
"Wasted Years"

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo and former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman joined RODRIGO Y GABRIELA on stage Sunday night (August 14) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Trujillo performed a medley of METALLICA songs ("Orion", "For Whom The Bell Tolls", "Battery") with the Mexican duo, while Friedman — who was introduced by Gabriela Quintero as one of their early heroes — came out for a rendition of Astor Piazolla's "Oblivion".

Quintero and Rodrigo Sánchez were backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for a large portion of the evening, which also saw them delivering songs from every era of their career, including new tunes. One of the new songs, "Waiting To Be Free", featured vocals from Sánchez.

A full review of the concert can be found at MXDWN.com.

Natives of Mexico City, Sánchez and Quintero began their careers as members of TIERRA ACIDA, a heavy metal band which played on the city's underground gig circuit for seven years.

"Like a lot of Mexican youth, we were heavily influenced by American metal bands — METALLICA, MEGADETH, PANTERA, and also SEPULTURA," Gabriela explained. "It was a full band, very loud, and for vocals, Rodrigo would just scream. We played this way for seven years."

Asked in a 2010 interview if RODRIGO Y GABRIELA's metal connections were fading, Rodrigo said: "No, it's growing, actually. You go to our shows and you see a lot of metalheads. It was great to have the recognition from the kings, from METALLICA themselves, to be in touch with them and having the opportunity to jam with Robert pretty often. It's great, because that opened the door for a lot of metalheads to understand that we come from there. It's clear for the people that we love metal."

Fan-filmed video footage of VENOM's August 12 performance at this year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, which was held at Catton Hall in Walton-on-Trent, England, can be seen below.

VENOM is not to be confused with VENOM INC., the new band featuring original VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) and Anthony "Abaddon" Bray (drums) alongside ex-VENOM bassist/vocalist Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan.

Without directly mentioning VENOM INC., VENOM guitarist Rage (a.k.a. Stuart Dixon) told Metal-Rules.com in a November 2015 interview: "Don't be fooled by pale imitations." VENOM bassist/vocalist Conrad "Cronos" Lant added: "Yes, indeed. Check out the real VENOM. We know that there's been some sites who've been putting our photographs and our VENOM logo up for a whole load of dates that don't have anything to do with us. VENOM play one-off shows, and that's the way we've always done it. And we like to have it as big and as best as we can. We don't do little club tours; that's never been the VENOM way. And we're trying to contact some of these sites to say, 'Look, you're misrepresenting the band. We don't know who this band is that you're talking about, but we're not coming to America to play thirty shows. Please get your shit together and sort it out.' But these web sites must just wanna put any shit on their site."

Cronos also talked about VENOM's musical evolution over the last three and a half decades. He said: "The thing is, the way I've always seen VENOM is… VENOM needs to be a band that evolves. You know, I don't wanna play the same songs fucking year after year after year. I wanna evolve this band. I wanna stay with a slightly commercial… Rock and roll has to be something that you remember, and a lot of the death metal stuff that's all based on the same sort of [fast rhythm], to me, it doesn't have a hook. And I've always found that with songs like 'Welcome To Hell', it's something that stays with you. I know people think 'commercial' is a dirty word with metal, and [they] can fuck off, because commercial just means something that stays with you, that you like, that you enjoy. And that's something that we do well. We come up with songs where you're still thinking about them weeks later, months later after you've heard them. They stick with you. They're not throwaway songs. We don't want any throwaway songs. If the song doesn't move you, and if you don't remember it, you don't wanna keep playing it in the car or wherever, then we throw it away; it's goodbye. We want the stuff that stays hardcore and evolving. You know, still being a bit controversial as well. You know, the song 'Smoke', I'm sure people didn't expect that one out of VENOM; it's a little bit different. But we've always done that. We got shit for '7 Gates Of Hell' back in the day. 'What the fuck? That's not like 'Angel Dust'.' But that's what I love about this band. We have the ability to just keep trying out new ideas and retaining that 'Black Metal' stamp. So fucking long may it continue."

VENOM's latest album, "From The Very Depths", was released in January 2015 via Spinefarm.

SLAYER/EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt joined metal supergroup METAL ALLEGIANCE on stage at this year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival to perform cover versions of MOTÖRHEAD's "Iron Fist" and ACCEPT's "Fast As A Shark".

METAL ALLEGIANCE's lineup for the August 14 performance at Catton Hall in Walton-on-Trent, England included TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick on guitar, DEATH ANGEL's Mark Oseguda on vocals and ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante on drums.

Benante was filling in for regular METAL ALLEGIANCE drummer Mike Portnoy, who was on tour with TWISTED SISTER and was unable to make MA's Bloodstock show.

METAL ALLEGIANCE released a special EP, titled "Fallen Heroes", on August 12. The band united to pay homage to the three legends — Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie and Glenn Frey — who impacted not just their lives but the world as well.

Recorded at Conclave Studios in New York City, "Fallen Heroes" was produced by Mark Menghi and Alex Skolnick. The album was mixed by Jay Ruston in Los Angeles, California and mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City by Ted Jensen. The initial sketch of the artwork was created by Mark Menghi and Stephen Thompson (ANTHRAX) and was later finalized by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut album was released on September 18, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

Brought together by METAL ALLEGIANCE principal partner Mark Menghi, the project's original material came together from the creative minds of David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick, alongside Menghi. The four writers then reached out through their metal rolodexes to a diverse lineup of performers, each adding their own personal musical stamp to the collection of nine original songs.

On June 19th, Megadeth performed at Hellfest in Clisson, France. Pro-shot footage of  he band's entire show is available below show. The setlist was as follows:

"Hangar 18"
"The Threat Is Real"
"Tornado of Souls"
"She-Wolf"
"Post American World" 
"Sweating Bullets"
"Posionous Shadows" 
"Trust"
"Dystopia" 
"A Tout Le Monde" 
"Fatal Illusion"
"Symphony of Destruction" 
"Peace Sells" 
"Holy Wars...The Punishment Due"

The global Dystopia tour, which is currently in full swing, will have visited five continents by the end of 2016. Current tour dates are listed below:

August
16 - Pepsi On Stage - Porto Alegre, Brazil
18 - Spazio Van - Curitiba, Brazil
20 - Jockey Club - Asuncion, Paraguay
22 - Luna Park - Buenos Aires, Argentina
23 - Luna Park - Buenos Aires, Argentina
26 - Estadio Jorge “El Magico” Gonzales - San Salvador, El Salvador
29 - Pepsi Center - Mexico City, Mexico

September
1 - Plaza de Toros Santa Maria - Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
3 - Mexico Metal Fest - Monterrey, Mexico
20 - Casper Events - Center Casper, WY
22 - The Joint - Las Vegas, NV
24 - “Ozzfest” San Manuel Amphitheater - Devore, CA
27 - WaMu Theater - Seattle, WA
28 - Matthew Knight Arena - Eugene, OR
29 - City National Civic - San Jose, CA

October
1 - 1st Bank Center - Broomfield, CO
3 - Mid America Recreation & Conv. Complex - Council Bluffs, IA
4 - Roy Wilkins Auditorium - St. Paul, MN
5 - Sears Centre - Chicago, IL
7 - iWireless Center - Moline, IL
8 - UWM Panther Arena - Milwaukee, WI
9 - Joe Louis Arena - Detroit, MI
11 - Sands Event Center - Bethlehem, PA
12 - DCU Center - Worcester, MA
13 - Mohegan Sun Arena - Uncasville, CT
14 - Prude2ntial Center - Newark, NJ
16 - BB&T Pavilion - Camden, NJ

In other news, Megadeth have released a video for "Post American World", from their latest album, Dystopia.

LYNCH MOB cut its set short Saturday night (August 13) at Neisen's Sports Bar & Grill in Savage, Minnesota after a member of the support act EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, guitarist Jeff Windisch, suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Windisch was in the audience during LYNCH MOB's set when he became unwell. Sadly, attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

LYNCH MOB bassist Sean McNabb later issued a statement saying: "On behalf of LYNCH MOB — George, Oni Logan, Jimmy D'Anda and myself — our prayers go out to Jeff Windisch's family, friends and band EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS. Jeff died of cardiac arrest [Saturday] night during our set. They opened the show for us and kicked ass. As soon as we were alerted to the situation, we stopped playing, as the crowd and band stood in disbelief as they tried to save him. We felt it was best to stop the show at that point. Please keep his family in your prayers."

LYNCH MOB drummer Jimmy D'Anda added: "Very sad news regarding the opening band from [Saturday] night's gig in Minneapolis. The guitar player for the opening band, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, Jeff Windisch, suffered a heart attack and passed away during the LYNCH MOB set. The band didn't feel it was appropriate to continue the show, so we stopped out of respect for Jeff. The band sends their thoughts and prayers to Jeff and his family and we kindly ask you do the same."

Based in Chicago, Illinois, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS released its debut album, "Devil In The Lake", in January 2014 via Pavement Entertainment and reissued the record in May 2015 with nine bonus tracks.



EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS - WHO YOU ARE (8/13/16)
EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS - WHO YOU ARE (8/13/16)

Posted by Janice Dee on Sunday, August 14, 2016

LEAVES' EYES is putting the finishing touches on a new EP, "Fires In The North", for an October 7 release via AFM Records. The band says: "The brand new song 'Fires In The North' is an epic rocker! We can't wait for you to hear it!"

LEAVES' EYES made its live debut with new singer Elina Siirala on April 17 at the Hammersonic festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The remaining members of LEAVES' EYES and their former singer, Liv Kristine, have offered different accounts of the circumstances behind their split, with LEAVES' EYES claiming the decision to part ways was amicably made in January and Liv saying she was dismissed from the group on April 6.

LEAVES' EYES guitarist Thorsten "Tosso" Bauer told Russia's Rock Cor: "When Liv and Alex [Krull, LEAVES' EYES' co-vocalist and Liv's husband] split up personally early January, Liv wanted to leave the band right away. But Alex convinced her to stay with the band and they both made a very good agreement with each other for their private life and business. So the band situation seemed to be solved at that point of time. But since February her new fiancé/therapist tried to interfere in a lot of band matters. He talked very bad about LEAVES' EYES and that shows, tours and interviews shouldn't happen without him anymore. Her fiancé/therapist even told Liv to step aside from the band. In March, things went far beyond after Liv moved to her engaged therapist and it became very clear to everybody in the band that we will go separate ways in the future. Liv also wanted to be involved in picking the new singer for LEAVES' EYES. We told her that we want to decide ourselves who will be our new singer in the band. So there has nothing been happening behind anybody's back.

"Beginning of April, we had a band meeting to talk about how things go on. In the meeting, we decided together to go separate ways immediately. Liv told us she is not able to fulfill her touring commitments with the band anymore for personal reasons. Moreover, Liv's lawyer wrote in a letter to Alex that a further cooperation including the live shows with the band is not possible for Liv anymore. So Liv was relieved not having to play any future shows with LEAVES' EYES. As a result of the meeting, we also set up a press statement together with Liv, to inform the fans and media. To the surprise of everybody, this first press statement we set up together was attacked soon after by several additional posts and statements from Liv. Suddenly other people and 'trolls' started to spread nasty rumors and lies on the Internet. That was the reason for the confusion and anger in April.

"For myself I can clearly say, if anyone in the band would have treated Liv in the way some trolls in the internet tell, I wouldn't be part of this band anymore. Also, I can say that Alex is a single father at the moment, and since Liv and Alex separated from each other, their son lives at his place."

An earbook tour edition of LEAVES' EYES' latest album, "King Of Kings", was released in June, including a new version and video for the song "Edge Of Steel", featuring Elina.

DISTURBED was joined by Myles Kennedy of ALTER BRIDGE for a performance of SIMON & GARFUNKEL's "The Sound Of Silence" during last night's (Saturday, August 13) concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas. Video footage of his appearance can be seen below.

DISTURBED version of "The Sound Of Silence" has been a huge hit for the band, with Paul Simon sharing his approval of it publicly after watching the band perform the song on "Conan" and also exchanging e-mails with singer David Draiman.

DISTURBED's record label, Warner Bros., credited the song's popularity to the video for "Silence", which was released in December 2015. To date, the clip has been seen almost 90 million times, a record number of views on YouTube for the group.

Draiman told Philadelphia radio station 93.3 WMMR that the band has been "blown away" by the response to its version of "The Sound Of Silence". He explained: "We're pretty blown away — and surprised, to be honest — by the amount of positivity that has surrounded the cover. Because it was definitely a left turn, and it was something that, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have intended to go to, stylistically, on my own."

Draiman said that it took him three hours to record the vocals for the song — the longest vocal session of his career — and recalled hearing it three days later. He explained, "[I] was kind of tearing up listening to it, because it had been so long since I have allowed myself to go to that place vocally, and hearing it, and hearing it come out as well as I thought it did was not just gratifying, but like having a weight lifted off me."

"The Sound Of Silence" is taken from DISTURBED's sixth studio album, "Immortalized", which was released in August 2015.

The effort became the band's fifth LP in a row to enter the chart at No. 1 — a feat shared only with METALLICA and DAVE MATTHEWS BAND.

Bobby Blotzer's RATT has announced the addition of Mitch Perry (TALAS, HEAVEN, STEELER, MSG, LITA FORD) on lead guitar and Brad Lang (Y&T) on bass.

Says Blotzer: "We have some leaving, and new great musicians coming on board .

"Stacey Blades [L.A. GUNS], my longtime friend, just played with us on two huge festivals over last weekend and did a fabulous job. Also sitting in through next week's shows on bass is Todd Kerns [SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS]. He is such a great talent; Slash is lucky.

"Starting September 3rd and 4th onward will be the great Mitch Perry on lead guitar, Stacey Blades [on] rhythm and leads, and Brad Lang on bass, along with the awesome Joshua Alan still fronting, of course, and yours truly chopping wood behind the kit.

"All these guys are long time road veterans from very well-known lists of bands. We're definitely looking forward to playing with them.

"The shows over the weekend just as always is a testament that people love RATT music as performed by us with our intensity, and with great replication emphasis on the interity that RATT music be treated with. 35,000 people in Sturgis going nuts Thursday then last night 10,000 going crazy at our performance full set, at Rockin' The Rivers festival was epic. It never gets old!"

Bobby Blotzer's RATT recently parted ways with guitarists Nicholas "Blaze" Baum and Doc Ellis (Jizzy Pearl's LOVE/HATE), and bassist Robbie Crane.

Crane announced his exit from RATT last week, explaining in a Facebook post that it was "time for [him to] move on and focus on the positive things in [his] life."

Blotzer earlier in the month hinted at trouble in the RATT camp, telling ClassX Radio: "We are a great band, that's all I can say. I'm so proud of us, you know. But I also wanna see people having their act together on every level. That includes me, too. Nobody's immune from the… from what we've gotta do out there.

"I'm doing all the work behind the scenes, and these cats, all they've gotta do is show up and do their part," he added.

"They'd better grow up real quick here, because there's a lot of sailors out there that would give their leg to go out on this ship."

Blotzer also defended his decision to go out on tour as RATT without any other original members of the band, explaining that fans just want to hear the music performed the way it was recorded on the group's albums.

"No matter what, this band plays so good and does such great integrity to the music of RATT," he told ClassX Radio. "That's why everybody's been hired. The singer just blows Stephen Pearcy out of the water at this day and age. And frankly, [he sounds better than Stephen did] even when we started out."