STEEL PANTHER singer Michael Starr joined former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach on stage on May 29 at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma to perform the SKID ROW classic "Youth Gone Wild". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below (courtesy of Decibel Geek TV).

During a recent interview with Loudwire, Bach was once again asked if he would be open to a reunion of SKID ROW's classic lineup. He said: "I don't have any reason why not to do that… I have no animosity towards anybody in SKID ROW, and the fact that we're all, five of us, still alive in this world is a pretty amazing feat. So I would someday definitely like to hear the five guys who made those records play live together again. Yes, I would. 'Cause I'm a fan too."

Back in January, Bach revealed how a reunion with SKID ROW could materialize. He wrote on his Twitter account: "Only way a SKID ROW reunion could happen is if we somehow tried [to] bury a 20-year hatchet between us. Would love the chance to do so #SitDown" He added in another tweet: "To be honest, I have said some super shitty things [to] them [and] about them. I would like to apologize for shooting my mouth off."

Last year, SKID ROW guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo seemed to shut the door on a possibility of working with Bach again. He told The Aquarian Weekly: "Happiness, to me, is my spirit and my soul is more important to me than having dollars in my wallet. People may [not] believe that and that's okay. Anybody who knows me knows that to be true. I don't think you can place a price on happiness. We've been hit repeatedly over the years with, 'Why don't you do a reunion tour?' And you know what? I understand the question and I get it. I really do, and if I were on the outside, I'd be asking the same question, but no one feels comfortable with that idea."

Singer Tony Harnell announced his departure from SKID ROW last December, eight months after he joined the band as the replacement for Johnny Solinger, who was the group's frontman for fifteen years.

SKID ROW has played several shows in recent months with the South African-born, British-based singer ZP Theart (DRAGONFORCE, TANK, I AM I), but he has not been officially named as the permanent replacement for Harnell.

"Crucifixion", a song from GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA, the new band featuring ALICE IN CHAINS singer William DuVall alongside members of MASTODON and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, was premiered earlier today on BBC Radio 1's "Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter". You can now listen to the track using the widget below (beginning arounf the 4:42 mark).

"Crucifixion" is taken from GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA's debut album, "Broken Lines", which will be released on September 23 via Party Smasher Inc./ Cooking Vinyl.

While the lineup of GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA has changed since the project was launched in 2012 — with actress and singer Juliette Lewis allegedly fronting it at one point — DuVall has apparently settled into the lead vocalist position.

GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA founder Ben Weinman (also of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) said that Juliette Lewis was never the singer but had contributed some material, adding: "She did some cool vocals on some of the GTO stuff. Actually, William from ALICE IN CHAINS is who has been singing with us."

Weinman noted that most of the music for GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA's ten-song debut album had been written before DuVall joined the band. "But everybody is definitely in this band," he said. "It's a real democracy."

He added: "It's a little different for me. It's been great. Because DILLINGER has obviously been my baby since the beginning. You know while everyone contributes, it has always been my vision and baby. So, with GTO, it's really a combination of all the elements, all the pieces. So it's really interesting. It's been great for me to collaborate like that. And I think when you hear it, it really does sound like all of us in one band somehow."

GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA — whose lineup also includes Brent Hinds of MASTODON — will make its live debut at this year's Reading (August 27) and Leeds (August 28) festivals in the United Kingdom.

From adventurous progressive-metal epics like "Crucifixion", "Broken Lines" and "Fragments & Ashes" to pounding rock anthems like "Adapt Or Die" and "Back To The Light" (featuring a vocal cameo from Lewis), to future crossover classics like the gorgeous power ballad "All We Have Is Now" and the electrifying made-for-radio dance-rock of "Everyone Gets Everything They Really Want", and the equally propulsive "Blood Moon", GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA's debut album promises to be one of the most exciting releases of 2016.

"Chasing The Priest", the new lyric video from San Francisco Bay Area metallers VICIOUS RUMORS, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's twelfth studio album, "Concussion Protocol", which will be released on August 26 via SPV/Steamhammer. It will be made available as a digipak version (including a poster), on 2LP gatefold red vinyl and as a digital download. The CD features eleven brand new songs and tells a chilling story of an armageddon by a global killer asteroid and how humanity unravels in the wake of the news. It's the first concept album for the band.

VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe states about the song and the video: "In our dark tale of the earth's final days, man turns his back on religious concepts!

"The song 'Chasing the Priest' was written by myself along with Nick, Tilen and Larry in a house we rented last summer next to and old church in the Netherlands. The band was in the beginning of the songwriting process for the album 'Concussion Protocol'.

"We hope you enjoy our dark tale in metal madness as much as we enjoyed making it for you!!

"This video was produced by Jimmie Evans lll at Electric Punishment studios in Santa Rosa, California. Turn it up and see you on tour!! Metal on!"

"Concussion Protocol" was produced by VICIOUS RUMORS guitarist Geoff Thorpe and longtime co-producer and engineer Juan Urteaga at Trident studios (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT, HEATHEN, EXODUS, DRAGONLORD) in Pacheco, California. A video for the first single "Take It Or Leave It" was filmed a couple of months ago and will make its online debut soon. Guest solos by VICIOUS RUMORS brothers from the band's rich history, Brad Gillis (NIGHT RANGER, OZZY OSBOURNE) and Steve Smyth (NEVERMORE, TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN) only add to the madness.

Thorpe states: "The album is relentless and crushing in true, classic VICIOUS RUMORS style but with many twists and turns. Believe me, you're in for a treat, VRazors!!! If you've ever been a fan of VICIOUS RUMORS, SABBATH, PRIEST or MAIDEN and a little Bay Area-style thrash thrown in for good measure, then this album is definitely for you!!! Everything you love about VICIOUS RUMORS is present throughout the whole album!!"

"Concussion Protocol" track listing: 01. Concussion Protocol (4:56)02. Chemical Slaves (5:50)03. Victims Of A Digital World (4:13)04. Chasing The Priest (4:13)05. Last Of Our Kind (3:56)06. 1000 Years (3:39)07. Circle Of Secrets (5:04)08. Take It Or Leave It (3:23)09. Bastards (4:40)10. Every Blessing Is A Curse (4:14)11. Life For A Life (6:11)

VICIOUS RUMORS 2016 lineup (from left to right in photo):

Larry Howe - DrumsThaen Rasmussen - GuitarNick Holleman - VocalsGeoff Thorpe - GuitarTilen Hudrap - Bass

Venice, California crossover thrash/hardcore punk legends SUICIDAL TENDENCIES have set a September 30 release date for their as-yet-untitled new album. The follow-up to 2013's "13" disc will be the band's first to feature former SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo and guitarist Jeff Pogan, who replaced Nico Santora last month.

Lombardo recently told Metal Wani about ST's forthcoming CD: "I think it's very typical and very traditional SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. It's that style. It's [SUICIDAL TENDENCIES frontman] Mike Muir and he was a very special style in which he writes his music and his lyrics and his structures. And I love it; I love it. It takes me back to how it all started, which was that punk attitude. I'm very happy to be a part of his organization. I feel very welcomed. I feel very much appreciated, and there's a lot of respect amongst the musicians, and camaraderie. We have a really good time together. We hang out as a band, which is important; I feel it's very important."

In an interview with John The Ninja, Muir spoke about how SUICIDAL TENDENCIES fans have reacted to Lombardo's addition to the band's touring lineup. He said: "Well, I think there's two parts. One, there's obviously… there's a name, so people were excited. Initially, obviously, people said, 'Oh, wow! Actually, I can see that.' The other is when you actually see it and you hear it. And there's a lot of times when people quote-unquote get together and it's for fun and they don't take it serious. The thing about Dave is he's very serious. It's not for me to quote him, but he loves the band. So he goes, 'I love the music,' and you see that when he's playing. I can't fake what I do; he can't fake what he does. He's up there and just doing his thing. And it sounds so good, and it's so fun. I mean, that's one of the things with this tour [the recently completed North American run with MEGADETH]; it's just refreshing that it's, like, 'Bam!' We just do it. And every night, there's the people that obviously are anticipating it; there's the people that are excited about it; the people that are, like, 'Okay. I'm gonna check it out.' And still to this day, some people don't know. Even yesterday, I went out in the crowd afterwards, and someone was, like, 'Man, your drummer is amazing!' And I said, 'Yeah. Dave Lombardo.' 'Yeah, I know Dave Lombardo. That was Dave Lombardo?' I mean, it was a big place and they are in the very back and you can't really see it."

He continued: "It's been great. It works. He's a great person. So it's just been a lot of fun. And it definitely does add an intensity. I mean, going years back, I've always known, obviously, SLAYER and Dave, and I've always kind of said, 'Wow! If we had someone like Dave playing [with us].' You know, you do those little things sometimes in your head. And now we actually do."

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has revealed that a previously mooted Nick Menza tribute concert featuring past and present members of MEGADETH is now unlikely to happen.

Less than 24 hours after the former MEGADETH drummer died on May 21, Mustaine said that he had already started talks to perform a benefit concert that would hopefully include as many ex-members of MEGADETH as they can get. But that plan now appears to have come to a halt, as Mustaine told EonMusic on Monday (June 13) at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods in London, England. He said: "There's some stuff going on right now where [Nick's] family is doing a GoFundMe page, and I'm not involved in that. If they need our help, they know where we're at. We love them and want the best for them, so we'll find out."

He continued: "For now, I think that if anybody wants to get involved with [supporting] Nick [by donating money], the GoFundMe page [is the best place to do so]. I would rather that if anybody's going to support what we're going to do, our involvement is to help Nick's legacy for his children. He's got artwork, he's got a lot of music that he's written outside of MEGADETH, and if people really love Nick and they really want to support him, look at his artwork, focus on the music that he did, MEGADETH or otherwise."

Mustaine also said that he "had no idea how much [he] loved" Nick until he broke down following the dedication of a song to his former bandmate at the Rock 'N Derby festival on May 22. Dave said: "Yeah, [my emotional reaction] came out of nowhere. I didn't know what it was, because it was very [well known] how much Nick did not like me, in the things that he was saying [in the press]. And I was not going to retaliate because I loved him, and I think that was evident when we dedicated the song to him. I couldn't finish it, and I usually don't let things stop me from doing by job, but I was overwhelmed with emotion. We've lost a lot of very valuable members of the metal community this year and last year."

Mustaine went on to talk about Menza's talents as a musician, explaining that he was unaware of how revered Nick was until after his passing. Dave told EonMusic: "The contribution [Nick] made to metal music, you can't really quantify it, because MEGADETH influenced so many different players in so many different genres. I know only of the guitar players that have been influenced, but the drummers that have been influenced by Nick, until his passing, I had no idea."

He added: "You know, I've always loved [Nick's] playing and thought he was great, so he's terribly, terribly missed. And, like I said, I had no idea how much I really loved him until I couldn't finish the song."

Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack after the third song of OHM:'s set on May 21 at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital. He was 51 years old.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of natural causes. The cause of Menza's death was listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Menza had reportedly dabbled with drugs in the earlier part of his career but had been completely sober for eight years.

Menza joined MEGADETH for the 1989 recording "Rust In Peace" and for the next nine years became associated with the band's "classic" and most profitable era.

Drummer Anup Sastry has announced his departure from Monuments, offering the following statement:

“As much as I’ve enjoyed sharing the stage with the band, I’ve unfortunately decided to leave Monuments. Touring with the band just wasn’t for me. I had an absolute blast playing with the group live, and I’m leaving the band on good terms. I was able to see a lot of beautiful places and meet a lot of wonderful people while in the band, and I’m very appreciative and grateful for those experiences.

This decision is very amicable, and I will surely miss hanging out with everyone. Unfortunately, Monuments just wasn’t for me.

I wish the absolute best for Olly, Adam, John, and Chris. Monuments will continue to get on stage and rip it, and I wish the band the best of luck with their future endeavors. I’ll be staying busy with a few projects, which Im excited to announce and share with everyone in the future.

I want to thank everyone for all of the amazing and continued support. It really does mean a lot.”
Monuments themselves commented:

“Anup is stepping down from his position in Monuments.
We’ve had a sick time and we’re still good mates.
This doesn’t effect our touring schedule and all our summer festival shows will go ahead as planned.
Huge shout out to Daniel Lang from Red Enemy for filling in on such short notice.
First stop Grasspop!
\m/”
Earlier this year Monuments ran into some financial issues while touring America, it was not revealed if the strain of touring played a part in Sastry‘s departure.

Veteran rock musicians Vinny Appice, Rudy Sarzo, Craig Goldy and Andrew Freeman, along with the Temecula Valley Symphony, performed rock's greatest hits by LED ZEPPELIN, THE WHO, THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, MOODY BLUES, RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE, and more at a one-of-a-kind concert event on Saturday, June 18 on the steps of the Temecula Civic Center in Temecula, California. Thomas Kociela conducted the concert.

Video footage of the performance can be seen below.

This free event was produced by the City Of Temecula under the coordination of Gail Zigler, senior coordinator of arts, culture and events. This production was conceived by music director Joey Wester and created with the help of Alana Joos, orchestra manager for the Temecula Valley Symphony. Together these three organizations brought this epic event to the steps of Temecula's City Hall.

Individually, each of the rock stars has performed with several legendary rock bands worldwide:

Legendary rock drummer Vinny Appice's history includes BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, Rick Derringer and John Lennon. In April 2014, along with former members of DIO (Vivian Campbell and Jimmy Bain), Vinny began recording tracks for his new band LAST IN LINE along with Andrew Freeman on vocals. Currently, Vinny is on tour with LAST IN LINE, RESURRECTION KINGS, and "Drum Wars", in which he is joined by his brother Carmine Appice.

Rudy Sarzo is a hard rock/heavy metal bassist who has recorded and toured with many well-known heavy metal and hard rock bands, including QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. Rudy is also a member of a supergroup called PROJECT ROCK featuring members of JUDAS PRIEST, GUNS N'ROSES, ALICE COOPER, AC/DC, SCORPIONS, and more.

Heavy metal guitarist Craig Goldy has recorded and toured with ROUGH CUTT, GIUFFRIA, PROJECT DRIVER, and DIO. This year, Craig's new band RESURRECTION KINGS released its debut album and Craig will be touring with them as well as with DIO DISCIPLES and BLACK KNIGHTS RISING. In 2015, Craig toured with the XG Extreme Guitar Tour lineup alongside Uli Jon Roth and Vinnie Moore.

Andrew Freeman is the lead singer of LAST IN LINE with former original members of DIO. In early 2014, Freeman joined the critically acclaimed production show "Raiding The Rock Vault" at the Las Vegas Hotel, where he performs five shows a week on vocals, guitar and bass with other musicians such as Robin McAuley (SURVIVOR, MSG), Howard Leese (BAD COMPANY, HEART), Paul Shortino (QUIET RIOT) and Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE). Freeman has also performed on three tours as lead vocalist for guitarist George Lynch's LYNCH MOB and as a guitarist/back-up vocalist for THE OFFSPRING.

Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen joined Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION on stage on June 18 at Hellfest in Clisson, France to perform the song "Paradise (What About Us?)". Fan-filmed video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

The studio version of "Paradise (What About Us?)" — also featuring Tarja — can be found on WITHIN TEMPTATION's sixth studio album, "Hydra", which came out in January 2014.

WITHIN TEMPTATION frontwoman Sharon Den Adel previously stated about the band's collaboration with Turunen: "When we had written the first version of 'Paradise' and listened back to the demo we'd recorded and the epic power of the song, we thought of Tarja instantly. How well this track would fit her classical voice and how extra special it would be if we sang it together. The more we thought about this wild idea, the more excited we got about it!"

Following several video trailers teasing the track, fans speculated on the band's Facebook page who the duet would be with, some guessing it couldn't possibly be a "competing" artist like Tarja. However, the two singers had no hesitation joining forces, having never thought of themselves as competitors. Sharon continued: "Of course I didn't know what to expect from Tarja, as we'd never actually met in person 'till June [of 2013]. Our first encounter was via a Skype call we'd set-up to discuss the collaboration and we immediately clicked, not only creatively but personally. After we'd spoken, it felt completely natural that we would do this together!"

Tarja added: "It was very nice to finally meet Sharon and the WITHIN TEMPTATION guys. I truly appreciate the invitation and the opportunity to work with them on their song 'Paradise'. So wonderful that they thought of me! I hope our fans will like this 'girl power' duet!"

The song and accompanying music video share a central theme; that only constructive cooperation can lead to creation. To establish a new paradise, rising from the ashes of the old, we must work together.

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX performing the song "You Gotta Believe" on June 18 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland can be seen below.

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian recently shot down rumors that "For All Kings" would be the band's final album despite drummer Charlie Benante's suggestion to the contrary.

Ian's comments came only hours after Benante gave an interview to EonMusic in which he said the "inspiration" to make another LP "may not be there."

Benante said: "I don't even know if there will be another record. This may be our last record. I'd rather go out on a high."

But Ian said via Twitter: "Don't let clickbait headlines fool you. There will be more ANTHRAX records."

In a 2015 interview with Overdrive, Ian said that the writing process for "For All Kings" didn't start until 2012. He explained: "We were out on the road in America on the [Rockstar Energy Drink] Mayhem tour and then back [in Europe] with MOTÖRHEAD near the end of that year. Charlie stayed home from that tour, because that's when his hand really started to become a problem, so that whole time he was home, he was working on the new material. Then in early 2013, when Frank [Bello, bass], Charlie and I got together in the jam room in my house, that's when the official writing really started for this new album."

Benante told The Aquarian Weekly that he was motivated to conjure a vintage ANTHRAX vibe during the early stages of writing "For All Kings".

"The first three or four songs I had for this record were flat-out thrash, a throwback to the old days, and they needed to be written," Benante explained. "I became possessed by my guitar. It was like my guitar was making me write these songs."

After penning the first few speed-laden tunes, the band chose to get adventurous.

"We wanted to explore different types of songs, and have this musical landscape that takes you somewhere from start to finish," Benante said.

"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. It was ANTHRAX's first studio album since 2011's "Worship Music" (No. 12 peak with 28,000 sold in its first week) and followed the 2013 covers set "Anthems" (No. 52; 8,000 sold in its debut frame).

Fan-filmed video footage of Lita Ford's June 10 performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden can be seen below.

Lita Ford released a new album, "Time Capsule", on April 15 via SPV/Steamhammer. The very special and unusual recording turns back the clock to a time when honest, down-to-earth rock music was still handmade and recorded without digital tricks and contraptions.

"Time Capsule" is a "throwback" record that boasts identifiable voices and brilliant players jamming without any planning or pressure. Some of the album's highlights: Billy Sheehan (bass), Rodger Carter (drums), Dave Navarro (mandolin), Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander (backing vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass).

Speaking to Guitar World magazine, Lita stated about how the idea for "Time Capsule" came about: "There were 15 analog tapes I had in the Caribbean house [where Lita lived while she was married to former NITRO singer Jim Gillette] that I had to go back and get during my divorce. I drug them though the Caribbean dirt and on to a boat and took them back to L.A. I remember we had to bake them because they were so old and had been in that air for so long. I was afraid to put them on the reel because I thought they would flake and fall apart. So we baked them and transferred them over to digital — and it worked!"

Asked what made "Time Capsule" so special, Lita said: "It has such a magical vibe to it. We didn't change one note on anything on this album. All we did was remix. It was so fun and when we originally recorded it, all of the musicians were in their prime: Billy Sheehan; Gene Simmons and Bruce Kulick; Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen of CHEAP TRICK; Dave Navarro is on mandolin; Rodger Carter's on drums. Even Jeff Scott Soto and I sing a duet together that's just awesome. The album is also a gift to the fans, because I know they miss the eighties. There are people who are too young and didn't get to live through the eighties, and then there are other people who really miss it. So there's a little piece of the eighties in this time capsule, and I'm bringing it back!"

"Time Capsule" contains ten songs plus an intro and is available as a digipak as well as an LP version and download. It's Ford's gift to fans who love the '80s, when thrilling vocal performances, raunchy riffs, and loud, growling guitars were as essential as oxygen. "Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir" came out on February 23 via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. In this 272-page hardcover book, which was originally expected in 2014, the former lead guitarist of THE RUNAWAYS opens up about the '70s and '80s music scene, and her extraordinary life and career.

In a brand new interview with The Swerve Magazine, STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet was asked how it has been working with the same guys in the band for most of the group's three-decade-plus-long career. He responded: "Well, I mean, I'll be honest. I'm not going to lie to anybody. It's not easy. We have our issues. There are four strong personalities in this band. I'm the most boisterous. I'm the guy that talks a lot and people hear from the most, but I think if you heard from the other three guys, you would know exactly what I'm talking about. Everybody has opinions, and we're not on the same page many times. We don't see eye to eye. We have our arguments and our times of frustrations with one another."

He continued: "We made a pact to stay together. When we decide that we shouldn't stay together, that's when STRYPER will end, because I don't want to continue on without Robert [Sweet, drums], or without Tim [Gaines, bass], or without Oz [Fox, guitar]. I think that it's important that the four of us stay together, or it's not STRYPER. At that point in time, if we're not getting along we need to call it quits, and not replace each other.

"I hate it when bands start replacing their band members. You know what? It degrades the band and the brand. It's not fair to fans.

"I understand in a situation where, let's say, somebody passes away, and the other three or four guys want to continue, and they had the blessing of that person. That's a different situation, but what I'm referring to is all the bickering. You've got four guys in the band, and they don't get along, so they all go off and do their own version of that band. I mean, I just think that's a joke, a complete joke."

STRYPER's latest album, "Fallen", entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 43 with first-week sales of just over 10,000 units — nearly all from pure album sales. The set follows the No. 35-peaking "No More Hell To Pay", which was released in 2013.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

"Fallen" was released on October 16, 2015 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and includes a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".

After cancelling two concerts earlier this week due to ill health, legendary rock singer Meat Loaf collapsed on stage toward the end of his show in Edmonton on Thursday night (June 16th), reports 680 News.

Jeremy Westby with Webster Public Relations has issued the following update:

“Meat Loaf collapsed Thursday night due to severe dehydration near the end of his concert at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). He was admitted to a nearby hospital to undergo routine tests. His vital signs are stable and normal - additional tests are being performed but he is responsive and recovering well.

“He extends his heartfelt thanks for everyone's support and well wishes, and is expecting a speedy and full recovery. Any concert postponements / rescheduled dates will be announced at a later time. Thank you for your support and understanding.”

A spokesman for Alberta Health Services would not provide any information on his condition, only confirming that a man had been taken to hospital.

One video of the performance at Edmonton’s Jubilee Auditorium showed the singer bending over, then knocking over his microphone stand and falling to the floor. Audience members said he had been singing his classic “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”

Mikey McBryan, 33, an ice pilot from Yellowknife who had taken his mom to the show for her 70th birthday, said the singer had appeared to be struggling earlier in the performance. “It was him forgetting words, he wasn’t on cue, but it was forgivable,” said McBryan. “We’re all loving it and going crazy, and then it just took a turn for the worst.”

More than a few fans had noticed, with one tweeting Meat Loaf “did not look good 2nite. Was worried he wouldn’t last.”

“He sounded terrible from the start,” wrote another. “It was like he pushed through each song.”

Meat Loaf has said he suffers from asthma and from a medical condition that causes an irregular heartbeat.

Read more at 680 News.

(Note: An update of Meat Loaf's condition can be found at this location.)

(Photo - Webster Public Relations)

Ex-IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley has once again expressed hope that a special MAIDEN concert could be staged where he would get to perform with the current lineup of the band alongside fellow former MAIDEN frontman Paul Di'Anno.

"I've been into that idea for absolutely years, because I just think it's so much fun for fans," Blaze said during an appearance on this week's "The Rock Show with Gully And Joe" (hear audio below). 'Cause people are asking about it. Because I've toured with Paul Di'Anno, and we've got on very well, and fans have really enjoyed that show, it's not much of a leap, really, to think, 'Well, I wonder if we could get all three of them together.' So it would be a lot of fun. I think it would be a one-off gig if anybody wanted to do it. But it's mainly down to the MAIDEN camp."

Blaze added that he would be seeing the members of MAIDEN at last weekend's Download festival. "And I'll suggest it to them then," he said.

Bayley previously said that an IRON MAIDEN gig featuring all three singers would be "so much fun" because it would "be really fan-orientated. You would have to know the whole spectrum of IRON MAIDEN; you can't be a fairweather fan. You'd have to know the whole spectrum of what IRON MAIDEN's history is to know the significance of Paul and of me and of Bruce. And I think it would be great to get the three of us together."

The 53-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left to join MAIDEN, with whom he recorded two studio albums — 1995's "The X Factor" 1998's and "Virtual XI" — before Dickinson returned to the group.

Bayley released his eighth solo album, "Infinite Entanglement", on March 1.

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to Humanity magazine about the musical direction of the band's long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic", tentatively due in the fall. He said: "It definitely sounds like METALLICA. It's probably a little less frenetic than the last record. The last one [producer] Rick Rubin really encouraged us to for the first time be inspired by our past. It was the first time we sort of looked in the rearview mirror. This time around it's a little bit of a different thing. We're not working with Rick, we're working with the engineer from the last record, who's producing, Greg Fidelman. So there's some of the same production elements at play, but we're expanding a little bit on the sonics. It's probably a bit more of a diverse record than the last one. It's exciting, but I don't have quite the perspective yet."

Ulrich also addressed the gap between the new METALLICA album and "Death Magnetic", which is the longest in the band's history. Asked if that "hiatus" has given the group a different perspective about how they approached the new record, Ulrich said: "It's funny you say that because when I think of the last six or eight years, the word 'hiatus' is not that applicable in my view of it. METALLICA's busier than METALLICA's ever been. But we also have a different set of balances now in our lives, which is vital to keeping the band healthy. We prioritize our families and our kids. When we tour, we tour in two-week increments and we go home every two weeks. We found a new model for us, but we play probably two to three dozen gigs a year even in off years just to kind of keep the momentum going and keep ourselves connected and invested in the band."

He continued: "I think what's happened is our families and our domestic responsibilities are so important to us now, so we just have a new model. We're sort of constantly doing something but never to the point of the needle going in the red, but METALLICA really hasn't sort of shut down since around 2005, and it's a model that works for us. We never work at 110 percent to the point where we drive ourselves nuts, but are sort of constantly working at two-thirds, you know — when we make the record we're writing and we're recording, but we're doing it incrementally. There's always stuff going on. It's the way we like it. It keeps us engaged."

METALLICA worked on the new disc on and off over the past two years, in between other projects. The band has been recording at its headquarters in San Rafael, California.

METALLICA in 2014 released a new song, "Lords Of Summer - First Pass Version", on iTunes via Blackened Recordings. Ulrich told Rolling Stone that the track, which was first performed in March of that year at a concert in Bogota, Colombia, was "fairly representative of where our creative headspace is at right now."

On Thursday, June 16, JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford was interviewed by the KBAD 94.5 FM radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about PRIEST's plans for the immediate future, Halford said: "More metal. We're making another record right now, which should be ready when it's ready. But this'll be our umpteenth record, hundreds of metal songs later. We have a tremendous treasure trail behind us that we cherish, and we wanna make sure that what we put in front of that is equally worthy. So we take a lot of time in making the best music that we can. But it's exciting to think that not too far from now, there'll be another PRIEST record on the horizon with some more shows."

Halford will perform with HAIRBALL at Badlands Motor Speedway at "The Hair Ball" on Friday, June 17. He will bring his larger-than-life voice and persona to the first rock concert to be held at the newly renovated Badlands Motor Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota, all in support of a massive fundraiser for the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy.

In addition to Halford, "The Hair Ball" will feature several other superstar guests, including MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil.

HAIRBALL — billed as "A Bombastic Celebration of Arena Rock" — has firmly established its status as the top-drawing rock tribute show in the nation, featuring stunning recreations of rock's biggest superstars backed by world class musicians and enhanced by a massive stage show, huge pyrotechnics, video and special effects.

"This concert at Badlands Motor Speedway is going to be the biggest and best of everything that HAIRBALL is all about," claims HAIRBALL creator Mike "Chainsaw Caine" Findling. "We've been building up to this for 16 years, and to have the voice of JUDAS PRIEST, Rob Halford, join us for this event is a rock and roll dream come true."

Chuck Brennan, founder of the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy, echoes that enthusiasm. "We're in the business of making history in racing and entertainment," Brennan said. "Adding Rob Halford to this lineup makes this a truly historic occasion in every way. His support of the kids is incredible!"

JUDAS PRIEST's latest album, "Redeemer Of Souls", was released in July 2014. The follow-up to 2008's double-disc concept album "Nostradamus" was billed as a return to JUDAS PRIEST's heavy-metal roots.

JUDAS PRIEST's new CD, DVD and Blu-ray, "Battle Cry", was released on March 25 via Epic Records. Recorded live on August 1, 2015 at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival in front of an audience of 85,000, the set is available on a 15-track CD, with the entire show on Blu-ray and DVD (running over 94 minutes), as well as digital audio and video formats. The DVD and Blu-ray also contain three bonus tracks shot in Poland on December 10, 2015 at The Ergo Arena, Gdansk, Poland.