A masterpiece of raw and rabid, deadly thrashing madness is going to return as stunning reissue in March 2016 via Century Media Records: Morbid Saint's Spectrum Of Death. Originally recorded in the late ‘80s and produced by Eric Greif (Acrophet, Num Skull, Viogression), the 1990 released album by the Wisconsin thrashers offers a vicious and intense mix of early Slayer, Kreator, Dark Angel, and Destruction that has not lost any of its violent impact.

Morbid Saint originally formed on November 1st, 1984, shared stages with the likes of Death, Dark Angel, Acrophet, and many more. After a never fully realized second album, the band performed its final show in 1993 and disbanded. Morbid Saint reformed in 2010 and the band has been ravaging stages worldwide since then.

For this release, founding member Jay Visser (guitar) dug deep into his personal archive and excavated tons of rare photos, flyers as well as audio material hardly anyone has ever heard before/

After a series of low-key reissues and shabby bootlegs, Spectrum Of Death will now be released on vinyl replicating the original sleeve design with an extensive LP-sized booklet telling you the full history of the band and including rare visual material as well as 2CD and digital. The latter two will be released under the title Spectrum Of Death (Extended Edition) and contain everything, Morbid Saint have recorded so far including the rough mix of the unreleased, often bootlegged second album, Destruction System, various tracks recorded in 2010 and 2012 plus a previously unreleased early ‘90s demo, of which only 50 copies were ever made.

Jay Visser explains the history behind this long lost obscurity:

"The unreleased demo never even had a proper title we just called it ‘the black tape’, kind of ripping off Metallica's famous album. It was recorded shortly after we had done ‘Destruction System’ in the studio back in 1992. As some of you might know, ‘Destruction System’ only existed as a quick rough mix, which we got from the studio to listen to as a basis to think over doing possible adjustments or redo any tracks that we didn't like before finishing the mix. At that point, we were over budget with about $500 USD and didn't have the money to finish the album. So we recorded the demo on a four-track recorder in my basement, and sold about 35-40 copies to cover some of the money we owed the studio. By the time we had enough cash to return and finish the album, the studio was already out of business, and all assets were seized by the bank resulting in all the track tapes being lost (including the master/track tapes for Spectrum Of Death). For Century Media's reissue, we digitalized also a copy of this particular demo, and it was fantastically restored especially for this release! Enjoy!"

Whereas the Spectrum Of Death album was specially mastered for vinyl, and hardly touched to preserve its original sound, all other tracks have been carefully restored and remastered by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony (Iced Earth, Grave, Morgoth, Massacra) to ensure a most pleasant, violent listening experience.

Tracklisting:
Limited 2CD Digipak / Digital album:

CD1
“Lock Up Your Children”
“Burned At The Stake”
“Assassin”
“Damien”
“Crying For Death”
“Spectrum Of Death”
“Scars”
“Beyond The Gates Of Hell”

Destruction System Demo (1992)
“Destruction System”
“Disciples Of Discipline”
“Sign Of The Times”
“Living Misery”

CD2 (Destruction System Rough Mix)
“Intro”
“Destruction System”
“Darkness Unseen”
“Depth Of Sanity”
“Disciples Of Discipline”
“Spectrum Of Death II”
“Halls Of Terror”
“Living Misery’
“Sign Of The Times”
“Final Exit Recordings 2011”
“Intro / Death Before Dawn”
“Thrashaholic” (first song ever written by the band in ’85)

Recordings 2010
“Dying Day”
“Life’s Blood / Outro”

LP:

Side A
“Lock Up Your Children”
“Burned At The Stake”
“Assassin”
“Damien”

Side B
“Crying For Death”
“Spectrum Of Death”
“Scars”
“Beyond The Gates Of Hell”



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Brazilian singer and composer Edu Falaschi (Almah, ex-Angra) has confirmed his participation in the all-metal-stars Vivaldi Metal Project which already involves more than 70 musicians from such bands as Yes, Helloween, Stratovarius, Rhapsody Of Fire, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt, Avantasia, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Symphony X among others.  The metal version of the legendary classic masterpiece “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi is set to be released in the first half of 2016 worldwide.

The international Vivaldi Metal Project was launched at the end of 2013 by keyboardist, composer and producer Mistheria (solo artist who also worked with such top artists as Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock, Roy Z) together with co-producer, bassist Alberto Rigoni (solo artist, TwinSpirits). Right now it’s available for pre-order via crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMusic as mp3 or CD with various exclusive options. More information is available at this location.

Full list of The Vivaldi Metal Project participants at the moment:

Edu Falaschi, Mistheria, Alberto Rigoni, Rick Wakeman, Sinfonietta Consonus Symphonic Orchestra, Academic Choir Manolov, Mark Boals, Michael Lepond, John Macaluso, Dani Loeble, Marco Sfogli, Mark Wood, Vitalij Kuprij, Mark Cross, Andreas Passmark, Rolf Munkes, Sergey Boykov, Benjamin Lechuga, Andrea De Paoli, Atma Anur, Csaba Zvekan, Steve Di Giorgio, Andy Midgley, Armand Melnbardis, Anna Portalupi, Nicolas Quinteros, Mirkko De Maio, Nicolas Waldo, Max Aguzzi, Maria Diese, Simone Mularoni, Dr. Viossy, Basak Ylva, Chris Adler, Tommy Denander, Douglas Docker, Pawel Penksa, Roger Staffelbach, Fabrizio Leo, Chity Somapala, Lars Lehmann, Pier Gonella, Emir Hot, Rick Renstrom, Maurizio Boco, Maria Diese, Giovanni Tomassucci, Dino Fiorenza, Keiko Kumagai, Goran Nystrom, Roni Sauaf, Andy Basiola, Nicolas Quinteros, Ivan Mihaljevic, Gabriels Shiro, Francesco Dall'O', Iliour Griften, Tom Asvold, Neil Zaza, Srdjan Brankovic, Niels Vejlyt, Stefano Sbrignadello, Filippo Lui, Katerina Simeonova, Giorgia Gueglio, Dimitar Belchev, Milan Polak, Rachel Pedri, Leonardo Porcheddu, Tomas Varnagiris, Richard Marks, Tony Liotta, Roberto Scarpa Meylougan, Chris Caffery, Fabio D'Amore, Henrik Klingenberg, Oliver Holzwarth, Rolf Pilve, Ruben Israel, Ilker Ersin, Raphael Saini, Sean Tibbetts, Gabriele Boschi, Huseyin Kirmizi, Martijn Peters, Victor Smolski, Michal Mierzejewski, Paolo Campitelli, Elina Laivera, Sarah Charness, Tsena Kercheva, and more to be announced.

At the moment Falaschi is finishing his solo CD Moonlight with acoustic versions of the most important songs of his entire career and keeps working on the next Almah album.

 



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Guitar World has uploaded a new video featuring Testament’s Alex Skolnick and Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson playing their song “Can’t Kill The Devil” from the Metal Allegiance project.

 

Metal Allegiance recently released the lyric video for the song "Scars":

On October 10th, Metal Allegiance performed at the Loud Park festival in Tokyo, Japan at the Saitama Super Arena. Fan-filmed video of the band performing the Metallica classic "Seek & Destroy" can be viewed below.

The line-up in the clip features:

Mark Osegueda (Death Angel)
Chuck Billy (Testament)
Alex Skolnick (Testament)
Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus)
David Ellefson (Megadeth)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Scott Ian (Anthrax)
Frank Bello (Anthrax)

Metal Allegiance recently issued a video for "Gift Of Pain".

Metal Allegiance tracklisting:

“Gift Of Pain”
Vocals: D. Randall Blythe
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy Additional
Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

“Let Darkness Fall”
Vocals: Troy Sanders
Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums & Percussion: Mike Portnoy
Additional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex Brown
Additional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

“Can’t Kill The Devil”
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

“Dying Song”
Vocals: Philip H. Anselmo
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

“Scars”
Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina Scabbia
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy

“Destination: Nowhere”
Vocals: Matthew K. Heafy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

“Wait Until Tomorrow”
Vocals: dUg Pinnick & Jamey Jasta
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

“Triangulum”
I. Creation
II. Evolution
III. Destruction
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy& Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

“Pledge Of Allegiance”
Vocals: Mark Osegueda
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

“We Rock” (Deluxe Edition Only)
Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve “Zetro” Souza
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt

 

 



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A deluxe vinyl edition of Rush - The Lady Gone Electric will available via the Rock Classics label on December 11th.

Recorded at the Electric Ladyland Studios in New York City, in December 1974 in preparation for their first US tour, this sublime Rush performance was given in front of an audience of 8-12 people in the small studio, and thus provides a fine example of this remarkable band’s early live sound.

Tracklisting:

Side A
“Finding My Way” (Live)
“Best I Can” (Live)
“In The Mood” (Live)
“Anthem” (Live)

Side B
“Need Some Love” (Live)
“Fly By Night” (Live)
“Here Again” (Live)

Side C
“Bad Boy” (Live)
“Working Man” (Live)

Side D
“Best I Can” (Live on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1974)
“In The Mood” (Live on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1974)
“Finding My Way” (Live on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1974)

 

 



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In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, France, over the past weekend, Florida-bred rock collective Soulidium are looking to bring a sense of strength to the international hub. With that in mind, the band have proudly unveiled a tribute video to their new song, "Shattered Man”.

"French blood runs in the veins of my family, and this was a brutal and cowardly attack on innocent blood," lead singer Michael McKnight states. "I decided to make this tribute video because I wanted to do something inspiring for the people of France. “Shattered Man” is a song about rising up out of the ashes of opposition and refusing to give in."

The nearly four-minute clip features a masked young lady walking through the streets of Paris, while snippets of a tragic news report surfaces. Also, towards the end of the visual journey, there is an inspirational quote from the late Charles de Gaulle, an iconic French President.

"The masked girl in the video represents the spirit of France. Despite the horrors around her, she continues to walk proudly down the streets of Paris because she knows that so long as the spirit of France remains strong, nothing can defeat her," McKnight explains.

But while "Shattered Man" pays tribute to those in Paris, it also serves as a wake-up call for all nations to set their differences aside, work together, and rid the planet of terrorism.

"This world is lost in an ocean of politics where conflicting personal interests prevent us from uniting for the betterment of not just a single country, but the entire world. I think it's time for us to put aside personal interests and act together before it's too late," McKnight says.

He continues, "While we are squabbling about political correctness, afraid to use words like 'Radical Islam' for fear of offending anyone, the terrorists are killing our families without apology and growing in numbers. If a politician is more worried about offending the cowards who are killing their people, rather than being offended by the bloodshed of its citizens, then I say that politician is a traitor. The only way to defeat a merciless enemy is to exceed their mercilessness. I'm tired of watching this world drown in an ocean of political correctness, politics and mere talk. Fourteen years after 9/11, It's time to stop dragging ass and get this job done as a united planet."



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France’s The Lumberjack Feedback have launched the first of a series of trailers for their forthcoming debut full-length, Blackened Visions.

This first preview focuses on the recording sessions for the band's duo of drummers, Nicolas Tarridec and Olivier T'Servrancx, the latter now being permanently replaced by Virgile Chaize (ex-Morse) since relocating to the US. These recording and mixing sessions took place at Olivier's own Electrik Box studio (Sektemtum, Insain). The album was mastered by Colin Marston (Atheist, Liturgy, Origin).

Check out the trailer below:

Blackened Visions is set for a January 15th worldwide release on digital and limited edition (500 copies) DigiSLeeve CD. Limited and collector's edition vinyl versions will be released in mid-2016. Pre-orders for all versions, along with a new line of merch, will be unleashed on December 14th.

An exclusive advance listening session will also take place at the second annual Kaotoxin Fest on December 6th at l'Aéronef in Lille, France.



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Italian symphonic metal kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release their new studio album, "Into The Legend", on January 15, 2016 via AFM Records.

Comments RHAPSODY OF FIRE keybaordist Alex Staropoli: "After two years of intense work, including composing and arranging, after seven months spent in four different studios, this huge and ambitious production is coming to an end. We are right now mixing the songs, going through hundreds and hundreds hours of recordings to make an album that will feature over 65 minutes of breathtaking music, an album that will gather and exploit the best elements this band ever had in a modern way, and to build a musical landscape that will have no equals in the world's heavy metal scene."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. In Principio02. Distant Sky03. Into The Legend04. Winter's Rain05. A Voice In The Cold Wind06. Valley Of Shadows07. Shining Star08. Realms Of Light09. Rage Of Darkness10. The Kiss Of Life11. Volar Sin Dolor (bonus track; limited digipack)+ Video: "Into The Legend"

Check out the cover artwork below.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE in June 2013 "respectfully" parted ways with their American guitarist Tom Hess due to "philosophical differences."

RHAPSODY OF FIRE released a live album, "Live - From Chaos To Eternity", on May 3, 2013 in Europe and May 7, 2013 in the USA via AFM Records. It was made available as two-CD digipak and as limited three-vinyl set. The material (a mixture of old classics and newer tracks) was recorded on the band’s European tour in spring 2012.

Staropoli and RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli in 2011 announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was interviewed on the November 13-15 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the Podbean widget below. A few excerpts follow.

Full Metal Jackie: MEGADETH's fifteenth studio album, "Dystopia", is coming out in January. Dave, do you feel eager, excited or something else as one of your albums gets closer to being released?

Dave: Yeah, this is really exciting. Every new release date always is exciting. You know, it's like people who have had a kid. It's a great feeling watching this whole thing take process — the whole creation to birth and then to see how it does. You know, no one really knows how a record's gonna do. You have hopes for it, but… Yeah, I think we all have really high hopes for this one.

Full Metal Jackie: Dave, what effect did recording with different musicians, specifically guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Chris Adler, have on both the album and the band?

Dave: Well, it depends. The degree that they influence a band is up to the degree of willingness and open-mindedness of people who are in charge of writing and producing the record. Someone can be absolutely the greatest musician ever, but if his talents aren't allowed to shine, if you don't use those talents, they are never materialized and it's another lost opportunity. For me, I like looking at different guitar players, some most people wouldn't necessarily look at. You know, look at Marty Friedman, look at Chris Poland, look at Kiko — they're all people who are kind of off the beaten path, but they're all interesting in their own unique ways. Chris [Adler], on the other hand, is totally a powerhouse and his style is very reflective of MEGADETH's early years when we had a more jazz-oriented approach towards metal, which I think MEGADETH's has always had more of a jazzier feel. So it's great to be able to revert back to that more jazz-oriented metal approach with the rhythms.

Full Metal Jackie: Dave, you've stated that you wanted to return to your roots and make a trash album. What initially got you in that mindset?

Dave: Well, just because you say you wanna do something like that doesn't necessarily mean it's gonna happen. [Laughs] You know, there's been a lot of times I've said that over the past, and, for whatever reason it just didn't materialize. Sometimes it had to do with me, sometimes it had to do with others. But I think that, for the first time now, we've actually really embraced that part of us that made us a thrashier band. A lot of it was how we were feeling and the way that we were looking at our lives at the time and just being… You know, instead of being disappointed… There's a difference between having a bad situation and being depressed versus having a bad situation and being pissed and doing something about it.

Full Metal Jackie: What do you reminisce about most when it comes to younger years when you started playing music?

Dave: [Laughs] Well, there's a lot of things that I think about from those younger years, a lot of the technique playing. Sometimes I'll joke with myself and say, "What was I thinking when I wrote that riff?" Because some of them are pretty challenging, and I just kind of wondered what it was I was experiencing at the time, because my music has always been really kind of like a… I think a lot of my psychosis at the time — how I'm feeling, what I'm dealing with — you can usually tell by listening to the music. If I'm depressed, if I'm [angry], if I'm excited about something, if I'm going through some personal victories or challenges or whatever, it's always there in the music.

Full Metal Jackie: Dave, there was much speculation that the "Rust In Peace" lineup might regroup. How much consideration was actually given to that idea?

Dave: By myself or by everybody?

Full Metal Jackie: By yourself.

Dave: By myself, not as much as everyone else. I think that the reason behind that wasn't really the same for some of us. And I just wasn't really into it. I kind of liked the way things were in the history books, you know, the way that the fans had their own experience with the records and that stuff. And I kind of wanted it to leave there, because if you're gonna go back and touch the hallowed ground like that, you've gotta do it at least as good or better, and I just don't think that us going and making a repeat of something that we've done in the past would honor any of our legacies — who we are, where we are right now with our playing and our songwriting and stuff like that. Do I still care about those guys? Of course I do. I think they're nice guys and I wish the best for them and I always have. Just because we don't get along musically doesn't mean that you want something bad to happen to any of your old friends.

Full Metal Jackie: Dave, what's different these days about the things that give you a feeling of creative satisfaction when you're in the studio?

Dave: There's a lot of things that give me creative satisfaction in the studio. It's just listening to what my heart says. And sometimes there'll be certain rifts, there'll be certain parts that feel good. Sometimes they'll sound good that day, and then the next day you go into the studio and they're just not the same. It's, like, "Hey, that was a great idea." Well, good thing there's a mute button. [Chuckles]

Full Metal Jackie: Dave, what can we expect in terms of touring here in the U.S.?

Dave: Well, we're hoping to get some answers pretty soon about what our lineup is gonna look like, with who is gonna be playing with us and when we're gonna be touring. We've got some pretty good ideas of what's going on right now. Chris Adler is sitting in for us on some dates, and we're still kind of looking at the opportunities that are in front of us, and we'll make our decision and we'll go from there. And I'll tell you this much: we're very excited about what's going on for 2016 and into the summer of 2017.

To see a full list of stations carrying Full Metal Jackie's program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

Swedish melodic/symphonic death metal act Meadows End are parting ways with guitarist Rikard Öqvist. An official announcement follows:

“We're sad to announce that Rikard has decided to leave Meadows End. He feels that his PhD studies and current life situation does not give him the spare time needed to fulfil his duty in Meadows End. The decision is entirely Riks, and the rest of us can and will do nothing but support him in his decision.

“Rik is one of the, or even perhaps THE, most diverse and talented musicians that we have ever had the opportunity to play with in Meadows End. He's also an amazing guy with a great personality and when he contacted us to let us know he was interested in the lead guitarist spot, we did not hesitate or even consider anyone else. We will lose an amazing guitarist but we'll forever have an amazing friend (and tour driver?! ;)). He will be surely missed and it will probably show on future creations as we can remember his remarkable solos, his Chapman Stick on Insurrection, his violin on Heathens' Embrace and the orchestrations on Clench the Feet of Fools just to name a few...

“Rik will make his last appearance on November 28th at Metal Inferno in Bollsta. We have not yet taken any decision whether Meadows End will call in a new lead guitarist or not, we need to let this sink in and we will take a long-term decision when we're ready.

“We thank Rikard for everything as it has been a pure pleasure and we're glad to have had him in this journey these last three years. We wish him all the best in the future, both as a person and as a musician.”

Tribute video:



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Scratch Aerosmith off the list of groups planning to tour in 2016 - at least in North America, reports Gary Graff of Billboard.

The group was slated to play in both early 2016 and during the summer, but that's been put on ice by frontman Steven Tyler and his solo album plans, according to guitarist Brad Whitford. "Steven doesn't want to do it," says Whitford, who's readying a new album of his own with Ted Nugent singer/guitarist Derek St. Holmes. "It's unfortunate. We kind of feel a little bit abandoned by him. I guess he seems to think his solo career is going to go great guns, and he doesn't seem to realize that - in my opinion - his fans around the globe want to see him in the context of Aerosmith and don't really care for whatever he thinks he's gonna do. I don't know if he gets that but, hey, that's what he wants to do. I can't put a gun to his head. It's just pretty disappointing." 

Read more at this location.

In July, Steven Tyler released a video for his solo track, "Love Is Your Name"; it's since been viewed over 9.5 million times on YouTube.

 

 



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In a brand new interview with Ghost Cult, vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL spoke about a particular moment in the band's history that stands out to him as being very special.

"I remember going through some personal issue shit at the time of [1999's] 'Necroshine' [album] that was like a one-two to the stomach and then a one-two to the jaw, and I honestly didn't think I was going to get off the canvas. I was waiting to get some results on some tests, and it was a cointoss at the time how it'd go. In any case, I have a great relationship with DD [Verni, OVERKILL bassist] and he was in touch continuously. I remember he called me when I was waiting for results, and he goes, Hey, man, you need me to write you a check? You need me to come up, you need me to hold your hand or you need me take care of your family? Tell me what you need, I'll do it.' But I knew what I needed was to get my mind off this shit. So I said, 'DD, I could use a song.' And he sat and did it, and three days later I had the rough musical demo to 'Necroshine' in my mailbox. I then remember writing it over this two-week waiting period, and I'll never forget the song. It got me through the other side. I might be an abstract lyricist and not tell you what this song or that song is about, but that song got me through that period and to this point in my life. It was a jumping-off point, because it gave me the opportunity to understand it's not about the problem, it's about getting through the fucking problem at all costs. It was a great lesson, but also a song that will remain the top OVERKILL song I ever wrote. It was life-changing for me."

As previously reported, OVERKILL will play a special anniversary show at Turbinenhalle 2 in Oberhausen, Germany on April 16, 2016. The evening will see the band will play the records "Horrorscope" (which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary) and "Feel The Fire" (30th anniversary) in their entirety. And if that wasn't enough, the show will be professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming DVD.

OVERKILL's first worldwide release on Nuclear Blast was a special box set comprised of the band's entire back catalog, made available on September 18. Titled "Historikill: 1995 - 2007", it contains 11 OVERKILL albums on 13 CDs and a bonus CD (containing demos, remixes and an unreleased cover song) in digi sleeves.

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo - who formerly played with Ozzy Osbourne, Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, and Black Label Society -  recently spoke with UltimateGuitar.com about his fondness for playing with his fingers as opposed to a pick; an excerpt follows:

"In Metallica, we push it a little faster live, and that can be a challenge. I developed a lot of multi-finger techniques when I joined, and it's taken time! It depends on the situation, though. When I joined Suicidal Tendencies, I wore my bass very high, like Mark King, because he was a big influence of mine, and I had to adjust my strap because my right arm was getting cramped up. The blood flow wasn't there!"

He added: "I tend to play hard, maybe harder than most players, so I have fairly strong fingers. Then often, I'll use a little bit of my nail. That gives it a combination of sound where you've got the pad of the finger, then a little bit of the presence from the nail. That works for certain songs, but if I'm playing a ballad, I don't feel like that sound would work. I'd rather go for the pad of my finger, with a rounder tone. It's all there in your fingertips."

To read the article in its entirety, visit this location.

A theatrical trailer for JACO, the full-length documentary film chronicling the life, music and ongoing influence of the mythic electric bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius, is streaming below:

JACO is produced by Robert Trujillo (bassist: Metallica, Infectious Grooves, Mass Mental) John Pastorius IV, Bob Bobbing, and John Battsek of Passion Pictures (Searching for Sugar Man, Project Nim) and marks the directorial debut of documentary filmmaker Paul Marchand and Stephen Kijak (Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, Cinemania). JACO incorporates interviews with musical visionaries including Sting, Joni Mitchell, Flea, Jerry Jemmott, Bootsy Collins, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana and others with never-before-seen photos and films from the Pastorius family archive. This extraordinary film reveals the story behind Jaco's life and music, both as a solo artist and member of Weather Report, the tragic arc of his demise and early death and the enduring influence and inspiration of his artistry and genius.

Slated for consumer home release on November 27th, JACO, the documentary, will be available via VOD, streaming services, digital download and on DVD and Blu-ray.

JACO had its world premiere earlier this year at Austin's SxSW Film Conference & Festival, accompanied by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers Trujillo and Marchand as well as longtime Pastorius collaborator Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Word of Mouth) and Executive Producer John Pastorius.

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release JACO: Original Soundtrack on Friday, November 27th. Pre-order links below.

A single-disc collection of music from the forthcoming documentary film, JACO, the JACO: Original Soundtrack premieres three brand-new recordings including two riveting interpretations of Jaco classics: "Come On Come Over" by Mass Mental (featuring Robert Trujillo, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Flea, Whit Crane, Benji Webbe, Stephen Perkins & C-Minus) and "Continuum" by Rodrigo y Gabriel; and "Shine," the new track by Tech N9ne containing a sample of "Kuru," as recorded by Jaco Pastorius.

Produced by Robert Trujillo and Jaco's eldest son John Pastorius IV, JACO: Original Soundtrack brings together 16 essential recordings including Jaco Pastorius solo tracks, Weather Report masterpieces and musical collaborations with Joni Mitchell, Ian Hunter, Herbie Hancock and more. The album offers music fans the rare evocative sonic soundscape, "Longing," featuring Jaco's daughter Mary Pastorius (vox), Chuck Doom (bass), Robert Thomas, Jr. (hand drums/drum kit) and God (rain/thunder).

Legacy's JACO: Original Soundtrack includes liner notes on Jaco Pastorius penned by Robert Trujillo and album co-producer Chuck Doom.

JACO: Original Soundtrack tracklisting:

“Come On, Come Over” - Jaco Pastorius
“Continuum” - Jaco Pastorius
“River People” - Weather Report
“Teen Town” - Weather Report
“Portrait Of Tracy” - Jaco Pastorius
“The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines” (Live Version) - Joni Mitchell
“All American Alien Boy” - Ian Hunter
“Liberty City” (with Herbie Hancock) - Jaco Pastorius
“Okonkole Y Trompa” - Jaco Pastorius
“Barbary Coast” - Weather Report
“Crisis” - Jaco Pastorius
“Longing” - Mary Pastorius
“Nineteen Eighty Seven” - †††
“Shine” - Tech N9ne
“Continuum” - Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Come On Come Over” - Mass Mental (featuring Robert Trujillo, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Flea, Whit Crane, Benji Webbe, Stephen Perkins & C-Minus)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson shared their thoughts on the band's future in a new video interview with Rolling Stone magazine. During the chat, they answered a variety of questions submitted by fans, including whether they plan to hit the road again following what may have been the group's final full-scale tour.

"Are we going to tour again?" asked Lee. "That's the question that I'd like to know myself. I can't answer the question, because I have no idea myself, but it doesn't look good at this point."

He continued: "Not all of us agree on whether they want to tour again. It's difficult because we all have a sort of different idea about touring and, at this moment, we are not all on the same page."

Asked if RUSH will write and record new music in the near future, Lee said: "We don't have any immediate plans for that. Right now we're on holiday. I hope once the New Year rolls around and the juices get flowing and we get hungry again, we can talk about that."

Pressed on whether that means the band is definitely not done, Lee said: "Not in my mind. But I can't speak for everyone."

RUSH will release the "R40 Live" concert film on November 20.

RUSH recorded and filmed "R40 Live" over two sold-out shows in the band's hometown of Toronto at the Air Canada Centre on June 17 and June 19, 2015 in the middle of their "R40 Live" 35-date North American tour.

"R40 Live" had the trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, performing a career-spanning live retrospective, celebrating their 40-plus years together. The epic live shows by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers were captured with 14 cameras to present the band feature-film style.

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe has told Ghost Cult that his relationship with his bandmates has remained pretty much the same since his ordeal in a Czech Republic prison and his subsequent acquittal after he was accused of causing a fan's death by pushing him off stage during a gig in Prague in 2010.

He said: "Nothing has changed. We've been a band since 1994 for 21 years. Supposedly it must be romantic to think all of these guys went through this and it brought them closer and it brought them so much closer. That's not the case. We're just a rock band. Things moved on as normal. Nothing like we're reinventing the wheel."

He continued: "Did it change the way we write the music? Did it change the way we recorded things? Did it change our relationship? I've known these guys for 21 years. They're the same dudes. It's that this happened and I went to prison for a little bit and we had to go through this. We're not a brand new band. We've been doing this for 21 years."

Blythe went on to say: "It was a terrible thing and personally it has brought sadness and for the members of my band. But that's it. It hasn't made us play guitar any different. It wasn't some sort of creative well to draw from for music. It hasn't changed. We still get on each other's nerves horrifically. How's that?

"It's being in a band this long. It's like a long marriage. It gets dysfunctional. I think it feeds what we do creatively. I'm still married to these same four dudes. It's not like I woke up and I look different and started playing guitar different. The incident was just tragic."

In 2010, a 19-year-old super-fan rushed the stage during a LAMB OF GOD concert in Prague, Czech Republic. To protect himself, Blythe pushed the fan away. Unbeknownst to Blythe, the young man hit his head on the floor when he fell and later died from the injury. More than two years later, Blythe was arrested at the airport in Prague and incarcerated on charges carrying a prison term of five to ten years. Thirty-seven days later, he was released on bail to await trial. Although legal experts told him not to return to the Czech Republic to face the charges, Blythe explained that he "could not run away from this problem while the grieving family of a dead young man searched hopelessly for answers that [he] might help provide.'"

The singer was freed without charge in August 2012 but had to post $400,000 bail, then left the country, vowing to return for the trial.

The parents of the alleged victim were demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

After a five-day trial, Blythe was acquitted on March 5, 2013.

Blythe's memoir, "Dark Days: A Memoir", was released on July 14 via Da Capo Press.

Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will release the final ALICE COOPER group album on 4.0 Quad SACD. "Muscle Of Love" is the seventh studio album by Alice Cooper and it was the last album to feature the entire original band, and it was a true grand finale at that. Cooper stated in an interview at the time that the album marked a return to fundamentals. "It's not complicated in any sense... It's very basic rock and roll throughout."

The two best-known tracks are undoubtedly the Top 20 anthem "Teenage Lament '74", which features none other than Liza Minnelli, Ronnie Spector, Labelle and the POINTER SISTERS on backing vocals, and the rollicking title track. But other tracks are just as good — the LED ZEPPELIN-stomping opener "Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo)", the gentle "Hard Hearted Alice" (a precursor to Cooper's future ballad-oriented direction), the raging "Working Up A Sweat" and "Man With The Golden Gun".

The 1973 return to the band's more hard rock roots was a successful creative choice and catapulted "Muscle Of Love" into Billboard's Top 10 album chart. That sound, complete with the prog-rock/heavy metal workouts, has proven over the years to be a significant piece of the Alice Cooper legacy.

Track listing:

01. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo)02. Never Been Sold Before03. Hard Hearted Alice04. Crazy Little Child05. Working Up a Sweat06. Muscle of Love07. Man with the Golden Gun08. Teenage Lament '7409. Woman Machine

EVANESCENCE singer Amy Lee has released her cover version of the U2 classic "With or Without You" via her newly launched YouTube channel. Check it out below.

Says Lee about her decision to cover "With Or Without You": "Sometimes I dream in music. This dark version of U2's immortal song was playing in my head as I woke up one morning. I was lingering in that half-awake, half-asleep place, with no images — just darkness, this song and huge emotions. As I was becoming conscious, I just kept thinking, 'Don't let it go, don't forget!' And I went straight upstairs and laid down the synth and basic vocal."

She adds: "I had the pleasure of seeing U2 live at [Madison Square Garden] this year and it was powerful and inspiring. It made me excited to play live again! This track is still my favorite of theirs.

"Love is rarely simple; more often, it's tearing your guts out. And I think that's why this song creeps into my dreams and haunts me."

EVANESCENCE recently parted ways with guitarist Terry Balsamo and replaced him with Germany's Jen Majura.

EVANESCENCE will re-emerge after a three-year hiatus with select, intimate shows scheduled this fall in Nashville, Dallas and Los Angeles. The influential, Grammy-winning band last performed live in November of 2012.

ANTHRAX will release its long-awaited new album, "For All Kings", on February 26, 2016 via Megaforce in North America and Nuclear Blast in Europe.

The cover artwork for "For All Kings" can be seen below.

Says ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante: "The cover art for this record is again done by Alex Ross, who is probably one of the greatest artists living. And he did our previous covers."

He continues: "My idea for this one was to show this hall and these huge statues of these kings — who, of course, are us — and trying to tie in the last album cover with these creatures who are drawn into this room with our ANTHRAX 'A.' This one, you'll see those creatures in this hall kind of trying to reach up at these kings. We tried to tie in the last two album covers with this album cover. And when you see it, it's beautiful. It's grandiose. It just has this beautiful look to it. And, yeah, it's gonna be a great album cover."

Beginning in the fall of 2014, ANTHRAX — Charlie Benante (drums), Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Frank Bello (bass), Joey Belladonna (vocals), and lead guitarist Jon Donais — took their time in the studio recording the follow up to their Grammy-nominated, critically acclaimed 2011 album, "Worship Music". The band recorded some 20 original songs, almost twice as many as they had ever brought into the studio in the past. In terms of how the new music sounds, Bello said, "The thing about ANTHRAX...we have this heavy, thrashy music and Joey's powerful and melodic vocals. I love heavy music, but I also love melody, so the challenge is to blend them together so they sound like ANTHRAX. I think we've done a really good job of that on the new album."

The official lyric video for the song "Evil Twin", taken from ANTHRAX's new CD, can be seen below. The clip is a compelling barrage of places, victims, actions, and some of the infamous zealots and others who have perpetrated violent extremism on innocents around the world, aptly exemplifying the song's powerful message.

"Evil Twin" is now available digitally, and can be purchased via Apple Music, iTunes and Amazon.

Musically, "Evil Twin" is a full-on thrash-metal tune that blasts off with a raging guitar riff, accelerates expeditiously and is completely uncontrollable.

"Yeah, that opening riff is really evil," laughed Benante. "We had done a lot of touring with DEATH ANGEL and EXODUS, so I was in a really thrashy state of mind when I starting writing the riffs for that song. I think along with Scott's lyrics and Frank's melodies, we came up with a really great, old-school thrash metal feel."

As Bello put it, "it's a song that begs to be played live."

Lyrically, the track unapologetically denounces the self-righteous religious extremists who spread their bloody terror under the guise of a Holy War.

You represent your discontentSlaughtering the innocentInsolenceYou're no martyrs

"I was very affected by the Charlie Hebdo massacre as I have been with all of the shootings that have taken place at schools and movie theatres," said ANTHRAX's lyricist Scott Ian. "I can't figure out what would cause someone to think that was the right thing to do. 'I'll show the world, I'll make my God happy.' It's just such bullshit. I'm not bagging on religion, that's not my intent, but people who go to that extreme, who feel they have become judge, jury and executioner over their fellow man because you or I don't believe the same thing they do, I think that's the 'Evil Twin' of humanity. Writing words about that is my only catharsis."

ANTHRAX has just joined "Big Four" comrades SLAYER on a seven-week European tour that kicked off on October 25.

Louisville, Kentucky's rock/metal act FLAW has inked a worldwide deal with Pavement Entertainment. The band is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on its as-yet-untitled new album for an April 2016 release. The new effort will mark the band's first release since 2004's "Endangered Species".

FLAW vocalist Chris Volz said: "[I am] completely stoked about joining the Pavement roster! The label is run by people who understand the rock world and what it takes to succeed. It's a perfect situation for us and I can't wait to see what the future has in store!"

Formed in 1996 by guitarist Jason Daunt and vocalist Chris Volz, FLAW released two major label albums, "Through the Eyes" (2001) and "Endangered Species" (2004) on Universal/Republic. Breakups, line-up changes, and internal strife plagued the band for the rest of the decade. The band fully reunited in 2013, and as of 2015 they are back together with three of their core members and stronger than ever before. The band welcomes 2016 with a fresh outlook, new label, and new album that their rabid diehard fan base has been eagerly awaiting.

Keyboardist Janne Wirman of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM recently spoke to Louder Noise about some traditional Finnish foods, including salmiakki, hernekeitto, and kalakukko. Check out the clip below.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's latest album, "I Worship Chaos", was once again recorded at Helsinki, Finland's Danger Johnny Studios and was produced by CHILDREN OF BODOM and Mikko Karmila, who worked with the band on their earlier albums "Halo Of Blood", "Hatebreeder", "Follow The Reaper" and "Hate Crew Deathroll". The CD was mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

CHILDREN OF BODOM guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho recently told Full Metal Jackie about the making of "I Worship Chaos": "All four of us, we felt like that we needed to sort of like reinvent ourselves and push things harder and work harder and even just put more effort on everything. It felt like that the whole band was just getting tired on every possible level. So, we did a lot of changes, and got a new management and the whole nine [yards], basically, and everybody… All of a sudden, everyone was on the same level as far as brand new work ethics and stuff like that. And I think, well, at least in my opinion, you can hear that in the music, too, that it is more energetic than it has been in a couple of years, I would say, anyway."

CHILDREN OF BODOM in May announced the departure of the band's guitarist of the past decade, Roope Latvala.

After successful touring runs in South America and Australia as well as festival dates in both Japan and Europe, Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES continue to make waves with their comeback album, "At War With Reality", released at the end of last year via Century Media Records.

AT THE GATES has just released another promotional video clip, this time for the special album-closing song "The Night Eternal". Once again created by Costin Chioreanu, who was responsible for the challenging artwork concept of "At War With Reality" as well as the creation of the animated video for the song "Heroes And Tombs" and the live-footage clip for "The Book Of Sand (The Abomination)", this video features his most in-depth and challenging animation work so far. Check it out below.

The band commented the clip as follows: "'The Night Eternal' is one of the absolute strongest and also emotionally challenging songs on the new record. It is a personal favorite and always gives us an enormous touching feedback when we play it live. Therefore, it was a no-brainer for us to choose this song when Costin approached us about the idea of another animated video. This time he has, once again, stunned us with his amazing efforts to portray the emotional aspects of the music and lyrics of our songs. His interpretation of our material has always inspired us to rethink and re-evaluate our own creations, and therefore something new comes out of the project every time he is involved."

Costin Chioreanu added the following comment: "The story of 'The Night Eternal' speaks about the dark side of human nature and about the tragedy of living now, in a moment when any possible tool for hiding it becomes futile. 'The Night Eternal' is in us, 'The Night Eternal' is what we became, guiding our spiritual evolution using a wrong map, provided by a wrong society. The victim remains lost in a dream of constant need without any perspective of fulfillment."

AT THE GATES recently announced another North American tour for February 2016 together with DECAPITATED, THE HAUNTED and HARMS WAY as well as a first bunch of European festival dates for 2016, including appearances at Party.San and Summer Breeze in Germany, Metal Days in Slovenia and Leyendas Del Rock in Spain.

LAST IN LINE — the band featuring DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell alongside fellow founding DIO members Vinny Appice and Jimmy Bain, plus singer Andrew Freeman, who has previously fronted HURRICANE and LYNCH MOB — will release its debut album, "Heavy Crown", on February 19, 2016 via Frontiers Music Srl. The CD was recorded at a Southern California studio with producer Jeff Pilson, a veteran bassist who has played with DIO, FOREIGNER, DOKKEN and T&N, among others.

LAST IN LINE recently filmed music videos for the songs "Devil In Me" and "Starmaker" with director Jamie Brown of Smoking Gun, Inc. and co-producer Thomas McNeely. The "Devil In Me" clip can now be seen below.

What started as a casual and fun reunion jam in a Los Angeles rehearsal room in 2011 has, in the ensuing years, grown into a fully-fledged recording project that has taken on a life of its own. LAST IN LINE, the band, takes its name from the second DIO album released in 1984. Appice, Bain and Campbell were Ronnie James Dio's co-conspirators and co-writers on the "Holy Diver", "The Last In Line" and "Sacred Heart" albums — the records that defined the classic early DIO sound and have gone on to become part of rock history.

During that first jam, it was immediately apparent that the chemistry of the original band was very much intact — even after a 27-year hiatus. The excitement generated by that rediscovery led to a second session, this time they called in vocalist Andrew Freeman (a friend of Vinny's), whose credits include singing in the "Raiding The Rock Vault" production in Las Vegas and background vocals for THE OFFSPRING.

Hearing Andrew's interpretations of the songs was a revelation for Vivian, who immediately suggested that they book some local shows for fun. In Vivian's mind, the fact that Andrew could put a different spin on the songs made it an interesting prospect, and one that would justify taking things to the next stage, outside of the rehearsal room.

Over the ensuing years, a handful of local L.A. shows led to a handful of overseas shows in the U.K. and Japan, and eventually to an offer from Frontiers to record a new album of original material.

During the course of 2014, the band wrote and recorded 12 new songs under the guidance of longtime friend and producer Jeff Pilson. It proved to be a symbiotic relationship with Jeff that captured the organic crunch of the band and brought out the very best in Andrew's voice and delivery.

Says Campbell: "When we started this project a few years ago, the initial idea was to reunite the original DIO band to play the songs we wrote and recorded with Ronnie in the early 1980s. Joined by Andrew Freeman on vocals, we played a handful of shows in southern California, the U.K. and Japan. It was a limited ambition, but it brought us great joy in reconnecting to this great music, to each other, and to our collective history.”"

He continues: "When we first got together as the LAST IN LINE lineup, our ambition at that time didn't extend to writing and recording any new music, but when we were offered the opportunity to do so by Frontiers, we decided to enter the studio to write this new album in the very same spirit as we did the 'Holy Diver' album. Back in 1982, Ronnie, Vinny, Jimmy and I went into Sound City studios to kick around ideas and riffs, and about six weeks later we started laying down the tracks for what was to become the 'Holy Diver' album." "Heavy Crown" CD track listing:

01. Devil In Me02. Martyr03. Starmaker04. Burn This House Down05. I Am Revolution06. Blame It On Me07. In Flames (bonus track; deluxe edition)08. Already Dead09. Curse The Day10. Orange Glow11. Heavy Crown12. The Sickness DVD track listing:

01. Devil In Me (video clip)02. Starmaker (video clip)03. Making of "Heavy Crown"

As previously reported, LAST IN LINE recently parted ways with keyboardist Claude Schnell. Campbell explained in a statement: "When we started this project a few years ago, the initial idea was to reunite the original DIO band to play the songs we wrote and recorded with Ronnie in the early 1980s. Joined by Andrew Freeman on vocals and original DIO keyboard player Claude Schnell, we played a handful of shows from southern California to the U.K to Japan. It was a limited ambition, but one that brought us great joy in reconnecting to this great music, to each other, and to our collective history.

"Our ambition at that time didn't extend to writing and recording any new music, but when we were offered the opportunity to do so by the Frontiers record label, we took that step forward. At that time, it was decided that we enter the studio to write this new album in the very same spirit as we did the 'Holy Diver' record: In autumn of 1982 Ronnie, Vinny, Jimmy and I went into Sound City studios to kick around ideas and riffs, and about six weeks later we started laying down the tracks for what was to become the 'Holy Diver' album. It was after 'Holy Diver' was written and recorded that we brought in Claude to embellish certain songs in a way that the guitar just couldn't do. From that time forward, Claude became an essential part of the band's live shows.

"In retracing our footsteps, we again started to write this new album as a four-piece band — thus keeping the emphasis on guitar-driven songs. In the course of doing so, we have decided to continue on that path and remain a four-piece band.

"We wish Claude every success and he remains a very close friend and confidant to all concerned."

Asked if the LAST IN LINE material sounds like the classic DIO albums, Vivian told Eddie Trunk in a recent interview: "The majority of it… Well, actually, I wouldn't say the majority of it… I would say a good 50 percent of the songs would sound right at home on those first three DIO albums, and the others have a bit more of a modern edge to them. I mean, when you get Vinny and Jimmy and I playing, it sounds like the early DIO records, 'cause that's what it is. Obviously, Andy is a very, very different singer, he's got a very different instrument, and he writes lyrics very differently. I'm very, very impressed with where Andy has gone lyrically on the record, too; that's another thing. So it's great. It is so epic sounding. We've got some amazing songs on this, and I'm hyper excited about it, as you can probably tell."

"Face The Enemy", the new video from IMPELLITTERI, can be seen below. The band creates one of the heaviest and most haunting riffs of its career with this new song. It was recorded at NRG studios where Slash, LINKIN PARK and LAMB OF GOD tracked some of their recent albums.

IMPELLITTERI guitarist and mainman Chris Impellitteri states: "NRG had such an amazing vibe that allowed us to really capture the live power of our band.

"Drummer Jon Dette is such an animal on our new release, 'Venom', out now via Frontiers Music Srl! Bassist James Pulli has really matured into one of the greatest rock bassist I have had the pleasure to play with! Vocalist Rob Rock still has to be one of the most underrated vocalists in the metal community! And me, oh Hell, I am still masturbating on my guitar 30 years later, riffing and shredding and having the time of my life! I love playing guitar!"

IMPELLITTERI's latest studio album, "Venom", was released on April 17 in Europe and April 21 in North America.

"Venom" is described in a press release as "a record filled with addictive and memorable riffs, guitar solos that feature Chris Impellitteri's blistering shredding technique coupled with strong melody and taste. Rob Rock's vocals are mesmerizing, melodic, and will make the listener sing along with each song long after the record is over. Lastly, the band boggles the mind with brutal drumming (featuring John Dette, formerly of TESTAMENT, SLAYER, etc.) filled with speed and groove and beastly bass playing (curtesy of James Pulli) that supports IMPELLITTERI's sonic madness! The result is a record that excites and musically satisfy every Metal and Rock fan, and every musician around the world. To add to their quest, IMPELLITTERI also wanted to create music that would take the listener on a musical journey thru different time periods of metal and rock."

Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world's greatest guitar shredders. He has won "Best Rock Guitarist" awards in several magazines during the years for his guitar soloing. He is the first guitarist to be called the fastest guitarist in the world by the international media. Impellitteri was recently officially voted second fastest guitarist in the world by Guitar One magazine; and Guitar World magazine listed Impellitteri within its top 50 fastest guitarists of all time!

Chris Impellitteri formed IMPELLITTERI in 1987, along with vocalist Rob Rock. That year, they released an EP called the "Black Album" which was well-received, and IMPELLITTERI went on to release the full-length album "Stand In Line" in 1988. To date, IMPELLITTERI has released a total of nine acclaimed studio albums and "Venom" follows after 2009's "Wicked Maiden".

"Venom" track listing:

01. Venom02. Empire Of Lies03. We Own The Night04. Nightmare05. Face The Enemy06. Dominoe Theory07. Jehova08. Rise09. Time Machine10. Holding On11. Rock Through The Night (bonus track)12. Reach For the Sky (bonus track)

Recording lineup:

Chris Impellitteri - Lead GuitarRob Rock - Lead VocalsJames Pulli - BassJon Dette - Drums

POP EVIL's brand new music video for the track "Ways To Get High" can be seen below. The clip was directed by POP EVIL's longtime collaborator Johan Carlén, who has helmed the last few visually stunning music videos the band has released, including "Trenches", "Deal With The Devil", "Torn To Pieces", and, most recently, "Footsteps".

"Ways To Get High" is taken from the band's latest album, "Up", which was released on August 21 via eOne Music. Recorded at Studio Litho, Robert Lang Studios and London Bridge Studios with producer Adam Kasper (PEARL JAM, SOUNDGARDEN, FOO FIGHTERS), the CD is "the sound of a rock band cementing a powerful identity that's steadily materialized over the course of three prior full-length slabs," according to a press release.

Regarding the track "Ways To Get High", POP EVIL frontman Leigh Kakaty said: "This song is a chance to free your mind and express yourself in whatever mood you may be in. Find your shine!"

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Kakaty stated about the follow-up to 2013's "Onyx": "'Onyx' came from such an angry place. I was dealing with a lot of issues, like my dad passing, and being in an independent band trying to do everything on our own; there was a lot of negativity last time around. We were so pissed off, and we were taking everything out on the music and on the record. Which was cool—but then all the success hit us in the face, and we were, like, 'Wow, we don’t have to be so mad anymore!' This time around, we looked at ourselves in the mirror and realized, 'Where's the fun?' Damn, I thought that's why we got into this business in the first place!

"One of my favorite bands growing up was RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE," he continued. "When I was pissed off, and I wanted to break something, they were my band! I loved them, but when I was in a good mood, I wasn't listening to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE! Different bands gave you different moods, but I love when a band or an album can take you through all these different emotions — bring you to your knees and make you feel vulnerable, but at the same time give you the positivity and confidence you need to take on life's challenges. I wanted this album to be that kind of experience for the people who listen to it."

"The Remedy", the new video from PUSCIFER, the Arizona-based electro-rock band fronted by TOOL's Maynard James Keenan, can be seen below. The song is taken from PUSCIFER's third full-length album, "Money Shot", which was released on October 30 via Puscifer Entertainment.

To promote the "Money Shot" release, PUSCIFER has returned to the road, kicking off a six-week outing on November 1 at the Monster Mash festival in Phoenix. It's no surprise that Keenan choose to debut the electro rock band-meets-comedy troupe on a Las Vegas stage (PUSCIFER's first shows were at The Pearl Theatre in the Palms Casino). In the intervening years, we've met a cadre of characters including Billy D and Hildy Berger, Major Douche, Peter Merkin and spent time around a campfire, with an Airstream trailer in the background, as audiences enjoyed a Sonoran sunset. PUSCIFER, who thrive on the element of surprise, have revamped their stage show. The live lineup for the "Money Shot" tour includes Keenan, Mat Mitchell, Carina Round, Jeff Friedl, Mahsa Zargaran and the newest addition, Paul Barker (MINISTRY, LEAD INTO GOLD). "Money Shot" track listing:

01. Galileo02. Agostina03. Grand Canyon04. Simultaneous05. Money Shot06. The Arsonist07. The Remedy08. Smoke And Mirrors09. Life Of Brian (Apparently You Haven't Seen)10. Autumn