According to The Pulse Of Radio, TEN COMMANDOS is a new project featuring SOUNDGARDEN and PEARL JAM drummer Matt Cameron, SOUNDGARDEN bassist Ben Shepherd, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE guitarist Alain Johannes and SCREAMING TREES singer Mark Lanegan. The outfit will release a debut single called "Staring Down The Dust" on Friday (October 9), with a full album arriving in November.

The project has been in the works since at least early 2014, when TEN COMMANDOS members shared several photos of themselves working together on new music.

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell, who also records and tours as a solo artist, told The Pulse Of Radio that working on different projects is what keeps an artist fresh. "At no time am I immersed in something that I've been doing too much of, and I think that's kind of what kills the creative spirit," he said. "That's sort of what burnout comes from, I think. It's not from doing too much, it's from doing the same thing too much."

Cameron and Shepherd previously played together in the side projects HATER and WELLWATER CONSPIRACY, which both formed in 1993 and released a handful of albums each.

SOUNDGARDEN is currently writing music for its seventh studio album, while Cornell is also on a solo acoustic tour. PEARL JAM is on hiatus but will likely work on a new studio set in 2016.

The Hell are back to offer their most ludicrous, ambitious record to date. Fresh on the heels of their 2014 label debut Groovehammer and a string of, as the band puts it, "bonkers" shows across Europe, they've truly honed their heavy metal theatrics.  

The Hell’s follow-up effort Brutopia - due out worldwide digitally on October 30th, and on CD and LP on December 11th - is a concept album of sorts, based around a bleak, tragic world riddled with hate, corruption and greed that seems worryingly familiar. Speaking of those traits, you can now listen to their brand new single for the boasting track "I've Got Loads of Money" in the new lyric video streaming below:

The Hell will celebrate the release of Brutopia in London on October 30th with a release show and Halloween party at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. The following week, the band will continue to scourge their way across the UK bringing their cutting social mockery to audiences throughout November and December.

Post-progressive metal band Sunpocrisy will release their new record, Eyegasm, Hallelujah!, on November 1st on CD and digital. The album, an overwhelming, stellar and progressive post-mental eargasm, will be available in vinyl gatefold 2XLP together with Wooaaargh Records, Dullest Records, Shove Records and Drown Within Records.

The band released video teaser to promote the pre-order of Eyegasm, Hallelujah!. The clip can be found below, with pre-orders available at this location.

The band created a multi-layered dichotomy between superb melodic sections and roaring wall of sound. Eyegasm, Hallelujah!, recorded in Ravenna, Italy by Riccardo Pasini (The Secret, Nero di Marte, Ephel Duath) and mastered in Chicago by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Voivod, Pelican, Yob, Wovenhand, Minsk) is a concept album.

“In this new record, considered as a sequel of Samaroid Dioramas, the concept is developed from the detaching from the earth surface, to the white unknown, in 9 chapters. Where S|D stops, E|H starts, with a bright path, from the slow rebirth to the final strength effort, and then the rest. An awakening, an escape, from the physical known condition to an abstract addiction of life to life itself, through the grown awareness of what a body needs. The main figure is the Peacock, symbol of renaissance and pureness, strength, courage and resistance. Its bravery is constantly fighting with a real, human shaped of course, consciousness about the pain, exploding in a desperate search to find its perfect half, until it's found. Two parts of the same thing, melting together, originating the great white, the eyegasm. Hallelujah!”

Eyegasm, Hallelujah! tracklisting:

“Eyegasm”
“Mausoleum Of The Almost”
“Transmogrification”
“Eternitarian”
“Of Barbs And Barbules”
“Kairos Through Aion”
“Gravis Vociferatur”
“Festive Garments”
“Hallelujah!”   

Teaser:

Frontiers Music Srl will release the sophomore album from MAGNUS KARLSSON'S FREEFALL, "Kingdom Of Rock", on November 6.

Magnus Karlsson is the mastermind behind several Frontiers Music Srl productions, including the successful initial ALLEN/LANDE trilogy, STARBREAKER, BOB CATLEY, KISKE/SOMERVILLE and several others. In 2008, he joined the German heavy metal icons PRIMAL FEAR and with them has toured the world and recorded three successful albums that climbed high on the charts in several countries.

For this new album — aptly titled "Kingdom Of Rock" — Magnus enlisted again a dream team featuring some of the strongest melodic singers in metal and hard rock! Magnus says: "I didn't plan to make a second FREEFALL album at first but one album wasn't enough for my wish list of singers… so after the summer last year, I started on some ideas. Without pressure or a deadline… just for fun. So I started to look at the list with singers and thought if can I get these guys on board, I will work harder than ever before to make the best album I could. I wanted not only some of the best singers I ever heard, but singers that meant a lot to me and that have given me inspiration. For example: Tony Martin and Joe Lynn Turner… I grew up with their music and that made me the musician I am today. It feels unreal to make music with them now!"

The final list includes Tony Harnell (SKID ROW, TNT, STARBREAKER), Rick Altzi (MASTERPLAN, AT VANCE), David Readman (PINK CREAM 69, VOODOO CIRCLE), Jorn Lande, Jakob Samuel (THE POODLES), Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DEEP PURPLE), Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Harry Hess (HAREM SCAREM) and Rebecca De La Motte. Rounding out the lineup on the album is Jaime Salazar on drums, with production duties handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, PRIMAL FEAR, AMARANTHE, PRETTY MAIDS).

Magnus says: "There is a lot more work in this album. Normally, I don't throw away good ideas. This time I skipped great ideas and replaced it with something better.

"I don't want to do the same thing over and over. I want to do something better. I also had a bigger budget for the production and was able to work in great studios.

"Jacob Hansen did a fantastic job with the mix and mastering and the sound is just what I always wanted.

"This is not about having big names on the album, this is simply about making the best music I possibly can for the best singers I know!"

"Kingdom Of Rock" track listing:

01. Kingdom Of Rock (Jorn Lande, vocals)02. Out Of The Dark (Jakob Samuel, vocals)03. No Control (Joe Lynn Turner, vocals)04. When The Sky Falls (Tony Martin, vocals)05. Angel Of The Night (David Readman, vocals)06. I Am Coming For You (Magnus Karlsson, vocals)07. Another Life (Rick Altzi, vocals)08. Never Look Away (Tony Harnell, vocals)09. A Heart So Cold (Harry Hess, vocals)10. The Right Moment (Rebecca De La Motte, vocals)11. Walk This Road Alone (Magnus Karlsson, vocals)

The song "No Control", featuring a guest appearance by Joe Lynn Turner, can be streamed below.

Almost six years have passed since the world saw a new studio album from W.A.S.P. On October 2nd, the wait ended, as Blackie Lawless and co. released their new album, and Napalm Records debut, Golgotha. An unboxing video for the limited metal box edition of the album can be seen below:

The first lyric video from Golgotha, for "Scream”, can be seen below.

Frontman Blackie Lawless on "Scream": "'Scream' was the track we felt really opened the album with the kick we were looking for. The animation on the video is outstanding and truly takes you on a trip. 'Your gonna cry if you want me, Your gonna lie if you love me!!!  It's enough to make you wanna "Scream”!!!”

Check out Part 1 of The Making Of Golgotha here.

Blackie Lawless on Golgotha: "There are times in any band's career that somehow all things mesh together. Their experiences, influences, and personal timing bring them into a common space. This has happened with this record. Four years in the making has provided direction, but even greater reflection. Golgotha, where Christ was crucified - Hebrew for "the place of the skull"."

Golgotha is available for order from the Napalm Records webstore in North America here and Europe here.

Golgotha tracklisting:

“Scream”
“Last Runaway”
“Shotgun”
“Miss You”
“Fallen Under”
“Slaves Of The New World Order”
“Eyes Of My Maker”
“Hero Of The World”
“Golgotha”

Golgotha continues down the path that 2007's Dominator and 2009's Babylon started on, both in production style and theme. Years in the making, Golgotha will undoubtedly lead the listeners on the emotionally epic undertaking that W.A.S.P. has become acclaimed for.

On September 14th, W.A.S.P. performed at the Ritz in Manchester, England. Quality fan-filmed video of the entire show is available below. The setlist on the night was as follows:

"On Your Knees"
"Inside the Electric Circus"
"The Real Me"  (The Who cover)
"L.O.V.E. Machine"
"Last Runaway"
"Crazy"
"The Titanic Overture"
"Arena of Pleasure"
"Miss You"  / "Thunderhead"
"Hellion"
"I Don't Need No Doctor"  (Ray Charles cover)
"Golgotha"
"Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)"
"Wild Child"
"I Wanna Be Somebody"

Go to this location for W.A.S.P.'s complete tour schedule.

Video footage of RED DRAGON CARTEL, the band led by former OZZY OSBOURNE and BADLANDS guitarist Jake E. Lee, performing on September 17 at Club Quattro in Osaka, Japan can be seen below.

RED DRAGON CARTEL was recently rejoined by singer Darren James Smith. Darren's first show back with the group took place on September 6 at Rainbow Bar & Grill's Backyard Bash in West Hollywood, California.

RED DRAGON CARTEL will take the rest of 2015 off from touring to hit the studio and start recording. The second album from RED DRAGON CARTEL will be ready for release in the first few months of 2016.

In an interview with Sleaze Roxx, Darren was asked what led him to come back to RED DRAGON CARTEL and how long it had been in the works. He responded: "I would say a month. I got a call from Jonas [Fairley, drums] saying maybe I would reconsider coming back and to think about it. And then I never heard anything from him. And then Diana [Lane, RED DRAGON CARTEL manager, of Lane Six Entertainment] called, and then Jake. I don't know the reasons why, but I like to think it's because I'm the guy for the gig, I guess. [Laughs]"

Asked about the reasons he left RED DRAGON CARTEL earlier in the year and whether those various issues have been resolved, Darren said: "Yes! I don't want to get into it because I don't want to dredge up the dirt. I am not one to hold grudges. I am not one to hold anything like that. Well, the right people are involved and I really love the songs, man, you know? And I really love Jake and Jonas and Greg [Chaisson, former RED DRAGON CARTEL bassist], and I am sure that I will love Anthony [Esposito, current RED DRAGON CARTEL bassist]. I met Anthony, and he is a great guy, so we will see what happens."

Darren also talked about the difficulties RED DRAGON CARTEL has seemingly had replacing him — having recently played shows with former JONES STREET singer Shawn Crosby, Canadian singer Paul D'Eath (CITIZENS UNITE, MUSHROOM TRAIL), Chas West (Jason Bonham, LYNCH MOB, 3 LEGGED DOGG) and Michael Beck. He said: "Hmmm. I knew a couple of them. I am friends with a couple of them. We're still friends. Hmmm. I don't really have a take, and I am just fortunate that it worked to my advantage. And I am fortunate to be asked back. I am not going to speculate, and I am not going to say something that I think, because it probably isn't true. So I would rather not answer that. [Laughs] That's my answer, right. [Laughs]"

RED DRAGON CARTEL in March announced the departure of bassist Greg Chaisson, who exited the group because he could "no longer take any more time away from [his] regular job."

RED DRAGON CARTEL's debut CD sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 69 on The Billboard 200 chart.

RED DRAGON CARTEL's setlist includes new material like the singles "Feeder" and "Deceived", as well as major hits from Jake E. Lee's glorious past: "Bark At The Moon", "The Ultimate Sin" and "Rock 'N' Roll Rebel" (all originally recorded by OZZY OSBOURNE), as well as "Shine On" and "High Wire" (BADLANDS).

Dee Snider says that Paul Stanley was being "a dick" when the KISS leader slammed the TWISTED SISTER frontman as "a wannabe" who "desperately wants attention and to be taken seriously."

During a recent appearance on Eddie Trunk's show, Snider criticized Stanley and KISS bassist Gene Simmons for having current KISS members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer dress up as Peter Criss's and Ace Frehley's respective "Spaceman" and "Catman" personas. Dee told Trunk: "I don't see how people could accept this. Tommy Thayer? I'm sorry. It's insulting. Not only did he play in a tribute band of KISS, he's imitating Ace in his entire act!" Snider went on to bash Thayer for allegedly copying Ace's stage moves. He said: "Oh my God — that's disgraceful. When KISS replaced Ace and Peter, and they brought in guys [Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent] who had their own makeup and their own thing, that was acceptable. That was awesome. They were their own characters."

Stanley got an opportunity to respond to Snider during an interview for Chris Jericho's "Talk Is Jericho" podcast. He said: "Well, let me put it in the simplest terms. In this case, this guy is a wannabe, has always been a wannabe and desperately wants attention and to be taken seriously, and that will never happen because he's obviously clueless that he and his whole band are a bunch of buffoons."

Snider responded to Stanley's comments by writing an open letter to the KISS frontman in which he accused Paul of being "oddly threatened" by him an insisting that he would "bury" Stanley in a hypothetical "old-school" rock battle, featuring " no costumes, no pyro [and] no bullshit."

At the 2015 Long Island benefit to fight hunger on September 20, Snider spoke to "The Real Radio Show" about his war of words with Stanley. He said (see video below): "Look, it's crazy how international this feud between me and Paul Stanley has become. Not bad for a 'wannabe' or a buffoon. "

He continued: "Let me lay out my KISS credentials. [I] own the first seven albums. I bought the first album before it had 'Kissin' Time' on it. I bought it in February, 'cause I lived in Nassau County, they lived in Queens, and there was a rumor about this cool band that had an album coming out, and I got it the minute it came out. I have stood in front of a mirror and lipsynched Paul Stanley vocals, made Paul faces in the mirror, okay? So I don't think I'm out of line to say that I have an opinion and that I feel that the Ace Frehley impersonator playing guitar now is an insult to fans. People disagree — that's fine. People agree — that's fine. But Paul reacted to me making a statement — anything negative about KISS; I mean, you're not allowed to do that, apparently — and decided to call me a wannabe and a buffoon, and I had to address that in an open letter to Paul, where I pretty much took him out at the knees."

Snider then addressed Stanley directly, saying: "Paul, I love your band, I love your music. Why do you have to be such a dick? Alice Cooper is not a dick. Alice Cooper has inspired a million people and he's the coolest guy in the world, yet Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] and Paul, they've got this arrogance about them, like the world owes them something. We do owe you something, but let us offer it; don't insist we buy it from you."

Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann of German/American metallers ACCEPT was interviewed on the latest episode of "Rich Davenport's Rock Show". You can now listen to the chat using the Mixcloud widget below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On how things are working out with new ACCEPT members, guitarist Uwe Lulis (GRAVE DIGGER, REBELLION) and drummer Christopher Williams:

"I feel we're actually stronger than we've ever been. They don't really feel like new guys at all anymore. We've put in a good amount of rehearsals with them, and now that we've been on the road for about… I don't know… several months, it feels like it's never been any different. So it feels great. And [ACCEPT's latest album] 'Blind Rage' has certainly been really strong, the tour was really successful. So I'd say we couldn't be asking for anything more."

On Hoffmann's recent comment that ACCEPT will return to the studio in the not-too-distant future to begin work on the follow-up to last year's "Blind Rage" album:

"Yeah, maybe I was over-promising a little bit. I mean, it depends on [what you mean by] not-too-distant future. To tell you the truth, we haven't actually started a whole lot of work yet. We're just collecting ideas, but we certainly haven't started recording or serious writing yet. So it'll be a few months before things start to develop. But it's definitely gonna happen here before too long… We've basically been on the road and back into the studio for five years straight and hadn't had any chance to do anything besides this music business, so it's nice to actually have a couple of months off. But, you know, right after this December [European] tour, we'll jump full force into it, and hopefully a new album will develop in the, you know, part of next year."

On how involved the new members of ACCEPT will be in the making of the band's next album:

"Peter [Baltes, bass] and I do the majority of the writing, so that part is probably not change much, but when it comes to recording, we'll see how that all works out with the new guys. And I'm sure it's gonna be a lot of fun.'

ACCEPT parted ways with guitarist Herman Frank and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann last December. The band explained in a statement at the time: "We and the fans all knew that [Herman and Stefan] had their own careers and that eventually we would run into scheduling and other conflicts beyond our control."

Herman joined ACCEPT in 1982 shortly before the release of the band's "Restless And Wild" album and exited the group for the first time after the arrival of 1983's "Balls To The Wall" LP.

When ACCEPT reunited for festival appearances in 2005, Herman handled second-guitar duties alongside founding axeman Wolf Hoffmann, with Schwarzmann sitting behind the kit.

Frank and Schwarzmann were involved in ACCEPT's comeback with new singer Mark Tornillo and have appeared on their last three studio albums: 2010's "Blood of the Nations", 2012's "Stalingrad" and 2014's "Blind Rage".

Frank and Schwarzmann are playing in PANZER, a new project also featuring vocalist and bassist Schmier, best known as frontman of DESTRUCTION.

Kristyn Clarke of PopCultureMadness.com conducted an interview with '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford at the Food Truck & Rock Carnival, which was held last month in Clark, New Jersey. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On her long-awaited autobiography, "Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir", which is now set to arrive in the spring of 2016 via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers:

"It's an autobiographical memoir of Lita Ford and growing up in the music industry. It's really great. I'm very, very proud of it."

On how writing a book is different from composing music:

"It's completely two different animals. Just trying to come up with something that captures the reader and keeps the interest flowing. You don't wanna lose the reader's interest. So I think I did that; I think I was able to do that on this book. It starts off in a time in a period and you have to get into it a little bit, and once you do, you can't put it down — you can't put it down. What happens next? You can't wait for the next chapter. It's really cool."

On whether it was hard to revisit certain episodes in her life while writing the book:

"Well, things are emotional. There's deaths, there's divorce, there's things that are so goddamn funny that you can't help it but cry laughing. It's just a very emotional book. And you have to really go there mentally — you have to go there in order to be able to put it down on paper and in a book for people to read. So it was a challenge. And you really don't have a choice as to when… 'I don't feel like doing it right now.' Fuck that! Go there. You have to go there [and] get it done. So it was tough."

On the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to her "Living Like A Runaway" album, which was released in June 2012:

"I've got about half the album written right now, and then we're gonna start working on the other half. We haven't started recording yet — [we're] just writing. So we wanna have a good handful of songs that are amazing and we know that we've got a good base to go in and start recording. And once we get that, we can start recording them and say, 'You know what? This song is fucking incredible. This one's definitely going on the album. This one is going on the backburner for now.' And you kind of pick and choose and see what we've got and what we're missing."

At least a good portion of "Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir" will focus on Lita's years with the all-teenage-girl rock band THE RUNAWAYS, whose members also included fellow future rock star Joan Jett.

RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini has filed a lawsuit against the band's drummer, Bobby Blotzer, claiming that Blotzer is falsely advertising his "tribute band" as the real thing.

Blotzer announced on September 23 that he was taking control of the RATT name and was planning to hit the road with a new version of the group, which played shows earlier in the year under the name BOBBY BLOTZER'S RATT EXPERIENCE.

WBS, Inc., the company which manages the business and operations related to RATT, was originally formed by Blotzer, DeMartini and singer Stephen Pearcy. Pearcy lost his share of the name in court after splitting with the group in 2000. He returned to the band in 2006 but exited again last year. Blotzer has since expressed his desire to keep RATT alive with a new singer, but explained that DeMartini did not want to tour as RATT without Pearcy.

"This case arises from the drummer of the rock band RATT trying to take over the band and pawn himself and a cast of substitutes off as the genuine article," DeMartini's lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday, September 29 in in Los Angeles Superior Court, reads.

"The four remaining members of RATT currently disagree on whether the band should continue to tour together. Certain of the members, including defendant Blotzer, have toured with substitute musicians in 'tribute' bands," the lawsuit, which was obtained by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, adds.

"There is nothing illegal in touring with a tribute band. Mr. Blotzer, however, has recently voiced his desire to use the name 'RATT' and promote his tribute band as if it was the actual band. In essence, Blotzer wants to hijack the name and tour under the name RATT. Defendant Blotzer intends to fool RATT's fans by touring with himself, a drummer, and a group of imposters calling themselves RATT. None of the actual creators of the music of RATT would be participating. Needless to say, plaintiff DeMartini's position is diametrically opposed.

"DeMartini fully asserts that touring with inferior substitutes would dilute the value of the band, produce low revenue and damage the credibility of the band in the future."

According to the lawsuit, Blotzer held an annual WBS shareholder meeting on September 3 at Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City, California in which he elected himself chairman of the board and president in place of DeMartini while DeMartini was elected "vice president of guitars."

On or about September 6, Blotzer's attorney sent a letter informing DeMartini that because DeMartini "no longer wishe[d] to tour, record, or otherwise make personal appearances," the guitarist's shares in WBS were "immediately [converted] into non-voting shares," though DeMartini is still entitled to receive dividends from WBS. Blotzer's attorney wrote to DeMartini: "Therefore, you no longer have any say in the direction or track of the business of WBS, as the directors and officers of any corporation are obligated to follow and operate a corporation according to the wishes and determinations of its shareholders' by and through the votes of those shareholders. As such, though you will still share in WBS' profits and can voice your opinion, your ability to affect the business of WBS as a shareholder is terminated until such time as Mr. Blotzer refuses to tour, record, or make personal appearances."

On September 10, DeMartini's attorney sent a letter to Blotzer's lawyer claiming that the shareholder meeting held a week earlier was "defectively noticed" and insisting that all action taken at the meeting is "null and void."

According to DeMartini's lawsuit, Blotzer filed an unauthorized trademark infringement action against RATT bassist Juan Croucier claiming that Croucier "formed a band which tours around the world under the name Juan Croucier's RATT and plays the songs of RATT." Blotzer also objected to Croucier referring to himself "for marketing, promotions, advertising and for general purposes as 'The Other Voice of RATT," explaining that "Croucier was never the lead singer of RATT" and that "all members of [RATT] sang and sing harmony vocals during live shows and on records."

DeMartini is seeking damages and attorneys' fees. He is also requesting "a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions restraining and enjoining" Blotzer and others from "taking any action in the name of WBS or RATT, representing to any party that Blotzer controls WBS or RATT, and filing any claims in the name of RATT."

Warren DeMartini photo credit: Nadine Joy

Pictured below: Bobby Blotzer's new "RATT"

Guitarist Billy Morrison (The Cult, Camp Freddy, Billy Idol) will release his second solo album, God Shaped Hole, on October 23rd via his own King Mob Music label.

Morrison is joined on God Shaped Hole by Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, and Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, on some leads, as well as Ozzy Osbourne, who sang and co-wrote the song “Gods”.

Speaking to Robert Cavuoto of Guitar International, Morrison revealed that "Ozzy told me, 'I want to sing a ballad, have you got a ballad?' When the Prince of Darkness asks you something like that you say 'Yes!' [Laughing] At the time I didn’t have a ballad. Thirty minutes later I had a ballad.

We went to South America together and I bought an acoustic guitar. I stayed in his hotel room and in another 30 minutes I was playing the chords and he wrote the lyrics. When we got back we recorded it."

Read more at this location.

God Shaped Hole tracklisting:
 
"Goodbye Jimmy Dean" (Boys Wonder)
"Baby Hurricane" (Flesh For Lulu)
"Cinnamon Gin"
"Alone In A Crowd"
"Housewife" (Wasted Youth, UK)
"Hold It Down" (Senseless Things)
"Methadonia"
"You Are In My Vision" (Gary Numan And Tubeway Army)
"Ordinary Girl"
"Gods"

 

 

 

According to The Beijinger, MEGADETH's October 6 concert at the MasterCard Center in Beijing, China ended abruptly after only an hour, possibly due to the band being censored by officials.

An unusual number of instrumentals and extended guitar solos filled out MEGADETH's abbreviated performance, with "Skin Of My Teeth" being played instrumentally and several other of the band's best-known songs — including "Holy Wars" and "Angry Again" — omitted entirely.

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine's comments at the end of the show suggestion that an official intervention resulted in a shorter-than-expected concert. "Thank you for leaving so that we can come back and play again," he said from the stage as the band waved to the crowd after performing "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?"

MEGADETH's current touring lineup features founding members Mustaine (guitar, vocals) and David Ellefson (bass) alongside LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.

MEGADETH's fifteenth studio album, "Dystopia", will be released on January 22, 2016. The follow-up to 2013's "Super Collider" was recorded earlier in the year in Nashville, Tennessee and was mixed by Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with LAMB OF GOD, ALL THAT REMAINS and GOJIRA.

As the Scorpions celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, vocalist Klaus Meine has come a long way from driving around in a VW Transporter bus back in the days when he was trying to make it in music - all the way to his 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

The rocker spoke to Motor Trend during the US leg of their world tour, giving his SLS a 10-plus rating. "It's a beautiful car," he says. "I'm driving a Mercedes car for many, many years, and all those years I was driving also an SL, a convertible, but this is like a real sports car. It drives very differently. It's very powerful. It's 570 ps, so it's pretty fast. It's a lot of fun to take this baby out of the garage."

When he saw the SLS for the first time, Meine knew he had to have one. "It came out in 2011 when they started building the SLS Roadster again, and I got one in 2013," he says. "Meanwhile, they stopped building this car; they come up with a new version, a smaller version, like a GT, the new SLS AMG GT that just came out, and they stopped building this. This is an original line they picked up from the '50s version of the 300 SL Mercedes."

To read more, and see exclusive photos, click here.

Want to celebrate with the Scorpions on their 50th anniversary in an intimate club? Then go to this location and select your desired setlist that will be performed at the Scorpions cub show in Berlin, Germany on November 3rd. With luck you can win exclusive VIP tickets.

Unfortunately there will be no tickets sold but Arte Television will give you a chance to experience the event via live stream on November 3rd at 7.30 PM, CET at this location.

Scorpions continue to celebrate their 50th year in metal with a special one-night national screening event of their first theatrical release, the documentary film, Forever And A Day, on Wednesday, October 14th.

For more information on locations and tickets, click here.

Presented by SpectiCast and Tempest Films, Forever And A Day captures the history of one of the most influential bands in music history – following them for 18 months with an insightful look into the dynamic that has kept them at the top of the metal community. Filmmaker Katja von Garnier accompanied the Scorpions on their Final Sting dates - originally the band’s farewell tour around the globe, from Bangkok via Los Angeles to Moscow, the resulting documentary Forever And A Day is a moving portrait of their unique history, packed with candid moments and Scorpions’ memories, culminating with the decision to scrap their retirement plans. Klaus Meine adds, “I think it'll be a really special film for our fans."

The title, Forever And A Day, outlines the philosophy Scorpions have internalized since their early days.  In the Eighties of the past century, they wrapped it up in the slogan “Don‘t Stop At The Top” (allegorical: Never rest on your laurels). They simply are travelers, who always seek new challenges, overcoming all obstacles along the way.

A complete list of Scorpions tour dates is available at this location.

 

 

 

Spanish blackened death extremists Noctem will soon command audiences once more, as the band will soon enter the studio to record their fourth album, expected to be released in the spring. The band's 2014 effort, Exilium, their debut release with Prosthetic Records, received rave reviews from press and fans alike.

Noctem members Beleth (vocals) and Exo (guitars) announced, "This new album marks the next step in our career with a completely different sound and more personality. We're facing the creative process in a more dynamic way this time around, leaving our usual patterns and finding a more peculiar sound. It's going to be a conceptual album, based closely on Spanish history. We're trying our best to give our followers the album of our career."

With a plethora of tours and festival appearances already under their belt, Noctem have shared stages with notable acts including Melechesh, Keep Of Kalessin, Immolation, Enthroned, Marduk, Hate, Incantation and several more. They will next appear on a trek across Spain alongside Swedish black metal outfit Shining this December.

Dates include:

December
3 - Valencia, Spain - Rock City
4 - Murcia, Spain - Garage Beat Club
5 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Arena
6 - Barcelona, Spain - Sala Boveda
7 - Bilbao, Spain - Sala Stage 

According to The Pulse Of Radio, BRING ME THE HORIZON frontman Oliver Sykes, who recently revealed that he went into rehab a couple of years ago to overcome an addiction to ketamine, is urging others with drug problems to get help. Speaking with Billboard, Sykes said, "For me, it had to get to its absolute worst for me to make a change. Hopefully for others, they won't have to. This may sound like the lamest advice in the world, but talk to someone, figure out why you're addicted. I don't believe that people are born or destined to be addicts."

Sykes added, "There's always an underlying problem, whether it be self-medicating, using it as a coping mechanism, or using it to not feel all together. First figure out what that is, then work out a healthy way to combat the problem."

The singer said he was "so reluctant" at first to talk to someone about his problem, saying, "I didn't think it would help. But even if there's no answer to your troubles, they will seem so much smaller once they leave your head."

But Sykes' latest comments seem to contradict an interview he did earlier with Metal Hammer, in which he said, "I don't regret taking drugs — and I don't know if I should say it, but everyone should do drugs at some point in their life."

BRING ME THE HORIZON's fifth studio album, "That's The Spirit", debuted at No. 2 last month on The Billboard 200 album chart, selling 62,000 copies in its first week of release. The chart and sales numbers were career highs for the British act.

BRING ME THE HORIZON just launched a North American headlining tour that stops in Sayreville, New Jersey on Tuesday (October 6).

In the seven-minute clip below, vocalist Sharon den Adel of Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION offers a backstage tour of one of the band's Dutch shows in early 2015.

WITHIN TEMPTATION released a new live DVD/Blu-ray/2CD, "Let Us Burn - Elements & Hydra Live In Concert", on November 14, 2014. The set features two of WITHIN TEMPTATION's most-talked-about arena shows ever. The two dates are 2012's resplendent 15th birthday "Elements" concert and the final night of the "Hydra" European arena tour at Amsterdam's Heineken Music Hall in May 2014.

"Let Us Burn - Elements & Hydra Live In Concert" was released in four formats — DVD + 2CD, Blu-ray + 2CD, 2CD, and digital album. The DVD and Blu-ray contain 34 live audio visual tracks in HD, mixed in 5.1 Dolby Surround. The 2CD and digital album comprise 32 live audio tracks. The two shows have a running time total of approximately 170 minutes.

Relapse and Party Smasher Inc. have announced that the first three full-length releases from legendary extreme music pioneers THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will see deluxe vinyl reissues this November.

"Calculating Infinity", the band's landmark debut, has not seen a vinyl release in 15 years (outside of a very limited picture disk printing in 2000), and will now be pressed on three exclusive colors. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN's breakthrough 2004 record "Miss Machine", which put the band on the map for mainstream and underground audiences alike, has not been pressed on vinyl in more than ten years, while the band's experimental 2007 full-length "Ire Works" will be repressed for the first time on vinyl in over eight years. Both "Miss Machine" and "Ire Works" will also be printed on three exclusive colors.

The reissues are set for worldwide release on November 27, and will also include full album digital download codes. Preorders for all of the editions can be currently found here. All three albums can be streamed via Bandcamp: "Calculating Infinity" can be heard here, "Miss Machine" can be streamed here, and "Ire Works" is available here.

Former MUSHROOMHEAD vocalist Waylon Reavis has released a four-minute video message in which he explains in more detail his decision to leave the band.

"It's over. I'm so relieved," Waylon says in the clip, which can be seen below. "I was planning this. It just happened a little sooner than I thought it would. I really wasn't happy; I hadn't been in a while.

"I've made my decision. MUSHROOMHEAD has made their decision. And we'll leave it at that. We are professionals. We are artists. This kind of stuff happens."

He continued: "I have not been there in a while. I've been checked out. I've been doing my own thing. My heart wasn't there. My soul wasn't there. My time in MUSHROOMHEAD had ran its course.

"I have eleven years of wonderful, wonderful memories, but I'm ready for something else in my life. I'm ready for a change. I've lived the same monotony for too long."

Waylon went on to say: "I just didn't agree with a lot of the decisions and where we were going, and that's fine; that's part of life. You don't have to agree with everything.

"Remember: I'm only here once. You're only here once. If we're not enjoying what we're doing, why the hell are we doing it?

"I'm at home with my family. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel a burden of MUSHROOMHEAD, and it did feel like a burden to me. It's not my burden, it's not my problem anymore, and I'm glad it's gone. But the fact is I do wish them the best."

MUSHROOMHEAD's current lineup includes two other vocalists, J. Mann (a.k.a. Jason Popson) and Jeffrey "Nothing" Hatrix.

The band's eighth studio album, 2014's "The Righteous & The Butterfly", sold around 11,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart.

MUSHROOMHEAD formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1993.

The band has gone through many lineup changes, with Hatrix, keyboardist Tom Schmitz and drummer Steve Felton the only consistent members.

Guitaritst/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions on a wide range of topics for the video question-and site asQme. Check out the clips below.

Asked if he would ever consider putting together a supergroup to record a new album, Mikael responded: "I'm not sure if that's for me, to be honest. I think the band today is as good as it gets for me. I don't really have any wishes to work with anyone. Of course, I have idols, heroes of mine that I look up to, but I don't think I could work with them… One of my heroes is Ritchie Blackmore [RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE], but I couldn't work with him. What am I gonna do? I'm gonna tell him I have a riff? It doesn't work like that. So I'm not sure what to answer to that question."

During an interview with Australia's The Rockpit, Mikael spoke about the sharp musical turn OPETH took with 2011's "Heritage" album and its follow-up release, 2014's "Pale Communion". He said: "I do understand and appreciate that 'Heritage' was a little bit of a shock to fans who are more into the heavy, death metal type of sound, and maybe it's a bit much to expect them to take it all in so we got a bit of shit for that record. I love that album with a passion, because, for me, it was natural, but I have seen that with the coming of the 'Pale Communion' record that people come up to me and say, 'I did not like 'Heritage' when it came out, but when you put out 'Pale Communion', I finally understood 'Heritage' and now I'm starting to like it.' So I'm hoping it's going to escalate into a love for that record."

He continued: "People have been more gentle with us with 'Pale Communion' coming out, but there is still... Like, I don't have social media, I don't correspond with the fans in that sense, so I don't really get a lot of the confrontations about what the hell we are doing. My overall response to that question would be that people might be getting used to and maybe understand a little bit better about what we are trying to do. And, for me, that is good, of course. I never had a problem. For me, it was never a big step. For everybody in the band, it was not a massive thing for us to do 'Heritage', but I do accept that it might have been too curvy of a curveball for people who are not in the band, but now it's starting to calm down a little bit."

BraveWords is premiering Canadian grindcore band Fuck The Facts’ new music video, for the track “The Path Of Most Resistance”, featured on the group’s  new album, Desire Will Rot, out now via their indie label Noise Salvation. The video was created by Phil Osborne (aka Osborne Oddities), and can be seen below:

Desire Will Rot was recorded and mixed by FTF guitarist Topon Das at his Apartment 2 recording studio in Ottawa, Ontario and is the band's first full length since 2011's Die Miserable and follows the band's recent split EP with Fistfuck along with 2014's Abandoned and 2013's Amer EPs.

 

 

Desire Will Rot tracklisting:

"Everywhere Yet Nowhere"
"Shadows Collide"
"The Path Of Most Resistance"
"La Mort I"
"La Mort II"
"Prey"
"Storm Of Silence"
"Solitude"
"False Hope"
"Circle"
"Nothing Changes"

"Prey":

"Storm Of Silence”:

Fuck The Facts tour dates:

October
14 - Quebec City, QC - Scanner Bistro
15 - Fredericton, NB - The Capital
16 - Halifax, NS - Gus’ Pub
17 - Charlottetown, PE - The Sportsman
18 - Moncton, NB - Esquire Tavern
19 - Rimouski, QC - Cactus Show Bar

November
19 – Buffalo, NY – Sugar City
20 – Columbus, MO – Café Berlin
21 – Wichita, KS – South Lulu Temple Of Doom
23 – Denver, CO – Mutiny Information Café
24 – Cheyenne, WY – Redwood
25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar
26 – Las Vegas, NV – The Dive Bar
27 – Los Angeles, CA – Complex
28 – San Diego, CA – The Merrow
29 – Tempe, AZ – Yucca Tap Room
30 – Albuquerque, NM – Blu Phoenix Venue

December
1 – Amarillo, TX – Zombiez Bar and Grill
2 – Dallas, TX – Renos Chop Shop
3 – Austin, TX – Dirty Dog
4 – Houston, TX – Barret’s
5 – Metairie, LA – Twist Of Lime
6 – Pensacola, FL – The Handlebar
7 – Tampa, FL – Epic Problem
8 – Miami, FL – Churchill’s Pub
9 – Orlando, FL – Uncle Lou’s
10 – Savannah, GA – The Jinx
11 – Raleigh, NC – Slims
12 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter
13 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie

January
15 – Toronto, ON – Coalition
16 – Peterborough, ON – The Spill

 

Counting Days will release their debut album, Liberated Sounds, on October 16th via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group. Today, the band has unleashed a brand new track from the album, entitled “Burned By Faith”. Listen to the track below.

Guitarist Charlie Wilson comments on the track: ““Burned By Faith” is one of our favourite and heaviest tracks from our new record. Lyrically it is about crimes committed in the name of religions and simply questioning the existence of a god or high being.”

Liberated Sounds was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom (At The Gates, Arch Enemy, In Flames, Opeth, Architects, Bring Me the Horizon) at his legendary Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Tracklisting:

“Burned By Faith”
“Die Alone”
“Beaten & Scarred”
“Life & Death”
“Liberated Sounds”
“Fire From The Sky”
“Days Go By”
“The Vines”
“Sands Of Time”
“Prison Of Misery”
“Cold Truth”
“Reunion”

“Burned By Faith”:

“Die Alone” video:

“Liberated Sounds” video:

To celebrate the release of their debut album Liberated Sounds, Counting Days will be playing a free entry album launch show at London’s metal hotbed, The Black Heart, on Wednesday, October 14th.

The band have also announced the following tour dates:

October
11 - The Scream Lounge - Croydon, UK
14 - The Black Heart - London, UK (Album Launch Show - FREE)
23 - Riverside - Sheffield, UK
24 - The Festing - Southsea, UK

November
26 - The Scene - Swansea, UK
27 - Komedia - Brighton, UK
28 - The Rainbow - Birmingham, UK
29 - Sanctuary - Basingstoke, UK

December
3 - Packhorse - Leeds, UK
4 - Vic Inn - Derby, UK
5 - Frog & Fiddle - Cheltenham, UK
6 - Cavern - Exeter, UK
12 - Craufurd Arms - Milton Keynes, UK

Lonely Robot, the new project masterminded by producer, guitarist and vocalist John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Arena), released its debut album, Please Come Home, earlier this year and are set to play two special one-off live shows this December. In anticipation of this, a video for the track “The Boy In The Radio” has been released, featuring none other than Peter Cox (Go West) on vocals.

John Mitchell had this to say: "“Boy In The Radio” is a fictional tale about an insular kid who only finds his true voice when he shifts into a greater dimension. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. A big thank you to Peter Cox for contributing his time and energy, and in doing so, making this boy's dream a reality."

As mentioned previously, John and his band will play two special one-off shows where he will be performing tracks from Please Come Home as well as brand new material.

John comments: "Lonely Robot 2 is shaping up to be another stellar adventure but this time we're drifting into the unknown world of the subconscious. The dream begins in spring!"

The two dates are as follows:

December
4 - Cultuurpodium Boerderij - Zoetermeer, Netherlands
20 - Scala -  London, UK

John had this to say about the live dates: "The reaction to the album has been overwhelming, and I can't wait to present these songs in a live setting with a full band. Expect some brand new material, which will be on a new album coming early next year, plus maybe a few special guests."

The Merch Desk are offering VIP packages for the London show which you can find here. Tickets for London can also be purchased here.

John will be joined on the night by Caroline Campbell (bass), Liam Holmes (keys) and Craig Blundell (drums).

John will also play two stripped down Lonely Robot sets as part of Touchstone's farewell shows, dates as follows:

November
20 - Boston Music Rooms - London, England
21 - Assembly - Leamington Spa, England

Backed by the storming rhythm section of Nick Beggs on bass and Craig Blundell on drums, the Please Come Home album also sees guest appearances from Peter Cox (Go West), Nik Kershaw, Steve Hogarth (Marillion), Heather Findlay, Kim Seviour (Touchstone), Jem Godfrey (Frost*) as well as narration provided by British actor Lee Ingleby (Master & Commander, Harry Potter).

 

 

Tracklisting:

"Airlock"
"God Vs. Man"
"The Boy In The Radio"
"Why Do We Stay?"
"Lonely Robot"
"A Godless Sea"
"Oubliette"
"Construct/Obstruct"
"Are We Copies?"
"Humans Being"
"The Red Balloon"

“Are We Copies?” video:

"God Vs. Man" lyric video:

Teaser:

 

The follow up of the last Psychopunch studio album Smakk Valley is due to be released on November 20th. The new effort is called Sweet Baby Octane and contains 13 brand new smashers from this Swedish band. There will be one exclusive track on both the CD and the vinyl version. Find the complete tracklisitng below.

Straight ahead rock songs and a few mid-tempo tracks with great hook lines will take the fans by storm and make a great mixture of true rock n roll songs. Apart from this and good time party smashers like “On A Night Like This (Hell Yeah)” and awesome sing-a-longs like “So High” there’s also something new to discover – for example the band’s first ever duet called “Forever And A Day” sung by JM and Clare Von Stitch. A proper video for the song will be released shortly. To give you a first impression, check out the making of below:

JM on Sweet Baby Octane: "I could tell you that SBO has all the right Ingredients for a great rock'n'roll album but I actually just wanna say it fucking rocks!"

Tracklisting:

CD
“Intro”
“I’ve Been Around”
“On A Night Like This (Hell Yeah)”
“Forever And A Day”
“Turn Up The Radio”
“When You’re Out Of Town”
“Drinking Alone”
“So High”
“Masquerade”
“What Did I Say”
“Time Is On Our Side”
“Punkrocker”
“The New Alive” (CD only bonus)
“Showtime’s Over”
“Outro”

Lp (Gatefold, Ltd Edition 500, Red 180Gr. Vinyl, Double-sided poster, + 1 Vinyl Only bonus track + CD version of the album)

Side A:
“Intro”
“I’ve Been Around”
“On A Night Like This (Hell Yeah)”
“Forever And A Day”
“Turn Up The Radio”
“When You’re Out Of Town”
“Drinking Alone”

Side B:
“So High”
“Masquerade”
“What Did I Say”
“I Can See It In Your Eyes” (Vinyl only bonus)
“Time Is On Our Side”
“Punkrocker”
“Showtime’s Over”
“Outro”

(Photo - Dirk "The Pixeleye" Behlau)

Ulterium Records will release US heavy metal band Millennial Reign’s new album, Carry The Fire, on October 30th in Europe and North America on CD, LP and digital. The vinyl edition of Carry The Fire is strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide. A new lyric video for “Men Stand Alone” can be found below.

Millennial Reign was formed as a solo album project by Aska bassist Dave Harvey, and the self-titled debut album was released independently in 2012. After new members joined Millennial Reign the decision was made to make Millennial Reign a full band, rather than just a recording project.

Carry The Fire was mixed and mastered at Nomad Studio (King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus, Absu) and the artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Theocracy).

Carry The Fire tracklisting:

“Forever Changed”
“Way Up High”
“Millennial Reign”
“Men Stand Alone”
“Save Me”
“This Day”
“Will You”
“Innocent Cry”
“Not On My Own”
“I'll Try”

“Men Stand Alone” lyric video:

Album teaser:

Carry The Fire (CD/LP) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store, here.

Millennial Reign is:

James Guest - Vocals
Dave Harvey - Guitars
Jason Donnelly - Guitars
Daniel Almagro - Bass
Wayne Stokely – Drums

 

Billy Sherwood has unveiled the first single and music video, “No Man’s Land,” from his new album, Citizen. The video and the song, which features Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse are about a World War I runner, someone who runs from trench to trench where his fellow soldiers are fighting, to pass messages from their leaders—the generals who are giving orders from behind friendly lines.

In “No Man’s Land,” the Runner sees his buddies die, and, as the video progresses, seems to be walking more and more in a daze. Billy says, “You get the idea that he’s the only guy who walked away from the battle.”

Billy used three distinct sources for footage in “No Man’s Land”: 1) archival footage from World War I, 2) a cameraman taping him up-close and facing front in a brightly-lit room, 3) modern day footage of a tall and powerful looking young man being the runner. “That is David Hussey,” explains Billy. “He’s in the prog band XNA which I produced/recorded. We shot the footage in the desert behind my house.”

The video is directed by Devin DeHaven, and it reflects on war—the losses, pain, and darkness.  

November 6th is the confirmed release date for Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called Citizen. Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history.

"I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.

The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary progressive rock band YES: bassist Chris Squire and former YES keyboardist Tony Kaye.

Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons and violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo And Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.

Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory Of Its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail Of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.

In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in Citizen’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current YES singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.

Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in YES, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and YES.

He joined YES first as touring member on the Talk tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the Conspiracy project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.  

Citizen is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”

Citizen tracklisting:

“The Citizen”
“Man And The Machine”
“Just Galileo And Me”
“No Man’s Land”
“The Great Depression”
“Empire”
“Age Of The Atom”
“Trail Of Tears”
“Escape Velocity”
“A Theory All It's Own”
“Written In The Centuries”

EPK:

An authorized biography on Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) will be released in late-2016 via Backbeat Books. While speaking about the new book with RollingStone.com, Maynard is asked for news of Tool's long-rumored fifth LP.

RS: So there was a conversation you had a couple weeks back with one of our writers, and he asked about the progress of the new Tool album, and you mentioned that there was no music to work with. And last year, another Rolling Stone writer talked to Danny and Adam, and they said that there was some new material. Can you help us get to the bottom of where you're at with the new record?

Maynard: “Do I seem like a lazy person to you?”

RS: Of course not.

Maynard: “OK — that's all I can really say.”

RS: So ...

Maynard: “They're working hard in their own way; I'm working hard in my own way, and I've got nothin' for ya.”

Read more at RollingStone.com

In regards to the upcoming biography, the following was posted at the Puscifer Facebook page by book author Sarah Jensen:

“We have, as they say, inked the deal. It’s been a year-long journey of proposals and queries and nibbles and “nope”s, but my amazing agent, Ann Collette, never lost faith in the dream. The agreement with Backbeat Books is a reality, and the biography of Maynard Keenan is slated for publication next fall. Lots of work still to be done, but today’s priority: feeling grateful to everybody who’s been there for us throughout this project. That means you!"

Details to follow.

Puscifer, the Arizona-based outfit helmed by Maynard James Keenan, return with the electro-rock band’s third full-length album, Money Shot, on October 30th via Puscifer Entertainment. The album’s title track can be heard below:

“It’s extremely satisfying to witness simple conversations and ideas transform into completed sonic landscapes. And to have these stories go above and beyond the initial ideas makes my grumpy heart swell three sizes,” said band ringleader, Maynard James Keenan. Puscifer celebrates the concept of creativity, invoking the audience “to create something with every breath drawn.” That sentiment takes center stage as Money Shot unfolds over its 10 songs.

Money Shot was produced by guitar player, programmer Mat Mitchell and Keenan with some additional awesome sauce coming from the one of a kind, bad ass Carina Round. “It’s such a pleasure to work on music with so many creative individuals. The intermix of influences and ideas made for an album I’m really proud of,” added Mitchell. Additional participants include Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Devo Keenan, Tim Alexander, Jon Theodore, Jeff Friedl and Matt McJunkins, with Adam Rothlein directing the “Grand Canyon” video.

Puscifer's previous studio albums, the tongue-in-cheek V Is For V****a (2007) and the Spaghetti western-flavored Conditions Of My Parole (2011) both debuted in the Billboard Top 30. Puscifer was born in 1995 during Keenan’s participation in Laura Milligan’s Hollywood-based, underground variety stage show, Tantrum. The outfit’s first television appearance came via Mr. Show.  The multimedia troupe has morphed over its now 20-year history into a band that creates and blends insightful, captivating music coupled with jaw-dropping imagery and the more-than-occasional Kaufman-esque comedy.

Money Shot tracklisting:

“Galileo”
“Agostina”
“Grand Canyon”
“Simultaneous”
“Money Shot”
“The Arsonist”
“The Remedy”
“Smoke And Mirrors”
“Life Of Brian (Apparently You Haven’t Seen)”
“Autumn”

“Grand Canyon” video:

Puscifer will be returning to the road, kicking off a six-week outing on November 1st at the Monster Mash Festival in Phoenix.
 
“As is the Modus Operandi of Puscifer, there will be a whole new show to accompany the Money Shot release. We’ve been leaving a few clues here and there as to what it may entail,” said Maynard James Keenan.  “As usual, we prefer to Show rather than Tell. Odds are if you’ve been a fan of the diverse nature of our performances in the past, you’ll want to go ahead and place those bets.”

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).
 
Tour dates:
 
November
1 - Phoenix, AZ - Monster Mash Festival
3 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theatre
4 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall
5 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center
7 - New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre
8 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
10 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
11 - Bethesda, MD - Strathmore Theatre
12 - Boston, MA - The Orpheum Theatre
14 - New Haven, CT - Shubert Theatre
15 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
18 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
20 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
21 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
22 - Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre
24 - Denver, CO - Bellco Theatre
25 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
28 - Portland, OR - Keller Auditorium
29 - Spokane, WA - INB Performing Arts Center
30 - Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

December
2 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
3 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
6 - Fresno, CA - Warnors Theatre
8 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
10 - Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
11 - Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
12 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl at The Palms Casino
 
Luchafer open on all dates.

(Photo: Tim Cadiente)

UK metallers, No Consequence, have released a new video for the track “Our Time Has Come”, a track from their latest album, Vimana. Vimana was released worldwide through Basick Records on June 8th, and was produced by guitarist Dan Reid and Mastered by Will Putney (Northlane, Body Count, After The Burial).

Shot by Ben Herbert, “Our Time Has Come” features footage from the band's recent UK tour with Monuments and Murdock and conveys a positive message of change, coupled with their own passion for hitting the road and connecting with fans. Watch the new video below:

Following on from a stunning set at Euroblast Festival, the next leg of the group’s European and UK tour continues tomorrow in Frankfurt, Germany. Full tour dates can be found at this location.

“Speechless” video:

 

ABBATH, the band led by ex-IMMORTAL frontman Olve Eikemo (a.k.a. Abbath), has released a video for its version of the IMMORTAL song "Nebular Ravens Winter". Check it out below.

ABBATH will release a seven-inch single, "Count The Dead", on December 11 via Season Of Mist. The A-side features the title track while the B-side consists of a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Riding On The Wind".

"Count The Dead" will be released in two versions, which are both limited to 500 copies worldwide and exclusively available for pre-order through the Season Of Mist shop.

ABBATH's video for the song "Fenrir Hunts" can be seen below. The clip is a live recording of a new ABBATH track, the studio version of which will appear on the group's forthcoming debut album, due in early 2016 via Season Of Mist.

The band states: "We have performed 'Fenrir Hunts' live since our debut concert at Tuska festival in Finland. This led to the decision to record a few live songs properly. With the aid of a camera team, we have recorded three tracks in a live setting at the beginning of September. Along with 'Fenrir Hunts', which you can see today, there will be two cover versions coming up soon. Now, here is 'Fenrir Hunts', the first glimpse from our upcoming debut album!"

The "Fenrir Hunts" video was directed by Fraser West. The song was recorded and mixed by Jamie Ward.

Bass duties for ABBATH are being handled by a man familiar to metal fans across the world — Tom Cato Visnes, more widely known as King Ov Hell and main composer for several GORGOROTH albums as well as his own bands OV HELL, with singer Shagrath from DIMMU BORGIR, and GOD SEED, with exceptional black metal vocalist Gaahl. His fellow GOD SEED member and BORKNAGAR percussionist, Baard Kolstad, has also joined ABBATH on drums.

Abbath announced earlier this year that he was moving forward under his own name.

"I didn't want to go solo in the first place," Abbath told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine. "I wanted the best for IMMORTAL. I didn't want it to end this way. First of all, I just wanted my music out. I wanted to record the [next] album [because] it's been so many years since 'All Shall Fall'. And both Demonaz and Horgh, they have kids and families now, and it just hit that point where I couldn't work the way they wanted to work any more. I wanted things on my terms and they wanted things on their terms, and it was very difficult."

He continued: "I wanted to rehearse at least three times a week, but often it was only once a week and things went so slow. I sat there with all this material, I kept the rehearsal space and recorded the stuff on click track, but it was a very strained atmosphere and the Last time we worked together was in early June last year."

Asked if the decision to part ways and seek out new band members was inevitable, Abbath said: "I was forced to do it this way. I wanted IMMORTAL to continue, but not the way it was. The dialogue has not been there and it's also my mistake. I should have brought up this shit a long time ago, but IMMORTAL, after Demonaz's problems with his arms, it never became a band after that."

He continued: "IMMORTAL is a very special situation. [Demonaz] hasn't been in the band, but then I always wanted to do the best for everybody, to have the band spirit, and that's why when we decided to start IMMORTAL again, we tried to get the spirit back, and bring him on tour, and just share our thing and be a band and have a kick-ass time. But it never worked out. The chemistry wasn't there with the IMMORTAL guys and hadn't been for a while."

Abbath added: "I believe in my music and I believe in my expression, but time flies and we grow apart. Maybe in the future we can go back again, I don't know, but right now I just want to do my thing and just be ABBATH and have people around me who support that."

California-based extreme metal titans SUICIDE SILENCE will release a digital-only EP titled "Sacred Words" on October 23 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The EP features the title track "Sacred Words" as well as various previously unreleased songs, including three live tracks taken from the band's RockPart festival performance on August 9, 2015 in Hungary,

"We are dropping a digital EP with some sick live tracks and much more," commented guitarist Mark Heylum. "Get your fill of SUICIDE SILENCE with this release of 'Sacred Words' dropping October 23! I said goddamn!" "Sacred Words" digital EP track listing:

01. Sacred Words 02. Inherit The Crown (live) 03. Cease To Exist (live) 04. Sacred Words (live) 05. Sacred Words (We Are Strong Remix) 06. Sacred Words (instrumental) "You Can't Stop Me", SUICIDE SILENCE's first album to feature vocalist Hernan "Eddie" Hermida and their first since the tragic loss of singer Mitch Lucker, was released in July 2014 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

"You Can't Stop Me" was produced and mixed by Steve Evetts (SEPULTURA, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), who worked with the band not only on "The Black Crown", but also on some instrumental demos for the new CD just prior to Lucker's death in the fall of 2012.

Mitch Lucker died November 1, 2012 after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle crash in Huntington Beach that Halloween night.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Official fly-on-the-wall footage shot of METALLICA's September 16 performance in Quebec City, Qebec, Canada can be seen below. The 21-minute clip, which was shot by a MetOnTour reporter, includes footage of the soundecheck, Lars Ulrich in the meet-and-greet, pre-show tuning-room footage, and "Harvester Of Sorrow" from the show.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Creeping Death02. Master Of Puppets03. Battery04. Harvester Of Sorrow05. Ride The Lightning06. The Unforgiven II07. St. Anger08. Wherever I May Roam09. Sad But True10. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)11. The Frayed Ends Of Sanity12. One13. For Whom The Bell Tolls14. Fade To Black15. Seek And Destroy

Encore:

16. Turn The Page17. Nothing Else Matters18. Enter Sandman

METALLICA has reportedly been working on its tenth studio album, which will follow up 2008's "Death Magnetic".

Drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone magazine that the band doesn't want to record in a way that feels "labored over and overthought."

METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in the last year, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson", and a Rock In Rio USA stint.

METALLICA has not revealed when it plans to begin recording or tentatively release the new album.