Journeyman Welsh drummer Chris Slade, who has spent the past 60 years playing with everyone from Tom Jones to MANFRED MANN, THE FIRM and AC/DC, says that he wasn't bitter about the latter band's decision to recruit Matt Laug to sit behind the kit for the Brian Johnson-fronted outfit on AC/DC's spring/summer 2024 tour.

AC/DC has offered no explanation for the absence of the band's longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group's comeback album, "Power Up", which came out in November 2020.

"I wasn't bitter when Phil came back [for the 'Power Up' album] or whatever — or [they] didn't use me, put it that way," Slade told Real Music With Gary Stuckey in a new interview (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "People said, 'Oh, he's bitter. Listen to the way he's talking.' I wasn't bitter at all — not in the slightest. I probably got used to it by now.

"When I lived in California, I used to know Matt Laug as a drummer," Chris continued. "So I was pleased that I knew the guy who was gonna be sitting in. And I knew he was a nice guy. I knew he was very capable and that he could do exactly what Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist] wanted. I've just heard a rumor, actually, that Phil's coming back. I don't know. But that's a rumor, and those AC/DC rumors are… You never know."

Asked if he would go back to playing with AC/DC if the band asked him to rejoin, Slade said: "Yes, I would. I would. I'm still playing with [THE CHRIS SLADE] TIMELINE. I'm playing every week. We do gigs. Last Saturday we were in France, in Lyon. In two weeks' time, we go to Italy. We were in Poland about two months ago, Czechia, Eastern Germany. We work all over Europe. We were in Spain a couple of years ago. We haven't been back since. And so I'm playing with my guys, and I'm quite happy to do that. It's a really, really great band. And there's no need for me to go back with AC/DC, to be honest, but if they wanted, Angus knows he could ask me any time.

"I can't see it happening," Slade went on to say. "I couldn't see it happening the second time it happened, to be honest. People kept saying to me, 'Have you heard anything? Have you heard anything yet?' Friends and family. And I said, 'Look, they're not gonna call. Okay?' This was before 'Rock Or Bust'. 'They're not gonna call. They've had enough of me. They're not going to call.' And then I was on the road in Switzerland with TIMELINE. Ring, ring, and it's a AC/DC. [Laughs] And this is three months after these rumors have been flying around. And I was shocked. I spoke to the manager for about half an hour, and I said, 'Yeah, of course I'd do it.' And at the end, I said, 'Can I ask you a question? Did this come from the guys? Did this request come from the guys?' He said, 'Of course, it came from the guys. I wouldn't be making this call without their say-so.' Which is true. But I still wanted confirmation that it was the guys that was putting this offer out to come back. So I was there for another two, three years."

Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band's "Rock Or Bust" tour by Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC's drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album "The Razor's Edge".

Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

Slade originally followed Simon Wright in AC/DC's lineup, joining in time to play on "The Razor's Edge". When Rudd returned in 1995, Slade was shown the door and harbored some bad feelings about that for a while.

Slade is promoting the new album from THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE, "Timescape", which will arrive on July 19.

Fan-filmed video of BUTCHER BABIES's July 27 performance at the Stonehenge festival in Steenwijk, The Netherlands can be seen below. The gig marked the band's first live appearance since the official departure of BUTCHER BABIES' co-founding co-vocalist Carla Harvey.

The band announced Harvey's exit in a social media post on July 20. BUTCHER BABIES wrote: "As you may have already guessed, it is confirmed that Carla Harvey and BUTCHER BABIES have officially parted ways.

"Carla has been an integral part of our journey, bringing her unique talent, passion, and energy to the band. We are grateful for the incredible memories we've made together and the impact she has had on our music and our fans. We will miss her greatly and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

"We deeply appreciate your support over the past 15 years," BUTCHER BABIES added. "We feel incredibly fortunate to keep making and playing music as our career, and we are excited for this new era of BUTCHER BABIES!

"See you on the road."

Carla added in a separate post: "Over the last 6 months You may have noticed my absence from BUTCHER BABIES posts. After 15 years of dedication, I wanted to let you know that I will not be rejoining the band for any future endeavors.

"I am super proud of my work with BUTCHER BABIES…2 EPS, 5 Full lengths albums and countless tours with our metal heroes! To all of our incredible BUTCHER BABIES friends and fans…you have provided me with some of the greatest experiences of my life! I have loved every second of writing and performing all over the world for you! I have loved meeting you. WOW. I still can't believe this kid from Detroit got so lucky.

"I am not done making music and performing. I WILL see you soon".

Last fall, BUTCHER BABIES completed a European tour without Carla, who sat out the trek in order to undergo emergency surgery on her left eye.

Harvey shared the news of her absence from the tour on October 26, 2023 in a social media post. The 47-year-old singer, who co-founded BUTCHER BABIES in 2010 with fellow vocalist Heidi Shepherd, posted a photo of her performing with her bandmates, and she included the following message: "Here's a picture of a girl in her happy place; unfortunately i won't be in that happy place on the upcoming @butcherbabies Euro run. Love you all but i have to sit this one out!

"I have a history of problematic vision and I had to have a major surgery about 10 years ago in my right eye for a retinal detachment. On our summer tour the telltale symptoms repeated themselves in my left eye. I've been hoping to avoid major surgery but it is clear that it must be done. My emergency surgery will include a healing process of laying face down for a number of days with a gas bubble in my eye."

Carla added: "This is the first time in fifteen years i won't be able to join my friends on stage but right now my health and sight take precedence for me. While I am gutted that I cannot make the tour the risk of me waiting till after a tour to do such a surgery is too great and includes permanent vision loss. The beauty of having two vocalists is that Heidi can cover for me until i'm better!

"Hoping to make it out for part of this euro run...go to the shows, have a blast and support my bandmates for me! I'll see you soon!"

In the comments section, Shepherd voiced her support for her then-bandmate, writing: "Sending all the love and healing. We'll hold down the fort while you heal. We need those beautiful eyes to work!!! Love you!"

BUTCHER BABIES' three-week European tour is scheduled to conclude on August 17 at the Czech Republic's Rock Of Sadská festival.

This past January, Harvey and ANTHRAX and PANTERA drummer Charlie Benante announced that they were officially engaged.

BUTCHER BABIES released a double album "Eye For An Eye..." and "…'Til The World's Blind", in July 2023. The double album celebrates the tenth anniversary of BUTCHER BABIES' critically acclaimed debut, "Goliath", released on July 9, 2013 via Century Media Records.

BUTCHER BABIES' previous album, 2017's "Lilith" was produced by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SEPULTURA, SUICIDE SILENCE) and marked the band's recording debut with drummer Chase Brickenden, who replaced Chris Warner in 2016.

In July 2019, longtime BUTCHER BABIES bassist Jason Klein announced his departure from the band. He has since been replaced by Ricky Bonazza.



Stonehenge 2024 - Butcher Babies

Posted by Richard Siebels on Saturday, July 27, 2024

Hachette Books has set a February 18, 2025 release date for "Just Beyond The Light: Living With The War Inside My Head", the second book from LAMB OF GOD frontman D. Randall "Randy" Blythe. It will be the follow-up to his 2015 book "Dark Days: A Memoir", which focused on his ordeal in a Czech Republic prison and his subsequent acquittal.

"Just Beyond The Light: Living With The War Inside My Head" is described by the publisher as "a riveting and revelatory memoir about self-development and maintaining proper prospective through difficult times."

In "Dark Days", Blythe unflinchingly wrote about some of the most harrowing episodes of his past. Now, in his highly anticipated follow-up, Randy shares how he works daily to maintain positivity in a world that feels like it is spinning out of control. In his own words, "Just Beyond The Light" is a "tight, concise roadmap of how I have attempted to maintain what I believe to be a proper perspective in life, even during difficult times." Written with a scathing balance of hard-edged reality offset by a knowing humor and a razor-sharp wit, voiced in in his inimitable, conversational, everyman-philosopher style, Blythe clearly breaks down his approach to life, which is a personal and idiosyncratic mix of sobriety, art, and surfing. He writes movingly of his childhood in the South, of fallen friends, of what he's learned touring the world as the vocalist of a successful heavy metal band, and of the very real ways he is doing what he can to leave the world a better place. Above all, he offers readers hope that balance, real balance, is possible, even (or especially) when things seem hopeless.

Compelling, compassionate, and refreshingly honest, "Just Beyond The Light" ultimately reminds readers that "as long as we keep our feet (and minds) planted firmly on the ground that is reality, the sky isn't falling — it never has been, and it never will."

Blythe told RVA Magazine about "Just Beyond The Light": "It is about trying to maintain a balanced perspective in the world right now, and in order for me to do that, I have to look to other people I admire. One of those people I write about is my grandmother, who was 94. I was beside her when she died, and I was grateful for that because it was post-COVID. I interviewed her over the course of two days and learned about her life. I asked her what the biggest difference is between [her generation] the modern age we're in right now — she didn't say computers or globalism; she said people are not as close as they used to be."

Asked if he feels like we've lost that sense of interpersonal connection between people," Randy said: "In many ways, but I don't think it's totally gone. I think it's dormant. I think it's buried under the iCloud of bullshit, and it's going to come back and bite us on the ass. In one way or another, you're going to need help. People don't know their neighbors; there's not the sense of community there used to be. In this hyper-connected world, people are lonelier than ever — particularly young people. They're interfacing with the world through this digital medium, and it's providing an illusion of connection, but real connection requires friction. There has to be a push and pull when you're in person, and that is absent via digital communications when there is a wall of anonymity."

Earlier this month, Blythe was asked by Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights if the upcoming book is "a memoir of sorts", similar to "Dark Days". Randy said: "I don't know if you'd call it a memoir. It's a collection of — not essays, I would guess, but individual chapters that are self-contained stories. It was a lot harder to write than my last book. 'Cause the last book, there's a narrative arc and I knew exactly what was gonna happen. I knew the story. I had already lived it. When I started writing this book, I had ideas about what I wanted to say, but I wasn't exactly sure what ground I was gonna cover. So, it was a lot harder. The last one, I had the roadmap in front of me. This one, it was a little bit more open-ended. And it's a shorter book — thank God."

"['Dark Days' is] around 500 pages," he continued. "My contract called for 80 to 100 thousand words. I turned in 257 thousand words, so he had to amputate a bunch of shit. I can get a little bit longwinded. My editor reined it in this time, which I was very happy about. I need someone to rein me in. It's like in a band when you need a producer."

Blythe explained that he wanted "Dark Days: A Memoir" to be different from other rock autobiographies by not focusing exclusively on LAMB OF GOD and the band's touring lifestyle.

"Long after LAMB OF GOD is done, I will still be writing books," he said. "So when I wrote ['Dark Days'], I wanted to write it, and I know some people were upset there's not more stuff about LAMB OF GOD and heavy metal and all that other bullshit — I wanted the book to be able to be read by a much wider audience than just metalheads, and I wanted it to stand the test of time, be a sort of universal human story that people could read and think about. If I sit there and talk about nothing but touring with this band and getting drunk here and all that, it's gonna be, like, 'Ah, great, whatever. It's another fucking music story.' But one of the most gratifying things about that book to me was that a lot of the reviews said you don't have to be a metal fan to read this, to enjoy this, you don't have to know who the band is to read this, enjoy it. 'Cause I write records for the metal fans; I already do that. I wanna write books, although they [metal fans] are a sizable contingent of the people who bought the book — I wanna write books for everyone."

Back in November 2022, Blythe told Metal Hammer magazine that he was working on two new books. The first was said to be "a long-term project" called "Frontman", which, as its title suggests, focuses on other people who share his profession. The second was a sort-of sequel to "Dark Days: A Memoir".

"The last book was about personal accountability," Randy explained at the time. "The vehicle to that was the story about me getting arrested and going to trial. This book is about perspective — the core theme is perspective and changing it to a healthy one. In recent years, I've been listening to other people's perspectives rather than just trying to figure out everything myself, because I'm not going to. The book is a collection of stories about different experiences I've had with people and what I've taken away from those experiences."

In October 2022, Blythe told the Illinois Entertainer that he was working on a new "non-fiction book." He added: "I wanted to write fiction, but my agent said, 'You need another non-fiction book.' And he was pushing me toward what they call, I guess, an 'inspirational memoir' or whatever. So I'm writing this book, and it's about different perspectives from other people that I've tried to incorporate into my own life and take something from. Something positive from — things I have learned from people other than me. And it's been very difficult to maintain any sort of positivity for a while now. It really has."

In May 2022, Blythe was asked by Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show how writing prose is different from writing lyrics. He responded: "Well, they're two different things — two very different things. I always say that writing a book makes writing an album look like going to kindergarten. It is a much more intense, much more sustained [and] much more nerve-racking extended creative effort. There's pros and cons to it, of course. And the thing that I dislike about it, just as a lazy bum, is I'm having to do it all by myself. If there's something bad in the book or it doesn't work, then I can't blame it on my bandmates. 'Cause we're a democracy — we really are a democracy — and if someone is unhappy with something, then we won't move forward with it creatively, if they're really emphatic about that. That being said, we make a lot of compromises with each other in order to work as a band. So, if there's something that I don't particularly like in one of our songs or on an album or a song that I'm not particularly feeling great about but the rest of [the guys] love the song, then I'm, like, 'Oh well. So be it.' It's part of the business of being in a band. And then if it comes out and I still don't like it, I can be, like, 'Well it was their decision, not mine.' When you write a book, if you screw up something or something's not good or something later you review and it doesn't pass muster, that's on you. So it's a bit more nerve-racking. No, conversely, that's kind of the same thing I like about it, because I don't have to bounce my ideas off of anyone else. I say exactly what I want to say without having to go through any sort of filtration process with anyone else — it's just me. So, in a way, it's a much more creative process — or a purely creative process, I would say — because it's just you and the blank page. But it is nerve-racking — it really is. And also, as I get older, I just enjoy quiet more and more and more, and writing is a very quiet and solitary activity — at least it is for me. So I enjoy that. My ears don't ring after writing a book, but they sure as hell do after writing an album."

In July 2021, Blythe said in an Instagram post that he was about to begin writing his second book. The now-53-year-old singer wrote: "It's been six years since my 1st book, Dark Days, came out. I've been kinda busy but I can't screw around any longer- it's finally time to write a new one. The proposal is done, the publishers accepted it, & the contract is hammered out & in the mail.

"Shit- that means I actually have to write this thing! All I'll say is: A) it's another non-fiction book, & B) I just spent over two weeks utterly consumed by writing the freaking introduction. 2,296 words in 15 days- that not a lot, but I want it to be RIGHT. Plus, I'm just stretching the old muscles, getting back in shape for the brutal long haul that lies ahead. The sustained creative heavy lifting required to write a book makes writing the lyrics for an album look like preschool finger painting. Plus, if what you're doing is turning out shitty, you can't just blame the rest of your band. (sorry dudes)

"Most books on writing of are bullshit, collections of pointless 'exercises' from people who haven't sold any other books of their own (I should know, I've bought most of them.) No book on earth is gonna turn you into a good writer. There is no magic pill. Just like playing music, shooting photos, or pursuing any other creative endeavor- the ONLY way to find out if you're any good is to DO IT. You gotta write, & the hardest part of writing is sitting your ass down to do it, & then repeating that process day after day after day."

In 2012, Blythe was arrested in the Czech Republic and charged with manslaughter for allegedly pushing a 19-year-old fan offstage at a show two year prior and causing injuries that led to the fan's death. Blythe spent 37 days in a Prague prison before ultimately being found not guilty in 2013.

Blythe's prison experience inspired two songs on LAMB OF GOD's 2015 album "VII: Sturm Und Drang": "512", one of his three prison cell numbers, and "Still Echoes", written while he was in Pankrac Prison, a dilapidated facility built in the 1880s that had been used for executions by the Nazis during World War II. It also led him to write the aforementioned "Dark Days", in which he shared his whole side of the story publicly for the first time.

Texas thrashers POWER TRIP recently returned to the live stage for their first full performances since the tragic passing of frontman Riley Gale.

POWER TRIP's longtime friend and collaborator Seth Gilmore has stepped in for Gale to handle vocals for the band. Gilmore is embedded in Texas's hardcore and punk communities and is well known as the vocalist of SKOURGE and as the frontman of Dallas thrash metal band FUGITIVE, which he founded in 2021 alongside POWER TRIP guitarist Blake Ibanez.

Asked in a new interview with Metal Hammer, how the decision to return as POWER TRIP came about, POWER TRIP drummer Chris Ulsh said: "During COVID, we were still having bi-weekly or monthly Zoom meetings, and at one of those, we just came out with it, like, 'Hey, do you guys want to keep playing music together?' Everybody obviously still wanted to do that, but we didn't really know if it was going to be POWER TRIP or a different band or whatever. As those conversations progressed, we realized we wanted to keep doing POWER TRIP, but didn't really know what that would look like. As the COVID restrictions started lifting, Blake and I were getting together, working on some new music, just to keep busy. We tried out a couple things, with different people, just demoing vocals over it, just to kind of get a feeling for the full song. But initially nothing really came of it. It just didn't come as easily as maybe we would have thought."

Regarding Gilmore's addition to POWER TRIP, Ulsh said: "Yeah, during that time, Blake started FUGITIVE with Seth. He was someone that we reached out to at the beginning, but he wasn't ready. Somewhere along the way, I think he started feeling a lot more comfortable filling that role. We decided to test him out at that show in Austin [last December], since FUGITIVE were playing, and one of my other bands. So, we just had everyone get onstage."

In announcing POWER TRIP's return to the live stage, surviving members Ibanez, Nick Stewart (guitar, vocals), Chris Whetzel (bass) and Ulsh wrote on social media: "Nearly four years ago to the day, unbeknownst to us, we would perform for the last time as POWER TRIP. It has been a difficult road since then, marked by deep pain, grief, and everything else that came with losing our brother Riley.

"We know this can't be undone, and it will always remain part of us. We have thought deeply about the future of POWER TRIP and what always comes back to us is that this band was founded on resilience, perseverance, and most importantly: a love for the music and for all of the people it has brought us closer to along the way.

"We'll never have the words to convey our appreciation of the enduring support we've received over the years, and we feel as though the time is right to get back on stage for all of you who've been there throughout our existence as a band."

Regarding Gilmore's addition to the POWER TRIP lineup, the band said: "It feels right playing our songs with Seth, who's been a longtime figure in Texas hardcore, and we've had the pleasure of watching and playing alongside his bands since the origins of POWER TRIP. We're grateful for his dedication to this project and can't wait to see everyone."

Gilmore stated: "I'm honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the legacy of POWER TRIP and deliver these songs to the fans of past and current generations. I would not be who I am today without the massive influence that both the band and its members have had on my life, and I look forward to celebrating their work alongside them while giving it my all to honor the spirit of Riley's memory."

Ibanez, Stewart, Whetzel and Ulsh played a surprise five-song set with Gilmore on December 1, 2023 at Mohawk in Austin, Texas.

Riley died on August 25, 2020. An autopsy report for Gale ruled that he died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, while the manner of death was ruled accidental.

Following the news of Gale's death, a number of other artists shared tributes to the frontman, including members of CODE ORANGE, ANTHRAX and COHEED AND CAMBRIA.

Riley guested on the track "Point The Finger" on BODY COUNT's "Carnivore" album, released in March 2020, and BODY COUNT frontman Ice-T later suggested in an interview with Stereogum that Gale's death was opioid-related. Ice-T said in December 2020: "When we shot the video [for 'Point The Finger'], he looked healthy. It was a good vibe. That's why I got blindsided when I got the call from his dad, who said that Riley passed away. Apparently, he was dealing with the same bullshit everyone is — this opioid stuff. He'd gotten clean, and when you relapse, you go back to the same dose you're used to and it kills you. It was a really sad thing."

Gale's autopsy report noted that he died from pulmonary edema — a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. This was caused by "the toxic effects of fentanyl" in Gale's system. The fentanyl in Gale's blood was measured at 22.5 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter),and he tested negative for all other drugs and alcohol.

The report went on to note that Gale had a "history of Xanax abuse" and a "history of depression," and revealed Riley was found "unresponsive on the floor at home."

In October 2020, plans were announced for the Riley Gale Library at the Dallas Hope Center — the city's sole shelter for LGBTQ+ youth.

POWER TRIP released two albums on Southern Lord, 2013's "Manifest Decimation" and 2017's "Nightmare Logic". A rarities compilation, "Opening Fire: 2008-2014", followed in 2018.

"Nightmare Logic" peaked at No. 22 on Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart.

POWER TRIP was said to be working on its third album at the time of Riley's death.

Photo credit: Adam Cedillo

On August 5, 2011, Helloween headlined the 17th Woodstock Festival in Kostrzyn, Poland as part of their 7 Sinners World Tour 2010 / 11. Pro-shot video of the entire show courtesy of Kręcioła TV can be viewed below.


Setlist:


"Are You Metal?"
"Eagle Fly Free"
"March Of Time"
"Where the Sinners Go"
- drum solo -
"If I Could Fly"
"Keeper of the Seven Keys / The King for a 1000 Years / Halloween" (medley)
"Future World"
"Dr. Stein"
"I Want Out"







Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) recently announced the signing of legendary power metal institution, Helloween, for their upcoming studio album. Since their formation in 1984 and the spectacular reunion in 2017, Helloween are undoubtedly one of the world's outstanding representatives of the genre.


RPM comments on the signing: "It is a true milestone for Reigning Phoenix Music to welcome Helloween to our family of artists. Helloween are not just a band, they epitomize the energy and passion of power metal. Their music has inspired generations, and we are proud to collaborate in order to reach new heights."


Helloween themselves are equally enthusiastic about the new partnership: "Sven Bogner and his team have convinced us with their ideas and enthusiasm. They live and love metal, and this is what connects us - we look forward to be working with them!," explains singer Andi Deris.


The combination of Helloween and Reigning Phoenix Music promises a powerful synergy between one of the world's most influential power metal bands and a label that is passionate about promoting up-and-coming talents as well as established artists. Fans can look forward to thrilling musical experiences and innovative projects. Specifically, Helloween will start working on new material from the summer and are planning to release a new studio album in 2025.


Helloween are:


Michael Kiske - vocals
Andi Deris - vocals
Kai Hansen - guitars, vocals
Michael Weikath - guitars
Sascha Gerstner - guitars
Markus Grosskopf - bass
Daniel Löble - drums

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's long-running AVANTASIA project will embark on a European tour in the spring of 2025.

AVANTASIA has come to be known as the trailblazing genre flagship around the globe for its one-of-a-kind symphonic rock and metal extravaganza.

Looking back on nine albums, No. 1 chart positions, gold awards and sold-out concerts all over the world — from Europe to Asia, from Australia to North and Latin America — Sammet is probably Germany's most successful rock export of his generation, and with his band AVANTASIA he has been so for 25 years now.

In March 2025 Sammet and his cohorts will ring in a new age in the spooky and enchanting lands of AVANTASIA, embarking on an arena world tour in support of their tenth studio album, "Here Be Dragons", which is currently in the works and will be released early next year.

Sammet states: "This year's summer festival season has been only the beginning of a new era of AVANTASIA, an appetizer, so to speak. The shows of our own 'Here Be Dragons' tour are going to be the real deal, a trip to a world of wonder where people can forget about everything else in their real lives and join me on the other side. It's an immersive experience with special effects and a huge production, bigger and better than anything we've ever done. And there is amazing new music in the works; anthemic and epic songs that will fit in seamlessly with our classics and some almost forgotten songs that may make it into the live setlist as well.

"I can't wait to finish and unleash our brand new album 'Here Be Dragons' to the world and take this new stage spectacle to the road. Yes indeed, AVANTASIA is back!"

2025 tour dates:

Mar. 14 - Hamburg - Germany, Sporthalle
Mar. 15 - Brussels - Belgium, AB Box
Mar. 16 - Paris - France, Olympia
Mar. 18 - Esch-sur-Alzette - Luxembourg, Rockhal
Mar. 20 - Berlin - Germany, Columbiahalle
Mar. 21 - Bamberg - Germany, Brose Arena
Mar. 22 - Bochum - Germany, RuhrCongress
Mar. 24 - London - England, The Roundhouse
Mar. 26 - Tilburg - Netherlands, O13
Mar. 28 - Stuttgart - Germany, Schleyerhalle
Mar. 29 - Prague - Czech Republic, Forum Karlin
Apr. 01 - Budapest - Hungary, Barba Negra
Apr. 02 - Vienna - Austria, Gasometer
Apr. 04 - Munich - Germany, Zenith
Apr. 05 - Frankfurt am Main - Germany, Jahrhunderthalle
Apr. 06 - Cologne - Germany, Palladium
Apr. 08 - Milan - Italy, Alcatraz
Apr. 09 - Zurich - Switzerland, The Hall
Apr. 11 - Barcelona - Spain, Razzmatazz
Apr. 12 - Madrid - Spain, Vistalegre

AVANTASIA's ninth album, "A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society", was released in October 2022 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was the follow-up to "Moonglow", which came out in 2019.

"A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society" was produced by Sammet with AVANTASIA guitar player Sascha Paeth. The cover artwork was created by Swedish illustrator Alexander Jansson.

Since its beginnings in 1999, AVANTASIA's past releases have featured international stars such as Alice Cooper, Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer (KISS), Eric Martin (MR. BIG), SAXON's Biff Byford, TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider and many more.

Photo credit: Kevin Nixon (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)

In a recent interview with Loud TV, AMORPHIS keyboardist Santeri Kallio spoke about the progress of the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2022's "Halo" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think everybody has done some songs in their home studios a little bit, but we haven't still collected those. And I think we start after the 'Halo' tour ends. We do a U. S. tour with DARK TRANQUILLITY in — I think it was September, it starts from ProgPower, the big festival in Atlanta. And after that, we stop [touring]. And I would say pretty much after the tour, we start collecting the material and sending them to the producer. I think that's [the identity of the producer] secret still, unfortunately. And then the producer can a little bit select the songs and give ideas. And then I would say in the end of the year, we probably have most of the instrumentation recorded already. And I think it's planned to come out maybe next year, fall or something like this, because it takes time to build up the promotion and make everything ready. But, to be honest, we don't the release date set, obviously. But I would say in the winter the album is made — it's recorded and mixed and mastered probably at the latest March, maybe already in February. It's still a little bit open for us."

Last month, AMORPHIS guitarist Tomi Koivusaari was asked by The Chill Dude On A Couch if he has an idea as to which musical direction the band's new songs will take. Tomi said: "I think everybody has just made some songs, but we haven't shared it yet with the other guys. So I haven't heard what other guys are doing. I just heard what I've been doing. I [don't know what will] end up end up [on] the album. But we will see. We will have a new producer. We've done the three last albums with Jens Bogren, and now we have a new direction in a way."

AMORPHIS's fourteenth studio album, "Halo" came out in February 2022 via Atomic Fire Records.

Produced by Bogren, "Halo" was previously described in a press release as "progressive, melodic, and quintessentially melancholic heavy masterwork."

As had been the case with AMORPHIS albums in the past, "Halo" featured the imaginative and poetic storytelling of renowned lyricist and "Kalevala" expert Pekka Kainulainen.

Two years ago, AMORPHIS guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen told Westword that the band is "not as radical" as it once was.

"Back in the day, I think we did too much of what we wanted to do," he said. "For us as musicians, we needed to do that, because we never wanted to get stuck in one form. Today we blend all the new nuances and influences pretty nicely into our music. Even though there's a lot of different elements from different genres and the musical world, even from ethnic music, I have to say, we're pretty good to blend all of those elements into our music without sounding too different."

AMORPHIS and DARK TRANQUILLITY will join forces for a North American tour this summer and fall. The trek, which will feature support from FIRES IN THE DISTANCE, will kick off on September 3 in Richmond, Virginia and conclude on October 6 in New York City.

Photo credit: Jaakko Manninen

Internationally acclaimed heavy metallers, Sabaton, are celebrating their 25-year milestone in the music industry.


Founded in Falun, Sweden, in 1999, Sabaton's journey has been nothing short of legendary. Their music industry adventures have been fuelled by powerful anthems, 10 studio albums, passionate historical storytelling, and explosive international shows and tours, not to mention out-of-the-box initiatives and projects, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of their dedicated fan base across the globe.


To mark this momentous milestone, Sabaton have embarked on a year-long celebration. Fans around the world can look forward to a series of celebratory events and an abundance of surprises.







Following is an excerpt from the behind-the-scenes Heroes story:


"Recording Heroes was a far more pleasant experience than Carolus Rex. A key difference was our new lineup, made up of three new talented musicians who were genuinely eager and enthusiastic throughout the process. At this point in our journey, we were assured of what lay ahead. Our new members proved their dedication, embodying the spirit of “all for one and one for all.


Heading into the studio with our new lineup for the first time, Joakim was grappling with extreme performance anxiety. This was our first album with these new members, and he knew that if the album fell short with mediocre songs, the fans might unfairly blame the newcomers. We were determined to prevent that.


The recording process took about six weeks, and we were amazed by how seamless the experience was. Our guitarists laid down their parts quickly, and all members adapted far better than expected.


The best part was that when it came time for the guitarists to do their thing, they composed their own solos while adhering to the arranged melodies, ensuring their creations complemented the core of the compositions. Of course, they injected a healthy dose of their own identity into their parts. They also challenged as well as pushed each other to perform at their peak. Listening back now, you can really hear their personal touches, and we love that! 


This lineup was a match made in heaven.


We still love this album, enjoy playing its songs live, and relish the crowd’s reaction when we unleash a Heroes tune at a show. When we released the album in 2014, the positive feedback from fans and media erased any doubts about Sabaton’s future. We felt more united and confident than ever before. Heroes proved to anyone who doubted us that we were still capable of creating great heavy metal.


Since its release, we haven’t had a single person tell us it’s a bad album. That’s a fantastic realisation. So, we must be doing something right… right?!"


Read more here.

According to Hello! magazine, IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris's daughter Faye married THE ROLLING STONES guitarist Ronnie Wood's son Tyrone on Friday (July 26) in Marylebone, London, England.

Around 30 close friends and family members attended the civil ceremony, including Steve Harris, Ronnie and Sally Wood and Fearne Cotton, Tyrone's sister-in-law.

Check out pictures of the wedding from Hello! and Daily Mail.

Tyrone and Faye went public with their romance in 2022. Tyrone proposed in December 2023.

Ronnie has six children and has previously been married to three different women. Steve Harris also has six children, but has only been married once.

Tyrone is a Mayfair art gallery owner while Faye is the co-founder of a "genderless" perfume company called Eauso Vert.

Back in December 2022, Daily Mail reported that Tyrone invited Faye to spend Christmas with him at the Northamptonshire home of his mother, former "Strictly" star and Ronnie's ex-wife Jo Wood.

In March 2023, Jo told Daily Star that Tyrone met Faye on Raya, a private membership-based dating app described as "an exclusive platform for people in creative industries".

Jo said: "She makes fragrances and perfumes. And she is the daughter of Steve Harris — who is the guitarist in IRON MAIDEN. Isn't that great? She's such a lovely girl. She's very down to earth and work driven. We all really like her."
Ronnie Wood's son Tyrone and rock heiress Faye Harris' intimate London wedding – exclusive first photos https://t.co/Naoba56YuQ

— HELLO! (@hellomag) July 26, 2024


Bring your daughter... to the altar! Ronnie Wood's son Tyrone ties the knot with daughter of Iron Maiden guitarist at star-studded ceremony followed by a swanky Michelin star reception https://t.co/IThGCzqHiVpic.twitter.com/uEEmSKn7pf

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 26, 2024



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Canadian bashers Exes For Eyes have released a new single, "I Am The Son". It is available via digital platforms found here.


Check it out below.







In 2022, Exes For Eyes unleashed "Built To Suffer", featuring a guest appearance by Whom Gods Destroy / ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian. The song is available for streaming and below.


BraveWords spoke exclusively with guitarist / founder Dave Sheldon about the collaboration.


Sheldon: "Long in short, I couldn't write a solo.  Nothing I did sounded right, it sounded extremely out of place.  It's hard to describe; not musically out of place, but tonally. All I could hear in my head was a synth / keyboard, and the song sat unfinished for a while. I'd revisit it from time to time, but I'd just be fumbling about the fretboard completely frustrated. I could hear the solo in my head, and it sounded like Sherinian, and I am not Sherinian (laughs).  I shelved the track and basically forgot about it.  


I follow him on IG, and tagged him on something. A day or two, I had a message in my inbox from Derek asking if I was working on any new music. By that time I completely forgot about the song and told him I wasn't.  Fast forward six months, I was looking through hard drives for a friend's session and found the song, and remembered he had asked.  


It took a while but I finally put two and two together and asked him if he'd rip a  solo on the song now known as 'Built To Suffer', and I couldn't be happier with the result. It inspired me to write my own solo to round the track out.  He made me step up my game, for sure."

Rap metal sensation Sicksense - featuring vocalists Vicky Psarakis (ex-The Agonist) and Robby J. Fonts (Stuck Mojo) - have checked in with the following update:


"We are pleased to welcome Phillip 'Agent Phil' Lykostratis and 'The Gothfather' Rich Regier into the Sicksense family.


In addition to being an exceptional guitar player, Phil has brought his incredible film and graphic design talents to the table. He’s helped bring our song concepts to life and take our visuals to the next level.




Rich joined us two weeks before our scheduled film dates for our first music video. He was a complete professional, learning our songs and stepping up to the plate on bass on such short notice.
 
Having all these extremely talented individuals coming together to round up this Sicksense lineup, we are ecstatic, pleased and proud to announce our signing to Earache Records.


Earache has gone above and beyond to collaborate with and support our creative vision. We hope to create plenty of memorable moments and meaningful art alongside them for many years to come.


Cheers to this exciting new chapter!"


Sicksense will release their new single, "On Repeat", on July 31st. Pre-save here.


 





 

John Cooper, the frontman and bassist for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band SKILLET, has blasted the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony for including a crew of drag queens and dancers performing an apparent "parody of 'The Last Supper'".

Among the drag queens included in the performance was "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Nicky Doll, who strutted the Passerelle Debilly bridge alongside "Drag Race France" favorites Paloma and Piche, plus dozens of other models and performers in a rendition of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper", which the Olympics called "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings." The drag queens appeared on screen positioned similarly to how Jesus and his Twelve Apostles are depicted in da Vinci's mural painting.

Cooper, who has said in the past that his Christian faith directs him to speak out on cultural issues, took to his Instagram to share a two-and-a-half-minute video in which he ripped the Olympic Games for "mocking" Christianity and accused the "global elites" of being "perverts" who are "coming after your kids."

Cooper said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Hey, guys. What's up? I'm about to go on stage right here, but my phone's blowing up from all these people sending me videos of the opening ceremony for the Olympics of insane, crazy stuff because we don't live in a normal world any longer, okay?

"For all the people that are always saying it's so polarized, we gotta get along, everybody stop yelling at each other, we just gotta agree we all want the same things. Do we, though? Do we?

"Let me explain this to you," he continued. "This is what tolerance looks like in the new world. According to all of these global elites that want to change all of Western civilization and remake the world in their image, this is the way tolerance works for them. You sit down to watch the Olympics with your kids. They're going to start the show with drag queens who come out and mock Christianity. They're going to mock the number one largest faith in the world. They're gonna mock it on TV in front of the whole world.

"The way that tolerance works is this: if you're sitting with your kids and you go, 'What the heck's going on? I don't want my kids watching drag queens. That's not my values.' If that's what you say, well, then you're a bad person. You need to change. You're old school. You're the person that is causing all the hate in the world and they gotta shut you up. At the same time, the way tolerance works in the new world is that it's okay for the drag queens to mock Christianity. Christianity is okay to mock. All right? So they can do whatever they want to, but you can't.

"You see, this isn't normal," Cooper added. "This is not normal. It's not the world that I wanna live in. I don't think it's the world that most people in the Western civilization wanna live in.

"They are, in fact, coming after your kids, because the global elites are perverts. They are coming after your kids. The question is, what are you gonna do about it? Are we gonna stop watching? Are you gonna stop watching? Say, 'No, we're not doing that.'

"What in the world does sexuality have to do with the Olympic Games?" John said. "Can we just leave your sexuality out of the opening for the Olympics? Something we all try to do together around the world, and they make it a celebration of sexuality. That should tell you something.

"So I reject the new world. I reject their false tolerance. It's not real tolerance anyway. I reject it and I say this: God will not be mocked. Go for it. Go for it. God will not be mocked. You will reap what you sow.

"I don't know about you, but I am not bowing down to this new regime."

Cooper is not the only conservative personality who was critical of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, who was recently called out by his transgender daughter for his "cruel" words, deemed "The Last Supper" performance as "extremely disrespectful to Christians."

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who was widely panned for his May commencement speech where he lambasted gay rights and told a class of college graduates that one of the "most important" titles a woman can hold is homemaker, shared a screenshot of the performance on his Instagram Stories and wrote: "This is crazy." Butker then cited Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."

The Catholic church in France also criticized the segment, saying in a statement: "This ceremony has unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we very deeply deplore."

Cooper told Baptist Press about how his faith directs him to speak out on cultural issues: "If Jesus is the truth, then that means He has something to say about culture, politics, abortion and sexuality. The Bible has something to say about these things."

John has written in depth about his views in the two books he has released so far, "Awake & Alive to Truth", which came out in December 2020, and "Wimpy, Weak, And Woke", which became available in late 2023.

In various interviews over the years, John has said that he "always had faith in God" and that his mother was a "Jesus fanatic." He also claimed that he was willing to put his career on the line to take a stand for Christ.

In April 2021, Cooper told the "Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast" that it was perfectly fine for Christians to play rock music. "I would say that music is created not by the Devil; [it is] created by the Lord," he said. "All things were created by God. So instead of thinking that the Devil owns a genre of music, I would say capture that music and bring it back into subjection under the Lordship of Christ."

SKILLET's latest album, "Dominion", was released in January 2022 via Atlantic.
The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings. #Paris2024#OpeningCeremonypic.twitter.com/FBlQNNUmvV

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024


NEW: The Paris Olympics is under fire for including a *child* in their hyper-s*xualized, blasphemous rendition of The Last Supper.

An apparent child could be seen joining the drag queens during the performance.

Instead of bringing people together, the planners of the event… pic.twitter.com/5nUSmE72Oe

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 26, 2024



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Former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen performed at the 2022 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival. Professionally-filmed footage of "Innocence", "I Walk Alone" and "Until My Last Breath" performed live can be viewed below.





What Lies Beneath is the second rock studio album by Finnish solo artist, Tarja. Originally released in 2010, the best-seller is a true fan favourite and one of her most successful releases to date.




Considered a classic and must-have for both fans and critics, it includes timeless Tarja hits like "Until My Last Breath," "I Feel Immortal," and "Falling Awake."


This year, the album was reissued for the first time as 2CD Special Edition and, for the first time, as heavyweight 2LP vinyl (Gatefold, 180g, black). Both formats feature a beautifully restored artwork and all tracks were remastered at Sterling Sound for superb sound quality for the ultimate 2024 What Lies Beneath experience.


In this new retrospective video, Tarja discusses What Lies Beneath:





The 2CD Special Edition includes the 14 original album tracks and a special bonus CD including alternative versions, single edits, and remixes - for the first time all combined on this Bonus CD. It also includes "The Good Die Young" performed by the Scorpions and Tarja, originally included as bonus track on 2010s Limited Dreamers Box Set.


Very few copies of the 2010 Limited Dreamers Box Set are still available via Tarja's official web shop here.





Tracklisting:


CD1:
"Anteroom Of Death" (Feat. Van Canto)
"Until My Last Breath"
"Naiad" (Feat. Marzy Nyman)
"Dark Star" (Feat. Phil Labonte)
"Underneath"
"Little Lies"
"Still Of The Night" (Feat. Toni + Timo Turunen)
"Rivers Of Lust"
"In For A Kill"
"I Feel Immortal"
"We Are"
"Falling Awake" (Feat. Joe Satriani)
"The Archives Of Lost Dreams"
"Crimson Deep"


CD2:
"Dark Star" — Tarja Vocal Version
"Montañas de Silencio"
"If You Believe"
"The Crying Moon"
"Underneath" — Orchestral Version
"I Feel Immortal" — Single Version
"Falling Awake" (Feat. Jason Hook)
"The Good Die Young" (Perf. by Scorpions + Tarja)
"Naiad" — Instrumental Extended Version
"Underneath" (Feat. Jyrki Linnankivi) *
"If You Believe" — Piano Version
"Falling Awake" (Feat. Julian Barret)
"Underneath" — Radio Version
"I Feel Immortal" — Radio Remix
"Until My Last Breath" — Single Version


* First physical release

As October 3rd, the start of their We Shall Remain European headline tour, draws ever closer, Swedish symphonic dark metal luminaries Eleine have released a surprising digital 2-track single, "Through The Mist". The song (incl. instrumental version) is available on all streaming platforms and can be listened to here.


Brute riffing and pounding drumming open "Through The Mist", which also features Rikard Ekberg's rarely heard clear vocals. However, this gradually changes into his distinctive growling before Madeleine Liljestam takes the lead and presents the band's (fan) legion with a truly redeeming chorus, which gives new hope to all those who currently seem to see no end to the light of the tunnel.


Madeleine and Rikard comment:




"Sometimes you are aware that you will not win a battle. But even if you don't win a fight, that doesn't mean the whole war is lost. 'Through The Mist' deals with the situation in the middle of a fight, physically or mentally, where you realize that you just can't win it. Nonetheless, you don't give up and keep fighting tooth and nail until the bitter end. There's a good reason that the motto 'United we stand' is so common in Eleine's music: the relationship between us as a band and our fans is extremely strong and should always be a two-way street where we help each other and fight side by side against any problems. So this song even contains a section that is explicitly addressed to our followers and in which we once again make it clear that we are incredibly proud of all those who face the fight against their demons on a daily basis." 





Eleine have announced their 2024 We Shall Remain Tour through Europe and the UK for October. Find tickets at eleine.com.





Eleine are:
Madeleine Liljestam | vocals
Rikard Ekberg | guitars, vocals
Victor Jonasson | guitars
Filip Stålberg | bass
Jesper Sunnhagen | drums

Drumeo has shared a new video from their studio along with the following message:


"We put Eloy Casagrande of Slipknot to the test by having him learn 'Blood And Thunder' by Mastodon as fast as possible! Known for his speed and precision, Eloy steps out of his comfort zone to tackle Mastodon's complex rhythms. Watch as he listens to the original drum part and tries to nail it on the spot."







Slipknot recently announced their first new song since the addition of Eloy Casagrande. The band took to social media to announce the new track.


Says Slipknot: "Slipknot fans are talking amongst themselves about “Long May You Die” being a new song written during the recent recording sessions. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right.”





Slipknot’s global Here Comes The Pain Tour celebrates 25 years of their self-titled album and will heavily draw from their 1999 debut. The North American portion, produced by Live Nation, includes arena plays nationwide this Summer. Highlights include New York City’s Madison Square Garden, two back to back nights at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, Austin’s Moody Center and more with direct support from Kentucky’s young and vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners, Knocked Loose. Orbit Culture and Vended are confirmed as support on select dates.





There actually was a time when Slipknot and the maggots (the loving name for their fans) did not completely rule the world. 25 years ago, the Des Moines band were just some guys trying to get their new LP noticed– a record that would start their metamorphosis into the most crucial band of the 21st century. That record would change rock as we know it, measuring success with a yardstick bigger than music, one for the influence on youth culture writ large. But these faceless demons from middle America would not only capture the hearts of the youth, they would help guide their tastes, and challenge them and their kin towards a new future.


Released on June 29, 1999, Slipknot’s self-titled debut was a smash hit with critics and an instant classic with fans. It was, and is, a molotov cocktail signaling a revolution – embracing a creative direction that eschewed metal traditions in favor of fresh ideas. While the jaw-clenching riffs coupled with Ross Robinson’s venomous production were crucial to the album’s success, it was the care and attention to detail in the songcraft that moved the needle from “great” to “benchmark.” Not too shabby for a bunch of guys that only hoped to be heard.


“We loved what we did with the first record but we didn't even know if there was gonna be anything after that,” recalls guitarist Jim Root. “We just wanted people to hear it. Selling out of records and shows, having successful tours– those are goals for any band. But the dream scenario in some ways, came true for us.”


In the years following, Slipknot’s popularity nipped at the heels of elder statesmen and even the band’s heroes, eventually navigating this brave new world with unending drive, fresh ideas and a bloodlust for odometer clicks. Tens of billions of streams and tens of millions of subscribers and followers later, the accolades tell the story: 64 award nominations and 27 wins including a Grammy for “Before I Forget“ from Vol. 3.  A seemingly endless number of tour dates. Headlining slots at some of the biggest festivals in the world such as Download, Rock In Rio, Hellfest, Wacken and many more. Not to mention RIAA certifications by the truckload – 14 platinum certifications and 40 gold across more than 30 million in record and video sales.


In addition, Slipknot positioned themselves for success with the creation of their own festival Knotfest in 2012, a traveling, multi-stage and experiential event that has appeared 28 times across several countries and locations. The festival has since spun off into a successful entertainment media hub – Knotfest.com, which became a juggernaut of its own making, giving a platform to young freethinkers and like-minded artists.


All of Slipknot’s achievements have helped them claim their rightful seat as pioneers and thought leaders, establishing them as a generational talent– loved by parents AND their children alike. And of course with all those incredible live performances, all that influence, and all that history of playing all those incredible songs, Slipknot has only attracted the most dedicated of fans, reaching all the way back to that fateful self-titled effort.


Slipknot is approaching this 25th anniversary by making the conscious decision to connect to fans as closely as possible, in a similar way to how they encountered Slipknot all those years ago. “Every time I've walked on stage, it's never been about how many people have been there because my culture, the maggots, always show up,” says founding member Shawn “Clown” Crahan with a smile.


“But as we’ve grown as a band, we have had fewer and fewer of those intimate, personal moments, trading them for massive ones. So we're gonna make it more personal on the anniversary, but how remains to be seen. Just get ready to have your face kicked in. Because we just do what we do, spread that maggot culture – that disease. And you've been infected.”


Slipknot 2024 live dates:


August
6 - Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center *
7 - Burgettstown, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake *
9 - Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena *
10 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion *
12 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden *
14 - Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion *
15 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center *
17 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena *


September
1 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
7 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre #
8 - Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Styles Resorts Amphitheater #
9 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life
11 - Nampa, ID - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #
13 - Inglewood, CA - Intuit Dome # SOLD OUT
14 - Inglewood, CA - Intuit Dome #
15 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre #
17 - Austin, TX - Moody Center #
18 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion #
21 - Des Moines, IA - Knotfest Iowa at Waterworks Park #


October
11 - Sacramento, CA - Aftershock Festival
19 - São Paulo, BR - Knotfest Brasil


November
8 - Guadalajara, Mexico - Calle 2
9 - Mexico City, Mexico - Parque Bicentenario


December
5 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome
6 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalehallen
8 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
9 - Leipzig, Germany - Quarterback Immobilien Arena
11 - Zürich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion
12 - Paris, France - Accor Arena
14 - Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena
15 - Glasgow, UK - Ovo Hydro
17 - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
18 - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
20 - London, UK - The O2
21 - London, UK - The O2


* with Special Guests Knocked Loose and Orbit Culture
# with Special Guests Knocked Loose and Vended

Ignescent have released the deluxe edition of their debut album, Fight In Me, available digitally via Frontiers Music Srl. Their new single and accompanying video “Under Attack”, are also out now.


Jennifer Benson comments on the release and on the new video: “We are stoked to present you our digital DLX edition of our album Fight In Me. The new music video to ‘Under Attack’ was directed by J.T. Ibanez. The song is about the attacks, lies, and betrayals I've endured. But, in the end, we will come out fighting and stronger for it.”







Ignescent is a dynamic new hard rock band hailing from Chicago. Fight In Me, originally released on November 10, 2023, includes songs co-written with Sameer of Flyleaf, along with Jeremy Valentyne and Brandon Wolfe of New Years Day among others. The band is fronted by the multi-talented singer Jennifer Benson and have released several singles and an EP in the past few years showcasing their contemporary metal sound, akin to Flyleaf, Evanescence, Jinjer and Skillet.


Since 2018, the band has been primarily touring throughout the Midwest and Nashville area. Ignescent’s last single, “Remnant” hit #46 on Billboard Rock Charts, while Ignescent’s first EP, Electrified, was produced by 4-time Dove Award winning & Grammy Nominated producer Travis Wyrick (10 Years, P.O.D.). The first song on the CD, “Calling Out to You”, was co-written with former lead guitarist of Skillet, Ben Kasica, and hit the top 30 on Billboard Rock Charts.





Tracklisting:


"Monster You Made"
"Unholy"
"Fight In Me"
"You're Not Alone"
"Under Attack"
"Triple Threat"
"Shadows"
"Carries Me"
"The Hurt"
"Woman On Fire"
"Not Today" (Featuring Kevin Young Of Disciple)
"Goodbye"
"Radio Gaga"


"Goodbye" lyric video:





"Monster You Made" video:





Lineup:


Jennifer Benson – lead vocals
Tyler Hensley - guitars
Joel Seidlitz – bass guitar
Dusty Winterrowd - drums


(Photo - Jennifer Gerstner)

During an appearance on the BREWtally Speaking podcast, KITTIE drummer Mercedes Lander spoke about the Canadian metal band's first album in over 13 years, "Fire", which was made available on June 21 via Sumerian Records. She said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "There's so many songs that I like on this record. We picked 10 out of the 16 or so that we wrote. And I think that was the hardest part of this experience, was only picking 10 songs… It's so hard because I personally think that they're all so good, but I'm clearly biased. I think they're all great. And it was really hard to make that decision to pick those songs, so much so that we [told our producer Nick Raskulinecz], like, 'Nick, what do we do?' And he was, like, well, 'If it were me, let's pick these songs.' And we were, like, 'Okay, you know what? Let's just do it.' 'Cause we couldn't make a decision."

Addressing KITTIE's future plans, both in terms of recording and touring, Mercedes said: "So right now there are other things that are going to happen that I think that some older KITIE fans are gonna be really excited about. So there's some things coming down the pipe that will be, I think, really exciting for everyone involved. So you're just gonna have to wait to see what happens. Unfortunately, I can't talk more about it. But other than that, I think we're probably gonna go back and take those six songs that we didn't record [during the 'Fire' sessions] and maybe rework them and then maybe we'll put 'em on the next record."

In April, KITTIE announced an exclusive run of North American headline dates. The long-awaited shows will see the band perform in five cities across the U.S. and Canada this July and August, giving fans a very special and rare chance to see the band play a full headline set that will include their recently released singles "We Are Shadows" and "Eyes Wide Open" as well as classic hits and some deep cuts not played live since the band's early days.

Last November, it was revealed that KITTIE was working on a new studio LP with Raskulinecz at Nashville's Sienna Studios.

Raskulinecz, who moved to Nashville from Los Angeles around 16 years ago, had previously worked with such acts as RUSH, ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, RISE AGAINST, HALESTORM, EVANESCENCE, SKID ROW and the DEFTONES.

KITTIE played its first concert in five years in September 2022 at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival at the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.

Joining Mercedes and guitarist/vocalist Morgan Lander in KITTIE's current lineup are guitarist Tara McLeod and bassist Ivana "Ivy" Vujic.

Prior to Blue Ridge, KITTIE had not performed since its reunion show at London Music Hall in the band's native London, Ontario in 2017, celebrating the group's documentary "Kittie: Origins/Evolutions".

Vujic joined KITTIE in 2008 and appeared on the band's fifth studio CD, 2009's "In The Black". She also wrote and recorded bass for KITTIE's sixth album, 2011's "I've Failed You".

After KITTIE completed the touring cycle for "I've Failed You" album, the band entered a long period of inactivity during which Morgan focused on a marketing job for a chain of fitness clubs while Mercedes worked in real estate and more recently at a software company. The group also began work on a career-spanning documentary, "Origins/Evolutions", which finally saw the light of day in 2018 via Lightyear Entertainment in North America.

"I've Failed You" sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 178 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Photo credit: Jim Louvau

From the depths of Norway looms a new rising beast of hate and misanthropy in the form of Avmakt. Featuring the duo of Kristian Valbo and Christoffer Bråthen - known for their work with such acts as Aura Noir, Obliteration, and Condor - their debut album, The Satanic Inversion of…., is a grim and revelatory offering. Primitive in a way that captures the early magic of Kolbotn’s metal kings, Darkthrone, as well as the stark chaos of early-era Bathory along with their very own distinguishable stamp on the genre, The Satanic Inversion of…. is a masterclass of real black metal feeling, wrapped up in a hypnotic frenzy of ice-cold riffing.


Though both members had played in bands covering different genres since their early teenage years, black metal had always been one of the most important as a vehicle for an honesty and fierceness that resonated deeply within the duo, without the need for extravagant clothing or pretentious concepts. And so Avmakt itself was born as the vessel for channelling this stripped down raw feeling.


Formed in 2020 and with their one and only demo release gaining traction in the underground, the Norwegians quickly came to the attention of Darkthrone’s Fenriz and Peaceville Records, and Avmakt was swiftly included on Peaceville’s Black Metal Compilation, Dark Side Of The Sacred Star which launched at the end of 2022.




“Underground metal the way it should sound returns to Kolbotn!” - Fenriz (Darkthrone)


Avmakt itself means “powerlessness”, the sense of being overwhelmed and not able to have any influence - without choice, voice, or hope. And so it is from far down in this psychological abyss that Avmakt’s ideas and expressions manifest with the completion of their debut studio release; 6 sprawling epic tracks recorded with the assistance of Arild Torp, also of Obliteration, and encapsulating such themes as emptiness, desolation, and alienation in a powerful display of sinister, uninhibited black metal.


Preorder at burningshed.com.





Tracklisting:


“Ordinance”
“Poison Reveal”
“Sharpening Blades Of Cynicism”
“Towing Oblivion”
“Charred”
“Doubt And The Void”


“Poison Reveal”:

Magic the Gathering-inspired power metal band Planeswalker (ft. members of Helion Prime, Gloryhammer) have returned with their newest single “Compleated”. This single tells the story of the Father of Machines - Yawgmoth and about his departure from the Thran empire and becoming the ruler of Phyrexia, as well as his experiments with flesh and machine.


Musically we see a darker turn to naturally fit the theme of the song. Complex riffs and soaring vocals are nothing new with Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer). The pair is joined by Carlos Alvarez (ex-Power Theory, Behölder, Shadowdance) on bass and Stefanos Meletiou (The Zilla Project, Private Garden) on drums this time around and the two helped bring the big bombastic sound to this song.







Jason Ashcraft comments:


"I’m stoked to get some new Planeswalker material out into the world. This stand-alone single serves as a slight hint of what’s to come. We are working on a second album but have no immediate details on it just yet, but we hope this little slice can hold people over. I was also excited to contribute to writing this time around and I think this is a good example of what can be expected to come when Sozos and I riff together!"


Sozos Michael adds:


"Planeswalker is back! We took our time with this one but I'm excited to share our new song with everyone. This one is about one of MTG's big baddies, and I feel that both Jason and I had a strong and unified vision of what this song should sound like given the subject matter. It is a stepping stone to our next album and connected to its story in a way that will be revealed in time. Please enjoy this release while we are hard at work on PW2!"





Planeswalker is:
Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer) - Vocals
Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) Guitars
Guest Musicians:
Carlos Alvarez (Shadowdance) - Bass
Daniel Carpenter (Celestiv) - Keys & Orchestra Arrangements
Stefanos Meletiou - Drums

Canadian heavy rock/metal juggernaut Oni recently revealed his single "Control," which has since garnered mass acclaim and growing support from active rock radio stations throughout North America. Now, mastermind, founding vocalist Jake Oni returns to break it down for an emotionally charged acoustic version available for streaming everywhere now and accompanied by a lyric video.


Commenting on the acoustic rendition, Oni says:


"This song is definitely some of my best work yet. Josh Gilbert wrote the song with me, and I tracked vocals at my studio in Cayman with Joe McQueen. 'Control' has a different vibe than anything I’ve written before in terms of range of vocals. I wanted to show a different side to this song, and felt this acoustic reimagining was a great way to present this."







"Control" was written with Josh Gilbert (SPIRITBOX, WOVENWAR) and encapsulates Oni's skillful songwriting and ability to craft heavy, mesmerizing anthems. The track is paired with an animated clip created by Ben Watanabe and 555 Comic and is the first episode in an animated series that explores the struggle within oneself. Centered on the main character Jake, the story follows his struggles with internal and external forces as he battles to overcome adversity and adversaries. 


Jake's journey will continue to unfold in future episodes/music videos revealing a dystopian world and developing characters. Stylistically, you can expect traditional anime components woven together with Oni’s ever evolving sound. The color palette is inspired by the muted tones of Afro Samurai, and the story arc has been written by Jake Oni himself. Each new song released will be an episode in the series.





Oni will kick off their summer tour on August 2 supporting Crown The Empire, with Dark Divine and Capstan.

ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell performed his new solo single, "Vilified", live for the first time on Friday (July 26) at the opening concert of his tour with BUSH and CANDLEBOX at Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon

Jerry's setlist for the show was as follows:

01. Brighten
02. Vilified (live debut)
03. Atone
04. Them Bones (ALICE IN CHAINS song)
05. Psychotic Break
06. Cut You In
07. Sea Of Sorrow (ALICE IN CHAINS song)
08. Had To Know
09. Would? (ALICE IN CHAINS song)
10. Rooster (ALICE IN CHAINS song)

"Vilified" is taken from Cantrell's upcoming solo album, "I Want Blood", which will arrive on October 18 via Double J Music.

"This record is a serious piece of work. It's a motherfucker," Cantrell said of the collection. "It's hard, no doubt, and completely unlike 'Brighten'. And that's what you want, to end up in a different place. There's a confidence to this album. I think it's some of my best songwriting and playing, and certainly some of my best singing."

Album opener "Vilified" showcases an energy that rivals any of Cantrell's previous work — powerful, nuanced, and electric — setting the tone for the 45-minute album.

"'Vilified" travels a lot of places in just four and a half minutes," Cantrell continued. "It's got a ferocity and really aggressive vibe to it."

"I Want Blood", co-produced by Cantrell and Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MELVINS),was recorded at Barresi's JHOC Studio in Pasadena, California. The album also features contributions from bass heavyweights Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES) and Robert Trujillo (METALLICA),drummers Gil Sharone (TEAM SLEEP, STOLEN BABIES) and Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE),and backing vocals from Lola Colette and Greg Puciato (BETTER LOVERS, ex-THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN).

Album pre-orders, which include CD, digital and multiple 2LP variants are available here. Exclusive to the 2LP vinyl versions of "I Want Blood" are atmospheric, spoken-word versions of each song on the album.

Cantrell's latest solo album, "Brighten", came out in October 2021. The LP was Jerry's first project without ALICE IN CHAINS in 19 years. "Brighten" was co-produced by Jerry with film composer Tyler Bates and Cantrell's longtime engineer Paul Figueroa. They welcomed a dynamic cast of supporting players, including drummers Gil Sharone and Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney),pedal steel master Michael Rozon, Vincent Jones on piano, Wurlitzer, and organ. Other rock legends added to the fun of this LP, including Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES) on select bass tracks, Puciato handling all of the background vocals and Barresi overseeing the mixing of "Brighten". Together, they recorded eight originals and the LP closes with an approved-by-Elton John cover of his classic "Goodbye" as the finale.

Cantrell's band for his 2022 "Brighten" solo tour consisted of Tyler Bates (guitar),Greg Puciato (backing vocals),Gil Sharone (drums),George Adrian (bass),Michael Rozon (pedal steel) and Jason Achilles (keyboards). The set included songs from "Brighten", along with favorite hits from Jerry's catalog.

Jerry's career outside of ALICE IN CHAINS has consisted of two other solo albums and contributions to major film soundtracks. Cantrell's first solo album, "Boggy Depot", was released in 1998, followed by his second album, the aforementioned "Degradation Trip". In addition to his solo artist work, Jerry has released music on soundtracks for several films, including "Spider-Man", "The Cable Guy", "John Wick 2", "Last Action Hero" and "The Punisher".

ALICE IN CHAINS regrouped in 2006 with William DuVall joining the band, and released its third LP with DuVall in the lineup, "Rainier Fog", in August 2018.

Earlier this month, it was announced that STONE SOUR and MINISTRY drummer Roy Mayorga wouls sit behind the kit for Cantrell during the ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist's summer 2024 tour.

The trek, which is headlined by BUSH, will conclude on September 15 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Also appearing on the bill will be CANDLEBOX.

Mayorga announced his addition to Cantrell's band in a social media post on July 8. He wrote: "Super excited to announce that I'll be hitting the road this summer with Jerry Cantrell supporting BUSH for their 'Loaded: The Greatest Hits' tour, which means I'll be taking break from MINISTRY for a while, but I shall return at some point. Look forward to rocking out with you all this summer."

Mayorga joined STONE SOUR in 2006 and was a touring drummer for HELLYEAH after Vinnie Paul Abbott passed away in 2018. Five years ago, he played drums on three tracks on LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton's solo album.

Mayorga played on MINSTRY's last two studio albums and has toured with the group since 2021.

French progressive metallers GOJIRA performed at today's (Friday, July 26) Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, making them the first metal band to ever play at the Olympic Games.

GOJIRA's morbid production paid bloody tribute to a historically famous dead lady, Marie Antoinette. Vulture described the performance, a collaboration with opera singer Marina Viotti, as "a full musical, metal–opera–Cameron Mackintosh mash-up tribute to … the guillotine," featuring "decapitated faces painted clown-white [singing] the French revolutionary song 'Ça ira'" during the "Liberté" portion of the ceremony.

GOJIRA's version of "Ça ira" was reworked alongside French composer and producer Victor le Masne, according to The New York Times.

In a phone interview, GOJIRA vocalist-guitarist Joseph Duplantier told The New York Times of the song choice, "It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal," adding, "The song's going to be in your face."

According to the biography on her web site, Marina has previously "experimented with jazz, gospel and heavy metal".

Video and photos of GOJIRA's performance can be found below.

Also performing at the ceremony were Céline Dion, Lady Gaga and Aya Nakamura.

"The opening ceremony is orchestrated by renowned stage director Thomas Jolly," Time Out reports, "who has invited a stellar cast of local and international stars to celebrate the rich history and diversity of French musical culture."

GOJIRA is considered a standard-bearer for French rock and bringing French rock to an international audience. Metal Hammer declared GOJIRA "metal's most important band" in 2016.

GOJIRA has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times — twice in 2017, for "Best Metal Performance" and "Best Rock Album" ("Magma") and once in 2022 for "Best Metal Performance".

GOJIRA's latest album, "Fortitude", entered Billboard's Top Albums chart at No. 1 in May 2021, while also claiming the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top Current Albums, Current Rock Albums and Current Hard Music Albums tallies. The release also marked a career high debut on the Billboard 200 for GOJIRA, arriving at No. 12, with several career high chart positions and Top 10 debuts in countries around the globe including: France (No. 2),United Kingdom (No. 6),Australia (No. 3),Germany (No. 8),Belgium (No. 2),Netherlands (No. 4),Denmark (No. 3),Portugal (No. 4),Finland (No. 2) and Norway (No. 10).

Furthermore, GOJIRA concluded a month-long fundraising initiative in support of the indigenous-owned NGO The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) who advocate for environmental and cultural rights of indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Working with the social good-focused digital platform Propeller, the charitable campaign raised over $300,000 through an auction and raffle of one-of-a-kind items from the band and their friends in METALLICA, TOOL, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER, Slash and more. All proceeds were donated to APIB to support their work aiding the indigenous tribes of the Amazon who have suffered immensely — victims of deforestation, land loss, forced labor, violence, and harassment.

Recorded and produced by Joseph Duplantier at Silver Cord Studio — GOJIRA's Ridgewood, Queens, New York headquarters — and mixed by Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),"Fortitude" is GOJIRA's first album in five years and the follow-up to 2016's Grammy-nominated LP "Magma". A collection of songs urging humanity to imagine a new world and then make it happen, "Fortitude" has been earning widespread critical praise with Rolling Stone naming it one of their best albums of April 2021 and remarking "It's all the rage of death metal mixed with the conscience of punk rock and the musicality of progressive rock." NPR hailed "Another World" as "an apocalyptic banger," and Paste called "Into The Storm" a "much-needed revolutionary anthem." Stereogum declared, "hearing this band operating at their peak is a life-affirming thing," while Revolver attested "Fortitude" "could spark a revolution."

Germany’s greatest export Scorpions have uploaded classic footage performing Lovedrive track “Can’t Get Enough”. The song opens Side B of the 1979 album.





1985 was the first edition of the Rock In Rio festival. It was held from January 11-20 and an estimated 1.4 million attended. Scorpions performed on two days of the festival – Tuesday, January 15 and Saturday, January 19.




More from Rock In Rio 1985:


Iconic track "The Zoo", the single earned the most success in the U.K., peaking at #75:





Energetic Blackout tune "Dynamite":





Blackout song "Can't Live Without You":





Love At First Sting classic "Still Loving You":





Animal Magnetism track “Make It Real”:

Deep Purple recently released their new studio album, =1. The record enters the UK's Official Albums Chart this week at #12.


Says Official Charts: "British heavy metal legends Deep Purple see their 23rd studio album =1 become their 26th UK Top 40 LP this week (12)."


You can view the complete chart here.




The enigmatic album title, =1, encapsulates Deep Purple’s philosophy of unity amidst complexity, promising an album that resonates deeply with their five decades spanning hard rock legacy.


=1 is available via earMUSIC as Ltd. CD+DVD (Digipak), CD (Jewelcase), 2LP Gatefold (black, 180g), Ltd. Purple 2LP Gatefold (180g), Ltd. Crystal Clear 2LP (180g) and Ltd. Box Set (CD+DVD Digipak, 2LP black Gatefold, 3x exclusive 10” vinyl editions feat. live recordings from Deep Purple’s 2022 tour, exclusive Collector’s T-shirt, 2x exclusive guitar picks, 1x exclusive art print, 1x exclusive lanyard, and the chance to win a Golden Ticket giving access to all shows on the Deep Purple =1 More Time tour).


All LPs include a rich 12-page vinyl sized booklet. The bonus DVD features the approx. 60min documentary ‘Access All Areas’ joining Deep Purple backstage on tour and providing an exclusive look behind the scenes.


Further exclusive items are available via the official album store (here): Ltd. 2LP Picture Disc, Ltd. Cassette, strictly limited canvas signed by all band members - limited to 50 items only and various other merchandise items.





Tracklisting:


"Show Me"
"A Bit On The Side"
"Sharp Shooter"
"Portable Door"
"Old-Fangled Thing"
"If I Were You"
"Pictures Of You"
"I’m Saying Nothin’"
"Lazy Sod"
"Now You’re Talkin’"
"No Money To Burn"
"I’ll Catch You"
"Bleeding Obvious"


"Lazy Sod" video:





"Pictures Of You" video:





"Portable Door" video:





=1 More Time tour dates:


August
14 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live
15 - Tampa, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Event Center
17 - The Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
18 - Durant, OK - Choctaw Casino - Grand Theater
19 - Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena
21 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
22 - Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
23 - Tinley Park, IL - Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
25 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
27 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
28 - Gilford, NH - BankNH Pavilion
30 - Camden, NJ - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
31 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center


September
1 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
3 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
4 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Broadview Stage at SPAC
6 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
8 - Scranton, PA - The Pavilion at Montage Mountain


Tickets are available at deeppurple.com.

The Troops Of Doom, the Brazilian death metal supergroup led by Jairo "Tormentor" Guedz, former guitarist of the original Sepultura lineup, have released an official lyric video for "The Grotesque", featured on their new studio album, A Mass To The Grotesque, released back in May via Alma Mater Records, the Portuguese label run by Moonspell singer, Fernando Ribeiro.





The Troops Of Doom was formed in 2020, during the pandemic, by the original Sepultura guitarist Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz. He recorded the albums Bestial Devastation (1985) and Morbid Visions (1986). Jairo left the band in 1987, making way for Andreas Kisser, who continues with the band to this day. The Troops Of Doom’s lineup also includes other significant figures from the Brazilian metal scene, such as guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis), a globally renowned graphic artist known for his work with bands like Slayer, Dee Snider, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and many others. The vocalist and bassist Alex Kafer, former live guitarist for Matanza, and drummer Alexandre Oliveira, a former member of the band Tianastácia, complete the lineup.




Acclaimed by specialized media as a supergroup, The Troops Of Doom emerged to revive the classic death metal of the 80s, inspired by Sepultura’s early era with Jairo and other influential bands such as Slayer, Celtic Frost, Kreator, and Possessed. It serves as a time machine for those nostalgic for the golden age of death metal. In just two years since its formation, the band has released three EPs: The Rise of Heresy (2020), The Absence of Light (2021), and Prelude to Blasphemy (2023), along with their debut album, Antichrist Reborn, that was released in 2022 on CD, LP, and Cassette by Alma Mater Records and lauded by both fans and music press alike.


A Mass To The Grotesque was produced by André Moraes, a multi-talented musician known for his work on Sepultura’s Dante XXI and the soundtrack of the film “Lisbela e o Prisioneiro,” at Audio Porto studio in Porto Alegre/RS. The mixing and mastering of the album were done by Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, known for producing some of the greatest death metal classics of the 80s and 90s.


The cover art was painted by the acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave, responsible for numerous classic death metal album covers. Guedz reveals: "The title A Mass To The Grotesque carries the symbolism of a true ode to the ugly, the evil, the feared. It encompasses everything and everyone that doesn't fit into the molds of a so-called 'evolved' society, choosing to live in the shadows. A dark liturgy to the rejected and their followers, who find shelter and comfort in the absence of light and in the supposed dictatorship of the divine word, whatever it may be. The grotesque is resistance, where nothing is sacred!"


Order the album here.





Tracklisting:


"Solve Et Coagula" - Introduction
"Chapels Of The Unholy"
"Dawn Of Mephisto"
"Denied Divinity"
"The Impostor King"
"Faithless Requiem"
"Psalm 78 - God Of Bizarre"
"Terror Inheritance"
"The Grotesque"
"Blood Upon The Throne"
"Venomous Creed"


Full album visualizer:





"Dawn Of Mephisto" video:





"Chapels Of The Unholy" video:





(Photo - Cissa Flores @cissa_flores)

MR. BIG — Eric Martin (lead vocals),Paul Gilbert (guitar, vocals),Billy Sheehan (bass, vocals),Nick D'Virgilio (drums, vocals) — will release its last-ever live album, "The BIG Finish Live", on September 6 via the Evolution Music Group.

"The BIG Finish Live" is a brand-new live album and concert film of MR. BIG's "The BIG Finish" farewell tour, where the band played their million-selling "Lean Into It" album in its entirety, plus additional MR. BIG classics. Filmed in 4K at the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan on July 26, 2023, this historic performance will be available in many different multiple high-quality formats: 180g black vinyl (3-LP),Hybrid Stereo Multi-Channel SACDs (2),MQA-CDs (2),MQA-CDs + Blu-ray (2),4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (featuring behind-the-scenes and interview footage),and cassette (2). All of these formats will come with a booklet/insert that includes previously unreleased photos from their Budokan performance, as well as a sticker or postcard gift for fans.

The official "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)" performance video, taken from "The BIG Finish Live", can be seen below.

Last year, MR. BIG put on their signature top hats and old shoes for the launch of their last worldwide tour, aptly titled "The BIG Finish". The first leg kicked off July 20, 2023 in Nagoya, Japan, which took them throughout Southeast Asia where the band performed for hundreds of thousands of loyal fans at 11 sold-out shows. MR. BIG then brought "The BIG Finish" to South America, an initial run of European shows, and two separate East Coast/West Coast tours of the U.S.

One particular aspect of this final run that MR. BIG have been most excited about is the decision to perform the entirety of their breakthrough platinum-selling 1991 album "Lean Into It" from start to finish as a featured highlight of the live setlist, along with other MR. BIG classics.

Joining MR. BIG on drums for this special final world tour has been longtime friend of the band Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD, BIG BIG TRAIN),stepping in for founding drummer/vocalist Pat Torpey, who sadly passed away in 2018 following his heroic battle with Parkinson's disease.

After 35 years of bringing the MR. BIG sound across the world and back, it's time to come together for one final, extended curtain call with a live album to live on for the ages.

"The BIG Finish Live" track listing:

01. Addicted To That Rush
02. Take Cover
03. Undertow
04. Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
05. Alive And Kickin'
06. Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
07. CDFF - Lucky This Time
08. Voodoo Kiss
09. Never Say Never
10. Just Take My Heart
11. My Kinda Woman
12. A Little Too Loose
13. Road To Ruin
14. To Be With You
15. Big Love
16. The Chain
17. Promise Her The Moon
18. Where Do I Fit In
19. Wild World
20. Paul Gilbert Guitar Solo
21. Colorado Bulldog
22. Billy Sheehan Bass Solo
23. Shy Boy
24. 30 Days In The Hole
25. Good Lovin'
26. Baba O'Riley

D'Virgilio is missing most of the final European leg of the band's "The BIG Finish" tour due to his commitments with his band BIG BIG TRAIN. He is being temporarily replaced on the trek by Edu Cominato, an experienced drummer from São Paulo, Brazil who has previously played with Sheehan and Martin, Jeff Scott Soto and Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE),among others.