Back in the mid-1980s, the PMRC (Parents' Music Resource Center) published a list called "The Filthy Fifteen" which consisted of the top fifteen songs they wanted banned due to objectionable lyrics suggesting violence, sex, drugs, alcohol or the occult. They petitioned for lyrics to be printed on the album jackets and no one was safe — heavy metal acts were right there alongside the pop stars. AC/DC, Madonna, MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, Prince, W.A.S.P., MERCYFUL FATE, Vanity, DEF LEPPARD, Cyndi Lauper and TWISTED SISTER all made "The Filthy Fifteen" list. In November 1985, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) agreed to put "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics" labels on selected releases at their own discretion.

Speaking to "That Fuzzing Rock Show" on the 93.9 WABY radio station, PRIEST singer Rob Halford reflected on the PMRC and the parallels between what was going on 40 years ago and today's so-called "cancel culture", particularly as it relates to younger people getting harassed online to an extreme over a mistake they've made. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know where to begin on this. You've gotta let young people be who they are. You've gotta let young people find their own way in life. It's a weird thing because this cancellation thing, it's not as big as it is. A lot of it is just blown out of proportion. It's clickbait. It's news, it's not news, it's news, it's not news. Most young people are beautiful, kind, living their lives, trying to get ahead. And then there's this other social media, TMZ bubble that's just raging off in the corner, and you can tune in or tune out to that type of thing.

"But, yeah, when we went through that experience with the PMRC, it was tough because it was backed by very powerful political figures in Washington, D.C.," he explained. "Straight off, this was just a political hack job. These people had no clue about heavy metal. They had no clue about the joy and the pleasure and the good times that heavy metal music gives to people and the goodness that it makes and the positivity. They just went at it with a hatchet. And I love my friend Dee Snider [from TWISTED SISTER, who, along with Frank Zappa and John Denver, was called before Congress to testify in defense of music], 'cause he went in there and did a great job. So, yeah, it's not new on us. As you get older, you get wiser, don't you? And you figure out what's important and what's not important. What I do think is unfair, particularly for younger people, is that younger people are so inexperienced, to a great extent, on how to deal with their feelings and how to deal with being bullied and attacked on social media. And it can be very damaging."

In 2015, Halford was asked by Canada's C103 radio station what it was like to have the JUDAS PRIEST track "Eat Me Alive" included in "The Filthy Fifteen". He responded: "It was kind of tough, because we got attacked for something that was completely out of order. None of us that are on that list should have been there, because when you come see a band like PRIEST or my mate Dee from TWISTED SISTER, we wanna give you a good time, we wanna help you forget all the troubles and the worries in the world. We want you to come and enjoy yourself, have a few drinks, meet your mates, have a great metal experience, rock and roll experience. So, to be accused of that was pretty low, but we got through it and we battled on, and I think we had a win for everybody in that respect."

Halford also talked about the way society had become, in his view, too politically correct. He said: "Well, again, I could talk forever on that subject. You know, yeah, I think we need to kind of give each other a break and kind of take a long, deep breath and let it out very slowly, because it seems the only way people can get attention in these times is to scream as loud as they possibly can and to say the most outrageous things they possibly can. So it's a pity, really. It's a different world from when I was growing up as a kid. But, hey, that's the way humanity is evolving, unfortunately. And it's not just in the States; it's everywhere. There's this crazy cacophony going on. But leave all that stuff to the politicians and to all the… The kind of noise that we make in metal is the best noise you can get — plain and simple."

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the U.S. leg of the "Invincible Shield" world tour on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest album, "Invincible Shield", entered the U.K. chart at No. 2, just behind Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine".

Prior to "Invincible Shield"'s arrival, PRIEST's highest U.K. chart achievement was with 1980's "British Steel", which reached No. 4.

PRIEST's 2018 album "Firepower" entered the chart at No. 5.

"Invincible Shield" is JUDAS PRIEST's fifth Top 10 album, after the aforementioned "British Steel" and "Firepower", as well as 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" (No. 6) and the 1979 live album "Unleashed In The East" (No. 10).

"Invincible Shield" landed at No. 1 in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as No. 5 in France, No. 8 in Italy and No. 16 in Australia.

Otherworldly alt. duo, Zetra, have released a video for "The Mirror" the new single from their self-titled debut album, out September 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. Watch below.


The wanderers whispers echo: "The sky illuminates as the meteors begin their cataclysmic descent through the firmament. Starfall. The second chapter of our realization emerges. The unveiling of our Opus 1, 'Zetra' continues. Starfall. We are united on this journey with the supernatural force that is Serena Cherry of Svalbard. Begin to know."


Pre-order and pre-save Zetra here.







Tracklisting:


"Suffer Eternally"
"Sacrifice"
"Starfall ft. Serena Cherry"
"The Mirror"
"Shatter The Mountain" ft. Sólveig Matthildur
"Holy Malice"
"Inseparable"
"Gaia"
"Moonfall" ft. Gabriel Franco
"Miracle"


"The Mirror" video:





"Starfall" video:





(Photo - Rebecca Need-Menear)

Japanese rockers, Crossfaith, have shared the video for their futuristic and post-apocalyptic new single "God Speed" (Feat. Wargasm). Both the audio and visual are frenetic so strap yourself in and sit sidecar for this metal x industrial musical thrill ride.


"This song is based on the concept of simply living in obedience to one's desires," the band states. "It expresses the attitude we should not lose in this restricted and monitored society. This song features Wargasm, a duo with distinctive and iconic voices, and their contribution adds an erotic and dirty vibes to this track."


Indeed, the addition of Wargasm lends more vocal layers and a wild, almost frantic intensity. The song will leave your clutching your chest and breathless, trying to recover. But once the final note fades out, you will smash the replay button and do it all over again! It's that exhilarating.







The song appears on Crossfaith's recently announced album AЯK, which arrives on June 26 via UNFD and Warner Music Japan, and marks the band's first album in six years. Pre-order the record here.


It is a welcome return for the band - after adjusting the global pandemic and a band hiatus, as well a membership change — and serves as quite a milestone. The album's title AЯK is a message of saying goodbye to the past and hello to a new beginning, and their fresh sound and perspective is reflected in the new material.





Crossfaith previously shared the visualizer for the brand new single "L.A.M.N" (Feat. Bobby Wolfgang). Watch below. Fans can also check out the video for "ZERO".

Seven Spires has shared "The Old Hurt Of Being Left Behind", the third single from their upcoming studio album, A Fortress Called Home, to be released on June 21 via Frontiers Music Srl. The track is accompanied by a new music video, available below.


Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan had this to share about the track: “This was the first song we wrote for 'A Fortress Called Home.' It grew from a poignant piano piece from my idea vault, and was rooted in the music and story of Edward Elgar’s 'Sospiri, op. 70.' It’s a piece that I often felt sounded like the pain of falling in love. And — I find there is something so fragile and quietly beautiful in the wrenching agony of truly baring one’s soul to another. Inspired by that juxtaposition, Jack and I brought our best to capture hope in pain, melody in chaos, and that softness in brutality. Basically, I think the title says it all.”







A Fortress Called Home, Seven Spires' fourth studio album is the follow-up to Gods Of Debauchery (2021), and takes their signature blend of symphonic power and extreme metal to new heights, dragging the listener to the deepest abysses in the process


Adrienne Cowan comments: “I visited the void twice while writing this album. I don’t know which begat the other. It’s ugly. I love it and I hate it, and I think it’s our best work yet.”


A Fortress Called Home was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jack Kosto who had this to say about it: “If our previous albums have intended to take you on an emotional journey of our design, this album forces you to confront the one of your own making. Good luck and enjoy!”


Pre-order A Fortress Called Home at this location.





Tracklisting:


"A Fortress Called Home"
"Songs Upon Wine-Stained Tongues"
"Almosttown"
"Impossible Tower"
"Love’s Souvenir"
"Architect Of Creation"
"Portrait Of Us"
"Emerald Necklace"
"Where Sorrows Bear My Name"
"No Place For Us"
"House Of Lies"
"The Old Hurt Of Being Left Behind"


"Architect Of Creation" video:





"Almosttown" video:





Seven Spires’ 2024 touring schedule can be found here

Billy Idol recently did an exclusive performance for Vevo. "Eyes Without A Face" from the session joins the previously posted "Rebel Yell". Watch both videos below:










Billy Idol is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his landmark album, Rebel Yell, with a deluxe expanded edition, out now via Capitol/UMe.


Billy Idol is a perfectionist… and that sometimes gets him into trouble. Hear why he stole the tapes to Rebel Yell from his record label in this edition of the uDiscover - Beyond The Bus series.





Available to order here, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idols smash hit "Eyes Without A Face", and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original "Best Way Out Of Here" from the original sessions.


Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idols self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles "Eyes Without A Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", "Rebel Yell", and "Catch My Fall". The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete tracklistings.





Rebel Yell (Expanded Edition) tracklistings:


2xLP:


Disc 1, Side A
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"


Disc 1, Side B
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"


Disc 2, Side A
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)


Disc 2, Side B
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)





2xCD/Digital Album:


Disc 1
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"


Disc 2
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Rebel Yell" (Session Take)
"Blue Highway" (Original Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Session Take)
"Catch My Fall" (Original Demo)
"Motorbikin" (Session Take)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)


"Best Way Out Of Here" visualizer:





Flesh For Fantasy” demo:





"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" visualizer:





Billy Idol will embark on his transcontinental Rebel Yell Canada 2024 arena tour this summer, beginning July 30 in Vancouver and running through August 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.


Produced by Live Nation Canada, Idol’s show will include a myriad of hits from across his career with a focus on the landmark Rebel Yell album, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Joining Idol is his longtime backing band, including his lead guitarist and collaborator of over 40 years, Steve Stevens. Canadian Walk Of Fame inductees Platinum Blonde will appear as special guest across all stops.





Dates:


July
30 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena


August
1 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place
2 - Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome
5 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Centre
6 - Winnipeg, MB - Canada Life Centre
9 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena
10 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre
14 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens
16 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
19 - Quebec City, QC - Videotron Centre
21 - Moncton, NB - Avenir Centre
23 - Halifax, NS - Scotiabank Centre
25 - St. John’s, NL - Mary Brown’s Centre

Enuff Z'nuff, the revered melodic rock band hailing from the heart of Chicago, is set to unveil a treasure trove of their musical origins with the release of a captivating collection of demo recordings. These recordings, crafted prior to the band's iconic self-titled debut album, offer a raw and impassioned glimpse into the genesis of Enuff Z'nuff's illustrious career.


The forthcoming collection, entitled The 1987 Demos, showcases the band's classic lineup of Chip Z’nuff, Donnie Vie, Derek Frigo, and Vikki Foxx, exuding a fervor and authenticity that transcends even their acclaimed major label releases. Fans worldwide have long revered these early compositions, recognizing the embryonic stages of Enuff Z'nuff's signature sound. Now they get to experience these songs as never before!


Among the gems featured in this collection are early renditions of beloved classics such as the chart-topping single "Fly High Michelle," alongside anthems like "New Thing" and "I Could Never Be Without You." These early versions offer a unique perspective, capturing the essence of the band's evolution and the raw talent that propelled them to international acclaim. Check out the demo version of “New Thing,” which has been released as a single to all music platforms today!




Stream/download the single here; listen below.


“Before we got our first record deal,” explains EZ’s founding lead vocalist Donnie Vie, “Chip and I had written and demoed at least 50 pretty good songs. It was hard to choose which ones to shop. We basically put together what we felt would be a great record and shopped it as that. Needless to say, the label loved it, so we went to work re-recording it on a grander scale (and waste $200K. Haha). I personally think we could've just had this mixed, because most of it was recorded and produced exactly the same way. The songs stand on their own, and this was the way it was done - on our own.”


Chip, who oversaw this project and composed liner notes for the album, declares  “ Here are the warts, scars, and tattoos of our labor, when it all started over 3 decades ago!”


The 1987 Demos will be available on both CD and vinyl starting on May 31. The CD version includes two bonus tracks not available anywhere else - a cover of Hendrix’s “Manic Depression” and an original song “Runaway”.


Order the CD/Vinyl here; pre-order/pre-save the digital here.





Tracklisting:


"New Thing"
"She Wants More"
"Fly High Michelle"
"Hot Little Summer Girl"
"In The Groove"
"Little Indian Angel"
"For Now"
"Kiss The Clown"
"I Could Never Be Without You"
"Finger On The Trigger"


Bonus Tracks (CD only):


"Runaway"
"Manic Depression"


"New Thing":





Live dates:


May
16 - Binghamton, NY - Touch Of Texas
18 - Teaneck, NY - Debonair Music Hall
19 - Reading, PA - Reverb
22 - St. Louis, MO - The Golden Record
23 - Beaver Dam, WI - Stormy’s
24 - Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
25 - Webster, WI - St. Croix Casino Hertel
28 - Parker, CO - Wild Goose Saloon
30 - Grapevine, TX - Glass Cactus
 31 - San Antonio, TX - Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music


June
1 - Eagle Pass, TX - Cooter’s Pub
2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Midtown
4 - Sarasota, FL - Big Top Brewing Company
12 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre
3 - Duluth, MN - Bayfront Festival Park

In a new interview with Matt Pinfield of 95.5 KLOS's "New & Approved" show, PEARL JAM guitarist Stone Gossard spoke about his appreciation for some of the classic heavy metal records of the early 1980s. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Heavy metal changed my life. And then punk rock, on top of that, allowed me a door into heavy metal. 'Cause I sucked and heavy metal was a little bit about being fucking wizardly. If you couldn't compete with Yngwie [Malmsteen], you needed to be gifted, and punk rock allowed me to be gifted in a different way, which was, like, can you just hit a couple of notes that sound good? And maybe that's enough, and then maybe somebody else can do something too. More of THE TALKING HEADS approach."

Asked which heavy metal and hard rock records he loved when he was a kid, Stone said: "MERCYFUL FATE 'The Oath', 'Melissa'. IRON MAIDEN — the first two or three IRON MAIDEN records freaked me out. ALICE COOPER. And then, yeah, going back and then finding ALICE COOPER and T. REX and the '70s glam. And then SEX PISTOLS. How good does THE SEX PISTOLS record sound right now? And there's nothing to it. It's just four points of view just fucking jammed in there."

In a December 2022 interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Gossard was asked for his take on the long-running narrative that grunge reinvented the rock and roll genre and killed the career of many hard rock and heavy metal musicians. He replied: "I think we changed the landscape at that time; I just don't think we reinvented anything. We were taking punk rock and the blues and rock and roll and we were just kind of doing it in a different way. I do think we impacted the music industry at that time, and it's only because hair bands were so entrenched and the record business was so entrenched and everybody was just doing the same thing for so long that it lost its flavor.

"I was into hair bands; I wanted guys to dress up and have crazy hair and makeup," he continued. "But I think everything — there's time for a change at some point, and everyone wants something fresh again.

"I love the moment when kids get ahold of something and they break it and they wanna just make it their own. And so anytime that happens, it's kind of fun. It's a good time to listen. Then it makes it more about for anyone to make a band; it's not just stellar musicians. Sometimes it's just gotta be a group of people that just love making racket together."

Gossard previously discussed grunge's impact on the hard rock and heavy metal scene in the summer of 2022 in an interview with VWMusic. At the time, he said: "I think there's always renewal in the world, and with that renewal, comes new perspectives. And I think that hard rock was really stagnating at that point in a way that gave an opportunity to what I'll call 'less musically talented' musicians to say, 'Hey, there's another way to play rock songs. There's another way to have songs that are heavy. And there's another way to create chaos and energy from those songs that would be outside the normal color palette of a heavy metal song.'

"I mean, coming up, I listened to a lot of heavy metal," he continued. "I listened to a lot of MOTÖRHEAD. I listened to a lot of IRON MAIDEN. I listened to a lot of MERCYFUL FATE. I listened to a lot of LED ZEPPELIN. I listened to all those New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands, and I was into it. This said, as a kid, I didn't really know how to play like that, so I was just doing what sounded right to me. And I think that in the late '80s, there was a very free attitude about art and music that was brewing in the wake of hard rock, and a lot of people were experimenting with sounds, and the bands formed from there. There was something about it that was fresh, that really captured people's ears, and that had a huge effect on it all too. But you know, a lot of those heavy metal bands you're talking about are still around, so clearly they all didn't die. Sure, a lot of them had to regroup, and yes, some did die, but that's part of the life cycle, right? There are still a lot of fans out there who love hard rock, and I'm one of them. I love hard rock, and I always have, but renewal and rebirth are a part of art, I think."

PEARL JAM's twelfth studio album, "Dark Matter", was released on April 19 via Monkeywrench Records/Republic Records.

HALL AFLAME, the rock band led by METAL CHURCH founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, released its sophomore album, "Amplifire", on May 3 via Rat Pak Records. The official music video for the LP's third single, "Ripcord", can be seen below. The clip was filmed, produced and edited by Rick Moyer in Aberdeen, Washington, with input from HALL AFLAME, filmed in Shelton, Washington at Skydive Kapowsin.

Originally formed in 1989, HALL AFLAME garnered commercial success with its debut LP, "Guaranteed Forever", which was well received by fans and industry peers alike and quickly found themselves opening for ZZ TOP on their 1991 "Recycler" tour for a number of dates. As with many bands from that era, facing a decline in interest for AOR rock due to the onslaught of the "grunge" scene, the band went on a lengthy hiatus and reunited again in late 2023 to begin working on a handful of songs.

"Amplifire" offers 12 new studio tracks and reunites Kurdt with original bassist Brian Smith, along with drummer Bill Raymond and frontman Scott Nutter.

Vanderhoof comments: "This album came about as a project to document all the songs that we had written for the second album that never came to be. We revisited the songs and realized they had to be recorded properly. Then it blossomed into something much better than we had even hoped! So that led us into reforming the band instead of just having it be a project."

Smith adds: "I think anyone that is a fan of 'Guaranteed Forever' will see this record as a new and improved 'Part II' of HALL AFLAME. Great songs, great production and we had a ton of fun putting this together!"

Nutter says: "A good hard rock album should lift you, make you want to sing along and rock out! That's what this album does for me!"

From the driving album opener "Helltown" to the powerhouse outro track "Keeping Them All Away", HALL AFLAME shines with its signature brand of rock and roll. Tracks like "Ripcord", "In The Same Gutter", "It Ain't Enough" and "Gunnin'" are filled with memorable hooks and melodies, while songs like "Pullin Me Apart" and "1974" showcase their unique, classic rock songwriting abilities. With influences that range from BAD COMPANY to THIN LIZZY, "Amplifire" is best described as the perfect blend of classic rock with a modern-day edge.

Track listing:

01. Helltown
02. Ripcord
03. 1974
04. This Ain't Love
05. The Same Gutter
06. It Ain't Enough
07. Gunnin'
08. Pullin' Me Apart
09. Long Way Down
10. Keeping Them All Away
11. Cowboy (bonus track) (CD and digital)
12. Paradise On Ice (bonus track) (CD and digital)

Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of The Crucible, the debut album from Harpazo, a supergroup formed by guitarist Marc Centanni and producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery, Ayreon).


Set for release on June 28 in Europe and July 5 in North America, this progressive metal rock opera is a thrilling journey through a dystopian future, merging elements of progressive and power metal with symphonic and Celtic influences.


The Crucible is a concept album that explores a world in turmoil where technology and prophecy collide. The story unfolds across various epic tracks, weaving a tale of revolution, assassins and a charismatic leader with a dark agenda. The narrative primarily takes place in Rome, Jerusalem, New York, and Washington DC offering a rich backdrop for the complex and intense musical arrangements.




The first single from the album, "I Am God", is out now. This track encapsulates the essence of Harpazo, presenting a dynamic, messianic, and powerful metal anthem filled with intense energy and compelling melodic sections. It takes listeners on a cinematic and haunting journey through a dystopian world, perfectly reflecting our metal opera vision. The bridge hooks you with its irresistible catchiness, smoothly transitioning into a robust and infectious chorus.


The addition of chilling violins and Gary Wehrkamp's operatic vocals effectively enhances the gothic and dystopian atmosphere the band aimed to create. Niklas Kahl (Lord of the Lost) delivers outstanding, punishing drumming utilizing double bass pedals to great effect. The guitars drive the song with brutal precision keeping listeners on the edge of their seats throughout.


"Jude Solomon," a multi-trillionaire tech-savior, is introduced in this track, along with his ambitious plans to revolutionize the world by dismantling traditional values and ushering in a new era. The song paints a vivid picture of a future where AI and technology offer near-immortality.


This track serves as the pulsating heart of the album and provides an excellent introduction to Harpazo. Watch a lyric video below.


Harpazo's unique sound is driven by its all-star lineup, featuring legendary musicians from the progressive and Christian metal scenes. Alongside Marc Centanni and Gary Wehrkamp, the album includes performances by: DC Cooper (Royal Hunt) Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) Les Carlsen (Bloodgood) Rey Parra (Deny the Fallen, Sacred Warrior) Christian Liljegren (Narnia) Michael Drive Lee (Barren Cross, Worldview) Niklas Kahl (Lord of the Lost, Flaming Row) Lee Lemperle (Outside the Wall) Bruno Sa (Operation Mindcrime) Enzo Donnarumma (Enzo and the Glory Ensemble) Jennifer Eckhart (Jennifer K Eckhart & Stained Glass Road).


With intricate compositions and thought-provoking lyrics, The Crucible invites listeners into a complex world of intrigue and suspense. The album promises a deeply immersive experience that rewards close listening, revealing subtle details and atmospheric layers with each spin.


Further details and pre-order options can be found at the group's website, here.





Tracklisting:


"Ichor"
"Legion Program"
"I Am God"
"Golden Crown"
"The Crucible"
"Two Witnesses"
"Change Of Heart Pt. 1"
"Ultimatum"
"We Are Weak"
"Small Price To Pay"
"Change Of Heart Pt. 2"
"The Book Of Life"


"I Am God" lyric video:





Album trailer:

Andorran extreme prog metal unit, Persefone, have released a guitar playthrough video for "Lingua Ignota", featured on their Lingua Ignota: Part I EP, released back in February via Napalm Records. Watch below:





Technical proficiency and modern progressive metal elements drenched in melodic death metal influences are at the core of Persefone’s sound, and the outfit’s new vocalist, Daniel Rodríguez Flys, brings a fresh edge to his first record with the band. As successor to the stunning 2022 release, metanoia, Persefone expand on Lingua Ignota: Part I - their collaboration with the renowned David Castillo - who produced, recorded and mixed the new album at Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm, Sweden. Castillo is well-known for his phenomenal work with genre giants such as Opeth, Dark Tranquillity and Leprous, as well as label mates Katatonia and Candlemass.




Lingua Ignota: Part I can be ordered here.





Lingua Ignota: Part I tracklisting:


"Sounds And Vessels"
"One Word"
"The Equable"
"Lingua Ignota"
"Abyssal Communication"


"The Equable" video:





"One Word" video:





Persefone are:


Carlos Lozano Quintanilla - guitar
Miguel "Moe" Espinosa - keyboards and vocals
Sergi "Bobby" Verdeguer - drums
Daniel Rodríguez Flys - vocals
Filipe Baldaia Ribeiro - guitar
Toni Mestre Coy - bass


(Photo - Eric Rossell)

Loudwire has shared a new Gear Factor compilation video. Check it out below. 


Loudwire: "Judas Priest's massive influence on heavy metal hasn't dimmed over the the years — take it from guitarists like Devin Townsend, Myles Kennedy, Ryan Waste and Priest's own Richie Faulkner, who each cited the band's riffs as among their very favorites."







According to OfficialCharts.com, Judas Priest's new album, Invincible Shield, debuted at #2 on the UK Official Albums Chart, making it their highest-charting album ever. 


Up to this point, British Steel - released in 1980 - was the band's highest charting album, having peaked at #4.





Invincible Shield can be ordered here.





Tracklisting:


"Panic Attack"
"The Serpent And The King"
"Invincible Shield"
"Devil In Disguise"
"Gates Of Hell"
"Crown Of Horns"
"As God Is My Witness"
"Trial By Fire"
"Escape From Reality"
"Sons Of Thunder"
"Giants In The Sky"


Deluxe edition bonus tracks:


"Fight Of Your Life"
"Vicious Circle"
"The Lodger"


"Invincible Shield" video:





"Panic Attack" video:





"The Serpent And The King" video:





"Trial By Fire" video:

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, SHINEDOWN drummer Barry Kerch was asked about the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2022's "Planet Zero" album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Nothing is finished. There are some [songs] that are in their final stages that are way past the demo mode. The songs that I recorded last week, which was more than four, less than seven songs, I was putting drums on pretty final things. Maybe some vocal tweaks needed to happen and maybe re-recording a couple of guitar parts and things like that, but the drums are done on those, for sure. Yeah, I think we probably need to write a handful of more songs and then pick from those of what's gonna create a record."

He continued: "You wanna write more and then pick the best ones that sonically go together and make a solid record, 'cause that's SHINEDOWN's thing, is we like to make a record that you can listen to front to back. We don't like just, 'Here's a single. Here's a single.' There's nothing wrong with that — some bands do that — but that's just not our M.O. So we're closer than we thought we'd be at this time."

This past February, SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith told James Steele of the FM 101.9 radio station that he and his banmates had "been working on new material for a while.

SHINEDOWN's "A Symptom Of Being Human" single, taken from "Planet Zero", recently landed at No. 1 at Active Rock. This marked SHINEDOWN's record-breaking 21st No. 1 song on the Mediabase Active Rock chart and extended the band's record for the most No. 1s in the history of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with 19 total.

SHINEDOWN has always believed that music is universal and doesn't have to be put in a genre box, as evidenced by "A Symptom Of Being Human" resonating with all listeners with its uplifting and important message about how we are all a work in progress. The band's exploration of the resilience of the human spirit, experiences with mental health, and the importance of empathy shine through in the track reminding us that we are more similar than we are different. Collectively, "A Symptom Of Being Human", the fourth No. 1 single from the band's acclaimed seventh studio album, has amassed over 40 million streams across all versions of the song including a pop remix, acoustic version, and piano version.

The "Planet Zero" album also featured the pop-rock anthem and No. 1 rock hit "Daylight", which People called one of "the most powerful of pop-rock songs created to remind us that we are truly all in this together." The band's video for "Daylight", set to the Amazon Original version of the song, is a love letter to their fans and shows the impact that the song's message — that you are never alone — had during SHINEDOWN's sold-out "Planet Zero" world tour.

SHINEDOWN also released a music video for rock single "Dead Don't Die", a rousing declaration of survival and an anthem about the resilience of the human spirit after trying times.

"Planet Zero" boldly confronts the societal forces that perpetuate divisiveness while offering a restorative path forward through empathy and open conversation — ultimately serving as a reminder that it is our human connections that matter the most. The album debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and the official U.K. albums chart, and at No. 1 on six other Billboard charts, including Top Album Sales, Rock, Hard Rock, and Alternative Albums.

SHINEDOWN, who recently appeared at this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards where they were nominated for multiple awards including "Rock Artist Of The Year" and presented/introduced their good friend Jelly Roll on the live broadcast, will play select tour dates this spring and summer. The mix of headlining shows and festival appearances includes Boston's KISS Concert alongside Doja Cat and Jason Derulo, headlining sets at Inkcarceration festival and Tailgates N' Tallboys, and more.

Photo credit: Sanjay Parikh

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the Beatles of heavy metal” and ranked by MTV as the “Greatest Metal Band of All Time,” Black Sabbath not only dominated the genre - they helped create it. Founded in 1969, the band’s distinctive heavy riffs, tuned down guitars, and apocalyptic lyrics were a stark contrast to the era’s popular feel-good pop, upbeat Motown, and earnest folk music. Their ominous new sound struck a chord. To date, Black Sabbath has sold more than 70 million records worldwide.


In Into The Void: From Birth To Black Sabbath-And Beyond (Dey Street: On sale: June 18, 2024), now in trade paperback, Geezer Butler tells his side of the story - and the story of his life before and after the band’s rise to fame and notoriety. With honesty, Butler writes of his childhood in Luftwaffe-battered Birmingham, England, as one of seven in a working-class Irish Catholic family, and his disillusionment with organized religion and class systems in his late teens, which would influence the lyrics and artistic themes that made Black Sabbath a sensation. From his awakening to the power of music—and his bold decision to change his career path from accountant to bassist - Butler takes readers behind the scenes of Black Sabbath’s roots, rise, and struggles. Even longtime fans of the band are bound to learn something fresh and surprising as Geezer himself recounts:


• How in 1968 he formed the Polka Tulk Blues Band with guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, and vocalist John “Ozzy” Osborne, and forged a revolutionary creative collaboration.




• The origin story of Black Sabbath. By 1969, Polka Tulk had become Earth, but kept getting mistaken for another group with the same name. Geezer suggested an original name, “Black Sabbath,” after one of their songs, which he co-wrote the lyrics for partly inspired by a nightmare of a black silhouetted figure standing at the foot of his bed.


• Notable appearances with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and The Who, and includes a groundbreaking dedication to creating the rock music equivalent of a horror film, with dark elements of the occult.


• The stories behind Black Sabbath’s biggest hits, including War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” and important later years, culminating with their last studio album, reuniting three of the original members, and last live performance on February 4, 2017, in Birmingham.


Featuring 30 photos from Geezer’s personal collection - some never-before-published - "Into The Void" is both an effusive tribute to one of rock’s most exciting bands and an intimate memoir of a trailblazing musician.


Find pre-order options here.





About the Author:


Terence Michael Joseph “Geezer” Butler, best known as the longtime bassist and main lyricist for Black Sabbath, is one of the most influential bassists in heavy metal and regarded as a “founding father” of the genre. In 2006, he reformed the “Dehumanizer”-era Black Sabbath with guitarist Tommy Iommi, vocalist Ronnie James Dio, and drummer Vinny Appice as Heaven & Hell. In 2017, he took a short hiatus from music to travel and write. In 2018, he joined the British- American rock band Deadline Ritual, composed of founder and drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses), vocalist Franky Perez (Apocalyptica), and guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol). A native of Aston Birmingham, England, he makes his home in Nevada and Utah with his wife Gloria Butler, who manages Geezer and co-managed Heaven & Hell. They live with their three cats and dogs.

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing Oxnard, California crossover collective Dead Heat to its iconic roster.


Forged in 2016 in, Dead Heat is known for their high-energy live performances and aggressive sound that draws influence from various subgenres of thrash, punk, hardcore, and metal. Dead Heat's music is characterized by fast, thrashy riffs, driving rhythms, harmonious leads, and intense vocals that often veer into screamed or shouted terrain. Thematically, the band delves deep into social and political issues, as well as personal struggles and experiences.


In addition to crafting pulverizing music, the Dead Heat crew is notorious for their DIY approach to punk/metal culture and their involvement in the broader hardcore scene. The band members are regularly involved in booking shows and events in their local scene, as well as supporting various social and political causes.




Comments vocalist Christian Ramos of the band's union with Metal Blade Records, "To be part of a label that has put out some of our favorite records and has had some of our favorite artists is without words an absolute honor!"


Adds rhythm guitarist Justin Ton, "We're on the same label that birthed Slayer and put Metallica on the map. It's an honor."


States Metal Blade's Ryan Williams; US A&R, "Dead Heat fucking slays; it's an honor to welcome them to the Metal Blade family."


Over the course of their eight-year existence, Dead Heat has released a split with New York heavyweights Mindforce, two full-length albums, and several EPs including their most recent EP, Endless Torment, issued in 2023 on Triple B Records and Tankcrimes to critical acclaim. 





Dead Heat has toured extensively, playing shows across the United States, Europe, and Japan. The band will play a one-off show supporting Bodycount later this month before joining Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, and End It for a short run of shows in June. In July, the band will bring their onstage bedlam to European stages. The latest stretch of live dates follow the band's successful run supporting Municipal Waste, Ghoul, and Necrot on the inaugural Brainsqueeze Tour earlier this year.


Dead Heat:
Justin Ton - rhythm guitar
Ricky Garcia - lead guitar
Chris Ramos - vocals
Yogi - drums
Vince - bass/ rhythm guitar
Chonch - bass


(Photo – Luis Hernandez)

The US melodic power metal band Millennial Reign has released a lyric video for their new single "Wandering", the second single from their new album World On Fire. The single is available on all digital platforms and a lyric video is available below.          


World On Fire will be released on CD, limited vinyl editions and digital via Ulterium Records on June 14.


After completing their previous album The Great Divide, plus all show and festival commitments, Travis Wills (Crimson Glory, Infidel Rising) stepped down as fill in vocalist for the band. The band found their new full time vocalist in Tiffany Galchutt, a fantastic female vocalist with an impressive range and tons of experience from performing with bands around the Dallas, TX area. Pedro Cortes also stepped in as the band's new drummer alongside current members Neil Bertrand (bass) and Dave Harvey (guitars, band founder).




Millennial Reign have over the years shared stage with bands like Accept, Stryper, Delain, Sonata Arctica, Hammerfall, Petra, Y&T, Theocracy and many others, and also played at Exodo Fest in Mexico twice. Last year they played their debut show in Europe at Elements of Rock in Switzerland together with Majestica, Wytch Hazel and others.


World On Fire was recorded, mixed and mastered by Dave Harvey at The Upper Room Studio and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Apocalyptica, Delain).


The new album has everything you expect from Millennial Reign, and more! Powerful vocals, impressive musicianship, a solid production, epic symphonic elements, memorable melodies and uplifting lyrics! The album should be perfect for fans of power metal, melodic metal and female fronted metal bands. Led by vocalist Tiffany Galchutt and with a really strong new album behind them Millennial Reign are ready to hit the stage and show the metal scene that they are a force to be reckoned with.





Tracklisting:


“Exousia”
“Bring Me To Life”
“Wandering”
“Trust”
“We Follow On”
“Eternity”
“Parousia”
“Crack The Eastern Sky”
“Tongues Of Fire”
“World On Fire”
“Onward To Victory”
“Allied Forces”


"Wandering" lyric video:





"Bring Me To Life" video:

In a new interview with Tom Power, host of "Q" on Canada's CBC Radio One, SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian, who is promoting his memoir, "Down With The System", was asked about how his relationship with the band's primary songwriter, guitarist Daron Malakian, has evolved over the years, particularly as it relates to their collaborative partnership. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, changing the dynamic is basically years of time and the progression of the band, the success of the band, everything that happened in between the day that we met and now, basically, so 25, 30 years. A lot changes in that time. And so I think that's a part of it.

"Daron's been a lifer and he's incredibly serious about his music and he's incredibly protective of his music and vulnerable due to his music," Serj explained. "All of those things kind of go together. So it's those things, I think, that created some of the creative differences that we started finding. And it's also our progression. Listen, when Daron and I started working together, I didn't really write a lot of instrumental music — I mostly wrote lyrics; I was the lyricist; I was the singer. And he didn't write any lyrics; he just wrote music. But as time progressed and I played more musical instruments and I started becoming a songwriter/composer and he started writing more lyrics, we started kind of covering each other's territory. And I was okay with that. If he wrote lyrics, I was trying to encourage him to write more, because I believe in artistic growth. I believe in progression. I don't believe in things staying the same way, for music's sake. Otherwise the music becomes the same thing over and over again. That progression is necessary in every artist's life or in every group's life. So I was very encouraging of that. And I just wish that I got some of that back. And so that wasn't the case, and it was disappointing. And it became a creative difference over the band's path, and whatnot, over time."

Asked why he wanted to write about this in his book, Serj said: "A lot of it has been publicized in a very sensationalist format by media, music media mostly, and I kind of wanted to put it in a proper perspective and grounding perspective, but with love and with balance and understanding that these things happen. This is normal. You have a relationship and you have differences in opinion as [to] how you wanna go forward, whether it's a band or a marriage or whatever it is. And these things happen. And so I wanted to take that aspect out, I wanted to take the sensationalist aspect out of the whole thing and be, like, this is not only what happened, but this is how I see things."

Tankian also addressed the fact that SYSTEM OF A DOWN has toured intermittently since ending its hiatus in 2011, but has only managed to record two songs in the last 19 years, "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz". Released in November 2020, the tracks were motivated by the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with all proceeds supporting humanitarian efforts in SYSTEM OF A DOWN's ancestral homeland of Armenia. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they raised over $600,000.

"We haven't been making new music," Serj said. "We only put out two songs when the invasion of Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh happened in 2020 by Azerbaijan, because we felt like the Azeri trolls, the government-sponsored trolls were taking over social media and the news networks, and the victims of these attacks weren't getting the word out. So we became kind of obsessed with getting the word out, because we were seeing our people suffer. So we put out those two songs because of that and we donated a lot of the proceeds for that to the cause as well."

Asked how he balances the love and obligation he might feel toward his fans, those who love SYSTEM OF A DOWN, and the internal struggles within the band, Tankian said: "That's an incredibly smart question. It's really hard catering — when you're an artist, it's really hard catering. If you're an entertainer, catering is [what you do], but if you're an artist, then you're just creating what comes to you. You're almost unaware of what people want. Yes, if it's something heavier, you know people are gonna like it more. But if you're a good songwriter, you could do both. I do orchestral music, I do film music, I do rock music — I do it all. So I enjoy 'em all, but I know that if I do rock, more people are going to listen to it than a piano, instrumental orchestral piece of music, soundtrack kind of music. But it doesn't mean that you don't do both, as an artist. So it's hard to really cater to people's feelings. What I love is, and I know that I can speak for the rest of the guys in the band, that no matter what's going on with our creative difference or the band not making new music or not touring fully or whatever, everyone's incredibly appreciative of what we have in terms of the love that we get from our fans and the way that people react to our music and the way that we get all these e-mails about how it's changed people's lives and all of that stuff, and that is mind-blowing. It's the biggest honor. And when I meet people on the street, I'm still incredibly honored that someone would pick me out and look at me in a positive light, not knowing who I am personally, but knowing me through my music, through our music, let's say. And I think that's a great fucking honor. I feel blessed for it. But it doesn't mean that that thing should continue forever either."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN played its first live show in 11 months on April 27 as one of the headliners of the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, Nevada for the second year in a row.

"Down With The System" is being released today (Tuesday, May 14) via Hachette Books.

Malakian has resurrected his SCARS ON BROADWAY project for its first live appearances in five years: October 5 at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles as the support act for KORN, and October 11 at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California.

Earlier this month, Tankian was asked in an interview with the LiveSigning YouTube channel if SYSTEM OF A DOWN fans can expect to see him and his bandmates on tour at some point in the future. Serj said: "I love performing, but especially the long [tours]… I think when you do a long tour, it's not just physically exhausting, but it's artistically redundant after a while, repeating the same thing. That's why we're really enjoying doing these one-offs. They're special events, special occasions. We can't do them everywhere. We can't do them all the time. But performing becomes fun again in a way. And I had kind of lost that. And not just because of that reason, but I also had some back problems, back surgery and things that were hindering me from performing. I'm much better now. I exercise better, all of that stuff, so a lot of that's been worked out. As far as touring somewhere in the near future? Possibly, I would say. I mean, I'm open to looking at stuff, but not thrilled about doing long tours at all, anywhere, just one-offs, or maybe a handful of one-offs with dates in between, personally."

CROWNSHIFT, the new band featuring members of NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, WINTERSUN and FINNTROLL, played its first concert ever last night (Wednesday, May 15) at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below.

CROWNSHIFT released its self-titled debut album on May 10 via Nuclear Blast Records.

CROWNSHIFT's members are or have been involved in some of Finland's most renowned and universally beloved metal bands, including NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, WINTERSUN and MYGRAIN, and it shows. On their first album, CROWNSHIFT have managed to combine their collective experiences and have crafted a modern metal masterpiece that sounds distinctively Finnish and offers stellar songwriting and excellent production.

"Crownshift" track listing:

01. Stellar Halo
02. Rule The Show
03. A World Beyond Reach
04. If You Dare
05. My Prison
06. The Devil's Drug
07. Mirage
08. To The Other Side

Born as the longtime idea of four friends, CROWNSHIFT's members come from the ranks of Finland's finest exports such as NIGHTWISH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, WINTERSUN and FINNTROLL, are thrilled to start a new journey together and spread their authentic sonic print across the globe.

Seamlessly covering a diversity of styles, the quartet has a unique signature to their modern sound. Hypnotizing melodies paired with ripping riffs, from moody mid-tempo songs to fierce prog-death-metal opuses, CROWNSHIFT was born to be master of all trades.

Their forthcoming debut album will undoubtedly be a showcase of relentless ambition that will take you through a wide musical spectrum, with no compromises or boundaries, proving that the band are on a quest to put a striking mark on the map.

CROWNSHIFT commented: "We're super happy to start this new chapter in our career with Nuclear Blast. Their history, reputation and devotion as a metal label is incomparable and it is a privilege to embark on this exciting journey together."

Nuclear Blast Records added: "It's a pleasure to start working with this highly talented group of musicians.

"We wouldn't call it an all-star band but it's a five-star result of their collective experience from various bands. And sometimes it takes a while until the right musicians are coming together and find the perfect chemistry. Jukka, Heikki and Daniel already played together in the last NORTHER lineup until 2012. Since then, they went different ways but always crossed each other's paths, and finally came back together as CROWNSHIFT with the addition of the amazing vocal talent of Tommy Tuovinen from MYGRAIN.

"Their music is, of course, rooted in the very unique style of Finnish melodic death metal, but CROWNSHIFT enrich it with their admiration for Devin Townsend, both his raging STRAPPING YOUNG LAD era, as well as the epic prog side, and combine it with a timeless yet modern heaviness similar to the most impressive aspects of metalcore and bands such as KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Sounds ambitious? Yes, but that's what it' s all about: being ambitious. Welcome CROWNSHIFT!"

CROWNSHIFT recently joined the roster of Till Dawn They Count Ltd management (NIGHTWISH, BEAST IN BLACK, SONATA ARCTICA).

CROWNSHIFT is:

Tommy Tuovinen: Vocals
Daniel Freyberg: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jukka Koskinen: Bass
Heikki Saari: Drums

Richie Kotzen has premiered the official music video for his hard-driving new single "Cheap Shots". The clip was directed and choreographed by Emmy Award winner Jeff Wolfe and pulls no punches and delivers knockout hooks throughout. "Cheap Shots" is part of Richie's new full-length solo album, to be released later in the year.

"The video was directed by my good friend Jeff Wolfe who had a visual concept after hearing the song," explains Kotzen. "In addition to being a talented director, he is also an accomplished actor and stuntman, so he had the eye for bringing those boxing scenes together. Although the song isn't about boxing per se, I thought it was a good visual to go along with the idea of someone constantly taking what we may call 'cheap shots' in order to bring you down."

When "Cheap Shots" was first released on May 1, Kotzen stated about the track: "I really never know how, when or where inspiration will strike for a song idea. I never try to force anything because I know ultimately at some point in time life will hand you a situation and for a guy like myself that is the perfect spark. I'm not someone that likes to outwardly go at it with someone if I feel I was wronged but I certainly use my creative outlet as a song writer to exercise that stuff out of me so I never find myself carrying around resentment or bad vibes. So if someone does you wrong, multiple times, then we're done here. You're your own worst enemy. I've tried to help and now I'm a target? Nope… No thanks… I'm off the bus. My attitude is 'Get it out! Throw it in the trash where it belongs.' Move on and forget 'em! That is really where the song is coming from."

The single came together very quickly in March 2024 after a trip back to Kotzen's original hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania.

"It has been quite a while since I have released new solo music and I feel very fulfilled to have come to a place where I've got new music I believe in," continued Kotzen. "Although I find myself writing all the time not always do I feel compelled to share the work. When the story for 'Cheap Shots' came to me, I knew I had the perfect lead track to follow up where I left off from my previous record.

"Of course I'm thrilled to be able to say I've got a new song for you but I'm equally overjoyed to announce the upcoming live dates. In fact, the timing is perfect as we embark on an extensive European tour in June which will end in the U.K. on July 13th at London's Islington Assembly Hall. And these dates will most likely spill into a North American fall tour as well."

Ahead of Kotzen's European tour, he plays two warm-up shows in Southern California in mid-May. Full tour dates are below. Tickets and VIP package links at richiekotzen.com.

USA:

May 17 - The Canyon Montclair, Montclair, CA
May 18 - The Canyon Agoura Hills, Agoura Hills, CA

Europe:

Jun. 04 - Batschkapp, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
Jun. 05 - Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Jun. 06 - Rosenhof GmbH, Osnabrück, Germany
Jun. 08 - Sweden Rock Festival 2024, Sölvesborg, Sweden
Jun. 09 - Pumpehuset, København, Denmark
Jun. 11 - Victory Podium, Alkmaar, Netherlands
Jun. 12 - Turbinenhalle Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany
Jun. 13 - Metropool, Hengelo, Netherlands
Jun. 14 - Le Forum, Vaureal, France
Jun. 16 - Sala Riviera, Madrid, Spain (SOLD OUT)
Jun. 17 - La Salamandra, Barcelona, Spain
Jun. 20 - Rock Imperium Festival 2024, Cartagena, Spain
Jun. 22 - Crossroad, Angoulins, France
Jun. 24 - Garage, Saarbrucken, Germany
Jun. 25 - Große Freiheit, Hamburg, Germany
Jun. 26 - F-Haus, Jena, Germany
Jun. 28 - Backstage Halle, Munich, Germany
Jun. 29 - Amphiteatre, Sokolov, Czechia
Jun. 30 - Charita Olomouc, Olomouc 9, Czechia
Jul. 01 - Collosseum Club, Košice I, Slovakia
Jul. 04 - Dürer Kert, Budapest, Hungary
Jul. 05 - Majestic Music Club, Bratislava I, Slovakia
Jul. 06 - Metal Park 2024, Romano D'ezzelino, Italy
Jul. 07 - Dynamo, Zürich, Switzerland
Jul. 10 - Limelight, Belfast, United Kingdom
Jul. 11 - Opium Live, Dublin 8, Ireland
Jul. 13 - Islington Assembly Hall, London, United Kingdom

Kotzen has performed on some of the biggest stages in the world since he first signed a deal with Shrapnel Records in 1988 as a guitar prodigy. He began releasing records both as a solo artist and in multi-platinum bands POISON, MR. BIG and THE WINERY DOGS. Now known also as a prolific songwriter and one half of acclaimed duo SMITH/KOTZEN with IRON MAIDEN's Adrian Smith, Richie's ever-growing back catalogue (including more than 20 solo albums) ensure that his fans around the world are constantly treated to his prodigious talent both recorded and live.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Fishman Music has shared a six-and-a-half-minute video in which SLIPKNOT guitarist Mick Thomson discusses the beginning stages of the band and what led the Iowa masked metallers to being a multi-platinum, award-winning powerhouse. Mick also gives an inside scoop to how the band started wearing their iconic masks.

Regarding how SLIPKNOT was formed, Thomson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Before SLIPKNOT, Paul [Gray, late SLIPKNOT bassist] and Andy [former singer Anders Colsefni] and I — Andy was our original singer of SLIPKNOT — were in a band called BODY PIT, a death metal band. And they just lost their drummer. They got me in the band, and the drummer and other guitar player left, so we were looking for a drummer. So we were writing songs — me, Paul and Donnie [Steele, former SLIPKNOT guitarist and bassist], we were working on stuff, and I actually got some things on a four-track that never really ended up going anywhere. But we'd written them. So we were doing that stuff, and we were looking for a drummer. Well, at the same time, our gear is there where we were practicing, which was our singer's house, Andy. So, Clown [percussionist Shawn Crahan] would come over. He knew Andy. Clown comes over and starts playing with Paul and Andy, jamming stuff in the basement on the BODY PIT stuff, really — it was where BODY PIT practiced. We didn't have a drummer, so there was some down time when they started doing that stuff. And then that's kind of how that started. Paul and Andy were doing it with Clown. I didn't know Clown, really; I'd met him before. And Paul and Andy and I were in this thing. So it was them just dicking around with a friend of theirs. It was separate; [they were doing] different music. And then we never really… How are we gonna find a technical death metal drummer in Des Moines? [Late SLIPKNOT drummer] Joey [Jordison]. But Joey didn't wanna do it. But Joey did wanna do the SLIPKNOT stuff with Andy and Paul and Clown. So, that's kind of how that went. Our band died. See, Joey was in a band with our other guitar player on the first record, Josh [Brainard], and Craig [Jones], who did our sampling stuff. They were both the guitar players in Joey's band. So it's kind of like you took me, Paul, Andy, Joey, Josh and Craig, and threw those bands together and then added Clown. Clown was kind of the — he was the pivotal thing on that, because basically you had two bands that sort of broke up around him, and reformed around that idea. So I guess, in a way, it's like two different bands sort of dissolved and turned into the other thing. We never really looked at it like that, because just the chronology and the way it happened and it wasn't the intent. What's funny, though, is we went around and broke up another band — we broke up Corey's [Taylor, SLIPKNOT singer] band [STONE SOUR] by stealing him. And then we eventually needed another guitar player, so we got Jim [Root] from Corey's band to come in. So, yeah, it was a very incestuous kind of thing. We basically just went around and screwed up people's bands and shit."

SLIPKNOT has played three shows so far with new the band's new drummer, former SEPULTURA sticksman Eloy Casagrande: April 25 at Pappy + Harriet's in Pioneertown, California, April 27 at Sick New World in Las Vegas, Nevada and May 12 at Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida.

For all three gigs, SLIPKNOT adopted a classic look, bringing back the 1999 red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks into their modern versions, tying into the fact that SLIPKNOT is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

After parting ways with Jay Weinberg last November, SLIPKNOT teased fans with a hint about a new drummer two months ago, posting a photo of a single broken drumstick online with the caption "Rehearsal."

The band explained in a statement that the split with Weinberg was a creative decision. Jay followed up with a statement of his own, saying that he was "heartbroken and blindsided" by his dismissal.

Weinberg has since joined SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and INFECTIOUS GROOVES.

Casagrande abruptly quit SEPULTURA three months ago, shortly before he was supposed to begin rehearsals for the band's recently launched 40th-anniversary farewell tour.

Casagrande joined SEPULTURA nearly 13 years ago as the replacement for Jean Dolabella.

SLIPKNOT's latest album "The End, So Far", arrived in August 2022. It marked the band's the last full-length LP before the departure of both keyboardist Craig Jones, who left the group in June 2023, and Weinberg.

Grammy-winning rock titans, Halestorm, have today surprised fans by releasing new 18-track live album, Live At Wembley, recorded at their biggest headline show to date, held at London's OVO Arena Wembley on December 9, 2023. The setlist traverses the band's widely acclaimed catalogue, including scarcely played song "Takes My Life" from their 2006 EP One And Done.


Fans can relive the magic of the astounding show via the accompanying full concert video, playing now below. The digital-only album is available immediately for download or streaming. Get it here.


Firecracker frontwoman Lzzy Hale comments, "‘Ello Wembley, and hello world! We are so happy to share this amazing moment with you at last! To Sell Out Wembley is a right of passage, and this one was a huge milestone on the ever stretching Halestorm Highway. We’ve been the same band mates and best friends for over 20 years, so this moment was personal for us. What a gift to be able to do the thing you love, with the people you love, on the same stage where so many of your idols have graced before you. Thank you to our entire team, family, and all the fans for bringing this night to life!"







Live At Wembley tracklisting:


"I Miss The Misery"
"Love Bites (So Do I)"
"I Get Off"
"Wicked Ways"
"Freak Like Me"
"Amen"
"Terrible Things"
"Rock Show"
"Familiar Taste Of Poison"
"Takes My Life"
Drum Solo
"Back From The Dead"
"Bombshell"
"I Am The Fire"
"Break In - Shatter Me"
"Raise Your Horns"
"Here's To Us"
"The Steeple"





(Photo -  Jason Stoltzfus)

Metallica’s latest album, 72 Seasons, has been out for more than a year, but it’s not slowing down, reports Forbes. The hard rock outfit’s recent set is still producing hit singles, with one particular cut rising on several charts this frame. Their current smash even manages to reach the #1 spot on one of Billboard’s radio tallies, and as it does, the group makes history.


“Screaming Suicide” rises to #1 on this week’s "Mainstream Rock Airplay" chart. Billboard publishes that list to show which tracks earn the largest number of audience impressions across radio stations throughout the US that play a form of rock that’s known simply as “mainstream.” That’s a fairly vague description, but for the most part, these stations focus on harder style - though the tally isn’t too restrictive.


Metallica has now scored 14 #1 smashes on the radio ranking. With one more leader to their credit, the hard rock band breaks a tie with one act and matches with several others. They now jointly claim the third-most #1 hits in the history of the tally.




“Screaming Suicide” helps Metallica tie with two of the biggest bands in the rock world whose names happen to begin with F. Five Finger Death Punch and Foo Fighters have also both topped the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with 14 tracks.


Read more at Forbes.com.

Today, Night Laser shares a new single from their forthcoming studio album, Call Me What You Want, out May 24 via Steamhammer/SPV. The track is entitled "Don't Call Me Hero" and is accompanied by a new music video.


While there are many reasons this new album impresses, the band is especially proud of the teamwork that went into Call Me What You Want.


Bassist Robert Hankers enthuses: “In contrast to our previous releases, this time we threw the ideas and visions of everyone involved together, mixed all the different components, and then brought out the best in every one of us at the studio. This has made the material even more versatile and multi-faceted. In our case, it was really helpful to have so many different cooks from the beginning.”







Call Me What You Want is Night Laser's most powerful and multi-faceted studio production to date. A collaborative effort between band founders and brothers Benno (vocals) and Robert Hankers (bass), new additions Felipe Zapata Martinez, Vincent Hadeler (both guitar) and drummer Ingemar Oswald, producer Dirk Schlächter (Gamma Ray, Ross The Boss) and mixing/mastering pundit Eike Freese (Deep Purple, Helloween, Simple Minds, among others).


Call Me What You Want is available via CD, vinyl, and digital download. Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


“Bittersweet Dreams”
“Way To The Thrill”
“No More Changes”
“Don’t Call Me Hero”
“Law Of The Vulture”
“Laser Train”
“Travelers In Time”
“Captain Punishment”
“Fiddler On The Roof”
“Thin Ice” (CD bonus track)
“Über-Alman” (CD bonus track)


"Way To The Thrill" video:





“Bittersweet Dreams” video:

Devastator have released a video for "Walpurgisnacht", the new single from their Conjurers Of Cruelty album, out now via Listenable Records. Watch the clip below:





Formed in 2017, Devastator is a four-piece black thrash band from the county of Derbyshire in the United Kingdom. They released their debut album Baptised In Blasphemy in 2019 on UK label Clobber records. The album was reissued remixed and remastered with eight bonus tracks in November 2023 on Listenable.




Expanding on the raucous black ‘n’ roll attitude of the band’s debut and turning up the black metal to cacophonous levels, Devastator's sophomore release, Conjurers Of Cruelty, differs in many aspects without losing the spirit and power of the band’s debut, harnessing other avenues in extreme metal and presenting a multilayered and expansive record which explores both black metal and death metal, whilst still delivering the furious Thrash Metal assault and NWOBHM drenched force that the band has become known for.


Conjurers Of Cruelty was recorded at Godhand Studios in Derbyshire with producer Ben ‘Audiomage’ Gaines who also remixed and remastered Baptised in Blasphemy.


Pre-order bundles are available at the Listenable Records webstore.





Tracklisting:


“Beyond The Gate”
“Conjurers Of Cruelty”
“Black Witchery”
“Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)”
“Walpurgisnacht”
“Necromantic Lust”
“Deathspell Defloration”
“Bestial Rites”
“Sharpen The Blade”
“Rabid Morbid Death”
“Liar In Wait”*
“Death Forever”*


*CD bonus tracks


"Black Witchery" video:





“Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)”:

In a new interview with Jorge Botas of Portugal's Metal Global, KREATOR frontman Mille Petrozza spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2022's "Hate Über Alles" album. He said (a transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm starting [to put ideas together]. I have some demos. I have some songs. We're looking at [releasing] a new album in the beginning of '26. I have some stuff."

He continued: "I do want this next record to really crush, so I need to take my time. But on the other hand, I was thinking about it and I was talking about it with the band at an earlier stage, when we were on tour, and I remember we were saying all these songs from 'Hate Über Alles' have been lying around for so long because of the pandemic. We could have released 'Hate Über Alles' a year early. So we had some off time. And I constantly write stuff, so from that time, I have a lot of riffs. And so I have a lot of material that we can work on. And I collected some themes and I have kind of like a lyrical direction that I wanna follow, but it's not quite there yet. So '26 is a definitely a very realistic time. Maybe we [will] release a single in '25 or something and then lead it to the album."

KREATOR's fifteenth studio album, "Hate Über Alles", was released in June 2022. The follow-up to 2017's "Gods Of Violence" was recorded at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany. Helming the sessions was Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, CODE ORANGE, POWER TRIP and SOULFLY, among others.

The "Hate Über Alles" cover artwork was created by Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH and SODOM, among others.

"Hate Über Alles" marked KREATOR's first album with bassist Frédéric Leclercq, who joined the group in 2019.

In March 2020, KREATOR surprise-released a new single, "666 - World Divided". The song was produced by Andy Sneap and Markus Ganter and was recorded at Hansa Tonstudios.

KREATOR played its first show with Leclercq in October 2019 in Santiago, Chile.

Before joining KREATOR, Leclercq rose to fame with U.K.-based extreme power metallers DRAGONFORCE for whom he handled bass duties from 2005 until August 2019.

In May 2023, KREATOR released a music video for the song "Conquer And Destroy" from "Hate Über Alles". The performance footage was filmed on March 4, 2023 in front of 6,000 of KREATOR's mighty hordes in their spiritual home of Essen.

KREATOR and TESTAMENT will join forces for the North American leg of the "Klash Of The Titans" tour this fall. The 33-date trek will kick off on September 12 in Reno making its way across the U.S. and will include seven Canadian dates before concluding in San Francisco on October 27. Joining the night are special guests San Francisco Bay Area death metal pioneers POSSESSED.

Photo credit: Christoph Voy

The cinematic progressive metal band, Sunburst, has released a music video for "From The Cradle To The Grave", the second single from their new album, Manifesto. The single is available on all digital platforms.





Manifesto will be released on CD, limited vinyl editions and digital via Inner Wound Recordings on June 14.




The album was produced by Sunburst and Steve Lado, who also mixed and mastered the album. Bob Katsionis performs all keyboards on the album and John K came up with the orchestral arrangements on the songs "The Flood", "Hollow Lies" and "Nocturne". The artwork was created by Sunburst vocalist Vasilis Georgiou (HALO Creative Design Lab).





Tracklisting:


“The Flood”
“Hollow Lies”
“Samaritan”
“Perpetual Descent”
“Inimicus Intus”
“From The Cradle To The Grave”
“Manifesto”
“Nocturne”


"Hollow Lies" video:

The latest episode of "The Allison Hagendorf Show" features the four members of MÖTLEY CRÜE in an unprecedented display of emotional openness and mutual admiration, marking a first in the band's storied history.

During this landmark interview, each member of CRÜE delves deep into their feelings, revealing what they cherish most about their bandmates. "It's the first time they've ever expressed these thoughts and sentiments out loud — not just to the world, but to each other," shares host Allison Hagendorf, highlighting the unique and vulnerable nature of the episode.

Hagendorf skillfully navigates this rare glimpse into the personal dynamics of one of rock's most notorious bands, making it a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. The episode promises not only to entertain but also to shed light on the complex relationships that have propelled MÖTLEY CRÜE through decades of success.

Regarding how he prepares for a MÖTLEY CRÜE live show, singer Vince Neil said: "I do it at the gig, like a little bit before the show. 'Cause I'm always out there, like, half an hour, 45 minutes before the guys come out. I'm already on stage. I'm checking out the [setup], seeing what's going on, getting my ears going good and stuff. And that's what I really love about outdoor [shows] Everybody's out there to have a good time."

Asked if they do any training or a physical workout to stay conditioned, drummer Tommy Lee said: "I've just been doing some upper-body stuff. That's the most draining part, so for me, I try to freshen that up before we go out and play for two hours. Otherwise you get your ass kicked real quick."

Asked to name his favorite thing about Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx said: "I love Vince because he doesn't overthink things. He is our audience. When I talk to Vince about things, he won't overthink it. He'll just tell it how it is. I always appreciate I can lean on him as a friend. He's been one of my best friends forever. And without that voice, I wouldn't be sitting here today. That voice changed my life. And I get to write lyrics for this guy. And every time I write, I hear his voice. This is, I feel, such a privilege."

Hosted by renowned music journalist and media personality Allison Hagendorf, "The Allison Hagendorf Show" is your all-access backstage pass to the most intimate and electrifying sit-downs with the titans of the entertainment and music industry. This episode with MÖTLEY CRÜE follows a series of captivating interviews, including the recent headline-making sit-down with Richie Sambora (BON JOVI).

"The Allison Hagendorf Show" is produced in partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents and sponsored by functional sparkling beverage company Cloud Water.