In a new interview with The Mistress Carrie Podcast, SEETHER frontman Shaun Morgan spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the follow-up to the "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" album, which came out in 2020. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "Well, [the new album is] done. Currently, I think it's an 11-track album with two bonus tracks. The [first] single's already been picked out. It's the opening track to the album. The single is, I think, coming to radio in, like, July. And then the album is, I think, slated for September 20th. But the single will be called 'Judas Mind'."

He continued: "We can't play it live yet, 'cause I don't really wanna spoil the surprise, but, yeah, I think it's a great album. I'm hoping each one's better than the last one. It's been four years, so it's a little bit long, but it's also been really weird times worldwide. It feels like everything's kind of getting back to normal now. So I don't know that the next album will take four years, but I'm excited about this one."

In July 2022, SEETHER issued the deluxe edition of "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum", containing 22 tracks in all, five of which were previously unreleased. It includes all 21 songs recorded during the "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" sessions, along with the alternate version of "Wasteland" that was originally featured on the 2020 "The Purgatory" EP.

Produced by Morgan and engineered and mixed by Matt Hyde (DEFTONES, AFI),the acclaimed "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" ("If you want peace, Prepare for war") was released in August 2020, spawned three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and at Active Rock radio and garnered some of the best reviews of the band's storied career.

Since forming in Pretoria, South Africa in 1999, SEETHER (Morgan, Dale Stewart, John Humphrey and Corey Lowery) has amassed a global, devoted fan base with an unbroken sense of purpose and commitment. Their impressive sales and chart history includes three platinum and two gold albums, 18 No. 1 singles, 21 Top 5 multi-format hits, single sales topping 17 million and over two billion streams worldwide across all platforms. SEETHER is Billboard's No. 8 all-time mainstream rock artist, which covers the over 40-year history of the chart's existence.

SEETHER recently kicked off "The Tailgate Tour" with longtime friends STAIND. Also appearing on the bill are SAINT ASONIA and Tim Montana.

Produced by Live Nation, "The Tailgate Tour", which reunites STAIND and SEETHER for the first time in years, launched on April 22 in Brandon, Mississippi, with dates across the U.S., including Franklin, Tennessee; Portland, Maine and Grand Rapids, Michigan before wrapping up in Pelham, Alabama on May 15.

This summer, on June 14, 2024, Paris-based alternative rock and metal unit ONLAP will release their brand new, much-awaited studio album "Waves" via AFM Records! The pre-sale is available at https://onlap.bfan.link/waves, a music video for the band's latest single, "Ghosts" featuring US rockers LANSDOWNE, is now premiering below!

Following a series of previously-released album tracks including "Never Too Late", featuring a guest appearance by Billboard-charting singer and songwriter KIIARA, the French five-piece is writing about their new single:

“Ghosts” is a special release on several counts. Firstly, it's our last single release before the full album “WAVES”. Secondly, it's also a collaboration with our old brothers LANSDOWNE, whom we'd like to thank for agreeing to be on this track. Finally, it's a song about the loss of loved ones and the life that goes on despite everything, with and without them, at the same time. This song exudes a special emotion, and we can't wait to unveil it."

July 5, 2024 sees India's heavy metal powerhouse KRYPTOS strike back with their furious, new studio album Decimator via AFM Records. The album pre-sale is available at https://kryptos.bfan.link/decimator, watch the band's latest music video for their new single "Electrify" now premiering below!

Decimator continues where the band left of with their critically-acclaimed, 2021-album ‘Force Of Danger’, and sees them combine crushing riffs, barbwire vocals and powerful songwriting that grabs the 80s by the throat and drags it kicking and screaming into the modern age. If you’re a fan of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept and Kreator, this album will snap your neck in half and have you raging into the night like you’ve never raged before! In support of their upcoming record release, KRYPTOS have announced an extensive touring schedule for 2024, including a first-ever headlining tour in Australia. Find all upcoming dates of the band listed below!

About their new single the band suggests: "Feel the power of the 80s surge through your veins with the crackling new Kryptos single ELECTRIFY off the upcoming album DECIMATOR!"

In a new interview with Australia's Heavy, vocalist Dani Filth of British extreme metal titans CRADLE OF FILTH spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2021's "Existence Is Futile" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We've already done our [collaborative] track with [pop superstar and noted CRADLE OF FILTH fan] Ed Sheeran, although that'll be probably coming out on the special edition of the new album, but I can't really talk much more about that, all legalities and what have you. We should be dropping a new single, actually, around the time of the Australian tour [in September 2024], maybe a little bit later… [The single] should be [out] probably about the same time, with the album being dropped around March next year."

He continued: "The album we started last July, and our record company was, like, 'Why are you taking so long?' It's, like, 'Well, because we're on tour.' We started the album [and then] we literally went off on tour for two months. So, yeah, we've been very, very busy."

Asked about the musical direction of the new CRADLE OF FILTH material, Dani said: "It's a step on from the last record. Same production values, same producer, although we always approach it from a different way, so it does sound a lot different. I can't go too much into it because no matter what I say, it's not really gonna justify or do do justice to the tracks on there. It's very hard to explain. It's got [elements of] 'Dusk... And Her Embrace' vibe-wise. Vocally, it's a bit of everything. It's an aggressive record. It's a very catchy record. Yeah, it's just something that's gonna really please our fans. We've worked very hard on it. And the last record was received really well, 'Existence Is Futile'. It's an advancement from that. But it's not because I'm being told, 'Keep it calm. You can't talk about the record yet.' It's very difficult to talk about something that's got so much in it."

Last year, CRADLE OF FILTH released its first live album in over 20 years, "Trouble And Their Double Lives", via Napalm Records. The LP was recorded between 2014 and 2019 at different performances in the USA, Europe, Australia and beyond during the band's "Cryptoriana" world tour and dates following. Produced, mixed and mastered by Scott Atkins at Grindstone Studios, with recording captured by Danny B, the effort not only featured a slew of fan favorites encompassing the band's discography but also two bonus tracks and two entirely brand new songs, "She Is A Fire" and "Demon Prince Regent".

Asked in an interview with Decibel if the two new songs on the record indicate what the next CRADLE OF FILTH album will sound like, vocalist Dani Filth said: "Maybe a little bit but no. It's pretty hard to explain, I can't really talk about it. The new album has a 'Dusk… And Her Embrace' vibe to it. But no, we moved on from that. We started writing as a collective after that, these were stopgap songs that originally were intended toward a new album but because of the pandemic, it delayed everything and they found themselves out there. We just thought it was best to put them on the new record."

He added: "A record takes up so much of your time. It's a monument to a band's career, a lot of effort gone into it, a lot of time gone into it. It deserves its own sort of place and each album will have its own unique identity that's in place due to whatever outside due influence is happening at the time. People in the band, when they recorded, there's so many things that determine what an album's about. Of course each and every one is hopefully going to have a very strong and different identity to the previous one and also the future one."

Last May, Dani was asked by BLABBERMOUTH.NET if he envisions the next CRADLE OF FILTH studio album staying in the same vein as "Cryptoriana" or "Existence Is Futile". He responded: "It's not going to be a million miles away from that. I've been working on some of the material today. We're putting the finishing touches on the songs we're going to record, whether all of them make the grade or not. It has a 'Dusk… And Her Embrace' vibe to them. Musically, it plays across 'Dusk' and 'Midian', but lyrically, and the vibe of it, it has a 'Dusk… And Her Embrace' feel to it. I don't know why. History repeats itself. Maybe it's because we wrote 'Dusk' around this particular time of year, but it has that vibe. It sounds great, but I would say that, wouldn't I?"

Photo credit: Anthony Ponce

Richard Tandy, the longtime keyboardist for Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), has passed away at the age of 76.


Tandy’s former bandmate, ELO founder Jeff Lynne, shared the news via social media on Wednesday (May 1), writing: "It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my long-time collaborator and dear friend Richard Tandy. He was a remarkable musician & friend and I’ll cherish the lifetime of memories we had together. Sending all my love to Sheila & the Tandy family."


Richard Tandy joined ELO in 1973, following the release of the band's debut album. He initially played bass in the band, but soon became their permanent keyboardist. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with Electric Light Orchestra in 2017. He was with ELO from 1972 - 1896, 2000 - 2001 for the band’s reunion, and between 2014 - 2017.

Legendary German/American metallers ACCEPT kicked off their South American tour last night (Wednesday, May 10 at Carioca Club Pinheiros in São Paulo, Brazil. It marked the band's first appearance with WHITESNAKE and TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist Joel Hoekstra, who is temporarily filling in for Phil Shouse.

ACCEPT's setlist for the São Paulo show was as follows:

01. The Reckoning (live debut)
02. Humanoid
03. Restless And Wild
04. Midnight Mover
05. London Leatherboys
06. Dying Breed
07. Overnight Sensation
08. Demon's Night / Starlight / Losers And Winners / Flash Rockin' Man
09. Breaker
10. Ravages Of Time (live debut)
11. Shadow Soldiers
12. Princess Of The Dawn
13. Fast As A Shark
14. Metal Heart
15. Teutonic Terror
16. Pandemic

Encore:

17. Zombie Apocalypse
18. Balls To The Wall
19. I'm A Rebel

In a February 2024 interview with The Logan Show, Hoekstra spoke about how he was recruited to play guitar for ACCEPT for all of the band's European festival appearances in 2024 and the South American tour in May. Joel said: "Yeah, it all clicked. It happened so quickly. And Wolf [Hoffmann, ACCEPT guitarist and leader] is just a real bright, sharp, super-friendly guy as well as being a great player.

"Sometimes you have people make those intros," Joel explained. "[Michael Cartellone from DAMN YANKEES and LYNYRD SKYNYRD] connected us. First, Michael hit me and said, 'Hey, I'm with Wolf Hoffmann.' Sometimes the next thing is, like, 'Well, I'll connect you guys via text.' And maybe that means a week later or maybe that means two weeks later or something, via e-mail or whatever. But it was literally five minutes later — not even; it was like a minute later. He said, 'Okay, Wolf, here's Joel.' 'Joel, [here's] Wolf.' And Wolf was, like, 'Great.' And I said, 'Well, I'm in Nashville in a couple of days [with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA]. Let's have coffee.' It was two days later or something like that, that we were all set and ready to go with this, because it made sense for both of us. They needed somebody to fill in for Phil Shouse, and I needed something to get out this year and play some of the bigger shows, be able to do the European festivals."

Regarding how he feels about the prospect of performing with a veteran metal act like ACCEPT, Joel said: "They're a great live band. They sound great. Wolf is a great guitarist [with] a killer tone. And they're a well-oiled machine live. All the YouTube footage I've been watching is very impressive and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

"It's just gonna be, I think, something that's good for everybody," he continued. "It's kind of a fun little window for the fans to see me hop in and play with them. And it works out great for me because I would obviously prefer that to sitting on my couch at home or something like that, or, for that matter, playing smaller shows. So having the opportunity to get out and be seen and play with a great-sounding live band like ACCEPT, it makes a lot of sense and it just worked out great, like it was meant to be in a way."

New York-based Joel Hoekstra is best known to fans as a current member of the legendary band WHITESNAKE and is part of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. He has also played with Cher, NIGHT RANGER and FOREIGNER, to name just a few of his numerous collaborations.

When Hoekstra's addition to ACCEPT's touring lineup was first announced in January, Hoffmann said in a statement: "It is a great honor for us to be on stage with Joel Hoekstra. Joel is an exceptional guitarist and I have huge respect for him. The whole band is really looking forward to playing with this string magician."

ACCEPT's latest album, "Humanoid", was released on April 26 via Napalm Records. The LP was once again produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by critically acclaimed heavy metal producer Andy Sneap.

ACCEPT recently announced a massive European headline tour, with more than 20 shows across the continent for autumn 2024. This summer, ACCEPT will also return to some of the world’s most important rock and metal festivals, like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and more, following their South American spring tour.

Mark Tornillo joined ACCEPT in 2009 as the replacement for the band's original lead singer, Udo Dirkscheider. He can be heard on ACCEPT's last six studio albums, "Blood Of The Nations" (2010),"Stalingrad" (2012),"Blind Rage" (2014),"The Rise Of Chaos" (2017),2021's "Too Mean To Die" and 2024's "Humanoid".



O ACCEPT dá mais uma aula de Heavy Metal no primeiro show da tour sul-americana, no Carioca Club Pinheiros, em São Paulo!! E sim, completamente SOLD-OUT!!!

E o convidado especial Joel Hoekstra simplesmente arregaçou!! Foi estupendo!! 🤘🤘🤘

🎬 Filmado por Johnny Z.

Dark Dimensions Produtora / JZ Press
#accept #heavymetal #shows #joelhoekstra #metal #cariocaclub #rock #metalmusic #heavymusic

Posted by Metal Na Lata on Wednesday, May 1, 2024

E pra iniciar Maio em grande estilo, estaremos mais uma vez expondo no show do Accept!

Feriadao em grande estilo! Pra...

Posted by Dark Fênix on Tuesday, April 30, 2024

LED ZEPPELIN's Jimmy Page has paid tribute to Duane Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero who died earlier this week at age 86. Eddy passed away of cancer Tuesday at the Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tennessee, according to his wife, Deed Abbate.

On Friday (May 3),Jimmy took to his Instagram to share the following message: "I am sad to hear of the passing of Duane Eddy. I first saw him perform at the Granada in Kingston in November 1963 and topping the bill that evening was Gene Vincent.

"In 2011, I spoke to Duane on the radio from the BBC Studios as the producers had prepared a link up with him in Nashville. Duane was hosting a tribute programme to Les Paul and we discussed the massive pioneering contribution that Les had presented to the world.

"More recently, in 2018, I had the chance to meet Duane and his wife as he performed at the London Palladium alongside Richard Hawley. He was introduced to the stage that night by Whispering Bob Harris and it was a pleasure to get the chance to meet him: he was such a lovely man.

"Duane Eddy twanged the thang in the late 50s and 60s and you can hear his character sound appearing throughout the decades of popular music. He will be missed and my thoughts are with his family. RIP, Duane."

The Grammy Award-winning American guitarist Eddy had a string of instrumental hits spanning more than four decades. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994. Eddy devised early in his career a technique that involved playing lead guitar on bass strings, thus producing that characteristic low reverberant "twangy" sound.

Eddy, who moved to Nashville in 1985, recorded more than 50 albums, but was not very active from the 1980s on, "living off my royalties," he said in 1986.

"Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature 'Twang' sound," Eddy's representative said after his death.

"He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jimmy Page (@jimmypage)

Dave Grohl dedicated the song "My Hero" to late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott during FOO FIGHTERS' May 1 concert in Dallas, Texas. The sold-out show, which took place at the Dos Equis Pavilion in front of an estimated 20,000 fans, marked the opening gig of FOO FIGHTERS' 2024 "Everything Or Nothing At All" tour.

Before launching into "My Hero", the FOO FIGHTERS frontman told the crowd: "Actually, you know what? Since we're here in Dallas, I'm gonna dedicate this one to an old friend who lived around here. His name was 'Dimebag' Darrell. How about that? Let's hear it for Darrell. It's called 'My Hero'. We're gonna sing it together, right?"

Back in 2017, Grohl spoke to U.K.'s Planet Rock about how PANTERA was partly the inspiration for FOO FIGHTERS' "open-door policy" while making the latter band's then-new album, "Concrete And Gold", at Hollywood, California's EastWest Studios — where they drafted in pop singers Justin Timberlake and Shawn Stockman (BOYZ II MEN) to guest on the disc.

"Basically, the way the FOO FIGHTERS work, we get along with everybody," Dave explained. "For years, we've always been that band, when we get backstage at a festival, the first thing I do is I pick up a bottle of whiskey and I just walk around banging on dressing-room doors to see who's fun, to see who's cool. It could be Tricky, or it could be MUSE or it could be… whatever — I just look for pals.

He continued: "Actually, that's something I learnt from PANTERA. Back in the day, we did a show with PANTERA and we became friends and I would go see them on tour all the time. And I realized that you'd be backstage at a PANTERA show and there'd be, like, Marilyn Manson is in that corner, and Kato Kaelin is in that corner, and Britney Spears is in [that corner]… Everybody loved to hang with PANTERA. So, to me, that was the coolest thing about them — they were the sweetest people and they had this open-door policy."

Original VENOM and current VENOM INC. guitarist Jeff "Mantas" Dunn has revealed that he recently suffered another heart attack.

The 63-year-old British-born musician, who currently resides with his wife in Portugal, previously suffered a heart attack and underwent a double bypass surgery in May 2018.

Earlier today (Friday, May 3),Dunn took to his social media to share a couple of photos of him at the hospital, and he included the following message: "On the morning of Wednesday 17th April completely out of the blue I suffered another heart attack. Two ambulances attended my home and once they were satisfied that I was stable I was taken to Abrantes UCIC (Cardiac Intensive Care). I had numerous blood tests, X Ray and Cardiac Ultrasound and it was decided that I should be taken to Lisbon for an Angiogram when a slot became available to determine cause and possible further damage. The outcome of the Angiogram revealed that my double bypass was functioning well, however, 2 further valves were compromised and approaching complete failure and the decision was made immediately to introduce 2 stents, which they did there and then. The whole procedure was done through my left wrist under local anesthetic.

"May I take this opportunity to thank the cardiology Doctors and nursing staff of both Abrantes and Lisbon for their superb care and attention.

"I am now recovering at home.

"I must now inform you all that for the foreseeable future I will not be performing live with VENOM INC. at any immediate upcoming events.

"I will of course continue to make music, it’s my therapy, and I will more than likely annoy you all with it in the not too distant future.

"Once again each and every one of you has my eternal gratitude.

"Much Love and Respect, Jeff."

Dunn currently plays in VENOM INC. alongside another former VENOM member, bassist/vocalist Tony Dolan.

Mantas sat out VENOM INC.'s fall 2023 U.S. tour after revealing that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. He was replaced on the trek by Mike Hickey, known for his work with VENOM, CARCASS, CATHEDRAL and CRONOS.

Earlier this year, VENOM INC. recruited Marc "JXN" Jackson as the band's new drummer. Jackson was previously a member of M:PIRE OF EVIL, the group formed in 2010 by Dunn and Dolan.

VENOM INC. is not to be confused with the Conrad "Cronos" Lant-fronted version of VENOM, which is continuing to tour and make albums under the VENOM moniker. Joining Cronos in that group are Rage (a.k.a. Stuart Dixon) on guitar and Danté (a.k.a. Danny Needham) on drums.

VENOM's classic lineup trio of Dunn, Lant and drummer Anthony "Abaddon" Bray recorded four studio LPs, "Welcome To Hell" (1981),"Black Metal" (1982),"At War With Satan" (1984) and "Possessed" (1985),and live album, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (1986). Often cited by bands such as METALLICA, BEHEMOTH, CELTIC FROST and MAYHEM as major influences, they are one of the most revered bands of their generation. VENOM is still fronted by Cronos and headlines festivals all over the globe and continues to release new music while Dunn and Dolan have joined forces in the similarly named VENOM INC.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeff Mantas Dunn (@jeffmantas)

DEEP PURPLE's Ritchie Blackmore has paid tribute to Duane Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero who died earlier this week at age 86. Eddy passed away of cancer Tuesday at the Williamson Health hospital in Franklin, Tennessee, according to his wife, Deed Abbate.

On Wednesday (May 1),Ritchie took to his social media to share the following message: "Just heard about the passing of the wonderful Duane Eddy who was my first guitar idol with songs like Rebel Rouser, Shazam, Some Kind Of Earthquake. I would always rush out and buy his long playing records. My favorite all time tune from him was The Lonely One.

"He was a brilliant guitarist in his own right. He was the first guitar player with that deep bass sound which I loved. Unfortunately, I never saw him live, although I tried to see him playing on a couple of occasions. One particular time, when I was 12, I went to London airport to meet him. I sat there for hours waiting, so I could get a glimpse of him. After 2-3 hours, I asked the ground staff what time his plane would be in as it was obviously delayed. They told me his plane actually came in early and I missed him. That was my first of many futile attempts to see him. But I would play his music night and day.

"He was very kind to me last year, because I had missed him on so many occasions, he sent me a Gretsch Guitar as a present for Christmas. I couldn't believe it.

"He will always be my number one inspiration from the time I took up the guitar until now. He was so unique in his playing.

"The world has lost a great guitar player. A truly unique guitar player.

"Our hearts are with Deed and his family."

The Grammy Award-winning American guitarist Eddy had a string of instrumental hits spanning more than four decades. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994. Eddy devised early in his career a technique that involved playing lead guitar on bass strings, thus producing that characteristic low reverberant "twangy" sound.

Eddy, who moved to Nashville in 1985, recorded more than 50 albums, but was not very active from the 1980s on, "living off my royalties," he said in 1986.

"Duane inspired a generation of guitarists the world over with his unmistakable signature 'Twang' sound," Eddy's representative said after his death.

"He was the first rock and roll guitar god, a truly humble and incredible human being. He will be sorely missed."

Just heard about the passing of the wonderful Duane Eddy who was my first guitar idol with songs like Rebel Rouser,...

Posted by Ritchie Blackmore Official Site on Wednesday, May 1, 2024

GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan is celebrating the fifth anniversary of his acclaimed second solo album, "Tenderness", with "Tenderness Live From Los Angeles", a brand new double-live collection arriving everywhere on Friday, May 31.

Recorded June 13, 2019 at Los Angeles' historic El Rey Theatre just days following "Tenderness"'s May 2019 release, "Tenderness Live From Los Angeles" sees McKagan taking an intimate journey through his own canon of songs along with a few deeply personal cover versions, backed by three-time Grammy Award-winning "Tenderness" producer Shooter Jennings and his band. "Tenderness Live From Los Angeles" is heralded by today's premiere of an electrifying rendition of "River Of Deceit", originally performed by McKagan's close friends, Seattle supergroup MAD SEASON — comprised of guitarist Mike McCready (PEARL JAM),drummer Barrett Martin (SCREAMING TREES) and the late Layne Staley (ALICE IN CHAINS) and bassist John Baker Saunders (THE WALKABOUTS) — and available everywhere now.

"It was such a complete pleasure and honor to be able to work with Shooter Jennings and his stellar band for the recording of the songs that became the 'Tenderness' record," says Duff McKagan. "Having Aubrey and John playing fiddle and pedal steel guitar on the tracks, really led the music in a brand new direction for me. I strive for change and growth in life, and these guys ushered me into a brand new musical world. This relationship was made more special, when Shooter and the band agreed to tour 'Tenderness' with me. Remember, Ted Kemp, Jamie Douglas, Aubrey Richmond, John Scheffler and Shooter had been touring for years together. They are a tight-as-hell unit. I won the lottery!

"This live recording from the El Rey in Los Angeles showcases not only the songs on the record, but some cover songs we started to fold into the live set as we toured. We've highlighted a couple tracks from this show — 'Tenderness' being one, of course, and our version of the MAD SEASON song 'River Of Deceit'. Such a beautiful song written by guys from back home that I know now, and a couple who are no longer with us. It feels like a celebration to me. All of these live shows we did on that tour felt like a shedding, a prayer to better things, and a beautiful coming together of all you bad motherfuckers."

"One of the highlights of my life was making 'Tenderness' with Duff McKagan," says Shooter Jennings. "A thoughtful songwriter and even more thoughtful person. Touring with Duff checked another box of personal dreams come true! We had a blast out on the road. "I remember playing the El Rey. The crowd was packed. I remember leaving the stage feeling like we had done something really special.

"Getting to mix the album all these years later was such a treat. To be able to mix it on the 1976 Frank Demedio custom API console (the same console that Prince recorded and mixed 'Purple Rain' on) in legendary Sunset Sound Studio 3 (a.k.a. Snake Mountain),was like being able to distill a righteous memory through a flawless diamond. Sitting in that studio listening to the band play through those big speakers allowed for me to get lost in the music and let it guide me to bring this experience to record players everywhere!"

Newly mixed in the legendary Sunset Sound Studio 3 (a.k.a. Snake Mountain) by Jennings using the famed custom API console on which Prince recorded and mixed "Purple Rain", "Tenderness Live From Los Angeles" is further highlighted by powerful takes on THE CLASH's classic "Clampdown" and such GUNS N' ROSES fan favorites as "You Ain't The First", "Dust N' Bones" and "Dead Horse". But at its heart, the set casts a spotlight on McKagan's own striking songcraft, with live versions of tracks originally featured on "Tenderness", including the volatile rocker "Chip Away", which earned extraordinary praise from the maestro himself Bob Dylan, who recently declared the song a personal favorite.

Named by Loudwire as one of 2019's "50 Best Rock Albums," "Tenderness" marked a powerful new chapter for the ever-evolving McKagan, taking on societal ills and his own personal transgressions against a rich sonic backdrop of Americana-fueled arrangements. Fueled by such songs as the nuanced "It's Not Too Late" and the deeply hopeful title track, "Tenderness" was met by widespread acclaim from such outlets as Rolling Stone, which hailed it in a three-and-a-half (out of four)-starred rave as "an album full of beauty and heart…It's music of conscience, heavy songs with a light touch." "A superb set of roots-rock ruminations," declared Entertainment Weekly. "With Jennings's help, McKagan crafted a mix of rock and Americana evoking both the Glimmer Twins and the Gutter Twins." "McKagan takes a hard look at some of the most important issues facing our country right now...equal parts ROLLING STONES, Lou Reed and 'Lies'-era GUNS N' ROSES," wrote Consequence.

"Tenderness Live From Los Angeles" follows last year's release of McKagan's equally acclaimed third solo album, "Lighthouse", available everywhere now.

McKagan recently announced plans to celebrate "Lighthouse" with a major European tour. "Lighthouse '24" tour gets underway September 30 at Dublin, Ireland's The Academy, and then makes stops in Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, and Sweden through late October.

"Tenderness Live From Los Angeles" track listing:

01. You Ain't The First
02. Breaking Rocks
03. Tenderness
04. Chip Away
05. Feel
06. Wasted Heart
07. River Of Deceit
08. Dust N' Bones
09. Last September
10. It's Not Too Late
11. Falling Down
12. Cold Outside
13. Parkland
14. Clampdown
15. Dead Horse
16. Don't Look Behind You
17. Deepest Shade

The reactivated TERRORIZER played its first comeback show last Thursday (April 25) at the SWR Barroselas Metalfest in Barroselas, Portugal. Professionally filmed video of the entire concert can be seen below.

TERRORIZER's current lineup consists of Pete "Commando" Sandoval (MORBID ANGEL, I AM MORBID) on drums, David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL, I AM MORBID) on bass, Brian Werner (VITAL REMAINS) on vocals, and Richie Brown (EXMORTUS, THE ABSENCE, TRIVIUM, I AM MORBID) on guitar.

Werner, who left VITAL REMAINS in 2019 after a seven-year run with the group, announced his addition to TERRORIZER in a social media post last August. He wrote: "Been quiet about this for a little while, but now I got the thumbs up to announce that I will be singing for TERRORIZER with Pete and David...... time to get back to work. Super excited to also be jamming with my brother Richie Brown too.......get ready the world is about to fall".

Sandoval announced TERRORIZER's comeback a week earlier, confirming that he would be joined by his onetime MORBID ANGEL and current I AM MORBID bandmate Vincent.

Just seven months after saying that TERRORIZER was "over" due to his "busy schedule" with his personal life and I AM MORBID, Sandoval took to his social media to announce that TERRORIZER would perform on October 22, 2023 at the Maranhão Open Air 2023 in São Luís, Brazil. That performance was eventually canceled.

Before Sandoval recorded MORBID ANGEL's first album, 1989's "Altars Of Madness", he performed on two demos and a split album with his original band TERRORIZER. Today, the group's 1989 full-length debut "World Downfall" is still considered a pinnacle for death metal and grindcore, featuring impossibly fast blast-beats and double-bass drumming along with a blitzkrieg attack by late guitarist Jesse Pintado (NAPALM DEATH),and ex-vocalist Oscar Garcia (NAUSEA). The 1989 lineup was rounded out by Sandoval and Vincent on bass.

Over the next twenty-three years, Sandoval took time between MORBID ANGEL albums to continue working with TERRORIZER, recording two more cataclysmic full-lengths, 2006's "Darker Days Ahead" and 2012's "Hordes Of Zombies". Six years down the burning highway, TERRORIZER released 2018's "Caustic Attack", described at the time as "their heaviest and most eclectic album to date."

Back in 2021, it was announced that TERRORIZER had signed a worldwide deal with Earache Records. At that time, the band's lineup had consisted of Sandoval, Lee Harrison on guitar, and Sam Molina on bass/vocals.

In the fall of 2022, I AM MORBID parted ways with guitarist Kelly McLauchlin (POSSESSED, DIABOLIC, UNHOLY GHOST) and replaced him with Brown. Brown made his live debut with I AM MORBID, which also includes guitarist Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, DORO),on October 16, 2022 at the Grita Fest in Colombia.

I AM MORBID's spring 2022 European tour marked the first time Sandoval and Vincent played together in 12 years.

Sandoval, who now lives his life as a born-again Christian, was forced to leave MORBID ANGEL in 2010 after undergoing surgery for a prolapsed disc.

Vincent told Invisible Oranges in a December 2013 interview that Pete had "found Jesus," which meant that Sandoval and MORBID ANGEL were no longer "compatible."

A decade ago, Vincent spoke to told Capital Chaos TV about his guest appearance on TERRORIZER's 2012 album "Hordes Of Zombies". He said: "It was a lot of fun [laying down the bass tracks on the CD]. He asked me if I'd be willing to play on the record, and of course I said yes. It's a good record. It's obviously a different style to MORBID ANGEL, and that's okay. We like all kinds of music."

First ever TERRORIZER reunion show is happening tonight at SWR Barroselas !
Come to celebrate 35th anniversary of World Downfall with us

#terrorizer #worlddownfall #worlddownfallalbum

Posted by THE FLAMING ARTS AGENCY on Thursday, April 25, 2024

In a new interview with Brazil's A Rádio Rock, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson spoke about the success of his latest solo album, "The Mandrake Project", and whether fans can expect a follow-up in the not-too-distant future. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There is quite a lot of material left over that we didn't develop [for 'The Mandrake Project']. We had no time to develop it, and we looked at what we had and we went, 'You know what? This is good. Let's just work with what we've got right now because the other stuff, we can develop it later, we can talk about it later.'

"But the album has done amazingly well," he continued. "The tour is doing incredible in Europe. I mean, most of the shows are sold out in Europe, which is fantastic. And the album chart positions are incredible as well. We were Number One in Germany, Number One in Sweden, and [Number] Two in most other places, and Number Three in the U.K. I mean, all this stuff is great.

"JUDAS PRIEST, for example, had a load of success with their new record, which is great," Bruce added. "But they've been around for how long? And they've got like how many followers on Instagram? I mean, I only started my Instagram page, like, six months ago. So, for me to get those kind of results really means a lot, and it means that the record has really connected with people, that they really feel that connection. So it's great."

After playing two warm-up shows at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California, Dickinson officially kicked off his first solo tour in more than 20 years on April 15 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California.

Joining the IRON MAIDEN singer on the trek is his current backing band, featuring Dave Moreno (drums),Mistheria (keyboards) and Tanya O'Callaghan (bass),alongside the group's latest additions, Swedish guitarist, songwriter and multi-platinum-credited producer Philip Näslund and Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq (who played on Dickinson's "Rain On The Graves" single). Bruce's longtime guitarist and collaborator Roy "Z" Ramirez is not part of the touring lineup.

Prior to the April 12 Whisky A Go Go show, Bruce last performed with his solo band on in August 2002 at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

During an appearance on the April 16 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Bruce was asked if there are plans for him to stage a full U.S. tour in support of "The Mandrake Project". He responded: "I brought the [booking] agents and the promoters, and everybody came down and saw the Whisky show [in West Hollywood, California over the weekend], and now they know what they've got to deal with in terms of doing a U.S. tour. So, we're looking at it, we're planning it.

"I absolutely wanna do a full U.S. tour with 'The Mandrake Project'," he added. "I obviously can't do one for the rest of this year [due to commitments in other parts of the world and MAIDEN's upcoming touring activities], but there's '25 and there's numerous opportunities that will crop up. So the answer to that is yes, of course, we wanna come and do the U.S."

Roy played guitar on Dickinson's 1994 album "Balls To Picasso" and went on to produce, co-write and perform multiple instruments on Bruce's subsequent three solo albums, "Accident At Birth" (1997),"The Chemical Wedding" (1998) and "Tyranny Of Souls" (2005).

O'Callaghan is an Irish musician who joined WHITESNAKE in 2021 and toured with the David Coverdale-fronted outfit the following year. She also hit the road with Dickinson last year as part of a performance of Jon Lord's "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" on nearly a dozen dates in Europe and South America.

Californian drummer Moreno previously played on "Tyranny Of Souls" and has worked with BODY COUNT, Jizzy Pearl, Dizzy Reed and Steve Stevens, among others.

Italian keyboard wizard Mistheria has collaborated with an array of artists live and in the studio, including Rob Rock, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Scott Soto and Joel Hoekstra.

"The Mandrake Project" arrived on March 1 via BMG.

Bruce and Roy recorded "The Mandrake Project" largely at Los Angeles's Doom Room, with Roy doubling up as both guitarist and bassist. The recording lineup for "The Mandrake Project" was rounded out by Mistheria and Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce's last solo studio album, "Tyranny Of Souls", in 2005.

Dickinson made his recording debut with IRON MAIDEN on the "Number Of The Beast" album in 1982. He quit the band in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Blaze Bayley, who had previously been the lead singer of the metal band WOLFSBANE. After releasing two traditional metal albums with former MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, Dickinson rejoined the band in 1999 along with Smith.

On the latest episode of SiriusXM's "Ozzy Speaks", Ozzy Osbourne spoke with co-host Billy Morrison about receiving stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease.

The legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman was diagnosed in 2003 with Parkin 2 — a very rare genetic form of Parkinson's. During a TV appearance in January 2020, the singer disclosed that he was 'stricken" with the disease which occurs when the nerve cells of the body degenerate and levels of dopamine are reduced. Dopamine is an essential chemical that is produced by these nerve cells which send signals to different parts of the brain to control movements of the body.

"I've just come back from the doctor after having some stem cells put in me.," Ozzy said on "Ozzy Speaks".

"The thing is, you have it, and you go, "I don't feel that great," but I don't know what it would be like if I didn't have it.

"This stuff that I have, it's kind of like a super fucking stem cell, you know?" he explained. "They put three bottles in me this morning.

"I had one about three months ago and this was a follow-up, and I've got to go in about six months from now."

According to Cells4Life, scientists have been using stem cells in recent years to better understand and treat Parkinson's disease.

Stem cell therapy has made advanced progress and preliminary research shows that transplanting new dopamine cells into the brain may help to replace what is lost during Parkinson's disease and reduce its symptoms.

Parkinson's disease is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects an estimated one million Americans, more men than women and most often in people over age 60. The disease is not fatal but it increases the risk pf pneumonia, falls and other conditions that may lead to death.

Last November, Ozzy spoke to Rolling Stone UK about the possibility of returning to the live stage. He said: "I'm taking it one day at a time, and if I can perform again, I will. But it's been like saying farewell to the best relationship of my life. At the start of my illness, when I stopped touring, I was really pissed off with myself, the doctors, and the world. But as time has gone on, I've just gone, 'Well, maybe I've just got to accept that fact.

"I'm not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy. What's the fucking point in that? I'm not going up there in a fucking wheelchair. I've seen Phil Collins perform recently, and he's got virtually the same problems as me. He gets up there in a wheelchair. But I couldn't do that."

Ozzy went on to pay tribute to his fans who made it possible for him to have a five-plus-decade career, first with SABBATH and then as a solo artist.

"That's one of the things I've been the most fucking pissed off at: I never got the chance to say goodbye or thank you," he said. "Because my fans are what it's all about. If I can just do a few gigs… They've been loyal to me for fucking years. They write to me, they know all about my dogs. It's my extended family really, and they give us the lifestyle we have. For whatever reason, that's my goal to work to. To do those shows. If it's at Ozzfest or somewhere, or even a fucking gig at the Roundhouse [in London]

"If I can't continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, 'Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.' That's what I'm working towards, and if I drop down dead at the end of it, I'll die a happy man."

Earlier in November, Ozzy and Sharon's son Jack told The Messenger that his father's days of hitting the road are likely behind him. "I don't think he'll tour again," Jack said. "But he's gunning to do one-off shows — like festivals, gigs, things like that."

"He's not done yet," he added.

Last September, Ozzy opened up about his series of operations in an interview with Metal Hammer as he shared his hopes of making "one more album" and a return to touring.

"I've had all the surgery now, thank God," the 75-year-old said. "I'm feeling okay. It was just dragging on. I thought I'd be back on my feet months ago. I just couldn't get used to this mode of living, constantly having something wrong. I can't walk properly yet, but I'm not in any pain anymore and the surgery on my spine went great."

Osbourne also discussed his plans for 2024, saying: "I'm getting myself fit. I've done two albums fairly recently [2020's 'Ordinary Man' and 2022's 'Patient Number 9'], but I want to do one more album and then go back on the road."

Last July, the BLACK SABBATH singer canceled his appearance at the Power Trip festival due to his ongoing physical ailments.

Ozzy's health issues, including suffering a nasty fall and dislodging metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident in 2003, as well as catching COVID-19 more than two years ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.

While Osbourne's health issues forced him to scrap most of his live appearances, the musician said he would return if his condition improved.

Osbourne's previously announced European tour with guests JUDAS PRIEST, originally set for 2019 and then rescheduled three times, was officially canceled in early February 2023.

Despite his health problems, Osbourne has performed a couple of times in the last two years, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022.

Fresh from a 95-date world tour and album release with THE WINERY DOGS in 2023, Richie Kotzen returns with a brand new single and lyric video called "Cheap Shots" released today (May 1). A gloriously powerful slice of guitar-driven and hard-riffin' heavy rock, with Kotzen's passionate vocals calling out haters and people who take advantage of others, it pulls no punches and delivers knockout hooks throughout.

"I really never know how, when or where inspiration will strike for a song idea," explains Kotzen. "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, which will be a part of a full-length album to be released later in the year, 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," continues 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

Trafalgar Releasing today announced worldwide theatrical distribution plans for "Rite Here Rite Now". The unique feature-length film combines never-before-seen 2023 concert footage of Grammy Award-winning rock band GHOST with a narrative story that picks up plot threads from the band's long-running "Chapters" series. Directed by GHOST's Tobias Forge and Alex Ross Perry ("Her Smell"),"Rite Here Rite Now" will launch in cinemas globally on June 20 and June 22 only.

Full trailer launch and cinema tickets will be available beginning Thursday, May 9. Worldwide screening details and ticket links will be revealed at ritehereritenow.com at 2 p.m. BST / 9 a.m. EDT / 6 a.m. PDT. Fans are encouraged to sign up for further information.

Shot over the course of GHOST's two sold-out shows at Los Angeles's hallowed Kia Forum, "Rite Here Rite Now" fully immerses viewers in the technicolor melodrama of the vaunted live ritual that has helped to propel Sweden's foremost theatrical rock export to Grammy-winning, chart-topping, arena-headlining status the world over.

"Rite Here Rite Now" is, however, so much more than a concert movie. GHOST's debut feature film combines live performance from the two-night finale of the band's "Re-Imperatour" U.S.A. 2023 with a narrative story that picks up plot threads from the band's long-running "Chapters" series. The result is an utterly unique phantasmagorical blend: Flesh and bone renditions of favorites from all five of GHOST's albums as well as the RIAA platinum-certified "Mary On A Cross" and more are interwoven with the silver screen debuts of a few faces familiar to the band's legions of fans — all interacting behind the scenes with GHOST's Papa Emeritus IV, as his future and fate lay in the hands of the Ministry.

Whether you're a devoted disciple looking to relive treasured memories of the GHOST live spectacle or among the curious uninitiated, "Rite Here Rite Now" will put you right there: putting your phones down and living in the moment — as a shadow of uncertainty looms — completely spellbound and in the thrall of this bombastic yet intimate cinematic portrait of GHOST.

The original motion picture soundtrack to "Rite Here Rite Now" will be released via Loma Vista Recordings. Pre-order launch and additional details will complement the film's cinema on-sale date of May 9.

Forge explained: "Over a decade ago when GHOST got signed to Loma Vista, Tom Whalley (owner and CEO) asked what the story of the band was. He felt telling a story was vital in order to get new fans engaged. I said that because we were a new 'baby' band and more importantly we were an anonymous baby band, there wasn't really a compelling story to tell. Not yet anyway. But I told him that if he wanted a story, I could come up with one. This film is the fruit of that conversation."

Director Alex Ross Perry said: "Collaborating with Tobias to expand the saga of GHOST into a feature film has been a wicked delight. This movie allowed us to be inspired by everything from silent horror to 'The Great Rock N' Roll Swindle', from Ralph Bakshi to KISS 'Alive II'. The influences were many, but above all, the ultimate goal was to make a one-of-a-kind feast not only for GHOST fans, but all lovers of the cinematic alchemy between rock spectacle and spooky delights."

Kymberli Frueh, SVP of programming and content acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, added: "The mystery, mystique, and musical style of GHOST has created such a dedicated allegiance to the band. Our cinemas provide the perfect immersive experience to unite fans as a community and experience GHOST's elaborate performances with big screens and big sound."

"Rite Here Rite Now" is produced by Popecorn Cinematic Pictures. Producers include Kristen Mulderig, Rick Sales, Craig Butta and Jonas Åkerlund.

Last October, Forge confirmed that footage from the band's September 2023 two shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California would be used as part of the film.

"When I first started putting it together, I was, like, 'Oh my god, I'm going to faint because there's so much to think about,'" Forge told Metal Hammer magazine. "Then it was, like, 'No, no, just don't think about it at all.'"

Both GHOST shows at the Forum were device-free experiences. Use of phones and smart watches was not permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, devices were secured in individual Yondr pouches that were opened at the end of the event.

"I have never seen a crowd interact the way that they did since I was in a club band," Forge said. "They were the best shows I've ever done with GHOST, just because I didn't have to see those fucking mobile phones."

Tobias went on to say that GHOST was "essentially shooting a film. And we used two nights of crowds as extras," he explained. "It's going to be a film with a concert element. So a lot of what you experienced [at the two L.A. shows] is going to be part of this project."

Tobias was also asked if the GHOST film will be similar to METALLICA's "Through The Never", which starred members of the iconic rock band and Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle", "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"). DeHaan played a young band crew member who is sent out on an urgent mission while the band is playing a rousing live set in front of a sold-out crowd and unexpectedly finds his world turned completely upside down. Forge replied: "In the sense that it's a concert with something else combined."

At the Forum shows, GHOST performed the song "Twenties" live for the very first time live. They also played their cover of Roky Erikson's "If You Have Ghosts", which was originally reimagined by GHOST for their 2013 EP "If You Have Ghost". The band's version of the track at the Forum featured two cellists with a piano playing, and it was performed on a separate stage from the rest of the set.

Back in 2019, Forge told Revolver that there was a GHOST feature film in the works. He added, however, that this wouldn't be your typical "rockumentary" or even a concert film, but something else entirely.

"Most films about bands are biographical, and I see no reason to tell our story yet," Forge said. "It's a little bit like premature ejaculation. You have to have a career first and then you can tell the real story, so that was never an option. And when you yank away that, what do you have? Well, that would be a fictional story."

When Forge spoke to Revolver about the GHOST film four years ago, he explained that it would be a while before the project came to fruition.

"The cog wheels are turning on that one," he said. "We're just trying to figure out a lot of the practicalities. Making a film is a big endeavor. Another problem that I have had over the course of my career is that I don't have a shit-ton of time. I've learned over the years that it's really important not to do everything at once."

According to Billboard, LINKIN PARK is considering a possible 2025 reunion tour with a female vocalist stepping in for late lead singer Chester Bennington.

LINKIN PARK's booking agency WME is taking offers for a potential tour along with headlining festival dates that would feature Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Dave Farrell, Billboard's sources say.

One of the sources told Billboard that LINKIN PARK is hoping to find a female vocalist to front the reunited band, a rumor which was first started last month by ORGY frontman Jay Gordon who mentioned during a radio interview that he had "heard" that LINKIN PARK was working with a "girl singer now". When pressed, Gordon continued by saying: "Don't quote me on that. I'm not sure who the singer is going to be, but I heard it was gonna be female. They might just try to move on like that. That ought to be interesting." Jay later seemingly walked back his comments, writing in a Facebook post that he knew "nothing about any of that" and accused "people" of taking his words "out of context.".

Last month, EVANESCENCE's Amy Lee was asked about the some LINKIN PARK fans' desire to see her step in as the replacement for Bennington. "That is an incredible compliment," she said after being told that she was a fan favorite to fill the slot. "I have not heard that. No, I have not been contacted [by LINKIN PARK] or anything like that. But [I'm a] huge fan feel like our worlds, our fanbases are a lot of the same people."

She continued: "That's really sweet. We never… Well, did we play shows [together]? I don't know if [EVANESCENCE and LINKIN PARK] were on a festival together or whatever. We met. We were in the studio at the same time. When we were making 'Fallen', I just briefly got to have a conversation or two with Chester. He was really sweet.

"But no, it's not true," she clarified in regard to the rumors that could be LINKIN PARK's new singer. "But that's awesome. They should ask me about that. I don't have a ton of free time, but I might do it part time."

In a recent interview with Revolver, Shinoda downplayed the possibility of a LINKIN PARK reunion, saying: "Rumors always go around. People always ask what's next for the band, and the best answer I can ever give anybody is when there's something to tell you, we will tell you. When there's an announcement to be made, it will be on LinkinPark.com. If you're hearing it from somebody else, you can trust that information as much as you want to trust it."

LINKIN PARK has just released a career-spanning greatest-hits album, "Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)". The record also features a previously unreleased track with Bennington, "Friendly Fire", which was recorded during the sessions for the group's final studio album, 2017's "One More Light". Bennington died later that year.

Italian power metallers Frozen Crown, who recently wrapped up a Scandonavian tour supporting U.D.O., have shared the following message with their fans:


"New album complete!


Dear friends, many of you asked us what we were doing behind the scenes during the last months. Now, after some hints here and there, we can say we're happy and proud beyond words to finally be able to listen to this new material. It's the best stuff we ever recorded and yes, we know, all bands say this about their latest album, but this time it couldn't be truer. Not only cause this is the first material recorded as a 6-piece band, but also cause this is the very first time every single Frozen Crown member actively contributed to the final result.




Once again we worked with the best, who has been the hidden additional band member for all these years: Andrea 'Fusix' Fusini, which crafted the sound of all our albums since the beloved debut The Fallen King. You may have listened to some of his latest work on Napalm Records if you happened to check the latest Delain album!"





Frozen Crown inked a worldwide contract with Napalm Records in June 2023. The five-piece was founded in 2018, and have since become one of the most influential Italian metal bands in the current scene.


So far, Frozen Crown have released four albums - The Fallen King (2018), Crowned In Frost (2019), Winterbane (2021) and this year’s Call Of The North - which have brought the band huge media exposure, millions of streams and video views, and big European tours with the likes of Dragonforce and Nanowar Of Steel, as well as two headlining tours in Japan.


Their current album, Call Of The North, is Frozen Crown’s most mature work so far, showcasing the best of the band’s unique power metal style infused with classic heavy metal, melodic death metal and speed metal influences, all topped with bombastic production highlighting opulent orchestrations and harmonies.


Frozen Crown on the signing: "We're happy and honored to join the Napalm Records family and we're ready for our next big step together. Since we founded this band in 2018 we worked hard incessantly, day after day, not only trying to put our best in our studio albums and live, but also managing the band all by ourselves, conquering every single little accomplishment with our DIY attitude, always keeping loyal to our (extremely) small entourage. Thanks to the support of our lovely fans, Frozen Crown eventually grew bigger, and got to a point where we were not able to handle it all by ourselves anymore. At the same time, we knew we needed more firepower to push the band further and bring it to the next level. And speaking of firepower, Napalm Records was just the best record label to start this new chapter with... We're excited beyond words to be part of the best metal label in the world, and we can't wait to start working together on our new album, joining forces with this huge team of professionals."


Sebastian Muench, Senior A&R Napalm Records, adds: “Frozen Crown are simply one of the most creative power metal bands to emerge in the last five years. Their previous releases, Winterbane and Call Of The North, are brilliant. We look forward to working with Frozen Crown to reach the next level in their career.”


Frozen Crown are:


Giada “Jade” Etro - Vocals
Federico Mondelli - Vocals, Guitar
Fabiola Bellomo - Guitar
Francesco Zof - Bass
Niso Tomasini - Drums

Behemoth performed at Philharmonie de Paris in Paris, France last night (Tuesday, April 30), and ARTE Concert has posted professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set. Watch below.


Setlist:


"Once Upon A Pale Horse" (First time as the show opener)
"Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer"
"Demigod" (First time in front of a live audience since 2019)
"Conquer All"
"Ov Fire And The Void"
"From The Pagan Vastlands" (First time in front of a live audience since 2009)
"Cursed Angel Of Doom"
"Lasy Pomorza" (First time in front of a live audience since 2017)
"Chwała mordercom Wojciecha (997-1997 dziesięć wieków hańby)"
"Messe Noire" (First time since 2018)
"No Sympathy For Fools"
"Bartzabel"
"Decade Of Therion"
"Versvs Christvs"
"Christians To The Lions"
"At The Left Hand Ov God"
"Chant for Eschaton 2000"




Encore:
"O Father O Satan O Sun!"