Canada's blistering, serpentine three-piece Adversarial has announced its forthcoming third album, Solitude with the Eternal. The band's first album in nearly 10 years will be out May 31 on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats via Dark Descent Records.


Adversarial has posted a stream of album track "Merging Within the Destroyer." Preorder on Bandcamp.


Artwork for Solitude with the Eternal was done by Nekronikon. The album was recorded and mixed by Vadim Balanyuk, and mastered by Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios.




Razor sharp. Slithering. Dual chasms yawn. A Janus-faced entity blinks, looking back and forward through the uncanny gloom. Dual tongues chase each other, slithering past cavities in the broken teeth. Licking against the neck, pulling more offal toward the trough. Each face has a black hole in the iris of each eye. As photons evaporate against the retina on the other side of the event horizon, memory fades. A new knowledge, imbued from the excrement of microorganisms trickles through the throaty slough. Yes, we’ve been here before. Yes, we’ll be here again. 


The entity known as Adversarial has opened the portal to a timeless realm of suffocation and agony once more. As Leviathan doubles back on itself, sulfur rises from the point of crossing, a bouquet of putrid yolk. This foul chemical will sustain nigredo, as metal black as midnight is tempered under atom smashing might.





Tracklisting:


“Beware The Howling Darkness On Thine Left Shoulder”
“Hatred Klin Of Vengeance”
“Witness To The Eternal Light”
“Death Is An Advisor In The Woods Of The Devil”
“Crushed Into The Kingdom Of Darkness”
“Merging Within The Destroyer”
“Fanes At The Engur”
“Endless Maze Of Blackest Dominion”


“Merging Within The Destroyer’:

In a new interview with The Rock N' Roll & Coffee Show, legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS, TALAS) was asked how he has been able to adapt to the access-over-ownership business model of streaming music. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):  "Well, it's just different. As you get older, a next generation comes along and does things different. And all the old people complain that 'that's not how we did it. And 'that's not the right way.' But that's kind of standard, but things evolve and change. And there'll come a time when people will look back and say, 'Remember when people used to just download one song. That was ridiculous. How stupid.' It'll always change generation to generation. So I'm not opposed to — as long as they're listening, I think it's good. And music is available everywhere now. I mean, on my phone, I can access anything. Some oddball, obscure bootleg track by [Jimi] Hendrix — I found it. I got it. I found it on YouTube. You can find it anywhere. So it balances out."

He continued: "I've got a hard drive with my iTunes collection, and it's about — I don't know — 2.4 terabytes now of all music that I've collected. I ripped all of my CDs that I'd collected since the CD started, and just got tons and tons and tons of music. And I have a little hard drive. I plug it into my laptop or access it through my iPhone, and everything I've ever wanted is there. So there's advantages to it as well."

MR. BIG's ongoing last worldwide tour is aptly titled "The BIG Finish". Since the band's original drummer and co-founder Pat Torpey lost his battle with Parkinson's disease in 2018, the band now feels it's time to mark the end of this chapter of their legacy. The first leg kicked off in Japan and Southeast Asia in July and August 2023, where the band performed for hundreds of thousands of loyal fans at 11 sold-out shows including Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Joining MR. BIG on drums for this special final world tour is longtime friend of the band Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD, BIG BIG TRAIN),stepping in for Torpey.

MR. BIG's final tour sees the band performing the entirety of its breakthrough platinum-selling 1991 album "Lean Into It" from start to finish as a featured highlight of the live setlist.

MR. BIG recently entered the studio to record a new studio album to coincide with the last shows of the band's farewell tour.

According to Euro.DayFr.com, Rammstein is being accused of plagiarism, with the French synthwave duo Ninja Cyborg claiming Rammstein ripped  off the riff from their track, "The Sunny Road", for the song "Deutschland".


Ninja Cyborg initially took legal action against Rammstein in 2021, but their claim was dismissed at first instance, before appealing. French justice finally appointed an independent expert in 2022, at the request of the French duo.


Ninja Cyborg did not plagiarize Rammstein, as fans of the German band claimed. The opposite happened. "The Sunny Road" was released in 2018, and "Deutschland" was released a few months later in 2019. A judicial musical expert, concluded on March 27th that Rammstein "voluntarily borrowed the riff and other melodic elements from 'The Sunny Road' in 'Deutschland'."




The musical expert at the Paris Court of Appeal, Richard Dubugnon, estimated that "no chance meeting" could be accepted due to "too many similarities" and that Rammstein had "without a doubt" committed plagiarism, according to a press release from PHI Avocats.


Read the complete report here.








Photo - Universal Music

Former Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his weekly cover, this time taking on teh 1991 Rednex hit, "Cotton Eye Joe".





Johansson recently announced his departure from Sabaton and issued the following statement:




"My dear friends! After seven glorious years of heavy metal, I have decided to step down as the guitarist of Sabaton. This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.


As many of you may know, I do a lot of things outside of Sabaton. I play with another band, perform with various artists, and have a career as a singer that I’ve put aside for years to focus on Sabaton. After doing this for seven years, I feel it’s time to start following my heart. This means I will no longer tour with my brothers in Sabaton and will not meet all you lovely Sabaton supporters on the upcoming tours with the band.


I will never quit playing music. I’ll still be touring with Majestica and other projects, but not on the same level as Sabaton, of course. I am sure I will meet you lovely fans on the road again in the future.


My brothers in Sabaton and the best crew in the world will forever be my second family, and I will miss spending time with all these wonderful people. We had so much fun together every day. I’ve come to learn so much about life, about music and about touring that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.


A massive thank you to all you lovely Sabaton fans for accepting me as the new guitarist in 2016. I am certain you will accept the person who takes over after me.


All the best to you all and I’ll see you again soon!"

Croatian thrash metallers Krematorium are set to release their highly anticipated second full-length album, Sinister Seduction, this summer.


“Sinister Seduction is our second full-length album. It contains eight tracks in which we tried to deliver an old-school vibe, incorporating ‘80s thrash metal and NWOTHM.


“Both of these genres were our driving forces while writing and recording this album.
The approach we took when we wrote lyrics was quite different than songwriting on our previous releases.




“We didn’t want to release another war and anti-religious themed album. Instead, we opted for writing about themes which are more familiar to us.


“Our inspiration came from movies, people and events surrounding us. Musically speaking, this album has way more traditional heavy metal influences than predecessor Body Bags. At the same time, there’s no lack of speed and explosiveness.


“Sinister Seduction has everything we like- from headbanging mid-tempo tracks and heavy metal melodies to fast-paced songs with harsh screaming vocals. We can’t wait to share it with you!" - says the band.


First single and video for “Moonshine Rider” streaming below:

During an appearance on the "Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show" on New York City's Q104.3 radio station, Jon Bon Jovi spoke about the upbeat and happy overall tone of BON JOVI's upcoming album, "Forever". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "With our last album, '2020', I released it into what was, in essence, a black hole. It was something the entire world lived at the same moment in time, which was the COVID breakout and then the economic downturn and our all being at home and [so on]. But that record was very topical and by some could be deemed to be dark, but it was narrative and it was truth. With that record, I was just the reporter reporting on what was going on. And I got that out of my system. With the 40th [anniversary of BON JOVI] approaching, with the surgery that I've just recently been through where my vocal cords, with the archiving and the film and the new record, the result of the music on the new record, it exudes joy. I don't know that it exudes necessarily out-and-out optimism, but it's truth. And more importantly, I found joy again — just a simple pleasure of writing a song."

Jon previously said that he had to "work through a lot of dark misery" in order to get to a place where he could experience joy again.

"It's been a decade since I was able to purely feel joy," Jon told Ultimate Classic Rock. "You know, that takes a lot when you think about it, because most of us in this crazy world, you've got your head down and you're focused on your work, your family, making ends meet, doing something productive."

Due on June 7, "Forever" is now available for pre-order where fans can find exclusive colored vinyl options, CDs, cassettes, and limited edition signed copies. An extremely limited run of Ocean Waves colored vinyl will include a one-of-a-kind instant photo of Jon Bon Jovi.

"Forever" features Jon Bon Jovi once again alongside fellow founding BON JOVI members, keyboardist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres. They are joined by bassist Hugh McDonald and guitarist Phil X.

The LP's first single, "Legendary", sees Jon sing: "Got a fistful of friends That’ll stand up for me / Right where I am / Is where I wanna be / Friday night comes /Around like a song / Sweet Caroline and we all sing along / Got my brown eyed girl / And she believes in me / Legendary."

Jon recently said that he was not sure that he would he will be able to it the road in support of "Forever" after undergoing vocal cord surgery. He told Mix 104.1 Boston: "I don't know about a tour," he said. "It is my desire to do a tour next year, but I'm just still recovering from a major surgery."

According to Jon, he underwent a procedure in 2022 after one of his vocal cords was "atrophying" — with one being "thick as the thumb" and the other vocal cord being "thick as a pinky." He went on to say that he felt like his "craft was being taken from me."

"Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story", the first-ever docuseries on the band's history with full cooperation from all past and present members of BON JOVI, premieres Friday, April 26 on Hulu in the U.S. and coming soon to Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories. Following one of the world's most iconic bands and its frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, the documentary gives us a view behind the music and the man.

The docuseries is a ROS production, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra, and celebrates the band's 40th anniversary of its self-titled debut album which was released on January 21, 1984 via Polygram/Mercury Records, less than a year after forming in their home state of New Jersey.

SIG:AR:TYR and Hammerheart Records presents the new song "Ascending The Stellar Throne", new album Citadel Of Stars and preorders. 


Mastermind Daemonskald has completely outdone himself with the new album Citadel Of Stars. Citadel Of Stars will be released on 2-LP and on 2-CD (with the 2003 demo “The Stranger” as a bonus CD). Preorder here.







Tracklisting:


“Awaiting The Last Dawn”
“Beyond The Stars Unknown”
“The Blood That Came Before You”
“Citadel Of Stars”
“Ascending The Stellar Throne”
“I Sail On, Eternal”
“Who Will Guide Me Now”
“From The Land Of The North”
“Where The Sun Never Sets”


“Ascending The Stellar Throne”:

Finnish metallers Wintersun have finally completed Time II. The album has been in the works since 2012’s Time I and has been delayed multiple times due to various reasons. Wintersun’s last full-length was 2017’s The Forest Seasons. Time II is due out on August 30.


Wintersun is offering the Time Package on Indiegogo.


The Time Package includes:




• Time II (original, Instrumental, Isolated Tracks, Singles, and Dynamic versions)
• Time II high-resolution wide format 8K album booklet
• The Forest Seasons Loud And Modern remaster (includes the Instrumental version as well)
• Completely new remix and master of “Loneliness (Winter)” Acoustic
• Wintersun - Legendary Early Demos, including 5 hours (56 tracks separated into five demo albums) of early unreleased Wintersun music
• April Surprise! In April, the Time Package will expand with a massive addition! Whether you pre-order the Time Package in March or April, you will get everything, and the price will be the same!


The Legendary Early Demos contains 5 hours of early Wintersun music made by Jari and comes with five different hour-long albums. The songs were recorded around 1992-2000 and contain some the first demos of the debut Wintersun album and the first demo of “One With The Shadows” from Time II. All songs have been newly remastered for modern standards and contains 4K booklets for every album crafted by Cameron Gray and Jari Mäenpää.


Wintersun has released new song “The Steel Of The Gods” from the Legendary Early Demos.


"Here's the opener song from the Fantasy Metal Project, part of the Legendary Early Demos collection in the Time Package. I wrote and recorded this song around 2000. Although I had the lyrics for the song, I never recorded vocals until 2024. Yes, check out my fresh, growling vocals (and "spoken vocal") with this remastered demo version of ‘The Steel Of The Gods.’ I think the song is pretty cool, and it would be even better with massive orchestrations and modern production. But I hope you feel the magic of this demo!" - Jari





"This album has been the biggest challenge in my life and I'm still kinda surprised it is finally done." – Jari Mäenpää


“The day finally came: Time II is done!! Couldn’t be happier!” – Jukka Koskinen (bassist)


"I thought this day would never arrive and when Jari sent me a message that Time II was ready I still couldn’t understand that we were finally done after all the obstacles and challenges. I am more than happy now. Cheers!" – Kai Hahto (drummer)


"Whoa, I think Jari surprised us all! I’m happy that after all these years the album is finally ready!" – Teemu Mäntysaari (guitarist)





Time II tracklisting:


“Fields Of Snow”
“The Way Of The Fire”
“One With The Shadows”
“Ominous Clouds”
“Storm”
“Silver Leaves”


Teaser:

Germany's Powerwolf finished recording their new studio album in February. The chart-topping heavy metal force will release the successor to their 2021 album, Call Of The Wild, in the summer 2024. The band has announced the title of the album is Wake Up The Wicked.





Powerwolf is currently preparing for their first ever full North American tour, as well as their biggest European tour to date - the Wolfsnächte 2024 - featuring massive arena shows with top-tier production. Tickets are moving fast Expanding on the experience, Powerwolf has just added a new French show for October 9 in Nantes, in addition to their nearly sold-out Paris show on October 17. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, February 22 at 10 AM, CET.




Powerwolf state: "The recordings for our NEW ALBUM are officially DONE! Get ready for an absolute BEAST of an album, coming your way later this year! Next up: mixing and mastering! Stay tuned, because this one's gonna be legendary!"


Powerwolf has conquered countless stages at the world's biggest summer festivals, and their most recent Wolfsnächte headline tours (2019, 2022), as well as their highly anticipated North American debut in early 2023, were almost completely sold out - resulting in a massive triumph. They have performed headlining sets at Wacken and Summer Breeze, as well as held premium slots at genre festival giants such as Hellfest, Graspop, Masters of Rock and many more, captivating enormous audiences. No other German metal band has been able to write a success story even remotely comparable in recent years!


Powerwolf are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and successful heavy metal bands of the last decade. Multiple #1 album chart entries, Gold and Platinum records, huge sold-out arena shows, as well as headline slots at the biggest festivals have paved their way. In less than 20 years of band history, Powerwolf have made it to the very highest league of heavy metal.





North American dates:


August
29 - Los Angeles, CA - The Hollywood Palladium
31 - Denver, CO - The Ogden Theatre


September
3 - Chicago, IL - The Riviera Theatre
4 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theatre
5 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
7 - Tampa, FL - Jannus Landing
8 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
9 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
12 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
13 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
14 - New York City, NY - Brooklyn Paramount
15 - Laval, QC - Place Bell





Wolfsnächte 2024 (with HammerFall, Wind Rose)


October
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Barclays Arena            
5 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - AFAS Live   
6 - Antwerp, Belgium - Lotto Arena
9 - Nantes, France - Zenith
10 - Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg - Rockhal
11 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
12 - Frankfurt, Germany - Festhalle
14 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
16 - Zürich, Switzerland - The Hall
17 - Paris, Franc - Zenith
18 - Oberhausen, Germany - Rudolf Weber Arena
19 - Berlin, Germany - Velodrom
21 - Krakow, Poland - Tauron Arena
22 - Budapest, Hungary - MVM Dome
23 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
25 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
26 - Prague, Czech Republic - Sportovni Hala Fortuna


Powerwolf are:


Attila Dorn - vocals
Falk Maria Schlegel - organ
Charles Greywolf - guitar
Matthew Greywolf - guitar
Roel van Helden - drums


(Photo - Matteo vDiva Fabbiani)

Fueled by “Jesus Take The Needle” successfully hitting fans earlier this year, US extreme progressive metal quartet Voidgazer have now returned to present yet another track of their forthcoming Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) label debut titled Dance Of The Undesirables, which is set to be released on June 7, 2024. “Expectations Management” is available on all major streaming platforms and can also be enjoyed in the form of a supporting music video featuring infectious live scenes captured by Louie C. Granados.


Guitarist/Mastermind Manny Watts states, "'Expectations Management' is an old-fashioned diss track, a biting takedown on wanna-be rockers with more opinions than throughput. The type of person who isn't satisfied getting in their own way, they drag everyone else down with them. This tune is our way of telling these hacks they make us sick and Voidgazer will triumph righteously."


Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favourite DSP or preorder it digitally to receive “Jesus Take The Needle” instantly now here.




Dance Of The Undesirables formats:
- jewelcase CD
- limited edition pink vinyl
- digital





Tracklisting:


“Jesus Take The Needle”
“Dance Of The Undesirables”
“Expectations Management”
“Blast Equalizer”
“Sexual Sadist Serial Slasher”
“Grand Appeasement”
“From Nothing”


"Expectations Management" video:





“Jesus Take The Needle” video:





Voidgazer:
Omar Olivares II - vocals
Manny Watts - guitars
Mitchell Bussone - bass
Kyle Hammer – drums


(Photo – Danny Tilson)

A new Satanic Panic is on its way! Satanic North is what happens when you let two well-known Finnish metal artists stare into the abyss for too long: Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum, Warmen) and Janne Parviainen (Ensiferum) are well-traveled, experienced musicians who have stared into said abyss long enough for the abyss to stare back with interest.


Satanic North will unleash their self-titled debut full-length on April 19, via Reaper Entertainment. In advance of the record’s release, today the band reveals second single, "Behind The Inverted Cross,” with an accompanying video filmed during the dark Winter months in Kouvola, Finland under the direction of Markku Nykänen from Concrete Media.


The band comments, "We are very eager to release our second single with a music video along with it. Your Good Friday will be better with your dead Messiah. Here's ‘Behind The Inverted Cross.’"




Satanic North came together quickly and effortlessly, exorcized, and recorded during an unholy summer. "We kept everything very simple and practical. We didn't want to waste too many takes to keep the songs raw and natural," Lindroos explains. "The mix was completed by the Winter solstice and now this beast lies in wait, ready to be unleashed."


Satanic North, which features cover art by Finntroll guitarist and graphic mastermind, Samuli Ponsimaa, is an album storming towards us in the sign of hell, delivering an unrelenting, extreme approach to a genre that has perhaps become a little soft and tender as of late. Lindroos elaborates, "We all have the same vision of black metal, and that vision is: stop the midtempo, let's bring back the blastbeats."


Satanic North will be released on CD and vinyl formats. Preorder at reaper-entertainment.com.





Tracklisting:


“War”
“Arise”
“Village”
“Hatred And Blasphemy”
“Four Demons”
“Behind The Inverted Cross”
“Vultures”
“Wolf”
“Kohti Kuolemaa”
“Satanic North”


"Behind The Inverted Cross" video:





“War” video:





Satanic North:
Von Occult - vocals
Skomorokh - guitars
IIT Caprae - bass, backing vocals
Abyssir - drums


(Photo – Reaper Entertainment)

Melodic death metal act Rise To Fall has unveiled their latest, powerful single "Fire Haze". The track was originally included as a bonus on the exclusive Japan edition of the group's latest album The Fifth Dimension (2023, Noble Demon) and is now available to listeners worldwide.


“'Fire Haze' has all the elements of Rise To Fall that will make you fall in love," the band comments. "It is a song with a very melodic instrumental intro, it has a memorable Rise To Fall chorus and passages that mix strength and feeling. The break and solo of the song are super melodic and energetic, without a doubt it's a song that you won't be able to get out of your head any time soon, that mix of harmonies takes it to a new level!”







Formed in 2006 in Bilbao in northern Spain, Rise To Fall have established their well-deserved place within the metal scene over the past years. With a constant output and numerous live shows and festival appearances, Rise To Fall have become known for delivering music of the highest level and their devastating live shows. With the release of five studio albums, the band has kept raising the bar, leading not only to numerous tours across Europe, but also headlining tours in Japan and China. The Fifth Dimension is available here.





"Hierophant" video:





“Intruder”:





Rise To Fall are:


Alain “Dalay Tarda” Gutiérrez - Vocals
Hugo Markaida - Guitar
Dann Hoyos - Bass
Javier Martín - Bass
Xabier Del Val - Drums

MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars has praised the actor who played him in the 2019 biopic "The Dirt", saying "he pulled it off pretty well."

Iwan Rheon ("Game Of Thrones") plays Mars in the movie. "The Dirt" also stars Daniel Webber ("The Punisher") as singer Vince Neil, Douglas Booth as bassist Nikki Sixx and Machine Gun Kelly as drummer Tommy Lee.

Speaking to The Power Hour about the film, Mars said about Rheon's portrayal of him: "Yeah, he pulled it off pretty well. For how they wrote the script, he played my parts pretty close. Just mellow and just thinking more about the music than about anything else, really — all the incidents that my brothers got into, all that crap with Ozzy [Osbourne] and so on and all that."

Mick added: "The pool scene, I did, actually — I swear on my life — I was in my leathers, in the shade, under the umbrella. No sun for Mars."

"The Dirt" premiered in March 2019. An adaptation of the book of the same name about the iconic rock band, it had been in the works since 2003. It was previously set up at Paramount and Focus Features before Netflix picked it up in 2017.

The movie charts the rise of four Californian youngsters who channel the punk rage of the 1970s into the so-called "hair metal" genre that defined the 1980s. Jeff Tremaine ("Bad Grandpa") directed.

"The Dirt" currently has a 37% critic score from 75 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, the online review aggregation service that allows both critics and the public to rate movies. The same site has an 94% audience score for "The Dirt" from more than 5,000 reviews.

In September 2020, Lee praised the actors who played him and his bandmates in "The Dirt", telling Noise11.com: "All the guys who played us in the movie did just a spectacular job — they really nailed each guy so well, it was mindblowing.

"I remember sitting there watching it with Nikki. While filming in New Orleans, watching the band rehearse, it was so bizarre to just sit there and basically watch yourself rehearse. We just looked at each other, like, 'God, this is fucking weird.' And then, of course, there's just endless moments of, 'Woah, this is bizarre.' Everybody did such a great job exactly nailing each guy really, really well where it would give you goosebumps, that kind of thing. Like, 'Wow, that guys moves exactly like Vince' — you know, Daniel. It's pretty crazy. Pretty wild, man."

Four years ago, Lee said that "The Dirt" sparked a renewed interest from younger fans who wanted to see MÖTLEY CRÜE live, contributing to the band's decision to renege on its infamous "cessation of touring" contract.

After vowing in 2015 never to play together again, CRÜE announced in December 2019 that they would be touring with fellow hard rock veterans DEF LEPPARD and POISON. The trek, originally scheduled for 2020, was delayed for two years due to the pandemic.

In April 2023, Mars filed a lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE, alleging his longtime bandmates were trying to kick him out of the group and reduce his ownership stakes because of his illness.

Mars told the band in 2022 he would be unable to tour because of his ongoing battle with degenerative disease ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spine joints and ligaments and can lead to stiffness over time, according to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases. The guitarist "just could no longer physically handle the rigors of the road," according to his lawsuit. But he said he would be able to perform with them in a "residency situation" and record with the band.

In response to Mick's decision to retire from the road, the lawsuit claimed, MÖTLEY CRÜE announced that Mars was "retiring" from the band and would be replaced by former ROB ZOMBIE and MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5. Mars claimed he had no intention of retiring from the group, and accused Sixx of gaslighting Mars by alleging the guitarist had "some sort of cognitive dysfunction."

Mick's debut solo album, "The Other Side Of Mars", was released on February 23. The effort was made available via Mick's own label 1313, LLC, in partnership with MRI.

The Bigdigs26 YouTube channel has uploaded video of Bret Michaels's entire March 1 "Parti-Gras" performance at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Joining the POISON frontman during the show were his pals Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY) and Steve Augeri (JOURNEY).

As previously reported, Bret has partnered with Live Nation for the second edition of his solo touring festival, "Parti-Gras". The 2024 trek includes appearances by Don Felder, formerly of THE EAGLES, Lou Gramm of FOREIGNER, Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER, and Michaels's good friend and country artist Chris Janson.

Presented by Live Nation, the six-city limited date run of this exact lineup kicks off on July 12 in Noblesville, Indiana, at the Ruoff Music Center, and includes a show Saturday, July 13 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, as well as Saturday, August 3 in Alpharetta, Georgia, Friday, August 23 in Clarkston, Michigan, Friday, August 24 in Holmdel, New Jersey, and the tour finale on August 31 in Gilford, New Hampshire, at BankNH Pavilion.

Although the Bret Michaels "Parti-Gras" rolls on in many different forms, it will only be at these six specific Live Nation amphitheaters that fans will see this exact lineup together.

Speaking to Stu of 104.5 WJJK Indy's Classic Hits, Bret stated about "Parti-Gras": "This is a music festival. When I was putting this together, I said this has to be truly a nothing-but-a-good-time, nothing-but-a-good-vibe music festival. I want it to be with people that are my friends. I admire their music. I admire their attitude and character. And this year, think about this lineup."

He continued: "First of all… And I love all kind of music. If you come to any of my 'Parti-Gras', whether it's the soul fire festivals, or we call them the Mad Mountain Michaels Fest, there's different versions of 'Parti-Gras'. This one is 2.0... And this lineup, it all kicks off, first and foremost, with Don Felder of THE EAGLES playing all THE EAGLES hits. This is one of my good friends who helped to write one of the greatest songs in music history with 'Hotel California'. And then 'Life In The Fast Lane', you've got 'Take It Easy'. I mean, the list… I don't even know where to begin. He has so many hits. And then you've got Chris Janson — country sensation, my good friend. We did 'CMT Crossroads' together all this week airing, and he's got the No. 1 song in country music, plus my favorite song, 'Buy Me A Boat'. But he's such a rockin' country guy. His first song he ever learned to play was [POISON's] 'Talk Dirty To Me'. No lie — that was his first song he ever learned to play on guitar and sing. And then you've got joining me on stage, besides Chris and Don Felder, later in the night, you've got Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER doing his hits with me, you've got Lou Gramm, the original voice of FOREIGNER, who's got so many hits himself. I'm, like, 'Lou, why don't you just do the night yourself?' You mix this with POISON hits, TWISTED SISTER, FOREIGNER, you mix it with Don Felder, you mix it with Chris Janson, I said, 'This is so many hits, it's illegal.'"

"Parti-Gras" 2024 tour dates:

Jul. 12 - Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
Jul. 13 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug. 03 - Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 23 - Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
Aug. 30 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 31 - Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion

You never know what surprise guests will jump up as friends of Bret Michaels on the stage, whether it's star chef Guy Fieri, the "Impractical Jokers" or the "Pawn Stars", or unbelievable superstar musicians. The "Parti-Gras" is like Jimmy Buffett meets AC/DC meets POISON in a backyard barbecue setting. Michaels has even been known to drag fans up on stage during these arena and amphitheater shows and let them sing along.

Stated Rick Franks, global touring Live Nation: "After watching Bret Michaels bring an unbelievable party to the fans on 'The Stadium Tour' in 2022 and then bringing his nothing but a good vibe, high-energy performing to last year's 'Parti-Gras' tour, I'm excited to partner with him again on 'Parti-Gras 2.0' this summer."

In a statement announcing the tour, Michaels said: "I guarantee these festivals are a modern-day throwback to those epic tailgate bashes, overflowing with good vibes and nothing but positive energy."

Bret continued: "I created the 'Parti-Gras' festivals first and foremost as a fan of music, bringing along friends, bands and hit songs. I love it as a celebration of the music — no ego, just nothing but a good time. I like bringing fans up on the stage to sing…with the tough years we've been through, I wanted to bring the fans a night of having fun, singing big hit music, and I promise you that I really get into the details — all-killer hits, no filler. I want it to be an audiovisual experience. I want it to be a great time from the minute you come through the gates. Let your Mardi Gras flag fly with bandanas and beads. I want it to smell like summertime in the sun. I'm even pouring my own personal coconut rum into the hazers so everything smells good, looks good, sounds good and feels good. And, as the son of a veteran, always dedicating the show and my gratitude to the men and women that have served our country and given us the freedom to rock."

Chris Janson said: "'Parti-Gras' 2024 is gonna be one for the books, just like our 'CMT Crossroads' performance. Couldn't be more excited to announce that I'll be joining forces with one of my heroes and best buddies, Bret Michaels, for a big tour this summer. This is gonna be a helluva great time, with more positivity than you can imagine. It's nothin but a Good Vibe! Wooooo!"

Oh yes! On March 1, 2024 we will be rockin at THUNDER VALLEY CASINO, Lincoln California 🤘😎

#BretMichaels Parti-Gras...

Posted by Marten Andersson on Thursday, February 15, 2024

During an appearance on "Cincy Lifestyle" on WCPO-TV, former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing spoke about the first-ever U.S. tour with his new band KK'S PRIEST, which also features another ex-PRIEST member, singer Tim "Ripper" Owens. K.K. said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's been going, like, literally a very, very fast rate — travel every day. But [it's] great to be back in this neck of the woods.

"People tell me I did, in my career, probably about 16 tours of Japan alone," Downing continued. "So you can imagine how many tours I did of America. People, in the early days, might remember we were out there supporting, did a couple of tours with KISS, I think. Did some LED ZEPPELIN stuff, ALICE COOPER, FOGHAT. So, we've had a great run. But it's great to be back."

Regarding the multigenerational appeal of JUDAS PRIEST's music, K.K. said: "Yeah, it's been verging on emotional, I would have to say, to see the people coming for autographs before and after the shows. People of a certain age, and I'm sure that they were fans back in the '70s, and, of course, they've been on the journey with myself and associated bands for most of their lives. And I think that's what music is about — the fans and the dedication. And they come with their — obviously, it's great to see the big bunches of LPs that they bought throughout the decades. So, it's been quite emotional."

Added Owens: "And the ages are just everywhere. It's so great to look out in the audience and see the teenagers. It's funny 'cause some of them are even young or probably [coming with] their grandkids. I mean, it's a whole spectrum of people and a new generation of people that have come into the music."

Continued Downing: "We have become a family kind of institution. 'Cause [we get] uncles and aunts [coming to our shows]. It's a family night out now."

In addition to Downing and Owens, KK'S PRIEST features guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's first-ever U.S. headlining tour, which features support from L.A. GUNS and BURNING WITCHES, kicked off on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The tour is the first of at least a two-leg USA run of shows, planned to continue later in 2024.

KK'S PRIEST's sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again", came out in September 2023 via the Austrian label Napalm Records.

KK'S PRIEST made its live debut on July 6, 2023 at Downing's KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

KK'S PRIEST released its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.

Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.



METAL ICONS KK Downing and Tim "Ripper" Owens of KK's Priest joined Pete Scalia and Michelle Hopkins this morning on Cincy Lifestyle ahead of their show TONIGHT at MegaCorp Pavilion with L.A. GUNS and Burning Witches!🤘

K.K. Downing's Steel Mill Tim Ripper Owens "Official Page" KKsPriest

Posted by Cincy Lifestyle on Tuesday, March 19, 2024

In a new interview with Metal Express Radio, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill spoke about the task of coming up with a setlist for the band's tours. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is difficult. It gets more difficult every time. Obviously, the fans are coming to hear their favorite songs, so you have to be very careful which ones that you replace. You can't just keep adding songs. You'll stand around playing for days. We've got the core songs that the fans expect, as does any band. So, we sort of ring-fence those and then build the rest of the set around those songs. The other older songs, we can swap and change those; we can get away with that. And, obviously, we have to discard some to add the new material. So you can't play much more than three songs from the new album and keep everyone happy. Every new one you're putting in, you're replacing somebody's favorite."

JUDAS PRIEST kicked off its "Invincible Shield" world tour on March 11 at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, United Kingdom. The band's 18-song setlist included three tracks from PRIEST's latest album, "Invincible Shield" — the title track, "Panic Attack" and "Trial By Fire" — along with the first performance of "Love Bites" in nearly a decade.

Earlier in the month, Hill was asked by The Break Down With Nath & Johnny podcast who in JUDAS PRIEST has the final say when it comes to picking a setlist for the the band's live shows. He responded: "Well, it is probably Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer], really. But then again, we've got a whole spectrum now. You've got the younger element with Richie [Faulkner, PRIEST guitarist]. He's the same age as my eldest son. And then comes Scott [Travis, PRIEST drummer] and you've got Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist], of course. He can't do it anymore [due to his battle with Parkinson's disease]. [But] he's still sharp as a pin between his ears. Then Andy [Sneap, PRIEST touring guitarist] and Rob and myself. So you've got a full spectrum there of ages. So everybody has their own favorites and their own types of JUDAS PRIEST song. We all sort of [go], 'Yeah, like that. No, don't like that one.' And then we'll go. If someone's adamant that they really don't wanna do something, well, you don't wanna do something, and vice versa — if someone really wants to do a particular track, you do it. Like I say, you've got the ring-fence tracks there that you've gotta do — the 'Breaking The Law's and the 'Living After Midnight's and things like that, that you have to do. It's what brings people to the shows, basically. And then you've got your other sort of classic PRIEST songs, which is a little bit easier because you can swap and change those between — do a month maybe using one song, change it to another one of a similar kind. And then try to get some new stuff in there — three, maybe four maximum is about as much as you can get at any one time. I'm sure there'll be more than that, that we'll go through. And just swap and change as we go."

Asked if there are any songs that he can think of straight off the top of his head, in the PRIEST back catalog that he really loves to play live but never has, Ian said: "Ah, there's one that we have played live that we haven't played for a while and that's 'Dissident Aggressor'. I still say that's probably my all-time favorite song. It's just so raw — it's just pure rock, really. It's one of those songs that, even in the studio, I can remember it being — it's two guitars, bass, drums and vocals. And I think there might be one extra guitar on there through the lead break. Other than that, it's totally raw. It's exactly as it would be on stage. And I love that song, apart from it being a great song. And there's always other things. We've never really done 'Before The Dawn' — from the other point of view, the other end of the spectrum, if there's a quiet part in [the show]. These days people tend to prefer the more upbeat stuff rather than the quieter pieces. But that would be cool to do as well. It's only about two and a half, three minutes long anyway, so it wouldn't take much time. But there's loads in there — there's loads of them. 'Sinner' we haven't done, so it'd be great to do that again. We haven't done that for a while. But we'll see."

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

"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.

DEAD ICARUS, the new project of former ATREYU lead vocalist Alex Varkatzas, has shared a fourth single in the form of "Ad Infernum". The song's accompanying official music video, directed by Monte Legaspi, can be seen below.

"Everyone loves the romanticized cliche of 'dying for what they believe in," says Varkatzas. "But death is the end of all things. Sometimes living with the consequences of one's actions can be more severe than death itself. Sometimes, simply persevering in the face of constant adversity is the victory. 'Ad Infernum' asks, 'Are you ready to live through what you believe in?'"

DEAD ICARUS has also digitally released the "Ad Infernum" EP consisting of the four previously issued tracks and a cover of PANTERA's "Yesterday Don't Mean Shit".

"Ad Infernum" EP track listing:

01. Sellout
02. The Vultures Circle
03. So I Set Myself on Fire
04. Ad Infernum
05. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit (PANTERA cover)

Varkatzas was the founding vocalist of metalcore giants ATREYU, who have sold over one million records across two decades of his tenure. An uncompromising, brutal, impassioned, confessional assault, Alex's new musical vehicle DEAD ICARUS introduces itself to the world with the "Ad Infernum" EP via MNRK Heavy. Produced and co-written by Gabe Manfold of ENTERPRISE EARTH, "Ad Infernum" sounds both fresh and familiar for the legions of metalheads who revere the unapologetic aggression of PANTERA or the dynamic metalcore of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

A staple of Ozzfest in the mid-2000s with two gold albums, ATREYU is one of the defining bands of the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal, alongside groups like AVENGED SEVENFOLD and LAMB OF GOD. Metalcore classics like "The Curse" and "A Death-Grip On Yesterday" were powered by Alex's distinctive scream.

In October 2020, ATREYU surprise-released a new song called "Save Us". It was the first taste of the band's music since the departure of Varkatzas a month earlier. A couple of days before "Save Us"'s release, Varkatzas updated his Instagram stories with hashtags that seemed to throw shade at his former bandmates and their new material: #fakeheavy, #conartists and #justwaitandsee.

ATREYU's former drummer Brandon Saller, who is now focusing completely on singing after previously sharing lead vocals with Varkatzas for most of the band's two-decade-plus existence, discussed Alex's departure from ATREYU in an interview with Terry "Beez" Bezer of Knotfest.com's "Mosh Talks With Beez". Asked what he thought of Varkatzas implying in a social media post that "Save Us" was "fake heavy," Saller said: "I thought it was hilarious, because I think everyone heard it and then was, like, 'Hmm. Okay.'

"The four of us were very, very adamant on this whole thing" — referring to the split with Alex — "being very, very positive. There's no shitting on people that we wanna do. There's not a part of us that wanted anyone to shit-talk us or him. And our whole stance was, like, this is what it is, but we can still lift each other up and make our fans feel good about the fact that there's no beef; there's no whatever.

"He did his own thing, and it wasn't exactly the kind of idea of a narrative that we would have liked to put forward," Brandon continued. "We've always, still to this day, been fully positive. When people say stuff about Alex, I'm still, like, 'The dude's awesome. You should support whatever he does next.' He's learning guitar, he's taking interest in different things, and I will still, till I'm blue in the face, say, yeah, support him. If you like his voice, if you like what he did in ATREYU, he's probably gonna make more music. Now you have two bands you can listen to.

"The 'fake heavy' thing was — we don't know where that came from," Saller added. "Alex wrote 'Save Us' with us. He wrote probably seven, eight songs that are on the next record. He was a part of the beginning of the album, so for him to say it's fake heavy, then he wrote a fake-heavy song.

"I think 'Save Us' is one of the heavier songs we've ever written. It is two and a half minutes of facepunch. Another view we've had is no matter who says what, let's do what we've always done and just let the music talk. We're just gonna continue doing that and let the tunes do all the talking. And people will know what we're all about. They'll know everything they need to know from [listening to] the songs."

According to Brandon, he and his ATREYU bandmates wanted to avoid making the split with Alex more dramatic than it needed to be in the eyes of the public, preferring instead to give everyone a taste of the new music they were working on.

"A lot of people got really butthurt because of the lack of detail that we gave [in our statement announcing Alex's departure]," Saller said. "And I feel like we just felt so strongly that in this day and age, click culture and clickbait, every headline's looking for, 'Guitar player of ATREYU slept with the singer's wife' — some weird drama. But we had no interest in that. We just wanted to keep it about the music and keep it positive and let our fans know that this is what's happening, we're separating, it is what it is, and let's just think about the future."

"I think people think a lot of it is a lot more quick than the reality," Brandon theorized. "I think that people think that we just made this decision and posted it on the Internet, and that was it. But we've been going through this for months and months and months. When you're in a business and a relationship — a marriage, essentially — with someone for 20 years, there's a lot of steps to go through before you can say anything. We were very much wanting to say really nothing — just be positive and let's be adults. And luckily, we have so many people that really, really are showing us a lot of love."

In December 2020, Brandon implied in an interview with "Sappenin' Podcast With Sean Smith" that ATREYU was no longer on speaking terms with Varkatzas: "We'll call it a breakup," he said. "There's obviously a separation, so I think that's something that, in our hopes, the future will heal. But the five of us in the current situation are tighter than ever."

Extreme power metal unit, DragonForce, recently released their new album, Warp Speed Warriors. Ultimate Guitar caught up with guitarist Herman Li to discuss the album. Following is an excerpt from the interview.


UG: How is it similar or different to previous Dragonforce albums?


Li: "I would say it's a continuation of the DragonForce chapter. We get older, we get wiser, we get dumber. It's hard to say. But we get better at something and worse at another thing. I would say a DragonForce album always gets good, one thing I don't get worse at is making DragonForce (albums). So, I'd say it's got more elements, more dynamics. And one thing that is for sure, this is the biggest album release of our career, actually. It's got more videos, more production. More everything."




UG: What led to covering a Taylor Swift song, "Wildest Dreams," as a CD bonus track?


Li: "Funny enough, that is not a bonus track. I just wrote an e-mail to the record label, telling them that is not a bonus track. It's just not on the vinyl. So, a few years ago, my first child got born, my daughter. And as first-time parents, you just don't know how to calm a baby that doesn't stop crying, because she was born with teeth. And you try everything, listened to music. And Taylor Swift was one of the one of the things that calmed her down and stopped her crying. So, I heard a lot of Taylor Swift the last few years, and I got converted into it. I think that's a great song. I told Sam, 'We should cover this song, because we can really put our 'DragonForce touch' on it, to make it glorious and epic in a different way."


Read more here.


Founded in 1999 by virtuoso guitarists Herman Li (also known for his Twitch channel with 270k followers) and Sam Totman, the new masterpiece Warp Speed Warriors sees DragonForce experimenting with different genres more than ever before, while staying true to their power metal roots.





Warp Speed Warriors was produced, mixed and mastered by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited in Los Angeles, California with Sam Totman and Herman Li. This album is a matchless, innovative listening experience that continues the band's legacy with songs that will, without a shadow of a doubt, become instant classics in and beyond the DragonForce canon.


Warp Speed Warriors is available in the following formats:      


- 2CD Deluxe Box incl. Bonus Jewel Case CD with 5 bonus tracks, wristband (embroided), poster flag (100x70cm), gaming coin keyring/pendant (with leathercord), packed in a gym bag (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) - strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide
- 1LP Gatefold Turquoise marbled Vinyl incl. slipmat, record butler (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) - strictly limited to 200 copies worldwide   
- 1LP Gatefold Purple Vinyl (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) - strictly limited to 400 copies worldwide
- 1LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl (Retail UK exclusive) - strictly limited to 300 copies   
- 1LP Gatefold Black Vinyl     
- 1CD Digisleeve incl. 1 Bonus Track               
- Digital Album incl. 3 Bonus Tracks


Order your copy of Warp Speed Warriors here.





Warp Speed Warriors tracklisting:


"Astro Warrior Anthem"
"Power Of The Triforce"
"Kingdom of Steel"
"Burning Heart"
"Space Marine Corp"
"Doomsday Party"
"Prelude to Darkness"
"The Killer Queen"
"Pixel Prison"


"Astro Warrior Anthem" video:





"Power Of The Triforce" video:





“Doomsday Party” feat. Elize Ryd video:





DragonForce is:


Herman Li - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Sam Totman - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Marc Hudson - Vocals
Alicia Vigil - Bass, Backing Vocals
Gee Anzalone - Drums, Backing Vocals


(Photo - Travis Shinn)

The Recording Academy has announced 10 recordings to be newly inducted to the distinguished Grammy Hall Of Fame as part of its 2024 inductee class and in celebration of its 50th anniversary this year.


This year's Grammy Hall of Fame additions, the first inductions since 2021, include four albums and six singles that exhibit qualitative or historical significance and are at least 25 years old. The inducted recordings, which will be added to the iconic catalog residing at the Grammy Museum, will be honored at Grammy Museum's inaugural Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala and concert, presented by City National Bank, taking place Tuesday, May 21, at the NOVO Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets for and performers at the Gala will be announced at a later date.


The 2024 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings range from Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill to Guns N' Roses' Appetite For Destruction. Others include recordings by De La Soul, Buena Vista Social Club, Donna Summer, Charley Pride, Wanda Jackson, Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra, the Doobie Brothers, and William Bell. Eligible recipients will receive an official certificate from the Recording Academy. With these 10 newly inducted titles, the Grammy Hall Of Fame currently totals 1,152 inducted recordings.




"We're proud to unveil the diverse mix of recordings entering the Grammy Hall Of Fame in its 50th year," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. "The music showcased here has played a pivotal role in shaping our cultural landscape, and it's a true honor to recognize these albums and recordings, along with the profound influence each has had on music and beyond."


"The artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers who composed this year's inducted recordings are a reflection of the sheer talent and hard work that goes into creating such seminal music," Grammy Museum President/CEO Michael Sticka said in a statement. "It's a privilege to be able to welcome these new additions into our distinguished catalog and celebrate the recordings at our inaugural gala on May 21."


The Grammy Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973. The inducted recordings are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts with final ratification by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees.


This year, the Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala will be the first of what will become an annual event and includes a red carpet and VIP reception on the newly opened Ray Charles Terrace at the Grammy Museum, followed by a one-of-a-kind concert at the NOVO Theater in downtown Los Angeles.


The inaugural gala and concert is produced by longtime executive producer of the Grammy Awards, Ken Ehrlich, along with Chantel Sausedo and Ron Basile and will feature musical direction by globally renowned producer and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes.


See below for a full list of the 2024 recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame, and see the full list of all past Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings, here.





Full list of 2024 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inducted Recordings:


De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising
Tommy Boy (1989) (Album)


Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction
Geffen (1987) (Album)


Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club
World Circuit/Nonesuch (1997) (Album)


Donna Summer - "I Feel Love"
Casablanca (1977) (Single)


Charley Pride - "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'"
RCA Victor (1971) (Single)


Wanda Jackson - "Let's Have A Party"
Capitol (1960) (Single)


Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Ruffhouse/Columbia (1998) (Album)


Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra (As Spike's Seven Pods of Pepper Orchestra) - "Ory's Creole Trombone"
Nordskog (1922) (Single)


The Doobie Brothers - "What A Fool Believes"
Warner Bros. (1978) (Single)


William Bell - "You Don't Miss Your Water"
Stax (1961) (Single)

The Prog Collective, founded and helmed by producer/multi-instrumentalist and famed bassist for Yes Billy Sherwood, has united some of the finest musicians of rock, jazz, metal, pop and everything in between since its founding in 2012. The group’s newest studio effort, entitled Dark Encounters, takes a deliberate turn toward a more brooding and melancholic musical path, filled with haunting ambience and eerie melodic passages. All of this makes Stevens the perfect partner for an exploration into the darker side of prog rock.


New song and lyric video for “The Long Night” featuring Frank DiMino and Marco Minnemann is streaming below.


Dark Encounters is set for release on March 29 and includes contributions from a number of notable musicians and creative geniuses from the legendary Steve Morse, violinist David Cross, and guitar wizard Bumblefoot to keyboardist Patrick Moraz, Utopia’s Kasim Sulton, Gong’s Steve Hillage, and more!




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





Tracklisting:


"Darkest Hour" with Steve Stevens
"Ominous Signs" with Steve Morse
"At The Gates" with David Cross
"Dark Days" with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Patrick Moraz & Omar Hakim
"Lonely Landscape" with Kasim Sulton
"The Long Night" with Frank Dimino & Marco Minnemann
"The Quasi Effect" with Billy Sherwood
"The 11th Hour" with John Etheridge
"Between Two Worlds" with Steve Hillage & Gregg Bissonette
"Distant Thunder" with Todd Sucherman
"Dark Money" with Joe Bouchard
"For All To See" with Pat Mastelotto
"Beyond Reason" with Chad Wackerman


Bonus tracks (CD only):
"I Saw The Light" - Todd Rundgren with Rick Wakeman    
"I'm Not In Love" - Nektar with Rick Wakeman


"The Long Night":





"Darkest Hour":

Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) is proud to announce the signing of Finnish melodic death metal pack, Wolfheart.


Much admired for their powerful combination of brutal riffs and complex melodies, the band are another varied addition to the RPM roster. Wolfheart have continuously developed their sound after their foundation by skillful mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen in 2013, and being one of the most captivating acts of the Finnish metal scene made them gather a huge global following over the years.


Guitarist/vocalist and founder Saukkonen comments on the deal: "I am confident that signing to Reigning Phoenix Music is an exciting game changer for us and RPM is nothing but the right place to continue conquering the world with our art. The future looks brighter than ever and excitement is an understatement for what we feel about the forthcoming co-operation and adventures."




RPM managing director Jochen Richert adds on the promising union: "It's exciting times for us at RPM as we welcome this death metal groove bulldozer to our family. There's not many bands out there who are nearly as good as Wolfheart at fusing brutality and melody."


The group completed by Vageliss Karzis (guitars, vocals), Lauri Silvonen (bass, vocals; Bloodred Hourglass) and drummer Joonas Kauppinen are experiencing a high of their creative work period and are working with high pressure on new material, which fans can already look forward to. Originally starting as Saukkonen's solo project and immediately receiving overwhelming feedback for their debut album Winterborn (2015), Wolfheart have reached a good status and are recognized internationally. Their powerful appearances at renown festivals as well as many tours around the globe brought them many following metalheads, and their signing to RPM now cements their worth in the music world.


Before Wolfheart continuing their journey with a new album under the aegis of Reigning Phoenix Music, the quartet will embark on an Australian tour with Italian symphonic death metallers Fleshgod Apocalypse in March but also visit Eastern European countries in support of their latest album King Of The North in May, followed by select summer festival appearances. As if this wasn't enough, the band will join Sweden's melodic death metal pioneers Dark Tranquillity and Portuguese dark/gothic metal icons Moonspell on a recently announced 24-date European run in October/November. Opening support will come from German melodic death metallers Hiraes.


Find the band's live itinerary here.











Wolfheart are:


Tuomas Saukkonen - vocals, guitars
Vageliss Karzis - guitars, vocals
Lauri Silvonen - bass, vocals
Joonas Kauppinen - drums


(Photo - Valtteri Hirvonen)

Former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry has reacted to the news that the band's timeless rock anthem "Don't Stop Believin'" has officially been declared the "Biggest Song Of All Time" by Forbes. According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America),the hit rock song likely heard by everyone around the world is now an 18-times-platinum-certified single.

Earlier today (Wednesday, March 20),Perry shared a link to the Forbes article and he included the following message: "When this 'Don't Stop Believin'', 'The Biggest Song of ALL Time' article came out yesterday {3/19/24}I was so emotionally stunned. To be part of such a moment as this made me reflect on my parents. By that I mean, though I lost them both years ago, I was so happy for them because they are truly the reason this is happening. My dad was a singer and both of them were very musical. So on behalf of my Mom and Dad, I thank every one of you for so many years of support."

JOURNEY co-founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon was one of the musicians who commented below Perry's post on Instagram, writing: "That's great Steve. God Bless. I myself reflect on the great time we had writing this song. Respectfully Neal Schon".

You've heard "Don't Stop Believin'" literally everywhere since the 1980s: on the radio of every car you've ever owned, at every major sporting event you've attended in the last 20 years (including a live performance by the band at this year's NFC Championship Game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers),sung by Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Mary J. Blige in the film "Rock Of Ages", and covered by the cast of the TV show "Glee". You heard it and then stared at a black screen in horror for a full 10 seconds wondering whether your DVR wasn't set to record the full episode, and then had it running through your head while you argued with friends over whether Tony Soprano got whacked in the diner or not.

Released in October 1981 for JOURNEY's seventh studio album "Escape" through Columbia Records, "Don't Stop Believin'" quickly became the band's signature song. Critical acclaim was instant, with Billboard praising the "fluid guitar and vocal." AllMusic declared "Don't Stop Believin'" a "perfect rock song" and an "anthem", featuring "one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock." Schon wrote the instantly recognizable bass line, and keyboardist and rhythm guitar Jonathan Cain had kept the song title from encouragement his father gave him as a struggling musician living on Sunset Boulevard. Decades after its release, the song became the best-selling digital track from the twentieth century, with over seven million downloads.

In a 2009 interview with CBC's "Q" cultural affairs show, Perry said he always thought "Don't Stop Believin'" had potential as a single. It was always a hit with live audiences, though it didn't get great radio play at the time it was issued, he said.

"When we were doing the song in 1981, I knew something was happening, but honestly, when I saw it in the film 'Monster' with Patty Jenkins, I started think, 'Oh my goodness there's really something.'"

He added: "The lyric is a strong lyric about not giving up, but it's also about being young, it's also about hanging out, not giving up and looking for that emotion hiding somewhere in the dark that we're all looking for. It's about having hope and not quitting when things get tough, because I'm telling you things get tough for everybody."

Current JOURNEY singer Arnel Pineda, who has been fronting the band for 17 years, told CBS News in 2012, "Even before I discovered 'Don't Stop Believin'', it has been my motto — you know, to never stop believing in myself. The life that I've gone through, all those hardships, I never stopped believing that someday there is something magical that will happen in my life."

In 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, "Don't Stop Believin'" became a rallying call for patients recovering from COVID-19 at two hospitals in New York and Michigan. The 1981 hit was being played at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital during celebrations for patients prevailing over the coronavirus.

Perry reunited with JOURNEY for the first time in years as they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2017. The iconic singer appeared onstage with his former bandmates as they each gave speeches, but did not perform with the group later in the event.

Perry's final full concert with JOURNEY took place in early 1987. He later rejoined his bandmates for a brief performance in 1991 to honor late concert promoter Bill Graham. He also appeared with JOURNEY when they received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2005.

JOURNEY will team up with DEF LEPPARD for a 2024 stadium concert tour of North America. The 23-city tour opens July 6 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and concludes September 8 at Coors Field in Denver. The opening act for most of the tour dates will be fellow Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Steve Miller and his band. Two other Rock Hall inductees will alternate as opening acts for the seven shows Miller is not playing — CHEAP TRICK and HEART.

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In a new interview with The Break Down With Nath & Johnny, HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale was asked if she ever meets fans in the street who don't really know what to do or say to her because they are outside of the world they know her in. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Sometimes, yeah. I always tell people and I'll just say this on the record here as well, always come up and say hi. The last time we were in Australia, I did that, and there were pictures that showed up of — somebody was taking pictures of me eating a burger, which was totally fine. There are way worse pictures of me out there. But I'm, like, 'Oh, you could have just totally said hello.' And I usually have some pics on me and stuff. I'll give you some party favors. But, yeah, sometimes it gets a little awkward, because it's, like, 'Well, we're just going to lunch. Do you want to come with? No? Okay.' What do we do now? [Laughs] But sometimes it's really great because you meet some random people and then you end up having a few beers or something and then talking about stuff and then, like, 'Oh, by the way, there's this museum down here.' I'm, like, 'Oh, let's go and do that.' So, just depending on everyone's comfort level. Go for it. We're all in this together."

Lzzy went on to say that she is generally very welcoming and open with her fans. "I'd rather live my life that way," she explained. "I mean, there's a darker side to that where I've gotten death threats and weird people showing up at [our] house [in Nashville], even though we bought our house in a trust name, so somebody found something and things like that. But that's the grand minority, and I like to believe that people are inherently good, mostly, especially if you like rock music, I feel like there's no real reason to be [laughs], to be weird. But at the same time, that does exist. But, yeah, I'd rather err on the side of, like, 'Let's hang out.' If you get weird, we won't hang out. [Laughs] Just don't be creepy. It's fine. [Laughs]"

HALESTORM recently took part in at least one writing and recording session for the band's follow-up to 2022's "Back From The Dead" album with acclaimed Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, known for his previous collaborations with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Slash, GRETA VAN FLEET and RIVAL SONS.

Cobb has shared in nine Grammy wins, including four for "Best Americana Album" and three for "Best Country Album". He's also been named "Producer Of The Year" by the Country Music Awards, the Americana Music Association (twice) and the Music Row Awards, and has been a Grammy nominee in the category.

Lzzy and her brother Arejay (drums) formed HALESTORM in 1998 while in middle school. Guitarist Joe Hottinger joined the group in 2003, followed by bassist Josh Smith in 2004.

Last May, HALESTORM teamed up with country singer Ashley McBryde for a reimagined version of the band's song "Terrible Things", which was originally featured on "Back From The Dead".

In December 2022, HALESTORM released a deluxe edition of "Back From The Dead". "Back From The Dead: Deluxe Edition" includes seven previously unreleased B-sides, including "Mine", a 1980s-inspired rocker. "Back From The Dead: Deluxe Edition" is available digitally, on CD, and cassette tape, marking the first time that the album has been offered in those physical formats.

Legendary UK all-female rock band, Girlschool, have issued the following statement in regards to their final North American tour.


"Hi everyone! Our Final USA tour starts today in Houston at the wonderful Hell's Heroes Festival. We hope to have some West Coast only dates to add later in the year (as a "Part 2 leg"), but other than that, this is 100% it… We have made every effort to reach as many markets in the Eastern half of North America as we can.


"The cost of visas, flights, internal transport costs, the logistics… and the distance between the cities means that this truly is a “once more for the American fans” series of dates… in order to say goodbye. With us to celebrate this tour we have the fantastic Alcatrazz and Lillian Axe.




The hoops to jump through for a UK band to tour the States are multiple and enormous. So even if you have to travel a little to make it to a show, we’d be happy to see you there, one last time!





Dates:


March
21 - Houston, TX - Hell's Heroes Festival*
22 - New Orleans, LA - Southport Music Hall
24 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
25 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
27 - Bensalem, PA - Broken Goblet
28 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
29 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
30 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
31 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques


April
2 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
3 - Columbus, OH, King Of Clubs
4 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre
5 - London, ON - London Music Hall
6 - Detroit, MI - Token Lounge


* Girlschool only


(Photo - Adam Kennedy)

Talk, the 14th studio album by progressive legends YES, was initially released on March 21, 1994 and is often referred to as the great ‘lost’ YES album. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Spirit Of Unicorn Music will reissue the album as a 4CD Deluxe Edition featuring bonus studio material and a previously unreleased live show from New York, new interview with the principal players by renowned writer Jerry Ewing, a 2LP limited edition white vinyl set, and a single CD. YES fans will welcome the album’s vinyl version as mint copies of the original, and even the reissue, change hands for hundreds of pounds.


After the stellar success of their album 90125 and the slightly troubled birth of its follow-up Big Generator in 1987, which reached the top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic, YES splintered once more. There was talk of getting a new singer, Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson was one name bandied around, as were Kansas singer Steve Walsh, Billy Sherwood of World Trade and even “C’est La Vie” singer Robbie Nevil.


YES eventually ‘reformed’ for 1991’s Union album and tour, which saw eight members reunite. From those eight, a new YES emerged: Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Chris Squire, Alan White & Rick Wakeman. Due to managerial reasons, Wakeman could not participate, so enter Tony Kaye on keyboards once more and the 90125 lineup was back together. YES also had a new label, Victory Records, headed up by the former Atlantic Records executive Phil Carson, who had personally bankrolled the Cinema/90125 sessions.




The music and lyrics for Talk were written mainly by Rabin and Jon Anderson, and Anderson is adamant that it is his favorite album from the Rabin era of YES, “It was just a beautiful time for me and Trev… it was a very harmonious experience for me.”


Talk was also one of the first albums to be recorded and edited entirely digitally, without using traditional audio tape. It was a groundbreaking move at the time, but the technology, as advanced as it was, was not without its problems. In January 1994, Northridge in the San Fernando Valley in California was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, and production had to be halted as the early Apple Mac computers they were working on were being affected by the tremors. To put the technology into context now, in its unedited form, Talk took up 34GB of memory, which today could be transferred via a flash drive in seconds.


Talk was preceded by the release of the opening track, the uplifting “The Calling”, which started to make inroads on US Radio and was followed by “Walls”, which was co-written by Roger Hodgson, from his time working with Rabin in 1990. However, disaster loomed as Victory Music, the original label, went bankrupt shortly after the album’s release, and the album was left to wither and die.


Nevertheless, YES kicked off their US tour for Talk that June and played 77 shows in the US, Canada, South America and Japan. Sadly, the tour never got to Europe or the band’s homeland, which is a source of regret to both Rabin and Anderson. Footage of the show in Santiago, Chile, is available online and shows a band playing at their peak. “My regret is I wish there was a live album,” says Rabin. “I wish we recorded some shows properly, it’s just a board mix….but you can feel the energy from it.”


YES finished the Talk tour at Hiroshima’s Kousei Nenkin Kaikan on October 11, 1994. It would be the last time Trevor Rabin would play with YES as a full-time member.


Talk could be described as the great ‘lost’ YES album and is probably the most cohesive of the Rabin-era YES albums in sound, and the one closest to the classic YES sound of the 70s, exemplified by the stunning fifteen-minute album closer “Endless Dream”. “When I listen to ‘Endless Dream’ it’s such a great piece of music,” Anderson enthuses today. “It’s one of the great YES pieces of music that not many people know. It’s beautiful. And ‘The Calling’. I love it.”


Tracklistings below.





2LP Limited Edition White Vinyl


Side A:
"The Calling"
"I Am Waiting"


Side B:
"Real Love"
"State Of Play"
"Walls"


Side C:
"Where Will You Be"
"Endless Dream"
a) Silent Spring (Instrumental)
b) Talk
c) Endless Dream


Side D:
"The Calling" (Special Version) (Bonus Track)





4CD Deluxe Box Set Edition


CD1 - Original Album
"The Calling"
"I Am Waiting"
"Real Love"
"State Of Play"
"Walls"
"Where Will You Be"
"Endless Dream"
a) Silent Spring (Instrumental)
b) Talk
c) Endless Dream


CD2 - Talk Versions
"The Calling" (Special Version)
"The Calling" (Single Edit)
"The Calling" (Radio Edit)
Untitled – Trevor Rabin Instrumental
"Endless Dream" (Demo)
"Where Will You Be" (Instrumental)
"Walls" (Instrumental)
"Endless Dream" (Excerpt) (Instrumental)


CD3 - Live Canandaigua, New York 19/06/94
"I Am Waiting"*
"The Calling"*
"Rhythm Of Love"*
"Hearts"*
"Real Love"*
"Changes"*
"Heart Of The Sunrise"
"Roundabout"


CD4 - Live Canandaigua, New York 19/06/94
"Cinema"*
"City Of Love"*
"Make It Easy"*
"Owner Of A Lonely Heart"*
Trevor Rabin Piano Solo/"And You And I"*
"I’ve Seen All Good People"*
"Walls"*
"Endless Dream"*


*Previously unreleased





CD - Original Album
"The Calling"
"I Am Waiting"
"Real Love"
"State Of Play"
"Walls"
"Where Will You Be"
"Endless Dream"
a) Silent Spring (Instrumental)
b) Talk
c) Endless Dream


Pre-order:


Cherry Red:
- 4CD
- CD
- Limited Edition White Vinyl


Burning Shed:


Pre-order here







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EXTREME guitarist Nuno Bettencourt has sold his California home for $3.75 million.

The 57-year-old musician purchased the property atop the Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles for $2.1 million back in April 2013. He originally put it on the market for $3.95 million last October but ended up selling it for $3.75 million on February 29.

The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom features 360-degree panoramic views that stretch from the cityscape of downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean to Griffith Observatory to Lake Hollywood, and the iconic Hollywood sign nearby. According to the listing, which was held by Cindy Lorimer and Peter Lorimer of PLG Estates, the highlight of this property is the upper pool deck oasis with a guest house (previously used as a recording studio),featuring a luxurious pool, inviting spa, and a chic cabana. As you step into this entertainer's dream, you are greeted by expansive open spaces that seamlessly blend with high ceilings, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and opulence. The heart of the home boasts a gourmet kitchen and a formal dining room. The primary suite is a true retreat, complete with its own sitting room and a generously sized walk-in closet, a lavish bathroom with a sauna for unwinding. Throughout the property, meticulous attention to detail and contemporary architectural design are evident with a steam room, elevator and three-car garage.

Bettencourt rose to rock superstardom as lead guitarist of the legendary rock band EXTREME. He has parlayed that success into an acclaimed career as a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist, songwriter, and producer, working alongside industry titans such as Sir Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Kanye West, Robert Palmer, Rihanna, Janet Jackson and Perry Farrell, among others. Nuno is also the CEO and co-founder of Atlantis Entertainment, a full-service media and production company which creates and produces content through ventures integrating film and television, music, branded entertainment, commercials and digital content.

One of many career highlights for Nuno occurred when EXTREME performed, along with members of QUEEN, at Wembley Stadium at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992. Nuno was also invited to perform at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize concert with Steven Tyler in 2014 as well as the 2015 Grammy Awards, side by side with Sir Paul McCartney, Rihanna and Kanye West, performing the No. 1 Billboard R&B/hip-hop song "FourFiveSeconds". As a producer and songwriter, Nuno has produced and performed on hit songs with such greats as Rihanna, Robert Palmer, Perry Ferrell and Janet Jackson, as well as producing a number of emerging pop artists and albums.

EXTREME's new studio album, "Six", was released in June 2023 via earMUSIC.

In addition to having its music appear in the Netflix juggernaut "Stranger Things", the Boston quartet has sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, packed major venues on multiple continents, and regularly averages over five million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Extreme Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt Strums out of Viewtastic Hollywood Hills Retreat https://t.co/6GRqDsWali via @RobbReport

— Wendy Bowman (@wendyinsanc) November 2, 2023

Chile's Ater have released the second single from their upcoming sophomore full-length, Somber. The new track, “Descending”, is the band’s heaviest and most technical offering to date.


Speaking on the mindset and creative outlook of the song, lead vocalist/bassist Fernando ¨Feroz¨ Bühring says: "'Descending' is one of the more straightforward songs in the album and, to me, the darkest song of the bunch. The lyrics for this song are very personal and I wrote them during a very dark period of my life. It turned out to be one of my favorite songs in the new album. It was chosen as the second single in advance of ’Somber’ because it contrasts with the first single ('Ignis Immortalis'), which is a longer, epic song. 'Descending' is shorter and to the point. It will take you to the dark side of your own self right away."


For the “Descending” video, Ater partnered with independent film producer Wizardhead, whose AI-assisted works have been seen in videos for the likes of Meshuggah.




On the subject of working with the creator on their latest video, Feroz shares: “Back in November of 2022, the video for ‘They Move Below’ by Meshuggah came out and I was blown away. At the time I wasn’t very aware of how AI was making its way into the art and music industries. I approached Wizardhead with the idea (for 'Descending') and he started to work shortly after. During this time I learned more about the creation process and realized that AI is just another tool. The artist is still doing art. Just utilizing a different and new set of tools.”


On working with Ater on the “Descending” music video, Wizardhead shares: “When I listened to 'Descending', with my eyes closed, I witnessed a continuum of souls being pulled down into a place of remoteness and hopeless submission to some kind of unrelenting force manipulating and consuming them. Something beyond hell, more alien and incomprehensible. I explored representing a visitation of this place in many attempts, by assembling structures like tunnels and fractal spaces, then applying diffusion approaches to embed faces and body forms into the walls and shapes of the environment. I also wanted constant motion, swirling and undulating, to imply this is an active and conscious experience for the unfortunate denizens. This final version is one I feel deeply connected to and unsettled by, and I hope it becomes a place for others to visit and contemplate again and again, as I do.”





Conceived in 2013 by Fernando “Feroz” Bühring, the first iteration of the group - rounded out by Matias Acuña (drums) and Yeray Santos (guitar), released their debut full-length Eternal Gray Spiral in 2018. Shortly after the release of EGS, Feroz relocated from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles - where he quickly formed connections with guitarist Josh “Sol” Seguin and drummer Stephan “Kalani” Seguin, ushering in the current lineup of the band.


Somber was recorded during the Covid pandemic and was mixed by Feroz in a temporary studio in Mexico City where he was bunkered in during restricted times. The album was then mastered by Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound (Mastodon, Gojira, Korn).


Somber will see an April 19 release. Pre-order Somber on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Striges”
“Descending”
“Somber”
“Through The Portal”
“Ignis Immortalis”
“Shrine”
“Sæculi Fine”
“Solitude”


“Ignis Immortalis” video:










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Featured Video

During an appearance on a recent episode of the "Decibel Geek Podcast", Ace Frehley spoke about his relationship with KISS's most recent drummer Eric Singer. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I really love playing with Eric. He's such a great drummer, and he has such a snap in his snare. 'Cause I jammed with him at a convention years ago, and we were doing 'Shock Me', and he just blew away the drummer that was playing previously. I said, 'Yeah, now that's a drummer.' I always tip my hat to Eric."

He continued: "Me and Eric have always been friends. We've kept in touch during all the bullshit that went down with KISS. Eric Singer's a great guy and he respects me. I respect him. I know he would prefer having me play guitar in the band than [KISS's most recent guitarist] Tommy [Thayer]. I don't think he's a huge fan of Tommy, but it is what it is. [KISS founders] Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] call the shots."

A decade ago, Singer fired back at Frehley after Ace ripped KISS's most recent lineup for being "half a KISS cover band", pointing out that neither Frehley nor original KISS drummer Peter Criss had a problem playing alongside replacement members wearing the group's original makeup while they were still on the KISS payroll.

"This is something that I notice that nobody seems to point out," Singer told Rolling Stone magazine. "When I came in to play with the makeup [in 2001], Ace was in the band, and had no problem with me playing with Peter's makeup while he went onstage and made that KISS money. In fact, he loved it, and he didn't want Peter back in the band. And then go forward the next year, when Ace decided to leave. When we fast forward, all of a sudden they bring Peter back, and you got Tommy Thayer playing guitar wearing the Ace makeup, and all of a sudden, no one minded it was Ace's makeup design. Peter had no problem, did he?"

Last November, prior to KISS's final concert, Frehley told Mark Strigl of SiriusXM's Ozzy's Boneyard that he didn't hold a grudge against KISS, despite all the badmouthing that had gone on between him and some of the other original KISS members in recent years.

"I wish KISS the best, all the best on their final shows for the 'End Of The Road' tour," he said. "There's really no hard feelings. We say things sometimes in the heat of passion or sometimes our memory isn't… [we don't] recall things. But I love those guys. We're all getting old, our memory isn't what it used to be, so I just let it roll off my back."

Ace's new solo album, "10,000 Volts", was released on February 23 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music). The 11-track LP was produced by Ace and Steve Brown (TRIXTER).

Ace's new all-original album is the follow-up to "Spaceman", which was released in October 2018 via eOne.

Simmons co-wrote two tracks on "Spaceman", "Without You I'm Nothing" and "Your Wish Is My Command", the latter of which also features Gene's bass playing.

Photo credit: Jayme Thornton