On March 14, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson performed at Kino Regis in Bochnia, Poland as part of his inaugural "Bass Warrior Tour". Video of the entire concert can be seen below.

The "Bass Warrior Tour" sees Ellefson gracing select European cities with a captivating evening of cherished classics, deep cuts, and insightful storytelling from his illustrious career. This journey encompasses his role as a co-founding member of MEGADETH, his ELLEFSON solo material, and more.

When the "Bass Warrior Tour" was first announced, Ellefson said in a statement: "I've approached my career as that of a musical warrior, always accompanied by my bass guitar. I eagerly anticipate bringing these songs back to the stage, while sharing introspective and entertaining anecdotes about their creation. It's been a wild ride of low notes and high stakes!"

Accompanying Ellefson on this tour is Italian guitarist and musical director Andy Martongelli, a longtime friend and collaborator who has been by Ellefson's side during his solo ventures, "Basstory", ELLEFSON-SOTO and ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE tours across Europe. On drums is Roberto Pirami (Michael Angelo Batio, Rowan Robertson, Gus G.),on vocals Titta Tani (EHFAR, ex-drummer of Claudio Simonetti's GOBLIN),and on rhythm guitar Walter Cianciusi (Geoff Tate band).

Featured songs in video below:

00:00 Intro
03:05 Skin O' My Teeth
06:18 99 Ways To Die
10:53 Celebrity Trash
14:46 Reckoning Day
20:02 Bad Omen
24:25 Go To Hell
29:34 Like A Bullet
34:54 I'll Get Even
42:18 Simple Truth
46:36 Countdown To Extinction
51:02 Lucretia/Take No Prisoners
54:35 Tornado Of Souls
01:00:40 Love Me Like A Reptile
1:03:08 Roberto's Solo
1:04:01 Walter's Solo
1:05:20 Andy's Solo
1:06:48 David's Solo
1:12:20 Anarchy In UK
1:15:19 Symphony Of Destruction
1:19:10 Peace Sells

Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH nearly three years ago, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.

Shortly before Ellefson was dismissed from MEGADETH, he released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan. He also filed a report with the police department in Scottsdale, Arizona alleging unlawful distribution of sexually explicit images of him by unknown offenders.

Dave Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — released a statement on May 24, 2021 announcing the bassist's departure from the band. In the statement, Dave said: "We do not take this decision lightly. While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward."

Last June, Ellefson told Andrew McKaysmith of the "Scars And Guitars" podcast that he was prepared for his latest exit from MEGADETH.

"When my departure from MEGADETH happened, a lot of people were hitting me [up and saying], 'Oh my God. It's so terrible. It's so terrible,'" he recalled. "[And I said], 'Yeah, believe me, it's not.' [Laughs] It really isn't. I was ready for it. I didn't think it was gonna go down that way; I didn't see that coming. But the fact that it happened, I was not sad about it. I was okay with it. Because I knew there's another journey ahead, and that journey wasn't gonna start until I was out of the old one.

"When you're in a group, you're in a setting, you've gotta play company man and you kind of go along with the narrative that's been set forth.

"There was a lot of things, a lot of the narrative in that band that I never agreed with," Ellefson admitted. "A lot of that band was started on a grudge and a hardship of the firing [of MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine] from METALLICA. That was never my story. I was always a METALLICA fan and I became friends with those guys. I have nothing but gratitude for that group and those gentlemen for what they've done for all of us, and I think they deserve the biggest applause. So it was hard to be in a band that always had this saltiness around that whole narrative, because it was never my narrative. So I went along to get along, but now I don't have to do that. And now I can be on my own path. These are my words; it's my story now. And maybe the events that happened a couple of years ago, I needed to have my own story to tell. 'Cause when you quit a band, everyone's pissed at you; they hate you: 'Oh, fuck you. You quit. You quit my favorite band.' But when you get tossed out… And I'm not looking for the sympathy card. You don't have to feel sorry for me; you don't have to do any of that. But it's interesting that, I guess the way it happened… it went down in a way that it was certainly visible enough and on a level that… It was sort of, like, okay, well, what's gonna happen next? And I just tried to be faithful to just following my heart, following the path."

In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.

DAVID ELLEFSON BASS WARRIOR TOUR FEATURING ANDY MARTONGELLI FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024

"I've approached my career as that of a...

Posted by David Ellefson on Thursday, February 15, 2024

Tickets for KORN's 30th-anniversary concert at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024, sold out within a week of going on sale.

Opened in April 2018, the venue has a 22,000 capacity. Initially the ground was known as Banc Of California stadium.

In January 2023, Montreal-based bank BMO replaced Banc Of California as the stadium's title sponsor.

Joining KORN at the BMO Stadium event will be additional performers EVANESCENCE, GOJIRA, DARON MALAKIAN AND SCARS ON BROADWAY, SPIRITBOX and VENDED.

KORN changed the world with the release of its self-titled debut album in 1994. It was a record that would pioneer a genre and blur others, leading into a larger cultural movement. Since forming, KORN has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammys, toured the world countless times, and set many records in the process that will likely never be surpassed. KORN has continued to push the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres, while remaining a pillar of influence for legions of fans, and generations of artists around the globe.

When the BMO Stadium concert was first announced, KORN singer Jonathan Davis said in a statement: "Reflecting on thirty years of KORN fills me with such immense gratitude for our journey, the growth we've experienced, and the incredible bond we share with our fans. It's humbling to see how our music has touched so many lives across the globe. From our small club beginnings to now headlining stadiums, it's been an unforgettable ride, and we owe it all to our amazing, undying, loyal community that's made it possible. I'm really looking forward to this incredible night to celebrate together."

In 2015, KORN completed a North American tour on which the band performed its debut album in its entirety at every stop to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its release.

KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer told NorthJersey.com about the band's pioneering first effort: "We set out to create something that was super raw and emotional with no filter. We didn't care about being on the radio. None of that mattered. We just wanted to create an album that was pure."

He continued: "We're extremely proud of what we created. As the recording process progressed, we realized it wasn't like anything we had heard.

"That album really was a gateway for many people who didn't necessarily like heavy bands to explore heavy music. We pulled our inspiration from a variety of bands like SEPULTURA, FAITH NO MORE, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS."

A previously unexplored mixture of bass heavy musicianship sprinkled with electronic effects and hip-hop influences, KORN's debut is credited with launching the nu-metal movement of the 1990s, in the process influencing a host of other bands like COAL CHAMBER, SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD and LIMP BIZKIT. Shaffer admitted to NorthJersey.com: "At first we didn't like that all these bands were coming out with a similar sound. It was a sound we had worked on and held very close. It took about three or four years to start thinking, 'This is kind of cool that other bands are doing it. It's flattering.'"

Davis told The Pulse Of Radio a decade ago how he thinks KORN has changed in the more than two decades since they recorded their debut. "When we did the first KORN record, the self-titled, we were kids, man. We were just crazy-ass kids, getting drunk every day, just making music, living a dream and it was just insanity. And which I loved — I don't regret it one bit. But now I think where we're at, I think it's more about making music and impacting people's lives and helping people."

Released in February 2022, KORN's latest album, "Requiem", which was produced by Chris Collier and KORN, entered Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart at No. 1. The band sold 23,000 equivalent album units in the February 4-10, 2022 tracking week, according to Billboard. Of that sum, 20,000 units were from album sales. "Requiem" also landed at No. 2 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts. On the all-format Billboard 200, it arrived at No. 14. -

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A landmark in rock music history, this new, very special recording of Mark Knopfler’s anthemic "Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)" has been recorded to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.


Performed by Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes and produced by Knopfler’s longtime collaborator Guy Fletcher, the track features an unprecedented lineup of some of the greatest guitarists and musicians in history. The artwork has been designed by Sir Peter Blake (The Beatles, The Who, Band Aid).


Released today, Friday, March 15, the single is available on CD, 12” with etched b-side, deluxe CD+BluRay, download and streaming (including a Dolby Atmos mix). Order here. Listen to the song below.




Full list of contributors: Joan Armatrading, Jeff Beck, Richard Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Brown, James Burton, Jonathan Cain, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Jim Cox, Steve Cropper, Sheryl Crow, Danny Cummings, Roger Daltrey, Duane Eddy, Sam Fender, Guy Fletcher, Peter Frampton, Audley Freed, Vince Gill, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Keiji Haino, Tony Iommi, Joan Jett, John Jorgenson, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Greg Leisz, Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather, Phil Manzanera, Dave Mason, Hank Marvin, Brian May, Robbie McIntosh, John McLaughlin, Tom Morello, Rick Nielsen, Orianthi, Brad Paisley, Nile Rodgers, Mike Rutherford, Joe Satriani, John Sebastian, Connor Selby, Slash, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey, Sting, Andy Taylor, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ian Thomas, Pete Townshend, Keith Urban, Steve Vai, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Louis Walker, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Wood, Glenn Worf, Zucchero.





Cancer is different when you are younger: it can be harder to get a diagnosis, cancer treatments can be less effective for young people, and accessing clinical trials can be harder. This project is raising funds for two charities that are dedicated to supporting this specific age group.


Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down and to help make sure cancer doesn’t rob young people of the best years of their life.


Teen Cancer America partners with hospitals throughout the United States to develop specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults with cancer.


A minimum of 50% of net proceeds received by BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited from the sale of this recording (with a minimum of £1 per CD single solely embodying the recording sold in the UK and a minimum of 25p per download of the recording sold in the UK) will be given to Teenage Cancer Trust (registered charity in England and Wales under charity no. 1062559) which shall be shared equally with Teen Cancer America (501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization tax id 46-0825676).

In a new interview with Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com, former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley spoke about his recently launched tour in support of his latest solo album, "Circle Of Stone". He said: "If you look on [my web site] BlazeBayley.net and look at the tour dates, you'll see that some shows say [they are celebrating the] 30th anniversary [of my time with MAIDEN] and some shows are [in support of] 'Circle Of Stone'. So what we start next week is the 'Circle Of Stone' tour, which is playing quite a few songs off the new album and at different parts of the year, on festivals and in Sweden, then we do the 30th-anniversary shows. So it's nice to go back. We just did Spain and Ireland with the 30th anniversary, and now we go back to Europe with 'Circle Of Stone', and there'll be a couple of festivals of 30th-anniversary MAIDEN set."

He continued: "It's nice to sing those old [MAIDEN] songs with the voice I have now. I did my best back in the studio in my thirties and, but now my voice has more depth and character than it had back then. So I feel the lyrics, the melodies come to life in a different way. And we're a little bit cheeky about what we do. We're never trying to make the album version. That's the song from the album; this is the song live by Blaze Bayley. And there are a couple of places we think, you know what? On the album, it doesn't have a harmony. And we're a little bit cheeky. We go, 'Let's put that harmony in there.' And no one ever complains. So it's fun to do it. And we just feel that the way that we look at things, my morals, the things that I use to keep me going, I'm not trying to replicate the studio album. I'm playing the song live, because I'm looking you in the eye and I'm singing and my energy and my being is trying to bring that song to life — not replicate it, not copy it, trying to say, 'Look, here's my idea. Now, let me show you my idea.'"

Asked if there are any plans for him to tour the U.S. in the not-too-distant future, Blaze said: "Well, we just struggle to get over there. We're trying all of the time. We talked to different promoters. It's just a challenge to get there. I have a lot of fans in the U.S. The last tour was a long time ago. We really wanna come back. We love touring there —we absolutely love it — but it's just tough to get there. That's all. It's a vast country. You need a lot of resources to even start thinking about a tour. But we would love to return. And I wanna thank all my fans in USA for all the support they give me, even though they don't get to see me that often."

"Circle Of Stone" came out on February 23. The LP's title track, "Circle Of Stone", features a guest appearance by Niklas Stålvind of the Swedish metal band WOLF.

The 60-year-old Bayley fronted IRON MAIDEN from 1994 until 1999. The two MAIDEN albums he appeared on, "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI", sold considerably less than the band's prior releases and were their lowest-charting titles in the group's home country since 1981's "Killers".

Since leaving IRON MAIDEN in 1999, Bayley has released a number of albums, including several under the moniker BLAZE and more than a handful under his own name. He also appeared on 2012's "Wolfsbane Saves The World", the first album of new material by WOLFSBANE since the group's self-titled 1994 effort, and a follow-up LP, 2022's "Genius".

Blaze's previous studio album, "War Within Me", came out in April 2021. The LP was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze's studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton's studio in Greater Manchester.

In March 2023, Blaze underwent a quadruple bypass surgery following a heart attack. He later shared details of the massive outpouring of well-wishes he received after his heart attack, including messages from his former MAIDEN bandmates.

Image courtesy of Metal Addiction

Death metal ensemble Spit On Your Grave have revealed their video for "The Infection" ahead of the upcoming album, Arkanum. The new full length will be released on April 12th. 


The band comments:  "This song talks about the passive-aggressive manipulation that someone can have over another person, manipulating them to act under their interests, like a puppet, making them believe that they are really their own decisions, reflected as the song says, infecting someone's brain. Inspired by The Magician tarot card."







The forthcoming release, Arkanum, draws thematically on mystical elements and each track is inspired by a different tarot card. The band shares, "We chose nine cards from the major arcana, (The Magician, The Devil, The Star, The High Priestess, The Moon, The Hanged Man, The Tower, The Hermit and Justice)."


On the meaning behind Arkanum, the band explains, "This conceptual album tells the process of a mental detox, talks about an internal struggle to restore your inner self, where your demons surface and everything you believed in is questioned, that moment when you realize that for years you have followed someone else's lead. You've had enough and decide to leave everything behind." They continue, "It's about losing yourself by being influenced by someone else and the struggle to wake up from that 'reality'. Centering the lyrics in this inner fight with yourself, involving depression, anxiety, mistrust, feeling unfairly judged by everyone and having no help around." 





Tracklisting:


"The Infection"
"The Heretic"
"Vigilia"
"Into The Devil’s Realm"
"Dark Lullaby"
"Broken Hourglass"
"Self Sacrifice"
"The March Of The Innocents" 


For further details, visit Spit On Your Grave on Facebook.

In a new interview with Lee Richey, original FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm confirmed that 2024 will be his last year of performing. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been doing it — Jeez — for almost 50 years, and I would like to turn my attention to my family and my muscle cars and just enjoy myself knowing that when I lay down at night, it'll be in my own bed."

He added: "This is gonna be it. I've been putting it off and putting it off. And I still enjoy performing, but when you've been doing it for as long as I have — the travel is the worst. It really takes its toll. And that's a sign that you're getting old."

Gramm also revealed that he is planning to release a new studio album this year. "It's song ideas and bits and pieces from my recording of my first [solo] album, second [solo] album and SHADOW KING [project]," he explained. "Now, what I mean is when you put an album out and you have 10 songs, you might record 13 and pick the best 10. So then you've got three songs that you don't know what to do with. And the years go by. Or maybe they're not complete songs. Maybe you have 10 songs on your album and there's a couple songs that you started and once the album was released, you just forgot about them. So when I was looking to put out a new album, I had freshly written songs too, but I just started going through the tapes in my tape closet and listening to these things that were 25, 30 years old, and the ideas were awesome. So I started them that long ago and I finished them about two years ago."

Back in December 2018, Gramm announced that he was retiring from performing as a solo artist. But he later clarified that he wasn't completely walking away from performing live.

SHADOW KING was a collaboration between Gramm and current DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell. The group released a self-titled album in 1991 and performed live only once, at the Astoria Theatre in London, England on December 13, 1991.

By the time Gramm left FOREIGNER for the first time in 1990, he had already released two successful solo albums: the aforementioned "Ready Or Not" and "Long Hard Look". He went on to launch LOU GRAMM BAND, which released an all-Christian rock album in 2009. He followed it up with "My Baby" in 2015.

The now-73-year-old Gramm left FOREIGNER for good in 2002 and has battled health issues in recent years, including the removal of a non-cancerous tumor. He told the Democrat & Chronicle in 2018 that he was planning to retire, but still reunited with FOREIGNER for several shows that year to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary.

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold as Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

FOREIGNER replaced Gramm with Kelly Hansen in 2005. Guitarist Mick Jones, the only remaining original member, suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012. More recently, Jones revealed that he has been battling Parkinson's disease.

In a new interview with DJ Force X, NONPOINT singer Elias Soriano confirmed that he and his bandmates are working on a full-length studio album after focusing on a series of EPs over the last couple of years. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's been three years since we put out a full-length; we'll be tapping on four years here shortly. So, for us, it's just time. It's time for us. We normally put — year after year, there was constantly music coming out, and I feel like with the EPs, we got a chance to fool around with some styles and play with some themes and entertain our fans outside of the normal NONPOINT brand. And I think now it's time to kind of pull it in and put a body of work together that people ask for from our group.

"We're creators, and we're constantly creating, so we're sitting on a ton of music," he explained. "It's just about which ones kind of work together and kind of fit together and we wanna finally put together into a body of work."

Soriano also discussed NONPOINT's decision to launch its independent record label 361 Degrees Records LLC after working with other record labels for most of the band's two-and-a-half-decade-plus career. He said: "Yeah, it's a workload. It's definitely a workload. You got the creative side and the administrative side and juggling it both is about putting people that you trust and putting at least some sort of plan and even a small team behind things that need to be recirculated back into the brand and checked on and nurtured, like our socials or like our merch store and things like that. So, we definitely try to get some sort of administrative plan and team behind those certain things so that way they're kind of running on autopilot. So that way, when we wanna do grand things within the label plan, it's easy for us to do and take on those projects within the label."

After DJ Force X applauded the "DIY" nature of running an independent record label with no external pressure, Elias clarified: "There's definitely really no outside influence, but I wouldn't call it just DIY, because I have to give credit where credit's due. We have people that we've brought on that we work together. We see the value in the NONPOINT brand. And where we see that we can grow and we wanna scale, we lean on professionals and get advice and get plans and get things calendared so that way we have a finish line that we try to aim at. And I think that, being smart with your team, being smart with your plan is paramount to surviving, especially today."

Last December, Soriano told "Cutter's Rockcast" about the decision to work on a full-length album next: "I think we've kind of felt out the crowd, felt out the fans in our independence right now and have just a clear mind of what we feel like we wanna do that is not only gonna connect with us, but we feel like will translate to the fans. Just fooling around with some different styles, some riskier things that we've really held back, when we were either with the label or just concentrating on writing a certain type of song versus just writing a song."

Last July, NONPOINT released a new single, "A Million Watts", via 361 Degrees Records. The track, which was produced by Chris Collier, who has previously worked with KORN and WHITESNAKE, among other bands, was the third single from NONPOINT's latest "Heartless" EP, which came out in November. The EP was made available digitally and as a limited-edition cassette along with a NONPOINT-branded cassette player.

Three years ago, NONPOINT launched 361 Degrees Records and filmed the process, along with documenting the making of new music, in a docu-series titled "A Path To Independence" that can be seen on the band's YouTube and official web site.

In December 2021, NONPOINT released its previous EP, "Ruthless". This followed their independent label plan of delivering music to their fans through more frequent releases and videos from the band.

NONPOINT's songs "Bullet With A Name", "Alive And Kicking", "In The Air Tonight", "Circles", "Your Signs", "Everybody Down" and many others have been featured in trailers, hit movies, television, iconic video games, as well as broadcasts from NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WWF.

NONPOINT has toured with major acts like DISTURBED, PAPA ROACH, MUDVAYNE and SEVENDUST, to name a few. They have also been featured on the main stages and support stages of iconic festivals like Soundwave, Rock Am Park, Rock Am Ring, Ozzfest, Rock On The Range, Welcome To Rockville and many more.

Kiwi thrash titans Just One Fix have unleashed "Your Own God Now", the second single from their forthcoming EP, Submit Or Death/


The song follows on from the monstrous "Gods & Devils" and is a blistering aural barrage that poses questions about immortality and explores the reality of the burden of being alive.


“Human beings weren’t meant to go around for more than a hundred years, the thought of centuries of existence to me is mortifying and that’s what we are talking about here,” states vocalist Riccardo Ball.




“Your Own God Now” also brings to the fore the riff writing and frenetic playing of guitarist Sharne Scarborough, “The fretwork is a display of technical prowess, with blistering speed and intricate phrasing that adds a melodic touch” is how freelance studio musician and sound engineer Andre Avanessian described it.


Add the engine room of Ant Ward and Ross Curtain in the rhythm section “Your Own God Now” is the follow up that fans of “Gods & Devils” deserve.





Stream / purchase "Your Own God Now" here.





Check out "Gods & Devils" below:





For further details, visit Just One Fix on Facebook.


 


 

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale and guitarist Joe Hottinger spoke to Niclas Müller-Hansen of RockSverige about the band's decision to work with producer Dave Cobb on the band's next studio album after making three records with Nick Raskulinecz. Asked what prompted the change, Joe said: "We've been a fan of Dave for a long time. He does like everything from country stuff like Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell to EUROPE and GRETA VAN FLEET, RIVAL SONS and AIRBOURNE. He's a rocker at heart and we needed to switch it up. It's our last record on Atlantic. Luckily, he wanted to work with us."

Lzzy added: "We were seeking him out for a while and the people at our label and everybody was, like, 'No. He's too busy. He's not gonna wanna work with you.' And we were, like, 'Well, just ask him. Just reach out to him. We can take the rejection because we've been doing it our entire life.' It's, like, why be all sensitive now? They went ahead, like, 'Hey, Cobb, there's this band HALESTORM…' and he went, 'Oh my God, I love HALESTORM! What are they doing?' and they told him, 'Well, they're thinking about doing a record…' and he said, 'I wanna do a record with HALESTORM.' He had a whole plan apparently."

Joe continued: "And it's not, like, 'Fuck Nick,' because he's one of our best friends. We talked to him and he went, 'Fuck, yeah. Switch it up.' We made a bunch of records. It's not like we'll never not record again."

Regarding HALESTORM's overall approach to writing and recording with Cobb, Joe said: "We dive in, but it's just like trial by fire and you see what works. 'Oh, somebody's getting a little pissed.' [Laughs] It's fun and spicy, but it's nothing bad. Everyone is good people and we all have the same goal to make some good music.

Lzzy added: "We definitely dive in, like, 'Okay, who's got a riff? Who's got a line? Let's go.'"

Joe continued: "And I love him because he doesn't make demos, so we just start recording. 'Let's put the drums down.' And we're flying by the seat of our pants.

Lzzy said: "He literally wanted us to come in without a plan, which we're not used to. Usually, with every single release, it's, like, 'So, what do you wanna do? What's the vision? What's the idea?' Usually you start out with a vision and then the music tells you what do to half way through.

Joe stated: I was, like, 'Well, let me just work out this guitar part before we get there.' And he was, like, 'Why worry about that? You'll get it.' And it was, like, 'Oh yeah, we've got a new thing now. Time to learn again.'"

This past December, Lzzy told Jorge Botas of Portugal's Metal Global that she and her HALESTORM bandmates "went in with nothing" for their session with Cobb. "We had no songs, no ideas. We had some riffs and choruses, but it wasn't like we came in with these demos. And, to be honest, Dave Cobb didn't want that at all. We walked in and we were almost apologetic, like, 'I'm sorry, but we've been really busy, and I just have bits and pieces of things I think are special.' He was, like, 'Good. I don't want any demos. No plan, no nothing.' So were, like, 'What do you mean, no plan?' And it was amazing."

She continued: "We woke up every single day, we [worked] from 11 a.m. to 11 p. m. on average, every single day. [We'd] wake up, and I'm, like, at my desk and I'm figuring out lyrics from yesterday's demo, and then, 'Okay, but you know what? Scratch that. We're gonna work on a new song right now, and we'll go back to that.' So we were working on, like, four different things at once. We finished, what, like 12 songs in three weeks. So that's the magic of it all, was that we rediscovered how we as a band individually, uniquely operate and we thrive in that chaos."

Lzzy added: "As soon as you start thinking, like, 'Okay, this is the concept, these are the songs, this is what we go in, this is what we do,' it just becomes like an office job and there's no room to create, whereas this is totally not like that. You go in and you're, like, 'Wow. Anything is possible and anything could happen.' And then, as you are writing it and finishing it, you are recording it for real."

Added Joe: "It was cool. We didn't go in with anything but the shirt on our back, except that the shirt is, like, 20 years of being a band."

Continued Lzzy: "Obviously, you go in there with experience. We could have never done that 20 years ago."

Asked by Botas if the songs that were written in that chaotic environment ended up being heavier somehow because of the way they were put together, Joe said: "Yeah, a lot of them got like really weirdly heavy in a cool way. I don't know. It's not necessarily the record. That's what we did in those few weeks. And they're not all keepers, but they're great and they're good fun, and it's a reflection of where we were musically at that time."

Added Lzzy: "Yeah, and I think that comes from, even if it got darker or more intimate, especially I guess, on my end, and lyric-wise… It's a weird balancing act between, 'Okay, I'm comfortable with all of you guys enough to spill my guts because you've seen me at my worst, you've seen me at my best,' so having that experience with people that you trust, it bleeds itself into the music 'cause you're not holding anything back. But at the same time, I didn't have time to overthink either. It's, like, 'Okay, hey, by the way, we're getting a surprise visit from you're a&R guy, and we still have six songs to sing.' And I'm, like, 'Oh my god.' So I finished six songs within a weekend. And so there's a beauty in taking the too much thinking out of it too. So therefore, the song has no choice but to just be what it is, whatever it is at the moment."

In October, HALESTORM bassist Josh Smith revealed to Metal Global that the band was working with Cobb.

"We went down to [Dave's] place and all lived together for three weeks, which is — we live together on tour all the time, yeah, but to be in a creative space, it was incredible," Josh said. "And the music that came out is undeniably HALESTORM. There's going to be a lot of fan favorites."

Describing HALESTORM's recording process with Cobb, Josh said: "What we're doing and how he wants to work, how he's capturing us is what we do on stage. For instance, we're not using a click track; there's no time keep. It's us doing it, and so there's a lot of movement to the music… It's so human."

He continued: "I think naturally when you're even talking, just from building tension to releasing it and how that happens, and sometimes from a verse maybe is building and the tempo feels like it's building, and then the chorus — well, at least on stage — naturally probably bumps up a few BPM [beats per minute] or slows down, depending. And even our transitions or Arejay's [Hale, HALESTORM drummer] fills will push or pull. It's very human."

When Botas noted that it's "always fun to work with new people and create new ideas when someone has a different view from the one you normally have," Smith said: "Yeah, for sure. I mean, that's what you hope for in working [with] a producer. It's this person you really have to vibe with that fits into this, in this case our little world. And that chemistry between a band is so unique to every group. And so for someone to fit in, that's a special trait to have. [It's] essentially [bringing in] a fifth member of the band that can extract the uniqueness of that band. It's big shoes to fill for a producer. And thankfully we've been lucky with it, with [previous HALESTORM producers] Nick and Jay [Joyce], and Howard [Benson] was great. But, yeah, starting with someone new and also someone who has had a very different approach from the previous one, it's really exciting. And he really is bringing out the best of us. So, yeah, it's really exciting to find someone who is so good at their craft… And he just wants to catch what everyone is excited about — lightning in a bottle. And we've been doing that. And we've caught a lot. I can't wait to go back. It's really fun. I can't wait to get back to writing new music."

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.

Also in October, Hale told TotalRock's "Hobo On The Radio" show about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2022's "Back From The Dead" album: "We're always working on new music, but we've actually kind of started to buckle down and really kind of write with a purpose as to whatever we wanna kind of put out in the world next. It's kind of an exciting time because I feel like even since the last record, even beyond 'Back From The Dead', I feel like we're kind of shedding our skin in a way that's kind of beautiful where we all kind of feel like different people than who we were when we were writing the last record. So it's time for whatever that next chapter is. So it's very exciting."

She continued: "I've been writing in a lot of subjects that I haven't necessarily touched on before and been kind of exploring those things. And I've become even more of a serial eavesdropper. I will be sitting at a pub or something and I will kind of zone out, and it's amazing the conversations you hear other people talking about. And so sometimes those leech their way into the songs. But, yeah, we'll probably have something by next year."

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

Rocket 88 is launching a new Devin Townsend book. Titled Overexposed + Underdeveloped, it offers a full-on, illustrated trek through the many stages of the man’s life, from baby to international Canadian prog icon.


The previously unpublished personal photos and professionally taken studio and live shots in the book are captioned by Devin in his unique way. The results trace the development of his musical ventures from before Steve Vai, through Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Band, Devin Townsend Project, Ziltoid and all points between, up to and including the present day.


If you’d like to see more and get all the news on the book, make sure you sign up at DevinTownsendBook.com for an exclusive discount when pre-order begins on the two exclusive editions, plus the chance to have a name printed in the book.




"When the idea for this photo book came across my desk, I admit that I didn’t think too much about it. I shrugged and said, “Sure… if there’s an interest in that sort of thing, I can get behind it. It should be easy enough…” Through this experience, I ended up in a place where I could say, “Man… what a life. This was you… this was the story of someone named ‘Devin Townsend’ who lived on a tiny little planet in the middle of nowhere,” and I enjoyed it tremendously." - Devin Townsend


The successor and companion to Only Half There, Devin’s collection of personal and professional photographs in Overexposed + Underdeveloped traces his journey from childhood in Canada through teen years in different bedrooms, on to his professional career and beyond parenthood. Captions written by Devin recall memories and details of people, places, haircuts, and strange happenings. The vast majority of the photos in overexposed + underdeveloped have never been published before.





 See below for a sneak peek inside Overexposed + Underdeveloped:











 


 

Last night, March 13th, Tesla headlined the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina. However, founding member and original guitarist Frank Hannon was not on stage. In his place, was six-stringer Sammy Boller.


Hannon has since issued the following statement: 


"Dear TESLA fans especially in North Carolina,




As Brian (Wheat, bassist) had mentioned to those in attendance last night, due to a family emergency I was not able to perform at the DPAC. Our great friend and guitarist Sammy Boller played the show in my place. I am grateful for his help, the support of JK, BDub, Dave, Steve and all of you. Thanks for understanding."


Sammy Boller issued the following comment and video:


"I had the surreal experience of playing with Tesla last night while filling in for my friend Frank Hannon. I've been a fan of the band for as long as I can remember and getting to play with them was a real honor. Thanks to the guys in the band and crew for being so supportive and making me feel welcome. It's definitely a night I'll always look back on with a smile."





Fan-filmed video of Tesla performing "What You Give" and "Signs" with Sammy Boller on guitar can be seen below.








Tesla's next show is March 15th in Mount Pleasant, MI at Soaring Eagle Casino And Resort. The show is sold out! Tesla's complete tour schedule can be found here.





 

Prolific metalcore progressives, Erra, will release their new album, Cure, on April 5 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.  


Today, the band has shared the visualizer for "Crawl Backwards Out Of Heaven". The visualizer captors the raw, explosive, and forward-thinking intensity of the song, which doesn't let up from the first note.







Cure is the band's sixth album and it highlights and expands on the forward-thinking sound and guitar-driven style that the band has built its reputation on. Following 2021's self-titled release, Cure is a stunning execution of both raw talent and surgical technicality. It's as emotional powerful as it is musically proficient, which is not an easy feat to achieve. Yet Erra make it look and sound easy. Cure is a sonic thrill ride — one that you hope will never end.





Tracklisting:


"Cure"
"Rumor of Light"
"Idle Wild"
"Blue Reverie"
"Slow Sour Bleed"
"Wish"
"Glimpse"
"Past Life Persona"
"Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven"
"End to Excess"
"Pale Iris"
"Wave"











Erra are:


J.T. Cavey — Vocals
Jesse Cash — Vocals + Guitars
Conor Hesse — Bass
Alex Ballew — Drums
Clint Tustin — Guitar

In a new interview with Forbes, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford spoke about the British heavy metal legends' tour in support of their upcoming album, "Invincible Shield". Produced by Live Nation, the trek will kick off on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut, making stops in Reading, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Rosemont, Illinois; Washington, D.C. and more before wrapping up in Syracuse, New York at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on May 22.

"From day one, I've always felt that you should work really hard to leave your fans with a visual memory of the show," Halford said. "It can be something simple as riding a motorcycle out on the stage, which isn't easy [and] the way the light sets look, the way the stage set is created, the video screens that you use to reinforce certain songs in the visual texture. All of these are part of the world that PRIEST has been making since as long as I can remember. So we have a new stage set that defines all the mantra of what an invincible shield is about. I micromanage everything because I love this band so much and I want to give our fans the absolute best show.

"Don't get me started on the setlist," he continued. "Every album has something strong to say. We did kind of like the heavy metal hits tour with the 50th anniversary. So we're trying to, again, project 'Invincible Shield', but balance it with some deep cuts that we've never done before. You have to stay focused to try and give in the time that you're on stage the broadest set of entertaining, exciting, memorable songs that you can do."

"Invincible Shield" will arrive on March 8 via Sony Music.

Last month, Halford told Metal Pilgrim about the setlist for the European leg of the "Invincible Shield" tour with SAXON and URIAH HEEP, which is scheduled to kick off on March 11 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. He said: "We've had this conversation before as far as trying to put the setlist together. And after 19 studio albums, it's, like, 'Oh my God. Where do we go?' If we didn't play 'Breaking The Law', there'd be a riot. If we didn't play 'Painkiller', there'd be a riot. There are certain songs that you are indebted to your fans to play, because they're part of the fabric of who you are as a band. Without naming names, there are certain bands where you know you wanna hear that song when you go to a show. So there's a portion of the setlist that already writes itself. Having said that, yeah, we are gonna go quite deep, and we found some songs from previous albums that we're gonna work with and we're gonna bring out. So there'll probably be at least two or three deep cuts on this setlist."

Rob continued: "At any given moment, we've got 60 to 70 songs we can play — at any given moment. And then we're gonna add more into the mix. It's fun to see the texts and the e-mails flying through: 'Well, I'll give you this one if you give me that one.' 'Cause you've gotta find a balance. When a band plays on stage, every single bandmember has to agree on the set list. There's no place for, 'Oh, dude, I've gotta play this one.' There's no place for that. You've all gotta be believing in that particular song as you go through the show. And it's gonna be fantastic. And this is gonna be a really eventful tour as we're about to kick off in Europe, with our friends SAXON and URIAH HEEP."

In a recent interview with Remy Maxwell of Audacy Check In, Halford spoke about the first three songs that have been released "Invincible Shield": "Panic Attack", "Trial By Fire" and "Crown Of Horns". He said: "Your first three cuts, your first three tracks of your new album are so important because they have to send the right messages out in terms of connectivity and what are they doing now? What is it gonna sound like? There's then the excitement and the anticipation of your new music. Your fans around the world are just, like, 'What are they doing? I wanna check it out, what's going on.'"

He continued: "I'll tell you what was really cool, because there's that great intro to [the first single] 'Panic Attack', which starts with the almost-'Turbo'-sounding guitars… And I thought, I just know our fans are gonna be listening and [going], 'What the hell is this shit? What are they doing now?' Which is exactly what we wanted to do in terms of getting your attention, getting you focused and ready, because when that song opens up, when those first rhythm riffs start blasting through and then the band is just taking off, we leave the launchpad immediately. And PRIEST fans are going off, 'Thank God for that. Because this is exactly what I wanted.' … The structures, the arrangements, the DNA of that song is full of lots of beautiful metal trails that take this band all the way back to 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' and beyond."

When Maxwell touched upon the fact that none of the first three songs released from "Invincible Shield" sound similar to one another, Halford concurred. "I'm really pleased with the way that we've unleashed these first three tracks, because, again, it just shows you the breadth of the ability of this band to take you to all these different places," he said. "Those three songs are nothing like each other; they're nothing like each other. They're three songs, but when they're connected to the rest of the material, you're getting, again, this beautiful album definition of what PRIEST is doing and representing itself in 2024."

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn 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 Richie Faulkner.

After recently releasing the instrumental edition of Pain Remains, Lorna Shore is now giving fans a full band playthrough video for the Pain Remains trilogy. Watch the clip below.


Pain Remains trilogy:


Pain Remains I: "Dancing Like Flames"
Pain Remains II: "After All I've Done, I'll Disappear"
Pain Remains III: "In A Sea Of Fire"







Lorna Shore lineup:


Michael Yager - bass
Adam De Micco - guitar
Will Ramos - vocals
Austin Archey - drums
Andrew O'Connor - guitar

Technical death metal band, Gory Blister, have released a live video for their song, "No Shadow", accompanied by the original audio.


Originally part of the tracklisting of the album 1991_Bloodstained, "No Shadow" is one of the band's highlights, extracted from the live setlist performed by Gory Blister during the recent show in Florence, as part of the Firenze Metal event, held at the Viper Theater in Florence.


Guitarist Raff Sangiorgio enthusiastically comments: "It was an electrifying experience! In addition to the excellent organization by the Firenze Metal team, we were impressed by the enthusiasm of such a young audience who attended our show. It's a shift in trend that testifies to the passing of the torch to the new generation, which seems to appreciate and enjoy Extreme Metal sounds, new to them... The video itself is a testament to this phenomenon."







Gory Blister continues their live activities with enthusiasm to promote their recent album, Reborn From Hatred, released on September 8, 2023, via Eclipse Records. The band will soon announce new live dates and the release of a new music video.

In the labyrinth of underground metal, where genres intertwine and creativity knows no bounds, emerges Fixation Arc. The four-piece is an enigmatic progressive thrash metal supergroup.


Formed as a pandemic project between guitarist Daryl Rabidoux (The Cancer Conspiracy, Drowningman) and drummer Justin Foley (Killswitch Engage, Lybica), the two quickly discovered fertile ground in complex riffs and patterns that grew into their first two songs.


Adding Philip Jamieson (Caspian) on bass and Jonathon Newby (Brazil/JC Autobody) on vocals, Fixation Arc bring together four talents from disparate corners of the musical universe to transcend mere headbanging and breakdowns, and create a cerebral and cathartic experience.







Meticulously crafted and expertly executed, their debut single, "The Void Stares Back", delivers four minutes of relentless speed and intricate time signatures that are as intellectually engaging and adventurous as emotionally resonant.


"'The Void Stares Back' is a headlong dive into darkness, chaos, and an entropic universe," the band says. "It's about seeing things for what they are, and the meaningless rituals we use to forget what's crawling up from the abyss."


Stream the single here, and below:

The 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival sailed January 29 to February 2 from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back, on board the luxury passenger vessel Freedom Of The Seas.


Organizers have released the Day 4 Recap video below, stating: "A variety of activities took place, including our infamous Belly Flop Contest, which featured a distinguished panel of artists as judges, and Jamming in International Waters – All Star Jam hosted by Alex Krull of Leaves' Eyes and Kristin Starkey of Temperance.


"Closing out the Pool Deck Stage, The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas, was the iconic band Angra. Following their performance, the Skipper talked to the crowd, which we fondly call the United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea. A total of 71 countries were present at 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024, showcasing an incredible gathering of Heavy Metal enthusiasts and artists.




"As the event draws to a close, Sailors unite at the Solarium for a special edition of 70000 Tons Of Karaoke, where musicians and Sailors alike sing their favorite tunes until the break of dawn.


"Featured performances from Day 4 include: Lord Of The Lost, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Angra."





Watch the Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 recap videos below:











Watch a Pre-Cruise Parties recap video:





With the recent completion of the 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival, details of next year's cruise have emerged.


Sailors, brace yourselves for another epic voyage! The 2025 edition of 70000 Tons Of Metal, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will take us back to an absolute fan-favorite port that hasn't been visited in a decade - Ocho Rios, Jamaica! Taking place January 30 – February 3, 2025.





60 Bands, 4 Days, 1 Cruise Ship, and only 3000 Tickets. This is 70000 Tons Of Metal, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise!


On 70000 Tons Of Metal you get unrestricted festival access to all 120 live shows on board, 70000 Tons Of Karaoke until sunrise, Jamming In International Waters – the Official 70000 Tons Of Metal All Star Jam which writes heavy metal history every year, clinics and work-shops with the musicians, our infamous belly flop contest, shore excursions with your favorite artists, and much more!


Everyone on board is a VIP, we don’t have assigned seating (this is a heavy metal cruise after all), and most importantly the bars on our ship never close – you heard us, bars that never close!


On this life changing adventure you will spend five days and four nights at sea mingling side-by-side with your favorite artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It’s like having an All-Access backstage pass!


Visit 70000Tons.com or the official 70000 Tons Of Metal Facebook page for further details.

Norwegian progressive metal masters, Rendezvous Point, return with their first new single in five years, "Don't Look Up".


Fuelled by their collective love for hard-hitting, in-your-face music that seamlessly blends punchy rhythms with soaring melodies and atmospheric undertones, the five-piece around Leprous drummer Baard Kolstad, keyboardist Nicolay Tangen Svennæs (Ihsahn, Bernhoft, Emilie Nicolas), singer Geirmund Hansen, guitarist Petter Hallaråker and bass player Gunn-Hilde Erstad, embarked on a journey of creating music that was meant to explore the limits of progressive metal and traverse into uncharted territory. With each member bringing their unique talents and perspectives to the table, the band promises to push the boundaries of their artistry even further, inviting listeners to join them on the journey.







Singer Geirmund Hansen comments on the track: "Regardless of all the warning signs around us, humankind continues to destroy earth’s resources. It feels like we don’t care about tomorrow as long as our decisions benefit today. 'Don‘t Look Up' is also a story about how our longing for personal glory can destroy our relations to others and the outside world."


Watch the official video for "Don't Look Up" below. Stream the track here.


Commenting on the video for "Don't Look Up," the band had this to say: "The music video for 'Don’t Look Up' is a satirical take on the screen addiction in today’s society. One can also interpret the theme in a wider sense pointing out that we often have difficulties seeing the bigger picture when we focus only on what is right in front of us. What happens to our identity when an objective truth no longer exists? A big part of the video is shot on the location where Edvard Munch took the inspiration for his painting ‘The Scream’."





Rendezvous Point is:


Geirmund Hansen - Vocals
Baard Kolstad - Drums
Nicolay Tangen Svennæs - Keyboards
Petter Hallaråker - Guitar
Gunn-Hilde Erstad - Bass


(Photo - Jonathan Vivaas Kise)

Mike Portnoy has shot down the suggestion that his return to DREAM THEATER is the reason for the end of his progressive metal supergroup SONS OF APOLLO.

SONS OF APOLLO, which also featured guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-GUNS N' ROSES),bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS),keyboardist Derek Sherinian (also of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and singer Jeff Scott Soto (TALISMAN, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) recorded and released two studio albums over the course of a three-year period but has been inactive since completing a South American tour in August 2022.

In some of his recent interviews, Bumblefoot spoke about SONS OF APOLLO in the past tense and said "everything has its lifespan" with regard to the band's future plans, stirring up speculation that SONS OF APOLLO was all but finished. Sherinian and Thal have since formed new progressive metal outfit WHOM GODS DESTROY, while Soto has also joined Thal in ART OF ANARCHY, with both bands releasing new albums within a month of each other.

Bumblefoot addressed SONS OF APOLLO's status in a new interview with Jimmy Kay of Canada's The Metal Voice. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we were on tour. Shows, we had doubled our attendances. Just everything was going this way [pointing up]. It was going great. And we got four shows into a 20-show tour in Europe. And we had to pull the plug, COVID and all, and went back home. And then Derek and I and Jeff, we wanted to start working on album number three. It was, like, 'We have all this time now to nurture it.' But not everybody was on board to do that; some people had their own plans and things they wanted to do, which they did. And so, what happened was it split into two bands. Jeff, he offered to be the singer for this band that I had with old friends of mine called ART OF ANARCHY. And he knew that we were just, during the pandemic, we'd get together and record songs. And he said, 'You've had all these problematic singers. You should have just worked with me from the beginning and everything would have been fine.' And I was, like, 'I agree.' So he offered to be the singer. And, of course, the band all said, 'Hell yeah.' So now I have ART OF ANARCHY with Jeff. And Derek and I just continued writing as we did with SONS OF APOLLO where we just write; we write the music. And we kept doing that, and we realized that with certain members not interested, we couldn't really continue with SONS OF APOLLO. I mean, Jeff was interested; he would have loved to do a third [album]. But we found new bandmembers… So [WHOM GODS DESTROY] really started from the ashes of SONS OF APOLLO. We crawled out and we continued writing what could've become a third SONS OF APOLLO album, but it wasn't gonna happen."

Asked if it's easy keeping a supergroup like SONS OF APOLLO together, Thal said: "Nothing is easy. It can be easy if everyone just shuts the fuck up and does their job and, yeah, if people think about the hive and not just their bee-self. If you have the mentality of being a team player and not just a selfish fuck, then a band can easily work and last for decades."

He clarified: "I'm not calling anyone in particular a selfish fuck. I'm just saying that in bands, in every band, you're gonna have the narcissist, usually a drug-addict narcissist, you're gonna have the conspiring, greedy asshole, you're gonna have the one that is just riddled with depression and thinks that every note is the most important thing that happened. And also you have people that forget that if you have four or five people in the band, you should only be getting 25 or 20 percent of your ideas going through, and if you're hogging it up, you're taking away from everyone else. And it's not a fair scenario and someone is gonna feel like they're left out and not being heard and not feel like an equal. So I always say in a band, in a band of five unemployable dysfunctional dudes, if only one out of five of your ideas makes it through, then everything is fair and you have to be able to be okay with that. 20 percent times five — that's how it should be. You have to accept that mentality, and anything beyond that, think of as a bonus and don't look at it like…"

Thal added: "Bands are a really fucked-up marriage."

After Bumblefoot's remarks were published on the Prog web site and the article was shared on the magazine's Facebook page, Portnoy took to the comments section to write: "Obviously Ron is (discreetly) pointing the finger at me (and possibly Billy as well?),but I must publicly squash this rhetoric that is implying SONS OF APOLLO's demise had anything to do with me rejoining DREAM THEATER. That didn't happen until Oct 2023…

"The reality is when the SOA tour got cancelled because of Covid in 2020, by the time there was any talk of writing new stuff and a possible 3rd album, I already had commitments with TRANSATLANTIC, NMB [NEAL MORSE BAND] and THE WINERY DOGS (w Billy as well). I can understand Ron, Derek & Jeff's frustration with this, but the reality is the ONLY way I was ever able to juggle and balance all my bands all these years was to block certain windows in my schedule for each band or project to have time for an album/tour cycle. Sadly, SOA's album/tour cycle window got killed by Covid and by the time the world reopened again, I already was booked with my other bands and projects.

"Anyways, I'm happy for those guys that they were able to continue working together in other musical capacity's…but make no mistake, at the time, it had nothing to with me rejoining DT!"

Sheehan was unable to join his SONS OF APOLLO bandmates on the aforementioned South American tour due to COVID-19 vaccine-related travel restrictions. His replacement on the trek was ANGRA's Felipe Andreoli.

SONS OF APOLLO's second album, "MMXX", was released in January 2020 via InsideOut Music/Sony.

The follow-up to 2017's "Psychotic Symphony" debuted on multiple Billboard charts dated, including Tastemakers (No. 10),Heatseekers Albums (No. 11) and Hard Rock Albums (No. 21).

At the time of "MMXX"'s release, Soto told Billboard: "We absolutely jumped into this as an ongoing commitment from all of us that we were going to follow up on and treat it, with all intents and purposes, as a real band. With the caliber of who we have and what we could come up with, we knew we wanted to dive into this thing fully committed, and not as a one-off."

Regarding the differences in the musical direction between the two albums, Soto said: "I don't think we strayed too far. If you put both albums together as a double album, it would work. The only difference is that I feel that I put a little more personality into the vocal parts. It was a little homogenized on the first album, in terms of playing it safe. I didn't toy around too much with straying from the main ideas.

"On [the second] album, I knew exactly what I wanted to do," he continued. "I knew where we were headed as a band. This time, it was a no-brainer that I should just go for it. The first album was, again, the foundation and the skeletal embryonic stage of the band. Now it's solid and I’ve watched it flourish, and I went in knowing what to do."

Six years ago, Portnoy told Let's Rock about SONS OF APOLLO's chemistry: "I'd like to say that I was surprised by how easy it came together, but, to be honest, I kind of expected that. That wasn't really a surprise. I knew it would work. I knew it would be easy once once we started playing just because I know the guys involved. So, I can't really say there were many surprises. Everything kind of went according to plan. Everybody was kind of chosen for the band because I knew their personalities. And Jeff and Bumblefoot in particular are the two most easy-going guys, and [laughs] that's very rare for a guitar player and a singer. But in this case, you couldn't ask for two sweeter guys. That's a huge part of [the] importance in picking band chemistry. A lot of times, it's well beyond the music. It's more about the personalities and in this case, it's a great group of guys."

Photo credit: Hristo Shindov

Vltimas have been legends since the dawn of metal. Rune Eriksen took hold of axe-wielding duties for the second coming of Mayhem. Flo Mounier has been drumming for Cryptopsy since their earliest exhumations of the Canadian underground. And who could forget David Vincent, the larger-than-life vocalist for Morbid Angel.        


Having already made history, some metalheads may have stroked their beard and wondered if there could possibly be any new realms for this band to conquer. But on their new album, Vltimas ascend to truly epic heights.


Vltimas' new album, Epic, will be released on Friday, March 15, via Season Of Mist. Find an advanced album stream below.




Available formats:


- Digital Download
- CD Digipak
- 12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
- 12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Skull Gold
- 12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Dracula
- 12" Picture Vinyl


Pre-order here, pre-save here.





Tracklisting:


"Volens Discordant"
"Epic"
"Miserere"
"Exercitus Irae"
"Mephisto Manifesto"
"Scorcher"
"Invictus"
"Nature's Fangs"
"Spoils Of War"


Album stream:





"Scorcher" visualizer:





"Miserere" video:





Extreme metal powerhouse Vltimas (pronounced 'uhl-tuh-mas') assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Epic, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune "Blasphemer" Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, Vltimas fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles "Miserere," "Scorcher," and "Invictus" showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness.


"We wrote every bit of Epic together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas," offers Vincent. "The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I'd say to the guys, 'I need to capture this.' So, the magic [of Vltimas] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we're doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie."
 
While the members of Vltimas are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they're together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he's got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it's the moody, angular attack of "Miserere," the wicked groove of "Mephisto Manifesto," or the dark fury of "Nature's Fangs," the chemistry and enterprise of Vltimas is undeniable.


"The main goal [of Vltimas] is to be real," Eriksen reveals. "To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don't believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For Epic, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and 'playful' flair."


Vltimas was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian's fingers still itched with infernal fury. Vltimas was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, Vltimas had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, Epic spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent's brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.


"Everything we're doing and messaging is about strength and honor," says Vincent. "These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they'll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn't say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I'm not a short attention span guy, and I don't appreciate it. Epic is holistic and meant to be experienced that way."


Epic was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. Vltimas tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—Epic was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer "Spoils of War," Epic is an absolute beast.


"Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode," Eriksen says of the sessions. "We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there's always another idea popping up."


Vltimas brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize Epic. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the "impossible triangle," projects effortlessly. In Epic, the group will dominate. There's no escape from "Miserere," "Mephisto Manifesto," "Scorcher," and "Invictus." Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, Vltimas into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.


"[Epic is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal," offers Eriksen. "All combined into one album."


"I want to be as emotional and honest [with Vltimas]," Vincent adds. "I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. Epic is strength."


Lineup:


David Vincent - Vocals
Rune Blasphemer Eriksen - Guitars
Flo Mounier - Drums
Ype TVS - Bass
João Duarte - Guitars

Finnish folk metal superstars, Korpiklaani, are happy to unveil their newest single and music video, "Oraakkelit". It's the third single from their upcoming new studio album, Rankarumpu, which is due to be released on April 5.


Korpiklaani's twelfth studio album is once again full of tasty folk metal and its different flavors, but it also offers new spices. One of the most wonderful features of Rankarumpu is related to the folk instruments. Although Korpiklaani has done one or maybe even a couple of unforgettable things in the realm of folk metal, this time new permanent member Olli Vänskä's violin and Sami Perttula's accordion may surprise even die-hard fans.


"Oraakkelit" shows a darker, more serious side of Korpiklaani and is a nice contrast to the happier, more upbeat previous singles, "Saunaan" and "Aita". The mood of the song has been perfectly captured by a mystical and visually stunning video directed by Vesa Ranta.




Singer Jonne commented: "I had never actually written a shuffle based song before and I wanted to try to write such a riff and see how it would work in metal music. Normally it is used a lot in old blues and rock’n’roll music. I was suprised how cool it went and then I thought: what if all the gods all over the world would have a big rock’n'roll dancing party together underground. The idea made me laugh, so I decided to use it!"


Drummer Samuli added: ”When I heard the first demo I was really excited. This is something very different! I felt there could be a cool shuffle feeling to the rhythm and I started to explored it. There is a great atmosphere in the song. First it lurks enigmatically but then it starts to rock! Drumwise you can use lots of dynamics. It will be a fun live song!”





Pre-order/pre-save the new album here.





Tracklisting:


"Kotomaa"
"Tapa sen kun kerkeet"
"Aita"
"Saunaan"
"Mettään"
"Kalmisto"
"Rankarumpu"
"No perkele"
"Viikatelintu"
"Nouse"
"Oraakkelit"
"Harhainen höyhen"


"Aita" video:





"Saunaan" video:





Korpiklaani have massive touring plans for 2024, following an extensive UK tour with Alestorm and Heidevolk in February and March,  a North Amercan tour with Visions Of Atlantis & Illumishade (feat. members of Eluveitie) will happen in April and May, and after that several big European Summer festivals await, as well as a European tour towards the end of the year.





April (with Visions Of Atlantis & Illumishade)
8 - Reading, PA - Reverb
9 - New York City, NY - Gramercy Theatre
10 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
11 - Montreal, QC - La Tulipe
12 - Ottawa, ON - Brass Monkey
13 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
14 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot
15 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre
18 - Winnipeg, MA - Park Theatre
19 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
20 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
21 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
23 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
24 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
25 - Portland, OR - BossaNova Ballroom
26 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
27 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
28 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
29 - Phoenix, AZ - The Nile


May (with Visions Of Atlantis & Illumishade)
1 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
2 - Lincoln, NB - The Bourbon Theater
3 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
4 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre
5 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage


2024 Festivals


June
27-30 - Clisson, France - Hellfest


July
12 - Laundresse - La Guerre Du Son
28-August 3 - Velenje, Slovenia - MetalDays


August
9-11 - Cercoux, France - Festival 666
9-11 - Walton on Trent, UK - Bloodstock Open Air
9-11 - Kortrijk, Belgium - Alcatraz Festival
14-17 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze
15-17 - Zámek Moravský Krumlov, Czech Republic - Rock Castle
24 - Pindelo dos Milagres, Portugal - Milagre Metaleiro Open Air


November (with In Extremo & Rauhbein)
15 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
16 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
22 - Rostock, Germany - Moya
23 - Dortmund, Germany - Phantastischer Lichter Weihnachtsmarkt
29 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
30 - Bremen, Germany - Pier 2


December (with In Extremo & Rauhbein)
6 - Nürnberg, Germany - KIA Metropol Arena
7 - Wien, Austria - Gasometer
12 - Bielefeld, Germany - Lokschuppen
13 - Hannover, Germany - Swiss Life Hall
14 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
20 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
21 - Stuttgart, Germany - Porsche Arena
27 - München, Germany - Zenith
28 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
29 - Erfurt, Germany - Messehalle
30 - Köln, Germany - Palladium


(Photo - Jake Owens)

Jona Tee and Nils Molin are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the New Horizon album, Conquerors, an epitome of power metal finesse, slated to hit the shelves on June 14 via Frontiers Music.


Fans can get a taste of the album's epic melodies with the lead single and video, "Daimyo", out today. Conquerors presents itself as a thematic anthology, delving into pivotal moments in history and the remarkable individuals who have shaped them. The track "Daimyo" transports listeners to 16th century feudal Japan, narrating the saga of the renowned unifier Oda Nobunaga. Watch the video below.


Following a remarkable journey that saw vocalist Erik Grönwall joining Skid Row, New Horizon's founder Jona Tee embarked on a mission to find a singer who could embody the essence of the band's next chapter. His quest led him to longtime friend Nils Molin, renowned vocalist of Dynazty and Amaranthe.




Upon encountering the band's fresh material, Molin was immediately drawn in, igniting a powerful collaboration. Reflecting on their partnership, Jona Tee shared: "At our first sit down in the studio he said ‘If I'm going to do this, I need to be 100% involved.’ Nils and I have been exploring the possibility of collaborating on a project for some time now. At first, I deemed it unlikely seeing as he’s got plenty on his plate already. However, I had to ask and was happily surprised that he considered it. And when we started bouncing ideas for lyrical themes the path forward appeared crystal clear. The die has been cast."


Conquerors marks New Horizon's sophomore album, showcasing their resilience and unwavering commitment to musical excellence. Nils's commanding vocals seamlessly intertwine with Tee's intricate melodies, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly innovative.


Expressing his excitement for the project, Nils remarked: "My initial reaction to getting a text from Jona, asking me to sing on the new album was: Damn, I don’t have the time. But upon hearing some of the early material he was working on and after our first couple of sessions tracking vocals, effortlessly collaborating and mapping out a plan for the album, I decided that this simply needs to be done. Conquerors became a tale that grew in the making and ultimately expanding into an album way beyond my expectations, brim-packed with stellar songwriting, performances and surprise elements. If you like melodic metal - you’re in for a treat.”


With Conquerors poised for release, New Horizon is poised to ascend further in the power metal realm. Their dedication to musical craftsmanship and adaptability solidifies their position as a rising force in the genre. As they embark on this new chapter, New Horizon is prepared to conquer new frontiers and make an enduring impact on the music scene.





Tracklisting:


"Against The Odds"
"King Of Kings"
"Daimyo"
"Shadow Warrior"
"Apollo"
"Fallout War"
"Messenger Of The Stars"
"Before The Dawn"
"Edge Of Insanity"
"Alexander The Great (356-323 B.C)"


"Daimyo" video:

Existing at the forefront of the Polish black metal movement, Blaze Of Perdition returns in 2024 with their sixth full-length, Upharsin, set for release on April 19 via Metal Blade Records.


A step back from the somewhat unusual direction the band followed on their previous offering - 2020's The Harrowing Of Hearts - Upharsin takes on a dark and pessimistic tone reflected by its appropriately oppressive music. Haunting and melancholic melodies rooted in traditional black metal meet unforgiving blastbeats and solemn marches, while emotional yet feral vocals aim to bring a proper sense of rage and disgust.


"With Upharsin, we aimed to open the wounds of humanity as a collective," the band notes. "The album reflects on how humans tend to gravitate towards conflict and strife. How religions and politics as well as other aspects of our everyday life are tainted and driven by our lower instincts as we willingly refuse to learn from our own history, as we choose to ignore and neglect the shadow aspect of our psychic reality, which in turn takes us further and further in the everlasting cycle of violence. It's probably the most realistic concept we've taken on, with noticeably less spiritual leanings and a much more grounded approach."




Opening track and first single, "W Kwiecie Rozłamu" (English translation: "In Rupture's Prime") hits hard from the very first second. "We wanted to begin the album with something striking and punishing, hence why there is no intro to set the mood first. However, most of our songs rarely keep the same mood for the entire duration and this one is no different. It's probably the most varied composition on Upharsin and what starts with fury and flames, soon transcends into a somewhat sludgy, almost psychedelic abyss to shift once again into fiery blast-driven inferno. Lyrically, it talks about our struggle to keep up with the pace and temptations of our collective, destructive nature. To understand, accept and learn from it instead of suppressing it and allowing it to expand."


Listen to "W Kwiecie Rozłamu" below.





Upharsin will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:


- 180g Black (EU)
- Dark Charcoal Marbled (US + EU - Ltd. 500)
- Crystal Clear w/ Black Dust( EU - Ltd. 300)


Find pre-orders here.





Upharsin tracklisting:


"W kwiecie rozłamu"
"Przez rany"
"Niezmywalne"
"Architekt"
"Młot, miecz i bat"


"W kwiecie rozłamu":





Lineup:


S. - vocals
XCIII - guitars
M.R. - guitars
VZN - drums
Wyrd - bass (session)


(Photo - Justyna Kaminska)