RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello joined DEF LEPPARD on stage last night (Wednesday, July 16) at Ottawa Bluestfest at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to perform the British rock legends' recent single "Just Like 73". Professionally filmed video of his appearance can be seen below.

DEF LEPPARD commented: "It was an absolute honor to welcome Tom Morello to the stage for 'Just Like 73'. Thanks for rockin' with us at Ottawa Bluesfest."

The studio version of DEF LEPPARD's "Just Like 73", featuring a guest guitar solo from Morello, was made available in June 2024. The following month, DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about how the collaboration came about: "Well, Tom heard my original demo of the song with just me on it, and maybe Joe [Elliott, DEF LEPPARD singer] doing a vocal. And he's, like, 'Oh my God, this is great.' So he told our friend Brian Monaco, who is actually president of Sony Music, and Brian's, like, 'What do you think about Tom being on it? He loves this thing.' And it was, like, 'Yeah, that'd be awesome.'

"You know, I love RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. I think Tom's really, really cool and his guitar style is so unique and he really didn't let us down. I remember talking to him about it. He said, 'Well, what do you hear?' and I said, 'Well, you gotta do your Tom Morello thing.' And he did. [I] heard it back and said, 'This is absolutely perfect.'

"The song is about us discovering the music that kind of shaped our lives, you know, the [David] Bowie/T. REX period of the very early '70s, and he totally got it, and kind of nailed it. So we're overjoyed about that."

In June 2024, Collen told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about the writing process for "Just Like 73": "We started it when we were doing [2022's] 'Diamond Star Halos' [album], and anyone who doesn't know, that's a line from a Marc Bolan song [from] T. REX. He says 'hubcap diamond star halo'. And me and Joe [Elliott, DEF LEPPARD singer] have always used that phrase to describe the time that we got really baptized into music. I remember seeing [David] Bowie on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' and 'Top Of The Pops' and was, like, 'Oh my God. This is my guy.' I was, like, 14 or 15. I'd already seen DEEP PURPLE; it my first concert, which was amazing. So, then all of a sudden this glam stuff came out. So we would always describe that as 'Diamond Star Halos'."

Phil continued: "I was writing a song with Dave Bassett, who I wrote 'Kick' with. And the same deal — I really want to put a SLADE slant on the backing vocals and just make it very much about '72 or '73. And Joe heard the demo and he's, like, 'Why can't you have both?' So we did, and then Joe started writing some lyrics because he's obviously really tapped into that, and all the verse lyrics and all the imagery from exactly that 'Diamond Star Halos' period ends up on this song. We actually hadn't finished it, so the rest of the band hadn't even heard the demo, and we played it to everyone and they all loved it. They all put their stuff on it. Viv [guitarist Vivian Campbell] played guitar, Sav [Rick Savage] did [his bass tracks], Rick [Allen, DEF LEPPARD drummer] put his part on and then we had some vocals — everyone had sung on it — and before you know it, it came out like this. So, we're really thrilled. It actually sounds better than the stuff on 'Diamond Star Halos', to my ears. So I'm really excited about that. And it seems that everyone really digs it as well."

"Just Like 73" arrived on seven-inch vinyl in August 2024 and was made available in a special color variant only through the band's D2C store and in black at all retailers.

DEF LEPPARD teased "Just Like 73" on social media earlier in June 2024, sharing an image with two different phone numbers for U.S. and U.K. fans to call.

"Light up the fuel. Just Like 73. Hotline Now Open," the band wrote in an accompanying caption.

Fans who called the phone numbers were able to hear Elliott singing lyrics from the song, which marked the band's first new original music since the "Diamond Star Halos" album.

DEF LEPPARD's 12th studio album, "Diamond Star Halos", came out in May 2022. A year later, the band followed it up with "Drastic Symphonies", a collection of reimagining of some of DEF LEPPARD's greatest hits with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road. The album spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Current Classical chart.

In a new interview with Riff X's "Metal XS", SAXON frontman Biff Byford was asked about a possible follow-up to the band's 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which came out in January 2024 via Silver Lining Music. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " Well, we've started writing the next album. I'm doing lyrics now. And I've got a lot of ideas from the guitarist [Doug Scarratt], [drummer] Nigel [Glockler] as well, and from Nibbs [bassist Timothy Carter]. So, yeah, I've got quite a lot of ideas, which I'm compiling at home in my studio. So I think we're maybe looking — fingers crossed — we're looking at a new album in autumn next year, September/October."

This past April, Biff told Uruguay's The Dark Melody that he and his bandmates had "been writing" new music "for about six or seven weeks now, off and on. So yeah, we're coming in with some ideas and I've got some ideas for songs, for titles. And, yeah, it's coming along.

"It will be out next year, I think," he continued. "We're probably gonna start recording in November, when we finish touring. We'll probably go in and record the drums and bass and the basic guitars and some guide vocals then. So, yeah, we're pretty much on it. We're working towards the new album. It's going well."

SAXON recently announced the cancelation of 10 summer shows and festival appearances while Byford undergoes an emergency procedure.

Last August, Biff underwent a "procedure" to treat atrial flutter, a type of heart rhythm abnormality, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat too quickly.

In September 2019, Biff suffered a heart attack and underwent an emergency triple bypass surgery.

In February, Biff reflected on "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which marked SAXON's first release with new guitarist Brian Tatler (DIAMOND HEAD). Biff told FaceCulture: "I think it's been a natural progression with our following and the fans with our music. Brian coming into the band added a little bit of a different dynamic to the music writing. So I think that was for a good thing. I think the new album, 'Hellfire', has been voted 'Album Of The Year' on quite a lot of sites and things, so obviously we struck a little bit of good scene with the album, a good flow. So hopefully the next one will be just as good, if not better… Well, it can't always be better, but let's hope. I mean, 'Hellfire' is gonna be hard to beat. That's a pretty perfect album, I think."

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" was produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering.

"I think this album's one of the best he's done sound-wise, and he's done a lot of albums," Biff previously declared. "It has a really raw, vibrant sound... if you compress the total time making this album, it was four weeks tops… you can hear everything brilliantly, nothing's overcomplicated, nothing's over compressed. The guitar sounds are fucking immense, they're just great, raw guitar sounds. And we haven't done a lot of overdubbing on there; it's just playing. I really, really like it."

In early 2023, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by Tatler.

Brian has been touring with fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford since mid-2023, but continues to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

When British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN played in Madrid, Spain on July 5 as part of the band's "Run For Your Lives" world tour, MAIDEN's official YouTube channel had "a quick catch-up" with singer Bruce Dickinson to find out how the tour is going. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are halfway through the tour. First of all, I can't even believe we're halfway through the tour. That's just ridiculous. It seems like we're only just getting started. And in fact we are, but that's another story for later. Yes. Spoiler alert. But no — it's been amazing. It really has been amazing. London was just the show of a lifetime. And they don't come along too often, moments like that. But everything — I mean, we played in Belfort [on July 3], the first festival [Eurockéennes] we played in France that wasn't Hellfest. And Rod [Smallwood, IRON MAIDEN's longtime manager] was, like, he said, 'I couldn't believe it. I saw 20 people going to the festival and nobody was wearing a MAIDEN shirt.' And that's the whole point. And we had the whole festival up and everybody was loving it and it was great. So now we are in Madrid and this is so sold out, it's crazy. It's gonna be a really, really hot show tonight. And I'm looking forward to it. And just everything, really. We've got all these great shows ahead of us, and a lot more stuff ahead of us I can't talk about, except if I did, they'd have to kill me."

On June 28, IRON MAIDEN performed at the London Stadium, home of West Ham Football Club — the team that MAIDEN founder and bassist Steve Harris has supported throughout his life, and with whom IRON MAIDEN has a long and storied history. This concert in front of an estimated 70,000-75,000 fans was the first time that IRON MAIDEN had performed on the club's hallowed turf. A true homecoming show — with Harris, MAIDEN guitarists Dave Murray and Adrian Smith and retired MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain all born in the surrounding area — it was also the biggest U.K. venue the band had ever headlined outside of its festival appearances.

The London show, which was part of the "Run For Your Lives" tour celebrating 50 years since MAIDEN's formation, marked the band's 15th live appearance with new drummer Simon Dawson, who replaced McBrain last December.

In May, Smallwood took to MAIDEN's web site to share a post titled "Put away your phones and get ready to Run For Your Lives!" in which he urged fans to experience the shows "in the moment" rather than on smaller screens at a later date.

"We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens," Smallwood wrote. "The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers.

"We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans."

Dawson previously played with Harris as a member of his BRITISH LION project.

McBrain played his last-ever gig with MAIDEN seven months ago in São Paulo, Brazil.

The 73-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement on December 7, 2024 in a statement on MAIDEN's web site and social media. He also said that night's concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the iconic heavy metal act.

Despite the fact that he was stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he would remain closely connected to IRON MAIDEN and continue to be involved in "a variety of projects" with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

On December 8, 2024, IRON MAIDEN announced Dawson as its new touring drummer.

Nirvana were essentially the duo of Irishman Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Greek Alex Spyropoulos – two immigrants who, following a chance meeting during the summer of 1966, became an integral part of the very fabric that was Swinging London. Crafting a visionary sound that moved beyond the confines of 1960s pop into baroque, psych and proto-Prog territory, Nirvana’s story remains a wonderful tale of artistic ambition.

The Show Must Go On: The Complete Collection is a definitive 12CD compendium that encompasses the complete studio recordings of Nirvana across 8 studio albums, all with newly remastered audio, as well as 3 additional discs of rare outtakes, demos, and other rarities. Some of the gems located on the bonus discs include the 1971 Vertigo label single “The Saddest Day of My Life” and an alternative version of a 1973 Patrick Campbell-Lyons single “Everyone Should Fly A Kite”. A trailer for the set can be found below.

As well as the 12 CDs, The Show Must Go On: The Complete Collection also includes a beautiful 90-page hardback book that offers an intimate and detailed exploration of Nirvana’s history, their creative evolution, and their indelible cultural footprint. Within its pages are interwoven with exclusive interviews featuring founding members Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Alex Spyropoulos, revealing their personal narratives, inspirations, and experiences crafting music during an era of profound experimentation and change. The book is further enriched by previously unseen photographs by Gered Mankowitz and archival materials that vividly capture the essence and atmosphere of the band’s creative zenith.

This limited edition, one-time pressing presents the CDs in mini-LP sleeves featuring original artwork, all elegantly contained within a deluxe heavy lift-off lid box.

Pre-order here.



Disc 1 – The Story Of Simon Simopath (Stereo)
Disc 2 – The Story Of Simon Simopath (Mono)
Disc 3 – All Of Us (Stereo)
Disc 4 – Dedicated To Markos III
Disc 5 – Local Anaesthetic
Disc 6 – Songs Of Love And Praise
Disc 7 – Orange And Blue
Disc 8 – Me And My Friend
Disc 9 – Secrets
Disc 10 – Bonus Material (1) A collection of rare B-sides, alternate takes, and early versions, including collaborations with Spooky Tooth.
Disc 11 – Bonus Material (2) Demos, instrumentals, and alternate mixes.
Disc 12 – Bonus Material (3) Later-era rarities and unreleased tracks

With more than two decades performing together, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE show no signs of slowing down. Known for its memorable riffs, infectious vocal melodies and dueling guitar attack, the quartet — comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums — has garnered massive critical and fan acclaim around the globe. The band looks to continue that trend with the release of its self-titled eighth studio album next year via Napalm Records. "Alter Bridge" will be made available on January 9, 2026, and the first physical formats can be pre-ordered now.

"Alter Bridge" is comprised of 12 all new tracks from the band and features some of its most iconic moments on record. Songs like "Rue The Day", "Disregarded" and "Scales Are Falling" will fit alongside any of the classic songs from ALTER BRIDGE's catalog. "Trust In Me" shows Myles and Mark sharing vocal duties as Myles handles the verse duties while Mark takes the chorus. That strategy is flipped on "Tested And Able" as Mark handles the verses and Myles takes on the choruses behind one of the band's heaviest intros to date, giving way to an unforgettable melody. "Hang By A Thread" is sure to become a show favorite as it hints at some of the most popular songs in the band's catalog. The album closer "Slave To Master" is an epic track that ALTER BRIDGE has come to be known for and is the longest song the quartet has recorded to date.

"Alter Bridge" was once again helmed by the band's longtime collaborator and producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette and was recorded over two months this past spring at the legendary 5150 studio in California and Elvis's recording studio in Florida.

"Alter Bridge" track listing:

01. Silent Divide (5:06)
02. Rue The Day (4:46)
03. Power Down (4:08)
04. Trust In Me (4:48)
05. Disregarded (3:55)
06. Tested And Able (4:36)
07. What Lies Within (5:07)
08. Hang By A Thread (4:11)
09. Scales Are Falling (5:54)
10. Playing Aces (4:05)
11. What Are You Waiting For (5:00)
12. Slave To Master (9:03)

ALTER BRIDGE will be touring in support of the release. The band is heading out on the "What Lies Within" tour. The 31-date European leg of the trek will kick off on January 15 in Germany and will wrap on March 5 in Nottingham, U.K. Support on the tour will come from DAUGHTRY and SEVENDUST. Public on-sale for all shows is July 18.

2026 tour dates:

Jan. 15 - Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle
Jan. 17 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
Jan. 18 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
Jan. 20 - Stockholm, Sweden - Annexet
Jan. 22 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall Black Box
Jan. 24 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Kb Hallen
Jan. 25 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
Jan. 27 - Gliwice, Poland - Prezero Arena Gliwice
Jan. 28 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
Jan. 30 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
Jan. 31 - Zagreb, Croatia - Bocarski Dom
Feb. 02 - Rome, Italy - Atlantico
Feb. 03 - Bergamo, Italy - Choruslive Arena
Feb. 05 - Zurich, Switzerland - The Hall
Feb. 06 - Lyon, France - Halle Tony Garnier
Feb. 08 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 1
Feb. 10 - Lisbon, Portugal - Sagres Campo Pequeno
Feb. 12 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre
Feb. 13 - Bordeaux, France - Arkea Arena
Feb. 15 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - Rockhal
Feb. 17 - Oberhausen, Germany - Oberhausen Turbinenhalle
Feb. 18 - Paris, France - Zenith
Feb. 20 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
Feb. 22 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome
Feb. 23 - Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
Feb. 25 - Newcastle, United Kingdom - Utilita Arena
Feb. 26 - Manchester, United Kingdom - Ao Arena
Feb. 28 - Dublin, Ireland - 3arena
Mar. 02 - Glasgow, United Kingdom - Ovo Hydro
Mar. 04 - London, United Kingdom - The O2
Mar. 05 - Nottingham, United Kingdom - Motorpoint Arena

ALTER BRIDGE has announced one show for 2025. The band will play a rare acoustic set on October 1 in Nashville, Tennessee to support the Tremonti Family Charity Golf Outing. The outing is a benefit started by Tremonti to support the National Down Syndrome Society, an organization close to Mark after his daughter Stella was born with Down syndrome. The event will raise money for NDSS, an organization that engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness, and aging.

Back in 2004, four lifelong musicians got together down in Florida. Even though they had traveled separate paths, similar lessons learned, wisdom earned and dues paid united these gentlemen — Myles Kennedy (vocals, guitar),Mark Tremonti (guitar, vocals),Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums) — as ALTER BRIDGE. Over the ensuing two decades, the band endured countless trials and tribulations, defied every odd, and rose to the head of the pack as a hard rock juggernaut, cementing a singular legacy by selling out arenas, gathering nearly one billion streams, inciting international acclaim, and quietly attracting a diehard audience. Beginning with the Top 5 entry of 2004's gold-certified "One Day Remains", the band has scored six consecutive Top 20 debuts on the Billboard 200. Among a myriad of highlights, Guitarist magazine applauded "Blackbird" for the "Greatest Guitar Solo Of All Time," the "ABIII" single "Isolation" vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, 2013's "Fortress" received rare perfect scores from Kerrang! and Total Guitar, and "Walk The Sky" shook the Top Rock Albums chart at No. 1. Beyond packing O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall, Classic Rock hailed 2022's "Pawns & Kings" as "the Rolls-Royce of ALTER BRIDGE records" in a 4.5-out-of-5-star review. Plus, the latter LP garnered praise from American Songwriter, Guitar World and Loudwire, while Billboard christened them "one of America's premiere hard rock quartets." Channeling the same hunger, the band continue to push themselves on their self-titled eighth full-length offering, "Alter Bridge". It embodies everything they're known for such as the precise riffs, towering hooks, and solos that practically break guitar strings as they burst through the clouds.

Photo credit: Chuck Brueckmann

Steve Hackett proudly presents The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall, a stunning audio/visual document of his show at the iconic London venue in October 2024. Today sees its official release, and to celebrate, a clip of the track “Lilywhite Lilith” has been launched. Watch below:



Steve and his live band celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Genesis concept album, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, with a selection of his favourite tracks from that album including “Fly On A Windshield” and “Lilywhite Lilith”. The live set also includes other Genesis and solo classics, including music from his most recent acclaimed album The Circus And The Nightwhale. This special evening saw the band joined by guests including Ray Wilson, Steve Rothery, Amanda Lehmann & John Hackett.

Steve commented: “I was so happy to revisit the Lamb on tour. The Royal Albert Hall evening was particularly memorable. It is my favourite London venue and the atmosphere there that night was absolutely electric… I was really pleased that everyone in the band and the performing guests pulled it off with flying colours!”

Expertly mixed by Grammy-award winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge, and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, the night was filmed by longtime collaborator Paul M Green, and is presented as Special Edition 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak which includes 5.1 Surround Sound & bonus interview content. The vinyl arrives as a deluxe 4LP 180g boxset, including 12-page LP-size booklet featuring photos from the evening.

Order here.



Tracklisting:

“People Of The Smoke”
“Circo Inferno”
“These Passing Clouds”
“The Devil’s Cathedral”
“Every Day”
“Hands Of The Priestess”
“A Tower Struck Down”
“Low Notes And High Hopes”
“Camino Royale”
“Shadow Of The Hierophant”
“The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”
“Fly On A Windshield”
“Broadway Melody Of 1974”
“Hairless Heart”
“Carpet Crawlers”
“The Chamber Of 32 Doors”
“Lilywhite Lilith”
“The Lamia”
“It”
“Dancing With The Moonlit Knight”
“The Cinema Show”
“Aisle Of Plenty”
“Firth Of Fifth”
“Los Endos”
An Interview with Steve Hackett

Guitarist Phil Fasciana of long-running Florida death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION has been admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at a hospital in Montpelier, France after developing a severe case of bacterial pneumonia. As a result of Phil's hospitalization, the other members of the band — Ronnie Parmer (drums),Jesse Jolly (bass, lead vocals) and Chris Cannella (guitar) — will play the remaining shows of the band's in-progress European tour without the guitarist, beginning with tonight's (Friday, July 17) concert at Razzmatazz in Barcelona, Spain.

Earlier today, Ronnie, Jesse and Chris released the following statement via social media: "Dear MALEVOLENT fans, far and wide: It is with immense sadness that we report our helmsman Phillip Fasciana was admitted to the ICU in Montpelier, France last night. He developed what the doctors deemed to be a severe case of bacterial pneumonia, which may have spread to surrounding organs. He has been listed as being in critical condition. His family has been notified and will be deciding on next steps, based on what is best for Phil's condition and overall health.

"We are all crushed to see him in this situation, and it is absolutely life-threatening. So please, please keep Phil in your thoughts and/or prayers with hope he makes a full recovery. Make no mistake, this is a very bad situation and we greatly appreciate your love and understanding. It is with the support and direction of his immediate family that have requested we finish the remainder of the tour in Phil's absence, as he needs to focus on his recovery.

"Eternal gratitude for your support -Jesse, Ronnie, Chris".

Fasciana is the sole remaining original member of MALEVOLENT CREATION, which formed in in Buffalo, New York in 1986 and later relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MALEVOLENT CREATION's latest album, "The 13th Beast", was released in January 2019 via Century Media. It was the band's sole disc to feature drummer Phil Cancilla and vocalist/guitarist Lee Wollenschlaeger.

Former MALEVOLENT CREATION frontman Bret Hoffmann died in July 2018 after a battle with stage 4 colon cancer. He was only 51 years old.

Bret performed on the first three MALEVOLENT CREATION releases until he left the band after 1993's "Stillborn" album. Five years later, he returned and performed on "The Fine Art Of Murder" and "Envenomed" before leaving again and being replaced by Kyle Symons. He rejoined MALEVOLENT again in 2006 and appeared on three more of the group's albums, 2007's "Doomsday X", 2010's "Invidious Dominion" and 2015's "Dead Man's Path". He exited the group once again in 2016 and was replaced by Wollenschlaeger.

Image credit: Soundterror

Dear Malevolent fans, far and wide:
It is with immense sadness that we report our helmsman Phillip Fasciana was...

Posted by Malevolent Creation Band on Thursday, July 17, 2025

On the heels of a successful tour alongside BABYMETAL, BLACK VEIL BRIDES are back with their first piece of new music since 2024's chart-topping single "Bleeders". The band — comprised of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton and drummer Christian Coma — returns to its roots with the aggressive new track "Hallelujah". The Tampa, Florida-based choir One Voice Ensemble lent its talents to the song, which was was produced by Biersack and Pitts and is being released by BLACK VEIL BRIDES' label partners Spinefarm.

Biersack comments: "'Hallelujah' is an important song for us, not only because it is the first track from the new record, but also as a signifier of what's to come for the band. On a narrative level, it represents the themes and ideas I am exploring lyrically on the album.

"I am fascinated by the current state of discourse and how often we seem to prioritize ideological certainty over the heart and soul of humanity. Over the years we have developed a tremendous connection with our audience, which is often dismissed or misinterpreted by the 'scene.' We stand at a unique inflection point culturally and I want to be able to speak openly about how much I believe in being true to yourself over the fear of mass hysteria or in-group recriminations.

"When my grandfather's voice spoke to 'the outcasts' in the first moments of our first record in 2010, it was a sincere call to arms for all those who feel different. In many ways this record is the natural evolution of that same idea. This is the heaviest and most vitriolic BVB record by far but more importantly I believe it is the most sincere and honest record we have ever made."

BLACK VEIL BRIDES have released an animated video for "Hallelujah", directed by Marco Pavone (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, PINK FLOYD, SHADOW OF INTENT). The band will continue to release more visual content over the coming months to support the new songs. A teaser for the track got fans in a frenzy when it was released last week.

"Hallelujah" will receive its live debut at Warped Tour in Long Beach, California on July 26. BLACK VEIL BRIDES will also make appearances at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky (September 20),Rock The Locks in Umatilla, Oregon (September 26) and Aftershock (October 5) before heading to South America for six headline shows. The "We Missed Ourselves Tour 2025" will also feature UNDEROATH, SILVERSTEIN, SENSES FAIL and I SET MY FRIENDS ON FIRE.

In a recent interview with Brandy-Baye Robidoux of Idobi Radio, Biersack confirmed that he and his BLACK VEIL BRIDES bandmates have been working on the follow-up to their sixth album, "The Phantom Tomorrow", which came out in October 2021. He said: "We finished a new record. At this point, one song is fully mixed. So it's very early. But we produced the record ourselves — myself and Jake were kind of at the helm in that — and it was the first time doing a self-produced record in that way, at least of original material. We had done re-records or things before, but this was the first time that we… It was also devoid of many outside voices."

Elaborating on BLACK VEIL BRIDES' decision to not work with an outside producer this time around, Andy said: "For a lot of years, you get to a place where you start… Your first record, you write the record together, and then you record it and then it's out there. And then you have a level of popularity, if you're lucky, and then people go, 'You know what? We should put you with this producer.' And then that producer has a way of doing things, and then you work with the next producer and they have a way of doing things. And then the more and more you work with different people, the more injection of their style becomes a part of what you do. And that's actually been really beneficial for us, because working with [producer] John [Feldy] Feldmann for so many years really created, for me, vocally how I am now. My voice, there's a definite line where you go, 'Oh, this person became a much better singer,' and I credit that all to Feldy and basically him teaching me how to use my own voice. Working with Erik Ron, working with Bob Rock, we've had a lot of luck with our producers, but we had never, in our whole career, back since the very beginning, had an opportunity to go, 'We kind of know what this band is,' and 'What would a record be like if we made it and tried to use our best judgment?' We didn't wanna go in there just celebrating ourselves. I think sometimes that's the thing that happens when bands produce their own record. They're, like, 'Everything we do is great.' We were very hard on ourselves to make sure that it was the best thing that we could do, and I'm really excited about how it's turning out."

Biersack went on to credit Feldmann and Ron with helping him develop the skills in the studio to oversee a BLACK VEIL BRIDES recording from beginning to end. "I wouldn't know how any of this stuff functions without particularly those two," he said. "Jake and I have always said we learned how to be people in a studio from John Feldmann. And then that carried over to where when we started working with Erik, who also had worked with Feldmann as an engineer in his early career, we come from that same school. And so I think in a lot of ways we brought that same sort of means of production to our record. It's just that we were doing it on our own. But it really comes from that for us."

Asked if it was "more challenging or easier" to produce the new album themselves, Andy said: "I would say it was a little bit more challenging in the capacity that you've gotta make sure that you get it right. I would say the easier thing is for me vocally, sometimes — and I guess this will be determined by how people hear it — but sometimes when you're singing, if you're working with a producer who is also a singer, they have a way that they want to hear something. So if I go, 'This melody goes this way,' and they go, 'Oh, this melody should go this way.' And then you're, like, 'Oh,' and that's unnatural. I always say, like, there's certain times when I can hear on records where I would've wanted it to be pushed this certain way, and then somebody else wanted it to go this other way, and then I just end up sounding like I don't know what I'm saying in the song. With this, it's just the way I want it, for better or for worse. So we'll find out whether that was the right way or not. We'll find out. We'll see if people like it."

Regarding whether BLACK VEIL BRIDES is "pulling from any unexpected influences" this time around, Andy said: "Well, I think we have a total lack of interest in any commercial crossover. We've been in the major label system for most of our career, where even though we were a band with a lot of shreddy guitars and I'm writing about theological ideas, they're, like, 'But where's the single?' And so you'd always kind of have to temper that with, 'We've gotta make sure that there's a single.' And what we have found, and thankfully working with Spinefarm now, 'Bleeders' was not a song that was made to be a hit. And yet it was a song that, because the label believed in it, did really well at radio and traditional places. So we want to be able to make songs that are enjoyable and that people at radio wanna play — we sincerely want that — but we are not in a position now where we're going to the studio going, like, 'Okay, but we've gotta make sure that we have the song that it's cool for the executives' kind of thing, which is kind of something that we had been bogged down by for a lot of years… And sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In some cases, you make a concept record that's an hour and a half long, but you happen to have a song that is a platinum single on it. People are, like, 'All right, fine. You could do weird stuff.' If you do that same thing and then you don't have that platinum single, yeah…. And we've seen both sides of that. So, at this point I feel like the best bet is just to make the coolest thing we can make as opposed to trying to go, 'I hope we've got that big hit on there,' 'cause you can't prescribe those things."

In May 2024, BLACK VEIL BRIDES released the title track from their "Bleeders" EP, inspired by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's "Sweeney Todd". The band paid tribute to the classic musical with a music video for the title track that is inspired by the musical's 2007 Tim Burton-directed film adaptation.

Released in June 2024, the three-track EP, which included "Bleeders", a cover of "My Friends" from the Sondheim classic, and a cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday", was BLACK VEIL BRIDES' first release for Spinefarm.

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiner

Vocalist Chris Barnes of death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER says that the band's upcoming album will be "one of our best". The follow-up to last year's "Killing For Revenge" is tentatively due in early 2026 via Metal Blade Records.

Earlier today, Barnes took to his social media to write: "We are excited to inform our fans that Mr. Jack 'The Explosion' Owen has completed recording his guitar tracks for the new SIX FEET UNDER album at AudioHammer with Jason Suecof! And WOW what a killer guitar tone and performance.. AMAZING! Everything production wise is shaping up and taking form as one of our most interesting albums to date. There is quite a variety and intensity among these new songs, from all out brutality to old school SIX FEET UNDER classic groove. Lord Marco [Marco Pitruzzella] got a thunderous sound to his drum tracks last month, and it complements what Jack did perfectly.

"Next up is Jeff Hughell recording bass tracks this month and Ray Suhy knocking out the lead guitar work before we leave for our U.S. fall tour starting September 20th with EXHORDER, WRETCHED, and INCITE. After the tour, I will immediately be heading to the greatest studio on the planet, we're I've recorded 90% of my vocals over the years with SFU, Criteria Recording Studios in Miami, with my long time friend and engineer Chris Carroll.

"We are all so excited about this record and how it's shaping up to be one of our best, I think all of our fans will recognize what a truly great album it is… In the meantime don't forget to grab your tickets for our upcoming U.S. fall tour early, on sale now."

"Killing For Revenge" came out in May 2024 through Metal Blade Records. The LP marked the second effort that Barnes and Owen (ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE) had created together since reuniting for 2020's "Nightmares Of The Decomposed". Owen also produced "Killing For Revenge".

SIX FEET UNDER was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, CANNIBAL CORPSE. It became the frontman's sole focus in 1995, coinciding with the release of their debut, "Haunted". Only Barnes remains from SIX FEET UNDER's original incarnation, but the quality has remained remarkably consistent. The current lineup of Barnes, guitarists Owen and Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell and drummer Marco Pitruzzella make for a devastating unit.

While Barnes is the sole remaining member, SIX FEET UNDER is about more than he and Owen. The singer is thrilled with the current lineup, and what each member brings to the table. "Jeff and Marco have been with me for about 10 years," Barnes said in last year's press release. "I'm really fortunate that I have probably the best musicians in metal. If you look at it, we have the same amount of original members as CANNIBAL CORPSE. Jeff is a killer bass player. Marco's probably the best drummer out there. Jack's the greatest songwriter I've ever been involved with over the 30-plus years I've been doing music professionally. And Ray is just a phenomenal guitarist who can play everything from jazz to death metal. The lineup now is untouchable."

"Killing For Revenge", which featured a guest appearance by guitarist Jason Suecof on "Neanderthal", was mixed and mastered by Chaz Najjar at Badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado. The record was released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl.

SIX FEET UNDER is:

Chris Barnes - vocals
Jack Owen - rhythm guitar
Ray Suhy - lead guitar
Jeff Hughell - bass
Marco Pitruzzella - drums

Photo by Stephanie Cabral

We are excited to inform our fans that, Mr. Jack “The Explosion” Owen has completed recording his guitar tracks, for the...

Posted by ~ Six feet under ~ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025

According to Variety, Perry Farrell has filed a lawsuit against JANE'S ADDICTION bandmates Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins, just hours after they sued him.

Navarro, Avery and Perkins filed a lawsuit against Farrell Wednesday (July 16) over the singer's onstage altercation with Navarro last September that forced the cancelation of JANE'S ADDICTION's reunion tour. Their claims include intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract, while claims from Navarro include allegations of assault and battery over the incident.

In his complaint — which, according to Variety, is not a countersuit — Perry states: "That JANE'S ADDICTION's bandmates have sometimes been antagonistic towards each other has been well-documented. But Navarro, Avery and Perkins apparently decided that JANE'S ADDICTION's decades of success should be jettisoned in pursuit of a years-long bullying campaign against Farrell involving harassing him onstage during performances, including, among other tactics, trying to undermine him by playing their instruments at a high volume so that he could not hear himself sing without blasting his own in-ear monitors at an unsafe level. This harassment escalated on September 13, 2024 to physical violence by Navarro and Avery against Farrell onstage during the Boston show and the assault of both Perry and [Perry's wife] Etty Lau Farrell backstage by Navarro. These altercations precipitated the decision by Navarro, Avery and Perkins to both call off the rest of the band's North American tour. Without warning or consultation and using Perry Farrell, as a scapegoat, Navarro and the other band members took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates — violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations — and apparently break up the band for good."

Regarding Navarro's alleged backstage assault, the complaint reads: "Navarro now falsely claims Farrell hit Navarro with a sucker punch. What actually happened was that it was Navarro who menacingly charged at and aggressively assaulted both Farrell and his wife Etty Lau backstage, shouting, 'What the fuck was that, you motherfucker?!' Farrell took a defensive stance and shouted, 'Get the fuck out of here!' to which Navarro replied, 'I am never working with you again!'"

The complaint continues: "[Farrell] was not even consulted about cancelling the tour and would not have agreed to do so due to the financial and reputational consequences, as well as exposure to third-party legal liability created by their allowing Wilton Hilton, Inc., the band's touring company, breach its touring commitments."

In a statement shared with Variety, Farrell said of the trio's lawsuit: "As a founding member and creative force behind JANE'S ADDICTION, Perry Farrell has always prioritized the band's legacy and its supporters, which is why the events of September 13th, 2024 in Boston and the resulting fallout was so devastating. Without warning or consultation and using Perry as a scapegoat, Dave Navarro and the other band members took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates — violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations. Perry was blindsided by not being allowed to vote and be heard, leaving him unable to plead his case to continue the tour for their fans. If that was not harmful enough, Dave Navarro then intentionally and publicly blamed Perry for the canceled tour dates effectively destroying Perry's reputation and causing him irreparable harm. Despite this continued bullying perpetuated by Navarro, Perry's dedication to JANE'S ADDICTION and the preservation of its positive impact on the music industry remains unshaken. He is actively exploring ways to address the situation and ensure accountability."

According to Rolling Stone, Navarro, Avery and Perkins filed their lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that the group lost over $10 million as a result of the tour's cancelation.

"The Band can no longer function as a result of the Defendant’s conduct, including his sudden, violent outbursts and demonstrated inability to serve as the Band's frontman and vocalist," their complaint said. "The physical, emotional, and financial harms Defendant has wrought have deeply impacted the Plaintiffs, their families, and their loved ones, and it is time for Defendant to face the consequences of his actions and be held accountable."

The JANE'S ADDICTION members also alleged in their lawsuit that Farrell was often unable to deliver on stage as a result of his alcohol consumption.

"Plaintiffs (and others in attendance) had observed during the Tour that Perry regularly appeared onstage in an advanced state of intoxication," reads the complaint. "He would often drink wine onstage and slur his speech. Perry frequently went on long, rambling discursions between songs for no apparent purpose other than for his own amusement. The problems with Perry's performance would often worsen as the night wore on and he became more intoxicated."

Christopher Frost, the attorney representing Navarro, Avery and Perkins, said in a statement to Rolling Stone: "Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins had high hopes that they could capture the pure spirit of the band's early days and build on it. Initially they did, in the studio and onstage. But … they did so with a fourth bandmate who was by turns unwilling or unable to perform to a reasonable standard and who repeatedly threatened to derail the tour."

The attorney added that Farrell "abruptly and unilaterally ended all the plans for a JANE'S ADDICTION revival" following the aforementioned incident and "left his bandmates holding the bag for an unfulfilled tour and record deal… Dave, Eric, and Stephen never wanted it to come to this. But they have been wronged, want the accurate story told, and they deserve a resolution."

JANE'S ADDICTION's September 13, 2024 concert at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston came to a sudden end after Farrell bumped Navarro's shoulder with his own before seemingly yelling at the guitarist. Navarro then placed a hand between himself and Perry before Farrell appeared to throw a punch at him. Another man then jumped between them, breaking up the fight. A couple of days later, JANE'S ADDICTION announced that it was scrapping the rest of its tour dates following the incident. The band said it "made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group," therefore scrapping the rest of the dates of their tour. A short time later, Navarro, along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, posted a joint statement to their respective Instagram accounts in which they said the cancelation of the tour is a result of a "continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell."

"Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs," the statement read.

Navarro, Perkins and Avery expressed "regret" for the cancelation but added that they "can see no solution that would either ensure a safe environment on stage or reliably allow us to deliver a great performance on a nightly basis."

"Our hearts are broken," the statement concluded.

Later that same day, Farrell wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram story that "this weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday's show."

His statement added: "Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation."

A few days after the tour cancelation, JANE'S ADDICTION released a new single, "True Love". The track, which was performed live for the first time in 2023 and had been played at a few other shows since, was the second new single from the band's classic lineup of Farrell, Navarro, Perkins and Avery, following "Imminent Redemption", which arrived in July 2024.

"True Love" was written by Farrell, Navarro, Avery and Perkins, with assistance from touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

"Imminent Redemption" was tracked at Sweetzwerland Studios in Hollywood, California.

Prior to "Imminent Redemption"'s arrival, Avery's last time in the studio with JANE'S ADDICTION was for the classic 1990 album "Ritual De Lo Habitual".

"Imminent Redemption" was first performed live when JANE'S ADDICTION's classic lineup played its first show in 14 years on May 23, 2024 at London, United Kingdom's Bush Hall.

Navarro sat out JANE'S ADDICTION's 2022 and 2023 shows due to his battle with long COVID. He was replaced at that year's gigs by Klinghoffer, a former member of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS who also records with Eddie Vedder and performs with PEARL JAM. 2022 saw QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen step in for Navarro.

The fall 2022 "Spirit On Fire" tour marked the first JANE'S ADDICTION run of shows in more than a decade to feature returning Avery. Prior to that, Avery last played with the band for a short stint in the 2000s before departing again in 2010.

According to Rolling Stone, JANE'S ADDICTION members Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins have filed a lawsuit against lead singer Perry Farrell, claiming an onstage altercation between Farrell and Navarro last September resulted in the cancelation of both their North American tour and a planned album. Navarro is also suing Farrell for assault and battery related to the incident.

The complaint, filed on Wednesday (July 16) in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the group lost over $10 million as a result of the tour's cancelation.

"The Band can no longer function as a result of the Defendant’s conduct, including his sudden, violent outbursts and demonstrated inability to serve as the Band's frontman and vocalist," the complaint says. "The physical, emotional, and financial harms Defendant has wrought have deeply impacted the Plaintiffs, their families, and their loved ones, and it is time for Defendant to face the consequences of his actions and be held accountable."

The JANE'S ADDICTION members also allege in the lawsuit that Farrell was often unable to deliver on stage as a result of his alcohol consumption.

"Plaintiffs (and others in attendance) had observed during the Tour that Perry regularly appeared onstage in an advanced state of intoxication," reads the complaint. "He would often drink wine onstage and slur his speech. Perry frequently went on long, rambling discursions between songs for no apparent purpose other than for his own amusement. The problems with Perry's performance would often worsen as the night wore on and he became more intoxicated."

Christopher Frost, the attorney representing the band, said in a statement to Rolling Stone: "Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins had high hopes that they could capture the pure spirit of the band's early days and build on it. Initially they did, in the studio and onstage. But … they did so with a fourth bandmate who was by turns unwilling or unable to perform to a reasonable standard and who repeatedly threatened to derail the tour."

The attorney added that Farrell "abruptly and unilaterally ended all the plans for a JANE'S ADDICTION revival" following the aforementioned incident and "left his bandmates holding the bag for an unfulfilled tour and record deal… Dave, Eric, and Stephen never wanted it to come to this. But they have been wronged, want the accurate story told, and they deserve a resolution."

JANE'S ADDICTION's September 13, 2024 concert at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston came to a sudden end after Farrell bumped Navarro's shoulder with his own before seemingly yelling at the guitarist. Navarro then placed a hand between himself and Perry before Farrell appeared to throw a punch at him. Another man then jumped between them, breaking up the fight. A couple of days later, JANE'S ADDICTION announced that it was scrapping the rest of its tour dates following the incident. The band said it "made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group," therefore scrapping the rest of the dates of their tour. A short time later, Navarro, along with drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, posted a joint statement to their respective Instagram accounts in which they said the cancelation of the tour is a result of a "continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell."

"Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs," the statement read.

Navarro, Perkins and Avery expressed "regret" for the cancelation but added that they "can see no solution that would either ensure a safe environment on stage or reliably allow us to deliver a great performance on a nightly basis."

"Our hearts are broken," the statement concluded.

Later that same day, Farrell wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram story that "this weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday's show."

His statement added: "Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation."

A few days after the tour cancelation, JANE'S ADDICTION released a new single, "True Love". The track, which was performed live for the first time in 2023 and had been played at a few other shows since, was the second new single from the band's classic lineup of Farrell, Navarro, Perkins and Avery, following "Imminent Redemption", which arrived in July 2024.

"True Love" was written by Farrell, Navarro, Avery and Perkins, with assistance from touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

"Imminent Redemption" was tracked at Sweetzwerland Studios in Hollywood, California.

Prior to "Imminent Redemption"'s arrival, Avery's last time in the studio with JANE'S ADDICTION was for the classic 1990 album "Ritual De Lo Habitual".

"Imminent Redemption" was first performed live when JANE'S ADDICTION's classic lineup played its first show in 14 years on May 23, 2024 at London, United Kingdom's Bush Hall.

Navarro sat out JANE'S ADDICTION's 2022 and 2023 shows due to his battle with long COVID. He was replaced at that year's gigs by Klinghoffer, a former member of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS who also records with Eddie Vedder and performs with PEARL JAM. 2022 saw QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen step in for Navarro.

The fall 2022 "Spirit On Fire" tour marked the first JANE'S ADDICTION run of shows in more than a decade to feature returning Avery. Prior to that, Avery last played with the band for a short stint in the 2000s before departing again in 2010.

Scalding Blood Has Been Unleashed…

The official Cannibal Corpse hot sauce is loose in the wild – and it’s dripping, screaming, and burning its way into your flesh right f’king now!

Brewed in a cauldron of Carolina Reaper, Scorpion Pepper mash, and a shot of bourbon-soaked agony, this is a sauce designed to flay your throat and cauterize the wound on the way down!

The label is drenched in gore, illustrated by none other than Vince Locke – the depraved genius and longtime collaborator of Cannibal Corpse. His art has skinned bodies, crushed skulls, and spilled guts for decades – and now it stares at you from the face of this bottle like a curse.

Each bottle is sealed with a blood-red wax drip, as if it clawed its way out of a corpse, and comes in its own evidence bag.

Available now, exclusively in the UK – but don’t relax, US maniacs… your time is coming! We’ll be announcing US shipping very soon. Europe you’ll be next.

This is just the first cut. Exclusive Scalding Blood merch and limited edition bottles are coming later this year, stitched together from bone, fire, and nightmares.

There’s no turning back… Scalding Blood is coming for you…

In a new interview with Metalshop TV, KITTIE guitarist/vocalist Morgan Lander was asked why she and her bandmates no longer like to be labeled a "nu metal" act. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, because I think the label is not representative of our music anymore. I think for a long time it felt like it was a little bit of a bad word, because nu metal, it was on a pedestal and then it fell and it sort of became a bit of a parody of itself. And we moved away from that sound early on. Our second album [2001's 'Oracle'] was sort of a little bit less of that. But we are still very proud to say that we helped to start some of the movement. And we were one of the earlier nu metal bands and people found us popular. So, yeah, we're proud to say that that album [KITTIE's 1999 debut 'Spit'] was influential in that genre. But we don't really sound like that anymore. So we're not still a nu metal band."

Back in May 2024, KITTIE members Morgan, Mercedes Lander (drums) and Tara McLeod (guitar) spoke about how they feel about the supposed nu-metal resurgence in recent years, partly thanks to a whole new wave of exciting revivalists as well as scene godfathers like LIMP BIZKIT and MUDVAYNE returning to headlining arenas. Tara told the "The Ex-Man" podcast: "It just seems like every time there's a shift in music, everyone hates it at first. A big, popular shift, everyone has to hate it at first. And I think with nu metal, it's like a simplified form of music, but that doesn't make it a lesser-than form of music. And I think that oftentimes it takes a little bit of growth and perhaps some years for some of the music fans to catch up and look back and realize, like, 'Wow, okay, that was super catchy. And actually writing those riffs and the hooks and the vocals, that's actually not simple.' They're, like, simplified; it's not simple."

Added Mercedes: "Honestly, go and listen to any of [LIMP BIZKIT guitarist] Wes Borland's playing. That's not easy. Also, [LIMP BIZKIT drummer] John Otto, the GOAT. Have you ever watched John Otto play drums? He's amazing."

Morgan said that it takes restraint for skilled musicians "to not overplay. And I think that is a sign of real talent, and also being strategic about where you're putting things in and how you're writing," she added.

Mercedes continued: "I think a lot of people confuse busy playing with good music. 'Cause there's a lot of busy songs that I'm, like, 'This song sucks.' It doesn't have to be super busy or shreddy or whatever, it doesn't have to be like that to be good. It's the same thing as I like to say — just 'cause you can play fast, it doesn't mean that you should… Giving yourself that space can provide you with so much more. Keeping your music kind of simplistic even, and giving yourself that space, you can do more vocally or whatever the case might be. Less is more sometimes."

In a separate interview with Metal Hammer magazine, Morgan shot down any suggestion that KITTIE's comeback was timed to coincide with nu-metal's resurgence.

"We're not a nu-metal band, and we never will be again," she said. "We're not trying to recapture something that is long gone for us. There might be a riff or an idea that harkens back to who we were in the past, but that is married with the more modern ideas of KITTIE as well. It's probably the best-sounding album that we've ever recorded. It has its foot in many worlds. I feel like when we were writing this album, there didn't feel like there was anything to prove. So it's definitely heavy and more mature, and the songwriting is incredible."

"I feel like we could have phoned it in and done what people expected us to do, but we've never been that band," added Mercedes. "We've always defied everything and done our own thing, and I think we're going to continue to do that. And that is the beauty of this band."

KITTIE's long-awaited new studio album, "Fire", came out in June 2024 via Sumerian Records.

In November 2023, it was revealed that KITTIE was working on a new studio LP with producer Nick Raskulinecz at Nashville's Sienna Studios.

Raskulinecz, who moved to Nashville from Los Angeles around 17 years ago, had previously worked with such acts as RUSH, ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, RISE AGAINST, HALESTORM, EVANESCENCE, SKID ROW and the DEFTONES.

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

Joining Morgan, Mercedes and Tara in KITTIE's current lineup is bassist Ivana "Ivy" Vujic.

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

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

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

Photo credit: Dante Dellamore

Following the launch of their landmark "'Long Live': The Black Parade Tour", MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE's groundbreaking four-times-platinum 2006 album "The Black Parade" has earned ten new certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The album's lead single "Welcome To The Black Parade" is now certified seven times platinum, "Teenagers" is now six times platinum, "Famous Last Words" is double platinum, and "I Don't Love You" and "Mama" ascend to platinum status. Additionally, album tracks "House Of Wolves", "The End.", "The Sharpest Lives", "This Is How I Disappear" and "Disenchanted" are now certified gold.

This past Friday, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE kicked off their "'Long Live': The Black Parade Tour" with a sold-out show at Seattle, Washington's T-Mobile Park. The Seattle Times praised: "MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE's devilishly over-the-top ''Long Live': The Black Parade Tour' opened with a magnificent bang, cementing its place as the blockbuster rock tour of the summer." The tour, which sees the group perform "The Black Parade" in its entirety as well as a complete second set filled with fan favorites, will visit North American stadiums throughout the summer, and resume in February with two shows at Mexico City's Estadio GNP Seguros. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE also just announced tours of South America and Southeast Asia in 2026.

Earlier this year, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE announced the expanded edition of its three-times-platinum-certified sophomore album "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge", out on June 6, 2025 — exactly 21 years to the original release date. The "Deluxe Edition" is remixed and remastered and is available on CD, multiple colored vinyl variants, including a stunning zoetrope 2LP, and digitally. The 2LP vinyl formats are three-sided, with Side 4 boasting a special etching, making them collector's items for the MCRmy.

To commemorate the band's beloved 2004 album, Grammy Award-winning producer Rich Costey has done new mixes for the "Deluxe Edition". It is also presented with brand new artwork. The collection features four bonus tracks recorded for BBC in 2005: previously unreleased live versions of "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena" and "The Ghost Of You", plus a live take on "You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison" — originally released as a B-side on the limited edition U.K. CD single of "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)".

"Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge" redefined the 21st-century rock genre and catapulted MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE into global stardom. Rolling Stone touted it on the "40 Greatest Emo Albums Of All Time", proclaiming the band's "purposeful revolution started here." The record landed on Spin's "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)" list and NME's "20 Emo Albums That Have Resolutely Stood The Test Of Time" list. Alternative Press hailed it as MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE's "best album" and "the definitive MCR LP from their discography." Not to mention, Pitchfork described it as "an operatic pop-rock behemoth that became an icon for outcasts," attesting that "MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE thrived because they came to the realization that emotional outcasts deserved something to cheer for, even if their victories were imaginary." To date, the record has sold over seven million copies worldwide.

Photo credit: Chapman Baehler