In a new interview with The Dan Chan Show, EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt opened up about the recent departure of singer Steve "Zetro" Souza and the decision to bring Rob Dukes back. Asked how it is having Dukes in the band again, Gary said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's totally awesome. We're laughing all day long. It's good times. And Rob's one of my favorite singers in the world. And when people hear what he does on the [upcoming EXODUS] album, they're gonna shit their pants. [There's] so much variety to his voice now. And he always has had the gift to keep us laughing. He is funny as fuck, his sense of humor. And we're thrilled.

"We wish Zetro well," Gary continued. "Every band relationship is like a marriage, and sometimes marriages end and they don't always end in a acrimonious divorce. Sometimes they end on some fairly good terms. And just considering the past history, we've all grown up and become much more mature now. I'm 61 years old. I don't wanna do this anymore unless everybody's on the same page."

Holt also elaborated on his recent revelation that he and his EXODUS bandmates were recording two albums' worth of new material for future release. He said: "[We are tracking] 19 songs. And they're all killer. I mean, in the past, you read about this band, 'Yeah, we went in the studio. We had 39 songs,' and I'm, like, 'How do you have 39 great songs?' To me, you usually have maybe 20 and some ideas. But I realized that it is possible — at least 19. 'Cause Lee [Altus, EXODUS guitarist] was really active as a songwriter on this album, and he contributed, like, six songs — something like that. And we had 19 songs, and they're all awesome. The hard part is figuring out what to put on the record. And so we figured we can tour for the next album and then take a break in between releases and have it already in the can."

Asked if EXODUS is currently "in post-production" for the two new albums, Holt said: "We still have some vocals left to do. We ran out a little bit of time. Not a whole lot. A couple of songs. A couple of things we have left to do are on songs that we know we're gonna put on the next album, so we could sit on that. And I'm sure by the time we get to thinking about releasing the second one, I'll have something new I wanna record. And Lee will have something. We're, like, 'Damn, well, I got something way sicker.' But then we go in the studio for two weeks and not two months."

Regarding how he and his EXODUS bandmates will go about choosing which songs to put on the first album and which to save for the follow-up, Gary said: "We're still working on it. [Laughs] We're letting vocals dictate a lot of it, and there's a couple of songs that still don't have vocals on it. And sometimes, once you put the vocal melody on it, a song comes alive. So some of 'em we know we want on this record. Like I wrote two epics, longer ones, so we'll put one on this and one on the other. I fluctuate back and forth over which one all the time. But, yeah, everybody else wants to put this one. So I said, 'Cool. We'll save the other.' There's a big variety of music on it. Some of the shit's so lightning fast and some of it's almost doom — like, slow, slow, slow, [but] über fucking sinister."

Holt also talked about his creative process, explaining: "I'm always writing a riff when I have a guitar, but as far as songwriting, I keep telling myself I wanna do more of it all the time, not just when I have to. 'Cause you get 61 years old and you start thinking about stupid shit, like, if anything happens to me, I'd like to be like Prince and have a vault of material to release. His final works. So you literally start thinking about shit like that.

"I get in the writing mode," he continued. "When we record, we leave the drums set up the entire time. We don't go in and do drums and then they go away. We're prepared to record a new song at any day. And the fastest fucking one on the album — it's just ridiculous — I wrote it in the last two weeks of recording. I sent it to Tom [Hunting, EXODUS drummer], and he had a panic attack when he heard how fast it was. And then when we [recorded it], he realized it was fine. [Laughs]"

Souza joined EXODUS in 1986 after previously fronting the band LEGACY (which later became TESTAMENT). He remained in the band until their hiatus in 1993, but rejoined them for two years from 2002 to 2004. Dukes had joined EXODUS in 2005 (following Souza's departure) and remained until 2014, when Souza rejoined.

Dukes previously joined EXODUS in January 2005 and appeared on four of the band's studio albums — "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" (2005),"The Atrocity Exhibition... Exhibit A" (2007),"Let There Be Blood" (2008, a re-recording of EXODUS's classic 1985 LP, "Bonded By Blood") and "Exhibit B: The Human Condition" (2010).

EXODUS played its first concert with Dukes in nearly 11 years on April 5 at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Although EXODUS rarely gets mentioned alongside the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — the aforementioned "Bonded By Blood" LP inspired the likes of TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, VIO-LENCE and many others to launch their careers and is considered one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time.

Michael Sweet of Christian metallers STRYPER has defended his group against online criticism, saying that he and his bandmates "have nothing to prove."

On Thursday (June 5),Michael took to his social media to write: "I'm just thinking out loud here. I grew up in a musical family. Everyone (and I mean everyone) plays an instrument and or sings. Not just okay but very well.

"My dad is a great singer/writer. He co-wrote a number one country song back in 1976. My mom is as well. My mom was part of the trio that sang for the traveling 'Gunsmoke' (James Arness) show back in the late 50's. My aunt Reba and my grandmother (Maxine) were the other two who made of that trio. My sister is also an amazing singer!

"I grew up in studios when I was a kid. My dad (and mom) were always recording. Local and major studios. They were managed by Mike Curb in the 60's and were in a few 'Beach/Dune buggy' movies. Always gigging, always music.

"So, when people say we suck I just laugh lately. Such an ignorant thing to say. Music is in our blood. Our DNA. Writing music is in my blood, my DNA. We may not be shredders or flashy players but to be honest, I'm glad we're not. We do however have our own, unique [sound] and style.

"Some people just love to hate. Hate us. Jealousy, envy? Who knows. Who cares. I've come to the conclusion that the hate for this band stems from hatred for God. It's deep. It's sad. It's pathetic. It's shallow. It's pointless.

"We have nothing to prove. We've broken all boundaries, all rules and all stats. And that just upsets the haters all the more. Sometimes we win over the closed minded. Sometimes we don't.
Regardless, we have accomplished more than we could ever imagine. We're blessed, we're chosen and we're thankful. And, we're not done".

Last August, Sweet was asked as part of the "1 Question With…" interview series if STRYPER's increasingly heavy and aggressive musical direction has been inspired by the fact that he and his bandmates have never fully embraced in heavy metal and hard rock circles, largely because of their Christian lyrics. He responded: "Well, it does upset me often when you see a band come out or a person come out and speak about openly their faith, their belief, whether it's they're a Muslim or they're an atheist or they're Satanist or whatever it is. And [they get applauded for it]. But often when a Christian comes out, a Christian band like STRYPER or what have you, they get [criticized for it]. And it's just the way it is. And people that don't agree with that, they're clueless. Because it's out there everywhere for the world to see. Anyone with eyes and ears can hear it and see it. So, continue to deny that. It's truth.

"We've been mocked from the very beginning," he continued. "If we sang about girls or Satan, we would have been the cool kids. But we're not, because we sing about Jesus.

"METALLICA and SLAYER — no disrespect to those guys, I would never wanna be like those guys," Sweet added. "Not in a million years. Yeah, [METALLICA are] playing stadiums. Who cares? I didn't get in this for the money. I didn't get in this to play stadiums. I mean, obviously, there's a rush that comes with that when you play to a big crowd and it's electrifying. But my point is that's not what we're doing this for. So we don't long to be METALLICA or SLAYER, and we're not that style. I grew up on [IRON] MAIDEN and [JUDAS] PRIEST. That's metal to me. Those are the true metal bands. Classic metal with a great singer and great melody — not the other stuff. Again, this is my opinion. People will disagree with me. Perfect. Totally, that's the way it works. But, man, we're gonna keep being who we are. We have been for 40 years. I don't know how much more time we have left in us or [how many] years we have left in us. It could be another 10 or 15. And we'll just keep doing what we do."

Three and a half years ago, Michael claimed that STRYPER was never a "Christian" band despite the fact that the lyrics in a number of STRYPER songs explicitly point to Christ. During an appearance on an episode of the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast hosted by FOZZY frontman and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho, he explained: "I recently, in the past few yeas, said quite a few times, and it's really caused a stir, that we're not a Christian band. And people say, 'What?' But we're Christians in a rock band. And there's a difference.

"I look at PETRA as a Christian band, I look at SWEET COMFORT, I look at REZ BAND as Christian bands, 'cause they were Christians in a rock band," the STRYPER frontman continued. "And they were brought up in the church, for the most part. We weren't brought up in the church; we were brought up on the streets of L.A. playing Gazzarri's, Troubadour, Whisky, and we became Christians. And we just continued doing what we always did, but with a different message.

"So we're a rock band that's comprised of Christians," Sweet added. "We're really not a Christian band. But if people wanna call us a Christian band, that's okay. But I view us as just a rock band that decided to take a different path."

Michael went on to say that STRYPER's lyrics come from the heart and are not meant to be a marketing gimmick, as is the case with some of the band's more extreme counterparts.

"With a band like SLAYER — not just SLAYER but a number of other black metal bands… What's interesting is STRYPER, we read the Bible, we pray, we go to church, we believe in what the Bible says," Michael said. "So by doing so, so to speak, we practice what we preach. We're not perfect — in any sense of the word, we're not perfect — but we really do our best to represent Christ, represent God and all that God stands for. But it's funny when you hear about SLAYER, and you think Satanic band, pentagram, evil, and then Tom [Araya, SLAYER frontman] is going to church every Sunday with his kids. Which is great. But my point is it's a polar opposite of what they represent themselves as. STRYPER, on the other hand, you get what you get. We are what we are on stage and off stage. It's not like we're going to the satanic church after we get off stage."

Even though STRYPER's third album, 1986's "To Hell With The Devil", made Sweet and his bandmates the first contemporary Christian act to score a platinum album, the group has often felt unwelcome in Christian circles, with some members of the church feeling that Christianity and heavy metal are incompatible.

In a 2018 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Michael said: "We've never been accepted by either side. The secular side, the mainstream, they've never accepted us to this day. We're probably that band that everyone's going to go to whenever there's a time to mock. We'll be the band used for that in most cases. Now on the Christian side, we've never really had the full support of the Christian side because we don't fit into their little club. We're not wearing suits and ties and going to every church and preaching."

Formed 42 years ago, STRYPER's name comes from Isaiah 53:5, which states: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

STRYPER's albums include "To Hell With The Devil", "Second Coming", "No More Hell To Pay", "Fallen", "God Damn Evil", "Even The Devil Believes", "The Final Battle" and the band's most recent effort, 2024's "When We Were Kings".

I’m just thinking out loud here. I grew up in a musical family. Everyone (and I mean everyone) plays an instrument and...

Posted by Michael Sweet on Thursday, June 5, 2025

HALESTORM, the Pennsylvania-bred and Nashville-based quartet, played five songs from its upcoming "Everest" album during the band's May 15 performance at the Welcome To Rockville festival at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Notably, nearly half of HALESTORM's 10-song set consisted as-yet-unreleased tracks from the group's sixth studio LP: "Fallen Star", "WATCH OUT!", "Rain Your Blood On Me" and "Everest", along with "Darkness Always Wins", which was made available as a single in late April.

Regarding the decision to play so many new songs that are unfamiliar to HALESTORM fans, HALESTORM, frontwoman Lzzy Hale told American Musical Supply (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We don't like calling it in and we don't like depending on our past hits. Our past hits are our past hits and they have moments, and these wonderful people that are in the audience will have that nostalgic [feeling], 'Oh, this is one of my favorite songs.' But for us, it's a feeling. We are so proud of this album and there are certain songs that have to be played today, like have to be. Before the album is out, our freaks need to know these songs. They need to start learning the lyrics. And it's because these are our anthems. New shit has come to light, man."

As for what fans can expect from "Everest", Lzzy said: "I dare say this is our new beginning. We closed a chapter at the end of our thirties. We are now in this beautiful midlife as a band. Arejay's [Hale, drums] 38. The oldest one is Grandpa Storm Joe [Hottinger, guitar]. He's 43. Josh [Smith, bass] and I are both 41. Oh, no — Josh just turned 42 last week… But anyway, we're going through this beautiful midlife as a band, so we want to reintroduce ourselves. This is HALESTORM right now, in the moment."

"Everest" is due out August 8 on Atlantic Records.

A North American tour in support of the LP, "nEVEREST", with Lindsey Stirling and APOCALYPTICA, will kick off on September 11 in Salem, Virginia and conclude on October 11 in Spokane, Washington.

"Everest" was produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell),and it "dives deeply, both lyrically and sonically, into [HALESTORM's] mountainous climb over the last couple decades," according to a press release.

"Our album 'Everest' is a story of our journey as a band, full of beautiful endings and new beginnings," Lzzy previously said in a statement. "We weave a tangled web of melancholy, frustration, anger and the vast purgatory of love and love lost. It is a rollercoaster of epic musical detours, great songwriting and completely unhinged twists and turns. 'Everest' is an auditory representation of the four pillars of HALESTORM. Let us reintroduce ourselves and invite you into our world…if you dare."

Rolling Stone said of "Darkness Always Wins", "What the song has going for is its catchy, brooding, and dramatic in all the ways we love HALESTORM songs to be," and Revolver noted "The arrangement remains lean even as the amps begin to crank into the red, though 'Darkness Always Wins' still sports some exquisite minor-key melodicism, a metal-chunked bridge, loud-as-hell requiem bells and a classically rippin' rock guitar solo."

The newly announced "nEVEREST" tour follows an epic run first supporting IRON MAIDEN in Europe and dates with VOLBEAT in the U.S. with a one night-only-performance at BLACK SABBATH's final show in Birmingham, England.

HALESTORM's music has earned multiple platinum and gold certifications from the RIAA, and the band has earned a reputation as a powerful live music force, headlining sold-out shows and topping festival bills around the world, and sharing the stage with icons including HEAVEN & HELL, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett and JUDAS PRIEST. Additionally, Lzzy was named the first female brand ambassador for Gibson and served as host of AXS TV's "A Year In Music".

A trailer for the official documentary about German thrash metal veterans KREATOR, "Kreator - Hate & Hope", is available below. The 110-minute film, which was directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post, will premiere on July 2 at the 42nd Munich International Film Festival and will receive a theatrical premiere on September 4.

Official "Kreator - Hate & Hope" description: "To their fans worldwide, they are gods, but their music seems possessed by the devil — more aggressive, faster, and more uncompromising than others. The German band KREATOR has long since reached the pinnacle of the thrash metal scene. The film 'Kreator - Hate & Hope' tells the forty-year history of the celebrated metal band for the first time, from their founding as a school band in 1982 in the Ruhr area to the grand international stages of their current world tour. Then as now, they stand against the hatred and the abysses of our society. Shrill tones, virtuosic guitar riffs, and energetic drumbeats process the turmoil in our civilization with tremendous willpower and creativity. Between Hannah Arendt quotes and headless corpses, emerges a well-crafted poetry of chaos full of symbols of horror — a musical Molotov cocktail against evil with a cathartic effect.

"For her new documentary, director Cordula Kablitz-Post ('Die Toten Hosen - You Only Live Once') goes on tour with the legendary thrash metal band from the Ruhrpott for a year: Wacken Open Air, Tokyo, Osaka, Bangalore, Los Angeles and finally 'Klash Of The Ruhrpott' in Gelsenkirchen, where Germany's metal greats gather. With private archive recordings and exciting interviews (Scott Ian / ANTHRAX, Chuck Billy / TESTAMENT, Bela B. / DIE ÄRZTE, guitarist Phil Demmel / formerly MACHINE HEAD, Maik Weichert / HEAVEN SHALL BURN, Nergal / BEHEMOTH, Lars Eidinger, Andy Sneap) they embark on a very honest and humorous journey into the wildly beating heart of German music history."

In other KREATOR-related news, frontman Mille Petrozza's official German-language autobiography, which he wrote with journalist, author and presenter Torsten Groß, "Your Heaven, My Hell - Mein Leben, Heavy Metal Und Wie Das Alles Passieren Konnte" ("Your Heaven, My Hell - My Life, Heavy Metal, And How It All Could Happen") will be published on August 28 via Ullstein Verlag. The book is available for pre-order now.

Last fall, Petrozza told Oran O'Beirne of Fistful Of Metal magazine about the KREATOR documentary: "I have to be honest with you, this documentary was not our idea, and in fact, we are not involved in the production side of it. The whole concept came from Cordula, who approached us with this proposition and she has full creative control. She is a very well-respected director who has produced some incredible cinematic documentaries in the past, so I'm very excited to see the finished film."

He continued: "I'm usually a control freak when it comes to things like this, so it's a very surreal experience not being in the driving seat when it comes to creative decision making, but I have total faith and trust in Cordula."

Regarding his upcoming book, Mille said at the time: "Well, I can tell you that the book is done. A friend of mine and I have been co-writing a book together looking specifically at the early years of the band, specifically up to 1992. The thing is, we have a German publisher and they're, hopefully, going to be making this book available in English. But as of now, we are looking to release the book in 2025."

He continued: "I can also tell you the working title of the book is 'Your Heaven, My Hell', and we go very deep into the struggles of starting the band, the impact of the tape-trading community back then, and loads of stores and interesting moments that led to the band being where we are today. So, keep your eyes for more details coming very soon."

In 2001, Cordula founded Avanti Media Fiction, through which she primarily produces feature films and high-quality television and theatrical documentaries.

KREATOR recently entered Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren to begin recording its sixteenth studio album, tentatively due in early 2026. Bogren previously helmed KREATOR's "Phantom Antichrist" (2012) and "Gods Of Violence" (2017) LPs.

KREATOR's upcoming effort will be the follow-up to 2022's "Hate Über Alles", which was recorded at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Germany. Helming the sessions for that LP was Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, CODE ORANGE, POWER TRIP and SOULFLY, among others.

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

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

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

English thrash metal legends, Onslaught, return in full force with their blistering new release, Origins Of Aggression, out now via Reigning Phoenix Music.

Leading the charge is the newly recorded version of “Thermonuclear Devastation Of The Planet Earth” – a scorched-earth anthem packed with apocalyptic riffage. First appearing on the band’s debut album Power From Hell, released in 1985, the track has been re-recorded for Origins Of Aggression to mark the 40th anniversary of Onslaught’s explosive entry into the metal scene. Four decades later, its message feels just as urgent and relevant as it did back then – if not more so.

Watch the new lyric video below.

Nige Rockett comments: “‘Thermo…’ is the very first song myself and Paul Hill ever wrote for Onslaught when we formed the band in 1982 and it’s still a very important / integral part of the live show right up to this day as it never fails to induce complete chaos within the crowds. One real highlight I remember was performing it at the Katacombes [R.I.P.] venue in Montreal, Canada. I kid you not, every single person in the venue turned the place into one awesome / brutal circle pit, it was absolutely insane. We still get one massive buzz playing this song live, it has such an incredible energy and a very cool back story to go with it…!”



Origins Of Aggression is a 22-track double album that dives deep into Onslaught’s history, delivering fierce new takes on early classics alongside covers of key influences such as Motörhead, Dead Kennedys, and Discharge. To support the release, Onslaught will hit the road again next week as part of a global tour, with confirmed dates across Europe, the UK, Mexico, and Australia.

Order/stream Origins Of Aggression here.



CD tracklisting:

CD1:
“Thermonuclear Devastation Of The Planet Earth” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Black Horse Of Faminev (Re-recorded 2025)
“Angels Of Death” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Power From Hell” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Metal Forces” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Let There Be Death” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Fight With The Beast” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Thrash Till The Death” (Re-recorded 2025)
“In Search Of Sanity” (Re-recorded 2025)
“Shellshock” (Re-recorded 2025)

CD2:
“Iron Fist” (Cover version Motörhead)
“Holiday In Cambodia” (Cover version Dead Kennedy’s)
“A Look At Tomorrow” (Cover version Discharge)
“U.K. 82” (Cover version Exploited)
“Freewheel Burning” (Cover version Judas Priest)
“Wardance” (Cover version Killing Joke)
“Give Me Fire” (Cover version GBH)
“State Violence State Control” (Cover version Discharge)
“Holidays In The Sun” (Cover version Sex Pistols)
“Emotional Blackmail” (Cover version UK Subs)
“War Pigs” (Cover version Black Sabbath)
“Drunk With Power” (Cover version Discharge)

Toronto hard rock trio, Danko Jones, are sharing the upbeat and swaggering “Everyday Is Saturday Night,” accompanied by an entrancing new video by Italian filmmaker and director, Giacomo Triglia, filmed on location in Osaka, Japan and starring Lidia Passarelli.



This insistent, propulsive new rock single captures the driving intensity and confidence that Jones are known for, elevating the band’s ability to write truly anthemic songs that thunder with the power of a stadium soundsystem.

Danko comments: “If our song, ‘Good Time,’ was our version of ‘Rock And Roll All Nite,’ then we needed to follow it up with our version of ‘Shout It Out Loud.’ This is that song. I love anthems when they’re done right, but up until the last album, we hadn’t fully achieved it. ‘Everyday Is Saturday Night’ is proving we’re on a roll when it comes to anthems. Try not singing this all day long after one listen. Let me start you on your way: Mondays are now Fridays, Tuesdays are my birthday, every day is Saturday night…”

Rush’s four albums with Atlantic Records, released between the years 2002-2012, are reissued on vinyl in a new boxed set that includes Vapor Trails (2002), Feedback (2004), Snakes & Arrows (2007), and Clockwork Angels (2012).

The Albums: 2002-2012 celebrates Rush’s enduring legacy as one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, receiving a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in 2013. The RIAA has certified Rush for having the third-highest number of consecutive gold and platinum studio albums by a rock band. The Albums: 2002-2012 is available as a 7LP boxed set limited edition of 3,000 units worldwide from the band’s stores, RushBackstage.com and Rhino.com today.

Vapor Trails is Rush’s 17th studio album, released after the band’s longest hiatus of five years ending in 2002. After personal tragedies in the late 1990s, Neil Peart considered himself retired from music. During a 5-year convalescence, traveling America on his motorcycle, Peart was eventually drawn back to his need to create, leading to the creation of Vapor Trails. In an interview for Jam! In 2001, Geddy Lee emphasized that this album was for “the psychological health and welfare of all the people who have gone through a difficult time.” Vapor Trails served as a testament to Rush’s commitment to connecting with fans and propelled the band back onto the charts, reaching No. 3 in Canada and No. 6 in the U.S. – despite being born out of difficult circumstances.

Feedback is Rush’s celebration of the band’s success and the 30th anniversary of their debut album Rush (1974). Returning to their roots of 60s garage rock, the album includes covers of influential songs from the band’s early days, including Buffalo Springfield’s“Mr. Soul,” The Who’s “The Seeker,” Cream’s “Crossroads,” with additional covers of works from the Yardbirds, Love, and Blue Cheer. The cover record landed at No. 5 and No. 19 on the Billboard Canadian and U.S. charts.

Snakes & Arrows continues Rush’s progressive rock legacy. Acting as their first slew of original material since Vapor Trails, Peart emphasized, “[w]ithout a doubt, this is the best experience I’ve had making an album, ever.” Snakes and Arrows peaked at No. 3 in both Canada and the U.S., gained a Grammy™ nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, and was named one of Classic Rock Magazine’s Ten Essential Progressive Rock Albums of the decade.

Clockwork Angels is the 20th and final studio album from Rush. Chronicling the story of a young man’s quest set in an apocalyptic steampunk world, the concept album was later novelized by science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson. Debuting at No. 1 and No. 2 on Billboard in Canada and the U.S., Clockwork Angels epicly concludes the studio journey of the prog-rock pioneers.



The Albums: 2002-2012 tracklisting:

Vapor Trails

Side A
“One Little Victory”
“Ceiling Unlimited”
“Ghost Rider”

Side B
“Peaceable Kingdom”
“The Stars Look Down”
“How It Is”
“Vapor Trail”

Side C
“Secret Touch”
“Earthshine”
“Sweet Miracle”

Side D
“Nocturne”
“Freeze” – Part IV Of “Fear”
“Out Of The Cradle”

Feedback

Side A
“Summertime Blues”
“Heart Full Of Soul”
“For What It’s Worth”

Side B
“Mr. Soul”
“Seven And Seven Is”
“Shapes Of Things”
“Crossroads”

Snakes & Arrows

Side A
“Far Cry”
“Armor And Sword”
“Working Them Angels”

Side B
“Larger Bowl”
“Spindrift”
“Monkey Business”

Side C
“The Way The Wind Blows”
“Hope”
“Faithless”

Side D
“Bravest Face”
“Good News First”
“Malignant Narcissism”
“Hold On”

Clockwork Angels

Side A
“Caravanv
“BU2B”
“Clockwork Angels”

Side B
“The Anarchist”
“Carnies”
“Halo Effect”

Side C
“Seven Cities Of Gold”
“The Wreckers”
“Headlong Flight”

Side D
“BU2B2”
“Wish Them Well”
“The Garden”

Progrock supergroup, DarWin, today release their new single, “Man vs. Machine”, via Origin Of Species/Alliance Entertainment.

Musically, the song bursts with spirited grooves, impassioned vocals and luxurious instrumental passages that zig where others might zag. Guitarist DarWin and bassist Mohini Dey lock into bracing unison lines in flowing cadence with Matt Bissonette’s purposeful lyrics, and Greg Howe’s sustained guitar solo outro is a corker interweaving around drummer Simon Phillips’ dynamic, driving rhythms.

Stream/download “Man vs. Machine” here, and watch the official music video below.



Says DarWin, “We encourage people to ask big questions about what’s happening around them, such as with AI and humanoid robotics in the case of this song. But our lyrics and concepts are impressionistic. We don’t try to spoon feed our own answers to the audience. The power is in the courage to consider the question. It goes on for a while longer than most end solos, but that’s because we didn’t want it to end.”



DarWin is an ongoing musical exploration led by songwriter/guitarist DarWin and drumming legend Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck, The Who, Judas Priest, Tears for Fears). Since forming in 2015, the duo has collaborated with vocalist Matt Bissonette (Joe Satriani, Ringo Starr, Elton John) and has steadily established themselves as a true original. Bass sensation Mohini Dey (Steve Vai, Willow Smith, Guthrie Govan), who has been with the group since 2022, contributes her fiery power along with virtuoso guitarist Greg Howe (Michael Jackson, Protocol, Justin Timberlake) providing jaw-dropping performances. Joining up with a hall of fame of musicians over the years, including Derek Sherinian, Billy Sheehan, Guthrie Govan, Julian Pollack (J3PO), Jesse Siebenberg, Andy Timmons, and many more, the group seeks to celebrate a shared love for musicianship and virtuosity. The result is something that must be experienced, and preferably at high volume.

The music of DarWin, which is all produced by Phillips and DarWin, has its own identity – nothing quite sounds like it; it seems to exist in its own orbit – and the second you think you’ve got the band figured out, they go somewhere fresh and new.

About DarWin:

Since forming in 2015, the group has steadily established itself as a true original, issuing a series of studio albums that represent personal, visionary music making at its very best. The group got started when drumming and production legend Simon Phillips and DarWin started working on a few songs without any real plan, and the project just kept growing. Phillips’ career follows the arch of the evolution of modern-day rock music, with his vast credits including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Big Country, Tears for Fears, the Chemical Brothers, Pete Townshend, and the Who. He was a member of Toto for nearly two decades, and in recent years he’s been leading his own Grammy-nominated jazz fusion outfit, Protocol. Goodness knows that’s just scratching the surface.

Next up is singer and co-writer Matt Bissonette. He’s worked with everyone from Elton John and Ringo Starr to Joe Satriani and Leon Russell. Those pipes are majestic and magical things, and when he opens up that golden throat, he doesn’t just sing – he lets you in on a feeling. In most settings, he doubles on bass, but in DarWin there’s the virtuoso sensation Mohini Dey. Born and raised in Mumbai, Dey has the kind of explosive talent that makes people like Steve Vai and Narada Michael Walden take notice. In DarWin, Dey helps drive the music in ways that are powerful and hypnotic, seismic and thrilling. The team is joined by veritable guitar monster Greg Howe – a six-string force of nature who, in addition to his own albums, has worked with a diverse group of artists that includes Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and T. Pain. And those rapturous keyboards – this is Gershwin by way of Van Halen – could only come from Derek Sherinian, the go-to guy for Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo and Black Country Communion.

The band takes the name of guitarist, songwriter and all-around creative driver DarWin, an absurdly gifted musical visionary who wants the focus to stay on the delight of the listeners and fans, and definitely not about himself. Additional veteran players have lent their talents to DarWin including keyboardist Julian Pollack (J3PO), singer and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Seibenberg, legendary guitarist Andy Timmons, percussionist Lenny Castro, and singers Andrew Freeman and Chariya Bissonette.

(Photo – Simone Lombard)

Hard rock band, A-Z, will release their sophomore album, A2Z², on Friday, June 6 via Metal Blade Records. A full album audio stream can be found below.

Spearheaded by legendary drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and along with former Fates Warning bandmate Ray Alder on vocals, A2Z² builds on the groundwork laid on the acclaimed 2022 self-titled debut album. The writing for the album began when Zonder and guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) started working with vocalist Alder on the album’s first single and de facto statement “Nothing Is Over,” showcasing the band’s commitment to making heavy music that’s sophisticated but hooky and accessible. Helping achieve those aural goals are bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai/Ring of Fire/Warlord), Italian guitarist Simone Mularoni (A2Z² mixing/mastering, DGM) and keyboard player Jimmy Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England).

The band known as A-Z began when Zonder started working on material in early 2020 with a clear vision for the band he wanted to put together: “I was thinking beer commercials, car commercials and Cobra Kai. I wanted a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses,” he says. The band’s name – standing for Alder thru Zonder – was an easy choice that would never pigeonhole the lineup’s sound. “What I liked is that it did not limit what someone would think of the band,” says Zonder. “If we named the band Scary Serpent it would give a certain direction and didn’t want people to prejudge us.”

The band members are legendarily prolific, which allows for an amazing dynamic where, as Zonder explains, “when you find the right guys, you just let them do whatever they want. Everybody’s a seasoned pro and all the different ingredients come together, make it what it is. That live and recording experience allows A-Z to instinctively know how not to step on each other musically.”

“We’re all about the songs, the band, not what each of us does in it. It’s simple,” they all agree. “It’s about the music as a whole,” says Zonder, “I guarantee you everybody’s into something completely different musically, and that’s where the magic to me comes from, taking different influences and everybody doing what they do to create A-Z. We’re not 20-year-old kids. We’re at the point where if you’re gonna go, just go big. And that’s what we’ve done on A2Z².”



Pre-order A2Z² here.



A2Z² tracklisting:

“Fire Away”
“Running In Place”
“Nothing Is Over”
“A Wordless Prison”
“Reaching Out”
“The Remedy”
“I Am Numb”
“This Chaotic Symphony”
“Learning To Fly”
“Now I Walk Away”

American black metal act, Abigail Williams, previews its upcoming studio album A Void Within Existence, out July 18 via Agonia Records, with a new single, “Still Nights”. Watch its visualizer video, below:



The follow-up to 2019’s Walk Beyond the Dark marks a new chapter in the band’s relentless evolution; an album that not only expands upon the atmospheric darkness and melodic brutality of its predecessor, but pushes further into extremes, both sonically and emotionally.

Produced by frontman Ken Sorceron and mixed by renowned engineer Dave Otero (Aborted, Akhlys), A Void Within Existence is a scorched offering of black metal transcendence: harrowing, cinematic, and utterly uncompromising. Drums are performed by the virtuosic Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Ghost Bath), whose work here blurs the line between precision and chaos.

Lyrically, the album dives deep into existential themes of loss, disintegration, and unreality. Tracks like “Still Nights” and “No Less Than Death” reflect on identity through surreal and fragmented images – distant lights, poisoned memories, dreams where “there is no pain.” Elsewhere, songs like “Embrace The Chasm” and “Life, Disconnected” summon visions of cosmic dread and personal oblivion, confronting the listener with raw emotion and esoteric vision.

The record is accompanied by striking cover art from Eliran Kantor (Testament, Bloodbath), whose visual interpretation mirrors the inner desolation and mythic scope of the music.

“This record was born in the quiet hours, when everything felt hollow,” Sorceron reflects. “A Void Within Existence isn’t just a title – it’s a feeling I couldn’t shake while writing. There’s a loneliness threaded through these songs that came from somewhere deeper than I expected. The world outside was falling apart, and in a way, so was the one inside. I wanted to push beyond the limits we explored on Walk Beyond the Dark. Sonically, emotionally, spiritually – nothing was off-limits. I produced the album to stay close to that vision, and with Dave Otero on the mix and Mike Heller behind the kit, everything came to life exactly how I heard it in my head: raw, vast, and crushing. This is a record about absence. About peeling away what isn’t real – examining the void left behind. If there’s anything left after that – maybe it’s the truth. Maybe it’s just the void. Either way, this is the most honest I’ve ever been. A Void Within Existence is more than an album. It’s a crucible – a journey through the fire where only shadow and silence remain.”

Surpassing its 20th year of existence (having been formed in 2004), Abigail Williams has upgraded its formula to a quartet, comprising Ken Sorceron (ex-Aborted, ex-The Faceless, Vale Of Pnath, Nachtmystium) on vocals and guitars, Vance Valenzuela (Vale Of Pnath) on guitars, John Porada (ex-Nachtmystium, ex-Wolvhammer) on bass and Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) on drums. With Sorceron retaining his leading role, the band expands on its unique and intensive sound, forged throughout five studio albums, and anchored in black metal with shades of death metal & symphonic metal.



Formats:

– Digipak CD
– Tape
– Ash Grey LP
– Lothlorien LP
– Savannah LP
– Digital

Tracklisting:

“Life, Disconnected”
“Void Within”
“Nonexistence”
“Still Nights”
“Talk To Your Sleep”
“Embrace The Chasm”
“No Less Than Death”

Acclaimed British hard rock band, Wytch Hazel, will release its new album, Wytch Hazel V: Lamentations, on July 4 via Bad Omen Records. Recorded with longtime producer Ed Turner (The Ettes, Heavy Trash, Purson), Lamentations delivers uplifting, powerful heavy music, rife with a Maidenesque jubilance, that builds on the momentum of the band’s lush catalog, including the LPs Prelude, II: Sojourn, III: Pentecost and 2023’s IV: Sacrament, a record hailed as “gloriously bright heavy metal” which landed at #15 on Billboard’s Top New Artists Albums in its first week of release.

Pre-order/pre-save Wytch Hazel V: Lamentations here.

In advance of the the LP’s release, Wytch Hazel drops a video for its new song, “Elements”, captured by Wild Stag Studio. With concentrated shades of Blue Öyster Cult circa Fire Of Unknown Origin, “Elements” has a bright, buoyant bounce and effervescent surge to warm the coldest heart, its sweet solo blending hummable melodic ingenuity with spontaneous flair.



“Elements is a nod to both 70’s FM radio rock and bands who experimented with interesting and progressive ideas such as BÖC and Kansas,” vocalist/guitarist Colin Hendra. “Lyrically, I really enjoyed playing around with the concept of weather and how powerful and beyond the control of man it is. It felt like a challenge at the time, and a little out of my comfort zone, but I’m extremely happy with the song as a whole. It feels cohesive now the time has been spent on it”.

Stream/download the single here, and watch the video below:



Led by Hendra, Wytch Hazel is a singular source of hard rock/heavy metal dominion. The quartet have continually underscored and bolstered a signature sound rooted in heroic days of yore, finessed to an elegant apex. The fifth Wytch Hazel album is overflowing with indelible earworms the likes of which must be heard to be believed. And believe, you shall.

“I believe things have meanings and significance,” Hendra emphasizes. “Music isn’t just a self-indulgent, entertainment thing, for me it’s a huge part of my life, very special, very magical and very meaningful. I want Wytch Hazel to be a force for good, a healing power.”

The first track released from Lamentations is the galloping “Woven”, a shining example of Wytch Hazel’s avant-garde songcraft. “Woven” radiates a wholesome rustic charm tempered with pensive melancholy, its scrupulous simplicity belying its ability to continue blossoming with every spin. Stream “Woven” here, and watch a visualizer for the single below.

“On “Woven”, in particular, you can hear us locking in and playing off each other in the room,” says Hendra of this crafty singalong. “I really wanted to write a heavy rock song about sensitivity and gentleness which you don’t hear too much of really. There’s this section where it goes quiet after the lyrics “be sensitive” then a big guitar solo comes in where I try my best to shred and let it all loose. This heavenly lead, initially improvised, then had to be slowed down and meticulously relearnt.”

Rising Steel have announced the release of their new studio album, Legion Of The Grave, set for release on August 29 via Frontiers Music Srl. The first single and official video, “King Of The Universe”, are available now, offering a taste of the sound of the new record.

Talking about the first single, the band stated: “’King Of The Universe’ stands as a powerful anthem of freedom. Inspired by the Silver Surfer breaking free from Galactus, the song parallels humanity’s struggle to break free from societal and psychological constraints. With cosmic storytelling, dramatic tension, classic heavy riffs, and a chorus that lodges itself in your memory, the track captures the heart of the album: epic, introspective, and unmistakably heavy metal.”

About the album, they commented: “Sharpened in both sound and spirit, we returned to a more old-school heavy metal approach – without losing the raw energy and intensity that have long defined our style. Every track hits with precision, driven by razor-sharp riffs, commanding vocals, and an organic production that channels the true passion of real metal.”

“The album explores darker and more introspective themes, focusing on lost identity, inner struggles, and the strength to rise again. With a mix of raw emotion and powerful imagery, we aim to take the listener on a journey through personal battles that reflect broader human experiences. It’s both a statement of resistance and a search for meaning”, they added.

Rising Steel’s new album, Legion Of The Grave is their fourth full-length studio effort and it sees the French metallers playing as ferociously as ever, while continuing to evolve their heavy and aggressive sound.

The album was recorded in France by Mathieu Gaud and Steel Zard at Studio de la Plaine (KNT) and Lezard Studio. Mixing duties were handled by Staffan Karlsson and Rickard Bengtsson at Sweetspot Studio in Sweden, known for their work with bands like Meshuggah and Arch Enemy. It was mastered by the renowned Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Finland, ensuring a production that’s as powerful and precise as the music itself.

Based in Grenoble, France, Rising Steel deliver a “not so” classical heavy metal experience, drawing strong influence from the ‘80s NWOBHM movement, as well as elements of hard rock and thrash. With nods to iconic bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, their music also appeals to fans of Metallica, Accept, Saxon, Grand Magus, Nevermore, and Slayer.

Following the release of their debut EP Warlord (2014) and the full-length album Return Of The Warlord (2016), the band gained traction by sharing stages with acts such as Jaded Heart, Sister Sin, Nightmare, ADX, Nashville Pussy, and Annihilator. This helped increase their international visibility.

Their second and third albums, Fight Them All and Beyond The Gates Of Hell, both released via Frontiers Music Srl, further cemented their reputation in the European metal scene.

Now, with Legion Of The Grave, Rising Steel return with an explosive offering full of crushing riffs, high-speed rhythms, and no-compromise heavy metal power. It’s a must listen for headbangers seeking pure, unfiltered metal mayhem.

Pre-order the album here.



Legion Of The Grave tracklisting:

“Betrayer”
“King Of The Universe”
“Black Martin”
“Legion Of The Grave”
“Nightmare”
“Venomous”
“Messiah Of Death”
“Dead Mind”
“Trapped In A Soul’s Garden”
“Night Vision”

Shock rock legends GWAR continue their 40th-anniversary celebration with the release of their new single, "The Great Circus Train Disaster", the second track unveiled from their upcoming multimedia release "The Return of Gor Gor", due out July 25 via Pit Records and Z2 Comics.

The new single arrives with an animated adventure that captures the mayhem and madness only GWAR can deliver, telling the tale of a catastrophic circus train derailment involving flaming elephants, twisted clowns, and one extremely unlucky cotton candy vendor.

GWAR guitarist Grodius Maximus comments on "The Great Circus Train Disaster": "The song just kinda came to us one day while we were all hanging out injecting ketamine and crushed-up insects into our dick holes. We were f****d up for days as we experienced hallucinations of charred clown bodies, lobster people impaled on stalagmites, and the unholy image of our pet baby dinosaur being whored out as sexual meat to a greasy mass of scabies encrusted republicans and greased up catholic priests. When we came to, the song was fully formed. All we had to do was hit record and BOOM... 'The Great Circus Train Disaster' was born...

"Now, MTV and Def Jam Recordings are knocking down our door. Charlie XCX, SLIPKNOT and Garth Brooks all want to collaborate with us, and to be honest, this type of success is just a bit overwhelming. Yeah, we get it. We're amazing songwriters... Deal with it!"

"The Return Of Gor Gor" features three brand new GWAR songs mixed by Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE, GodCity Studios) and four live tracks captured at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia during GWAR's 2024 tour, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. All songs were produced by GWAR and mastered by Alan Douches. The release also includes a 32-page comic detailing Gor Gor's return, which is included with all versions. Vinyl editions boast an animated etching of Gor Gor on Side A, with a semi-translucent etched deep purple vinyl available exclusively at GWAR.net and semi-translucent etched green vinyl at Z2Comics.com. A deluxe hardback edition is also available.

40 years ago, the intergalactic warlords of GWAR emerged from their Antarctic tomb to conquer the Earth with their barbaric blend of metal and mayhem. Over the decades, their monstrous live shows and relentless discography have solidified them as the ultimate overlords of shock rock. Now, with BälSäc, Beefcake, JiZMak and Blothar joined by the mighty shredder Grodius of the Maximus Clan, GWAR embarks on their latest quest — to reclaim their savage pet, Gor Gor, who mysteriously disappeared following the death of their former frontman, Oderus Urungus.

GWAR's Blöthar The Berserker comments on "The Return Of Gor Gor": "The last time I saw Gor Gor, he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he's a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he's all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world."

"The Return Of Gor Gor" track listing:

01. The Great Circus Train Disaster
02. Tyrant King
03. Lot Lizard
04. Crack In The Egg (Live)
05. The Founding Fathers (Live)
06. America Must Be Destroyed (Live)
07. Fishfuck (Live)

GWAR will be on the road all year as part of its 40th-anniversary celebration.

About the excursion, Blöthar says: "This tour is gonna suck. Once again we will be onstage suffering through the attacks of a giant tyrant lizard just so humans can come to the gigs and get shitfaced on White Claws and show us their tits. Please, for the love of all that is holy, show us your tits."

Photo credit: Shawn Stanley

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rock band BUSH has released the official music video for the song "The Land Of Milk And Honey" from the group's upcoming album, "I Beat Loneliness", due out July 18 via earMUSIC.

Blistering and poetic, "The Land Of Milk And Honey" delivers a visceral punch, fusing raw emotion with unflinching social commentary. Produced by BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale and Erik Ron (PANIC! AT THE DISCO),the track stands as a defiant anthem of resistance — personal and political — examining the illusion of freedom in a world ruled by power, obsession, and disconnection. With its searing lyrics, electrified energy, and unrelenting urgency, the song captures the razor's edge between survival and surrender, where fire smolders and love teeters.

Rossdale states about the new single: "'The Land Of Milk And Honey' is a wild ride into the heart of the new record, 'I Beat Loneliness'. It's built to be played loud — to liberate and uplift. That's the spirit behind it."

Produced by Rossdale and Ron, "I Beat Loneliness" marks BUSH's tenth studio album — a powerful testament to the band's enduring legacy and continued evolution. The record blends their grunge-rooted intensity with fresh textures and themes exploring mental health, solitude, and resilience.

This past April, BUSH released "60 Ways To Forget People" as a first taste of "I Beat Loneliness". Rossdale said at the time: "What I feel about this record is it addresses the common struggles we all have. '60 Ways To Forget People' is an ode to sacrifice and a dedication to the focus it takes to be better. All the time and in all things."

"I Beat Loneliness" track listing:

01. Scars
02. I Beat Loneliness
03. The Land Of Milk And Honey
04. We're All The Same On The Inside
05. I Am Here To Save Your Life
06. 60 Ways To Forget People
07. Love Me Till The Pain Fades
08. We Are Of This Earth
09. Everyone Is Broken
10. Don't Be Afraid
11. Footsteps In The Sand
12. Rebel With A Cause

BUSH will tour across North America from July 19 to August 30, before heading overseas to join VOLBEAT for a series of dates across Europe from September 18 through November 13.

In a recent interview with São Paulo, Brazil's 89 FM A Rádio Rock radio station, Rossdale stated about the 12 songs featured on "I Beat Loneliness": "I know that everyone [says] no one cares [about full albums anymore] and it's [all about] these singles, but I think that if I like an act, if I like a band, I just wanna hear their body of work. I don't wanna hear just one song. I'm a musician, so I wanna know what 12 ideas someone has, not just one idea. And so I'm excited for that. But I understand most people just listen to one song and move on, with so many bands. But [I'm] very excited about it."

Asked what fans can expect to hear on the new BUSH album, Gavin said: "Oh, it's in a similar vein to [2022's] 'The Art Of Survival' and [2020's] 'The Kingdom' — super detuned, super heavy, but there's moments of light. And so it's not like angst [all the way through], but it's just very… It is very sort of centered on people's mental health and well-being and those kind of challenges, because it becomes more and more apparent, people suffering more and more. So music is often the way that people — it's like a medicine. So it's really good to have heavy subjects within the songs, but the songs have loads of hope and light and lift you up. I want people to come see us and have a great experience. It's not a doom-and-gloom [collection of songs]; it's a sort of a, how do we fight the good fight?"

Gavin also spoke about the inspiration for the "I Beat Loneliness" title, saying: "The reason why I like that title — [there's] a song called that — is because anybody who has a degree of melancholy in their heart, and it's normal; sometimes you feel good, sometimes have a melancholy. And it's good to be reflective. You can't be smiling like a moron the whole time, like a maniac, so the idea of beating loneliness is that it's impossible, because you can't. But it's beautiful 'cause the idea is that if you feel you beat it, it's like a respite, and you're not in that mindset. But it's all temporary, because you come back and that sort of feeling can flood in. But I just like the idea 'cause it's impossible."

In January, Rossdale told Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada's 104.9 The Wolf radio station about "I Beat Loneliness": "I'm so thrilled about the record. It's successful to me because I'm really proud of it. And I think that people who like the band will be really, really into it and we might get some new fans as well. But it's good to feel fulfilled by when you make a record, and not, like, 'Oh, man. I should've done this, should've done that.' I think it's really good."

Earlier in January, Gavin told iHeartRadio's JD Lewis about the "I Beat Loneliness" title: "Well, it's one of those weird titles. It's an infinite title because you can never beat loneliness; you can just only beat it temporarily.

"I feel that the connection with the band and the power that we have, from talking to a lot of people that see us, is people can kind of connect with the music and connect with the words and make their own narratives about it," he continued. "But we've created this blueprint for people through the years.

"More and more mental health has been sort of brought to the discussion kind of around us all at the moment — people are talking about people's wellness a lot. And I've always been into that human-condition thing since the beginning of BUSH — it's like music of complaints and hopes and sort of disappointments and aspirations and all that stuff. So it's just like living.

"A lot of people are struggling so much that it's just such an ironic title, I thought," Rossdale added. "It's one of those things, when I thought of it and it just came, I was, like, 'Oh my god, it's a precious phrase.' And I just like that idea of that sense of bravado that you've beaten loneliness, because we all suffer from melancholia or whatever, and I think that's a healthy thing because it makes you reflective and sort of appreciative of the good times. And I'm not a negative person — I'm really positive — so I just think that you have to go through this sort of like storm clouds to get to the good bits. And so the title just stuck with me."

Rossdale also talked about the importance of youth mental health, especially as it relates to his three songs Kingston, Zuma and Apollo. He said: "I think it's absolutely essential, because I think that what happened is that with COVID, one of the biggest things for kids is COVID took away all that socialization. So all those two, three years where they were meant to be sort of learning how to be with their peers, I noticed with my own kids, that was taken away from them. They didn't have that time. And so I think that's been a real struggle for people, for kids especially, to learn how to adapt, how to be social, because they haven't had the same things that maybe we had. We didn't grow up through a pandemic. And so that is what really affects me. And kids are so mean — bullying in schools, ostracization, all that stuff. Kids are mean. And the way the world is set up is really scary for that."

Gavin went on to speak about the dangers of social media and how it is not an accurate reflection of society but more like a funhouse mirror distorted by a small but vocal minority of extreme outliers.

"Social media, expectations, people feeling they're not having a fulfilled life 'cause they look at Instagram or wherever and they see people with these great lives, when we all know that those lives are kind of hollow and have their have their troubles as well," he said. "But things are portrayed that people just get lost in that sort of rat race of thinking that they've gotta try and keep up with their friends. I mean, I look at Instagram and I'm always, like, 'Man, I need to live better.' I'm just, like, 'No, no, don't fall for it. Don't fall for it. Your life is fine. You have great things going on.' So I think that's where it's really difficult for kids, the sense that they're not in the right place at the right time. They're generally [of the opinion that they're] in the wrong place at the wrong time and everyone else is having a great time. And that's super dangerous for people to think that."

Rossdale previously talked about the "I Beat Loneliness" title in a December 2024 interview with Voice Of America's (VOA) "Border Crossings". Regarding why he chose to call the new BUSH record "I Beat Loneliness", the 59-year-old musician said: "Because I think that everyone is struggling the whole time." He added: "It's funny because when I reflect on the career that I've had and the songs that I've written, they do say that most people write one song over and over, and my theme that I've always dealt with is sort of people's mental health and their feelings and kind of the landscape of the landmines of hurt that we all live through. Everybody has so much broken stuff that they just sort of put the face on, go out and deal with it. But everybody having these crazy triggers — you see that suicide rates are insane, suicides among the military, the ex-military, men three times more likely to commit suicide as women. It's just people are hurting. And so my literal simple role in life, in that sort of Japanese concept of a vocation, is really writing songs about people and about feelings. And it's funny because when I began, it wasn't like that. You could just complain in songs, but I always wanted to have this sort of sense of hope, this sense of help and support and close community and people and love and friendship and kindness. And so I've written like that.

"So 'I Beat Loneliness', it's just probably the best title I've ever written because, of course, it's self-fulfilling in its impossibility," he continued. "'Cause you can't say you beat loneliness, 'cause if you say you beat loneliness, it means that you're a really melancholic person who beat loneliness for about 20 minutes, and it's coming back the next day like a boomerang. So I just like that idea of that bravado. It's strength. It's not bravado. It's strength in the face of adversity."

2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the release of BUSH's six-times-platinum debut album, "Sixteen Stone".

Last summer, BUSH celebrated its 30th anniversary with an extensive North American headline tour. The "Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour" kicked off on July 26 in Bend, Oregon and included shows at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Most of the dates were produced by Live Nation. Jerry Cantrell and CANDLEBOX were the special guests on all dates.

BUSH released "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" in November 2023 via Round Hill Records. The set included a new song called "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere", which was written by Gavin and produced by Rossdale and Corey Britz.

With over 24 million records sold, 1.1 billion streams and a procession of No. 1 singles, the band — comprising Rossdale, Chris Traynor (guitar),Corey Britz (bass) and Nik Hughes (drums) — stand tall as rock outliers whose imprint only widens as the years pass. "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" (Round Hill Records),their first-ever greatest-hits collection, provides an expansive view of their incredible legacy with 21 tracks spanning nearly 30 years — from their breakthrough hit "Everything's Zen" to the aforementioned "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere".

"Loaded" included iconic hits from each of BUSH's nine studio albums as well as "Mouth" (The Stingray Mix) from the 1997 remix album "Deconstructed" and a cover of THE BEATLES' "Come Together" that saw a very limited release in 2012.

BUSH broke up in 2002 but reformed in 2010, and has since released five albums: "The Sea of Memories" (2011),"Man On The Run" (2014),"Black And White Rainbows" (2017) and the aforementioned "The Kingdom" and "The Art Of Survival".

"Black And White Rainbows" was crafted after Rossdale went through a divorce with pop star/reality TV judge Gwen Stefani in 2015.

Photo credit: Chapman Baehler

On July 5, music history will be made and now, fans around the globe won't miss a second. Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince Of Darkness, will take to the stage for his last-ever live performance, joined by the original BLACK SABBATH lineup for the first and last time in two decades.

With a lineup that reads like a Hall Of Fame roll call, "Back To The Beginning" isn't just a concert; it's a global celebration of metal, culminating in a final, thunderous farewell to the genre's godfather.

BLACK SABBATH's original lineup — Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward — will reunite for the first time in 20 years to headline the sold-out event. They'll be joined by metal's most iconic and influential acts — METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES, TOOL, SLAYER, PANTERA, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, ALICE IN CHAINS, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and RIVAL SONS — all performing as part of this monumental moment, now confirmed for a global livestream.

With the concert, which proudly supports charities close to Ozzy's heart selling out in under 16 minutes, those who missed out on being there in person can immerse themselves in what is set to be the greatest heavy metal show ever. Broadcast directly from Birmingham, United Kingdom's Villa Park, fans around the world will be able to watch the entire metal family come together to celebrate Ozzy Osbourne's legacy, as he takes the stage for the last time. Ozzy is set to play his own short set before joining with BLACK SABBATH for their final-ever performance.

This won't just be watched, it will be remembered. For fans who've followed Ozzy's 50-year reign, the global livestream offers a front row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime goodbye. They'll have access to the raw livestream from 3:00 p.m. on July 5, and will also have exclusive access to rewatch the concert in its entirety for another 48 hours.

Livestream tickets will go on sale at 15:00 on Friday, June 6 at www.backtothebeginning.com.

Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne said: "We had such an overwhelming demand from fans from around the globe, who couldn't get tickets to the show, and they took to social media, pleading with us to broadcast a livestream of the show. Being this is such a historic event, we just couldn't let them down."

"Back To The Beginning" will be captured, produced and distributed by Mercury Studios ("One To One: John & Yoko", "American Symphony", "Metallica Saved My Life"),who are pioneering the way for premium, music-driven storytelling across film, television, podcasts and immersive formats. Mercury has partnered with Kiswe — the global D2C streaming partner behind the record-breaking BTS concert livestream — to deliver this unforgettable moment of music history to fans across the globe.

Kelly Sweeney, managing director of Mercury Studios, said: "Mercury Studios are incredibly proud to be involved in capturing this monumental milestone at Villa Park. 'Back To The Beginning' will be an unforgettable experience, and our aim is to deliver this moment to fans worldwide, wherever they are, so they don't miss out on seeing music history being made."

The all-day event at Villa Park, produced by Live Nation, will be hosted and compered by American actor Jason Momoa, and feature a supergroup of musicians.

This past February, Sharon told The Sun that her husband is struggling to walk amid his battle with Parkinsons disease, but that his singing voice is "as good as ever". She said: "[Ozzy's] very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this.

"Parkinson's is a progressive disease. It's not something you can stabilize. It affects different parts of the body and it's affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it's ever been."

Proceeds from the "Back To The Beginning" show will support Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa.

According to Sharon, Ozzy, who paused touring "for now" in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery and rescheduled his "No More Tours 2" shows from going ahead several times because of illness, the pandemic and logistical issues, will not play any more shows after the Villa Park event.

"Ozzy didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there's no been no full stop," she explained. "This is his full stop."

In addition, there will be a performance by a "supergroup of musicians" including Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS 'N' ROSES),Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS),Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT),K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST),Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE),Wolfgang Van Halen (VAN HALEN, MAMMOTH WVH) and Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE).

"It's an endless amount of people," said Sharon. "They're going to be doing some SABBATH songs, some Ozzy songs, and they'll all mix together. Different little groups will be coming on, but they're all icons."

The original lineup of BLACK SABBATH last performed in 2005. Since then, SABBATH has played in partial reunions but never in its original lineup.

"For Ozzy right now, it's definitely: 'I love you and good night'," Sharon told Reuters.

She added that Ozzy was doing well and excited about the gig. "It's stimulated him," she said. "He's very, very excited and very thankful that he can do it."

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

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

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

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

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

Founding vocalist for the metal band BUTCHER BABIES, comic book author, artist, novelist, and the holder of multiple degrees in mortuary science and thanatology, singer/musician Carla Harvey has released "Hell Or Hollywood", the second single from her new project THE VIOLENT HOUR, via Megaforce Records. The new track features PANTERA guitarist and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman Zakk Wylde.

Carla comments: "I wanted to write a song that felt the way I did when I first moved to Los Angeles at twenty, like my motorcycle boots hitting the Sunset Strip for the very first time. I had driven across the country with nothing but a paper map, no friends, no plan — just a dream. I figured I'd survive somehow, and every day was exactly that: survival. There were moments that nearly broke me, followed by the kind of euphoric highs that made it all worth it. That's what Hell or Hollywood is: the chaos, illusion and grit in perfect juxtaposition. Wouldn't leave it if you could…"

Harvey's fiancé, ANTHRAX and PANTERA drummer Charlie Benante, who wrote the project's music and played all instruments on the EP, adds: "Carla grew up loving GUNS N' ROSES, and since they were so heavily influenced by AEROSMITH, I wanted to write something that paid tribute to both.

"The riff on 'Hell Or Hollywood' is the kind that stands on its own — even without vocals, it's got a swagger to it. And having Zakk Wylde on the solo? He brought this raw, six string grit that rips through the track. You hear it and instantly know — it's him."

In April, Carla released the official music video for "Sick Ones", the first single from THE VIOLENT HOUR. The track features MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist John 5.

"'Sick Ones' is a rock 'n' roll anthem about cutting the toxic people out of your life," said Harvey. "It's a call of freedom, a fist-to-the-face to anyone who has tried to hold you down, hold you back or dim your light. It was written at a vulnerable time in my life when I was forced to end relationships I thought would last forever.

"When choosing a theme for this song," Harvey added, "I thought about a phrase I had scrawled across a journal from 1999: 'Cut The Sick Ones Loose.' Those words became my mantra over the last couple years and felt perfect to chant over Charlie's guitar riffs. 'Sick Ones' also features an absolutely shredding guitar solo by John 5 that brings this thrasher to a whole different level."

"'Sick Ones' has a modernized NWOBHM (New wave of British heavy metal) vibe to it," added Benante. "The riff is very catchy and stays with you like a good riff should. 'Sick Ones' is just the tip of the iceberg for this project. Many of the songs we crafted for THE VIOLENT HOUR are unlike anything Carla has ever done as a vocalist, reflecting different moods and a new beginning. The music flowed out of me because I had this motivation, this drive...it was unstoppable."

The "Sick Ones" video script, written by Harvey and directed by Industrialism Films' Vicente Cordero (BLACK VEIL BRIDES, Kat Von D),sees Harvey portraying each of the video's five personalities.

"While 'Sick Ones' is about cutting toxic people out of your life — those who constantly devalue you — I wanted to flip that narrative for the video," Harvey said. "I've always been interested in the idea that sometimes the most dangerous person to confront is yourself. The video explores what it means to face those darker versions of who we've been and whether we can truly leave them behind… or, as the ending suggests, learn to coexist peacefully. Vicente took my vision and brought it to life. I came to him with a wild idea and no clue how to execute it — and we made it work! I loved getting a chance to play multiple larger-than-life characters."

Not many people have comic book author, embalmer and musician on their resumes. Carla boasts all three and so much more.

Carla was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan — a city known for its grit, resilience, and often deep divides. Navigating life as a bi-racial kid in a fractured environment wasn't easy, but Carla found her escape in art, music, and self-expression. By day, she hustled, attending the prestigious College For Creative Studies alongside working odd jobs like perfume counter girl and gas station attendant, and by night, she was on stage with local bands, saving every dollar she could for a one-way trip to Los Angeles.

At twenty, she put all her belongings in her car and navigated from Detroit to Hollywood with a paper map. In L.A., she landed acting roles on shows like "Rules Of Engagement", played in bands searching for her sound, and never stopped creating. But beyond the music was a driven academic. Carla had a deep love for science and eventually pursued a Bachelor Of Mortuary Science (graduating as valedictorian) and a Master Of Science in thanatology. Carla became a licensed funeral director and embalmer and founded her own grief counseling service — all while touring the world extensively as a founding member of the BUTCHER BABIES.

Today, In addition to her music career, Carla is a grief specialist for the innovative death care company Parting Stone that transforms cremated remains into environmentally friendly stones that the departed's family can hold, treasure and honor.

Beyond her professional life, Carla is a devoted collector of pop culture oddities: comics, wrestling figures, vintage Barbies, Elvira, the Incredible Hulk, and rock relics from her wildest nights in Hollywood. She still holds on to her Rainbow Bar & Grill drink tickets from the '90s and a poker chip from Lemmy's last birthday party. Her creative heroes — Russ Meyers, Robert Williams, Robert Crumb and Charles Bukowski — mirror her love of the bold and the raw.

To date, Carla has released six albums, multiple comic books and a 2014 novel, "Death And Other Dances". But if you ask her…she's still just a blue-collar kid from the Midwest with big dreams.

BUTCHER BABIES announced their split with Harvey in July 2024, saying in a statement that "Carla has been an integral part of our journey, bringing her unique talent, passion, and energy to the band," and wishing "her all the best in her future endeavors."

Carla, who co-founded BUTCHER BABIES in 2010 with fellow vocalist Heidi Shepherd, confirmed her exit from the band in a separate post, saying that she was "super proud" of her work with BUTCHER BABIES and adding that she was "not done making music and performing."

In the fall of 2023, BUTCHER BABIES completed a European tour without Carla, who sat out the trek in order to undergo emergency surgery on her left eye.

In January 2024, Harvey and Benante announced that they were officially engaged.

Photo credit: Lynn Yati

Mysterious masked British rock band PRESIDENT, which is rumored to be fronted by Charlie Simpson of the pop-punk act BUSTED and the post-hardcore outfit FIGHTSTAR, has released its second single, "Fearless", via King Of Terrors/ADA. (Notably, King Of Terrors Limited is a London-based company with Charles Robert Simpson listed as its director.)

Operating at the intersection of heavy music, electronic experimentation, and cinematic atmosphere, PRESIDENT doesn't conform to the traditional structures of genre or identity. Prioritizing intent over image and shifting the spotlight away from those who have created this movement, firmly onto the music itself.

PRESIDENT will make its live debut at U.K.'s Download festival on June 15. The band's first headlining concert will take place on July 30 at the Garage in London.

Last month, PRESIDENT released its debut single, "In The Name Of The Father".

A press release announcing "In The Name Of The Father" described the track as "a raw meditation on existential fear and the inevitability of death, referencing the 'King Of Terrors.'"

PRESIDENT said in a statement: "Something has been stirring. A growing noise, a ripple through the republic of the underground. We called. You listened. Your curiosity, your questions, your conversation… We have witnessed it all.

"Here, we make our first proclamation. 'In The Name Of The Father'. This is the first crack in the surface. This is your PRESIDENT. We'll be seeing you soon.

"Godspeed".

In February, it was announced that PRESIDENT would perform at this year's Download festival. At the time, very little information about the band's identities was released, and a photograph of PRESIDENT on the event's web site depicted a shadowy figure against a red neon-lit backdrop.

Earlier this year, a Reddit user discovered that the U.K. trademark for "PRESIDENT" was registered under Komorebi Entertainment Limited, a company owned by Simpson.

Simpson previously wore a mask for his appearance on the British version of the singing show "The Masked Singer" in 2023 as Rhino.

PRESIDENT will perform on the Dogtooth Stage at Download on Sunday, June 15 at 4:25 p.m.

Charlie is a 39-year-old multi-instrumentalist who was born into a musical family. He began his career as one third of the multi-BRIT award-winning pop rock outfit BUSTED before forming alternative rock group FIGHTSTAR.

Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE are back with "Gutsy", their first new song in six years. Bristling with attitude and intent, this is AIRBOURNE on steroids — fired up and pissed off, ready to take on the world.

For AIRBOURNE frontman and lead guitarist Joel O'Keeffe, his brother Ryan on drums, longtime bassist Justin Street, and recent recruit Brett Tyrrell on rhythm guitar, "Gutsy" powerfully underlines everything they stand for, a blood-and-sweat commitment to the rock 'n' roll cause, and a burning desire to honor the true heroes of the genre. More than just a title, "Gutsy" is a declaration. A worldview. A line drawn deep in the sand… "It's how you live, it's how you die…"

Joel comments: "When the odds are stacked against you and the battle you're fighting seems impossible to win; when the vultures are circling and the last chance saloon has firmly bolted its doors; when your plane is hitting the runway on a single engine, and that engine is on fire; and when the things you hold as precious, the things that define you, are being tested at every turn, then the choices available become a lot clearer: fold or fight… call for help or cry for glory… give in or Get 'Gutsy'!"

Produced by Brian Howes, who also worked with AIRBOURNE on 2013's "Black Dog Barking" album, engineered by Canadian studio legend Mike Fraser (AC/DC, AEROSMITH, RUSH, METALLICA),and mixed by Zakk Cervini (DAYSEEKER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, ARCHITECTS, MACHINE GUN KELLY),"Gutsy" marks the first new music from the Australian outfit since 2019's "Boneshaker" album.

From the first ringing guitar chord (and it's no coincidence it sounds like a bell!),"Gutsy" makes zero apologies for being big, bold, and bombastic. It's a layered, fully cranked take on signature AIRBOURNE sonics, and packs enough low-end punch to work as a defibrillator in moments of crisis.

For Joel and Ryan, voracious students of hard rock, the mythology, the sacred rites, "Gutsy" stands tall, shoulders back and chest out. It's a potent call to arms. A rallying cry for fans and band alike.

"We went into this writing and recording session with a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve," concludes Joel. "It was a question of legacy. Let's create something that can stand the test of time, both in terms of our own story and the hard rock world in general. Let's plant our flag as close to the summit as possible, and if we have to make that final part of the ascent without oxygen, so be it. NO turning back. Get 'Gutsy'!!!"

Tyrrell joined AIRBOURNE in 2022 as the replacement for Matthew Harrison, who stepped into the band in 2018 after the departure of founding member David Roads.

AIRBOURNE bassist Justin Street joined the band in 2004 as the replacement for Luke McKenzie.

AIRBOURNE is:

Joel O'Keeffe - Frontman/Lead Guitar
Ryan O'Keeffe - Drums
Justin Street - Bass
Brett Tyrrell - Rhythm Guitar

Grammy Award-winning rock band EVANESCENCE and alt-rock visionary K.Flay have teamed up for their first-ever collaboration on the explosive new song "Fight Like A Girl" (BMG). The track is featured as the first end title song in "Ballerina", the hotly anticipated film set in the world of John Wick. Both the song and the film are out today (Friday, June 6). You can now listen to "Fight Like A Girl" below.

Co-written by EVANESCENCE lead singer Amy Lee, K.Flay, Dylan Eiland and "Ballerina" film composer Tyler Bates, who also produced the track, "Fight Like A Girl" follows the release of Halsey and Lee's thunderous track "Hand That Feeds", the first original song recently revealed from the film in early May.

Fueled by fierce energy and defiance, "Fight Like A Girl" channels the film's themes of vengeance, resilience, and female empowerment, mirroring its adrenaline-pumping intensity and emotional depth. "Ballerina", starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves, is set to electrify audiences with its high-octane action and raw emotional stakes. Directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten, based on characters by Derek Kolstad, the film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Chad Stahelski.

"Tyler calling me up to create this song for 'Ballerina' couldn't have come at a more perfect time, I know I'm not the only girl out there ready to dig my heels in and show the world what we're made of," said Lee. "I really wanted this song to be a collab, and K.Flay is one of my favorite artists. It is literally a dream come true to do this together!"

"Amy sent me the demo and I was immediately so energized, so inspired," said K.Flay. "I was on tour at the time, and I wrote my verse backstage after a show, when my adrenaline was still super high. For me, the film and the song are both about how we channel our pain and how we choose to define ourselves. What separates the hero from the villain?"

Taking place during the events of "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum", "Ballerina" follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

EVANESCENCE will kick off a run of live shows later this fall, making stops on "My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade" tour and Louder Than Life festival before joining METALLICA on their "M72" world tour.

In 2003, when the rock charts were dominated by predominantly male nü-metal and post-grunge acts, a young female-fronted band from Arkansas stood out from the crowd, offering something entirely new. They were EVANESCENCE — and with their debut album, "Fallen", they transformed the rock landscape. Led by Lee, EVANESCENCE's cinematic blend of metal and symphonic, piano-driven melodies captured a generation, while "Fallen" set the band on a path to global superstardom, earning them multiple Grammys, and becoming one of the highest-selling albums of all time.

Released in the spring of 2003, "Fallen" resonated deeply with fans, selling more than 141,000 copies in its first week and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, where it spent an astonishing 43 weeks in the Top 10. Within a month, "Fallen" was certified platinum by the RIAA, while it was a Top 10 hit in more than ten countries, reaching No. 1 in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and across Europe. Much of the album's initial success can be attributed to its stratospheric singles, including "Bring Me to Life", which broke the Top 10 in more than 15 countries and topped Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 and Alternative Airplay charts. "My Immortal" was a Top 10 hit in over ten countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Australia.

At the 2004 Grammys, EVANESCENCE received five nominations, including "Album Of The Year", "Best Rock Album", "Best Hard Rock Performance" for "Bring Me To Life", and "Best New Artist", taking home the latter two. The following year, "My Immortal" received a nod for "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals".

Today, "Fallen" holds steady as the sixth best-selling album of the 21st century (ranking just behind Lady Gaga's "The Fame" and ahead of COLDPLAY's "A Rush Of Blood To The Head") and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with more than 17 million copies sold worldwide. In 2022, "Fallen" received a rare diamond certification from the RIAA, which recognizes 10 million units in U.S. album sales. As a testament to the album's enduring appeal, the video for "Bring Me To Life" surpassed 1.2 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched rock videos of all-time while "My Immortal" follows close behind.

To date, EVANESCENCE has released a total of five studio albums, including the multi-platinum "The Open Door" (2004) and "Evanescence" (2011),both of which topped the Billboard 200. In 2021, the band thrilled fans with their first album of new material in a decade, "The Bitter Truth". Now 20 years on, EVANESCENCE continues to scale new heights. Featuring a lineup of Amy Lee (vocals, keyboards),Tim McCord (guitar/bass),Will Hunt (drums),Troy McLawhorn (guitars) and Emma Anzai (bass, backing vocals),the band continues to travel the globe, staging some of the most successful shows of their career, including Allianz Parque, a soccer stadium in Sāo Paulo, Brasil, which was the biggest headline show of EVANESCENCE's career to date, drawing 40,000 fans. EVANESCENCE's most recent single, "Afterlife" from the Netflix series "Devil May Cry", has had great success, with over 20 million streams and over 10 million views on YouTube in just the first few weeks. "Afterlife" is the fastest-moving single of the band's career.

Photo credit: Travis Shinn