JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford has been honored by the Commonwealth of Kentucky with the title of Kentucky Colonel, given to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments or outstanding service.

Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. According to the Kentucky secretary of state's web site, it began in 1813 during the second term of Gov. Issac Shelby after he returned from leading the Kentucky Militia on a highly successful campaign during the War of 1812.

On Monday (June 14), Halford, who mostly splits his time between homes in Phoenix, Arizona and his native United Kingdom, shared a photo of him with a framed certificate signed by Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and secretary of state Michael Adams, and he included the following message: "thank you governor and the people's of Kentucky a great honour and organisation that's making good things happen" #heavymetal #ink #tattoo #motivation #honor #good #vibes #group #kentucky #charity #community #awareness #style #love #family #friends #fans #one #world #peace #respect #all @kycolonels".

The Kentucky Colonels is a non-profit charitable organization, and those named as colonels, the web site explains, are people who "go that extra step in kindness, goodwill and pride in the Commonwealth of Kentucky."

Among other famous Kentucky Colonels are Robert Plant (LED ZEPPELIN), Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH), John Lennon (THE BEATLES), Tommy Thayer (KISS) and Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE).
























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In a new interview with Heavy New York, BUCKCHERRY vocalist Josh Todd discussed the band's longevity. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When we came out, we were really the black sheep of rock music. We came out in '99, and it was, like, rap-rock and that kind of shoegazing rock, those WEEZER-type bands. And we just didn't fit in with anybody. And we still haven't fit in with any kind of mainstream rock for 22 years. It's really bizarre. And we've had this great career. So, I don't know what that's all about. I think BUCKCHERRY's just unique — it's a unique rock band. We're not breaking the mold or anything — we're just a straight-up rock band — but when you hear BUCKCHERRY, you know it's BUCKCHERRY."

He added: "[When BUCKCHERRY was first formed], we just knew that we just wanted to do what made us happy, and then whatever happened after that, then it's gonna happen. And we got a record deal, and we started getting a career. So I'm proud of that. But it's about hit songs, at the end of the day. We had hit songs on the first record, and then '15' was a big, giant record. And we've had hit songs on every record. So that's how you get to stay in the game over time."

BUCKCHERRY's new album, "Hellbound", will be released on June 25 via Round Hill Records. The follow-up to 2019's "Warpaint" was recorded last fall in Nashville, Tennessee with producer and songwriter-for-hire Marti Frederiksen, who has previously collaborated with AEROSMITH, DEF LEPPARD, Jonny Lang and Sheryl Crow, among many others.

Mayank is a new melodic rock band centered around Brazilian vocalist Gui Oliver, who is joined by Swedish guitarist Rolf Nordström (Perfect Plan), keyboardist/producer Alessandro Del Vecchio, and drummer Nicholas Papapicco. Their self-titled debut album is out August 6, 2021. Pre-order here, and listen to the song "Miracle Mile" below.

"I was really inspired by the songs Ale [Alessandro Del Vecchio] sent me for this album. I wrote the melodies and the lyrics around them. The ideas came so naturally, like they were already in my mind and heart. Especially some lyrics that are a kind of redemption to me. My musical background is the classic bands such as Strangeways, Giant, FM, Signal, Survivor, and Journey and I think you can hear that in these songs," says Gui Oliver.

Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, who signed Gui’s band Auras back in 2010, has long admired the Brazilian vocalist’s talents and wanted to give him another platform to showcase his amazing melodic rock vocals. Thus, Mayank was born with the intent to build a group with amazing talents from the melodic rock scene who are all on the same wavelength musically and would come together seamlessly as a musical unit.

The name Gui Oliver is certainly a familiar one to melodic rock connoisseurs. In 2010, fans first got to know his soaring vocals through Auras' debut album New Generation. Gui’s voice, resembling such giants as Steve Perry, Jimi Jamison, and Mickey Thomas, immediately put him in the spotlight after the release of said debut. Unfortunately, the group disbanded after releasing their lone album and playing a few shows in their home country, Brazil (including support gigs for Jeff Scott Soto and Jimi Jamison).

Gui however later on joined Landfall, another great Brazilian melodic hard rock act, who soon found their way to the Frontiers label. Landfall was put to Frontiers attention by producer Alessandro Del Vecchio, who had developed a strong friendship with the band. Landfall would go on to release their debut album, The Turning Point via Frontiers in 2020.  

Because of the friendship between Del Vecchio and Landfall, Ale and Gui started to exchange musical ideas and make plans to do a record together. The pandemic lockdowns and quarantines of 2020 became the perfect time for the two to work together on a record. A very special addition to the album comes in the form of Rolf Nordström of Sweden's Perfect Plan, who joined the fold to bring his excellent guitar skills to the music. The result is the debut album from Mayank, We Are One, a culmination of hard work and passionate musical output between Gui, Ale, and an amazing team of musicians and songwriters.  

Tracklisting:

"Destiny Calling"
"Billy Is On The Run"
"Miracle Mile"
"We Are One"
"Long Live The Soulless"
"Julia's Smile"
"Sign Of Love"
"Hold On"
"From The Heart"
"Eternal Dream"
"Road To Paradise"

"Miracle Mile":

"Destiny Calling" video:

Lineup:

Gui Oliver - vocals
Rolf Nordstorm - guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Nicholas Papapicco - drums




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Agonia Records has announced the signing of Australian black/death metallers, Denouncement Pyre. The band is currently working on its fourth album, the follow-up to Black Sun Unbound from 2016.

Denouncement Pyre was established in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, as an underground black/death metal act. Prior to signing with Agonia Records, the band released a string of various EPs & 7”s, and conjured three full-length albums through Hells Headbangers Records. Amidst extensively touring throughout their native Australia, they brought their live show to New Zealand and USA, during Maryland Deathfest in 2016.

"Denouncement Pyre stands for the destruction of the limitations of man," comments D (guitar & vocals). "Drawing inspiration from the darkness that lurks beyond the boundaries of flesh and mind. Through doorways to Daath. Forever unbound!"

On the new record deal, D adds: "We are stoked to be joining forces with Agonia Records for our forthcoming album. So far the recording sessions for the new record have been the most intense yet. With ever burning hunger we look forward to unleashing this beast upon you all soon!"

Lineup:

D - Guitar & Vocal
T - Guitar
R - Bass
L - Drums

(Photo - Elizabeth D’Aprano)




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For their upcoming Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP, the most notorious black metal band have reflected on their influences by covering songs from bands like Discharge, Dead Kennedys, Rudimentary Peni and Ramones with an impressive bursting and darkened sound.

Watch a new video trailer below:

In addition to the mentioned cover versions, Mayhem have issued a previously unreleased track called "Voces Ab Alta", which was recorded during the Daemon session.

The video was done by high the praised artwork and video wizard Costin Chioreanu (Ghost, Opeth, Napalm Death) who impressively captured the atmosphere and the darkness of this performance visually.

The video can be seen below, and the song is also available on all major streaming platforms, here.

The Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP will be released on July 9.

The visual concept was once again handled by Italian designer Daniele Valeriani (Lucifer’s Child, Dark Funeral) who already took care of the artwork for their previous long player Daemon.

The band comments: “I always had some punk influences,” says Attila. “I guess it comes from my childhood when we were constantly looking for more extreme music. That’s how I discovered Dead Kennedys, GBH, The Exploited, Sex Pistols, U.K. Subs, Discharge, Rudimentary Peni and so on, in the early 80’s, alongside heavy metal. But then I discovered Venom, that was a game changer!”

Necrobutcher further adds: “We got some extra time in the studio recording the Daemon album two years ago, all band members were asked to punch in two cover tracks for some extra material. I chose songs by Deathstrike (The Truth) and Death (Evil Dead) which were both used as the bonus tracks on the album. My other contribution was to bring in two old members because of their obvious connection with punk: Maniac on the Dead Kennedys track and Billy (Messiah) on the Discharge track and some of the others.”

“Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando” EP is available in the following formats:

* Deluxe silver 180g LP + CD Box Set (incl. 3 Art Prints + Slipmat)
- The 3 available graphics make up the overall concept from the already released visuals of the  Daemon Box Set. The total of 6 graphics were considered as an alternative cover versions of the Daemon album and will not be reproduced after this limited edition run.
- The Slipmat contains a special print of the back cover (Punk-Head) of this EP!
- Limited to 1,000 units

(500 CM Distro Wholesale & CM EU Shop / 300 Band Shop / 200 CM US Shop)

* CD Digipak

* 180g LP (double sided album cover!)
- Black LP (all outlets)
- Grey LP – 300 units (CM Distro Wholesale & CM EU Shop)
- Tangerine LP – 200 units (CM US Shop)
- Creamy white LP – 300 units (EMP)
- Dark Green LP – 300 units (Nuclear Blast)
- Deep Blood Red LP – 300 units (Mayhem Webshop)
- Aqua LP – 500 units (US Indie Stores)

* Digital EP

Pre-Order for all formats starts today and can be made here.

Tracklisting:

Side A
"Voces Ab Alta"
"Black Glass Communion"
"Everlasting Dying Flame"

Side B
"In Defense Of Our Future" (Discharge cover)
"Hellnation" (Dead Kennedys cover)
"Only Death" (Rudimentary Peni cover)
"Commando" (Ramones cover)

Mayhem is:

Necrobutcher – Bass
Hellhammer – Drums
Attila – Vocals
Teloch – Guitar
Ghul – Guitar

(Photo - Ester Segarra)




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Two Minutes To Late Night is back with a cover of the Jefferson Starship classic, "Jane". Watch below.

A message states: "You taste like a burger! We covered the best song by a band who has changed their name three times because we love Wet Hot American Summer that much. This is our 42nd bedroom cover made with the support of Patreon. Become a Patreon patron today and get access to exclusive rewards like patches, t-shirts, even custom songs! Plus, you get to see every cover we make before it publicly premieres."

This cover features:

Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig, Silvertomb)
Johanna Sadonis (Lucifer)
Nicke Anderson (Lucifer, The Hellacopters, Entombed)
Mlny Parsonz (Royal Thunder)
Cory Barhorst (Kylesa, Black Tusk)
Jordan Olds aka Gwarsenio Hall




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Majustice is a multinational power metal band formed in 2021 by guitarist Jien Takahashi (Stormheart, Baskerville), who was heavily influenced by Timo Tolkki's composition skills (during the “classic” Stratovarius period), as well as the guitar wizardry of Marty Friedman and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Majustice features the powerful vocals of Iuri Sanson (Eternity's End/ex-Hibria), the genius shred of keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Ring Of Fire), and the fretboard pyrotechnics of guitarist Kelly Simonz (Kelly Simonz's Blind Faith). The lineup is rounded out by bassist Kaz Nakamura (Kelly Simonz's Blind Faith, Mark Boals) and drummer Yosuke Yamada (Kelly Simonz's Blind Faith, Mark Boals).

The band’s debut album will be titled Ancestral Recall, with some of the tracks slated to appear include “Ancestral Recall”, “Tears Of The Sky”, and “Now Your Turn”. In addition, four songs written by Timo Tolkki will be appear on the album: “Sonata Black”, “Dangerous”, “Infinite Visions”, and “You Rock My World”; originally slated to appear on an album by Timo’s now-defunct band Infinite Visions, these songs were acquired by Majustice and given new life.

Ancestral Recall will also have special guest performances: legendary vocalist Mike Vescera (ex-Loudness, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) who will be singing two songs, and Loudness drummer Ryuichi Nishida playing on one track.

Majustice have released a preview video of the demo version of two songs which will be on their upcoming debut album, "Ancestral Recall" and “Now Your Turn” (featuring Mike Vescera). It can be viewed below:

Lineup:

Vocals - Iuri Sanson (Eternity’s End, ex-Hibria)
Guitar - Jien Takahashi (Stormheart, Baskerville)
Guitar - Kelly Simonz (Kelly Simonz’s Blind Faith, Mark Boals)
Keyboards - Vitalij Kuprij (Artension, Ring Of Fire, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
Bass - Kaz Nakamura (Kelly Simonz’s Blind Faith, Mark Boals)
Drums - Yosuke Yamada (Kelly Simonz’s Blind Faith, Mark Boals)

Guest Vocals - Mike Vescera (Animetal USA, ex-Loudness, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen)
Guest Drums - Ryuichi Nishida (Loudness)

(Photo - Day Montenegro, Hikaru Ohta, Dani Metalcry)




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“First we wish to thank the hundreds of friends and fans that reached out to us on Cleve’s passing,” states Dominic St. Charles, Urn’s singer/guitarist. “He was loved by so many for all of his work spanning over three decades in the horror, film, and music industries. It has been a great loss to us on a personal level as well as professional. We are still hurting, but we are healing as well. Thank you and bless you all.”

Urn have released their new single and video for the song “Of Whom We Once Were”, which Mr. Hall himself filmed and directed before his passing. Additional footage was filmed in Florida as the Coronavirus pandemic hit the United States only a couple of weeks after principal photography took place in California.

The band reported that they had scheduled to initially release the single/video for the week after Mr. Hall passed, and elected to postpone so they could re-edit the video to include a memorial tribute to honor his memory. According to St. Charles, the band also filmed a second video during that same time frame for another upcoming single and look to release closer to the 20th Anniversary event in San Jose.

Cleve Hall’s daughter, Constance Hall, who officially announced his death also launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for burial costs of which the band has contributed and is help supporting:

Visit the "Monster Man" GoFundMe page here.

St. Charles continued, “There is the adage of ‘living life on life’s terms” and that certainly has been the case for us these past two to three years. We wish to thank all of our fans, friends, family, and our team for being patient with us as it has been trying times. We’ve been looking to release the Semicolon album for a couple of years now, but major life and health events have kept delaying the process, but we are extremely determined to do so here in the very near future. Thank you for sticking with us”.

Urn also announced today they have rescheduled their 20th-anniversary concert event to Saturday, October 23, 2021 to be held at The Ritz in San Jose, CA.

Originally, to have been held on their actual anniversary date of May 5 in New Orleans, due to the untimely passing of keyboardist Cleve “Monster Man” Hall on March 30 from heart failure, as well as COVID protocols that were still in place with many businesses in the French Quarter, the band felt it was necessary to postpone.

More details on the 20th Anniversary event will be released in the coming weeks as the band is still confirming with many special guests and alumni who planned on participating in the initial event and are checking schedules for the new date.




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A year after releasing their 3 EP during June 2020 via RFL Records, Canada's Sven Gali is kicking off summer 2021 with their new music video "Hurt", which premiered Friday, June 11 on BraveWords' Streaming For Vengeance. You can now watch the video below.

Says the band: "'Hurt' features the unmistakable melodic and attitude laced vocals of David Wanless; complimentary and crushing guitar performances from Andy Frank and Sean Williamson; and the solid foundation and groove laid down by Shawn Minden and Dan Fila. As you listen to it, you will hear the combination of classic Sven Gali along with the evolving sound of the band. We are looking forward to getting back out on tour and blowing people away with our high-energy, intense, and crushing performances. Best, SG."

Experiencing extensive touring worldwide where they have shared the stage with legends such as April Wine, Foreigner, Pearl Jam, and Def Leppard, Sven Gali's 3 EP marks their return since releasing 1995’s In Wire and 1992’s gold-selling and Juno Award-nominated self-titled debut album released on BMG Music Canada that featured hits “Under The Influence” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”.

Known for their fusion of 80s screaming hard rock and 90s blazing metal, Sven Gali's 3 EP is available on digital platforms from RFL Records, and on CD here.

3 tracklist:

"Kill The Lies"
"You Won't Break Me"
"Now"
"Hurt"

Sven Gali is:

Dave Wanless - vocals
Andy Frank - guitars
Shawn Minden - bass
Dan Fila - drums
Sean Williamson - guitars




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Danko Jones have released a video for their new single, "Saturday", which can be seen below. The track is the second single from the band's new album, Power Trio, out August 27.

The music video was directed (filmed, produced and edited) by Trevor Bowman at Bridgeworks in Hamilton, Ontario in March 2021. The track is an absolute banger with massive power-chord roars and just the right amount of edge. It's undeniably catchy and about so much more than just horndog confessions and sexual conquests. It's about the search for true, everlasting love. Danko (frontman) just wants to spend the evening curled up on the couch with his missus.

The full-throttle album, Power Trio, sees the band reunited with Canadian independent label Sonic Unyon Records, who issued the trio's first recordings and who will release the band's latest masterpiece in North America. Pre-orders are available here.

Power Trio sees Danko Jones delivering each engine-revving riff, soul-shaking stomp, and shout-it-loud hook with a sniper’s precision. It's such a simple, self-evident title, but one loaded with significance, as it speaks to the special triangular alchemy Danko shares with his trusty bass-slinging accomplice JC and drummer Rich Knox. It also stakes out the band’s place on a storied lineage of three-piece titans Jimi Hendrix Experience, ZZ Top, Rush, Motörhead, Venom, Dinosaur Jr., and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, to name a few.

When you choose to start a power trio, you’re not simply forming a band, you’re entering a blood pact - a tacit acknowledgement that all three members need to carry their equal share of the weight lest the whole enterprise collapse. There’s nowhere to hide in a power trio - no second guitarist to cover your mistakes, no keyboard player to smooth things over, no horn section to distract the crowd. If you fuck up, the whole band fucks up. Everybody needs to be on their A-game at all times.

Power Trio follows the band's electrifying, world charting album, A Rock Supreme released in 2019. It also sees the band once again tapping into the production prowess of Eric Ratz, who previously amped up the bone-breaking boogie of 2017's full-throttle rocker Wild Cat and 2015's bloodlusty Fire Music.

Tracklist:

"I Want Out"
"Good Lookin'"
"Saturday"
"Ship Of Lies"
"Raise Some Hell"
"Blue Jean Denim Jumpsuit"
"Get To You"
"Dangerous Kiss"
"Let’s Rock Together"
"Flaunt It"
"Start The Show" (feat. Phil Campbell)

"I Want Out"

"Flaunt It" lyric video:




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STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis has accused the U.S. Democratic Party of fighting against every major civil rights initiative and of having a long history of discrimination.

The outspoken conservative rocker, who reinvented himself as a solo country artist in the last decade, voiced his views before performing a new song called "Am I The Only One" during his June 4 concert at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia.

He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I wrote this next song because I'm sitting here as a 49-year-old father of three watching a very small handful of people destroy the country that was handed down to me by my forefathers — the country that my grandfather and my uncles, they all fought for.

"You know, it's kind of crazy," he continued. "I watched the Joe Biden speech the other day. I don't even know why I do it, but I do. And I heard him tell the story about this massacre that happened in Oklahoma a long time ago. And I listened to him throw out all these facts and spit out all this information about the KKK and about systemic racism and everything else.

"So, I'd like to point something out that is very obvious yet no one seems to bring it up or talk about it, that every racist law that's ever been put into place, every scar on America was the Democrats. All of it. It's there if you go and look. Every racist law was come up with and voted through and unanimously passed by fucking Democrats. The KKK was fucking Democrats.

"I am sick of this fucking bullshit," Lewis added. "It's all fucking lies. It's called projection. Do you know what that is? When you point at everybody else and tell them that they're guilty of what you're guilty of."

According to a "fact-check" article that was published by USA Today in June 2020, historians agree that although factions of the Democratic Party did majorly contribute to the Civil War's start and the KKK's founding, it is inaccurate to say the party is responsible for either.

As the Democrats introduced policies to support voting rights, it became the favored party for most black voters and has remained so since. With that realignment, many racist voters who opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 left the Democratic Party to become Republicans.

Lewis originally performed "Am I The Only One" in March at another solo concert in Texas — a state which removed all pandemic restrictions that same month.

The as-yet-unreleased track, which finds Aaron asking if he is the only one fed up with the state of the country right now, features such lyrics as: "Am I the only one, who can't take no more, screaming if you don't like it there's the fucking door, this ain't the freedom we've been fighting for, it was something more, yeah, it was something more."

Apparently addressing the removal of Confederate statues, Lewis sings in the song: "Am I the only one willing to fight for my love of the red and white, and the blue, burning on the ground as the statues coming down in a town near you, watching the threads of Old Glory come undone, Am I the only one. I can't be the only one."

Lewis also criticizes Bruce Springsteen at the end of the track, singing: "Am I the only one, who quit singing along every time they play a Springsteen song."

Springsteen can best be described as Lewis's political polar opposite, having been a vocal opponent to former U.S. president Donald Trump on many occasions. Last August, Bruce went as far as to allow the use of his song "The Rising" in a video that aired during night one of the Democratic National Convention.

Lewis, who is widely considered to be one of the most politically conservative musicians in rock, told the Anchorage Press in a January 2020 interview that he considered the first Trump impeachment by the House Of Representatives as the clearest representation of what's wrong with America these days.

Lewis was a staunch critic of President Barack Obama, telling a crowd at one of his solo concerts in 2016: "Barack Obama should have been impeached a long fucking time ago. Every fucking decision he makes is against the Constitution, it's against what's good for our fucking country, and he is truly the worst fucking president that we have ever had in the history of this fucking country."

That same year, Lewis told Billboard that he would support Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, even though he was "disappointed" by the real estate mogul "with the bickering and the name-calling." Lewis added that he voted for Senator Ted Cruz, Trump's closest competitor in the Republican nomination race, in the Massachusetts primary.

Cristina Scabbia of Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL got her COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday (June 15).

The 49-year-old singer, who has been a member of LACUNA COIL since 1996, announced her incolulation in an Instagram post on Wednesday. She shared a photo of her being vaccinated, and she included the following message: "You do you, I do me.

"I trust in science, doctors, nurses, more than YouTube videos or Facebook posts that are more confusing than TV news.

"Got the shot yesterday, so far so good and not a single side effect (which I am expecting anyway, same as vaccination when I was a little girl and never got polio or orher nasty illnesses).

"Here's to concerts, human contact, normality."

As of this past Monday, 13 regions that account for 40.5 million people, or two-thirds of Italy's population, have been redesignated as white zones, where the curfew has been abolished and people are only obliged to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

According to Euronews, Italy's coronavirus rate continues to be low compared to other countries with a seven-day incidence rate of 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

With a population of 10 million people, Lombardy, where LACUNA COIL's hometown of Milan is located, was the region of Italy hit the hardest by the pandemic.

As of June 16, there have been around 43.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Italy. Lombardy administered the highest number of vaccine doses, almost 7.5 million.
























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A post shared by ???????? ??????? (@cristinascabbia)

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens says that he was infected with COVID-19 despite the fact that he wore his mask "non-stop."

The 53-year-vocalist, who lives in Akron, Ohio, revealed his coronavirus diagnosis while responding to a tweet from L.A. GUNS guitarist Tracii Guns. After Guns noted that Denmark — where he lives part time with his wife and their young son — has started to phase out the requirement to wear face masks in all public areas before lifting it entirely by September 1, Owens chimed in: "Very cool, I wore my mask non stop & still got Covid & colds. BUT I loved wearing it just so I didn't have to talk to people. I even wore it on the treadmill. But since I stopped wearing it I feel a lot better and not as tired BUT again I didn't mind wearing them at all".

Owens, who frequently "likes" tweets that amplify Republican talking points and that are derogatory to Democrats, did not say exactly when he came down with COVID-19.

In the past, Tim had made it clear that he believed in wearing masks in public spaces to protect others from possible infection. He had also vowed to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as he was able to.

29 percent of Republicans have said they won't get vaccinated, while only 5 percent of Democrats feel the same way.

A CBS News-YouGov poll found that 52 percent of Republicans are either fully or partially vaccinated, while 77 percent of Democrats said they were either fully or partially vaccinated.

According to a recent study released by personal finance website WalletHub, Ohio's economy was the state hit fourth most by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 5.4 million Ohioans — or about 46.75% of the population — have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Owens is currently in a new band called KK'S PRIEST with ex-JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing, along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", will be released on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.




Very cool, I wore my mask non stop & still got Covid & colds. BUT I loved wearing it just so I didn’t have to talk to people?I even wore it on the treadmill. But since I stopped wearing it I feel a lot better and not as tired BUT again I didn’t mind wearing them at all

— Tim 'Ripper' Owens ?? (@TimRipperOwens) June 15, 2021








We’ve been lucky here, the vaccines have gone really well. Now Fast food and heart disease not so good. If one more fat guy yells at me for wearing a mask I’m gonna tape one to their face so they don’t eat ??‍♂‍?

— Tim 'Ripper' Owens ?? (@TimRipperOwens) May 28, 2021








Wow you can’t leave your apartment ? That’s really sucks. If we have masks on we can leave. And even after the vaccine we will have to wear masks! I will get my vaccine as soon as I can and I don’t mind wearing a mask. So all good ???

— Tim 'Ripper' Owens ?? (@TimRipperOwens) January 27, 2021

Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil has canceled his upcoming solo show in New York at Batavia Downs on June 18.

Batavia Downs has issued a statement on the cancelation stating: “Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel announced today that due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert on June 18th, 2021 will no longer feature Vince Neil. Batavia Downs hopes to welcome Vince to Batavia Downs next summer. On June 18th, 2021, Batavia Downs will now welcome Mark Farner’s American Band to the Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series.

“Please note that tickets purchased for the Vince Neil concert will still be honored on that date.  Those wishing for a refund may do so through their point of purchase.  Info can be found inside of your ticket confirmation email.  Tickets purchased at the Lucky Treasures gift shop may be refunded during normal gift shop hours.”

Neil performed Saturday, May 29 at the Boone Iowa River Valley Festival in Boone, Iowa. Some fan-filmed footage from the show can be found below.

Setlist:

"Looks That Kill"
"Dr. Feelgood"
"Shout At The Devil"
"Helter Skelter" (The Beatles cover)
"You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)"
"Smokin' In The Boys Room" (Brownsville Station cover)
"Home Sweet Home"
"Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)"
"Piece of Your Action"
"Take Me To The Top"
"Live Wire"
"Too Young To Fall In Love"
"Kickstart My Heart"
"Girls, Girls, Girls"




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Ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke says that "the only reason" he performed with his former bandmates at their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction was because Duff McKagan asked him to appear at the event.

Clarke joined GUNS N' ROSES in November 1991, replacing Izzy Stradlin, who quit the group in the middle of a 28-month world tour. Gilby has also played with ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA, HEART, NANCY SINATRA, Kathy Valentine (of THE GO-GO'S) and the reformed MC5 on their 2005 European tour.

Clarke, along with fellow former GUNS N' ROSES members Slash, McKagan, Steven Adler and Matt Sorum, played three "Appetite For Destruction" songs with Myles Kennedy at the band's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in April 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio, although Gilby himself was not inducted as part of the group. Kennedy, who handles lead vocals in Slash's solo band and ALTER BRIDGE, sang "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City", with "Use Your Illusion"-era member Sorum sitting behind the drum kit on "Brownstone" and the man he replaced in GN'R, Adler, pounding the skins for the other two songs.

Clarke discussed GN'R's Rock Hall induction while he was a guest on a recent episode of the "Hangin' & Bangin': Artists On Lockdown" online show, where he was joined by Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH, DIO), Carmine Appice (OZZY OSBOURNE, VANILLA FUDGE), John Payne (ASIA) and host Ron Onesti. Reflecting on the experience, Gilby said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, to be honest, I don't really follow that stuff, so I didn't even know that GN'R had been nominated, let alone [that they] accepted or all that; I really wasn't paying attention. And then I got a call from Matt, and Matt told me what was happening. And I go, 'Woah. That's kind of weird.' 'Cause, actually, I didn't get inducted as part of the band; Matt and Dizzy [Reed, keyboards] did, along with the original five guys. And I thought it was a little odd. But by the time I found out, it was past what was going down.

"I didn't think anybody was gonna play or anything," he continued. "Two days before the show, Duff calls me and says, 'Hey, we're gonna play.' And I go, 'Oh, well, have a good time.' [Laughs] And I go, 'Who's gonna play?' I go, 'I thought Axl [Rose, vocals] is not going and Izzy's not going.' And he goes, 'Well, they're not, but we wanna do something.' He goes, 'Will you come out?' So, my wife and I flew out and we did the show. We literally rehearsed for it at three o'clock in the morning the night before. And that may sound weird, but Duff had a show in Cleveland the night before — he was doing something with his own band — and so we literally rehearsed after his show at three o'clock in the morning. I played with Steven, Slash and Duff, and then Myles Kennedy sang."

According to Gilby, he eventually resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't going to be inducted into the Rock Hall. "I didn't think it was so strange, because the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS were getting inducted at the same time, and they did the same thing; they picked and chose [the musicians that were being inducted]," he reasoned. "Dave Navarro, who had been on two milti-million-selling records, wasn't inducted with the CHILI PEPPERS, but a guitar player that played on the first album was. So, when I started hearing about all this stuff, I go, 'Are we getting paid for it? No. Who cares?' Whether you care or don't care, I don't really know if it affects anything. I always say it's one more line in your bio that no one's paying attention to anyway."

After Onesti praised Clarke for being "a stand-up guy" and performing at the Rock Hall even though he wasn't being inducted himself, Gilby said: "To be honest, the only reason why I did it was 'cause Duff asked me. And Duff's my friend; Slash is my friend. And I did it plainly for that. I honestly didn't even think about all that other stuff.

"We had no roadies, no techs — nothing," he continued. "I'm not kidding. 'Cause it wasn't planned. We decided to do it, like I said, a day or so before. I literally walked on and plugged into an amp I'd never seen before."

Last year, Clarke told the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast that no one should care about which musicians get inducted into the Rock Hall. "Seriously, there's no validity," he said. "And I'm not just saying that, because… You can honestly say — did I get burned? Yeah, I got burned. But it didn't matter to me at that time.

"When it went down, the whole GN'R [Rock Hall induction], I didn't even know about it until it was a done deal," Clarke revealed. "Matt had inside information, so he kind of got in there and got himself included, which, obviously, included Dizzy too. By the time it got to me, it was a done deal. And I didn't really care.

"Slash and I had a conversation about it. I said, 'Look, when you think of GUNS N' ROSES, you think of the five guys,' and so do I.' That's what it should be. But if you're gonna induct Dizzy and Matt, now I feel left out. I mean, yes, Matt and Dizzy made the '[Use Your] Illusion' records, and I would never take credit where credit wasn't due. But who fucking cares who gets in? It's not like anybody gets a dollar for it or whatever.

"My honest take on it is if you're inducting GUNS N' ROSES as GUNS N' ROSES, put all the guys that were in the band at that time — Bumblefoot and Richard [Fortus]; everybody," he added. "Who cares? It's not like we're getting money for it. But if you're gonna have a ceremony, yeah, maybe have Slash, Duff and a couple of the guys speak. But who cares?

"The thing is they've pretty much proven that they've gotten it wrong every time. I felt bad in the beginning when I found out Matt and Dizzy got inducted and I didn't. I was, like, 'Oh, man, it sucks to be left out.' But then I heard the CHILI PEPPERS got inducted, but they didn't induct Dave Navarro. Dave Navarro played on some million-selling records. And then they inducted the GRATEFUL DEAD and inducted, like, a hundred people. And when those things happen, then it puts it in perspective. And I don't really give a flying fuck. It's not like I get anything for being in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It's not like suddenly a hundred more people are gonna come to the show. It literally is a line somebody will say when I go do a TV show: 'Gilby Clarke, Rock And Roll Hall…' I don't think there's any real validity in it. I think some people hold it in high regard, but it literally is a select group of people making these decisions. And I don't know how qualified they are. I don't know if any of them have ever been in a van, if any of them have ever gotten paid to play a musical note.

"So, like I said, it's not a big deal to me, and it shouldn't be to everybody else."

Gilby will release his first solo album in two decades, "The Gospel Truth", on April 23 via Golden Robot Records.

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes is perhaps best known for the infamous scene in the 1988 movie "The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years" in which he was interviewed while floating in a swimming pool, fully clothed and visibly quite intoxicated while his mother sat poolside. The interview stood out in stark contrast to the more light-hearted and humorous interviews conducted by director Penelope Spheeris, which mostly portrayed rockers as good-natured, though often dimwitted or deluded, party animals. During the interview, Holmes smiled drunkenly at the camera, deeming himself "a full-blown alcoholic" and "a piece of crap" despite his band's success, and punctuated his remarks by guzzling from three bottles of vodka. At the end of the interview, Holmes upends a full bottle of Smirnoff over his head as he rolls out of his inflatable chair and into the water.

Asked in a new interview with Full In Bloom if that was "real vodka" he was pouring all over his face in the movie, Holmes said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah. If you look at the footage, it burns my eyes. I have seen other interviews where Penelope, she's told somebody it wasn't, and it blows my mind. Why would I pour pool water down my throat? That'll make you barf; it has chlorine in it.

"I'm not the kind of person to really do too much fake," he added. "I'm sure you've probably noticed that by [my recently released] documentary. It's the way my mom raised me."

A few years ago, Spheeris spoke to Goldmine magazine about the Holmes scene in "The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years". She said: "When I shot Chris Holmes, you know, I thought we didn't get the interview. I remember saying, 'We're going to have to reshoot this.' Because we didn't get anything. The guy's just sitting there screwing off and we didn't get anything. And then I saw Jon and Val [Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris], who are the producers, and I told them, we're going to have to reshoot that interview with Chris Holmes. And they said, 'Well, too bad, because we don't have enough money to reshoot it.' So I tried to cut something together and include it. I would never have imagined it would be the most talked about and kind of most memorable moment of the movie."

Asked what happened in the five or ten minutes after she finished the interview with Holmes, Spheeris said: "I think I was so stunned… You know how when you're in shock and you don't remember what happened? I don't remember! I don't remember him afterwards. Because I was just horrified that I didn't get an interview. I'm sure somebody must've given him a towel and… you know, most of that, [Penelope's daughter] Anna [Fox, who was instrumental in assembling the bevy of extras for the elegant box for the recently released 'The Decline Of Western Civilization' trilogy], when she put the DVD extras together, she pasted together all of the interviews from beginning to end. And so you can see in there the entire progression — or I should say digression — of his interview. And most of that clear liquid was pool water, by the way."

Spheeris offered more details about how the scene was shot during a separate interview with Rolling Stone. She said: "I don't remember if the pool was my idea or Chris's idea, but it was my idea to have his mom come down, 'cause I knew Sandy [Holmes]. She looks like she knows how far she can go with what she says to him. Like, she can't be too critical or he's just gonna go off on her.

"I didn't know he was going to be as drunk as he was. When we finished the interview, I took [cinematographer Jeff] Zimmerman behind a tree and said, 'I don't got this interview. We're gonna have to film him again.' But the great thing about doing documentaries is you just have to let them lead you. It turned out to be the most memorable thing.

"What I liked about the scene is you had all these younger kids talking about how they were gonna make it, but Chris was sort of an example of, 'Okay, I made it. Are you sure you want this?' That's why I liked it just from a filmmaker's standpoint. It counterbalanced all those crazy dreams that those kids had that were not gonna happen. It was a reality check.

"By the way, the first half of the bottle of vodka was real, and after that he was filling it up with pool water."

In a 2014 interview with Metallväktarna, Holmes stated about his appearance in "The Decline Of Western Civilization": "I get a lot [of questions] about that. [People wanna know], 'Was it alcohol? Were you drunk?' Or whatever. Yeah, I was drunk. I'm not known to be a liar. In fact, I was real drunk; I couldn't even talk. So a lot of people ask me, 'How do you feel about that being on TV?' or whatever. The only thing I don't like is where some kid will come up to me and go, 'Man, that's the coolest! I wanna live like that.' And, to me, personally, that's, like, me going down the tubes. And why would somebody wanna live like that?"

STEEL PANTHER singer Michael Starr told The Verge that the Holmes scene in "The Metal Years" "shaped my whole career, to be quite honest with you. At that point, heavy metal was at its peak. It was awesome to be drunk, floating in a pool. You knew you had a disease and you were going to kill yourself eventually, but that was cool back then. People just looked at that and said, 'Wow, this guy knows how to party. Everybody knows how to party.'"

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, Holmes rejoined W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Holmes has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

"The Decline Of Western Civilization" received a deluxe box set release in June 2015 from Shout! Factory. The four-disc set was made available in both Blu-ray and DVD formats, and contains Penelope Spheeris's "The Decline Of Western Civilization" (1980), "The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years" (1988) and "The Decline Of Western Civilization Part III" (1998), a 40-page book containing an essay written by rock historian Domenic Priore ("Riot On Sunset Strip: Rock 'N' Roll's Last Stand In Hollywood"), rare stills, and bonus features, including extended interviews, a commentary recorded by Dave Grohl in February 2015, and more. This was the first-ever official Blu-ray or DVD release of the films.

Helsinki-based symphonic death / black metal band Abstrakt have released a new lyric video for the single, "Inferno". The track is taken from their second studio album, Uncreation, which was released earlier this year via Inverse Records. 

The band comments: "'Inferno', as slow as the passing of time during lockdown, as heavy as a bag of rocks, and filled to the brim with anger. It was one of the first compositions for Uncreation, and it was clear from the beginning that we were onto something larger, something that would dictate the very nature of the whole record to come. 

The lyrics materialized as if from thin air and are up for interpretation, thus the responsibility lies with the listener. Yet the mentality and state of mind in which they were written in should be readily apparent.

The slowest, yet hottest track on the album will singe your eyebrows, fry your brain and torch the nearest church."

Following is a brief band history:

"Abstrakt was formed by Nightderanger and Azul Corax in spring of 2008. Abstrakt was a two-man project and our first demo was recorded with session musicians in February 2011. Progress was slow but steady and after two more demos, we began to create our first album, Obsidian and to recruit more musicians. Obsidian was published in November 2013 and finally in spring of 2014 it was time for our first gig. Shortly after our first gigs, we were again without a drummer and bassist. Nightderanger, Azul Corax and Apostate continued composing new material. In August 2016 we recorded our last demo, which included three songs which all are included in our second album. We regained a full line-up and some gigs were played. In January 2019 the final recordings of our second album had begun, slowly but surely, and the recordings were completed in October 2020. Now our second album, Uncreation, is finished and Abstrakt is in its best shape ever, hungrier, angrier and better than ever before."

Tracklist:

"Ex Vanitas"
"From Chaos to Creation"
"Etherstorms"
"The Great Chasm of Humanity"
"Prophet of Fire"
"The Ascendant"
"Inferno"
"Radiant Darkness"
"Screaming for Vengeance"
"Uncreation"




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After recently releasing their third full-length album, Inertia, via Napalm Records, Greek modern metal five-piece Scar Of The Sun now drops an intense lyric video for album closing song “Anastasis”, which in their native language means “resurrection”. Its heaviness, together with an emotional vocal performance from singer Terry Nikas, immediately indicates a deep, personal meaning that pierces the listener to the bone.

Terry Nikas on the song: "'Anastasis' is the closing song of our new album Inertia, definitely it is emotionally the heaviest song we have ever created. It's an homage to a very close person of mine and I felt like doing something in order never to be forgotten. It's something everyone can relate. Life is full of scars and I wanted to make this scar stand out of the rest."

Watch the new lyric video for “Anastasis”:

On Inertia, Scar Of The Sun utilizes scientific terminology to transmit their impassioned messages of difficult trials and social awareness lyrically, conveying an overarching theme that reflects one of society’s heaviest burdens – that financial gain has flourished at the expense of humanity and the livelihoods of everyday people.

Terry Nikas about the album: “Third strike, this album is our punch to the world disarray! The most aggressive album we’ve done so far indicates our current intentions! The main concept of Inertia deals with how financial interests act against the lives of everyday normal people, no matter where you come from, since profit knows no ethics and nationalities. We become lab rats and we struggle in our everyday life while at the same time that extreme minority that runs the financial interests see people like numbers and value our lives like ants. These are matters that concern and annoy me and I had to get them out of my chest.”

Inertia was recorded and mixed by singer and songwriting mastermind Terry Nikas at Zero Gravity Studios in Athens, Greece and mastered by the legendary Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dimmu Borgir) at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden.

Order here.

Inertia tracklisting:

"Hydrogen"
"Inertia"
"I Am The Circle"
"Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control"
"Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence"
"Oxygen"
"The Fallible Experiment"
"Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust"
"Singularity Collapse"
"Zenith To Minos"
"Anastasis"

“Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence” live video:

“Inertia” video:

"I Am The Circle" video:

Lineup:

Terry Nikas - vocals
Alexi Charalampous - guitars
Greg Eleftheriou- guitars
Panagiotis Gatsopoulos - bass
Thanos Pappas - drums

(Photo - Cristina Alossi)




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Four years after the release of The Immortal Wars (2017), Juno award-nominated Ex Deo returns with more massive, brutal soundscapes than ever on their upcoming full-length album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, out August 27 via Napalm Records.

The Canadian unit is led by founding frontman Maurizio Iacono (Kataklysm) and producer/guitarist Jean-François Dagenais (Kataklysm, Misery Index, Despised Icon), with the stylings of Stephane Barbe (Kataklysm) on lead guitar, Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc.) on drums, Dano Apekian (Ashes of Eden) on bass and Clemens Wijers (Carach Angren, Lindemann) manning the intense orchestral score.

On The Thirteen Years Of Nero, the Roman Empire inspired symphonic death metal band transports the listener back to Ancient Rome with 10 cinematic masterpieces that tell the emotional, conceptual story of the reign of Emperor Nero. Accented by sounds of ancient instruments like lyra and harp and detailing the harrowing stories of Nero’s surroundings, close allies and enemies, listeners will connect with intense psychological tones of political turmoil and paranoia.

Today, Ex Deo has revealed a bludgeoning brand new track from The Thirteen Years Of Nero, entitled “Imperator”, alongside a brutal, cinematic music video. The track connects with a colossal, threatening introduction before slithering into its verses with low guitars, trudging drums and haunting, multi-layered vocal passages.

Frontman Maurizio Iacono says about “Imperator”: “We wanted to release a heavy hitting first single and there was no doubt that 'Imperator' in all of its grandiose aura and power was the choice. On the album, the song introduces Nero as the new Emperor of Rome. For the video, we used acclaimed video director Scott Hansen and together we recreated a dinner party in true Nero style like you never seen before, you have been warned!”

Watch the brand new music video for “Imperator” below.

The Thirteen Years Of Nero pierces through the silence with its first auditory spear, “The Fall Of Claudius”, immediately drawing the listener in with a savagely heavy, grooving riff, ground-shaking swells and warning strings and horns. Discordant harmonies collide as a mosh-worthy battle riff chugs and pinches through the center of the song, showcasing the ruthlessness to come. “The Head Of The Snake” and unforgivingly immense “Britannia: The 9th At Camulodonum” balance sinister, spectral-like channels with up-tempo elements, racing like a chariot of symphonic death metal influences that careen the listener back to a sonic dimension of time forgotten. Standout opus “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” features the deft vocal stylings of Unleash The Archers frontwoman Brittney Slayes, the album’s weightiest thunderous percussion work and a glistening guitar solo, while the embers of pulsing “The Fiddle & The Fire” spark as the track traverses methodically yet steadfastly, like an iron striking a blade. “Son Of The Deified” and “What Artist Dies In Me…” bestow some of the album’s most strikingly dynamic guitar work, as well as ominous instrumentals, orchestral and choral pathways, before closing with the superb epic “The Revolt of Galba”. The track ebbs and flows between grooving, eerie piano-laden riffs and crystal-clear flourishes bestrewn with soaring strings.

With The Thirteen Years Of Nero, Ex Deo have released their finest work yet while telling a timeless story of political intrigue, suspicion, evil and tyranny!
 
Maurizio Iacono says about The Thirteen Years Of Nero: “When it comes to Ancient Rome, the content is long, rich and extensive, the personalities reflect every society imaginable from just, fair and generous to greed, evil and merciless. The world we live in today was shaped by Rome – it doesn’t take much see it all around you in the simplest things. For this record, it was the proper time to fallow the timeline of one Rome’s most controversial figures, Nero. On this album, we follow him through his thirteen-year journey as emperor of Rome and unveil the true face of one of the world’s most worshiped villains.”

The Thirteen Years Of Nero will be available in the following formats:

- 4 page CD Digipack
- LP Gatefold Black
- LP Gatefold Marbled Black & White (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)
- Deluxe Wooden Box Edition: Digipack, Bonus Orchestral CD, Roman Coin, Band Logo Patch and Roman Banner (Napalm mailorder only – limited to 500)
- CD Digipack & Shirt Bundle (RoW Napalm mailorder only)
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

The Thirteen Years Of Nero tracklisting:

"The Fall of Claudius"
"Imperator"
"The Head of the Snake"
"Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni)" Feat. Brittney Slaye
"Britannia: The 9th at Camulodonum"
"Trial of the Gods (Intermezzo)"
"The Fiddle & the Fire"
"Son of the Deified
"What Artist Dies in Me..."
"The Revolt of Galba"

"Imperator" video:

Ex Deo is:

Maurizio Iacono - Vocals
Jean-François Dagenais - Guitars
Stephane Barbe - Lead Guitar
Dano Apekian - Bass
Jeramie Kling - Drums
Clements Wijers - Orchestral Score

(Photo - Suzzy Iacono)




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Guitar legend Steve Vai has released an upscaled version of the official video for "I Would Love To", processed and upscaled from the original version by Mike Mesker. The track is taken from Vai's critically acclaimed second album, Passion And Warfare, released in 1990.

Back in May, Vai released an upscaled video for the Passion And Warfare album track, "For The Love Of God", also done by Mesker.




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While Edge Of Paradise puts the finishing touches on their forthcoming studio album, The Unknown, which is due out this fall, the band has released a new single and music video, "Digital Paradise". The song and video serve as a prelude of what to expect from the band's upcoming opus, which seems them having taken a massive leap across the board in songwriting and performance. Watch the video below, and stream/download "Digital Paradise" here.

"'Digital Paradise' is set in a world where the line between reality and digital space disappears, where time becomes meaningless and the human soul and machine become one. It explores whether merging with technology could be our road to forever, our digital paradise, or demise!" says vocalist Margarita Monet of the lyrical meaning behind the new single.

"The song originated from an instrumental idea I made on the keys, that inspired lyrics about what an afterlife could look like," she continues. "When Dave put some driving guitars on the song, that led me to add industrial and cinematic elements, which inspired me to explore themes of technology and digital evolution. Once we had the demo, we went into the studio with Neil Sanderson and Mike Plotnikoff to record drums, guitars and solidify the vocal arrangement. After that, I recorded the final vocal track with Howard Benson, who elevated the song to a new level! Once ready, we sent it off to Denmark, for Jacob Hansen to mix and bring 'Digital Paradise' to life!"

Upcoming album, The Unknown, is Edge Of Paradise's fourth studio album, coming on the heels of their well-received third album, and Frontiers Music Srl debut, Universe. The band teamed up with renowned producer Howard Benson (Halestorm, Seether, Black Stone Cherry, etc.) who, together with Mike Plotnikoff (Halestorm, Three Days Grace) and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) helped the band craft their biggest sounding album yet.

Edge of Paradise's founding members, vocalist/pianist/keyboardist Margarita Monet and guitarist Dave Bates, have found their perfect partners in crime with the addition of drummer Jamie Moreno and bassist Ricky Bonazza. The band, tighter than ever, is ready to blow everyone away once they are back on the road with this stunning new music in tow. Current plans are for the band to tour extensively through 2022 in support of The Unknown as well, with touring announcements coming up soon.
 
After the band’s debut album Mask, released independently in 2012, the band released their sophomore album Immortal Waltz in 2015, produced by the legendary Michael Wagener (Dokken, Accept, Skid Row). In March 2017, Edge Of Paradise released a five song EP, Alive, which was produced by Chuck Johnson (Korn, Slipknot) and mixed by Jay Ruston, Mike Plotnikoff, and Michael Wagener. The band then signed with Frontiers Music Srl for the release of their third album, Universe (November 2019) which saw them achieve well over one million streams on Spotify for the album's lead single, the title track. The band also enjoyed a successful European tour with Sonata Arctica at the end of 2019. While home preparing for multiple tours to support the album in 2020, the global pandemic hit and the band's touring plans were sidelined. When it became evident that touring likely wouldn't be in the cards, the band set themselves to writing music for what would ultimately become their fourth album, The Unknown.

Lineup:

Margarita Monet - Vocals, keys
Dave Bates - Guitars
Jamie Moreno - Drums
Ricky Bonazza – Bass




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On a recent episode of the "Loaded Radio" podcast, EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen spoke to Scott Penfold about what it's been like to work with singer Simone Simons for the past two decades after the breakup of their romantic relationship. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We are very close friends. I was just talking to her, like, one hour ago. We are very good friends. We understand each other.

"I think it's very unique to have a good relationship with your ex-girlfriend; not many people have the same way," he continued. "And not many new partners would like that, but our partners have no problem with it whatsoever. So it's a very unique situation, and I'm really happy that it worked out this way. Because for both of us, EPICA is our passion, our love, and we would have never wanted to give it up just because the relationship ended. And then, afterwards, we still became tight friends. That's great. So I'm really thankful that we could work it out this way."

Simone's husband is KAMELOT keyboardist Oliver Palotai, with whom she shares a seven-year-old son, Vincent G. Palotai. They live in Germany. Jansen's girlfriend is the Italian opera singer Laura Macrì, with whom he lives in the south of Italy.

EPICA's latest album, "Omega", was released on February 26 via Nuclear Blast.

In a new interview with Kevin McKay of the 99 Rock WKSM radio station in Florida, PRONG mainman Tommy Victor discussed the circumstances surrounding the 2018 departure of the band's drummer Art Cruz. Cruz initially left PRONG to play with LAMB OF GOD as a session touring drummer before being asked to join LOG permanently as the replacement for Chris Adler.

"Oh, man. It was a dramatic period, let's put it that way," Tommy said. "We never knew whether he was gonna be in the band permanently, with LAMB OF GOD, 'cause we didn't know what the other guy [Chris Adler] was doing. So it was about a year where we were just in confusion about what was gonna happen. So, it was a tough period."

Asked if Art was "open" with the rest of PRONG about where he stood with regard to his potential LAMB OF GOD membership, Tommy said: "Not really. He sort of sprung it on us a little bit. Art's a kid, and I get it. He was afraid to make the call. And then he was gonna come back, and he didn't do that. He left us in a couple of difficult situations here and there."

Despite the turmoil, Victor said that he is still "absolutely" friends with Cruz.

Two years ago, Cruz spoke to zZounds about how he initially landed the gig with PRONG. "I had been friends with Tommy from PRONG, and WINDS OF PLAGUE had played with DANZIG in 2008," he said. "Tommy was in [Glenn Danzig's] band and it's more of that family thing; you keep your family close and really awesome things can happen. He reached out and asked if I wanted to tour with them as a merch guy and driver. All pride and bullshit aside, I didn't mind going out as a merch guy on tour, I love what I do and just wanted to get back on tour. There’s no sense of, 'Oh, wow. I'm a drummer. I shouldn't be selling merch.' You know what, no, I started there, and I just wanted to tour. So long story short, I'm on the tour and PRONG's drummer gets into a fight with Tommy, breaks his hand hitting the wall. 'Hey, man, tomorrow we're playing the first-ever Knotfest with SLIPKNOT in Iowa. Like 30,000 people, and we don't want to drop off. Can you learn the set?' 'Yeah, I'll learn the set.' That was actually Randy [Blythe] from LAMB OF GOD's first show back [after spending time in a Czech prison] and my first show with PRONG. We actually played a MISFITS cover together, 'London Dungeon'. The show was great and I've been with PRONG ever since."

Cruz made his recording debut with LAMB OF GOD on the band's self-titled album, which came out in June 2020 via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Eur

Legendary guitarist Steve Hackett will release his new studio rock album, "Surrender Of Silence", on September 10 via InsideOut Music.

Steve has been working hard through lockdown and, for the first time, has completed two studio LPs for release within the same year.

Hot on the heels of his classical-acoustic travelogue "Under A Mediterranean Sky", which came out in January and hit No. 2 in the U.K. Classical Albums chart, "Surrender Of Silence" is a further exploration of Hackett's love of world music, discovering different sounds, moods and textures to deliver a rock album of extraordinary variety, power and beauty.

As with "Under A Mediterranean Sky", "Surrender Of Silence" was recorded during lockdown and, again, Hackett has called upon some of his musical friends from across the world to contribute. Hackett's regular touring band of Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax, clarinet), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals) and Craig Blundell (drums) are supplemented by Phil Ehart and Nick D'Virgilio (drums), the vocal talents of Amanda Lehmann, Durga and Lorelei McBroom, Christine Townsend (violin, viola), Malik Mansurov (tar) and Sodirkhon Ubaidulloev (dutar).

"Lockdown cobwebs are blown away in one fell swoop here!" says Steve. "With the monster rhythm section of Jonas, Craig, Nick and Phil, along with Rob's soaring sax and bass clarinet, Nad, Amanda and myself on vocals, Roger's darkly powerful organ and my guitar, we plunge full-pelt into that wild release of energy."

Our journey takes us from the classical orchestrations of Russia ("Natalia") to the plains of Africa ("Wingbeats") to mysterious Eastern shores ("Shanghai To Samarkand"), all via the ocean's depths ("Relaxation Music For Sharks (Featuring Feeding Frenzy)"). "The Devil's Cathedral" pools the talents of Hackett's entire touring band and features King's atmospheric gothic organ and a powerhouse rhythm display from Blundell and Reingold.

Hackett's vocals have never been bettered and his duet with Amanda Lehmann adds emotion to "Scorched Earth", a lament for the environmental horrors facing our planet. Throughout, Hackett's guitars add a rich tapestry of color with soaring solos and intricate weaving melodies.

"It's a 'no-holds-barred' album," adds Hackett, "riding that wave, unleashing those demons, dreams and nightmares, all crashing together over the shore.

"I enjoyed the power of this album allowing my guitar to scream in joy and rage… and once again flying across those oceans to distant lands. It's terrific to connect creatively with musicians from far flung places, particularly when we've all been unable to meet. We all have a voice in our cacophony of sound and we cry out together in the 'Surrender Of Silence'!"

"Surrender Of Silence" track listing:

01. The Obliterati (02:17)

02. Natalia (06:17)

03. Relaxation Music For Sharks (Featuring Feeding Frenzy) (04:36)

04. Wingbeats (05:20)

05. The Devil's Cathedral (06:31)

06. Held In The Shadows (06:20)

07. Shanghai To Samarkand (08:27)

08. Fox's Tango (04:21)

09. Day Of The Dead (06:25)

10. Scorched Earth (06:03)

11. Esperanza (01:04)

Hackett shares writing credits with both Jo Hackett and Roger King on several tracks. All tracks were recorded by Roger King and produced by Steve Hackett with Roger King at Siren.

Hackett joined GENESIS at the beginning of 1971 and gained an international reputation as the guitarist in the band's classic lineup alongside Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. Hackett's intricate guitar work was a key element of GENESIS's albums from "Nursery Cryme" (1971) to "Wind And Wuthering" (1977), including the classic "Selling England By The Pound".

After leaving GENESIS at the end of 1977, Hackett's solo career, which now spans more than 30 albums, has demonstrated his extraordinary versatility with both electric and acoustic guitar. Hackett is renowned as both an immensely talented and innovative rock musician and a virtuoso classical guitarist and composer and this was recognized in 2010 when he was inducted into the Rock And Rock Hall Of Fame. He has also worked alongside Steve Howe of YES in the supergroup GTR.

Hackett's compositions take influences from many genres, including jazz, classical and blues. For his later studio works "The Night Siren" (2017) and "At The Edge Of Light" (2019), Hackett has explored the influences of world music. Recent tours have seen Hackett celebrate his time with GENESIS, including a spectacular 2018 tour in which he realized a long-held ambition to perform the works of GENESIS live with his band and an orchestra.

The lockdown enforced by the 2020 global pandemic has proven to be a particularly creative period for Hackett. He began by releasing "Selling England By The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live At Hammersmith", a live recording of 2019's hugely successful tour celebrating that GENESIS classic together with the 40th anniversary of one of his most-loved solo albums. Lockdown also gave Hackett the opportunity to write and record two new studio albums, the aforementioned "Under A Mediterranean Sky" and "Surrender Of Silence".

Photo credit: Tina Korhonen

SLIPKNOT's M. Shawn Crahan, also known as Clown, has just released two more solo songs. Like the three previously released tracks, "Brainwash Love - Suction" and "Brainwash Love - Dreaming" bring together ambient elecronic soundscapes that are a far cry from most of SLIPKNOT's musical output.

Crahan is not only the co-founder, percussionist, production designer and artistic visionary of SLIPKNOT, one of the world's biggest metal bands, he is a multi-faceted musician (DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS, TO MY SURPRISE, THE BLACK DOTS OF DEATH), a painter and photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries globally and published in the 2012 book "The Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey", a director and videographer, having directed a string of music videos for music artists, including SLIPKNOT, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, the 2016 movie adaptation of graphic novel "Officer Downe" and SLIPKNOT's own "Day Of The Gusano" and "Pollution" movies. He also has an extensive body of studio work, having produced albums for MUDVAYNE, DOWNTHESUN, GIZMACHI and 40 BELOW SUMMER and helmed remixes for the likes of BRING ME THE HORIZON, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, SUICIDE SILENCE, MARILYN MANSON, AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE and ESCAPE THE FATE, among others. He is also an actor, having starred as the carny "Tamer" in the 2012 movie "The Devil's Carnival", and an entrepreneur, guiding the development and blending of SLIPKNOT's No. 9 whiskey in collaboration with Iowa distillery Cedar Ridge. The multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist has sold more than 30 million records with SLIPKNOT, whose last three albums debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the U.K. albums chart.

SLIPKNOT has spent the last few months working on the follow-up to 2019's "We Are Not Your Kind" album.

Last month, SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor told the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3 that he and his bandmates had "a bunch of really cool stuff" for the new disc.

"We Are Not Your Kind" came out in August 2019. The disc sold 118,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Furthermore, the album made an impact worldwide with No. 1 debuts in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Finland, as well as Top 5 debuts in Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and New Zealand.

The 2021 incarnation of SLIPKNOT's "Knotfest Roadshow" will take place this fall. Support will come from three Grammy-nominated heavy music luminaries, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, FEVER 333 and CODE ORANGE.

The 28-date run, produced by Live Nation, kicks off following the band's previously announced Knotfest Iowa hometown show in Des Moines on September 25. The "Knotfest Roadshow"'s first official date happens at Tinley Park, Illinois on September 28, with the tour then snaking its way across the U.S., wrapping up in Arizona in early November.

Grammy-nominated band CODE ORANGE is collaborating with SMASHING PUMPKINS leader Billy Corgan on some of its new material.

The news of the pairing was broken by Corgan, who took to his social media to share a photo of him with members of CODE ORANGE in the studio, and he included the following message: "Excited to share I've been working with CODE ORANGE some on their blistering new songs."

CODE ORANGE's latest album, "Underneath", was released in March 2020 via Roadrunner Records. Produced by drummer/vocalist Jami Morgan and Nick Raskulinecz with co-producer Will Yip, the LP features additional programming from Chris Vrenna, and was mixed by Yip and Balderose.

"Underneath" is available on all streaming platforms, and features the singles "Swallowing The Rabbit Whole", "Underneath" and "Sulfur Surrounding". In its wake, the band performed multiple livestream experiences, including "Back Inside The Glass" an all-immersive environmental experience placing CODE ORANGE's live show at the center of awe-inspiring virtual landscapes. It marked CODE ORANGE's third livestream of 2020, following their empty-venue record-release show "Last Ones Left: In Fear Of The End" and "Under The Skin", their first-ever stripped down performance, which is available now as a digital album on all streaming platforms. Additionally, CODE ORANGE has continued to reach fans across the globe through its "You And You Alone" livestream series, which features collaborative performances, playthroughs, and in-depth discussions and fan question-and-answer sessions broadcasting regularly on the band's official Twitch channel.

In 2019, CODE ORANGE made headlines in the professional wrestling world with the release of "Let Me In", their official entrance theme for WWE superstar "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt. CODE ORANGE previously featured at WWE's NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III performing a rendition of wrestler Aleister Black's entrance theme alongside Incendiary's Brendan Garrone. "Let Me In" followed CODE ORANGE's 2018 release of "The Hurt Will Go On", a digital EP featuring "3 Knives" and "The Hunt" featuring Corey Taylor, as well as "The Hurt Will Go On" (Shade Remix), an official remix of CODE ORANGE's "Hurt Goes On" helmed by the band's guitarist and vocalist Shade.

In 2017, CODE ORANGE flipped the heavy music world on its head with their breakthrough album "Forever", a collection that masterfully mixed hardcore aggression with urgent industrial textures, earning the band a breakthrough Grammy nomination and top placement on several "Best of 2017" lists, including Rolling Stone's "20 Best Metal Albums of 2017", Revolver's "20 Best Albums of 2017" and The Independent's "Top 20 Rock & Metal Albums of 2017."

CODE ORANGE will support SLIPKNOT on the 2021 incarnation of the "Knotfest Roadshow". Additional support will come from two other Grammy-nominated heavy music luminaries, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and FEVER 333.




pic.twitter.com/bVxGhMGAHE

— Code Orange (@codeorangetoth) June 14, 2021

The Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar, and fellow guitarist Vic Johnson played Hagar's classic guitar rock song "I Can't Drive 55" as part of the pre-race festivities for the 37th annual NASCAR All-Star Race yesterday (Sunday, June 13) at Texas Motor Speedway. The two guitarists performed the 1984 radio and MTV hit from a stage located in the Texas Motor Speedway grandstands at Section PL 102. Check out video of their appearance below.

Hagar rose to fame in the 1970s with the band MONTROSE and the now-classic "Rock Candy". He then began a very successful solo career with songs like "There's Only One Way To Rock", "Your Love is Driving Me Crazy" and "Bad Motor Scooter". His success continued as the lead singer for VAN HALEN from 1985 to 1996. Since 2014, he has played in the supergroup SAMMY HAGAR AND THE CIRCLE with Johnson on guitar, former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony on bass and Jason Bonham, son of legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, on drums.

The Salinas, California native has also had great success in business, owning multiple nightclubs and restaurants, tequila and rum distilleries, a syndicated weekly radio show ("Sammy Hagar's Top Rock Countdown") and the "Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar" television program.

Johnson is a guitarist and Los Angeles native best known for playing with THE BUSBOYS, which appeared in the Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte hit movie "48 Hrs." as well as performing on "Saturday Night Live". A heavy sought-after session musician, Johnson has played in various bands with Hagar since 1997.

Hagar performed previously at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8, 2015 during pre-race festivities for the 2015 NASCAR Cup Series race.

Wolf Hoffmann, the 61-year-old guitarist of German heavy metal legends ACCEPT, has told Access: Rock in a new interview that he is not one for nostalgia. "I have no pleasure in poking around the past and double-guessing things and reminiscing about the past," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "I find it actually quite painful, because, to me, what's done is done. I think, what's the point, man? That was then, this is now, so let's move on forward and see what else can happen in this life."

He continued: "I don't even like [it when classic rock and metal bands do] the 45-year-anniversary tour and the 50-year, 30-year — all this kind of stuff. Maybe one day we'll do something, but so far we're so full of activities. To me, it always smells a little bit like retirement. You've got nothing else to say, and instead you go through your life and take résumé and whatever. I don't know. I don't like it. It's boring."

ACCEPT's latest album, "Too Mean To Die", came out in January via Nuclear Blast. The LP is the group's first without bassist Peter Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik. ACCEPT's lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, Philip Shouse, who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during 2019's "Symphonic Terror" tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

"Too Mean To Die" was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with British producer Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH), who has been responsible for the studio sound of ACCEPT since 2010.

New York City’s Sweet Sienna have released their new single, "Dust On A Grave", via Cleopatra Records.

The single features special guest artists George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Jack Russell (Jack Russell’s Great White), Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale, Vixen), John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Dead Daisies), Keith St. John (Burning Rain, Montrose), Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses, The Dead Daisies), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake,Night Ranger), Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Great White) and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big).

The song was written by Sweet Sienna founding members Austin Tucker (keyboards/vocals) and Alan Christopher (guitars) as well as Matt Starr who produced the song.

“Dust On The Grave” starts as a ballad making you feel like you just stepped into a Clint Eastwood western, then quickly explodes into an arena rock masterpiece. Now available on all digital formats here, and available for streaming below.

“I loved playing on this song. There’s something really gratifying and organic about it. It’s really a timeless track that I can’t get out of my head.“ - George Lynch

“I really enjoyed working with all the great musicians on this project. It’s nice to see younger players carrying on with the music of my era.” - Jack Russell

"I had a blast producing 'Dust On A Grave' for Sweet Sienna. Alan and Austin are very talented writers and the song tells a great story that made it easy for all the singers to interpret in their own style." - Matt Starr

“'Dust On A Grave'” is a song Austin and I would always play around with during rehearsal and then shelve. Before anything, we’re music fans and we were so sad to see all these amazing shows and package tours get canceled when the pandemic hit. We wanted to do something special and bring the big package tour to the fans the only way possible. At this point we were working with Matt Starr on a different project. We showed him Dust, he loved the song and finished writing it with us. We all made a few phone calls to see who would want to be involved and before we knew it, we had a packed track. It’s been amazing playing with musicians of this caliber and an absolute blast putting together a tune recorded literally all over the country.” ' Alan Christopher




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