The Annihilator Acoustic Sunday selection for June 6th was "Bad Child", taken from Triple Threat Un-Plugged: The Watersound Studios Sessions. Check out the clip below.

Triple Threat includes Annihilator’s classics performed acoustically, with band leader/guitarist/ songwriter and vocalist Jeff Waters bringing together band members Aaron Homma and Richard Hinks, Vancouver BC drummer and friend Marc LaFrance plus Ottawa session player Pat Robillard. Live, off the floor and in single takes at Watersound Studios in Dunrobin, Canada during late May and early June, 2016.

The release also features Annihilator’s vicious set from the 2016 Bang Your Head Festival, a set which illustrates the very best of what Annihilator is known for –tight, sharp, technically-excellent and melodic thrash metal music. Triple Threat includes some exclusive inside-Annihilator off-stage perspective, courtesy of Jeff Waters’ own camera, which captures further elements, flavors and detail of the band which fans will flip over. 




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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 for the new EP:

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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GUNS N' ROSES' Slash, DEF LEPPARD's Phil Collen and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' Robert DeLeo performed a cover version of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Fire" as part of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) annual fundraiser, Beastly Ball, which was held virtually on Saturday, June 5. They were joined by DELTA DEEP drummer Forrest Robinson.

In an Instagram post, DeLeo called the experience at Gold-Diggers in East Hollywood "a very memorable" and "very emotional day". He added: "This is now where my beloved 1974 Neve 8014 console resides. Lots of great music and memories have passed through this board and I know it has gone to a great home. All around it has been such an amazing day with great friends!"

Lauded as "one of the most important fundraisers" by the Los Angeles Times, Beastly Ball, now in its 51st year, started as a glitzy Hollywood gala and has evolved into a virtual global celebration that welcomes viewers from around the world to tune in and support the Los Angeles Zoo.

This year's star-studded event was hosted by actor, comedian and TV host Joel McHale and honored the philanthropic work of actors Jackie Chan and Leila George, and was filled with inspiring conservation stories; special celebrity guests; animal moments; an online auction; and additional musical performances by WEEZER, REO SPEEDWAGON's Kevin Cronin and Poet Christopher Simms reading a poem he wrote called "The Return of the Earth/She".

Prior to the event, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association president Tom Jacobson stated: "Last year more than 21,000 people from around the globe joined the celebration, making it our biggest and wildest party to date. And with Joel McHale returning to host the event, it is guaranteed to be a laughter-filled evening of philanthropy, fun, favorite animals, and fabulous celebrity friends."

He added: "This year’s conservation honorees hail from different parts of the world and represent the diverse voices creating social awareness for the need to protect native species and wildlife habitat around the globe. And with conservation at the core of what we do, this fundraiser supports GLAZA's efforts to fund a myriad of programs including conservation, animal care, animal health, and education programs at the Los Angeles Zoo."

For the first time ever, the Beastly Ball had a dedicated art auction featuring an eclectic mix of celebrity, local, and international artists, who contributed over 65 unique and original pieces of art ranging from sculpture and paintings to prints and photographs. The theme of this year's art auction was nature, wildlife, climate change and our blue planet and included works by actor and comedian Mike Myers and the late American poet and writer Allen Ginsberg; as well as Los Angeles-based artists Narb Avedissian, Juan Bastos, Javiera Estrada, Peter Liashkov, Dan McCleary, Michael Microulis, Ramone Munoz, Melora Walters, and more; and international artists Peggy H. Lee, Kat Serediuk, Kevin Sloan and Hannah Ward, among others.


























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Rob Zombie has confirmed that he is working on a movie reboot of the classic 1960s sitcom "The Munsters".

Earlier today, Zombie took to his Instagram to write: "Attention Boils and Ghouls! The rumors are true! My next film project will be the one I've been chasing for 20 years! THE MUNSTERS! Stay tuned for exciting details as things progress!"

This past April, Bloody Disgusting reported that Zombie's take on "The Munsters" could turn out to be an original/exclusive for NBC's Peacock streaming service that will open day-and-date in theaters via Universal Pictures/UPHE, similar to what Warner Bros. is doing with HBO Max

Zombie's film reboot of "The Munsters" reportedly began filming in May and will feature Zombie's wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, cast as Lily Munster, and Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman Munster. The cast will also reportedly include Richard Brake, Dan Roebuck, Jorge Garcia and Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson.

"The Munsters" aired on CBS for two seasons from September 1964 to May 1966.

Zombie, who is said to be a massive "Munsters" fan, recently joined Butch Patrick for a commentary track for the film "Munster, Go Home!", which was released on Blu-ray by Scream Factory last year.

A musician, filmmaker, and author, Rob Zombie has directed eight feature films, including 2019's "3 From Hell", 2016's "31" and 2012's "The Lords Of Salem". His other directing credits include the cult favorite "House Of 1000 Corpses" and its companion, "The Devil's Rejects", along with the 2007 re-imagining of John Carpenter's "Halloween", plus its sequel, "Halloween 2". Zombie also developed his own comic book series into an R-rated animated feature, "The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto".

Zombie admitted to The Pulse Of Radio a while back that it's been tough for him to break out of the horror genre. "The movies I've made up to this point have been pretty dark and pretty much in that world because those are the opportunities that were presented," he explained. "You know, the people that put up the money for these things know that if I stick to that sort of thing, it's easily more profitable. So it's a much bigger challenge to break out of it."

Zombie released his seventh studio album, "The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy", in March via Nuclear Blast. The LP marks his first new album in nearly five years.

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Last week, BAD WOLVES announced its new lead singer Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz and the title of its upcoming third album, "Dear Monsters". Today, the band followed up that news by dropping a new video on their social media, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of the new LP in the studio. The footage shows all five band members — founding member and drummer John Boecklin, guitarist Doc Coyle, guitarist Chris Cain, bassist Kyle Konkiel and Laskiewicz — creating together and speaking with excitement about their next chapter.

"Dear Monsters" is expected to be released later this year via Better Noise Music.

Laskiewicz has carved out an impressive career for himself over the last 15-plus years, most notably as a founding member and lead guitarist of metalcore band THE ACACIA STRAIN, of which he was a member from 2001 to 2013. A talented songwriter and producer, he's also worked on projects with ALL THAT REMAINS, LEGION, FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS and collaborated with BAD WOLVES on their 2019 studio album "N.A.T.I.O.N.", where the creative relationship with the band started.

BAD WOLVES are led by Boecklin, who has honored his commitment to the band's fans by continuing with the group when the previous singer, Tommy Vext, quit in January 2021.

BAD WOLVES broke the news of Laskiewicz's addition to the band via a statement on social media on June 2. The group wrote: "DL is a tremendous songwriter and singer, and we can confidently say that the album we are working on, titled 'Dear Monsters', is the best BAD WOLVES album to date.

"DL is one of the most talented and hard-working people we have ever had the pleasure to know. He is a team player, a creative force, and overall a great human being who fits perfectly with our BW family. It feels incredible to be surrounded with such positive energy and the music we've made is certainly reflective of this new-found optimism and collaborative spirit. This new album shows a more cohesive and unique reflection of the band. There is a lot to prove and expectations are high with a new singer coming in. And we nailed it. The songs speak for themselves, and if you're a BAD WOLVES fan we know you won't be disappointed.

"So much has happened since Tommy publicly quit BAD WOLVES a few months ago — and we disagree with the validity of much of what he has said publicly about our parting of ways — but we would prefer to not look back on the past and instead focus on this new chapter. And most importantly, we'd like to let the music speak for itself."

Vext originally announced his exit from BAD WOLVES in a since-deleted Instagram Live video, insisting that he was forced out by his former bandmates and record label, Better Noise Music, over his conservative political views. The singer also announced plans to launch a solo career while claiming he wrote a significant portion of the new BAD WOLVES album, apparently referencing the band's upcoming third LP.

In recent months, Vext — who is black — has been vocal about his support for former U.S. president Donald Trump while insisting he had never experienced racism in America and that it was all "manufactured." In June 2020, Vext posted a six-plus-minute video on Instagram in which he suggested, without evidence, that "Black Lives Matter" was created by people like George Soros, the Holocaust survivor and billionaire who is the subject of many right-wing conspiracy theories, along with the Clinton Foundation. He also offered up the debunked theory that they invest in "Black Lives Matter" to profit from media coverage. The singer said he made the video "after weeks of research & interviews with independent journalist(s), military personnel, entertainment industry professionals, a virologist & many ex Democrats."

Coyle later took to his social media to "apologize to anyone who was hurt" by Tommy's comments and to offer up his perspective on what he called a "distraction" from BAD WOLVES' message of "inclusion and positivity."

BAD WOLVES broke through in 2018 with a cover of THE CRANBERRIES hit "Zombie". CRANBERRIES vocalist Dolores O'Riordan was supposed to contribute to the track but died the day she was supposed to go into the studio.

Rolling Stone has published new details of the recent leak of private messages and videos of former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson's interactions with a woman who is not his wife.

The magazine obtained a report from the Scottsdale Police Department which shows that Ellefson admitted to police that he had been sexting with a Dutch teenager who had captured video of their encounters without his consent. The police confirmed Ellefson's partner's age as 19. As part of the investigation, Ellefson took a polygraph test and provided a photo of his partner's driver's license to prove she was of age. He also shared with the with police screenshots of Snapchat and WhatsApp messages of his interactions with her.

The 56-year-old musician told police that he first met the woman when he was signing autographs at a 2019 concert in Holland. "They struck up a friendship and continued chatting through social media," the report said. "The second time they met in person was in the Netherlands at a hotel lobby to have coffee and a soda. He believes this was February 2020. He stated there was no physical contact and they just had a conversation. He stated there has never been any sexual physical contact between the two."

According to Ellefson, his interactions with the woman didn't turn sexual until "July or August" of 2020, when they each started to masturbate together over Facebook Messenger. "He stated they had about four to five masturbating encounters," the report said. "The last online sexual encounter was around February 2021. [Ellefson's partner] admitted to Mr. Ellefson that she had recorded two to three videos of him masturbating without his consent or knowledge."

The report added: "[Ellefson's partner] admitted that she had shared the video with some friends but wasn't sure how it got leaked out to others. She was remorseful and agreed to send out a social media statement on her Instagram account that she had been a willing consenting adult during their mutual virtual sexual encounter.

"[Ellefson] stated [the fan] has not extorted him in any way, so he believes he is not the originator(s) of the social media posts making the allegations."

When Ellefson issued his original statement on May 10, he included a screenshot of a social media post from the woman involved, who denied any suggestions that she was underage at the time. The woman also revealed she recorded the intimate moments and shared them with a friend without Ellefson's permission, calling herself "naïve" for doing so and claiming that the contact between her and the musician was "all consensual and all online." She also called assumptions that she was "groomed" by Ellefson "misinformation".

On May 24, Dave Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — announced the bassist's departure from the band, saying, "We do not take this decision lightly. While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward," Mustaine wrote. Two days later, Ellefson released a follow-up statement in which he vowed to file a "defamation lawsuit" against the person who "illegally posted a very private video" of the bassist and made "false allegations" against him. He also said he was working with the police in Scottsdale, Arizona "in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted the video. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Ellefson wrote. He went on to say that he was "taking this time to be with my family" and wished his "bandmates" the best with their upcoming tour.

MEGADETH has yet to announce a replacement for Ellefson, who was in the band from its inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest departure.

David, who became a Lutheran pastor nearly a decade ago, and his wife Julie Ellefson have been married for 27 years. They have two children, Roman Alexander (25) and Athena Grace (

SLIPKNOT percussionist M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan spoke to Pablo of the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X about the band's upcoming follow-up to 2019's "We Are Not Your Kind" LP.

"I believe that this album is… It's God music, man," he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "It's the center of the beast for me. This is a whole other element.

"We as a band have been trying to facilitate certain ideas in recording and songwriting. Songwriting isn't always just giving our fans 'Psychosocial's and 'Surfacing's — without saying it, sometimes we can write those songs in our sleep; it's so in us. It's what we don't know and what we don't know how to pull out is what is the love for humanity. I wanna make a difference.

"I don't do a lot of charity because I believe what I'm doing onstage is my charity. It's bringing everyone together for a night.

"I just think what we're doing now is really… There's a lot of things going on. One, we're getting off our label [after the release of new LP]. And I feel free. It's got nothing to do with what's next. It's just got to do with, 'Get the hell away from me.'"

Crahan went on to say that the new SLIPKNOT album will "hopefully" be released this year. "But we still have a lot of time to complete this," he said. "We're hoping to be done by the end of July."

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. "It was something that we just kind of started kicking around, obviously, in quarantine," he explained. "And Clown hit me up — he was, like, 'Hey, we're gonna start working on some music. Are you down?' I was, like, 'Absolutely. Start sending me some stuff, and we'll start figuring it out.' So they started putting together some rad music, man — really cool stuff that made me start thinking outside my own box and challenging myself. And it was cool, 'cause I got excited again about exploring some different stuff and not just being so driven in my own thing but thinking outside, trying to tell other people's stories again. And that's kind of where I'm going with this new SLIPKNOT album — trying to tell other people's stories and not just my own. And it's feeling pretty rad, man. I can't wait for people to hear it."

"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.

"We Are Not Your Kind"'s sales in the U.S. were boosted by a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer with SLIPKNOT's summer 2019 tour.

According to Chart Data, LINKIN PARK's "In The End" has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, making it the first nu-metal song to reach the milestone.

Last year, LINKIN PARK's music video for "In The End" surpassed one billion views on YouTube. It was the second LINKIN PARK track to reach the milestone; back in November 2018, "Numb" achieved the same feat.

The official "In The End" clip that has hit the one-billion mark wasn't uploaded to YouTube until October 2009, almost a decade after the video's original release.

LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda spoke about the creation of "In The End" in an interview with Linkin Park Web. He said: "I came up with the piano and the chorus music and chorus lyrics. Then Brad [Delson, guitar] came up with the guitar in the verse and we worked on the bassline and composition. From there, I think everybody in the band began chipping in and adding their parts and critiquing each other's parts. And right before we went into the studio to record it, we scrapped the beat I had originally written for the verse, and had Rob [Bourdon, drums] do a new one, which is the one that we recorded."

Surprisingly, LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington didn't care for "In The End" when it was first recorded. "I was never a fan of 'In The End' and I didn't even want it to be on the record, honestly," he told VMusic back in 2012. "How wrong could I have possibly been? I basically decided at that point I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about, so I leave that to other people who are actually talented at somehow picking songs that people are going to like the most. It also gave me a good lesson, as an artist, that I don't necessarily have to only make music, in my band, that I want to listen to. More often than not, something that I like, very few other people like, and something that those people like is something that I kind of like, or don't like at all. And that's cool, it gives me a new appreciation for the songs. But, you know, now I love 'In The End' and I think it's such a great song. I actually see how good of a song it is, it was just hard for me to see it at the time."

Last October, "Hybrid Theory" re-entered Billboard's Album Sales chart at No. 3 after selling 17,000 copies in the U.S. in the week ending October 15, 2020.

"Hybrid Theory"'s reappearance on the chart was fueled by the album's 20th-anniversary deluxe reissue, which was made available on October 9, 2020 via Warner Records. The set came in multiple physical and digital formats, including a super deluxe box set, super deluxe vinyl box set and deluxe CD that all come with the original "Hybrid Theory" as well as the "B-Side Rarities" with 12 previously released tracks from the album era.

LINKIN PARK has not performed together in public since October 2017, when the surviving members staged a tribute concert in Los Angeles to Bennington.

The band has not officially announced whether it intends to carry on following the death of the singer, who committed suicide at the age of 41.




.@linkinpark's "In the End" has now surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. It's the first nu-metal song to reach this milestone.

— chart data (@chartdata) June 7, 2021

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens spoke to the 80's Glam Metalcast about "Sermons Of The Sinner", the upcoming debut album from KK'S PRIEST, his new band 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). Regarding the record's overall musical direction, Owens said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think people got, right out of the gate, with [the recently released first single] 'Hellfire Thunderbolt', I think they got a taste of it, what's kind of in store for you. The album really has a little bit of everything. It's got the aggression; you hear it with 'Hellfire'. Even beyond that, with a couple of the tracks, right out of the gate, it has that. But it also has the classic metal to it — it has the classic K.K. feel going on with it as well. So it's got the singalongs, the great live songs, the epic songs — it's got a little bit of everything. The next one out of the gate, with 'Sermons Of The Sinner', it's a very falsetto-y, high-pitched song — a lot of that stuff going on. And then the rest of the album mixes it up very well."

Tim also addressed criticism from some fans that "Hellfire Thunderbolt" borrows a little too heavily from Owens's and Downing's former group.

"It's funny, 'cause, obviously, people complain about everything, which, I guess, is how the cookie crumbles nowadays," he said. "But I think it's one of the dumbest things that I hear people, who get mad at it, say that, like, 'Wow, it kind of sounds like JUDAS…' Well, K.K. Downing wrote JUDAS PRIEST songs since the 1970s, writing JUDAS PRIEST songs and only JUDAS PRIEST songs since then, so I think you can maybe also say that it sounds like K.K. Downing, because that's how he writes. And I think it's a fantastic thing that he didn't try to go off and invent the wheel again. That's the sound that K.K. has; he's written JUDAS PRIEST songs. And it's fantastic. It's got that classic sound. And no need to go away from that."

According to Tim, "Sermons Of The Sinner" is reminiscent of Downing's past efforts but doesn't come across as a copy of any of PRIEST's classic albums.

"The thing is it definitely doesn't sound like one record, like Ken just went to make this sound like that," Owens explained. "I think he just wrote songs. And while he's writing songs, I hear pieces and little guitar parts that kind of remind me of going back to even [JUDAS PRIEST's debut album, 1974's] 'Rocka Rolla'. Some of the guitar tones and some of these little leads, when it's a mellow part, and the ending of [album closer] 'Return Of The Sentinel' just reminds me of going back there. So, to me, I think it's got a little bit of everything. I can really tell that K.K. wasn't forcing something, that he was just writing music. He sat down and wrote songs. And he didn't have to please anybody, to write a certain style; he just had to please himself to write stuff. And I think that's what's so cool about it. I think it really sounds like not one individual record at all."

"Sermons Of The Sinner" will be released on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the '80s. After partnering with Explorer1 Music Group, the album was originally intended for release a year ago, but with the COVID-19 pandemic curtailing everyone's release and touring plans, Downing pulled back and spent two more months tweaking the album to how he wanted it.

KK'S PRIEST will play select shows to mark the 50th anniversary of PRIEST and Downing's career as a founding member. KK'S PRIEST's setlist will consist of PRIEST classics and new songs.

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

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

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

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

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

Reactivated Norwegian progressive metallers CONCEPTION, who feature in their ranks former KAMELOT singer Roy Khan, have released a brand new single, "Cry (Live)". It is the first single from a brand new crowdfunding campaign supporting the release of an expanded version of their successful 2020 album "State Of Deception", to be made available early in 2022. The set will feature a host of new recordings, including new songs, re-recordings of some of their classic back catalog and a number of live performances.

"Cry" was, to quote Khan, "a magical moment we captured when we undertook our re-entrance onto the metal scene after more than a decade apart," having been recorded at CONCEPTION's homecoming gig in Gjovik, Norway in 2019. The first of several new singles to be released over the course of 2021, "Cry" is also the first live recording the band has ever released digitally. Guitarist Tore Østby added: "It has been so great to play live again, and I have been thrilled to discover new energy in our old songs. This release is a great example of that."

Meanwhile the deluxe version of "State Of Deception" is an acknowledgement from the band to address the fans' call for making more material available. As well as the new recordings featuring alongside the original album on both CD and vinyl, the deluxe box set will also include a host of additional items, including instrumental versions of the album tracks, posters, an extensive history of the band with never-before-seen photographs and exclusive competition access.

In recognition of the band's desire to maintain their existing direct-to-fan relationship, the process will once again be enabled via a brand new crowdfunding campaign.

"We've been lucky enough to have such loyal fans," Khan observes. "They have been incredibly generous in supporting us, and we've tried really hard to acknowledge that by making some particularly distinctive items and experiences available to them. You should see what we intend to make available over the course of this campaign."

CONCEPTION will also finally be undertaking its COVID-19 delayed headline tour, for which an extra date has been announced, as the band marks its return to Belgium by headlining Antwerp's Thunder Metal Fest on March 27.

CONCEPTION 2022 live dates:

March 19 - Gjøvik, Norway @ Friscena

March 27 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Thunder Music Festival

April 07 - Barcelona, Spain @ Salamandra

April 08 - Madrid, Spain @ Shoko

April 09 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Lisboa Ao Vivo

April 14 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Melkweg Oz

April 15 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal

April 16 – Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie

April 17 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Plaza

April 23 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Fryshuset

April 29 - Oslo, Norway @ Rockefeller

June 3/4 - Atlanta, GA @ Progpower XXI Festival

"State Of Deception" followed a 20-year interval during which bandmembers Khan, Østby, Ingar Amlien and Arve Heimdal remained friends throughout, and the album release marked a full-circle evolution of the band.

"State Of Deception" was wholly produced by the bandmembers themselves, with mixing duties handled by Stefan Glaumann (RAMMSTEIN, WITHIN TEMPTATION, EUROPE). The nine-song effort perfectly captured the band's trademark breadth of progressive sound, from symphonic melodrama to rock riff utopia, and featured a guest appearance by AMARANTHE vocalist Elize Ryd.

LIGHT THE TORCH — Howard Jones (vocals), Francesco Artusato (guitar), and Ryan Wombacher (bass) — has released the official music video for the song "Let Me Fall Apart". The track is taken from the band's second full-length album, "You Will Be The Death Of Me", which is due on June 25 via Nuclear Blast.

"I loved this song as soon as I heard it," says Jones. "The music stuck in my head, so I knew I had to work on it right from the beginning of writing the new album. Francesco wrote a huge chorus so I did my best to match that energy. We are thrilled for this to finally see the light of day."

Artusato also weighs in on the track, saying: "The initial idea for this song was to combine an 'old-school' type of guitar riff and vibe — because I love to hear Howard sing over that style — with a more 'contemporary' type of arrangement and chorus. I remember writing and arranging the chorus, and feeling that it had the potential to become great knowing what Howard could do with it. And, of course, he delivered once again. This was one of the first songs that we worked on during pre-production and it felt really good right away. It was definitely one of the songs that helped shape the sound for the rest of the record."

The video was directed by Ramon Boutviseth, who also lensed the video for first single "Wilting In The Light".

LIGHT THE TORCH has announced a full-length performance airing on album release day — Friday, June 25 at 7 p.m. ET. The set will include several songs from "You Will Be The Death Of Me" which have never been performed live before. It will also include a VIP Zoom hangout with the band beforehand. Tickets for the performance are just $12 and are available here.

"'You Will Be The Death Of Me' has been a journey — even without the pandemic," said Jones. "This album has been emotional and rewarding in every way, and we couldn't be more excited to finally release it. Maybe there was a bit of desperation writing and recording these songs."

He shared: "Going through personal turmoil and watching Francesco deal with injuries, we knew this could change things drastically for us. The album was a welcome distraction, and we dumped every emotion we had into 'You Will Be The Death Of Me'. To watch Fran heal and become an even more complete artist in front of my eyes has been amazing to watch. Everything we went through individually and together with this album drew Fran, Ryan, and I together. I couldn't be more proud of this album knowing I made it with my family."

Artusato opened up about his experiences, saying: "This record is special to me in a different way. From writing the music during one of the toughest times of my life while dealing with a bad injury due to a car accident to being obsessively involved with every aspect of its production, recording, and creating the artwork. It's hard to describe how I feel, and to finally see this record getting ready to be released."

He continued about the redemptive power of the album, offering: "We are all very satisfied with how this record showcases the evolution of our band and our evolution as individuals. Without our brotherhood, this music could not have happened. Music is what kept us strong together during our toughest times. There's nothing like art that expresses pure and deep emotions, and that's what I feel when I listen to Howard's performance on this record."

Wombacher concurred: "I think this album shows the growth the band has experienced after years on the road together, and a friendship that has continued to thrive doing what we love together."

The guys returned to Sparrow Sound in Glendale, California to once again work with the production team of Josh Gilbert and Joseph McQueen (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AS I LAY DYING, SUICIDE SILENCE). This time around, they also welcomed WHITECHAPEL's Alex Rudinger on drums. "He's incredible," said Artusato. "He was exactly what we needed."

Upheld by head-spinning seven-string virtuosity yet anchored to skyscraping melodies, LIGHT THE TORCH crafted 12 metallic anthems, including an unexpected and awesome cover of the '80s hit "Sign Your Name" by R&B singer Terence Trent D'Arby.

"You Will Be The Death Of Me" track listing:

01. More Than Dreaming

02. Let Me Fall Apart

03. End Of The World

04. Wilting In The Light

05. Death Of Me

06. Living With A Ghost

07. Become The Martyr

08. Something Deep Inside

09. I Hate Myself

10. Denying The Sin

11. Come Back To The Quicksand

12. Sign Your Name

The group shot out of the gate as a contender on their full-length debut, "Revival". It bowed at No. 4 on the Billboard U.S. Independent Albums chart and at #10 on the Hard Rock Albums chart in addition to receiving acclaim from Revolver, Outburn, and many more. "Calm Before The Storm" racked up a staggering 14.5 million Spotify streams, while "The Safety of Disbelief" remains one of SiriusXM Octane's all-time most requested songs. They also crisscrossed North America and Europe on tour with the likes of TRIVIUM, AVATAR, IN FLAMES, ICE NINE KILLS, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and AUGUST BURNS RED, to name a few.

In a new interview with Jason Saulnier, guitarist Chris Cannella of Florida death metal veterans DEICIDE discussed the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to the band's 2018 album "Overtures Of Blasphemy". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Since I moved out [to Florida from Arizona] a year ago, we were writing a lot of music, and then we kind of started over when I got out here and I was able to rehearse all the time rather than just meeting up when I was commuting for work. [Editor's note: Cannella works as a product manager for Dean Guitars.] So we've been really focusing and writing just really — in my opinion — some amazing stuff. And when we do record it, you will definitely hear a different vibe with the band, because the camaraderie is so strong. I mean, the four of us in a room, we just have a great time. We love being around each other, [and] we like writing music together. You're gonna hear a lot of that. It's just a really strong, aggressive… A lot of guitar work, a lot of cool drumming. Glen's [Benton, bass/vocals] stuff that he is working on — it's great. It's exciting. I couldn't be happier."

DEICIDE will embark on a U.S. tour at the end of the summer. Support on the 23-date trek will come from KATAKLYSM, INTERNAL BLEEDING and BEGAT THE NEPHILIM. The tour will kick off on August 5 in Tampa, Florida and make stops in Austin, Chicago, and New York before concluding on August 29 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

In 2019, DEICIDE parted ways with guitarist Mark English and replaced him with Cannella.

English joined DEICIDE in 2016 following the departure of longtime guitarist Jack Owen.

In a 2018 interview with Revolver, Benton stated about "Overtures Of Blasphemy"'s slightly more diverse musical direction: "You know what works best for me? Whenever I develop this soured-ass I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude — whenever that's intensified for whatever reason — I just have a tendency to come up with my best stuff. Say you're at a casino and you've spent your whole night losing. You're like, What the fuck? So you put in your last quarter in the machine and you win all your money back and then some. That kind of fluke is, in a way, why this worked out. I kind of look at it like, "Hey, what the hell do we have to lose anymore? We know it's not going to go anywhere. So let's just do it for us and focus on what we like. Let's take the music we grew up on and just have fun with it."

Legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) recently joined Sara of the Philadelphia radio station 93.3 WMMR to talk about "None More Black", the new box set from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. Zakk also remembered his first meeting with Ozzy Osbourne; shared his thoughts on pop stars with rock aesthetic, like Post Malone; the Mark Weiss wedding jam that's been making the rounds on YouTube; and how heavy drinking in his younger years may have actually saved his life. Plus: when will we get new tunes from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY?

Asked if it's "tough not to step on each other" when he is sharing the stage with other guitarists as part of the "Experience Hendrix" or "Generation Axe" tours, Zakk responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Put it this way, if you like pizza, what's your favorite pizza? They're all great. It depends on what mood you're in. So, do you want a Margherita pizza or just a plain pie? Do you want it with garlic or mushroom? Do you want it with pepperoni? Do you want it with sausage? Do you want it with whatever?

"Put it this way: If you're gonna have Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, Al Di Meola and Frank Marino all jamming at an [event], all they're gonna do is just be themselves; there is no competition," he explained. "Keith Richards is just gonna be Keith Richards. Keith's gonna do what Keith does. If Keith is a pepperoni pizza and Eddie Van Halen is garlic and mushroom, I'm just saying that's what you are. There is no competition.

"I remember Father Steve Vai, Stevie said it best. He just goes, 'Zakk, there is no best.' He goes, 'It's what's your favorite.' 'Cause he loves Tom Waits; that's, like, his favorite singer. He loves Tom Waits. But, like, who's your favorite singer then? Is it Tom Waits or is it Pavarotti? It's, like, who's better? Is it Adele or is it Stevie Nicks? It's whoever touches you. What's your favorite LED ZEPPELIN record? To me, they're all amazing. It just depends on what mood you're in and what album you've worn out. You're, like, 'I'm burnt out. I'm gonna listen to 'Presence' now. I can't listen to 'Physical Graffiti' anymore.' They're all great. It depends on what mood you're in. That's the great thing about music."

Earlier this month, Zakk told Detroit's WRIF radio station that BLACK LABEL SOCIETY recorded "about 30 songs" for its next LP. The follow-up to 2018's "Grimmest Hits" is tentatively due in November.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "None More Black" box set, containing remastered versions of all 12 of the band's original studio recordings on gorgeous color vinyl, came out in April. The box set comes with a hardcover 32-page photo book, chronicling BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's legendary career. It arrives in an indestructible black-on-black embossed collection box. It includes "The Song Remains Not The Same II", featuring reworked versions of the original songs.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY spent a couple of years touring in support of "Grimmest Hits".

The band celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first album, "Sonic Brew", in 2019.

Zakk has been the on-again-off-again guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne since 1987, although he does not appear on the legendary heavy metal singer's latest LP, "Ordinary Man".

Ted Nugent has denied that systemic racism exists in the United States.

The outspoken conservative rocker made the claim during a YouTube stream with his wife Shemane earlier today (Wednesday, May 5). He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There is no systemic racism. It's a lie. There isn't any systemic racism. We fixed that. It's 2021, and there's no white supremacy. It's not a threat. White supremacists haven't burned down Seattle or Portland. They didn't burn down Kenosha. They didn't burn down Minneapolis. Those were so-called Black Lives Matter terrorists and Antifa and Democrat supporters who hate America, hate God, hate family, hate freedom, hate the Constitution, hate the Bill Of Rights, hate hard-working Americans. They are the terrorists. Black Lives Matter, Antifa — those are the terrorists. They burn down cities and destroy things. There are no white supremists [sic] doing that. There might be a couple of dirtbag white supremists out there, but they're virtually inconsequential. It's bullshit.

"So, be careful of the propaganda ministry and the censorship of Big Tech, who literally censors the president of the United States," he continued. "Not this goofball in the White House now, but Donald Trump. And they suppress Shemane and I because we stand up for God, family, country, Constitution, Bill Of Rights, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, the Declaration Of Independence, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, and law and order.

"Tell your mayor, your senator, your congressman or your governor that your family demands law and order," Nugent added. "And if anybody says 'defund the police,' they are on the side of rapists. You know who wants to defund the police? Rapists. You know who wants to defund the police? Carjackers. You know who wants to defund the police? Evil. So when someone even hints that they want to compromise the capabilities of law enforcement, you're looking at the devil. "Cause the devil rapes, murders, carjacks, child-molests and assaults people. And that's what happens when you defund the police. That's insanity. That's cultural and spiritual suicide. You know it, I know it, even the lying punks on TV know it. But they're gonna lie anyhow."

According to Business Insider, extensive research and data illustrate how systemic racism in the United States makes basic experiences like banking, education, and interactions with law enforcement vastly different for people of color compared to white people. Racial disparities are ingrained in almost every component of American society, including employment, wealth, education, home ownership, health care and incarceration.

Two months ago, Nugent fired back at accusations of racism, saying that he is "the anti-racist" who has "paid homage and reverence to the black heroes of music" his entire life.

A board member of the National Rifle Association, Nugent has been accused of using racist language for decades, including in a 1990 Detroit Free Press interview where he defended the institution of apartheid in South Africa by stating "apartheid isn't that cut-and-dry. All men are not created equal."

Back in 2014, Nugent called then-U.S. president Barack Obama a "subhuman mongrel" in an interview with Guns.com. He later apologized "for using the street fight terminology of subhuman mongrel." But he maintained that Obama was a "liar" violating the Constitution.

In his 2016 memoir, "18 And Life On Skid Row", former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach wrote about how Nugent, whom he considered to be one of his musical idols, allegedly went on a racist tirade on the set of the VH1 reality show "SuperGroup", causing Sebastian to step into the role of unlikely hero to the African-American crew by walking out and going to the producer, refusing to continue working with the Nuge.

In 2019, Nugent defended Donald Trump after the then-U.S. president was accused of making racist remarks about Democratic congresswomen from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess spoke to "Breaking Absolutes" host Peter Orullian about the band's recently recorded follow-up to 2019's "Distance Over Time" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There's a lot of good stuff on the new record. I'm very, very proud of these keyboard tracks. I'm probably more proud of these keyboard tracks on this album than anything I've ever done with DREAM THEATER — in a big way. And probably the credit is due to Jimmy T [James Meslin] as well, who's our illustrious engineer, who recorded LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, he did the last DREAM THEATER album and who recorded this album. He and I worked very closely in the studio really finding, crafting the sounds. And it was really a great experience."

Last month, DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie told "Breaking Absolutes" that he and his bandmates "upped the ante" with their new LP. I said to [guitarist] John [Petrucci] when I was finishing the last vocal, I said, 'You know what? We just hit a whole new level.' And I said, 'This is our 15th freaking album, and we've done it again. There's something going on here that I think the fans are just gonna flip out when they hear it.' And he goes, 'I said that to my wife the other night. I was sitting down. I was listening to the album from front to back, and I was freaking out.' And I go, 'Same here. I'm listening to these songs when we're done, and I'm going back to the hotel room and I'm listening to them, and I'm going, 'Holy shit. What the hell is going on here?'' And I think it's very exciting. And even Jordan— he was FaceTiming me, going, 'Holy shit.' He's all amped up. He's, like, 'Is it just me or are you hearing this stuff?' And I'm, like, 'No, man. There's something really cool going on here.' And he's going, 'The fans are gonna freak out.'I go, 'Yeah, they are. They really are.'"

In April, Petrucci told Germany's Thomann that DREAM THEATER had been working on the new album since October. "And I am super excited about it. The record [is] filled with energy and excitement and positivity. I'm excited about it. I can't wait for people to hear that."

DREAM THEATER's new album is tentatively due in the fall.

"Distance Over Time" marked DREAM THEATER's first album for for Sony Music's progressive imprint InsideOut Music. The group spent 25 years recording under various labels in the Warner Music Group system, most recently Roadrunner Records, which released five albums by the band between 2007 and 2016.

DREAM THEATER recently released its ninth career live album, "Distant Memories - Live In London". Recorded at DREAM THEATER's sold-out show at the Apollo Theatre in London, the live release documents the band's world tour in support of "Distance Over Time" and the 20th anniversary of their seminal concept album "Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory".

Max Cavalera says that SOULFLY fans will likely have to wait until next year to hear the band's twelfth album. The Brazilian-born musician and his bandmates have spent the last few months working on the follow-up to 2018's "Ritual" at Platinum Underground in Phoenix, Arizona with producer Arthur Rizk, who has previously worked with CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, POWER TRIP and CODE ORANGE.

In a new interview with Finland's Kaaos TV, Max stated about the upcoming SOULFLY disc (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're just working on it. We're still just developing it. It's in the early stages of being recorded. We recorded some, and we have to record a little bit more. But we're just really taking our time. I don't think it's gonna come out this year, because we already have [the debut album from Max's] GO AHEAD DIE [project] coming out in June. So there's not really a hurry to make something fast. So we're just gonna take it easy and do it little by little. So probably we'll have it finished for next year.

"It's all right, because SOULFLY has always been there," he continued. "I really like the vibe that SOULFLY has; it's a very unique vibe in the metal world. So I don't really worry too much about SOULFLY. For me, it was really actually fun to step out of it to make GO AHEAD AND DIE and [the second album from] KILLER BE KILLED, because I just learned so much from those projects. And I think that also influenced the SOULFLY record, the works of those projects."

Last month, Max told Chris Enriquez of Saint Vitus Presents: Age Of Quarantine that Rizk took the new SOULFLY project "super seriously. He said, 'Hey, Max, I don't wanna do just another SOULFLY record. I wanna do the best SOULFLY record,'" he recalled. 'I was, like, 'All right. I take the challenge. Let's do it, man.'"

As for the musical direction of the new SOULFLY material, Max said: "It's full-on. I think it's got kind of like the best of all the years. I think it's a compilation Max Cavalera record of the whole 50 years. [Laughs] That's what it feels like — it's got old stuff, it's got middle stuff, it's got very SOULFLY vibes. It's got a lot of groove. It's got a lot of fast stuff. We're in the process of finishing it up right now. Hopefully it's gonna come out this year."

In December, Max told the "Sappenin' Podcast With Sean Smith" about the songwriting process for the new SOULFLY album: "The cool thing about Zyon, the way he plays drums, is he's a bit like a wild animal — he has no restraint, man, and he just unleashes on the drum kit. Pure, pure brutality power drumming, and I love that. So that takes me back to a lot of the early records that I like — a lot of the old ENTOMBED stuff and CARCASS and NAPALM DEATH; out-of-control shit. So I think we have that kind of spirit going on on a lot of the new tracks."

Last June, SOULFLY released a new digital EP, "Live Ritual NYC MMXIX". The effort was recorded at The Gramercy in New York City on February 11, 2019 while SOULFLY was on tour in support of its most recent full-length album, "Ritual". The audio for the EP was mixed and mastered by Charles Elliott (ABYSMAL DAWN) from Tastemaker Audio. Cover artwork was comprised of live photos taken by Rodrigo Fredes.

"Ritual" was released in October 2018 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2015's "Archangel" was produced, recorded and mixed by Josh Wilbur (KILLER BE KILLED, LAMB OF GOD, GOJIRA).

GO AHEAD AND DIE features Max along with his son, singer, guitar and bass player Igor Amadeus Cavalera, as well as Zach Coleman on drums. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on June 11 via Nuclear Blast.

VIXEN guitarist Brittany Denaro (a.k.a. Britt Lightning) spoke to Talking Metal about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's next studio album. "Well, it's going a little bit slower than we had anticipated," she said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "Before COVID, we had a bunch of writing sessions — in person — scheduled, where we all just get together and hang out and work on stuff.

"We all live in different states across the country, actually — from L.A. to Michigan to Florida — we're very spread out," she explained. "So it's not easy to travel. And honestly, nobody is super jazzed about sending tracks back and forth, trying to record it separately and everything like that. So we got a little bit slowed down. But we've got some great ideas. We're gonna be seeing each other in a couple of weeks, so we're really looking forward to getting back on track and just finishing the writing so we can get in the studio and bang this thing out. I'm very anxious to have it done. I know we've been talking about it for a while."

Asked about the musical direction of the new VIXEN material, Britt, who has been in the band since 2017, said: "Definitely it will be traditional VIXEN. When you hear it, I think you're gonna know it's VIXEN. We're gonna keep with the big three-part harmonies, the big, catchy choruses, cool, rocking riffs and solos and that thumpin' bass and, of course, Roxy's [Petrucci, drums] awesome sound. I think it'll be a slightly modern twist maybe — I think maybe I bring that a little bit, but I've been so influenced by VIXEN and other bands from that era that I think it's gonna stay consistent. And we want that — we don't want fans to be, like, 'What the heck is this? This isn't the band that I love.' But I think it's gonna be a good mix."

Britt's comments echo those made by VIXEN singer Lorraine Lewis, who told Metal-Net last November that the band's new material is "always going to sound like VIXEN as far as harmonies — [which is] really important to us — but really fresh. Lots of messages, lots of what our journey has been as individual women. And we're all just kind of putting our horses together, and I'm really excited. I'm just stoked to be in the studio again.

"We don't have it a hundred percent mapped out," Lorraine admitted. "Right now, we're still in writing process, we're still working on stuff — lots of lyrics and just kind of sharing them with all of us. Sharing choruses with [producer] Fred [Coury from CINDERELLA]. He says, 'Yes, this is a great chorus. Let's work on this.' So we're really, really happy and proud to be working with him. He believes in us, and he believes in me, which I really, really love. We've had a really great couple of talks in the studio and otherwise, like with Britt there, and him just saying, 'You guys have everything going for you. You have an amazing band. You're a legacy band. And you've got Lorraine doing vocals for you.' And I'm so appreciative that he believes in me and he thinks I can sing anything. When Fred tells you that you can do anything, you believe it. So I'm really excited to go into the studio and work with him. And I'm really honored that he has said some of the things that he said to me. So the sky's the limit here.'

Lewis added: "I wanna release a really powerful, amazing record. And let's get a couple of singles out there, and let's revise the VIXEN legacy and keep on rocking."

In January 2019, VIXEN recruited Lewis as its new lead singer following the departure of Janet Gardner.

Lewis had already performed with VIXEN in March 2018 in Durant, Oklahoma while Gardner was recovering from surgery.

Prior to Lewis's addition to VIXEN, Petrucci, Ross and Denaro vowed to "expand upon the VIXEN legacy while remaining true to our musical roots."

Gardner, who released her debut self-titled solo album in 2017, broke the news of her exit from the group on January 16, 2019.

Gardner, Petrucci and Ross are considered to be part of VIXEN's classic lineup, along with founding guitarist Jan Kuehnemund, who died of cancer in October 2013.

Gardner contributed lead vocals to VIXEN's most commercially successful studio albums — "Vixen" (1988), "Rev It Up" (1990) and "Tangerine" (1998) — as well as the group's latest release, 2018's live album "Live Fire".

STYX will release its new studio album, "Crash Of The Crown", on June 18 via the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The LP's second single, "Reveries", can be streamed below.

The legendary rockers — James "JY" Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals — wrote "Crash Of The Crown" pre-pandemic and recorded it during the trying times of the coronavirus crisis.

The "Crash Of The Crown" song breaks some brave new world ground for STYX. Actually, it's the first cut in the band's storied canon to feature three lead vocalists, seeing how it has Young unleashed at the starting gate, Shaw heading up the heroic stacked-vocal middle section, and Gowan leading the vocal charge for the final verse.

"I'm always looking for the one different thing we can do and still have it be STYX," the ever-ebullient Gowan notes, "and that's the song I'm most proud of. The beauty of it is that it's the culmination of all our talents crammed together into one song, 'Abbey Road'-style. I also got to use some gear I never thought I'd have the chance to play on a STYX record like Tommy's Hammond B3 organ, my Minimoog, and my Mellotron."

Efforts to record "Crash Of The Crown" began in earnest at Shaw's home studio in Nashville during the fall of 2019, with Gowan — STYX's criminally minded showman extraordinaire and keyboardist/vocalist since 1999 — in the room together with Shaw and the album's producer, Will Evankovich, as he conjured up the album's first song to be recorded, with cosmetic flourishes that reign over the insistent, yearning call for togetherness, "Common Ground". But the global pandemic that inevitably transformed the way we all wound up living in 2020 changed the course for how many of the band's home-and-away recording sessions ultimately had to set socially distanced sail. Safety precautions took precedent for all involved STYX bandmembers and production compatriots with much diligent quarantining and testing required before any one of them could travel to Shaw's tranquility homebase to spread the uniquely ingrained STYX stardust that's been duly sprinkled across the album's cosmically chosen 15 tracks.

Of all those who made the trek to Nashville, original STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo — who, along with his late twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, formed the initial nucleus of STYX when they began jamming together in their basement on the south side of Chicago in 1961 — is hands down the most effusive about the experience.

"I'm constantly amazed at how Tommy's songwriting continues to connect with the social consciousness that spans across generations," marvels Chuck, who plays on "Our Wonderful Lives" and "Lost At Sea". Lawrence's all-too-brief aquatic fever dream. "Both he and Will have been able to tap into the core elements of the human condition, which is something that's not going to change that much in 50 years — or even 500 years. That's why STYX remains relevant after all this time, because we're part of the human condition."

Whether it's the heady rush of the groundwork-laying opening track "The Fight of Our Lives", the wistfully observational treatise of "Reveries", the cautionary extended hand of comfort and redemption that frames "Hold Back The Darkness", the undeniable uplift of "Our Wonderful Lives" (a beautiful sentiment further embellished by a most welcome, first-ever appearance by a banjo on a STYX album!), or the elegiac clarion call for shared grace in "To Those", "Crash Of The Crown" is music that is both concurrently of its time and truly timeless all at once. Although the official release date for this landmark album may be time-stamped as 2021, the omnisciently observational content of "Crash Of The Crown" readily brings to mind an amalgamation of historical events that occurred in 1066, 1455, 1775, 1861, 1941, and even 2001 without citing any of them by name — Winston Churchill's prescient wartime observations that permeate the pervasive pleas of "Save Us From Ourselves" notwithstanding. In essence, "Crash Of The Crown" is a modern-day sonic chronograph of the endless regenerative cycle of the rise and fall — and rise again — of our shared human experience.

"We've never been a protest band. We're more like a gospel caravan trying to send out positive messages wherever we go," observes Shaw, who joined STYX in December 1975 as a guitarist/vocalist and instantly became one of the band's most important songwriters. "In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything's going to be alright. That's a very important part of how we do what we do."

Though "Crash Of The Crown" takes a hard look at some inherently dark subjects, the prevalent light at the end of the tunnel eventually becomes each song's focal point — a persistent fervor to keep moving forward and achieve the greater good.

STYX's holy mission for cutting "Crash Of The Crown" was crystal-clear to its co-creator from the get-go. "Absolutely no obstacles were going to get in the way of how we approached creating this album," Shaw concludes about the herculean recording efforts of his fellow "Crash Of The Crown" makers. "And everything came out exactly the way we wanted to hear it."

"Crash Of The Crown" is the follow-up to STYX's 16th studio album, "The Mission" (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called "a masterpiece") which was released June 16, 2017 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of "The Mission" was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album's 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

Additionally, for Record Store Day on Saturday, June 12, STYX will release "The Same Stardust" EP on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, which will feature two brand-new songs on side one ("The Same Stardust" and "Age Of Entropia"), as well as five live performances on side two of some of STYX's classic hits previously heard during their "Styx Fix" livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including "Mr. Roboto", "Man In The Wilderness", "Miss America", "Radio Silence" and "Renegade".

In touring news, STYX and COLLECTIVE SOUL are rested, healthy, and ready to hit the road for their first-ever multiple city tour together. STYX had previously announced their return to Las Vegas with a three-night sold-out engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on September 24, 25, and 26, which will include an exclusive set list and brand-new stage production. Tickets for various cities, as well as exclusive VIP packages from each band, are available now at StyxWorld.com and CollectiveSoul.com.

According to Architectural Digest, former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum recently sold a six-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Los Angeles for $3 million.

Set back behind hedges, the 3,966-square-foot Spanish Colonial Duplex was built in 1929 and bears a resemblance to Chateau Marmont. Located in the most prime section of L.A.'s Beverly Grove neighborhood, this property is walking distance to the finest shops and restaurants that Melrose Ave and Beverly Blvd. have to offer. Each unit is comprised of three bedrooms and generous living spaces spanning nearly 2,000 square feet.

World-renowned designer Ryan Saghian was tasked with redesigning the property while maintaining its architectural integrity and countless original details. There is a separate back house that has been converted into a full music studio. Other amenities include a whole house water filtration system, original fountain, vintage lighting, fireplaces, manicured gardens, koi pond, security cameras and more.

Property records indicate that Sorum purchased the house in 2004 for $1.15 million.

Sorum and his wife also own a house in Palm Springs, where they have spent most of their time in recent years.

Sorum, who replaced Steven Adler in GUNS N' ROSES, recorded the highly successful albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" (both 1991) and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1994). He also supported the group on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and can be heard on GUNS N' ROSES' "Live Era: '87-'93" (1999) and "Greatest Hits" (2004).

Sorum has said in the past that a GUNS reunion tour should have included both him and Adler, with each playing the songs they recorded with the group. Sorum was inducted as a member of the band into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2012.

Matt's long-awaited autobiography, "Double Talkin' Jive: True Rock 'N' Roll Stories From The Drummer Of Guns N' Roses, The Cult, And Velvet Revolver", will arrive on September 7 via Rare Bird Books after being delayed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Double Talkin' Jive" will be available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook, including a signed limited-edition hardcover with vinyl audiobook bundle, narrated and performed with music by Sorum. Signed preorders bundles ship August 2021. Trade hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats will be available wherever books are sold in September.




Former Guns N' Roses Drummer Matt Sorum Sells L.A. Home for $3 Million https://t.co/F1HKhiNAQR #CelebrityStyle #RealEstateCelebrityRealEstate #RealEstate

— Shelly Cofini (@scofini) June 4, 2021

TENACIOUS D's Kyle Gass has recruited a number of famous friends — including EVANESCENCE's Amy Lee, TOTO's Steve Lukather and Gass's bandmate Jack Black — to appear in the video for "Vaccinated", his spoof on the RAMONES' "I Wanna Be Sedated". There are also cameos by Samantha Bee, John C. Reilly, Kathy Najimy, Danko Jones and BLACK STONE CHERRY's Ben Wells.

The 84-second clip finds Gass on the eve of his vaccination appointment as he anxiously awaits his shot.

"Twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours from now/I'm getting vaccinated," Gass sings in the track. "Waited so long that I wrote down this song/I'm getting vaccinated."

Regarding his decision to turn "I Wanna Be Sedated" into an inoculation anthem with "Vaccinated", Gass said: "Getting the world vaccinated is the difficult but necessary challenge of our times. That is why I wrote this important anthem for all of humankind. Please enjoy getting 'Vaccinated'. You're welcome."

Cast in order of appearance:

John C. Riley

Kyle Gass

The Protomen

Steve Lukather

Danko Jones

Ben Wells

Kevin and Eli Weisman

Dan Finnerty

Kirk Ward

J.R. Reed

Cynthia Ettinger

Amy Lee and son Jack

Kathy Najimy

Kelly Loomis

Jack Black

Samantha Bee

Wanni Yu and family

RESURRECTION KINGS, the project featuring Craig Goldy (guitar), Chas West (vocals) and Vinny Appice (drums), will release its sophomore album, "Skygazer", on July 16 via Frontiers Music Srl. The follow-up to 2015's self-titled debut picks up where that LP left off, offering a magnificent set of songs with big, heavy riffs coupled with loads of catchy hooks and melodies.

Today, the band has released the song "World's On Fire". Check it out below.

Goldy says: "Once again, with the talent pool in which we have access to create, we all brought our 'A' game to the writing and recording of this album. With the freedom to utilize the music that we all were influenced by that started our musical endeavours to begin with, hopefully we expanded upon them in a way in which to inspire another generation of listeners to start a similar journey."

Goldy is truly on fire here, hitting every note with passion and feel. West shows off his massive pipes, delivering an exquisite hard rock performance. Appice is, as always, rock solid behind the kit. Fans who loved the '80s hard rock/metal vibe coupled with touches of '70s legends of the band's debut, will have much to celebrate with "Skygazer".

Of the first single, the title track, Goldy says: "'It started out with a drum groove sent to me by Vinny. His unequaled playing style automatically inspired the music and then Alessandro [Del Vecchio, Frontiers Music Srl's in-house producer] wrote most of the melody lines and lyrics. Besides the music, I wrote the melody and lyrics for two pre-choruses that sum up the song's meaning. It is a metaphor for the lengths to which our nations' leaders will go to acquire, keep, or grab more power for their own ambitions. That leaves us in their wake asking what measures are needed to defend ourselves. All of this comes at what price though?"

The idea for RESURRECTION KINGS sprang from a set of demos Goldy recorded with West, a vocalist with an unbelievable set of pipes, who has worked over the years with Jason Bonham, FOREIGNER, TRIBE OF GYPSIES, and his own band, WEST BOUND. From there, Frontiers president and head of A&R Serafino Perugino became involved and prompted Goldy to put together a lineup which also included Appice. Produced and co-written by Del Vecchio, the resulting self-titled debut album was an impressive example of classic hard rock with contemporary production and edge, mixing a vibe of WHITESNAKE's "1987" with DIO's "Dream Evil" and adding a touch of classic LED ZEPPELIN and RAINBOW. An extremely fun, rockin' record where the musicians were able to stretch their wings and really go for it in their performances.

Track listing:

01. Skygazer

02. World's On Fire

03. Tears

04. Fight Against Our Pride

05. Angry Demons

06. Savior Of Souls

07. Don't Blame Our Love

08. Is This The End

09. Troubled Soul

10. Set Me On Fire

11. Calling All Angels

Recording lineup:

Chas West - Vocals

Craig Goldy - Guitars, keyboards, bass

Vinny Appice - Drums

Alessandro Del Vecchio - production, bass and keyboards

During an appearance on MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn's "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast, STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand spoke about when fans can expect to see the follow-up to the band's 2017 album "Hydrograd". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "There's no timetable for a return, 'cause, honestly, between Corey [Taylor, vocals] doing his solo thing, now me working on THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT stuff, Roy [Mayorga, drums] working on MINISTRY… So, there's just no timetable.

"I made a comment last year, and it kind of backfired, because of how I said [STONE SOUR was on an] indefinite hiatus, which, if you know the definition, actually just means it's a long period of time with no timetable of return. I don't know if everybody thought I said 'infinite' instead of 'indefinite.' [Laughs] All of a sudden, the band was, like, over. It was, like, 'Oh my God! It's over.' All I was saying was there's no timetable. It's no different than what we've done in the past. It's just gonna be a longer break."

According to Rand, he and his STONE SOUR bandmates "needed to branch out", "try different shit" and "work with different people" before regrouping to work on new STONE SOUR music. "And then whenever that time is that we get back together, it'll actually be what is best for STONE SOUR," he explained. "There's no doubt about it in my mind. Just having these different experiences for all of us instead of just running that same cycle. I think more so with Corey and myself — like I said, he got to do a solo record where he's doing a different style of music than anybody would have thought of or that wouldn't have fit in STONE SOUR or SLIPKNOT. For myself, working with somebody that's not Corey and Roy. So there's a growth that will be there that we'll ultimately get which will benefit the band. I know some people might not be stoked that it's gonna be who knows when, but it needed to happen, and that's what's best for everybody involved."

Asked how he and the rest of STONE SOUR made the decision to take a longer-than-usual break this time around, Josh said: "I think at the end of the tour cycle, we had a good idea of what was going to happen, where [Corey] wanted to do the solo record. For myself, it's something I kicked around — just having some of the songs that I would musically write that I would never submit into STONE SOUR 'cause I don't feel like it fits at all. So I was kind of on that path to begin with. I just kind of got an extra nudge with him doing his solo record of, 'Hey, this is probably the time to do this.' And then we got hit with the pandemic, which then really locked me into the house. And I was, like, 'What else am I gonna do?' So I just started writing and working on playing piano. I did a bunch of stuff on piano, which some of it will come out, and some of it, it's, like, 'No.' I'll [it] for myself. And that's basically what we did. So we had a good idea, I think, that we were gonna take a longer break at the end of '19. I think towards the end, all of us were just burnt."

STONE SOUR has been off the road and out of sight since completing the touring cycle for "Hydrograd". Taylor has been working with SLIPKNOT since then, recording and touring behind that group's sixth effort, "We Are Not Your Kind", as well as making his solo album, "CMFT".

Last August, Taylor said that he was open to doing more recording and touring with STONE SOUR in the future. But he admitted that there had "been some contention here and there" between the members of the band in the past and added that it was "time" for him to "step away" and pursue his solo project for a while.

In June 2020, Corey told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that STONE SOUR is "kind of [on] the backburner. We all kind of felt that we did exactly what we wanted to do on [2017's] 'Hydrograd' [album] and we're just giving it a minute. I talked to the guys in the band about the solo thing and what I wanted to do, and they were all totally onboard with it. Everybody else has kind of got things going on, so they're all cool. So, yeah, I think STONE SOUR is kind of on hiatus right now, which is fine. If someday we wanna get back together and do some stuff, it'll be bigger than it was. But for right now, we're all kind of focused on kind of doing our own thing. But you never say never in this business."

Brad Whitford says that he has "doubts" about AEROSMITH ever being able to perform live again.

The 69-year-old guitarist, who has been a member of AEROSMITH since 1971, painted a bleak picture of the band's future during an appearance on Joe Bonamassa's hit interview series "Live From Nerdville".

After Bonamassa asked Whitford about AEROSMITH's European tour, which was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic caused it to be moved back to 2021 and eventually to 2022, Brad said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The European tour, they tried to plan one last year, and they're talking about next year. It's a pipe dream right now. Nothing's gonna happen for a long time. Sometimes I'm not sure what my partners are thinking when they think that's gonna happen."

He continued: "There's another interesting thing about going to Europe now because of Brexit — it's so much harder to get work visas because of that. That's gonna be a whole other nightmare. I mean, I have my doubts about AEROSMITH ever really performing again at this stage, because age is becoming a real factor. And it is what it is."

Back in 2016, AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer admitted in an interview with Rolling Stone that the health issues faced by members of the group — including his heart scare in 2014 and guitarist Joe Perry's stage collapse — make it harder for them to perform the way they used to.

"It surprised the shit out of me when it happened," Kramer said of his own health setback. "I exercise every day, I'm conscientious about my health. I thought it was heartburn or indigestion. We're not 25-year-olds anymore – we can't play as many shows as we used to. Steven [Tyler] can't sing two nights in a row or three to four nights a week — it's physically impossible. So it becomes a question of going out [on tour] less than we used to, or not doing it at all."

In February 2020, Kramer rejoined his AEROSMITH bandmates on stage during the group's "Deuces Are Wild" residency in Las Vegas. A month earlier, he sued the rest of AEROSMITH in a bid to perform with them at two Grammy-related events. But a Massachusetts judge eventually ruled against him and the group played without Kramer.

After Kramer injured his shoulder in 2019, his drum tech filled in for a few gigs during AEROSMITH's residency. Kramer did, however, perform with the rest of AEROSMITH in July of that year at the Twin Cities Summer Jam in Shakopee.

AEROSMITH's European tour is now scheduled to kick off on May 29, 2022 in Moscow, Russia and end on July 13, 2022 in Krakow, Poland.

In April 2020, AEROSMITH's Vegas residency performances scheduled for May and June of last year at the Park Theater were also postponed in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

AEROSMITH launched its Las Vegas residency in April 2019 and had completed several legs of the "Deuces Are Wild" concert production at Park Theater before the latest postponement.

Tyler is the oldest member of AEROSMITH, having turned 73 this past March.

Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing has offered words of support for David Ellefson who was fired from MEGADETH last month after sexually explicit photos and video of Ellefson leaked online along with allegations that he had been grooming a fan, which he vehemently denied.

Ellefson performed a full-length set of PRIEST classics with Downing, former PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens and ex-JUDAS PRIEST drummer Les Binks in November 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. A couple of months later, Downing, Owens and Binks announced the formation of a new band called KK'S PRIEST, along with bassist Tony Newton, a founding member of the long-running British hard rock act VOODOO SIX. At the time, it was assumed that Ellefson's non-involvement with KK'S PRIEST was down to the fact that his main priority was MEGADETH, which was working on a new studio album.

Asked in a new interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" if he hopes to have Ellefson involved with KK'S PRIEST in some way now that David is no longer a member of MEGADETH, Downing replied (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No. We're all consolidated now. We've actually been, obviously, working pretty hard for over a year and a half now together as a unit. And, obviously, we've got all of these videos we're about to release. So we're totally consolidated.

"But, yes, Dave and I, every now and again we're in touch, and, obviously, I did send David a text saying, obviously, 'You've got a lot of friends around the world,'" Downing continued. "And he does. He's not just liked — he's actually loved. Because he's such a gentleman. He gives time to… I prided myself in PRIEST, I really felt I was the one guy that was the very last person to hang out with the fans and just socialize and all of that. But David is exactly that person — he really is — and everybody says that about him.

"What happened — and I talk about it with other journalists and things like that — if this had happened in the '70s or the '80s, it would have just been put down to rock and roll," K.K. said. "He's no different to anybody else. We've all got strengths, and we've all got weaknesses, especially as men, I'm afraid. And so many have kept the doors closed where David messed up and left the door ajar, but he's no different to anybody else. So, I wish him well and everything, and I know that he will, obviously, come back, because he's so good. And he's an amazing bass player; there's no two ways about it. 'Cause when we did the gig at [the Wolverhampton club] Steel Mill, he flew in. We had one rehearsal, in the freezing-cold rehearsal room. He just got off the plane — and Ripper as well — and we ran through the set once. Then we went out and did the show, for better or for worse."

On May 10, several sexually explicit videos of Ellefson were leaked by an anonymous third party on the Internet and shared to Twitter; at least two of the videos revealed him masturbating. The longtime MEGADETH member later released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan.

On May 24, Dave Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — announced the bassist's departure from the band, saying, "We do not take this decision lightly. While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward," Mustaine wrote. Two days later, Ellefson released a follow-up statement in which he vowed to file a "defamation lawsuit" against the person who "illegally posted a very private video" of the bassist and made "false allegations" against him. He also said he was working with the police in Scottsdale, Arizona "in their investigation into charges regarding revenge pornography to be filed against the person who posted the video. This person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Ellefson wrote. He went on to say that he was "taking this time to be with my family" and wished his "bandmates" the best with their upcoming tour.

MEGADETH has yet to announce a replacement for Ellefson, who was in the band from its inception in 1983 to 2002, and again from 2010 until his latest departure.

David, who became a Lutheran pastor nearly a decade ago, and his wife Julie Ellefson have been married for 27 years. They have two children, Roman Alexander (25) and Athena Grace (22).

KK'S PRIEST will release its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records. The LP's first single, "Hellfire Thunderbolt", was released last mo

In a new interview with Sheldon Ang, Gilby Clarke was asked what it was like to play with GUNS N' ROSES at the height of the iconic band's success in the early 1990s. The guitarist responded: "I didn't feel great in the sense that it felt like I accomplished something; I didn't. I felt good in the sense of this is what I love to do — to play guitar. I love to play great music, whether it's my or somebody else's music. It just felt good to be doing what I love to do and have people appreciate it.

"I'm not an idiot," he continued. "I know that it's Slash, and it's Axl [Rose] — it's GUNS N' ROSES. But still, I'm doing my part. And my part was an important part too. It's not like I was the security guy. It was important to me. But it felt good. There were moments on that tour, like when I'd do my 'Wild Horses' thing" — referring to GN'R's performance of THE ROLLING STONES classic — "I came out by myself and started playing, where you take a moment and you go [takes a deep sigh]. 'Okay.' I did. I did have those moments. But it's also because when I got the gig, I was 30 years old. I had already been through the wringer, man. I knew what it was like to play a shitty club in front of three people. So when I got that gig, I appreciated what was special and unique about that gig."

Asked if he is still friends with Axl, Gilby said: "I'll always be friends with Axl — absolutely. I haven't talked to him in a long time. But he still sends notes every now and then."

Clarke replaced Izzy Stradlin in the GUNS lineup in 1991, during the "Use Your Illusion" tour, and stayed with the band for three years. After exiting GUNS N' ROSES, Clarke continued as a producer and solo artist, while also playing in SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, HEART and other acts.

Clarke, along with Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and former GN'R drummers Steven Adler and Sorum, performed three "Appetite For Destruction" songs with Myles Kennedy at the GUNS Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in April 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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's new solo album, "The Gospel Truth", was released in April via Golden Robot Records.

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale spoke to the 97.1 The Eagle radio station about her recent comment that she has been writing the best songs of her life during the coronavirus pandemic. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I hope so anyway. That's the way I kind of feel with every album cycle — that you keep trying to top yourself. But it's different with the way the world has kind of changed. And also when you're in that position where there's something, specifically with me with touring, we're used to being out on the road for about two hundred to two hundred and fifty days of the year, so when this big part of your life and this extension of your personality, this mission statement that you've always had in front of you, and that is stolen from you, you have to put that energy and that outlet into something else. And thankfully, yeah, the writing process — I've put all that energy into the songs, because I have nowhere else to put it. [Laughs] So, yeah, it's really exciting, and I can't wait for everybody to hear the new material."

Three months ago, Lzzy told Matt Pinfield of KLOS's "New & Approved" series about the lyrical themes covered in the new HALESTORM songs: "I'm just now seeing this arc, because there were the songs that we were writing just kind of coming off the road, where it's very confident and very live and energy. And then it kind of starts to get — still keeping the energy up, but then subject matter starts to get a little crazier and maybe a little darker. And then it's kind of starting to dip into some more hope now. So I feel like, in real time, this is going to kind of be like almost a musical documentary of what we've gone through, through this past year and change."

"Halestorm Reimagined", a collection of reworked HALESTORM original songs as well as a cover of "I Will Always Love You", the love ballad made famous by Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton, was made available last August.

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

In December 2018, HALESTORM was nominated for a "Best Rock Performance" Grammy Award for its song "Uncomfortable".

In 2012, the band won its first Grammy in the category of "Best Hard Rock/ Metal Performance" for "Love Bites (So Do I)". According to the Grammy web site, Lzzy became the first woman to earn a Grammy in the category.

Former ILL NIÑO members Cristian Machado (vocals), Ahrue "Luster" Ilustre (guitar) and Diego Verduzco (guitar) have launched a new band called LIONS AT THE GATE. The group's lineup is completed by bassist Stephen Brewer (WESTFIELD MASSACRE) and drummer Fern Lemus.

The official music LIONS AT THE GATE's debut single, "Not Even Human", can be seen below.

Machado says: "I feel so blessed to be in LIONS AT THE GATE. We've all been making albums for a long time but I think it was time for us to make something special and memorable again. This album is exactly that. Take away our musical history, take away our long hair, take away our personal feelings, just make believe we were never there. This LIONS AT THE GATE album is amazing. We finally made a modern metal album that metalheads will enjoy beginning to end. It's deep, it's memorable, I can't wait for everyone to hear it, I can't wait for everyone to hear the featured female artist on one of the songs."

Verduzco adds: "I'm beyond proud and excited to announce our new band LIONS AT THE GATE. Life is all about change and I feel that this music is the most dynamic and honest that we've ever written. I feel a sense of freedom and am completely reinvigorated and even anxious (in a good way) to be a part of something that pulls influence from so many directions . Each member brings a unique set of talent and tools. It's quite frankly some of the best music we've ever written. Organic, honest, and true."

Luster states: "I'm more excited about LIONS AT THE GATE than anything that I've been a part of since I started my musical career."

LIONS AT THE GATE's debut album was produced by FAILURE ANTHEM's Kile Odell, who has previously worked with FOZZY and MOTIONLESS IN WHITE.

Luster discussed his renewed collaboration with Machado and Verduzco in a recent interview with Pierre Gutierrez of Rock Talks. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I can't even explain how happy I am with how this came out. It sounds, in my opinion, better than anything that Cristian and I have ever done together, and that includes all the ILL NIÑO records that we've done together."

Asked about the musical direction of LIONS AT THE GATE, Ahrue said: "It's a very polished sound, similar to… I don't wanna say it sounds like [ILL NIÑO's 2003 album] 'Confession', but there's a lot of singing on it, there's a lot of production. But at the same time, there's heaviness to it. But the songs are better than anything we've written. And the crazy thing was the process of writing 'em was way easier than it has ever been for us. Usually an ILL NIÑO record would take us three to six months to finish. We finished this record in 20 days, and we believe it sounds better than anything we've ever done in the past."

Speaking about LIONS AT THE GATE's collaboration with Odell, Ahrue said: "He's worked with BAD WOLVES. I think he may have co-wrote with them. But he has a huge resume, and he's had, like, five Number One hits last year. And he was amazing to work with. I've worked with Ross Robinson, I've worked with Johnny K, I've worked with Terry Date, as a mixer, and I've worked with some other big names in the industry that have all had platinum records, and I'll say, hands down, Kile Odell is amazing. I would say, second to [MACHINE HEAD's] 'The Burning Red', it was an amazing experience. It was a different way. As far as Ross Robinson was really into the emotion and getting the emotion out of the players and the music, Odell is very musical and he's really able to help with the songs, and he has a great ear and a great vision."

In March 2020, Machado, Ilustre, Verduzco, drummer Dave Chavarri and bassist Laz Pina announced that they had "reached a mutual, amicable and binding agreement" that would allow Chavarri and Pina to continue with ILL NIÑO while Machado, Verduzco and Ilustre would move on with new projects. A joint statement released by the five musicians also indicated that the parties had "entered into a confidential settlement agreement."

In January 2019, Chavarri and Pina launched a new version ofILL NIÑO with vocalist Marcos Leal (SHATTERED SUN), lead guitarist Jes DeHoyos (SONS OF TEXAS) and rhythm guitarist Sal Dominguez (UPON A BURNING BODY). The Chavarri-led ILL NIÑO also issued a new single, "Sangre". A day later, Machado, Ilustre and Verduzco dismissed reports that they had left ILL NIÑO and vowed to continue with their own version of the band. Two months later, the trio filed a lawsuit against Chavarri and Pina, accusing the drummer and bassist of failing to pay the band's tour rental company and engineers, slandering Machado by spreading rumors that he has a drug problem, collecting and spending the band's money without consulting in all of the members and refusing the members access to the group's financial records.

In a statement announcing the launch of his new version of ILL NIÑO, Chavarri said about the split with his former bandmates: "Being in a band is much like being married, and sometimes people grow apart, and no longer see eye to eye, and a separation becomes inevitable."

Swedish boogie rockers Transport League have released the single "Me The Cursed", taken from the band's forthcoming album Kaiserschnitt, which will be issued by Mighty Music in the summer. Check out the official lyric video below.

"'Me The Cursed' is a reflection of the daily struggles in life. All the boundaries that you endure, all the choices that you make, stain your mind and soul in a good or a bad way. You might be torn, you might be tattered, but you are still standing and you are always cursed."

The pandemic struck Transport League hard, just like it did the whole music business and live scene. At the end of April 2020 the Swedes decided to wrap up songwriting sessions and drag themselves into the studio.

They entered Grand Recordings and El Bastardo Studio in their hometown, Gothenburg. The engineering was handled by Dan Johansson (Mary Beats Jane, Generous Maria) and Henrik Danhage (Evergrey). Transport League did the production themselves but with advisory from both Dan J and Henrik D. Mixing was done by Svein Jensen (Grand Recordings), mastering by Philip Granquist.

The 11 tracks breathe a lot of live-take energy and with some moody breakdown tracks as well. Guest appearances by Sal Abruscato (Type O Negative, A Pale Horse Named Death) on the track "March, Kiss, Die" and by Christian Sture (Heal) on "Kaiserschnitt", fit like a glove. The album is signature Transport League - groovy, energetic, catchy rock ’n’ roll.

"Criminal Energy"

(Photo by Patric Ullaeus)




window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
_taboola.push({
mode: 'thumbnails-rr',
container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails',
placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails',
target_type: 'mix'
});